Charleroi PA

Carrie and I took a drive back to my home town. I've been here for almost two years now, and it hits me every now and then, that craving for spaghetti. I may make it at home every now and then, like my parents did with Prego Traditional, ground beef and extra touches from the spice rack.

But three places have a special place in my heart and memory when it comes to Americanized spaghetti, 1. The American Legion in Belle Vernon and their home made pasta 2. My Grandmother's house (sadly no longer available) and 3. Rego's, where I had my first job as a bus boy and every night I got a plate full of spaghetti with meat sauce.

I haven't had it over 16 years and it's still as great as I remembered. There's just something about it. It may be just that it's a memory that can be returned to.

I never order spaghetti anymore because the memories of what's good and what I like are already in place, and that's what I want when I eat spaghetti. So, I wait until those time are possible. It's been tough living a little over an hour away from Rego's and waiting until recently to get a fix, but man was it worth it.

On the way out of town we stopped across the river to see a really great friend of mine, who just a happens to manage a pizza shop that is known for another favorite food memory of mine.

She insisted on making one for us to take home. With a belly full of spaghetti, I had to have a slice after about five minutes smelling it in the car.

"The Red Top" is what makes Armando's what it is. And the people that love making pizzas the right way.

"Quality ingredients, quality flour, quality craftsmanship in making the dough", I think that's how Mandy put it.

Thank you again Mandy.