Among the countless bistros and restaurants that come and go in this town, the local pizza joint is central to every college student's existence. Whether you're stumbling home from another long night or cramming for a test, the almighty slice never fails to satisfy any discriminating palette.

With that in mind, I wandered into State College's newest offering for all things Italian, Margarita's Pizzeria and Italian Cuisine, 222 W. Beaver Ave.

Like most pizza places, Margarita's offers the usual staples of hot and cold subs, wedges, calzones and pizza.

I ordered the most basic thing on the menu -- a slice of cheese pizza and some garlic sticks -- to see how Margarita's would measure up.

By far, it met expectations and passed the taste test of still tasting delicious without the aid of alcohol. With a crisp crust and no napkin dabbing required, my selection went down smoothly.

I'd like to say I savored every bite, but I was too busy working on my second and third slice.

The garlic sticks were light and fluffy, piping hot on the inside and served with some savory marinara sauce. These were just average, but a pepperoni-stuffed option might fare better.

For fans of the deep dish, a Sicilian option is also available. If you're in the mood for some more exotic toppings, there are many specialty pizzas available, such as buffalo chicken, white pesto and a vegetarian option. It's also available by the slice for an extra chunk of change.

If you live and die by plastic, the restaurant also takes Lion Cash and credit cards -- I'm still waiting for other food places to jump on this wagon.

Unlike most takeout pizza stops, Margarita's also has a rather large selection of traditional Italian dishes for those with a heartier appetite.

Margarita's offers manicotti, lasagna and stuffed shells just like mama used to make, or would have if I had the expanded stomach to try them all.

After eyeing some of the other patrons, I found the salads to be another popular choice. The bowls were heaping with fresh veggies, and the specialty salads are quite affordable. On those cold spring days, a steaming bowl of the soup du jour also looked quite tasty.

Since only opening in March, Margarita's appears to have already developed a base of loyal customers. The staff was extremely friendly and will even deliver your meal to your table. Although I wasn't there during the rush hour, every item on the menu can be adapted to your liking and is whipped up promptly.

Margarita's draws students and locals alike with their affordable fare and excellent pizza. I've already had slurred ravings from the late-night crowd, so it's only a matter of time before Margarita's becomes a household name.