Smiles all around at Eddie's Pizzeria & Eatery in Claremont on Foothill.

There’s a new class of dining in town called “affordable luxury,” and Eddie’s Pizzeria & Eatery has got it.

“It’s a first-class, sit-down dining experience, but without the high price-point,” said Eddie Inglese, who you probably know through his other successful local restaurants, Tutti Mangia in Claremont, Eddie’s Cucina Italiana in Rancho Cucamonga and Spaghetti Eddie’s in Glendora.

Although Inglese isn’t abandoning his Italian roots, his Pizzeria & Eatery at 1065 Foothill in Claremont, across the street from Marie Callender’s, is very much taking on an Americana-style identity dishing up new favorites like Grilled Chicken Chipotle ($12.99), Chicken & Broccoli Light ($10.99), Shrimp Scampi & Broccoli ($12.99) and, dare I say, an Apple Pecan Salad ($7.99).

Did I also see a veggie combo submarine sandwich on a wheat roll for $5.49?

Burger aficionados also have more options. On Monday, I tried the Black and Blue Burger ($6.99), not because I was feeling beat-up after a long weekend of weekend warrior sports but because I love burgers with peppercorns and bleu cheese. It’s a bomb burger, although I also had my eyes on the Grilled Pastrami Burger, for the same $6.99.

Decisions, decisions, decisions.

As for the pizza, Inglese has found a happy middle ground  — not thin, not deep dish, but a light springy crust that supports whatever fresh and savory ingredients you want on  it, and the last I counted, there were 48 toppings to choose from. From A to Z —  or from anchovies to Zucchini. I chose Canadian bacon, roasted garlic, Italian sausage with pesto sauce, but that’s just me. I’m sure on my next visit I’ll get even more creative.

Inglese also goes one extra on the soups and salads. Sure, he’s got the classic Caesar and antipasto salad, but he’s also changing things up with his apple pecan salad (field greens & romaine lettuce tossed with sliced apples, bleu cheese crumbles, craisins, candied pecans and golden raisins in a pomegranate dressing).

You can stop in for lunch or dinner, but with all the specials, why not bring the whole family. Or if you don’t bring them, don’t let them know you stopped here. Dine-in specials include the Spaghetti Special ($6.99) on Tuesday, which comes with garlic bread and soup or salad, and the Chicken Parmigianino Night Special ($9.99), a complete dinner that includes salad and garlic bread.

Eddie’s Pizzeria is keeping it fresh and delicious, and changing up the menu to keep things exciting every night of the week.

“Hey, Eddie, how about a side of your new Tuscan Hummus served with some fresh veggies & pizza flatbread?”

Changing things up and breaking boundaries. That’s the Americana way, Eddie’s Pizzeria & Eatery has got it and got it right.

This summer give it a try!

1065 W. Foothill Blvd., Claremont, CA (909) 398.1985. Catch more of Eddie’s Pizzeria & Eatery on LaVerneOnline’s REEL People video.