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CiCi's Pizza offers unbeatable price
By Jeff Korbelik
Friday, Mar 26, 2004 - 12:00:19 am CST
The price for the all-you-can-eat buffet at the new CiCi's Pizza is $3.99.
No, it's not a misprint. It's just $3.99.
If you like pizza or if you're just really hungry, you can't beat the deal at CiCi's.
The takeout option isn't bad either. For $12.99, CiCi's serves up two large one-topping pies with one large dessert or garlic bread.
On the buffet, you will find in rotation 16 kinds of pizza, ranging from the standards to the somewhat unique, such as spinach alfredo (my recommendation) and barbecue pizzas.
And if you're hankering for a pie with anchovies and jalapenos, CiCi's will make it to order.
There's also pasta with marinara and alfredo sauces as well as a simple salad bar, garlic bread and fresh-baked cinnamon rolls.
Enough different kinds of food to keep you coming back again and again.
Opened by Bret Tibbets, 30, on March 8 in the shopping mall with Toys R Us on North 27th Street, the new CiCi's Pizza is part of a national chain.
Founder Joe Croce opened the first CiCi's in Plano, Texas, in 1985.
According to the CiCi's Web site, Croce's vision was to create a family oriented restaurant that serves hot, fresh pizza at affordable buffet prices.
Apparently, diners have bought into his concept. Today, there are more than 450 CiCi's in 23 states.
The Lincoln CiCi's is the first in Nebraska. Tibbets hopes to open more in Lincoln and the tri-city area (Grand Island/Kearney/Hastings).
He worked in CiCi's management training for 2½ years in Dallas before deciding to move to Nebraska and open his own restaurants.
He and his wife have family here.
"We really liked it every time we visited," he said. "Lincoln just seemed a great fit for a CiCi's."
He's right.
The restaurant is extremely family-friendly.
The Lincoln location, which can seat more than 200, has a game room. Plus, the aforementioned price is great. Kids ages 4 to 10 eat for just $2.99, while those 3 and under eat free.
As for the pies, they are comparable to those found at other national chains in Lincoln.
The crusts, which are freshly made every day, are medium-sized, meaning they are not too doughy or too thin.
I particularly liked the specialty pizzas spinach alfredo, barbecue, Pizza Ole and alfredo because they were out of the mainstream.
I think diners will approve of the standards such as pepperoni, hamburger and sausage.
The thing Ireally like is the willingness of CiCi's to make special-order pies. That will go over big.
And you can't beat the price. With a soda, an individual can eat for less than $6.
Eat a lot.
Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@;journalstar.com.
CiCi's Pizza
5100 N. 27th St., Suite A-8
Atmosphere: Casual
Specialty: Pizza; $3.99 buffet
Payment: Cash, checks, major credit cards
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday
Phone: (402) 476-8888
Notes: Parking, no alcohol, no smoking, takeout, game room
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