Italian-inspired restaurants can make a name for themselves with a variety of dishes. Of course, there are outstanding pizza chains across the country that make classic pizzas. A chain may also offer excellent pasta dishes like Bolognese or Fettuccine Alfredo. There’s another dish that keeps hungry customers coming back for more: the classic calzone.

Think of it as a kind of pizza dough. A great calzone combines all the delicious flavors of a pizza – the sauce, the cheese, and of course the toppings – and encases them all in a tasty crust. This crust can also be topped with its own toppings, like cheese, before everything goes in the oven, giving it a nice crispiness.

Calzones can be found on the menu of many chains, from simple take-out pizza chains to full-service restaurants and everything in between. Most of the restaurants in this roundup offer the option to build your own calzone, similar to a pizza where you can choose your favorite ingredients for the ultimate personalized lunch or dinner. Next time you’re craving a calzone, consider the following restaurant chains.

DP dough

Nutrition:
Chick-N-Bacon Zone (per 1/2 calzone)
Calories: 480
Fat: 21 g (saturated fatty acids: 8 g)
sodium: 1,015mg
Carbohydrates: 59 g (fiber: 6 g, sugar: 8 g)
protein: 24g

If there was ever a restaurant chain that knew calzones, it’s DP Dough. Known for being on college campuses across the United States, the chain specializes in calzones. The menu features dozens of calzone specialties, including a classic Cheese Zone with mozzarella, parmesan, and ricotta, as well as unique creations like the Falling Rock Zone with bacon, tots, cheddar, mozzarella, and a side of sour cream. There’s also the Construction Zone, where customers can build their own calzone.

I tried spaghetti with meatballs at four major Italian chains and one of them tasted homemade

Gentle mushroom

Nutrition:
Vegetarian Calzone (per order)
Calories: 1.610
Fat: 54 g (saturated fatty acids: 27 g)
sodium: 3,570 mg
Carbohydrates: 213 g (fiber: 9 g, sugar: 26 g)
protein: 76g

Known for its brick-oven baked pizzas, Mellow Mushroom has made a name for itself nationwide. The menu also features delicious calzones, all slathered with garlic butter, sprinkled with parmesan cheese and served with Mellow’s signature red sauce. Variations include Cheese, made with mozzarella, provolone and seasoned ricotta; Sausagefest, made with meatballs, Italian sausage and Genoese salami; Veggie, made with spinach and mushrooms; and Steak, made with sliced ​​ribeye with mushrooms, sweet onions and green peppers. Customers also have the option to build their own calzone with all of their personal favorite ingredients.

Bertucci’s

Nutrition:
Sausage and pepper (per order)
Calories: 1,140
Fat: 44 g (saturated fatty acids: 28 g, trans fatty acids: 1 g)
sodium: 1,370mg
Carbohydrates: 84 g (fiber: 4 g, sugar: 11 g)
protein: 29g

Calzones are most commonly found in casual-style pizzerias, but there are also a few chains that offer them on their menu. Bertucci’s is one such Italian chain, whose menu includes a range of Italian-American classics from artisan pizza and baked lasagna to chicken piccata. Customers can “build your own calzone,” using any three toppings they like in addition to Bertucci’s triple blend of pecorino romano, ricotta, and mozzarella cheese filling.

Where to find the best slice of pizza in America, according to chefs

Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom

Nutrition:
Chicago Fire (On Order)
Calories: 1,489
Fat: 80 g (saturated fatty acids: 26 g, trans fats: 1 g)
sodium: 4,192mg
Carbohydrates: 131 g (fiber: 6 g, sugar: 10 g)
protein: 60g

As the name suggests, Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom is popular for its pizzas and beer selection. With locations in 22 states, the chain also offers a few calzone options on its menu, like the Chicago 7, which is made with pepperoni, Italian sausage, red onion, black olives, green peppers, sliced ​​mushrooms, mozzarella and ricotta. Or try the Chicago Fire, which is made with pepperoni, Italian sausage, red peppers, red onion, pepperoni, carrots, celery, ricotta and mozzarella and topped with fresh jalapeños baked into the crust. You can also build your own calzone.

Jet’s Pizza

Nutrition:
Cheese Calzone (per 1/2 calzone)
Calories: 710
Fat: 22 g (saturated fatty acids: 8 g)
sodium: 1,140 mg
Carbohydrates: 88 g (fiber: 5 g, sugar: 2 g)
protein: 36g

One of the best pizza chains in America, Jet’s Pizza offers authentic Detroit-style pizza to customers across the United States. The menu also features “Calzone-Style Boats,” which are made with all the ingredients you’d expect from an epic calzone. Jet’s Boats are calzone-style sandwiches baked from pizza dough and filled with mozzarella cheese and your favorite pizza toppings. You can also order one of three menu options, including Veggie, Italian Deli, and Ham & Cheese Deli.

The 8 best pizza chains in America

Pizza Hut

Nutrition:
Meatlovers Calzone (per order)
Calories: 1.870

Marylanders love Ledo Pizza for its signature rectangular pizza. With locations in nine states and Washington, DC, the East Coast pizza chain also caters to its calzone lovers and has a selection of favorites on its menu. Customers can choose from a Meatlovers, Veggie, Buffalo or regular chicken calzone, all filled with cheese and sauce and topped with even more cheese – for the ultimate lunch or dinner. Ledo also offers a $6 calzone deal on Tuesdays.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Donato’s Pizza

Nutritional information not available.

Donatos Pizza calls its version of oven-baked dough “calzato,” a play on the word calzone with a Donatos twist. The create-your-own calzones at Donatos can be made with a variety of meats, including pepperoni, sausage, salami, meatballs, and grilled chicken. There are also plenty of vegetarian options, including olives, bell peppers, and jalapeños. And of course, there’s plenty of cheese, from mozzarella to asiago.

The 100 Best Pizzerias in America, According to Critics

Papa Murphy’s

Nutritional information not available.

Papa Murphy’s knows stuffed bread creations. It’s considered one of the best chains for stuffed crust pizza, and the menu also features a variety of calzones. You can choose from specialties like pepperoni and mozzarella or garlic chicken, or create your own version. A dairy-free cheese version is also available for people with dairy allergies.

Schlotzky’s

Nutrition:
Italian Calzone (per order)
Calories: 1,220
Fat: 53 g (saturated fatty acids: 26 g, trans fatty acids: 0.5 g)
sodium: 3,370 mg
Carbohydrates: 125 g (fiber: 4 g, sugar: 11 g)
protein: 58g

Schlotzky’s is a fast-casual chain that’s been in operation since 1971. It’s perhaps best known for classic hand-meal dishes like the turkey sandwich. Most of its locations are in Texas, but its 300-plus restaurants are nationwide. Schlotzky’s can also whip up impressive calzones, including options like Chicken Bacon Ranch, Italian, and Sausage and Peppers.

I tried the Italian subs at 7 sandwich chains and the winner was clear

Amato

Nutrition:
Veggie calzone (per 1/2 calzone)
Calories: 530
Fat: 22 g (saturated fatty acids: 9 g)
sodium: 1,335 mg
Carbohydrates: 64 g (fiber: 6 g, sugar: 6 g)
protein: 20g

Amato’s is one of the country’s best Italian restaurant chains, serving everything from gourmet sandwiches to freshly baked pizza since 1900, and keeping customers coming back for more. It’s a quintessential New England pizza chain that also offers tasty calzones. Each one is served with your choice of vegetables, cheese, and meat. You can also order from a menu of pre-made calzones, such as All Meat with ham, pepperoni, sausage, and hamburger. A more vegetarian option is served with tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, and olives.