I'm not usually a fan of deep dish but the Old Chicago version here is soooo good! It has tomato sauce, mozzarella, provolone, Italian sausage, meatball, garlic, ricotta, oregano and romano that's generously applied to the top of the crust. I was informed that this is different from the cast iron pan pizza here (which has a much thicker focaccia-like crust). Because it's so filling, it's difficult to order anything else but a pie. It takes about 45-50 minutes for the deep dish but in the meantime, they gave us complimentary minestrone soup, which was surprisingly flavorful and really hit the spot on a cool evening. Anyways, no matter because all you need to know is to get Old Chicago deep dish. Also good to know: cash only. The decor here is really cool. Really like the old school vibe.
Ok Heat fans, the tripping call on LeBron last night was the right call. And the call after the game to feast at Capo's was also the right call. Thick crust pizza usually isn't my thing, but I don't know what it is about the San Francisco Bay Area but you people sure kick butt over Chicago with your version of "Chicago style" pizza. Capo's is another recent addition that again is topping my list of Bay Area favorites. The dark "speakeasy" environment is right up my thirst alley. A creative cocktail list that had me at 'Silencer". Without getting into details, order it. The appetizers are gut busting delicious. The meatballs are a meal by themselves, but the honey pork sausage was the winner. We loved them so much we made sure that the pizza we ordered were stuffed full of those suckers. Yep, the salads looked great as well. But if you're concerned about calories then this place isn't for you. Give into your temptation and feast away at one of San Francisco's newest food Mecca.
(5)
Tonya H.
I can't stop thinking of your spaghetti and meatballs! Spot on! Please open a spot in Seattle!
(5)
qirk z.
The deep dish is delicious. The cracker style was too cornmealy for my taste. Enjoyed the comp house soup, very good. The the comp meatball, very good. Two slices of deep dish kept me full for the rest of the day, even when the day included a five mile walk around SF going up and down 3000 stairs.
(5)
Carin W.
My bf and I went to Capos last night; the handcrafted drinks were fabulous and very original. I had a Suicide; it was very complex and reminiscent of an Aviation. We were told it would be an hour wait and we were seated 15 minutes later. The restaurant is very comfortable. The red bench seating was pure 1920's. Pictures of gangsters on the wall added to the 1920's prohibition mob era feel. The owner was incredibly gracious; he stopped by each table to check on your experience. My bf is south side Chicago; he was craving deep dish pizza but was highly skeptical of finding a decent facsimile; we found the best deep dish Chicago style pizza outside Chicago that he has eaten since he moved to Columbus. Service was fantastic as well and if we lived in San Fran we'd be regulars!
(5)
Brian L.
You would be challenged to find a better deep dish pizza in SF. The restaurant's inside gives the great Old Chicago feel, and the wait staff is very accommodating (also very good about recommending how much pizza your party needs). Worth every penny. Give it a try.
(5)
R B.
Worst experience ever. The pizza was very disappointing and I agree with another reviewer here about choosing the Costco pizza over this one. We also ordered the Wood Fired Conchigile (seashell pasta) baked with dungeness crab. Sounds yummy, right? Wrong, it was way too salty and you couldn't even taste the crab (if there was any in there). But as bad as the food was, the service was even worse. We had a party of 8 and had reservations for 7:30pm. As soon as we got there, the (rhymes with witch) hostess wailed at us that our table would need to be available for a 9:30 reservation. Really? No, welcome to Capo, glad to have you here. More like please make sure you eat in two hours because we will need your table at 9:30. Then to top it off the manager (I think he was) came to our table and told us we were too loud. He was a total jerk who has no business being in the restaurant or service industry. Firing him would raise my review here by almost 3 stars. Yeah he was that rude. A huge, boisterous space of glass, brick, concrete and steel meant to encourage lively conversation (which was happening all around us) and WE were too loud? Give me a break. A total waste of $400+. Don't waste your time. Yelp should have the option for zero stars which Crapo's deserves. Crappy food and even crappier service.
(1)
H. D.
To be fair...we did not eat here. We went to the restaurant Sunday at 6:45 pm after seeing Beach Blanket Babylon just a block or 2 away. We were asked if we had reservations and we did not. The hostess said she could not seat us because they were running out of cheese and would not be able to take walk-ins. The restaurant website says there is always accommodations for walk-ins. Go Figure! Saw this place on Check Please. Not sure we will bother.
(1)
Mel M.
CAPO's you stole my heart & I left it in San Fran!!!! The food was soo soo delicious! An they were so accommodating for my group of 8. There was a little mix up with my schedule and they made up for it in every way. My experience here left all of us craving more. I love their pizza.. Anyway, next time I come back I will be dining here :) I also want to shout out to Mario the owner. Thank you for the great service!!!
(5)
Mike G.
It was a cold fall night in San Francisco and we were parked about 7 blocks from our original destination. We saw Capo's neon sign and peaked into the window to see a nearly packed house. Decided to try it out! What a great choice. The service is friendly and very attentive. We were sat down at a comfy booth for two and our drink orders were immediately taken... no wait! Happy to have my Hendrick's on the rocks stat! We were handed menu's to browse and there was an assortment of anti-pasto, pastas, and pizzas. I decided on the eggplant lasagna and my partner ordered mostaccioli baked in meat sauce. Within a few minutes of ordering a courtesy bowl of pasta fagioli was brought to the table for each of us. It was yummy and helped warm us up for the delicious dishes that were to come. The food arrived in about 20-25 minutes. The eggplant lasagna was perfect outside of it being a bit over sauced. But considering the sauce was perfectly balanced, that was just fine. The mostaccioli with meat sauce was incredibly tasty.The sausage they use is delicious! Oh, how could I forget, the portions are huge! Each dish could definitely be shared by two. After only being able to eat half the serving it was time to consider dessert... and by consider dessert I mean order it and devour it... I order my usual whenever at an Italian restaurant Tiramisu. It was served in a jar and the mascarpone was thick and the coffee flavor so nice. Probably one of the best tiramisu I've had in recent memory. Left full and more than content. Will definitely visit Capo's again on our next trip to San Francisco!
(4)
Brit M.
Sat at the bar on sat night without any wait. Bartender was awesome and so was the food
(5)
Steve B.
Please note this is a cash-only location. Comfortable environment with very generous portions and friendly staff. I had the baked mosticcioli and my wife had the sausage (quite spicy). The free soup was a pleasant surprise. The breadsticks would be great for those who really love garlic, because they sure made extensive use of it. If you'd like a slightly upscale yet comfortable environment with reasonable prices and very large portions, this is a good choice. Just keep an eye on that garlic because you're bound to encounter quite a bit of it here!
(3)
Catherine S.
This was a fun place. I walked here with some co-workers and we arrived a lite early before the dinner rush. We were led to a lush, comfortable booth and our very Italian waiter was attentive and helpful about the menu as we had never been to this restaurant before. They served complimentary vegetable soup and sour dough bread before our pizzas arrived. We ordered deep dish and a thin crisp pizza, both were very good. Our water glasses were always filled, they let us stay long after we were done and were flexible when we gave them four credit cards to pay. When we left, the restaurant and bar seating was filled! I would for sure return for pizza next time I'm in this neighborhood.
(4)
Andy R.
I'm giving this a 5 for, food, drink and service. I want to give it a 4 for the inconvenience of being cash only... But the food is too darn good! My stars...(5=epic "best of") (4=really tasty and want to go again and again) (3=good and will go back once in a while) (2=fair, might return for a visit if there was some glimmer of hope) (1=avoid at all costs) Go or No? Go! Tease: It's a Chicago style pizza and Italian food place in the heart of SF's North Beach. Why I went: Friends of ours recommend Capo's when we had a trip planned to SF with some other friends. Given we were in SF, we felt going to a Chicago style place seemed silly. But we were told it was worth it. When: May 2013 Food: The Johnny Torrio Thick Crust Chicago Style Pizza is it! Made spicy, it included sauce, cheese, sausage, Italian beef, giardiniera, and sweet peppers. Man was it good! So darn good, my friend and I ate so much we virtually got in food comas! We also tried a sausage and onion thin crust. The thick was a rockstar, and the thin was only an opener. The thick is honestly one of the best I've ever had. The thin, very forgettable. Don't bother! All meals come with a nice brothy soup. The cocktails were also superb! They have all sorts of old and new school mixed drinks. They also have their own blend of whiskey. They have so many whiskies it's not even funny! Service: Great! I forget our waitress' name, but she was very good. Hints/Final thoughts: Best darn Chicago style thick crust pizza outside of Chicago...and even better than most in Chicago! BRING CASH!!! This is a cash only place. It's super annoying. I think it's so it keeps costs down and to give it an old timey gangster/prohibition vibe. Thankfully, there is ATM in the place in case! I recommend the management allows credit cards. Our group would have spent more if they allowed it! My family is originally from Chicago. I've had all kinds of Chicago pies from Uno to Lou Malnati's. Capo's simply stacks up with the best of 'em! Get the thick, skip the thin! Also, be warned, the place is small! You may have to wait for a table!
(5)
Tammy B.
#NAME?
(5)
Mitzi A.
All things famously Chicago style! From the deep dish pizzas named after well known Chicago landmarks (like "The Michigan Ave" - their pepperoni pizza) made with "Ceresota flour (the oldest most traditional flours used..." in Chicago and throughout Illinois.)....to their Italian Beef sandwiches, this place harkens to old Chicago. The ambiance has old brickwork walls and dark red leather booths that can seat 4-5 people comfortably...and then there's the swanky old fashioned wooden bar and public phone (domestic calls are free!). Try the homemade veggie soup starter served before every meal. This pizza joint is brought to you by the same folks behind the world reknown Tony's Pizza (also in North Beach). Recommendations: Caesar Salad, Cast Iron skillet pizza crust (is still deep dish style, but has a crisper crust so not as soggy as the regular deep dish). Don't Recommend: The Quattro Forni (4x cooked) pizza...not as tasty as the other pizzas and not any crisper (which one would think based on the fact that they pizza is cooked 4x in different ovens!). The pastas are good...the lasagna can probably feed 2-3 easily. Another good point is the now TAKE CREDIT CARDS (which wasn't the case when they first opened!). Stop by and let Capos take you back in time to the Chicago of old.
(4)
Daniel S.
First two things you have to know. This place is cash only and when you sit down they tell you a pizza will take 40 minutes. (It says 35 minutes on the menu so a long wait is the norm). So knowing both these things up front, had to problems. The Service. We are seated by the hostess and given the run down. 5 minutes later we get drinks. 15 minutes later a waiter takes our order. 25 minutes later our pizza shows up. During the course of the meal I was asked if I wanted another Coke. It never showed up. I do not need my waiter to be friendly and interested in my day. I just need him to be around in a timely manor. After we finished our meal, we sat another 15 minutes before I was able to catch someone and ask for our check. The Food. We got a deep dish pepperoni and garlic. The crust was fairly thin, the mozzarella was about an inch thick, add some pepperoni, whole garlic cloves and then a large helping of a very wet red sauce. You had to cut small pieces off because you we're chewing a ball if cheese. Flavors were all over the place and did not meld together very well. A great product would have let me easily over look the poor customer service. We are reheating the left overs for breakfast. We will see if the food is any better the second time around.
(2)
Christian H.
I was surprised that I didn't see Al Capone come walking through the door while I was here. The waiter and hostess both were kind and very informative of daily specials and dishes that were going to take time to cook. Communication between staff seemed excellent. Chicago deep dish was a very big portion, big portions around all dishes actually. Overall the experience was inviting and I would return for another great pizza.
(4)
Natalie I.
Wow! What a huge meal. Left this place totally stuffed. My husband and I are huge fans of Tony's so we had to try his new spot Capos. We ordered a cracker crust and a deep dish pizza. Both were great, but it was a little much. Probably could have gone with just one. Still think Tony's is better but this place is definitely worth the trip.
(4)
Janell H.
We ordered the thin crust pizza, meatballs to share and salads. The complimentary soup starters is AMAZING! So glad I can order it to go next time I am in need of a good soup, aka sick. The salads are a good size. .We each got one but easily could have shared one. Meatballs are a must. Do it. You will be glad. Thin crust pizza is great... and and a god choice if you went for soup, salad, meatballs and bread. We took some pizza home.
(5)
B. Y.
I LOVE Tony's Pizza - so I really wanted to love Capo's. Unfortunately, it just didn't do it for me. The crust wasn't thick enough, the sauce was a little too sweet and the toppings/stuffing were too salty. We sat at the bar, and the service was great, though. Unfortunately, we'll have to stick to Zachary's or Little Star (or frozen Lou Malnati's through mail order) for our deep dish fixes.
(3)
Kirsten V.
I am very excited about this find in North Beach. It's sort of off the beaten path but If you happen to want a great Italian spot away from the North Beach craziness try this spot. The decor is great as you walk in. Has kind of a speakeasy feel with the exposed brick walls and the pictures of Italian mobsters and the crafted cocktails being mixed. The service is great and you definitely get the sense that when you leave they'll remember you. So we split a paper thin pizza (I think it was called the old Chicago) which was outstanding. The touch I especially loved was the very simple soup of homemade consume and some sort of a pasta they bring everyone at the beginning! It tasted like my mom's homemade chicken stock she takes all day to make. We wrapped up the meal with gelato which was very, very good! Next time I am not leaving without trying the Chicago style pizza. Hope this place stays around cause it's really good.
(4)
Alexandra I.
Really cool place! It has kind of a 1920s gangster vibe that we liked. We decided to get 2 pizzas (4 people). One was the "cracker thin" kind (can't remember what it was called but it was the only one with horseradish) and one was deep dish and was the italian stallion one. I preferred the italian stallion one but both were great. The service was also superb and my glass was never less than half full.
(4)
Ennie L.
I'm not a fan of deep dish but everything else I had was really good. - their thin crust pizza has amazing cornmeal crust - meabtalls were DELICIOUS! - calamari, I'm not usually a fan of calamari in general, but this one's a winner - soup & pastas were all very good - Cesar salad, a lighter dish & very good indeed - artichoke pesto, yum yum Overall I was happy with this resto and I'll be back!
(5)
Kim N.
Ive been trying to hit this place forever and for one reason or another, I've failed many many times. Too late, closed on the day, etc etc. I finally try and go to a different resto and they're closed for a private event, Remembering there is a 10pm last seating we rush over. Just slipped in. Problem is, cant get the Chicago style special. Phooey. Guess there will be another visit in the future, If I can make it back. The cracker style Sam Giancana and Conchigilie crab pasta sure hit the spot though. And these are large portions for two people. They even brought us soup before the meal. Needless to say we had food for the next day. Service was super friendly even though we were in at the very last minute. The only drawback is it's cash only so I had to run down the block to my bank for a withdrawal since I had nothing on me. Though they do provide an ATM inside, Im not sure what the service charge would be. Next time deep dish and cocktails for the full experience.
(4)
Mel L.
From the moment you meet the well dressed, charming host, with a great smile and a firm handshake, Mario, you feel like family. The door opens and you are transported in time and space. The service is excellent, the complimentary soup has a really nice spice and was a welcomed surprise. The cracker thin crust margherita is a perfectly balanced blend of garlic, olive oil, sauce and cheese. The deep dish with sausage is out of this world. Despite the deep dish crust, it is not heavy. Excellent value. Came home totally stuffed, with plenty of delicious leftovers. Can't wait to go back and be smart enough to save room for dessert.
(5)
Rick O.
The soup that they served me actually had a fly in it. I can't believe actually took 2 spoonfuls before seeing that fly in it. All that the manager told me was that she was sorry and that critters sometimes fly in unexpectedly. I could not believe how she handled the situation. I was in such a shock that I didn't even ask to be compensated. I will never go back and would not recommend the place based on the service and the cleanliness as well as the fact that they only do cash.
(1)
S. L.
After reading the excellent reviews, my husband and I were excited to try Capo's. Unfortunately, at the end of our Saturday lunch, we left the restaurant disappointed and wanting more (as in better quality, not quantity). Yes, the portions are big, but so is a Costco pizza...and I would choose the Costco pizza over Capo's any day...sad but true :| Antipasti platter: good, pretty standard (yay * one star for their supplier) Garlic bread: gross, tasted and looked old Soup: salty as fcuk Margherita cast iron pan pizza: tomato sauce, cheese, and toppings slide right off the pizza. why? well seems like they pre-bake the dough so you're left with a boring dry flat loaf of bread with toppings slapped on as an afterthought and melted right before they bring it out to you. lame * The second star is for their attentive bus boy (man). He's the hardest worker there. Drink glasses were always filled. He was the only employee to quickly tend to a lady that spilled her water all over the table. Promptly removes plates. Skillfully manages to do his job without having his bum in your face or touching your table / over your food (tables here are really close together so it's bound to happen).
(2)
Brett S.
Couldn't have been more interested in trying the new place by one of the best pizza chefs in the country. Unfortunately we were greeted with a cash only restaurant. Cash only is fine at a small cheap establishment but not at a top tier place in SF. We decided not to empty out an atm to eat here. Hopefully credit card will be added soon.
(2)
Darrell L.
LOVE Capo's (as well as its sister restaurant, Tony's Pizza Napoletana, down the street). This isn't just a place that you go to enjoy great pizza of many different types, but also for a great experience. The staff do a great job, the bartenders know how to mix up excellent drinks, and it is always great to see Tony, who despite being one of the hardest working pizza makers in the business often stops to say hello and provide a great recommendation. Every time I have been in Capo's, even if it was just to grab a drink when walking through North Beach, I always seem to meet very friendly people who are also enjoying their visit to this treasure. Get to this restaurant, but you will have to get there many times to enjoy all the menu has to offer!
(5)
Nikki A.
Make sure you have cash (or use the ATM inside). My husband and I shared the meat and cheese platter. The spaghetti was delicious. Service was excellent.
(4)
Terry C.
I can't remember the last time i ate till i want to throw up but i sure did last night. Everything we had here was DEEEEELiciousssss. The four of us ordered one of each type of pizza (except for the stuffed). It was a bit ambitious but it was too hard to decide! We called ahead to order a Quattro Forni - the pizza that is cooked 4x in 4 different ovens. They only have 20/day and it was definitely worth it. The crust had a nice crunch but the dough was so soft and chewy. Our second pizza was the cracker thin crust - i was surprised at how delicious it was. The name says it all, it really is cracker thin, but imagine it warm, with cheese and sauce and whatever topping your heart desires. Our 3rd pizza was the cast iron pan. For that pizza we got the Frank Nitti and the ricotta on top was very delicious. The cast iron pan crust is similar to the Quattro Forni. It is more bready and very delicious. For our final pizza, we got the chicago deep dish. I honestly can't be very objective about this because by the time this pizza came, my stomach was beyond it's capacity. I can say the tomato sauce ratio was perfect and there a hint of sweetness which was perfect. On top of all this pizza, we had the complimentary soup and a delicious side order of the meatballs. The Meatballs are delicious, i highly recommend it. Besides all the amazing food, the decor of Capo's is awesome. They have the old time cash register, a phone booth that actually works (i saw someone use it!), leather booths, brick walls & a high ceiling which makes the place seem bigger and more open. Even though i'm still in a pizza coma, i'm looking forward to coming back to try their other dishes!
(5)
Tammy G.
We saw this place on Check Please and my brother-in-law decided to have his birthday dinner here. We were lucky enough to get the front window booth which made the birthday boy happy. The Dillinger and the Big Jim. Chicago style. Sis said the Big Jim was her "flavorite". Everything was yummy and we had a ton left.
(5)
Anyssa R.
Service is great. Atmosphere is great. The servers are very friendly! The deep dish pizza was amazing!! Will definitely come back to this place next time we are in San Francisco!! Overall such a great experience here!
(5)
Ron S.
Dine on September 27th approx 9:30 great service by McKenzie always impressed they can memorize everything we wanted without writing it down. Place was full we didn't mind waiting a bit which gave us a chance to review the menu. We ordered a sampling of quite a few items all were delicious and came out timely. Cant wait to return.
(5)
Claire b.
I ADORE this place. Have already been twice. My absolute favorite dish here is the anchovy crostini. If you like that sort of thing. The complimentary soup is SO GOOD. the Ceasar salad was perfect, very lightly dressed which is the best way in my opinion. Last time I came I got the cast iron pizza which I do not recommend. The crust is super thick and kind of dry. The regular deep dish is fantastic though and the cracker thin was seriously out of this world. I like the cracker thin crust even better than Tony's. It has some kind of cornmeal on it to make it extra crispy. They have wines on tap, love the pinot noir, very drinkable and went well with the food. Got the whiskey crisp for dessert, also great. My absolute favorite part about this place is the ambiance. Its just so cozy and fun and they have these big snuggly booths for larger parties. Least favorite part... cash only. Feels kind of pretentious. They have an ATM machine in the back but it happened to be broken. Overall, I absolutely love this place and will be back again & again!
(5)
Jon W.
Tony Gemignani can execute a creative restaurant concept and design as well as he can toss pizza dough and bake the perfect Margherita pie. As we approached Capo's my wife exclaimed, "How does he do it! This place looks like it has been a popular spot here for decades." In fact, we were going to Capo's on the second night it was open. Incredibly, the staff seemed to be already in stride and the kitchen in peak form. To start the meal, guests are offered a complementary bowl of white bean and vegetable soup that would make your Nona smile ear-to-ear. We ordered The Sam Giancana deep dish pizza--made with tomato sauce, Mozzarella, Provolone, house honey Calabrese sausage, Chicago Italian sausage, garlic, oregano & Romano. It was so flavorful, the sauce so delicious, it would have made Tommy Dorsey forgive this pie's namesake for "convincing" him to let Frank Sinatra out of his contract (an offer he could not refuse). The stylized Chicago-retro interior is replete with heavy nostalgic touches that include a vintage cigarette vending machine, period phone booth, gangster photos in oval frames and massive red leather booths. Somehow all these visually-demanding elements managed to sync harmoniously without seeming contrived or forced; the place is very cozy and intimate. I look forward to returning to sip cocktails like the Wise Guy--made with Rye Whiskey, Fresh Lemon, Cracked White Pepper, Orange Marmalade, Agave Nectar, Fresh Oregano--at the bar while watching Tony's magic unfold. Only one warning about going to Capo's: It's CASH only.
