When it comes to the utterly addictive garlic rolls, Mario the Baker has become Super Mario. An unassuming Southern Italian restaurant, Mario the Baker has become as much a Miami landmark as Joe, the stone crab king. A family favorite, especially on Sunday nights, Mario the Baker is a mob scene -- not in the 'Sopranos' sense of the word -- that never fails to attract hungry northeastern expats looking for their fill of thin-crust pizzas topped high with meatballs, olives, peppers, mushrooms and, of course, pepperoni. And while pizza is definitely a big draw here, other classic Italian restaurant items such as meatball heroes, sausage and peppers, baked ziti and a fantastic lasagna are what keep people coming back for more on a regular basis. Noisy, to say the least, a meal at Mario the Baker is not unlike attending a very lively Italian family gathering. -- Lesley Abravanel

Categories: Restaurants-Italian, Restaurants

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