Benny’s pizza is truly a Blacksburg institution. The shop is known for its large slices, which are sold for a steal at only $5. Benny’s is a late night destination and has gained a cult following as a result. From the dented benches out front, to the crack in the window on the side, to the $500 pizza challenge, Benny’s has a unique charm that is special to its location.
Beloved by both locals and students alike, the restaurant was opened in 2011 by Virginia Tech alumni Chris Brown. After being surrounded by pizza shops that sell by the slice in New York City, and jumbo slice shops in Washington D.C., Brown and his partner Zach decided to combine the two ideas and open his own pizza place right here in Blacksburg. “We spent four years in big cities, and we just missed the mountains,” said Brown.
Brown has a unique business model. He doesn’t franchise out his beloved pizza shops. Instead, he teams up with friends and family in different cities along the east coast to bring his large, cheap slices to the masses. This allows him to operate Benny’s his way, and stay away from a “corporate, franchise feel.”
The stories surrounding Benny’s are a major part of what separates it from being just another pizza place. One of Brown’s favorites is how the window on the side got broken. “It was Mardi Gras a few years back and someone punched it and ran away.” However Brown doesn’t see it as a blemish, he sees it as a quirk that makes Benny’s special. It’s just part of the atmosphere for him.
When you meet Brown, you can see that he truly loves his job. He enjoys interacting with students and giving them a place to go for a late night snack. When we asked him his favorite thing about Benny’s he said, “Everyone’s always happy here.” This statement entirely summarizes what Benny’s is about: giving friends a fun, cheap, and interesting place to grab a bite in Blacksburg.
“I wouldn’t get through the week without Benny’s. They have the perfect ratio of cheese to sauce. It’s my go-to dinner. Best pizza in Blacksburg by far.”
-Jake Barker, Virginia Tech student