(5)
Rick T.
Capo's is located between Chinatown and North Beach. You'd think parking would be a insanely hard, but if you know where to look, it's quite easy. Worst case scenario, just park at the garage up the block on Vallejo. I had their Wise Guy at the bar while I waited for our table. Quite refreshing and not too sweet. I'd get it again. For our table, we tried the anchovy and sardine crostini, meatballs, a deep dish (Old Chicago) and a cracker thin (Johnny Torrio) pizza. The restaurant served us all complimentary soup! The crostini was a bit too anchovy for me, but the meatballs were superb! Putting some of that along with its sauce spread over some bread made for a great bite-sized meatball sandwich! On to the pizza. The deep dish seemed like it had a cornmeal crust (just like Little Star, my fav). The sauce was a little sweet, and I could taste sausage in every bite. The mounds of ricotta on top was a nice touch. Kinda wished they cut the deep dishes slices smaller. I was definitely surprised by how great the cracker thin crust was. I absolutely love their crust! Wasn't that big of a fan of the peppers on top, so I'd probably choose another type next time. We were completely over stuffed by the end of the night. Would absolutely come back and also want to try their other pizzas, especially the Quattro Forni which is only limited to 20 a day.
(4)
Drew P.
Three word review: Better. Than. Zachary's. For those of you not from the Bay Area, let me explain. For decades, the king of pizza (at least, deep dish Chicago-style pizza) has been Zachary's in the East Bay. No one could come close to the texture and taste of their crust, the deep flavors of their tomato sauce, or the smoothness of their cheese. Until now. Capos serves several styles of pizzas, but the ultimate is the deep dish. The crust is dusted with corn meal and incredibly crunchy like fried dough. Their sauce is savory and spicy with chunks of tomato (as opposed to Zachary's even and blended texture). But the difference is the cheese. Throw in some chunks of ricotta (I got the "Big Jim" Colosimo's Triple Double), and it takes the pie into a completely different category. PROS - Best deep dish pizza I've ever had. Period. - Full bar with signature cocktails. - Great decor and furniture. CONS - Pretty small, so get there early or go on off hours. - Cash only (as of 2013-01-18). TIPS - Deep dish pizzas take 35-40 minutes to bake. - Come hungry and come thirsty.
(5)
Jeff R.
I had a lot of fun at Al Capone's table. Tasty wine and a good beer selection. I got a deep dish and just as a warning these things are huge, six slices = six meals. Make sure you bring your friends. The beer and wine have the usual mark up ($6 - $12 per glass), and I almost didn't come in because a deep dish is $26, but you get your money's worth out of that pizza. Great crust and generous toppings, a solid pie.
(4)
Yvette F.
Finally found our way there for lunch last Sunday. When we got in, we were greeted by the host who looks uncannily like a cross between Ivy from the TV show Smash and Kate Beckinsale. So Of course we had to take a 2nd look. Once in and seated, we marvelled at the delectable sounding items on the menu and finally settled on the deep dish of the day for my partner and the mostaccioli (fatter version of the macaroni pasta) genovese. Well, color me amazed, my dish was humongous!! It was also delicious! With 4 different kinds of cheeses plus pesto and sundried tomato, it was just packed with flavor. At $18, it turned out to be a very economical meal because it not only filled me up nicely that day, my partner and I each ended up with a full size lunch out of my leftover too!! As many have mentioned, this is a cash only establishment. While this is the norm when compared to the nearby Chinese eateries, Capo's is also trying to establish their cocktail program which can run up the tab so I'm not sure this makes good business sense here. I for one would be more conscious when ordering my alcohol here to make sure sure I brought enough cash to cover my tab. Though ATMS are close by, I wouldn't feel safe withdrawing money after a glass or 2. Other than that, we will definitely be back!!
(4)
Sonj F.
Yummy! My husband and I ate here last night for the first time, it was fantastic! We had the clams casino to start, they were just ok. It seemed like perhaps Tony was going for a more modern take, but I think this dish should be reworked a little bit. (my disclaimer: my uncle makes the BEST clams casino, most pale in comparison.) The complimentary soup was fantastic,I'd go back just for it! We ordered the Old Chicago deep dish with spinach instead of sausage... The verdict? Split decision. I loved it. Better than little star! My husband? Little Star is a 10 in his book, this gets an 8.9. As expected, drinks were great. Had Unti wine on tap and a couple of cocktails. We preordered our pizza earlier in the day of our reservation. They double and triple checked our order and everything came out perfectly. Don't forget the phone booth! Use this vintage phone to make free calls to anyone in the US!!
(5)
Kajal G.
From hostess, to food runners to bartender, this place has incredibly nice, helpful and knowledgeable staff. Hostess made conversation while we waited for a seat and when we were waiting more than 5 minutes, started shifting the people waiting for to-go orders so we could sit. They offer pasta fagioli soup on the house. Meatballs are delish, especially the marinara! The mushroom, arugula, truffle oil garlic bread is amazing and the salad was yummy and well dressed. Very fresh ingredients and these people clearly give a fuck. This place is awesome. The bartender was incredibly knowledgeable about the whiskey flights he poured us- knew a lot about each and described the flavors and tastes perfectly (not like when wine tasting and people give me bs "flavor notes" about their wines). Also, he makes a great cocktail! Will definitely be back as there were a bunch of people who came in to pick up their chicago style pizzas to go so clearly the pizzas have to be a big hit.
(5)
Victoria J.
I came here for dinner on a Friday night. I knew it was going to be crowded and expected to wait, but it was an hour and 20 minute predicted wait time. I put my name down, and the hostess took my phone number. I love that they do this because I always hate when some establishments make you wait around to be called. This way, my boyfriend and I were able to cruise around North Beach and take advantage of the time we had there. Something I wish they would have told us before though was that you can pre-order your pie! While walking around the thought occurred to us that maybe we could pre-order since deep dish pizzas take around 30 minutes to bake. We went back to the restaurant and filled out a pre-order slip for the Sam Giancana, recommended to us by the hostess, and were able to continue our jaunt around North Beach. When we were called back to the restaurant we got our pie in about 10 minutes of being seated, which was truly perfect timing after finishing our complimentary soup. The pizza itself was pretty great, I loved the red sauce and the crust was perfect. Of course deep dish styles have a huge amount of cheese, so just be prepared for that. I would return here, but maybe at a less crowded time and I think I would definitely pre-order again rather than having to wait for so long at the table. You have to have a really interesting date or a book to keep you going. This is definitely a cute date place because of the nice interior and cool speakeasy-ish vibe.
(4)
Amy A.
First, let me say that I hate paying a lot for food, that I am incredibly picky, and that my husband and our friend absolutely loved this place. I am sure that they would give it 5 stars and they especially loved the apricot stilton. I like simple food, a margherita pizza or some capellini pomodoro, some bread...so, for me, the food was too fancy. The staff are so friendly. Even though it was probably obvious that we were tourists, they were warm and welcoming. A man that I assume was the owner was flirting with a group of young girls and making them laugh. It was a good time, even if I didn't love the food.
(3)
mike c.
I'm a regular here and tonight I was showing my friend around sf and new she had to try the dellinger pizza. We picked up the pizza Togo right before they were about to close. Not even half way through my pizza did I feel something in my pizza...the longest strand of light hair. It wasn't a hair that you just pick and pull out but a hair that you continued to pull out and the hair just continued to elongate out of my mouth. Not only am I disappointed and grossed out that the longest hair was inside this pizza but grossed out and now my friends never want to come back again. Thanks for making me eat a hairball...
(1)
H T.
i had dinner here on sat night, and it was pretty good! i got there after my friends already ordered, so i didn't see the actual menu. to start, they give everyone a bowl of brothy veg and pasta soup, and it was so delicious...like comfort food. we got a salad w/ gorgonzola and the clams rockefeller to start, which were both tasty, particularly the clams. for pizzas, we got one cracker crust margherita and a cast iron one w/ sausage. the coal oven one was very bready w/ a cheesy cast iron crust. the thin crust was very nice and crispy. i would try the chicago style next time over the cast iron crust, but i was in a bready mood anyway, so i was fine w/ it.
(4)
Tim R.
Just had a pizza Margherita thin at Capo's. It's a Chicago-style joint but sadly the stuffed pizza is made with lard, so no go for mio. The crust was crunchy owing to the corn meal and the sauce was great. The cheese was nothing to write home about but for a 25 dollar pie, it was decent. Good thing they had Duvel on tap. Nice place, great bartenders, too. Being in North Beach there are so many Italian joints to try. On to the next.
(3)
Dheeraj I.
North Beach has always been known for its Italian food. Until recently though, it hasn't had great pizza. Sure, there's Golden Boy, but I rarely have it before 1am. And I never have it sober. That said, it's good stuff. With the addition of Capo's, and of course Tony Gemignani's other amazing restaurant, Tony's Pizza Napoletana, I can no longer say there's no good pizza in North Beach. Yesterday was my first meal at Capo's, but I will be back several more times to work my way through the menu. Although, only few days old, this place was running like a well-oiled machine. They nailed it. The look and feel of Capo's is unreal. As soon as you walk in, you can tell this place is special. My buddy and I sat at the bar, but I couldn't help but wish we sat in the one of the plush booths behind me. Next time. As for food and drink, I started out with the Made Man. Whisky isn't my go-to drink, but I liked it. It was expertly prepared by the bartender. Our meal started off with a complimentary serving of fagiole and bread. It was a light, but very tasty way to start off the meal. Next up was the chop salad. Iceberg lettuce, garbanzo and kidney beans, onions, olive and a very light and tangy oil and vinegar dressing. Nothing special here, but it reminded me of the salads they served at old school Italian restaurants on the east coast. For the pizza, we ordered the Michigan ave (cast-iron) and the quattro forni -- Tony's award winning pizza. Quattro means for, and forni means oven. This pizza was baked in 4 different ovens! Both pizzas were amazing. Tasty sauce and cheese, and amazing crust. I rarely give out 5-star ratings, but Capo's is definitely deserving of one. It's hard to think of anything that could be improved upon.
(5)
Brad C.
In our quest to conquer North Beach, my wife and I found ourselves in the neighborhood on a walk and decided to check out this hot spot I've been hearing much about. We were seated as soon as they opened their doors at around 5:30. The service was attentive, gave us the run down on the specials and favorites and after we ordered our food they brought us a complimentary soup and bread. Nice move, it was very tasty. I had the Frank Nitti deep dish pizza and it was delicious. Very heavy, layers of cheeses, and just super nice. The only thing I've had similar to this in SF has been at Paxtis. Not cheap but the place is damn worth it. I could only get through 2 slices. This $26 monster deep dish was good for 4 meals. Fun, friendly, clean atmosphere. Great bar. Solid! I'm a fan.
(4)
Alex S.
Cozy restaurant, aka small for what it is. It's interesting manager/owner/gangster kept walking up and down the stairs in suit and carrying around prosciutto. I think we just ordered sad menu item, but it could have been better. We all ated the pizza, but pizza was drenched in horseradish. Italian stallion. A really thick layer of horseradish over almost all the pizza and nothing to balance it out. No red sauce, not much meat, one layer of beef of some sort. It really didn't seem like such a good deal for a pizza. Now that I think about it, place was only ok. Id go back if someone else made me, and we ordered something different. Also waitress was pretty put off that all we ordered was a pizza. We were pretty full from stuffing our faces at the wharf with chowder and calamari, much better deal in my humble opinion. Also complimentary soup was pretty sad... tasted like bullion, the stewed veggies in it were nice, but i would be surprised if that soup did not have msg in it. and i love msg by the way.
(2)
Al T.
Tony G has done it again - another winner! While I love Tony's wood-fired and coal-oven napoletana masterpieces, I've always had a soft spot for Chicago-style pies. Having spent my college years in the windy city, I've had my share of deep-dish. The bay area spots (Zachary's, Patxi's, etc.) can (mostly) hold their own against their Chicago counterparts...and places like Little Star have upped the ante with their cornmeal crust. Capo's is a welcome addition and possibly the best of the lot. In the former Pulcinella space, the restaurant is almost unrecognizable...in a good way. The decor looks great...we sat the beautiful bar, but also looking forward to sitting in those comfy red booths on subsequent visits. Extra points for the Old Style sign against the brick walls. For a restaurant so new, the service is extremely polished and friendly. We were greeted at the host(ess) stand by Tony's lovely wife. The service at the bar was excellent...and Tony himself brought out our antipasto appetizer. The pizza? We were curious about the cast iron option...so we ordered the Sam Giancana pie and it was sublime. The house-made calabrese sausage on the pizza was insanely good. Washed it all down with Goose Island Mathilda...well paired. Overall, a great experience. I can't wait to come back and try the deep-dish and stuffed options!
(5)
E G.
Cute place, large flavorful portions, great service, cash only
(4)
Katherine M.
I just came here tonight for the first time. I had to check it out being a huge fan of Tony's. My server was really nice, but the tables (2-tops) are really close together to the point where your neighbor can hear your entire conversation. Huge portions, but delicious food. i had the spaghetti and meatballs and the pasta seems like it's homemade. Delicious. The salads are huge as well. I would like it a little more if they had different lighting and worked on the bathrooms. It was too dark, and not in a relaxing intimate way.
(4)
Vena V.
The anchovy and sardine crostini, with kalamata olive tapenade, anchovy cream, and smoked provolone, was out of this world. We'll be back just for that. For Chicago pizza, it's Due or die for me. So Capo's deep dish is good (perfect sauce, perfect cheese, perfect toppings), but none of his Chicago pizza's have cheese in the crust, so I'll enjoy the pizzas, but still wait for my next opportunity to go to Due in Chicago to get my heart attack on a plate. My husband liked the deep dish and gives this place 5 stars, but both of us preferred Tony's (same owner) thinner crust pizza's, so we'll likely go back to Tony's for pizza.
(4)
Stephanie A.
Love love love the pizza here. Except, I hate business's that only take cash. What's the deal??!! Man up n pay the Visa fee.
(4)
Samuel C.
Was recommended by a fellow foodie, and this place did not disappoint. I really loved the ambiance and the food was amazing. Great food and great service, thoroughly enjoyable experience, will definitely return!
(5)
Roxy B.
Probably tasty if you consume meat, but a surprisingly terrible option for vegetarians. All their pizzas (aside from the cracker thin) contain lard and the complimentary soup has a chicken broth. Normally I wouldn't knock off too many points for this but it's not a steak house - it's a pizza place. Vegetarians should be able to go and expect a delicious meal as well. I did order the cracker thin crust which was just okay and the crust was burnt. I also didn't love the bread their served beforehand. Redeeming qualities are that the atmosphere was nice and there was absolutely no parking in North Beach the night we went, so the owner (mafia boss?) very graciously let us park right in front of the restaurant.
(3)
William B.
The food here was great. They led off the the juiced up amouse bouche course which was a white bean soup and didn't look back from there. Next we went for the calamari and the artichoke/cheese creation for the app course. Both had a subtle kick to them that really got me going. Not going to lie though... after inhaling those I was a little worried about the deep dish on the way. We decided on the Old Chicago for the pizza and it sure was a treat. Great pizza from the red sauce down, but the ricotta they set on top just takes it to the next level. Why just 4 stars? The GM or manager on the floor was mean mugging our table from the moment we walked in all the way through us walking right back out that door. I was carrying a bike helmet and didn't wear a suit to dinner, was this your reason for the scowl? This was very surprising as our waitress was very nice and people have been giving the service rave reviews all around.
(4)
Jason D.
Excellent Service Excellent Pizza And free soup!
(5)
Freckles H.
Great restaurant - from the decor/theme, service, and food! The four of us ordered the clams, which was really good because it had bacon bits! The sauce it was in was really yummy, too. We were given free chicken noodle soup, which was nicely seasoned and perfectly salted. As for pizza, we ordered the cracker thin Margherita and Triple something for the deep dish. I'm not a deep dish fan, but I have to say it was pretty good in terms of the crust & sausage. We all enjoyed the Margherita as well. The two pizzas were more than enough since the deep dish is super heavy with the cheese, sauce, and dough. Overall, great dining experience and will definitely come back for more!
(5)
D G.
What he said! The flavor of the fresh ingredients, the exquisite drink made by the whiskey celeb bartender, Bree the beautiful Hostess, the gracious and attentive servers, the cozy and historic room with treasures on the walls.... Wow. Glad we were there; a special time for us to be able to celebrate the contained success of Tony Gemignani and Company. As Matt H. reviewed, Tony has hand-picked, discovered or designed almost every aspect of Capo's. There are so many charming features and treats to talk about at Capo's... but I won't list them here so you can discover them on your own. OMG - the food at Capo's! Delicious and hearty. You will find yourself telling others what you ate at Capo's days later. Capo's is a special place for those seeking a special dining experience.
(5)
Michelle N.
I was fortunate enough to receive a lucky invitation to the grand opening of Capo's and wow - I was definitely impressed! I loved the atmosphere, the amazing bar, and of course the delicious food. I am now an even bigger Tony's fan and can't wait to come back with my friends and family. Some of the highlights of our tasting were: * The made-man cocktail...delicious and packs-a-punch...watch out! :) * The sausage deep dish pizza, I could eat that crust with cornmeal all day long *The calamari - omg, a must order! *The meatballs, even in my wildest dreams I could not recreate these or the marinara If you're looking for a great meal to share with italian food and chicago style pizza lovers, book a reservation at Capo's (tip: they plan to operate practially exclusively on reservations unless you are joining the bar), you definitely won't find a better pizza in San Francisco.
(5)
J-nine D.
Happened to find this place by accident.. the BF was craving an Irish Coffee and this was the only bar in the area willing to make it for him, so we decided to come back for dinner. MAKE RESERVATIONS b/c this place gets really busy and it is CASH ONLY. We arrived and waited 1 hour to be seated because I made the mistake of not making a reservation. We sat at the bar where the BF enjoyed a glass of whiskey and I had a bottle of Sarsaparilla. YUMMM there is a 45 MINUTE WAIT FOR PIZZA. We learned that sitting at the bar talking to the lovely waitress. She let us order our "Big Jim" deep dish pizza from the bar and we had it delivered to our table 20 mins later. We later found out that they give complimentary soup with any order but also ordered the Caesar Salad to share between the party of 4 and "the Outfit" which was a big serving of cured meat. **best apricot cheese ever** By the end of our delicious meal we were all stuffed. I think it was the owner lady but she wasn't that nice and spoke to us condescendingly each time, but the rest of the staff was fine. I would like to go back and try a different pie =)
(5)
Vicki L.
Order the deep dish and garlic bread. Friendly service from the entire staff - nice greeting from the host, bartender, manager driveby, great server and back up team. Friendly valet service, too. Comfortable vibe. This place rocks in all areas.
(5)
dave g.
We ate there once so far and it blew our socks off! Can't wait to go back! We got two pizzas. One was a stuffed with galic and ricotta and the other was a cracker crust half cheese/half spinach and ricotta. With the thin crust, the bottom didn't droop one bit. It stoop up straight, was crispy, crunchy and quite flavorful. The stuffed was equally as tasty. It had big, thick crust on the outside (almost too thick) but was just wonderful. I had a few slices the next day and they re-heated superbly. The ambiance and decor couldn't be better. There are red vinyl booths, red brick everywhere, pictures of old mob guys on the walls, even a secret door I saw someone disappear into. This place is the real deal. Rather than serve bread as your free appetizer, they served soup - Pasta Fagioli, which was tasty and a nice, unexpected touch. Since they make 4 different types of pizzas, we've only had two and I can't wait to try the others. We've already made reservation for 10 to bring family there over the holidays. Can't wait.
(5)
Chris Q.
The best Chicago-style deep-dish pizza I've had in California! More authentic than Pizz'a Chicago, Patxi's, Zachary's, and the others. Zachary's is mighty tasty in its own right, but it doesn't take me back to Chicago like Capo's. Still need to try Little Star or Tony's Pizza Napoletana. I judge my Chicago pizza by Pizzeria Uno and Pizzeria Due in the city. Do not be fooled by the name of the franchised Uno Chicago Grill which is NOWHERE in comparison. Capo's is good, at least equal to Giordano's in the Chicago area, lots of melty mozzarella, rich tomato sauce and a solid layer of spicy sausage. The crust approaches the ideal stand-up crunchy yet somehow flaky texture, not oily but with olive oil goodness (like a croissant is not oozing butter but tastes buttery). I ate at the bar because it was pretty crowded and enjoyed the barkeeper's excellent service and humor. I also give Capo's a little credit for attracting interesting people to the bar for me to talk to.
(5)
Eric A.
If you are a pizza lover go to Capo's. The Quattro Forni is cooked 4 times in 4 different ovens and is one of the best pizza's I've ever had in my life. Since it is baked so many times, the bread is very puffy which makes for an excellent taste.
(5)
Carolina H.
Dining at Capo's was a great way to kick off the holiday weekend - best friends, delicious food, and liquid libations on a stormy night. We started with the garlic bread topped with truffle oil and mushrooms, and the mixed green salad. The complimentary soup was also a nice surprise, along with the good looking server who brought it over - which was the little lift that my table needed. We ordered the Old Chicago (sausage/meatballs) deep dish, which was quite filling and we took a few slices to go. It was a beer (Goose Island Matilda) and wine night for my group, but the cocktail menu (Wise Guy) sounds inspirational for trip number two. The service was stellar, and Tony himself, even came over and thanked us for dining in last night. Just another highlight. The service and staff were super friendly, and helpful, whether in person or over the phone when making the reservation. As for the interior, I did feel like a boss! Especially, sitting in one of the red cushioned booths. All I really needed was a cigar and I'd be in a season 3 episode of Boardwalk Empire. I've been looking forward to it's opening for awhile, will definitely be back in the near future and am adding it to my must do it again list.
