Since opening earlier this year in south Chandler, Gennaro’s Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen has built a solid neighborhood following with its delicious New York-style pizzas. Recently, though, a friend and I stopped in at lunchtime to try a couple of the nonpizza menu items.

The mood: About half of the tables and booths are occupied when we arrive. The tasteful decor features two walls of windows, a third with exposed brick and a tiled floor. Since it’s lunch, we order at the counter and grab a window booth; in the evenings, there’s table service.

The food: The lasagna ($7. pictured in front), with four layers and three cheeses, is basic but tasty. It’s a large, thick portion, with plenty of chunky tomato sauce. Garlic bread is served with it.

The cheesesteak ($6) also is hefty. Served on a 10-inch soft roll (imported from Philly, according to the menu), it’s filled with shaved steak and large pieces of onions.

The cheesesteak comes with chips but, surprisingly, not cheese. For an extra 50 cents, though, I could have gotten Cheese Whiz. But it’s pretty good without cheese.

The drinks: Our fountain sodas are $1.50.

The damage: $17.30. I’m still a fan of Gennaro’s pizza, but it’s nice to know there are other options.

>> Gennaro’s Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen, 4015 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. (480) 895-8700.