(5)
Jeannette V.
FANTASTICO!! We went with a big group (10 ppl) for my husbands birthday and WOW - the food was AMAZING. We ordered family style so got to try a lot of the menu and everything we had was delicious! The Quattro Forni was well worth the wait! The spaghetti & meatballs were amazing too - best meatballs ever! For pizza we got the Old Chicago deep dish and the Margherita think crust. WOW! The margherita had excellent flavor and the crust was amazing. But the real show stopper was the Old Chicago - holy smokes! Hubs, who is Italian and from back east was in heaven!
(5)
Jenna R.
Came here on a Sunday night with the boyfriend and it was pretty crowded, but there were two seats at the bar and they will serve you a full menu there...perfect! The bartender was amazing! He was prompt, answered our questions, and made sure we enjoyed everything, while still making casual conversation. We had the Caesar salad with anchovies. It was served with the whole romaine leaves which I like, but I know some people don't like the stalk. The meatballs were a perfect consistency and tasted great and the marinara sauce is perfect! It is rich but flavorful and complimentary. We ordered the garlic bread thinking it was just a side but it was a whole plate! It was also very good. We skipped over their pasta and meat dishes and went straight to the deep dish pizza. I loved it! It was very saucy and very cheesy which I love! The crust was cooked to perfection and magically didn't turn soggy even with all of the juicy marinara sauce on it! This is by the same guy that owns Tonys down the street which has a more classic take on pizza and Italian food, so we knew that this place was going to be good, and it definitely lived up to our hype. Go Go Go!
(4)
Kari K.
The food here is AMAZING! I came here with my mom after walking up the Coit Tower steps, and I couldn't be happier to be seated right away. The only shit part was they were cash only, so my mom had to run to the bank which was around the corner. We ordered the caesar salad, which was huge, the clams that had a generous amount of prosciutto, and the spaghetti and meat balls (my fav). I would recommend ordering the spaghetti and meatballs to anyone. the noodles are like ive never had before! A+ service as well, our server was really sweet and attentive. Minus one star for being cash only.
(4)
Josh Q.
One of the best sub-haute meals I've had in a long time. To start, we had the quattro forni. It looks like a pizza, but trumps every type of pizza I've had, from Chicago, New York, Berkeley, anywhere. We were seated at ~9-9:30, so I was very surprised they had any left, since they purportedly have only 20 a day. It's a shame that so few people order it. We then had the fire roasted bell pepper and seafood (crab, shrimp, and other stuff) pasta. The bell pepper was great, and the the best flavors of the seafood were noticeable, not overwhelmed, by the pasta. We also had the fried chicken, which was good for the taste buds (very), for the alcohol (details later), and for the heart (not). Finally, given that this is a sister restaurant to Tony's, we had to try their actual pizza - so we finished off our meal with a Big Jim. Topped with all my favorite toppings cooked to perfection, our night of gluttony reached a satisfied end. On the drinks side, the Made Man is one of the best bourbon-themed drinks out there, next to Aviary in Chicago. Delicious, strong stuff, which our food paired very well with. Service was impeccable as well - I don't remember her name, but our waitress was incredibly friendly the entire night and shared many awesome stories with us. This is a great spot for a group or casual dinner, and I'll surely be coming back here again.
(5)
Erica L.
Kinda disappointed. This was on my list to try and walked in this past weekend. Besides the free minestrone and bread pudding + gelato, nothing was really that great. We started with the meatball side, garlic bread (with the works - spinach, truffle, oil, etc) and artichoke dip - it was all decent but I wouldn't be surprised to find the same food at a BJs or some sort of chain. For pizza, we did the deep dish Big Jim. It was just OK. Sadly, I wouldn't recommend this place or come back. BUT i will be going back to Tony's, which is why I was surprised this place wasn't up to par. However, I will say service was 5 stars and portions are huge so there's great value here.
(3)
Jen A.
Deep dish pizza was so good. I think my favorite part was the waffle fries and free soup though. Decently priced, great food, and excellent service.
(4)
Kelly K.
If i could choose my last meal on earth i would eat capo's deep dish pizza, the chicago to be exact. Filled with juicy chunks of meatball, chewy mozzarella and the best tomato sauce your mamma couldn't make! The crust is fluffy like a foccacia with a crispy exterior. We also enjoyed their cracker crust pizza. The stallion has chopped italian beef, red peppers and a horseradish cream. Full of flavor yet light and crispy together the pizzas represent the yin and yang of pizza. A great surprise was the baked artichoke in a provolone cream sauce. Pickled artichokes bathed in a creamy cheese sauce. The acid in the artichoke's pickling liquid cut through the rich sauce and left me wanting more, much more! Service at capo's is always excellent, they treat you like mom's favorite child. Tables are well spaced and booths plush and comfy. If you haven't visited, you are missing out on the best pizza in san francisco. Like sister restaurant tony's pizza napolitana, the quality is excellent and really a great value. Mange bene!
(5)
Katherine H.
Every thing from the first greeting to the goodbye was amazing. The hostess was nice, friendly and personable. The waitress was funny and helpful and the servers and bussers where great. We had the roasted artichoke and garlic bread with mushrooms. Both are huge and so tasty. Had them boxed since we didn't know they were that big and we ordered entrees as well. The chicken Marsala and the pork chop were both incredible. Can't wait to come back here but we will share entrees next time.
(5)
the night w.
Came here for the first time with friends. We loved the food, service and atmosphere so much, we decided to hold our next birthday celebration here. The waitress took our order - special changes and all - without taking notes. That's worth one star right there. I was so looking forward to trying the deep dish pizza, which looked amazing. Although the cracker-thin Frank Nito's was delicious, I would give one more star if they had a vegetarian method of cooking the deep dish. As it is, they cook the deep dish pies with lard, so have no vegetarian deep dish pizzas. : ( The mozzarella salad was delicious. My friend raved about her pork chop. Very few chicken dishes were available that evening. Desserts were delicious.
(4)
Dan H.
I must begin this review with a nod to the awesome service. The LF and I have had a trip planned to Napa Valley and SF for quite some time now to meet up with some of my family from Michigan. It was the occasion of their 40th wedding anniversary (!), and the trip started off in The Holy Land for winos. I searched out what sounded like a perfect place for the actual anniversary dinner in St Helena. The service there was sorely lacking (will review soon), to the point I probably would have walked if it wasn't for a special occasion. We stuck it out, and ended up having a decent dinner, not great thanks to the lack of professional service, but decent. Well thankfully I was able to point out to my peeps what great service IS during our nearly 2 hour visit to Capo's. Immediately greeted by a smiling hostess, that escorted us to our super comfortable huge blood red leather booth. So as to hide the bloodstains from a possible mafia hit? This cool place has that vibe, especially because of the framed picture of Al Capone staring unsmiling down at us. Our waitress was that perfect combination of professionalism, with loads of personality, and joining in on our comical banter when appropriate. Always at the ready with suggestions regarding the food and wine, and there exactly every time she was needed. A real pros pro. I was alerted to this place by Dave G, and we had to try the truffle garlic bread he fawned over. This is without a doubt the best version you will ever have. It definitely was for me. It really is in a class of its own, and calling it mere garlic bread seems to be almost an insult to this divine creation. Creatively assembled with Mozzarella, wild mushrooms, truffle oil, Romano, and arugula, and whole garlic cloves. Arugula, it's a veg-a-ta-bul: youtube.com/watch?v=YtAP… . I will forever crave this masterpiece. Be aware that the portions are huge, and your waitress will keep reminding you, thankfully. That is why we split the excellent spinach salad four ways. Truthfully, it is probably suited to be spit for two if you love spinach salad as much as I do, but this is not the place to fill up on salad. We arrived not starved, and were getting full with the above, but since it was the last day of vacay, lets get a pizza! Damn glad we did. My pushy niece insisted on The Farmers Pie. I have to admit, it appears she picked the hit of the litter. This wowed us all, even though we were getting full. Topped with tre foraggi, a superior spicy Calabrese sausage, bacon, wild mushrooms, 4 over easy Guam farm eggs, peppadews, and more arugula. Dang, what a gift from the Gods. We ordered thin crust instead of their specialty deep-dish, and it definitely did not suffer in it's thin state. Yeow, this was one superb Italian feast. I have been coming to SF for over 30 years, and this restaurant will forever be in my must do rotation. It's one of those places that it's a good thing I don't live nearby, as I would be drawn here far too often. Thanks for the heads up Mr. G!
(5)
Erin F.
Amazing food and first class service! Not only did they accommodate our family of 5, the owner even went across the street and purchased apple juice for our 3 year old to make sure he was as happy as we were! Cracker Thin Old Chicago Pizza was fabulous, as was the chicken parm, meatballs and spaghetti! This restaurant goes the extra mile and succeeds on all levels. We will definitely be back soon!
(5)
Alison S.
Can I give them more than 5 stars? Since I wrote that last review: They started taking credit cards, they added new toppings for the quattro forni, and they held an amazing whiskey pairing dinner event that was fun, informative, and extremely delicious! One of my favorite restaurants in SF.
(5)
Robin G.
YES. I'll go in order: While we had to wait a few minutes for a table, we were seated at the bar where I had an amazing cocktail. I don't remember what it was, but I loved it (always a good sign). The garlic bread was *perfect*. Makes me feel like I've never actually had garlic bread before this place. Very crispy, with fresh cloves of garlic on top, just enough olive oil to melt in your mouth, and italian spices. The salad was great. Perfect amount of everything, dressing was just right. The pizza. (eyes roll back in head, writer forgets where she is for a moment). Okay, I'm back. The pizza was incredible, 13", but seemed far bigger. We got the "cracker-thin" crust option, which was crispy but substantive, and we chose a meat pizza. I don't remember the name, but it had sausage and slices of beef on it. I did end up taking it off some of the beef though, because for me it was too much meat for me, personally (not to say it wasn't also incredible). They used sweet peppers and onions, and again, italian spices - not too much but more than most pizzas. Perfect! Service was good. There was a giant table of dot-com people next to us that looked like they stepped out of a cable show, and they were a little loud, but it was a nice, festive atmosphere. We ended up taking half of everything home - and that says a lot, because my husband and I eat like lions when we go out. It was almost as good the next day. Going back soon!
(5)
Casey S.
You can get pizza almost anywhere in North Beach, but deep dish is a rarity around those parts. Then again, it's called "Chicago-style" for a reason... Capo's feeds that need. It's not doughy, but at the same time it's not brittle either. The pies easily outclass Zachary's and Paxti's, but I feel like the crust is missing that certain something. I saw they have a pan option on the menu -- maybe that's what's missing...
(4)
Sarah W.
This was my first visit with a large group of friends and I will be back. Our group started off with Baked Artichokes, the Garlic Bread with Arugula, Truffle Oil, Wild Mushrooms, and Romano, and the house made Honey & Calabrese Sausage. They were all delicious, though the Garlic Bread was the stand out. We then ordered a Chicago Style stuffed Old Chicago pizza and it was so good. I am a Chicagoan so any establishment that says "Chicago Style Pizza" is usually lying. This is the closest to *true* Chicago style pizza outside of Chicago that I have found. My husband enjoyed the huge Italian Beef sandwich that was good but not as good as I can get back home when I visit. The cocktails were fantastic, I had the Good Citizen and other members of our party ordered Moscow Mules, wine, and neat shots of Whiskey. We are excited to come back for more Chicago pizza.
(4)
Jason Z.
Good food. Like the place and would go back for sure. The service was good for a really busy day in the city with so much going on...it's a little pricey for my taste but I was hanging out with two really cool people so it wored out no problem.
(4)
Rob M.
Insanely amazing pizza pie! Would recommend 1 pie between at least 6 people UNLESS you're planning on taking the rest home haha!! Fantastic :)
With the already successful Tony's Pizza Napoletana and Tony's Coal Fired Slice House, Tony Gemignani extends his San Francisco pizza empire with Capo's, a Chicago-style deep dish pizza palace. Walking into the dining room, diners are transported to Chicago in the '20s: exposed brick walls and tin ceilings with lots of dark wood. With mozzarella, wild mushrooms, truffle oil, Romano cheese, arugula, and whole garlic cloves, the truffle garlic bread ($8) is to-die-for. Rich and delicious, the wood fired conchiglie baked with dungeness crab ($19) is a hearty serving of pasta with mountains of crab. Fried and then baked four times in four different ovens, the quatro forni did not disappoint: its tomato sauce, mozzarella, garlic, and oregano were perfect. With tomato sauce, mozzarella, provolone, house-made honey Calabrese sausage, Chicago-style Italian sausage, oregano, and romano, the San Giancana was fiery and cracker thin. With mozzarella, provolone, tomato sauce, Italian beef, Chicago-style Italian sausage, hot giardiniera and sweet peppers, oregano, and romano, the deep dish Jonny Torrio pizza ($26) was a spicy masterpiece. At almost 3 inches thick, a single slice will fill you up, but it tastes so good, you'll want more. The service was friendly and attentive, and the complementary homemade soup made the 40-45 minute wait for the pizzas fly by. Some tips: - Capo is cash only. Bring cash. - Come hungry. Portions are huge. - Go with a group. That way you can try more items. Capo's is definitely the crown jewel in Tony's pizza empire.
(4)
Nick W.
Made same-day reservations for 5 and showed up the night after the Nike Women's Marathon...Yes, that's right. My cousins ran it, and I spent the day watching football. Of course we needed to replenish the carbs. Secretly convinced that their vegetarian/discretionary pescatarian eating habits would stymie my first Capo's experience, I encountered quite the contrary. 1. The Garlic Bread ($4) + Mozzarella ($2) + Wild Mushrooms/Truffle Oil/Arugula ($2) -Tony absolutely crushed it here. Huge portions with whole garlic cloves that costs just a tad more than a slice of pizza? Holy crap, I'm sold. I honestly see myself jsut ordering this for takeout. 2. Wood Fired Conchiglie Baked w/ Dungeness Crab ($19) -This did the trick for those of us who ran 13.1miles that day. As advertised, it was a hearty serving of pasta without skimping on the crab. 3. Old Chicago (Cracker Thin $22) -The cracker thin variety laden with sausage and meatball and finished with a dollop of ricotta on EVERY slice provided a textural symphony and resounding taste fermata. Heck, it even tasted great as leftovers. *The meal started with some free soup. It was quite tasty but the soup maker that day was a bit heavy-handed with the salt. Why wait 2-hours with no reservations possible for Tony's #1 when Tony's #2 (Capo's) is down the street, more accessible, and a perfect sit-down spot.
(5)
Ginger G.
The service & food was wonderful. Loved the meatballs and garlic bread the best! They also have some pretty amazing drinks. Loved the good citizen.
(5)
Dave K.
Things didn't start off well. I waited to get seated while others without a reservation were seated before me. Once seated, I waited quite a while for my order to be taken. It was aggravating to the point that I almost left the place, but I was tired and hungry so I dealt with it. Once my drink order was taken, I waited and waited and finally they remembered to bring me a drink. The house wine was good and the plate full of spaghetti and meatballs was hearty, but the service was seriously lacking. The atmosphere is friendly, but I'm not compelled to return.
(2)
Jessica W.
Really delicious italian food, but absolutely massive portions! Definitely a family style restaurant with great appetizers, pasta dishes and pizza. Our table ordered a thin crust which was one of the best pizza's I've ever had, but they also had deep dish that looked great. We also ordered a few pasta dishes between our group which had great flavor. I advise to come hungry and bring lots of friends.. you're going to want to try everything on the menu! I will definitely be back.
(5)
Mark B.
A little pricey Italian food for the quality. I did not have the pizza that others rave about but the Mostaccioli Genovese was good and very rich. It was cheesy, maybe too much. I just thought it was average.
(3)
Peter K.
Great Chicago style Italian restaurant in North Beach. Make sure you get a reservation, especially if its the weekend. Very good home made pasta and Chicago style pizzas. I really like their marinara red sauce, it's very dark red and pasty and their not skimpy with it. Great atmosphere, feels like a mobster's hangout or like it should be on Mulberry St in New York.
(5)
Mo L.
One of my favorite restaurants in my neighborhood. The food is great. My favorite things include the cast iron baked pizza, the calabrese sausage glazed with honey, and believe it or not, the caesar salad is the best i've had anywhere. Levi, the bartender kicks ass, and Sergio the GM is so accommodating and friendly. Everyone here has a true passion for what they do and will treat you like family, you can't go wrong at Capo's (unless you forget to make a reservation, then you might have a long wait ahead of you.
Well, I got stuff for making food. But wife was hungry NOW!!! So, restaurant it is. We have tried the rest. So figured we would try this. Entrance. Hi do you have a table No, attitude, etc, you can wait for 90 minutes or eat outside in the cold wind. fine, we sat on the bar, I had my baby strapped on me. So I didn't care I was semi standing. So 1 star down for attitude. Beer, $6 Peroni and $12 wine from tap. So a little pricey 1 star down. We got a complimentary soup without asking. Which was nice so 1/2 star up. It was a nice soup but nothing to write about. The guy at the bar was extremely nice and had good advice. So 1/2 star up. Now for the pizza. We got the thin kind, not the chicago, not the cast iron as those take too long. The pizza was great. It came with eggs on it, the eggs were runny which went well with the dry pizza. The cheeses were a decent mix etc. So 4 stars, all is good. Give it a try but make sure to get a reservation.
(4)
Cornelia I.
I love authentic, italian food. This is what you get there. The service is good and the personnel very attentive. They know wgat they're doing and you can feel, see and taste the quality. Great pizza, pasta and tiramisu!
(5)
Bradley C.
Got here right after opening so getting a table wasn't a problem. The Yelp pictures of the cheese bread looked so good we had to try it. Got the fully loaded variety and it was indeed memorable. Also had the clams Casino which were also wonderful. The waiter suggested we split the Calabrese sausage which was a good idea since who can eat 6 large sausages? The jury is still out on the sausage. I don't really know if I like the sweet taste after you bite into one of these bad boys. The waiter said it was honey we tasted, but I have a feeling it might also be one of the spices. In any case I think on our next visit we will try something else.
(4)
Emily Z.
Stopped by for a late-night quick bite and cocktails Saturday night, and everything was great. Loved the decor with the red booths and Prohibition era feel, and the handcrafted cocktails were well-crafted and delicious. I haven't really tried "colored" hard alcohol (e.g. whiskey, rum etc.) before as I've never really liked the taste, but the cocktails were surrisingly tasty. Unfortunately we had eaten an early dinner so didn't get to try any of the pizzas or pastas, but will definitely plan on coming back to try it out.
(5)
Robert U.
Really a disappointing meal from Capo's. I wanted it to be better. High hopes for a great Chicago pizza experience. Almost all items disappointing. Caesar salad - paste-like dressing. Strips of white anchovy and brown anchovy (why both?), stale croutons and hardly a sign of parmigiano. I've seen better execution a crappy chains. So lazy and undeveloped. Mostaccioli in Meat Sauce: Barely any meat. Pasta overcooked. Disappointing sauce. Cracker thin pizza: One would expect that when serving a cracker thin pizza they would take special care to make sure it wasn't dry and the cheese and sauce had enough flavor to hold up. Nope. Cardboard, which is so disappointing. Honestly, Dominos (and I do not eat dominoes btw) does a better job at cracker thin. Old Chicago Deep Dish: Ok, this was the money shot. They had to do this right, right? And while it was the better of the dishes, wow it just wasn't good. No effort put into the sauce - just a gloppy, overly sweet tomato paste heavy sauce. No depth of flavor. Meat was a thin layer, the crust was lacking the buttery flakiness of a great Chicago pie. Dots of ricotta were the most edible part. For the price he is charging, you'd expect so much better. All of that was $100 and it really was a waste. I hope this helps people find their way to a better Chicago pie. So far in SF Patxis is the best I've had. I know people swear by Zacharies, but I don't get it.
(1)
Tapedeck B.
I love this place. We have been here twice and the first time we had a thin crust pizza that was delicious. The second time, we shared a pork chop and a pasta dish and it was way too much food for the two of us. And we eat a lot! The service is always great and attentive without being too attentive.
(4)
Veronica M.
Tony's joint. Just a couple of blocks down Columbus Avenue from his Stockton Street joint in north beach. It was a great night... Started w the house made honey sausage appetizer. Friggin delicious. I mean, SERIOUSLY DELICIOUS. Our pizza picks... Even though Capo's is known for Chicago style, we ordered thin crust. We had the Sam Giancana. Thin crust. Spicy, cheesy, meaty. We also had the Farmer's Pie. This is the pie w the eggs on top. Love. Everything was fantastic. Everything. Service, food, & wine. Simply 5 stars.
(5)
Mike C.
Meeting with some old friends, I was the last arrival of our party of five at Chubby Noodle. Walking in, the bar/restaurant only had a few occupied tables, a stark contrast to my last visit during the holidays. My friends had drinks in hand when one friend grimly said "The menu's changed." My eyes studied their menu which did not have any of the staples that I knew and enjoyed. In emergency mode, I called Capo 's and scored a table ten minutes later. Appetizer 1) Baked artichokes - Creamy rich and heavy. Not good for the health conscious. Mains 2) Calabrese sausages and peppers - Definitely the most flavorful dish of the evening. 3) Old Chicago pizza ( yelp.com/user_local_phot… ) - Waiter's recommendation, this did not disappoint. Heavy flavors were lightened by the dollops of ricotta cheese. If you like sausage, look no further. Side 4) Meatballs - Nothing to write home about, just okay. Might be jaded by Tony's giant meatballs. We were also given small metal bowls of their complimentary Minestrone soup ( yelp.com/user_local_phot… ). The feel is certainly less hectic than Tony's original spot and there is a huge difference in the fare here. Things are more simplistic and heavy (read rich and hearty) which exemplifies the Midwest/Chicago palate. There are several other menu items that catch my eye and would warrant another trip here. The food we ordered rates 3.5 stars, but rounding up a half star for potential missed items in their extensive menu. Oh, and if you are history buff and a fan of the Untouchables (black and white or Costner version), you could treat this like a mini museum of that era. Will be back.
(4)
Cathy C.
Great food nice menu with a little something for everyone huge portions and tasty drinks
(4)
Chris B.
I'm a huge fan of Tony's! We ordered pizza almost every week at is first restaurant in Castro Valley. Ended up here because his pizza restaurant was closed for a private event and I'm glad they were. The staff is amazing!! Great service, super friendly and they love their job. The food was amazing - and the soup a WOW!
(5)
aj p.
Great food. Great prices. The servings are huge so be careful. I ended up taking 3/4 of a pizza home because the appetizer filled me up. The prices are more than fair, and the service is awesome. Highly recommend this place.
(5)
Rosanna T.
We were the first to come for lunch. Ordered a pizza to share (sausage and pepperoni ) and salad. The pizza is thick and one slice will fill you up. I enjoyed the salad very much.
(4)
Antony T.
The guys have a serious tomato problem... Really serious. Do they think that if you add tons of tomato on everything you got good taste? Everything is swimming in mediocre tomato sauce. I did not try everything on the menu but the Quattro Forni was a big waste of baking. You don't need to bake 4 times for such a simple tasteless thing. The house made Calabrese sausage left us speechless. Who the hell thought of that combination???? Spicy salty sausage with honey? The real question is what was I thinking to order this...... I am sorry if this is a really rude critique, I went there with the best intentions and left so disappointed....
(1)
Chris K.
I come into this post strictly rating the "Chicago-Style" Deep Dish pizza from Capo, as I just moved here from Chicago (born and raised) and figured I would give them a shot. Unfortunately it wasn't even close. The pizza had entirely too much tomato sauce and not enough cheese which made it very soup-y. Also, the tomato sauce was extremely sweet and it overpowered the rest of the pizza. I could not taste the crust, the sausage, the cheese, or even my red pepper flakes because the sauce was so much. Also, wasn't nearly enough sausage on the pizza to claim it to be a "Chicago-Style" pizza. Lastly, the crust. It tasted like an overgrown digorno pizza crust made to look like a deep dish pizza. Very bland and not much taste. Overall, it felt like this pizza was created by someone who has never tried an actual deep dish Chicago pie before. If you have had Pequods, Lou Malnati's, or Uno's you will understand my sentiment. For a person who has never eaten a real Deep Dish Chicago pizza, please do not judge it by Capo's version. Because it doesn't hold a candle. I wont be getting this again. With that said, I have not tried any of their other food. This is strictly just a deep dish review.
(1)
Kathy V.
3.5 stars-A-OK Check, Please! Bay area After an episode of watching Capo's being filmed, I was determined to go. PIZZA PIZZA galore. RSVP come in handy, walk in can be up to an 1hr + Unfortunately we had no reservations and waited an hour. But totally worth the wait. Let's see intimate cozy eatery, dim lighting, and friendly staff. What we order? Wood fired baked artichoke dip-bread licking good!! Meatballs-average Clams Casino-bacon makes everything better!! Old Chicago- DEEP DISH PLEASE, I thought it was actually better than little star. Farmers Pie-3 stars Totally fulfilled my tummy!
(3)
Karen T.
Five stars!!! Great service very attentive and friendly. The food was so good! I was told by my friends I had to get the meatballs so I ordered spaghetti and meatballs. The spaghetti was thick like chow mein cooked al dente great sauce and the balls were so good! I want more balls. We ordered the iron skillet pizza half with the special with pesto, vegetables, feta. Another with ricotta and vegetables. First off the crust OMG! whoever thought of adding cheese to the outside was genius. It made the crust crunchy on the outside soft and delicious, it was heaven. I'll be back!
(5)
Jistice G.
As we walk in the pink haired hostess picks up menus before we told her we had a reservation, then when we said we had a reservation she put them down and sent us outside to wait even though they clearly had tables open. Then she finally calls us in and takes us to literally the worst table in the restaurant, it looked like it didn't even belong. The rest of the tables were booths with comfy seats. Me being 7 months pregnant and my mother being handicap I asked to be moved to a booth table or at least a half booth table for better comfort for me and her and the lady would not accommodate us but gave a lady with no reservation & the rest of her party wasn't even there yet a booth table. We just left & will not be returning, unless to the real capos in Vegas. Also hostess, your hair is gross and you work in a restaurant not a strip club wear unripped tights & appropriate length outfits.
(1)
Karen H.
I was a very happy customer walking out. Our waiter was really nice, along with the servers.They say it takes about 45 mins for the deep dish pizza to cook. So he recommended us to order their sausage in a sweet and spicy sauce as an appetizer, which was absolutely delicious! The pizza was so amazing, I'm glad we walked in here, we left San Francisco happy!
(5)
Antaash U.
Chicagoans take their pizza seriously. New Yorkers be damned, our pizza is the best in the world. There is nothing quite like a Chicago Deep dish and I'm not talking about those generic, mass produced chains that have become so famous. I'm talking about the pizza that real Chicagoans eat and tell all their friends about. So, when having a reunion with ex-Chicagoans who raved about Capo's I had to check it out for myself. Unfortunately, they make their crust with lard, which fall into my only dietary restriction category so I wasn't able to partake in the legacy that Capo's has left on San Francisco. Apparently, only the thin crust is lard free, but I'm not one for thin crust to begin with, so I felt obligated to pass on the pizza all together. Thank god I did, because the entree I chose was really, really good, considering it was in a primarily pizza place. I ordered the Wood Fired Conchiglie Baked with Dungeness Crab: arrabiata style spicy tomato cream sauce, calabrian chilis, shrimp, garlic and smoked provolone. Geez. Just writing this review is bringing back fond memories of the party in my mouth. This dish was bold, had the perfect amount of heat but didn't mask the sweetness of the dungeness crab or shrimp. This dish would be any seafood lovers dream come true. The portion was also huge and unfortunately, I could only eat half of it. Luckily, my friends were happy to take it home. Though I wasn't able to experience the pizza at Capo's, I must say that the pasta could rival that of some of the best pasta places I have dined at in the course of my travels. Capo's can compete with the best of them, hands down!
(4)
Jen W.
I've been to Chicago...tried almost every deep dish pizza they had to offer...but Capo's in SF is by far the best I've ever had. Freakin delicious...come hungry but don't come too hungry because the pizza takes awhile to make and bake. We ordered the sam...stuffed crust. Amazingness. The crust was perfect. The toppings to cheese ratio was fantastic. The tomatoes were delish. We've also ordered pasta dishes and their Caesar salad. All were totally worth it...but the pizza is the winner winner here. It gets busy so make sure you either come early or be prepared to wait. The restaurant is tight but the ambiance is fantastic and lively. An absolute 5 stars to the best Chicago deep dish I've ever had!
(5)
Jimmy M.
Wow this place had an outstanding atmosphere. Just seemed very cozy and the staff was exceptional. We ordered the thin crust pizza and it was too much food for 2 people because the pizza only came in 1 size. We did not want to take it back to our hotel room but the server insisted that we take it and if we dont want it to give it to a homeless person or set it on a trash can. Ummmm this felt strange because i have never done something like that. We decided to set it on a trash can and sure enough someone came up and grabbed it. Pretty cool and felt good. Wish I could remember the servers name but thanks anyway.
B/F suggested we try this place. I'm glad we did! smaller than I thought it would be , but it didn't matter. Memorabilia , 1920's AL Capone old school. (Very cool). Thank goodness our waitress advised us the portions were a healthy size: ordered anti-pasti- delish ! (Really enjoyed the prosciutto and olives) Paced ourselves. Packed the rest for a midnight snack. Then ordered the chicken marsala. Perfection! ! Crispy chicken laden with creamy mushrooms and marsala sauce. With a side of waffle fries. We're coming back to try their must have pizzas- can't wait... Only downside, their cocktails were not a "healthy portion" for the price :0 (
(4)
Noey G.
A night at Capo's for some good deep dish Chicago style, clams casino, artichoke dip, garlic bread and precisely poured Hendrick's Martinis a little dirty with 2 olives. Just another great night out with good friends! Wrap it up with an Affogato of course ...Like a Boss.
(5)
Robert T.
Went to North Beach on an early Saturday night intending to go to a different restaurant, but Capo's was the only one that took us without reservations. The atmosphere was nice and cozy (big plus his red booth seating with plenty of interesting pictures on the wall). In a party of 4, we ordered a stuffed pepper, a Caesar salad (both of which were average), an thin crust margarita pizza, and then a Chicago deep dish. The deep dish was amazing but quite filling and had a little too much tomatoe sauce for my liking. I personally prefer the thin crust because its enjoyable and light (our crust was a little burnt), but you can't go wrong with any of the pizza choices. TL;DR - Great restaurant for its signature pizzas
(4)
Rich D.
Garlic bread was off the hook. Drinks were good. The Dillinger pizza was amazingly delicious. Best Chicago style pizza in the Bay. U will not find a place like this. I really felt like I was in Chicago chillin with the mafia. I will be back for sure.
(5)
Joco F.
Originally I had tried to come here on opening night only to be turned away. I stumbled back in here for lunch this last Saturday and gave it a try. They had a nice lunch special advertised for a slice of deep dish with a salad for 10 bucks. A great deal already and it came with a cup of soup too. The food was all pretty solid. The pizza which is the star of the place was very good and from what I've been told by the pizza experts I know, very much in the style of Chicago style. My problem is I've never been to Chicago and my deep dish roots are built from Zachary's. So any hardcore proponents to the "traditional" style of things who might read this keep in mind I was just raised differently. I didn't like the crust too much as it wasn't crispy and flaky like Zachary's. I've learned Capo's is the way it should be so if you're into that then you will probably dig it way more than me. As far as the rest of the pizza it was great and really nice they do a slice special. I wish that was possible else where because I hate having to rally a group just to get some deep dish. The bar is really nice and the staff was polite and cheerful. They do very good cocktails as many places do these days. I suggest trying the "Wise Guy" personally. One other huge gripe I had was they only take cash. Now I get the whole trying to make it seem like Chicago during gangland times theme but as far as only taking cash that's just ridiculous this day and age. Especially then having to use the ATM in the back which has fees which then takes away from any value I just got from the special in my opinion. Get over yourselves and take cards. They take cards at farmers market stands I'm sure you can break down and take a card at your permanent venue. You can afford a website you can afford to take cards. If you want deep dish and a great cocktail this is the place for you just remember to bring your gangster roll.
(4)
Mike G.
I was born and raised in Chicago. Legit deep dish, even though I prefer thin crust, square cut pizzas. Not taking credit cards is weak. Get with it Capos! But they have Old Style so that makes up for it.
(4)
Cathy K.
Dine at Capo's if you want to fill your belly with delicious tomato sauce, garlic, and meats! Their main attraction is Chicago-style deep dish pizzas - they also offer three other kinds of crusts: the stuffed, the cast iron (which to my understanding is more bready), and the 'cracker thin' - which is more like NY-style pizza. They also serve appetizers, salads, sides, meat entrees, and pastas and have a full cocktail menu, along with beer and wine. Since the deep dish pizzas take approximately 35 minutes to cook, we ordered a side of three meatballs. They were full of flavor and had a lot of sauce to pair with their complimentary bread and bowl of minestrone soup, which were also delicious. As we waited, I took in the decor - it's a new restaurant with lots of old fashion fixtures and detailing, tin ceiling, lots of brick and wood, long bar, medium-size dining area with a combo of large booths, tables & chairs, and the bathrooms are clean and new. The staff is knowledgeable, attentive and helpful. Our pizza arrived sooner than expected and we thoroughly enjoyed it. A beautiful blend of flavors and textures - we had the Old Chicago which includes Italian sausage, meatballs, garlic, mozzarella, provolone, romano cheeses, oregano, and lots of robust tomato sauce. It's a very hearty pizza (one size offered, which was a large) and we could only fit one slice a piece. The rest we boxed to go - it felt like it weighed at least 7 pounds! We are happy we celebrated Valentine's Eve at Capo's! Between the two of us, the pizza continued to last for another couple meals! Now 'That's Amore!' PS: Cash only.
(5)
Natalia H.
I loved Capos! I had such a great night here. There cheese artichoke appetizer was so good!!! And I absolutely LOVED the deep dish. After reading the bad reviews I must say I kind of get it...Yes the atmosphere is not the most lively. This restaurant does not tend to be packed, but really are you there to people watch or to eat? The bar is great! I asked for a Blood and Sand and they didn't know what it was, but none the less the bar tender googled is and guess what? YUM! Loved my drink! I will definitely bring my Sicilian family here when they visit. Chicago style decorations...I love it!
(5)
Jennifer W.
This is a great place for a date, very romantic place. The service was great and the interior was just beautiful. The vinyl booth seating was a nice touch, though not exactly the most comfy. Pizza is the focus here. They have 4 types of crust: deep dish, thin, stuffed, and cast iron pan. All the pizzas only come in one size. The deep dish was 8 slices, but even just 1 slice was filling. We had trouble deciding between all the combos they had, they all started to look the same after a while, but went with the Big Jim in the end. The deep dish Big Jim was sooo delicious-- meaty, lots of tomato sauce and droplets of mascarpone on top. We had leftovers and when the pizza cooled up in the fridge, we could see all the neat layers of meat inside. The minestrone soup and bread was delicious as well. Remember to bring cash!! And a lot of it too. If we had more cash on us, we would've ordered more food. I think Capo's should seriously consider accepting credit card payments because they may potentially be losing business from more and more people who just don't carry cash anymore.
(4)
Lisa T.
1 word--- AMAZING!!! By far one of the best Italian restaurants I have been to! Excellent service, reasonable prices and enough food to share! My friend and I shared Caesar salad, clam and mussel linguini which was accompanied with a choice of a side. Go with the meatballs (they were better then my mom's, shhhhh!!) And the garlic bread...Delicious!!! Topped with whole fresh garlic! This find kinda made my trip to the city all the more worth it!!!!
(5)
David H.
The pizza was awesome. We ordered the big Jim. Yeah, we went deep dish. The bartender was great. Glad we stopped by and grabbed a seat at the bar and had a great dinner!
The Hostess / owner said " Your Poor and a Loser cuz you have NO Cash . I told her the cash only was annoying. . SHe Told me " Just don't come back " I told her I would review of my experience on Yelp . She say " I don't care about Yelp or poor losers " SO who cares if the pizza is good .if the owner doesn't know how to treat customers with respect The server Elizabeth was wonderful ! Way to good for this place But we NEVER go back and will discourage ANY of the Poor SF loser to go there . I worked 16 years in Restaurant Biz ' Owners treatment NO EXCUSE !!! I can see an IRS audit in their future
(1)
Patrick T.
Environment: In a neighborhood awash with Italian joints, each one trying to out Italian each other, Capo's out comforts and out portions them all. Big, overstuffed red leather couches, brick everything, comfy bar stools. It's a good thing the furniture is so comfortable, because you're going to need the support after you stuff your face with the best Italian food you've had in a long while. Food: Perfect. I wish they would open a day spa so I could bathe in a warm pool of their red sauce. Lasagna cut outs over my eyes, my hair wrapped up in spaghetti. Between two, we ordered garlic bread with mozzarella, the clams casino, a carafe of wine, and the meat lasagna. -- complimentary minestrone- tasty and light, a nice way to start the meal. the noodles looked like the race car spaghetti-o's --Garlic bread w/ lasagna- perfect. studded with big pieces of melty roasted garlic, the bread was just the right balance of chewy and textured, not overly crunchy and flaky like you're eating garlic drywall. -- Clam Casino- an antipasto, not a huge dish but packs a big hit. maybe 15 clams, each one filled with a fat clam on one side of the shell, and bacon on the other. They were perfectly cooked, meaty with just the right amount of chew. The broth was rich and great for dipping bread in -- Lasagna- If I ever find myself on death row, I might eat their lasagna as my last meal. It might even do the added benefit of killing me ahead of the gas chamber, because the portion is massive. It was enough for both of us, plus both of our lunches tomorrow (with a spare piece or two of garlic bread). Layers and layers of delicious pasta, perfect red sauce, and fennely, mild sausage. -- wine carafe- because, alcohol. she said it was about 3 servings, but was really more like 4.5. plenty of wine for 2 people. Grand total was $66 w/out tip. More than enough food for us to be plenty full, and enough leftovers for both our lunches the next day. Protip- if it's not peak hours, bring a few more friends so you can try more dishes. It would have been nice to eat other things too, but they would have had to knock a wall down to forklift my fat ass out after.
I'm not big on pizza, but when I do eat it I prefer a rustic, thin crust with plenty of sauce and veggies. However, Capo's is pretty tasty. I still haven't had Little Star so I can't compare their deep dish to theirs.. I have had Paxti's and thought it was disgusting. Capo's deep dish is decent. Saucy, meaty.. Don't bother with the 4x baked specialty thing, it tasted like Chinese doughnut. They also serve you a pot of soup on the house, so Capo's is extremely filling. Best to come in a large group so you can try a variety of things.
(4)
Cary Elizabeth L.
Really good - hearty Italian food. I particularly liked the pastas which were nice and al dente and the meat sauce was rich and full of flavor. They gave us a complimentary minestrone soup which was good, albeit a little weird at first. We had the cracker thin pizza which I thought needed more sauce. Next time we'll try getting the deep dish instead.
(4)
Melissa M.
went here for my birthday dinner last night. really crowded with Friday night crowd,and so,very loud. our booth for six was very tight and crowded. service was good,the server took our orders very quickly and food came out at a good pace. I am no longer eating bread,pizza or pasta,so the choices are limited. I had the caesar salad,mostly romaine lettuce and a few croutons,dressing on the side. I had a small bite of the pizza with cracker crust,pepperoni,cheese,it was very good. the toast with artichokes was very good also,my one little indulgence. the other ordered a deep dish Chicago pizza,looked and smelled really good. I do wish they offered more food not so heavy on the cheese and cream. I might go back here when I am in san francisco again.
(3)
Jason B.
Illegal. Plenty of what namesake Al Capone did. Added to the list should be Capo's deep dish pizza. There is no explanation for how good it is other than illicit substances were added. Which make you want a slice. And then another. And then two more. Oozing with cheese. Buttery crust. Plenty of sauce. So bad yet so good. Took all the willpower in the world to stop and save the rest. Leftovers didn't last long. Was not the only one impressed. Grandma was too. And sis. Two very important opinions that should not be taken lightly. Soup to start was delicious. And complimentary. Chicken broth, noodles and veggies. Nothing more needed. Chicken marsala wasn't as memorable but that could have been because we were all eyeing more of the deep dish. Made Man whiskey drink got me in the mood for more whiskey. Namely a Whiskey Crisp dessert with apples, pears, cherries and topped with vanilla bean gelato. Got intoxicated. On flavor. Red booths and vintage decor (including a working phone booth) were awesome. Same with the reasonable prices and friendly service. Capone might have gone straight for another slice of pizza.
(5)
Steven Z.
I'm already a big fan of Tony Gemignani's two other SF restaurants, Tony's Pizza Napolenta, and Tony's Coal Fired Slice House. Capo's extends Tony's pizza empire into the realm of Chicago style pizza. They offer each pizza four ways - deep dish, cast iron (thick crust), stuffed crust, and cracker thin crust. Some of the pizzas take 45-50 minutes to prepare, so its best to look at the menu beforehand and order as soon as you sit down if you plan on trying a deep dish. Out of the four pizza crusts, I've tried deep dish and cracker crust. I prefer the cracker crust, as it's light and lets the flavor of the toppings come through more. The Old Chicago pizza on cracker crust is amazing. Along with pizzas they have something called a Quattro Forni, which is quite similar to a pizza, but cooked in four different ovens to give the thick crust an amazing airy texture, but be crispy on the bottom. We had the one with prosciutto and arugula and it was fantastic. Everything else I've eaten here is top notch - the complimentary soup, the meatballs, the Caesar salad, and I have to give a special shoutout to the Antipasti Platter. The freshly shaved prosciutto was the star of the show. They have an old fashioned deli slicer in the front window and shave off slices of prosciutto fresh to order. The flavor is fantastic and it practically melts in your mouth. The most recent time I went here was with a group of 7, and it was absolutely perfect for a family style meal. We sat in one of the large red leather wraparound booths. The meal was quite affordable too, the tab was only $170 and that was with a bottle of wine. This place is definitely at the top of my list of places to bring people when they're visiting the city.
(5)
Esther A.
As a HUGE fan of Tony Gemignani's Naples style pizza we had to try Capo's. We finally got around to it earlier today despite the neighborhood's challenging parking on St. Patrick's Day, no less. But we finally managed to score a spot WITH a broken meter. Their menu offered a few pasta dishes, some sides but their main specialties are the pizza which comes in stuffed crust Chicago style and thin. I even saw someone with a hot sub and a side of criss cut fries. Complimentary soup is served to all guests which I enjoyed. We both decided on the slice of the day as an entire pie seemed a bit too much for the both of us at the time. The stuffed crust slice accompanied a side salad and was fairly priced at $10. I found my slice to be slightly overwhelmed by the sauce and I would have liked a bit more cheese. Also the crust was a bit hard for my liking but I think this is because the slice of the day is most likely premade and reheated upon order. Our neighbors had a thin crust and it looked delicious and fresh. We also had the garlic bread with wild mushrooms, mozzarella and truffle appetizer was tasty and I think I might have even enjoyed that a tad more than the pizza itself. Servers are fine however my water could have been refilled more often. After I had my last bit of the pizza my water glass was completely empty and the person refilling was nowhere to be seen. I'd be willing to give them another shot however I think I will opt for a freshly made full pie next time.
(4)
Bob K.
Tony G knows his pizza. Capo's deep dish is just more proof. Hey, can I have a bowl of that sauce, maybe with a little grated reggiano on top? - I could call that lunch all by itself. Yes the sauce is that good. The pizzas are that good. The nice casual ambience and complimentary zuppa. You may run into chefs from other establishments here... Capo's is that good. The hardest choice in North Beach, if not all of San Francisco, is whether to go to Tony's, or Capo's. Tony you have made my life into a wonderful dilemma. Grazie! Small comfortable room, but not too crowded if you can swing by at off times. Bravo!
(5)
Jack And Barbra D.
Excellent service, fun and cool ambience, spot-on antipasti, and cast iron pan deep dish pizza as good as it gets. Sink into the plush booth seating, order the family blend of red wine, and tuck into some of the best pizza you'll find anywhere. Loved this place.
(5)
Rusell L.
Great place. Eat at the bar. Ordered the garlic bread with arugula, truffle, etc, roasted artichoke, sausage with honey, and caprese salad. All 5's except for the caprese. Give it a 3. Great service. Looking forward to going back and ordering off the pizza menu.
(4)
jonathan s.
5 stars for food. meatballs - fantastic tomato sauce. probably the most affordable thing on the menu at like $6 or $7 for 3 meatballs. garlic bread - could eat this for a meal. extremely garlicky though. this was great. huge order. deep dish - again with some of the best tomato sauce i've had. excellent crust. also a giant portion. mostaccioli - had the pesto one. this was probably my least favorite. not a big artichoke fan. very rich. it was fine, just would not order again. hard to have a $$$ restaurant that takes cash only. makes it pretty inconvenient. also, they don't take reservations. 2 hour wait for a party of 6 on a saturday night might dissuade me from heading there in the future unless it was a weeknight and we had a smaller group.
(4)
Tina A.
come hungry people! the portions here are hefty! prices also reflect the portion Truffle/Mushroom/Arugula/Cheese Garlic Bread - OMG THIS IS AWESOME. there are many slices, the cheese is melty and mixed with tender mushrooms, with lots of garlic. i did not really taste the truffle oil but everything about this garlic bread is mind blowing. i actually recommend this over the pizza Complimentary Minestrone Soup - very fresh and tasty broth with uniquely shaped oval pasta which was perfectly cooked Chicago Deep Dish Pizza - this pizza is HUGE! they really don't skimp on anything. the tomato sauce is different over here, the sauce is sweeter than others, however the crust with cracked corn was deliciously crisp/crunchy like it was deep fried. the sausage/meatball toppings were homemade and they tasted home made. extra tips: come with large group with reservations so you can share, and make sure to bring CASH i'd consider coming back here again but with more people, and i will definitely have some of their garlic bread to take out if i ever forget my lunch!
(4)
Nat S.
The most amazing food. Amazing drinks. Great service. Good people. All around amazing place.
(5)
Ami D.
Delicious pizza & nice ambiance. Both of us agreed the pizza rivaled many contenders in Chicago and the atmosphere inside was great. I'd definitely recommend this spot to friends. Their cocktails are really good too- the Made Man, especially.
(4)
Andrew K.
Complimentary soup was great. Salads were solid. Caesar with white anchovies was yum. Spinach salad hit the spot. Meatballs were yummy. Chicken marsala was so-so. Lots of bones to navigate, and sort of too sweet sauce. Prefer Tony's in a big way.
(3)
Graceann C.
The wine blends, pizza, and service is just amazing! YOU MUST try the Farmers pizza-and always, always, always go deep dish.
(5)
KingBBinLV B.
Went here to celebrate Valentines day on Sun 2/16. There was a lengthy wait at 6pm so we took 2 seats at the bar. I can't believe this place has the same owners as Tony's of North Beach at The Graton Casino. That place blows big time but Capo's was excellent! The 2 pasta dishes we had were tasty. The cheese and antipasto was also very good. I would have liked to sit at a table but we were hungry and had to get to the comedy club for an 8 pm show. I would recommend Capo's and will def go back again.
(4)
Bree P.
I've been wanting to try this place for months and finally....DREAMS DO COME TRUE! First of all, CASH ONLY. Secondly, do yourself a favor and get ANYTHING with sausage involved. Their sausage here is literally to die for...sooo bumpin' with flavor. We had: +Stuffed bell pepper appetizer (which had sausage in it--amazing) +Old Chicago deep dish pizza (once again, more sausage and huge globs of ricotta) Plus, they give you complimentary bowls of some sort of minestrone to start with. They don't have the greatest cocktail menu, which was kind of a bummer, but they did have some of my favorite wines (Qupe), so I ain't mad! Overall, fun mobster sort of atmosphere and ridonculous deep dish pizzas! Oh yeah, and get there before 6 so you don't have to wait a century for a table.
(4)
J. M.
We love to walk to Capo's and just sit back in time where life was a little feisty in N. Beach. The place is a lot of fun to be in. Loosen up and have some fun there. The food ain't bad either!!!!
(4)
Regina L.
This review is primarily for the atmosphere of the restaurant. We stopped in on a whim and thankfully it was early enough to grab a table immediately. The feel of the restaurant at first glance is old school Chicago, and they do a good job recreating the feel with the bar and big red booths. However, once we were seated and I had time to look around the place, it kind of reminded me of a Bucca di Beppo in terms of the overplayed Italian stereotypes/overdone mob style. Now I'm not one to pull the "politically correct" card but I did find it odd that instead of focusing on the Chicago feel, they turned it into a pro-mobster den, with images of Al Capone framed on the wall. Why do pizza and mobsters have to go hand in hand? We ordered the antipasti plate, which came with meats and cheeses. Unfortunately the majority of the cheeses and meats tasted like they were Safeway brand. We also ordered the deep dish Old Chicago pizza and that definitely did not disappoint (and was well worth the wait!!). Plus, the pizza alone is so much food that we were able to take most of it home (yay leftovers). BUT, when we got our pizza back in the takeout box, I couldn't help but do a double take at the pizza box cover. Maybe I'm being overly sensitive and need to loosen up a bit, but here's what I saw: a mobster's face with the city of San Francisco on his head, and various images of whiskey, beer, and pizza. Ok, I get the Beach Blanket Babylon reference (ha ha the city's on his head), but really? The whole thing looked really cheesy and something you would see at Disneyland. I would eat their pizza again, but I could definitely forego the in-house dining experience.
(3)
Emile C.
Excellent pizza and a free cup of soup. Pizza might even trump Tony's. The waitress was nice too. Looking forward to going back.
(5)
Emily B.
Food-amazing! We couldn't decide so we handed the menu to the bar tender and he just ordered for us. Best decision we made all night. Drinks- dangerous. They were so good, but they didn't feel as good the next morning but that's our own fault. Service- very friendly. We sat at the bar and had a great time! Coming from a boston Italian family, it felt like home!
(5)
David G.
Dropped in with friends in town over the weekend. Loved Capo's! Can't recommend it enough. + Our waitress was very helpful in narrowing in options + Complementary soup was excellent + Garlic bread was tasty + Deep-dish pizza was HUGE. Sent four patrons home fat and happy with leftovers to spare. - I was so full I didn't make it to the desert menu, not a bad thing. Not only was everything good, everything was reasonably priced for the area. I have recently spent double our bill on Dine About Town dinners for two. The visit to Capo's was much more satisfying. I did not get a chance to sample their drink menu so can't speak to that end of things. I plan to return to try more of their offerings. Note! Capo's is no longer cash only. My credit card suited just fine.
(5)
Philip L.
READ MY IMPORTANT NOTE AT THE BOTTOM (NOT THE CAPO) FOR A GREAT TIP This place is run by the same guy that run's Tony's Pizzeria down the street. You can argue which is the best in North Beach, but Tony will just smile all the way to the bank. You know what? He deserves it. He puts out a good product from the ingredients up, hires great servers (and hosts), and does his best to create a unique atmosphere. If I was coming from out-of-town and wanted an experience in San Francisco's famed North Beach, this would be what I might hope for. Certainly better than going to the Stinking Rose, Mona Lisa, or any other number of places hoping you don't know better. I might even say the diners at Capos are more discerning, attractive, and fun loving than at the Stinking Rose. :) You judge for yourself. As far as deep dish style pizza, a pound+ of cheese is not really in my current diet plan. Is it worth the extra calories? I'd say Capo's delivers a solid pizza. The crust at the back edge is really nice with the cornmeal crunch (helps the pizza not stick to the cast iron pans). The sauce had a little bit of bite and was delicious. So, thank you Tony. But it didn't necessarily blow away any of the other pizza places (little star, patxi) with authority. I think I might need an exceptional sausage (more fennel)? Results: We both ate one slice each, and I tore off another bite of crust to achieve satisfaction. (That comes out to ~$5/ slice--and being that each slice was a full meal, that's a good deal for me.) And let me tell you: the to-go box, with four remaining slices in it? You will need two man biceps for that. It was the heaviest to-go pizza box I'd ever hefted. You might as well slap a 24 hour fitness sticker on that and practice curls all the way to your car/hotel. One thing that is important to note--is the wait can be long--sometimes 1-2 hrs. Why? It's a popular place, but really, deep dish pizzas take 30 minutes to bake. So make sure you come with someone fun to talk with. Prepare a 1 hour conversation for the wait (maybe walking around North Beach--they will call you when your turn is up). And for the table, if you're not very conversational, bring along a book or stream the Sopranos on your phone. I would say--given the timing of things, a first date might be risky here--as we observed on the table next to us with two recent divorcees (drunken man, elegant asian lady). You could literally hear her thinking "this pizza better be worth it..." So, some tips: the restaurant, in a stroke of efficient elegance, allows you to pre-order your pizza once you are on the waiting list. Instead of waiting 1.5 hrs to sit, sitting down to peruse the menu, ordering, then waiting 30 minutes for your pizza to arrive . . . our pizza arrived 10 minutes after we sat down. Just enough time for the free pasta fagioli soup (not bad) and some crusts of bread (clearly designed to sate your hunger temporarily until the ovens catch up with your order). Our pizza arrived a good 15 minutes before the divorcee daters' (and she was steamed!--effectively dooming that date to hug status). But otherwise: WINWINWIN. you get your pizza faster, tony's turns your table faster, and the line outside becomes shorter. Finally, even though going with your honey is fine--maybe this place is better suited for a large party. The booths (for four) are swank looking--very upholstered. And there is a large mega booth that can probably fit 8--and you can even reserve in advance larger parties. The pizzas themselves have six massive slices--and you can save on the hernia bills if you finish them and carry them in your tummies rather than carry them out in a box. Meanwhile, the 2-tops (tables for two) have just enough real estate so you can see the pizza and just a little bit of your date. Plus, as you've already figured out by now, the date tables are a bit close to each other. Close enough so you can hear the dating history of recent divorcees. Cash only. Valet for $10 (fortune cookie garage for less--about 1 block away).
(4)
Brad M.
Being from Chicago, I'm always judgmental when it comes to restaurants in other cities having Italian beef sandwiches. Capo's got it right!! Great seasoning, thinly sliced juicy beef, crisp bread! This is truly a Chicago Italian Beef and they know what Giardiniera is! In addition, we ordered the spinach and mixed greens salads, both were really good. We did try a slice of our friends thin Pizza and, ehhh, so-so (but they did order thin). So can't comment on their deep dish.
(4)
Blake B.
We had our latest dinner club at Capo's and had an awesome experience. The service was really good and the food was amazing although note that the pizzas are large and there will most likely be leftovers (which isn't a bad thing). I ordered a caesar salad to start and then as a group we ordered the Old Chicago, Snap E. Tom and Frank Nitti. All were amazing and we tried one deep dish, one stuffed, & one cast iron pan. I'd recommend a mix as well so you can try different kinds. Awesome pizza spot we'll definitely be back to.
(4)
Patrick S.
I was unimpressed. The pizza was burnt. The sauce tasted like tomato paste. There was a long wait, forcing us to hover around people seated at the bar. I won't be going back.
Great food, great service and the gentleman bussing tables was wonderful. Definitely try the baked artichoke. Yum! Family style eating so share... The hostess was sweet. Salvador the waiter is perfect. Pizza is worth the wait in gold... and the soup left me speechless
(5)
Andrea A.
We got here right at 5 and the house was empty which was nice. Came with our little baby and didn't want him losing his ish. By the time we left around 630 (Friday) it was pretty packed. Maybe one or two tables open. We ordered the meatballs and Quattro forno. Meatballs were super good! Good size serving and sauce is sweet and savory. Pizza was good but super think dough. It was like we were eating breadsticks dipped in sauce. Next time probably try a Chicago style to see what the difference is.
(4)
Lance W.
Capo's makes a very good version of the deep dish Chicago style pizza. It is not 100% but it is close enough to satisfy. I went to grad school in Chicago and Geno's East was always my favorite. Capo's is in the style of Geno's with a thick corny crust. I saw another table order an Italian Beef sandwich and from a distance it didn't look like an Italian beef but the diners seemed happy with it. For Chicagoans, an Italian Beef should be served on a Gonella roll dipped in Au Jus. The Capo's version looked like it was served on a baguette of some kind. I'll order a side of giardinera next time I go in to see if it is any good. The dining room is small and they don't take reservations for parties of at least 6 people. If there is a line, you can place your order while you are waiting. Deep dish pies take at least 30 minutes to bake so be prepared for the wait.
(4)
Caroline W.
Celebrated a birthday here. Great bar and ambience was typical of what you'd expect of an Italian restaurant. We had a deep dish pizza between 5 of us and there were leftovers! Servings of salads were huge as well. I particularly liked the bar.
(3)
Caitlin S.
The deep dish pizza is AMAZING! I went with one other person and we were both pretty hungry so we just ordered the deep dish they always have baking since all the specialty ones were going to take so much longer! It was really tasty but waaaay too much for 2 people, so definitely be prepared for leftovers or go with more people! The only thing I didn't like was the tables were soooo close together I could hear everything the people next to us were saying, it was like we were at the same table.
(4)
Dan M.
I went deep this time. The first time I tried this place, we went for the cast iron which was not my favorite (too bready - Sicilian style like foccacia bread). But the Chicago style won't disappoint if you are looking for some authentic gut filling Chicago Za. We went for the Old Chicago with sausage and meatball and it was quite tasty. Just a forewarning.... 1 slice will fill ya, 2 slices will overstuff you.... They also have a rotating selection of good microbeers on draft. Score one for old Capo. Finally, you gotta try the phonebooth with a real working dial phone... free calls to anywhere in the U.S. and you can reminisce about wow... if you mis-dial how hard it was to start over :)
(4)
Lisa K.
I love Tony's and the slice house is one of my favorite places for food in the city. Being from Chicago, I was very excited to hear about Capo's and had very high expectations - which were not met. We came early (6 pm on a sunday night) to avoid crowds and were seated pretty quickly. The booths were full so the 5 of us were seated awkwardly around a table. We ordered the artichoke appetizer, the honey and calabrese sausage appetizer, a deep-dish pizza, a "quattro forni," and 2 pasta dishes. The artichoke dip was quite tasty and ridiculously rich (a theme which was welcome early in the meal but became a bit tiresome). The sausage appetizer was truly enormous - I don't know how many pounds of sausage came out, but it was staggering - and unfortunately had too much honey for my taste. Our waitress gave us an extremely detailed description of the quattro forni, and it was fine, but nothing special (I found it too bready, and I generally like bready!). One thing I do like a lot is the tomato sauce, which was very generous on the pizza. Overall, the deep dish was one of the better dishes I tried. There were a couple of minor things that irked me: as many have noted, it's cash only, which strikes me as pretty silly for a restaurant in this price range. I understand that it costs money to take credit cards, but personally I feel like one thinks a lot about ordering another cocktail or glass of wine if one has to make sure to have enough cash. Maybe they're being considerate of our finances. And be very careful when ordering here. When asked if the sausage is pork, our waitress said "yes... it's a blend." We had to specifically ask if it had beef (which it did). Additionally, the complimentary soup has chicken broth, so it's out for vegetarians. As noted on the menu, most of the pizza crusts are not vegetarian either. And a baked pasta was ordered without cheese - it came without mozzarella baked on, but still with Parmesan sprinkled on it, so we had to send it back. When we visited, one bathroom was out of commission, leaving only one available. This lead to that awkward situation where you have to watch the bathroom like a hawk and try to jump in as soon as it's free. Hopefully this was fixed promptly. To be honest, I found the food to be a little on the salty side while we had it, but for the next day noticed that I was drinking tons of extra water, and having just had some of the pizza as leftovers, the salt stands out more. Finally, the portion sizes are absurdly large. This makes it difficult to try different dishes. It would be great if half-sizes were offered. I understand that it may be harder (but not impossible!) to cook a smaller pizza, but it's just as easy to serve less pasta. I'll definitely stick to the slice house!
(2)
Sarah L.
I stick with the perfectly spiced snap e tom on cracker thin crust. Cracker think crust matches the toppings well and cannot be better described than "cracker thin". The meatballs are juicy, with a robust tomato flavor, absolutely worth the stomach space.
(5)
Jay R.
Capo's was a good experience I honestly can't complain about nothing besides parking situations which is always a giving in SF regardless.Had a reservation for party of 6 and we got in no problem the the host/hostess was great,very nice and the man in the suit was respectful as well. the environment was very comfy old fashion style at it's best which was cool too.The waiter was extremely cool since it was our first time there she broke it Down to us the basics on the menu the wine list and how to order because the food portions are huge so be cautious on pigging out on appetizers. the waiter only was excellent and kind 2 thumbs up for her. So that being said Capo's......excellent place to dine groups or dinner dates...the deep dish pizza IS OFF THE HOOK! 2 slices at the most for one person if that! the pasta entrees as well are enough for 2 people like even though there a one person entree. PATXI'S PIZZA?.....yea right! CAPO's is the S#%+ I live in San Jose so the next time I'm in frisco I'm going to stop in to capo's for sure.
(5)
Andy S.
Tony (of Tony's Pizza Napoletana and Slice House fame) has another winner. A totally different spin and style, but extremely high-quality, delicious food. We couldn't sit for dinner so we called for a take-out. Our bounty for 3 people was a mixed green & dried cherry salad, a quattro forni w/ prosciutto & arugula, and a deep-dish Sam Giancana style pizza. Good thing we drove an SUV to pick this stuff up as the payload we received from the restaurant was massive. The salad was great- stretched fine for 3 people. If we were sharing for 4 people+ it would have been thin. I'd go 1 order for 2 people moving forward. The quattro forni was delicious- this was essentially a very artfully constructed pizza-like appetizer. I'm not giving it justice by saying that- it was thick and crunchy and really delicious. However, moving forward- that plus a deep-dish pizza is a bit redundant & some-what overkill. But I will definitely order it again. Soon! On to the pizza- this massive deep-dish was akin to slaughtering an animal- we had food for days! It was 6 slices, but each of us could consume just one- they are THICK and layered with sausage and cheese and sauce and the crust was outstanding. I ate the other half over the next two days...and it revived very well in the oven at 350 for 15 minutes. The pizza was really delicious and a tremendous contrast to the wood-fired masterpieces I have grown to know and love at Tony's Napoletana. So different, but at the same time, just as perfect in its construction and compliment of flavors. The menu is really intense and extensive at Capo's, and with 4 styles of each pizza to choose from, as well as numerous other pastas, chicken dishes, etc- it will be a while until I have a grip on what my favorite items are, etc. But thats a discovery process I am seriously looking forward. I'll be back again VERY soon. Thanks for hitting another home-run, Tony! PS- Cash only, don't forget.
(5)
Leanna C.
Meets the essential criteria of a cozy neighborhood bar, with the added bonus of a fanatic menu... The artichoke app was a stand out and the thin crust pizza with 2 types of Sausage and horseradish sealed the deal... The deep dish being devoured by the people next to us looked awfully tempting as well... Will definitely be back :)
(5)
Ryan D.
The Capo's Family Blend Unti Vineyards Red wine is amazing! Had the Margarita pizza. Oh boy. To die for. Cast iron style is superb. Service was good. Price is very reasonable.
(5)
Jee H.
You walk in and you feel like you're in an old skool Italian joint and half expect to see mafia guys chilling in the back booth. It has a great vibe and decor. I'm a huge deep dish fan, esp Zachary's in Berkeley, and thoroughly enjoyed the pizza here. My friend and I split the Old Chicago. Figure you gotta go with the classic. I would definitely go back and get it again if I didn't want to try all the others. The service was friendly and attentive. They gave us complementary homemade soup while we were waiting for our pizza (40-45 min for deep dish) and that too was surprisingly good. Give it a go. Everything looked damn tasty.
(4)
Mike J.
Holy freaking freakout batman! Where do we start..... badass drinks - check, badass meatballs - check, badass pizzas - check, badass servers - check. The only reason I'm not going to be a regular here is because I don't want to weigh 300lbs, and I would not be able to control myself. I wonder how long it would take me to get through the entire menu - 10 visits?... 20 visits? Maybe there's a room upstairs I could rent and just come down and eat til I was sick and had to hobble back up stairs.... actually better to try and get a subterranean room; limping downstairs will be easier with a meaty pizza-baby in my belly.
(5)
Beatrice W.
Wow - 5 stars for the pizza! I'd been to Tony's before and for the price, the pizzas are not large. On the other hand, Capo's deep dish stuffed pizzas are so filling that one slice was enough even for the guys around the table! Plus, you get complimentary soup! Talk about a good deal... Our complimentary soup was a pasta and white bean soup that was also served with complimentary bread. The pasta was clearly homemade, and had a delectable chew to it. We also ordered garlic bread and for only $3.95 you get 8 slices - a very affordable appetizer as you await your pizza! I am not usually a fan of garlic but Capo's roasts the garlic to the point that it is sweet and therefore I am a fan. My party also tried the steamed clams with bacon which was tasty but the bacon overpowered the seafood flavor which I would have liked to shine through. Also, $12 for 9 clams wasn't such a steal. And then came the stuffed pizza. Honestly, we were already stuffed even before the pizza arrived but it was so tasty each person wolfed down an entire slice! The crust was thick and crisp on the outside while chewy, doughy, and cheesy in the center. The toppings were plentiful, the tomato sauce was fresh. The stuffed pizzas range from about $28-$37, and are cut into 6 slices. Considering a single slice will make you plenty full and send you spiraling into a deep food coma, it's a pretty sweet deal! Also, our server was friendly and patient with me as I asked countless questions about their specialty cocktails (I am very picky about my cocktails). She was able to guide me to a drink that would suit my fancy which scores major points in my book. My drink was basically a glorified Old Fashioned with Benedictine. Good, very drinkable, but a tad sweet for my taste (I like stiff drinks). The only annoying bit is that Capo's is cash only. What kind of moderately priced restaurant +bar is cash only?! But even with this caveat, I will return.
(5)
Brian C.
4.5 Stars? hilarious. I had to come out of retirement to write this one. 2 stars, for food only, and we haven't even gone into the service yet. My friend and I ordered the thin italian stallion. I have to say, the crust was done nicely, but everything else was a mess. There was too much sauce which was over powering and worst of all, it was too salty, where I could even taste the salt bits. Well, according to our server, Rebecca H. "maybe I'm just not a salty person because she eats it all the time." That's a big no no, when you ask diners how their food is and you shoot back with a smart remark. Once again, the 2 stars does not take into consideration the service.
(2)
Celina A.
Only thing to add: They only take CASH, so load up before you go or pay the fees at their ATM. The Spaghetti and MEAT BALLS ARE AMAZING! My husband and dad haven't stopped talking about them in like 2 months, so I figured they were worth a shout out.
(4)
Brye L.
We wondered in on a Friday evening and were able to secure seats at the bar. The person who greeted us was really friendly, she wasn't a server, more like a manager. She was awesome in seating us and answering any questions we had on wines or the menu. The other 400 reviews do a good job of explaining about the food the portions is what surprised me. The appetizers are more like full portions, we were a party of three and they were more like for 5 or 6 people as appetizers. We wanted to try other dishes but after three items we were beyond stuffed. All the food was excellent, and we didn't even get to the pizza. All the ingredients seem fresh....I'm excited to try a baked pasta and a cracker pizza! If you aren't doing pizza order the quatro forni, baked and then fried dough, can't go wrong there!!!!
(4)
Julie J.
Fun atmosphere, friendly staff, and delicious food!
(4)
Frankie G.
Love, Love LOVE the old school Italian vibe of this place. Tony and crew have done it again. We went on their opening weekend, where one might expect a rough execution on food - no one was disappointed at our table, the food and service was great. It's nice to be greeted with olives and a bowl of soup. We ordered the chicken Vesuvio (delicious), a cast-iron deep dish pizza with two sausages (light and very flavorful) , Vesuvio potatoes (really REALLY good. Lots of garlic), but to begin with was an appetizer that could not be out shined - the imported anchovy and sardine crostini (to DIE FOR!) We can't wait for our return and we will return. Thanks for opening an Italian restaurant in North Beach!
(5)
Nothing But The Truth S.
Ever since I've eaten here I want to go back every night. The food is beyond delicious, with wine and other libations to match. I was never a fan of deep dish pizza, but after eating the award winning Dilinger, I am a believer. Wow. The crust and the fact that its not drenched in sauce is heavenly. I also had their minestrone soup and artichoke parmesan dip....soooo good. I cant stop thinking about you, Capos!
(5)
Brendan H.
Medium at best. The attempt to compensate for quality with quantity is not pleasant.
(2)
Sara K.
Tony Gemignani is hands down the best pizzaiolo in the Bay Area. Having lived near the italian border for years and having pizza in Naples itself, I totally know my italian food! Also being exposed to Chicago style pizzas, italian-American joints and speakeasies, I can say Capo's has pretty authentic atmosphere and the food portions are copious and delectable. Such a nice touch for them to offer soup as an amuse-bouche to all diners. Staff from the bartender to the hostess (Tony's very own wife) and waitstaff were attentive and professional. Cannot wait to return to order the quattro forni pizza, an artisanal technical tour de force only chef Gemignani could pull off. The homemade honey spice sausage is also a must.
(5)
Matt D.
As a loyal customer of Tony's, I was really looking forward to indulging in Capo's deep dish. Unfortunately, we didn't even get to try the food. The ambiance was strange, the drinks were mediocre (but priced with the likes of the mixologists at Bourbon & Branch and Trick Dog ($12)), and the service was poor. Tony and team better make some changes if Capo's is going to survive.
(2)
Joshua W.
I came here with some co-workers and very much enjoyed it. We sat at the large booth in the front....very spacious and a nice view of the street. I like the honesty upfront from our server "Keep in mind while ordering our portions are large" and they are. None the less we continued to order a large amount. Hey were a hungry bunch! Stand outs include the deep dish pizza, which my friend compared to a lasagna. And the artichoke appetizer. We brought our own wine.....which was good. lol My only "gripe" they do not take cards, only cash, so it made it extremely difficult for some of us to pay. I'll be back.
(4)
Paolo C.
nothing compares to real deep dish pizza in Chicago from Lou Malnati's, but this is as good as it will get in SF. Definitely a solid pizza and puts Patxi's to shame. Have already gone twice in the last 2 weeks and plan on returning when I need my fix!
(4)
Johnson W.
Probably one of the best pizza joints I've been to in a long time. The food and atmosphere just fits its name Capo "boss". They accommodated me and my guests on a last minute reservation do to our time restraints and the service equaled if not bettered then a 4 star restaurant. I highly recommend all of my friends and family to come to Capo's
(5)
Bianca J.
So fucking good. portions are huge. I usually hate italian restaurants, I always feel overcharged for pasta and sauce. This was the best italian food I have ever had in my entire life.
(5)
K H.
Went to Capo's for a holiday dinner last week and I must say that I was very impressed with the setup. The aged brick interior, the beautifully decorated high ceiling, red colored booths and last but not least the whiskey bar absolutely made the place live up to it's name. Really feels like old Chicago! Now to the food. We had our waitress recommend some dishes for our table of 13, crab conchiglie, cracker thin snappy tom, stuffed big Jim, clams casino, chicken Marsala. From the ambiance to the food and staff we all had a wonderfully positive experience at Capo's and recommend for my fellow Yelpers to check out and enjoy the experience yourselves.
(5)
Tina A.
After reading all the great reviews and having had the "original" Tony's pizza several times I couldn't wait to try the new "Chicago" style restaurant opened by the same owner. Well I will have to say this was the WORST pizza I have ever had.....no joke! We ordered two deep dish pizzas-margarita and one that we created with different types of meat and mushrooms. When both arrived they looked like a giant can of tomato sauce had exploded all over them! You couldn't see a single topping just GLOBS and GLOBS of extremely thick and overly sweet tomato sauce...............YUCK! No matter how many layers I took off with my fork there was more! It completely took away from the taste of any of the toppings! We also ordered two Caesars salads...one arrived within 15 minutes and piled high enough for three of us to share. The other person in our party does not like anchovies so he ordered his own AT THE SAME time as us. We had already finished our salad and he still didn't have his. So we mentioned it to our waitress and she said nonchalantly it's coming"....seriously??! The other salad did not arrive for another 20 minutes!! I also had to ask for more dressing and I am not one that loves a "wet" salad but this one was as dry as it gets and flavorless. The only reason I gave this place an extra star was for the complimentary soup (some kind of Italian pasta soup) which was pretty tasty AND the fact that the maitre d Mario followed us outside and asked how everything was. Wonder if he could tell how unhappy we were with our food! I am not sure how Tony Gemignani learned to make so called Chicago style pizza but perhaps he should take a lesson from Old Chicago Pizza in Petaluma that makes such amazing deep dish pizza that it makes me want to salivate just thinking about it!! I will say the original Tony's Pizza is great but expect to wait 3-4 hours for a table on the wekends!
(2)
Chris J.
We found this place at the last minute on the last day of our trip and I will be talking about it for months. The service is top notch, they have an extensive drink menu and there food is amazing. The best Italian food I have ever had and I have been to Rome. If you find yourself anywhere near here, it is a San Fran MUST!
(5)
Tim R.
I've been coming to the city for years, but tonight was the first time I've ate at Capoi's, what the hell have I been thinking why haven't I've been to Capo's before! Damn this place is great it will most definitely be my first destination next time I'm back in the city. The handmade sausages were the bomb plus a side order of meatballs both were top-notch and second to none this place is a must!!!
(5)
Melissa L.
I took my Italian mom here after an afternoon Italian Opera; the food was delicious and the service was friendly! I spied on all of my neighbors dishes, and everything looked wonderful! I am looking forward to going back and trying more!
(5)
A. R.
It was just okay. My friend and I shared the cast iron pizza. One half was the Frank Nitti while the other half was the Johnny Torrio. I was underwhelm with the flavors. Maybe their other pizza style are better.
(3)
Zak P.
Man on man do they have some GREAT food! I wish I could say the complete experience was the same, unfortunately it was not. FOOD- Let's start with where Capo's excelled. Everything that went in my mouth was stupendous. We tried the Garlic Bread with Cheese, Old Chicago pizza (deep dish) some wine and the comp soup. The soup was far better than I expected it to be, actually it was one of my favorites of all time! It didn't have much in the way of pasta or vegetables but the broth had a mild kick to it which was well worth it to me. The Garlic Bread just completely melted in your mouth and was the perfect way to start the meal. The pizza was huge and covered with so many toppings that I could only handle eating one slice. Everything about it was top notch, the only negative I would say was the sauce which I liked.. But it was a tad too sweet. They do warn you when you're seated the portions are family size and they aren't kidding so don't over order! SERVICE- It was Sunday night and we didn't plan ahead enough to make reservations. So we had to wait about an hour and a half for a party of two (The food was worth the wait) certainly not their fault for us not planning but just as a warning to others out there the place is small and the food takes a long time to come out so it could be a while before you get a seat if they are full. Service however was pretty bad. Once we were seated the server came by dropped off menus and took a while to come back. We had another server (possibly the manager) come by to assist with wine selection and drop off the wine. At one point we wanted to clear the table since there isn't much room so we asked the bouncer if he could bring a box. He took the bread and didn't return. Our server didn't come by for quite some time so we flagged her down to ask about what happened to our garlic bread and she condescendingly said "you haven't got your pizza yet so they keep your boxed food in the back until you are done eating". That's awesome! She just didn't need to be rude about it. It took about 50 minutes for the food to come out and in that time we weren't checked on once. A food runner came by dropped off the food and shortly following the server finally came and dropped off a check. She didn't ask how our meal was, she didn't offer dessert or coffee (which I was planning on getting, but didn't) and mind you she asked every other table around us but skipped us over. I was completely surprised that the she was that bad. PRICE- Considering the amount of food you get its acutally pretty good, the Pizza, Bread, Soup and a Bottle of Wine came out to $73 and we had tons of leftovers. The only real negative thing I have to say money related is they ONLY TAKE CASH SO COME PREPARED!!!! It's really odd that a place that sells bottles of wine only takes cash, I understand small hole in the wall quick service places only taking cash but a place like this!? Very Odd. All in all I loved the decor and ambiance , food was amazing but servive was subpar. I would gladly have given them 5 stars if their service was even a tad better. Basing most of my review off of food, you wont go wrong if your looking for AWESOME PIZZA!
(4)
George P.
I haven't had such a warm welcome to a restaurant in more than a decade. Sergio and the staff treat you like family, and the food brings it home. The bar has some great innovations on classic drinks too. Great place to chill out with friends, cozy up on a date or hang out at the bar just off the little italy strip. The appetizers are delicious and well proportioned. Main course are big enough to do a family style dinner or satisfy a fairly hungry solo. My table ordered the following and shared: - Wood Fired Baked Artichokes : Delicious and large portioned. Very saucy/cheesy though, a little much for me. (3/5) - Antipasti Platter : Again with the large portions, but very good quality meats. (4/5) - Baked Conchiglie : My favorite dish so far. Delicious red sauce with crab meat and shrimp. Perfect for a lighter course, but still filling and flavorful. (5/5) - The Dillinger : Deep dish pizza, but with a deviation from the classical variety you'll see at Zachary's or Little Star. Wasn't my favorite since I'm one for lots of tomato sauce on my Chicago style. (3/5) I think this is going to be my go to place when I want to get out to North Beach, even to just grab a drink, and say hi. It's so hard to find places in S.F. that really take hospitality to heart, so I hope Capo's sticks around for a long time.
(4)
Adam L.
Review is for the most unprofessional hostess EVER! Watched her seat every larger party to fill their big tables while tricking us into waiting over an hour! If you are a party of 2 and there is a wait...go some place else.
(1)
Erich R.
Capos was amazing. I can see from the other reviews here that I was not alone in thinking this. Loved both the deep dish and the cracker thin. Cocktails were divine. Tony G. has done it again!
(5)
JoeBob C.
The food was very good though not great. The service was very good with a nice staff and the owner/chef visited our table, a great touch. The atmosphere is fun, but the noise level is fairly high though not excruciating. The portions were huge and value great. The Chicago style deep dish pizza was excellent, better than what I ate at Geno's East in Chicago. The pasta dish was good. For 2 diners, a salad, pizza (which weighed about 6 lbs), pasta dish and one dessert meant we had enough left over for 2+ more meals at home. I recommend this place. I left with a craving to return.
(4)
Brett W.
The best deep-dish pizza in town. Unlike Tony's, though, their pasta isn't as good as their pies. Stick to the pies and you won't go wrong.
(5)
Matt H.
It is with humble gratitude and smug pleasure that I hereby lay down the first ever review of the soon to be famous Capo's. As long time fans of Tony Gemignani's other outlet of the same name (Tony's Pizza) we were invited by none other than the Capo himself to the soft opening of the new Capo's. Tony designed the new place himself to be as close to something you'd find in Chicago during Prohibition as you'll see anywhere without visiting a museum. The bar is gorgeous and built from scratch. The entire place is walled in red brick. The ceiling is copper tiling like you'd see in Chicago or New York. The floor is cork tiles, which absorbs so much of the noise that would otherwise make this place a "bomb" rating in noise decibels. When I asked Tony about that he specifically got the cork tiling on the floor for that reason. He really has thought of everything in this new establishment and it's no stretch to say it is his masterpiece. Whether you sit in the Capone booth which faces the front (Al never sat anywhere he couldn't see everyone) or one of the other spacious red leather booths the main draw of course is the food. Several items appear as they do at his namesake restaurant; you'll find calamari, meatballs, clams, and more for appetizers. For the main event the Chicago style pizza is dazzling. Not to be mistaken for only "stuffed," you will find several styles on a thinner crust. The difference from other styles is the cornmeal in the crust and perhaps a bit of lard that is used to make the crust crispy. Combined with Tony's second to none command of sauce and toppings this might very well be the best pie in the country. Of course the debate about that will rage on for a long time to come but from someone who has been to a lot of places that are considered to be the best Pizza places in the country I think this might be the best. The deep dish isn't trying to be "over the top" like Paxti's or Zacharys or Little Star (although those are all very good in their own unique way). Here the pie is more simple in nature, true to its elements and heritage and totally authentic. Try it and I think you'll agree. Capo's will take reservations unlike Tony's, but good luck on getting them. Rispettare il mestiere!
(5)
Tara T.
Prohibition memorabilia and cushy red booths - you just know you're going to love Capos the moment you walk in. While the pizza is amazing of course, I couldn't recommend the Lasagna enough. I don't even like lasagna and I loved this dish - the perfect amount of sauce and meat in proportion to the noodles - it's a must! The place gets pretty packed (it's new and on the hot list) so make reservations or just enjoy a couple of their fabulous drinks while you wait.
(5)
Jeff S.
I mis-ordered. Ordered "the house specialty" instead of pizza. Will definitely go bak and try the pizza. it looked great
(3)
Peter R.
Great food. Great atmosphere. Great prices
(5)
Kyle L.
Pizza is epic!, if you like the movie Godfather than this is your spot. They are a cash only place so be sure to hit the ATM before you head over.
(5)
Cathy I.
We had drinks at the bar few weeks ago at this retro feel restaurant and had to come back and dine. We thoroughly enjoyed our entire experience. The decor is just this side of kitschy, 1930s Chicago speakeasy style, yet feels completely charming and cozy. The atmosphere is very lively, most local diners peppered with tourists, acceptable noise level, energetic but still can converse. The service is easy and friendly, and food was really fantastic, just what the restaurant promises, old style Italian American food, not highfalutin or pretentious. Hubby ordered the Snap E Tom cast iron pizza, I had a few bites, and sweat it's the best pizza I've had. I am not even a pizza fan and generally avoid any red sauce pies, but this had a great sauce, and unbelievable crust. Also had great meatballs and yummy clams casino. We can't wait to return to try the desserts! Warning - Cash only, just like Tony's other pizza place. Worth the trip.
(5)
Jon P.
Fresh prosciutto right off the leg, and thin crust the way it's really done in Chicago. The complimentary soup and salad to start of the meal, perfect. The soup tasted just the way Grandma made it. Really felt like I was back at home. If you're from Chicago... they even have Old Style beer there! Brick and mortar interior, another thing to remind me of Chicago. The staff was great, really welcoming, and portions... well, just how you expect them to be in the midwest, more than enough to fill you up. Only one disappointment, I didn't realize they wouldn't have beefs for dinner, but I'll look forward to a beef the next time we are in the city. Thank you all! Thank you for reminding me of what I love about home!
(5)
Jon W.
Looking forward to dinner! The place told me tonight's reservations filled up too weeks ago.... Pizza was GREAT!!!! Pasta Rocked, just bring Cash...
(5)
Rachel H.
Ambiance is kinda Prohibition-Era gangster, and it works. It's quaint and warm. The food is fabulous - we enjoyed a wide variety of selections from the menu, and what stood out most were the meatball appetizers, the complimentary soup (some sort of Italian wedding type soup this day), the stuffed chicago style pizza and the pasta with crab (cannot recall the name, I am sorry!). What I would skip next time is the Quattro Fromagi appetizer (they claim they only make 20 per day, so we thought we had to have it)...it was like a fried foccacia bread with a little cheese on it, quite dry and not at all what the menu description lead us to believe. Wine selection was nice, I had a grey goose and soda that could have used a touch more goose, but everyone else's drinks were spot on. My only constructive criticism is the "cash only" policy...who wants to be in North Beach with that much cash on them in this day and age? Not me. I would like to see this policy change before we come back, even if it is supposed to be part of the throw back to another time vibe - it doesn't work. The food however, does, and I highly recommend it.
(4)
Paul T.
The freshest tomatoes I've ever had on a deep dish pizza. The atmosphere is amazing. Tony has really created something special. Highly recommended...make sure you have a reservation.
(5)
alex c.
came in here for a drink with my friend after school (coincidentally, after santacon, so i understand the staff had been dealing with a lot of drunk and obnoxious customers all day). we stopped on our way in the door to chat with a group of santacon revelers then ordered a drink at the bar. the bartender who was helping us didn't know how to chill shots and asked us to wait until the other bartender was free to do it. we watched him chat with the couple at the end of the bar for about ten minutes (i clocked it) before he sauntered over and told us we were cut off (before we even got to a drink) because the people we were talking to earlier in the evening had been too rowdy! the bartender was very rude about it too, even offering the excuse that "you don't really want to drink here, those drinks will cost like $20 anyways". $10 for a shot of top shelf tequila doesn't seem out of the ordinary for me, but clearly the bartender felt the need to let me know i seem like the sort of person that can't afford that. really upsetting because my friend and i had just arrived a few minutes before and had not consumed any alcohol or acted as such before we were cut off. thanks capo's, i'll make sure to NEVER patronize your establishment again! went across the street to trattoria pinocchio and enjoyed several drinks. much friendlier and talented bartender and a much more lovely experience. instead of a sullen blonde sighing a greeting at the door, there was an older italian gentleman serenading us and pulling out our chairs for us too. instead of a bartender who ignored us and didn't know how to chill shots (how do you not know how to chill shots?!), we had a friendly pro take care of us with speed! food looked and smelled fantastic too... will definitely be back there but NOT to capo's! seems that bad service is kind of the standard here judging by the other reviews. bummer!
(1)
Amanda M.
Wow one of the best meals my husband and I have had in the city! Make sure you leave plenty of time to be seated and to order a deep dish pizza. (Don't go starving) Well worth the wait! YUM
(5)
Dilly M.
Really cool spot, love the interior with all the brick walls and the red leather booths. Started with some complimentry soup, then order a few appertizers for the table. The stuffed pepper was delicious, they should serve more than just one on a plate. We also had 2 of the deep dish pizzas..they were great! Everyone at the table agreed these were some of the best around. Definitely a place i want to come back to.
(5)
Miles M.
Simply magnificent .. I write this review in my bliss of being full from eating one of the best dinners of my life . The plates are huge , if your planning on feeding just yourself be prepared to take home your dinner and enjoying it for the rest of the week. One of my favorite pastas Conchiglie with Dungeness crab, set me away to retire myself for great dreams after. Everyone , everything here is divine . Don't want to give away to much to you because I want a table next time I bring anyone to North Beach . Starve yourself before coming and be prepared to be happy . 6 people and up you need a reservation , eat hearty friends. Yee!
(5)
Mike A.
Service is great, they are very accommodating. Deep dish pizzas are incredible. Make sure you bring cash.
(5)
Amy S.
This place was disappointing. I grew up on Chicago deep dish (Gino's East / Giordano's). I think Patxi is a better SF option than this place. We got a couple sausage pizzas and it they were both just mediocre.
(2)
Billy W.
From the moment that my date & I walked in this restaurant we knew that we were in for something special. The hostess greeted us with a smile and told us that there would be a 20 minute wait. No problem. Then some space at the bar open up and I think he might have been the manager and he offered us seating there. We accepted and were promptly seated. Shortly after we were greeted by the bar tender who asked what we wanted to drink and if we needed menus which he provided. The menu looked very appetizing. We asked the bartender some questions and based on his recommendation ordered the deep dish Italian Stallion. More on that later. Minestrone came from the kitchen and it was delicious . My date and I both commented on how delicious it was. Next came our Cesar salad which was equally delicious. Long leafs of romaine lettuce with a drizzle on Cesar dressing with anchovies in the dressing. Yumm. Next came out pizza. It was the best pizza and most unusual pizza that I can remember having. It had mozzarella cheese and a horseradish sauce. It totally worked.!! I don't write long reviews but because of our experience at Capos I made an exception. The staff was awesome!!. The food was awesome!! The ambiance, scene, and decor, awesome. These people got it right! Thank you for a wonderful experience Capos!!
(5)
James P.
I went to Capo's for a late lunch with a group of 5. We were all impressed with the food, whiskey selection, service, decor and unique style of Capo's. We ordered quattro forni, calamari, and the old Chicago deep dish pie. Every bite was absolutely delicious. Capo's was an all around good experience. I will definitely be returning. Thank you.
(5)
Wendy J.
Capo's is a new little gem that just opened in North Beach. The speakeasy theme is awesome - you walk into a beautiful room with brick walls, cork floors, and shiny red booths. Very mafioso! There is a gorgeous art deco bar with an old school cash register and even a vintage phone booth in the back (you can make free calls anywhere in the US of A!!). Food is served in large, family style portions - plenty to share with the whole table. They begin the meal with complimentary house-made soup that is warm and delicious. I ordered the Chicken Limoncello and it was perfect, tender and savory in a semi-sweet limoncello sauce. My husband got the Chicken Vesuvio and a cracker thin pizza with house made sausage. Our friends ordered a Chicago style deep dish pizza ... this was a ton of food and we didn't even come close to finishing it - but it made for the perfect leftover lunch the next day! I haven't even mentioned the drinks yet. They have 3 special drinks as advertised on the mirrors behind the bar. My hubby had the Made-Man Manhattan and a Capone. I'm not a whiskey/bourbon drinker, so I had the bartender make a awesome lemondrop for me. It was so good I had another! They have quite the impressive drink selection and will make whatever your heart desires. Definitely going back and taking friends and family. Good place for celebrations (reservations are required though, so make sure to call in advance) or just to stop in and have one their delicious cocktails with friends or significant other. A great date place too. Thanks Capo's. I'll be back!
(5)
Katelyn W.
Delicious deep dish. After being an every friday paxtis delivery family....im convinced this is the best and Capos has won us over! This should not truly be compared to paxtis, zachrys and little star....they are more 'cal' style vs. True Chicago style.
(5)
Stan B.
Tony's latest restaurant... an homage to Chicago... excellent deep dish pizza and traditional Italian entre's...
(4)
Cameron A.
I love sitting at the Bar here and splitting a Pizza. All of their Pizzas are amazing and love the minestroni soup that comes with the meals! Their specialty coctails are perfectly done. I always prefer to come here rather than Tonys, even though it is the same owner, because it is cozier.
Wow is really all I can say. I came here with my huge family last night and had such a great time. The food was exceptional, ambiance unique and fun and although not super friendly, our waitress did a good job. I has the spaghetti and meat balls and it was delicious. The homemade noodles were thick and perfectly chewy and the meatballs were soft and flavorful. Best I've ever had hands down. We got 5 pizzas and they were all great. The Italian Stallion being my favorite. My aunt can't eat wheat and so being able to have any pizza on gluten free crust was great. She said it was the best she's ever had. This place is awesome and I'm so looking forward to my leftovers for lunch!
(5)
Heather M.
Fantastic! The pizza is great and I've excellent service the three times I've been there. I also think the Chicago decor is cool. Keep up the good work!
(5)
Denise G.
Love! Went to Capo's on Saturday night with a group of 5 and we had a great meal. The only problem was we ordered way too much food! Ambiance : This place has a great vibe. We loved the over sized red leather booths. It felt like the business had been there for years and we had been taken back in time. Service : The wait staff was amazing. They were very attentive and there were plenty of them! The manager came over to greet us and checked in on us as our check was coming to make sure everything was perfect with our meal. Food : Like I said before we ordered too much. We were asked to pre-order our pizza's since the deep dish take 30-40 minutes to prepare. Really, I don't think it made a difference as we had to tell the waiter we had done so and they were fired up shortly after. Capo's brings to you a complimentary pasta fagioli which was flavorful and delicious. The garlic bread oozed in cheese and garlic. We also ordered the Quattro Forni which was a smaller version of their pan pizza cooked in 4 different ovens. We did this as an appetizer. While it was good, I would skip this going forward. Salads : The spinach and mixed green were both delicious and fresh. If you haven't guessed by now, at this point we were all full. But, our pizza's had not arrived! **The Pizza's** We ordered a the Frank Nitti cast iron pizza. Frankly, the only reason I did not like this is the crust is just too thick. We were afraid to order the cracker thin crust but, from looking at the tables around us it looked like a thin crust pizza. The flavors were wonderful we just cut off most of the crust. The meat eaters made the best choice of the night. They ordered the Old Chicago pizza. It was amazing. One slice is all you need and the pizza has 6 slices. I have to talk about the sauce because so many places just have a sub par pizza sauce. The sauce at Capo is filled with chunks of tomato, spice and it has a slight, and I mean slight, sweetness to it that rounds out the sauce very nicely. Yum! If we want a deep dish pizza we will skip patxi's and little star and head to Capo's. Enjoy!
(5)
Francisco M.
I always forget just how good this place is. It's so good to see that even with all the changes happening in the city, some things stay the same. The food is out of this world and the portions are insanely large. Every fiber of my being wanted a deep-dish pizza, but they are massive. With no way to keep left overs in a hotel room, and not wanting to eat so much that I turn into the blueberry pie kid form Stand By Me.. I opted for the Spaghetti and Meatballs. The plate came out and the damn thing was massive, it was really good for 2 people or maybe 3 but it was just straight up manna from heaven. The meatballs were so tender and tasty, they must have come from a golden calf somewhere. I've never had better pasta in my life. I ate so much that I felt like the spaghetti guy in Seven. They also do not skimp on the drink pour's either. My wife ordered a glass of wine and got like a 12 Oz pour. The only knock is the cash-only requirement, but with an ATM in back with only a 1.00 surcharge, no big deal. One of my favorite places, in a city that is jammed packed with incredible restaurants.
(4)
Duff L.
What can I say other than this place has Duvel Belgian beer on tap and specializes in making Moscow Mules. The food was amazing. Be warned, if you order deep dish it is huge and definitely big enough to share. We went with another couple and we both ordered an appetizer and a deep dish pie (because that is what they are known for) and we quickly realized we should have shared. It was our fault, we should have asked how many each deep dish feeds but we ignorantly assumed that a 13" pie would only feed two. The pizza lived up to its name but my favorite part of the meal was our appetizer. We ordered the baked artichokes, which were the perfect balance of texture and flavor but was unexpectedly more of a dip (served with toasted bread). Highly recommended but we were definitely carbed out by the end of our meal. The place is small, which is great but we impatiently sat at the bar which was not as comfortable as the plush booths. They only accept cash so plan ahead and enjoy! The only knock I had was we wished the waiter (bar tender because we were at the bar) had warned us that we had ordered too much food.
(4)
Kenwood G.
The standard answer was No. No we couldn't have a booth. No they don't make Bloody Marys (but they do, with a mix for $12). The pizza slice with salad for $10, 2 stars. Sauce ladeled all over pizza was a sweet tomato. Couldn't even tell what you were eating. Worst part of the meal. The paired salad has a sweet citrus vinagrette. Greens were good, didn't care for dressing. The Antipasto ($13.50) was very good - but was missing the artichoke hearts, complimentary soup was very good. Somehow though, we were underwehlmed and with so many choices in town, we'll keep exploring for true Italian.
(2)
Woody M.
Saturday night date night would be great wether or not we went here due to the great company but this place was awesome. We loved the Quattro Forni , fresh baked bread with marinara and cheese. Soup was understated very delicious. I ordered the Johnny Torrio on cracker thin crust also delicious and SPICY. The wife had Linguini and Clams. The pasta was perfect, clams in shell, and the wine sauce was garlicky goodness. Even better than the food was the service, the best I've had in a while.
(5)
Alexei B.
Got a chance to try the Old Chicago with the stuffed crust, which we were told is exactly the same as the deep dish except for the extra edge stuffing. Needless to say -- amazing! The sauce was sweet without being overpowering, the crust was perfectly toasty, the meat was delightfully seasoned, the different cheeses created a wonderful flavor mixture, and the whole thing just looked photo-perfect to boot. I think this place takes the spot for my favorite deep dish pizza in the Bay Area, a few notches above Patxi's. I was going to say that you'll have to pay slightly more for the quality, but to my great surprise it actually looks like Capo's is cheaper! Compared to the $29.50 Patxi's 14" Favorite which includes pepperoni, mushrooms, and black olives, Capo's 13" Old Chicago features provolone, Romano, Italian sausage, meatball, garlic, and tasty blobs of ricotta for $27 (or $29 stuffed). Factor in the complimentary soup (surely at least a $5 value) and you've come out significantly ahead. A true bargain for world-class eats! (One caveat: I believe the crusts use lard, so vegetarians won't be happy here.)
(5)
C A W.
I find it as disappointing being compelled to write this review as the experience itself. I am a long term resident of the North Beach neighborhood and love everything North Beach. I eat at Tony's other place bi-weekly and I was pretty excited to try Tony's new place, as I had heard great things at Trieste over coffee in the morning. Unfortunately our waitress mistook our order... and accidents do happen, but we ended up with the polar opposite of our original order. What we did receive was an inedible gloppy mess of cold ricotta, spinach, and lots of tomato sauce on a lukewarm crust. Regretfully I had to say something which is actually pretty difficult for me.We were comped the food we did not eat which was appreciated. Honestly I went to Capos tonight and expected more. Yes we were comped for what we did not eat, but we spent time and money that we could have enjoyed in many other deserving NB venues. I think we deserved a little more...? perhaps a free glass of wine? a dessert ? I wanted to have a great experience, I wanted to come back again and again and most likely I won't be back. I would be hard pressed to recommend Capos to anyone else with so many great alternatives in the neighborhood.
(2)
Shirley W.
The beet/mozzarella/tomato salad is divine. All other salads and pizzas we tried were good too.
(5)
Katie A.
Had dinner at the bar, even though only my husband was drinking. There was a long wait for a table otherwise. The complimentary soup was awesome. We had the Johnny Torrio thin crust...would definitely order it again. It did take a while to get our dinner, although to be expected with that many people in the place ordering pizza. Enough for 4, maybe 5 people for dinner. We ate the rest for breakfast the next morning before leaving for the airport.
(4)
Giorgio N.
Picked as second choice for a late Sunday dinner turned out to be an experience over expectations. The cracker thin crust is definitely rewarding and not overwhelming if compared to the deep dish, delicious but challenging!
(4)
Vegafong V.
My 2 girls and I took a road trip to San Francisco. I Heard about this place and decided to give it a try. Our waitress was Not Great actually she was pretty BAD. (Sorry Abigail, but I can not lie) We decided she wasn't going to ruin our dinner. Garlic cheese bread was out of this world; careful it has whole garlic. You also get complementary soup. We ordered A Cast Iron Pizza. It was Hands Down the BEST PIZZA ever!!!! The crust was cheezy and crunchy and aw sooo delicious. It certainly made up for the waitress and was well worth the wait. We will certainly come back whenever we come to SF or surrounding cities. Price's were decent too. We highly recommend this spot. Just Keep in mind the wait can be long and some pizza's will take apprx 45 min to cook. You will NOT be disappointed. I'm sure the story behind the restaurant is interesting but our waitress was not very fourth coming with the information, despite the fact that we were asking questions about the memorabilia all over this place. We got one or two word answers. Hopefully the service will be better the second time around. Thanks to her I can only give it 4 stars
(4)
Tyler S.
Great deep dish pizza. They have a number of tasty mixed drinks and all the bartenders are very friendly and laid back. Definitely going to come here again.
(5)
Linda W.
OMG this place is the best! have been twice and love everything I have ordered. The pizza here makes you want to eat until you are literally ill! The bar has 100 kinds of whisky and is great fun to order up a different one each time I go. They have an old time phone booth that really works and is very cool. If you like old world San Francisco atmosphere you will love this place!
(5)
Maris D.
I haven't written a Yelp review in a long time 1) because I kind of can't stand Yelp lately and the damage it does to small businesses (If someone doesn't like something about a restaurant, how about calling them, talking to their manager, and giving them a chance to make it better, before throwing a faceless tantrum on Yelp), and 2) lots of new restaurants in SF that I've tried lately just don't live up to the hype. But I was truly impressed by Capo's so I felt compelled. We didn't have the pizza (I'm a Zachary's fan, so I'll have to come back and see if it compares), but we shared the loaded garlic bread, wood-fired mostaccioli genovenese, chicken marsala, and wood-fired eggplant lasagna. All the dishes were superb and hugely portioned (we had 3 to-go boxes and were sharing these dishes amongst 4)--I've never had chicken marasala that rich in flavor! And it's sort of silly, but my favorite part was the complimentary soup they serve you as an appetizer. Not only was it delicious, but it really made them stand out against other restaurants who tend to skimp on details like these. I am definitely coming back and bringing more people!
(5)
Don N.
cash only. will not get our business.
(1)
Leiza B.
Excellent restaurant! The atmosphere was great definitely had the early 1900's gangster feel, expected to see Capone walk through the door. We started with the baked artichoke and it was probably the best appetizer we have every had. We moved onto the Caesar salad and then shared a iron skillet Chicago pizza and wood fired conchiglie baked with dungeness crab. The pizza was by far the best pizza I've ever had and the conchiglie was loaded with seafood and had the perfect amount of spice. Our dinner was completed by a visit from the owner Tony. I must say Tony hit a grand slam with Capo's.
(5)
Rachel K.
I was very pleased with what I ordered. I got the antipasti platter as an app, a cracker thin crust pizza and tiramisu. Great cheese and olive selection for the platter. Super good pizza- I would have ordered the deep dish, but I was not hungry enough. I have had many tiramisu deserts before but this was one of the best, served in a cute jar. Very nice staff.
(5)
Sprayin Lead N.
Stopped in for lunch after seeing it on line. We had the lunch special, meatball stuffed piazza slice with a salad and the house soup. It was very tasty and all for 10 bucks.
(4)
Steve B.
If I could give six stars, I most definitely would!!! This was the best pizza I have had in over a decade. I was raised outside of New Haven, CT, which has arguably some of the best pizza on the East Coast(Pepe's, Zuppardi's, Bar and many others). The staff was very knowledgable and fast. Frank, the owner, came out to talk to us twice and was obviously very proud of his newest addition to the SF culinary landscape. We tried the wafer thin and deep dish and they were both great. The deep dish reminded me of Due(sp?) in Chicago and the wafer thin reminded me of some of the old, Mom and Pop spots in NYC. If you love pizza and Italian food, do not hesitate to try Capo's. You will be very happy you did. I can't wait to go back. Thank you, Frank!!!
(5)
Fzarond K.
the best spaghetti and meatballs in the world. they really care about their tomatoes. their pasta's unique in a great way. want to try the pizza but this first time, couldn't get past the pasta and the quattro dish. need to go back, its become a craving.
(5)
Andrew S.
Awesome deep dish pizza and a fun alternative to Tony's new york style pizza. Just know that deep dish is HEAVY. Literally, the box weighs like 7 lbs and is tough to carry back up the SF hills ;) Cracker thin is tasty too, but I feel if you go thin, you're better off going to Tony's
(5)
Sue J.
First time visitor. -We were easily able to make a reservation on Open Table on a Sunday evening. -Their portion sizes are extremely generous and we were easily able to share mozzarella bread and a pizza between 3 people. The pizza was very large, what we ordered was a little spicy for my liking- so I ended up not even finishing my piece :( -their pizza is all very intricately made, and takes up to 45 mins to cook so if you are starving order a starter. They did let us know this immediately and it's clearly written in the menu - once we got our food we didn't see our waitress again the entire meal. She wasn't back to check in or offer refills. She was attentive to the table across from us, but until we reached out to her she wasn't around. -I did like the decor and ambience of the whole place. -
(3)
Christopher M.
Capo's is a great little Chicago-Style Italian joint in Chinatown... The serving sizes are massive, so if there are only two of you, I wouldn't recommend getting more than one things, or if you do plan on having a week's worth of food. Also, the pizzas take a LONG time to make, so be prepared to wait. It'll be 45 minutes for your deep dish. So if you're hungry, you better get something beforehand. On first glance, the prices seem like your typical through-the-roof San Francisco pricing, but considering how much food you end up getting, it's a decent enough deal. If you can get a Groupon then even better. It think they're $29 for a $50 (for 2 people) or $44 for $100. We had the Quattro Forni, Baked Artichoke, and the Old Chicago Deep Dish. The Quattro Forni seems like it would be THE thing to have. Sounds fancy enough. Baked 4 times in different ovens, only 10 made per day, etc. But honestly, for all the to-do over it, it's OK. It's good, don't get me wrong, but you'd expect something so rare and troublesome to make it would knock your socks off. It's good, but there's no reason for it to be construed as anything but a piece of fluffly focaccia. The baked artichoke, is a spinach artichoke dip. Again, it's really good, but understand what it really is. And finally, the Old Chicago Deep Dish. Was great, The corn meal crust is something that I've been missing since the first time I went to Chicago and had it. This pizza is full of meat (sausage and meatballs) that contrasts perfectly with the thick red sauce. Also, this pizza is huge. I'd estimate it probably weighed 7 lbs. At this point we had enough take out for the week, and definitely no room for dessert. For the service, we had a reservation and were asked if we could wait 5 minutes because there was a rush when the restaurant opened. After 10 minutes we went back and were asked to wait another 5 minutes. Not a huge deal, but something to consider. Also she told me to tell her when the rest of my party arrived while my wife and son stood right next to me, which I thought was odd. And the waitress was about a 10 minute wait after sitting down. We're very patient people so again, it didn't bother us. After that she only came by a couple of times during our 105 minute dinner. We didn't really need anything, but again, something to consider for some people. Overall, it's a good place. Now that I've tried a handful of things, I can zero in on some of their other dishes, like their award winning pizzas.
Starving Yelpers need only apply! Capo's is a wonderful restaurant by Tony Gemignani ( founder of Tony's pizzeria Napoletana). Less hectic here and easy to get into. Capo's reminds me of the old Italian restaurants in North beach in the 70s and 80s that my family would frequent on Saturday or Sunday nights. Family style meals, comfy booths, that amazing blaring music, the smells and sounds...ahhhhh. Pizza here is wonderful if not substantial. We ordered both the cracker thin ( Margherita) and the iron pan (Sam Giancanna). While they both had their merits the unanimous vote was for the more bready Iron pan. If you do not like a bready pizza do not order the iron pan. I think it is amazing fluffy, crunchy, topped with amazing cheeses, meats, tomatoes, and veggies....ummmm. The cracker thin is good but not wow. Artichoke dip with crostini is fantastic but very rich. Cesar salad was good. The desserts....if you even dare after all that are just meh. The tiramisu was lackluster and the breadpudding was really doughy and flat as well. nice beer and wine selection. It aint cheap as 5 people with a 20% tip was over 2 Benjamins. Definitely one to checkout and try!!! Tip. Park next to the police station on Vallejo in the public parking lot...3 bucks an hour.
(4)
Rodney H.
It's been a while since I last reviewed Capo's and even then I didn't have a chance to try their Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizzas. Well, after going back a couple of times with a few hungry friends I can finally post a true review of what Capo's has to offer. Before we get to the pizzas, let's discuss Appetizers! Caprese Salad -- bit.ly/1whH5Bu House-made mozzarella, peppadew relish, roasted red peppers, kalamata olives Pretty much your basic Caprese salad. But they definitely provide a good amount of mozzarella cheese. Wood Fired Baked Artichokes -- bit.ly/1wKgHy6 Wood Fried Baked Artichokes in spinach & provolone cream We ordered this from word of mouth and as you can see from the pic, it's pretty awesome! They provide almost a loaf of crostini with this and it still wasn't enough to scrape up all of the dip. You definitely don't want to eat this alone unless you don't plan to eat anything else for dinner. Now on to the pizzas! It's highly recommended to enjoy these with a hungry group of friends. We tried their different crust varieties from Cracker Thin, Pan, and Chicago Deep Dish. What's nice is that with their pizza menu, you can order most of their specialty pies with any of those three crusts I previously mentioned. Old Chicago Cracker Thin -- bit.ly/1whH40i Tomato sauce, mozzarella, provolone, Chicago italian sausage, meatball, garlic, ricotta, oregano & romano This was a good pizza since it had a lot of tasty meats on it along with dabs of ricotta cheese. Though I think the Old Chicago would be better off as a Deep Dish Pizza. Snap E. Tom Deep Dish -- bit.ly/1vm1y40 Mozzarella, provolone, garlic, pork chorizo, pepperoni, roasted red peppers, serrano peppers, crushed red pepper, tomato & cholula hot sauce, ricotta, sport peppers, romano & oregano This was actually my favorite pie of all the ones I've tried. I love the spicy kick it has from the chorizo, pepperoni, and serrano peppers. I'm glad we ordered this Deep Dish style. The red sauce was amazing and the gooey mozzarella is all on the bottom. This is Chicago Style Deep Dish at its finest! The Dillenger (World's Best Pan Pizza, International Pizza Challenge, Las Vegas, 2014) -- bit.ly/1JmuEe2 Sharp cheddar, mozzarella, provolone, smoked hanger 1 vodka cream sauce, marinated chicken, bacon, brocollini, artichoke hearts, red bell peppers, garlic, crushed red pepper, fresh lemon If there's one pizza that you have to try at Capo's, it's the Dillenger. This is their prized pie! Literally! Not only does it taste great, it's one of their most photogenic pies as well. The toppings go really well together. You got chicken, bacon, vodka cream sauce and some nice veggies as well. It's a very complete pie and it's no wonder it won World's Best Pan Pizza. All in all I can't say anything but great things about Capo's. Even though Tony's Pizza Napolitana is still getting all the hype, I really don't mind Capo's being the underrated sidekick. I'm glad that I've been here a couple more times to try their other pizzas and side dishes. And like Tony's, there are still a whole slew of menu items I would like to go back and try like their Chicken Parm Sandwich, Italian Beef Sandwich, all their Pastas, and their other pizza pies as well. That'll be for another future review for sure!
(5)
Trina N.
I don't always get deep dish as I'm more of a thin crust person, but I am so happy that I decided to get the deep dish here! SERVICE: the staff & manager know good customer service. My bf&I were seated nxt to a couple where the guy was really drunk. He would blurt out singing and saying inappropriate things. My bf&I did not want to sit nxt to that for the entire dinner, so we asked the manager if we could change tables. They were extremely generous, allowing us to switch tables w/ no hassle, apologizing for the situation, even apologizing again after our dinner. That was a huge plus in my books b/c I'm big for customer service. FOOD: - Woodfried Baked Artichoke:in spinach&provolone cream - soo creamy & savory. The toasted, buttered-sprinkled-cheese bread that came w/ it was addicting. Get a piece of the bread,top it w/ the artichoke, & bite into a warm, cheesy deliciousness of heaven. Both my bf &I really enjoyed it & could not get enough of it! Definitely recommend for starters - "Big Jim" Colosimo's Triple Double Deep Dish (mozzarella, provolone, garlic, pepperoni, chicago italian sausage, ricotta, meatball, mushrooms, onions, roasted peppers, bacon, oregano&ramano): the name speaks for itself - big, colosimo,triple,douple,deep. But boy, it was phenomenal! They do not mess around w/ the filling b/c there were huge chunks of sausages, pepperonis, mushrooms etc inside. The crust was crisp around the edges yet soft&bready underneath the toppings. Great flavors altogether! My bf&I brought the leftovers home,& even after 1-2 days, it still tasted just as amazing. Overall, great first experience w/fantastic food & big portions! Fantastic staff & manager. Definitely will be coming back & definitely recommend checking out!
(5)
Tiffany V.
The Good - $44 Groupon for $100 worth of food & drinks - Complimentary soup was the best thing I had all night - $18 for 16oz of wine from the tap The Bad - Quattro Forni, a pizza the owner invented and they only make 10 per day was a big let down. Would not recommend unless you are really into bread. They described it as a pizza on a doughnut crust. The Ugly - Arrived for our reservation at 5:00. The hostess checked us in and said she would seat us after she was done helping the people who arrived before us. They were looking for something on their phone for about 5 minutes while the hostess just stood there. My parents left and took a walk around the neighborhood. - There was a piece of nasty plastic in my uncles drinking water. He didn't notice until the plastic was already in his mouth. We told the waiter and all we got was "its half Walgreens fault" because they had bought their ice from there. WTF? That is like finding a staple in my food and saying "oh its half Office Depots fault"
(3)
Anya C.
Pasta was good. Noodle was homemade. While the source was good, I felt a bit heavy after finished half of the portion. Pizza was huge. A bit too oily and everyone who had he pizza didn't feel well when they got home or next day morning. Server was fast and nice.
(3)
Dave S.
High cool factor. Swing music playing. Bar tender took care of us with two different killer Manhattan's and a smooth vodka gimlet on the rocks. We had the charcuterie plate, hit the mark server all kinds of meat, cheese and pickled goodies. Definitely sit at the bar with your woman and engage with the bar tender.
On Saturday, 2/28/15, my girlfriend and I along with my friend and his wife ate at Capo's for dinner. Atmosphere/Decor: Refer to my previous review. Food: We ordered Mostaccioli Genovese (baked in pesto, garlic, ricotta, goat cheese, mozzarella, artichokes hearts, sun dried tomatoes, romano) and The Dillinger (World's Best Pan Pizza, International Pizza Challenge, Las Vegas, 2014) (Sharp Cheddar, Mozzarella, Provolone, Smoked Hangar 1 Vodka Cream Sauce, Marinated Chicken, Bacon, Brocollini, Artichoke Hearts, Red Bell Peppers, Garlic, Crushed, Red Pepper, Fresh Lemon.) The Mostaccioli Genovese was really good. The pasta was cooked perfectly. I really liked he taste of the pesto, ricotta and goat cheese. Everything inside of the baked pasta tasted great. The Dillinger was perfect! This pizza is amazing and a definite must try. It's my favorite pan pizza and one of the best pizzas I've ever eaten in general. All of the toppings tasted excellent. The chicken was so tender and tasty. The pizza dough is cooked to where the crust is crisp around the edges yet soft and bread like underneath the toppings. The Dillinger was beyond delicious! Service: Our waitress McKenzie was really nice and attentive throughout our dinner. Our waters were always topped off. The food came out at a decent time. The service was good. Overall: If you want the best Pan or Deep Dish Pizza Capo's is the place for you! If you haven't been to Capo's you better hurry up and go, NOW!!! Their pizzas are very scrumptious. This is one of the best Pizza places I've ever been to. I'd highly recommend this restaurant. Do yourself a favor and order the Dillinger. I guarantee you've never eaten a pizza like this before.
(5)
Natasha R.
I can't even put into enough words how INCREDIBLE this place is. My mouth is watering while I'm writing this review. This is by far, me and hubs FAVORITE restaurant. Whether, it's going out on a whim or a celebratory dinner - this place is perfect for any occasion. Capo's Spinach and Artichoke dip just KILLS any place that offers it on their menu. You will never taste anything like it. And when you do, you'll agree with me that it puts every restaurants dip to mf* (excuse my language/abbrev.) shame! We usually start off with a mixed cocktail. My favorite is the "Wise Guy." Hubs either gets a beer or the "Made Man." And then of course, we order the dip! Ugh, I have to say - even if you don't like artichoke and spinach dip - try theirs, they'll make you start liking it. HAHA! Depending on our hunger level - if we're starving, we'll order the Chicago style pizza (I can only eat one piece, those things are HUGE)! If we're mediocrely hungry, we'll order wood fired conchiglie baked with dungeness crab. And of course their GARLICKY garlic bread. Mmmmm delicious! There hasn't been a time where we've gone to dinner and didn't get complimentary something. We'll usually order our usual and then boss man gives us complimentary meatballs for our baby girl, complimentary calabrese sausage, prosciutto and salami and caesar salad. On top of bread and soup. So you can pretty much see, by the time we leave, we are STUFFED! See you VERY soon, Capo's :)
(5)
Michael W.
Finally got the privilege to eat here before my it my time off started. I first heard about this place from Check Please Bay Area a long time ago and I must say it really feels at home. I really like how it is in the heart of San Francisco. It is was easy to find and you can just take the bus there. For the food it tasted better than any other Italian place that you see in the Bay Area. The price may exceed an average person's budge but it is really worth the price. I have. I would also suggest the wines here because they are a good vintage. This place is really for the elite person who wants good quality. The pizzas here are really good to. This is a choice that stands out from all of the Bay Area. The best place to sit in this area is the Bar.
(5)
Mike M.
Went here for dinner Friday night, we didn't have a reservation but not a problem as the host and Maitre d immediately found us a spot in the bar which was ideal as I wanted to watch the game. We ordered the garlic bread, spaghetti and meatballs and the Long Con pizza. Everything was delish...sauce in the spaghetti wasn't too tangy which I can't stand and the garlic bread was so good with garlic cloves on top. Perfect to dip into my spaghetti sauce. The pizza was exploding with all kinds of flavor but almost had too much for what I was wanting, I should've ordered pepperoni and sausage. That's for next time.
(5)
Cynthia L.
I just found my new favorite NB restaurant. Our party arrived early and was seated promptly. Our waitress was pleasant and not at all bothered by the fact that we came armed with a Groupon voucher. Now down to the nitty gritty, it's all about the food. Every dish we ordered was scrumptious and filling. Be sure to come hungry. The garlic bread with mozzarella had just the right amount garlic and cheese - best for sharing. Our little one can't eat spicy and they were able to accommodate us by making their Baked Conchiglie with Dungeness Crab not spicy. It was divine! Will have to go back to try it without the modification. Also tried their Quattro Forni with prosciutto because we didn't want to wait 45 minutes for the deep dish pizza. Think focaccia with tasty toppings...good but not great. But hey, there are so many items I want to try. Love the retro decor too. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Babs B.
WOW! This place has it ALL... Phenomenal food, atmosphere, awesome service and beyond friendly staff. This is by far the best hidden gem I have ever found. The food was amazing! I've been to a lot of places over the years and come from the food and service industry myself for over 30 years. OMG Their house soup (forgot what it's called) was out of this world. The meatballs were light and delicate, flavorful and not greasy. The Caprese salad was so perfect. Truly a wonderful all around place. Hopefully no one finds out about it because we would never be able to get in the door. Thanks for the wonderful evening! Babs
(5)
Rick H.
Capo's is good and fun, and no, it's not authentic old world Italian, but it's pretty authentic Chicago Italian. Deep dish pizza, which is not really my thing, is their thing at Capo's, and I have to say they do a great job -- particularly with the cast iron pan pizza. Fabulous crust. For those who really don't want pizza their pastas and entrees like pork chops are great, too. And beware, the portions are big. We sat at an old world Italian restaurant across from Capo's having a drink while we waited for our table. The bartender ranted about Capo's not being "real" Italian. But, I believe that food evolves at it moves around the world. Tex-Mex is authentic Mexican food from Texas, but it's not like food from Oaxaca. The same is true with Italian. Authentic Roman or Sicilian or Genovese is wonderful. But, so is New York or Chicago Italian. I'm tired of the fake "authentic" debate. Go to Capo's for fun and good food.
(4)
Elaine Y.
Super friendly staff and cute place. Server recommended a classic deep dish pizza (not too bready but full of fresh ingredients) and the seafood pasta was local and sustainable, rich but not overwhelming. Needless to say we had leftovers and it was delicious.
(4)
Angela D.
One of my favorite italian restaurant in north beach aside from tony's pizza.. We we went here 2 nights ago and brought some left over pizza but my complain is while eating my pizza this morning I saw a hair inside my pizza which I was so frustrated calling the attention of the people who works at the kitchen pls wear your hairnet.. I love the food guys but please be more careful on how to prepare your food.
(1)
Elena N.
Review #800 goes out to Capo's! This seriously was a special occasion since I'm known to celebrate my birthday for a whole month. This is the first time I celebrated almost 2 months later! Thank you Rodney H for setting this up! And Peter L and Bobby L for celebrating with me yesterday! I got there early so I sat at the bar and got the Kentucky mule: housemade ginger beer, fresh lime, makers mark bourbon, angostura bitters ($12). I wanted something light and refreshing, so the mule was perfect! Plus I was watching game 7 of the World series, so I needed a drink! Once everyone got there, we moved to a booth in the dining room. Of course, I requested a table within view of the TVs so we could still watch the game. WINE: *Barbera del monferrato, marchesi di barolo, maraia, 2012 ($36) -Peter picked this wine. My only requirement was a red, so this worked well. I like full bodied reds, but this one had a little spiciness to it. It worked well with all our pizzas. APPETIZERS, SALADS & SIDES: *Wood fired baked artichokes: in spinach and provolone cream ($13.95) -This is gigantic! I ordered it since a gf said I had to try it. It was creamy, savory and sooo good! I almost ate a whole slice of bread because it was so good! And I normally stay away from bread so I can eat more of the mains! *Caesar with white anchovies ($9) -I wanted this to have lots of anchovy flavor, but it didn't. There were three slices of anchovies on the salad, but the dressing didn't really have any of that flavor. *Caprese salad: house-made mozzarella, peppadew relish, roasted red peppers, kalamata olives ($9) -I actually didn't care for this. I wanted more basil and maybe a balsamic to cut into the richness of the cheese. 3 meatballs ($6) -Okay, I probably shouldn't have ordered this, but I really love meatballs! These were tender and meaty. And had lots of tomato sauce which was great since I love extra sauce. PIZZA: I don't know what made me think I could eat 3 pizzas, but my eyes are always bigger than my stomach. By the time we got the pizzas, I was already full, but I had to try some of each. *Old Chicago: tomato sauce, mozzarella, provolone, Chicago Italian sausage, meatball, garlic, ricotta, oregano & romano ($26 cracker thin) -We originally didn't order this pizza, but I'm more of a fan of cracker thin, so I thought: Let's try it! The crust was great! Crunchy, but still chewy at the same time. Since I love tomato sauce, I wish it had more sauce. *The dillinger (World's best pan pizza, International pizza challenge, Las Vegas, 2014): sharp cheddar, mozzarella, provolone, smoked hanger 1 vodka cream sauce, marinated chicken, bacon, brocollini, artichoke hearts, red bell peppers, garlic, crushed red pepper, fresh lemon ($37 cast iron pan) -This was the last pizza we got. Super bready, but the combination of the toppings worked really well together. And the inner lush in me loved the vodka cream sauce! *Snap E Tom: mozzarella, provolone, garlic, pork chorizo, pepperoni, roasted red peppers, serrano peppers, crushed red pepper, tomato & cholula hot sauce, ricotta, romano & oregano (spicy) $38 deep dish -Giant slices of deep dish! I couldn't eat much last night but this was so good today for lunch! The crust was still chewy with the edges caramelized. Lots of sauce, cheese and toppings. Yum! DESSERT: *Affogato: tahitian vanilla gelato topped with a single espresso ($7) -They gave us this on the house which was super sweet. I don't think it was cuz we were celebrating my bday because I don't think anyone told him. It was probably because we ordered so much food! Lol! Great place to watch the game as the whole restaurant was super excited when the Giants won. We each got a complimentary glass of bubbly to celebrate! Would love to go back and try their Quattro forni since they only make 20 a day! And with mushrooms, arugula & truffle oil, it sounds like heaven!
(5)
Sonny D.
The North Beach tour of Italy continued this week with a stop at Capo's per suggestion of an SF native who knows how to eat. We were able to watch the Warriors playoff game from our booth in the far corner, and I really enjoyed the ambience and atmosphere inside. The food servers and manager that evening were very helpful in helping to make a decision for the three of us. They also brought us complementary items like minestrone soup and The 3 meatballs appetizer. The meatballs and garlic mashed potatoes were delicious, as was the Mostaccioli Baked in Meat Saucedish we tried. The flavors of each item we enjoyed had their own distinct ingredients which exploded with each bite. The final knockout round came 40 minutes later when the Sam Giancana deep dish Chicago style pizza was served. The food and ambience was truly amazing and made for a memorable evening with two of my friends. We ate like kings and were treated just the same by staff and management. I will absolutely be making a return to Capo's in future.
(5)
Casey P.
this is my go to italian place in the city. a little nicer than you're normal pizza place in the city - definitely darker lit and a little dressier. Make sure and get reservations a few weeks ahead of time. It is worth it - I promise! You will not leave hungry. It's impossible. Extremely large portions on everything. GET THE GARLIC BREAD!
(5)
Maximillian M.
Update: had cocktails and the Italian Stallion pizza, plastic now accepted, still awesome!
(4)
Mary A.
Went last nite for the first time with friends and shared both a cracker thin crust and deep dish pizzas at our table. Both were great. Also shared their meatballs which were delicious. Shout out to our waiter Colin who was the best. Very attentive to a noisy and sometimes picky group. Would definitely go again.
(5)
Rena C.
Super!! Awesome pizza and even better service. Got the cracker thin...so good! Mario really took care of us. We had to wait for a few minutes, while we drank our cocktails he gave us a small meat and cheese platter with fresh shaved prosciutto. Will go back every time we visit SF and definitely recommend to friends.
(5)
Fancypants X.
By the looks of Capo's, I've just stepped into the 1920s when the talk of the town were mobsters & bootleggers. In my prohibition era-obsessed mind, the phone booth is where you give a secret password (for who knows what), & the brick walls contain trapdoors (leading who knows where.) No need to worry, everything was copacetic, no funny business occurred, at least not while we were there. Food, I'm sad to say, was not as exciting as the restaurant's setting. We ordered: -- spaghetti & meatballs ($18): pasta was way too thick & al dente. Meatballs & sauce were a-ok, but the pasta ruined this dish -- "big Jim" colosimo's triple double: takes about 40 min to bake. Enjoyed the tasty crust & generous piping of ricotta. Absolutely humongous. I only finished half a slice, & I usually throw down a couple slices easily. There's a lot going on between all that crust & three meats. I brought a slice home, & it was even better the next day! -- complimentary minestrone: nice & light. Tides you over if you're starving & just can't wait for the main event If I were to come back, I'd definitely try a different pie, served a different way (margarita on a cracker thin crust, perhaps?)
(3)
Marcus F.
Check SECRET MENU ITEM and must haves below! What a great place to go! Friendly staff and manager that make your experience fantastic! They have suggestions for whatever you're craving and quickly provide service. Every entree comes with a flavorful clear broth soup (Pasta e Fagioli) When you order a pizza with prosciutto, the manager manually slices the meat fresh with an old Italian hand crank slicer. Don't be fooled by some prices. The portions are huge and definitely family style friendly if you'd like to share to try multiple items. Capo's has a great atmosphere with an old school Italian restaurant charm. Unbelievable that it's a little more than 2 years old! SECRET MENU ITEM: Marcus' Meatball Sandwich...basically the chicken sandwich with meatballs instead. A must have! Meatballs are tender and dusted with parmesan. Perfectly melted provolone. Delcious warm roll. Loved all of these menu items so far: -Mastiaciolli pasta with Vodka Sauce (suggest to add their spicy sausage to it) -Cracker Thin Pizza Margherita added Prosciutto, Pepperoni and Salami -House-Made Honey & Calabrese Sausage
(5)
Gregory P.
Good size, small enough to stay cold, but large enough to pack a punch in a small chalice shaped glass. Could be a little saltier, possibly due to the mild olives it comes with, pit included. Also only had 2 olives. I'll definitely have another. -1 Olive.
(4)
Meghan N.
This place has great deep dish pizza, and the thin crust was tasty too. Also has great service
(4)
Melissa H.
Can't believe it took me so long to eat here as a Tony fan and North Beach girl... but better late than never and NEVER HAVE I BEEN MORE SATISFIED. Sergio, Ajeet and Carlos made our night unforgettable between their sincerity, extra special attention and purely fun, loving and hospitable personalities. Then there's also the food... baked artichoke dish plus cracker thin Johnny Torrio pizza and don't get me started on how mouth watering delicious the Whiskey Crisp was!!! Thank you Tony, Sergio, Ajeet and Carlos on an all around outstanding experience last night!!! I'll be back :)
(5)
Rick B.
What a great place! Was in SF on vacation and found it using a phone app. for places with gluten free items. Cool space with brick inside and pictures of mafia Capos. The service was excellent. I let them know about my gluten issues and they were able to serve up some awesome food. Complementary house made Minestrone soup, no noodles for me. Had the perfect pork chop and potatoes with a balsamic and apple bacon glaze. Finished up with sweet Spumoni. If I'm in SF again I'd visit anytime.
(4)
Wendy W.
Ordered this for delivery via Caviar: Mostaccioli alla Vodka The description said "spicy" it was BEYOND bland...not a flavor in sight! Hoping I can resurrect the flavor tomorrow adding my own spices to the dish - HUGE disappointment!
(1)
Daniel L.
As a Chicagoan, I was curious and eager to try a west-coast take on Chicago style pizza. I went in with an open mind knowing that "Chicago style" deep dish even in Chicago isn't one monolithic form, and there are a lot of local variations. So I wasn't expecting it conform to my favorite pizza or anything like that. Still, I ended up mostly disappointed. Pros: It was hot and fresh, and it definitely seems like a lot went into the quality of the toppings. Cons: I don't feel like it was anything resembling a pizza. The crust had the composition and airiness of a loaf of garlic bread (instead of an actual crust), and otherwise it was mostly just slathered in sauce to the point where it almost drowned out the toppings. I didn't taste any cheese (something that's crucial to pizza) and almost didn't think there was any if I hadn't noticed a paper-thin layer melted on top of the bread. To be fair it was filling and reasonably tasty, but I left with the feeling I had just eaten a ton of garlic bread and marinara.
(2)
Brian S.
Killer pizza and a (surprisingly) great value, especially given that it's in North Beach. This is one of the few places that lives up to the hype for me. I always get a deep-dish pizza and end up having some to take home. The salads are excellent, the sandwiches are excellent, and the portions on everything are generous. The food itself is rich, but dude, you're eating authentic Chicago-style pizza. You're gonna want to hit the gym. It's from the dude who did Tony's, but I'm much more impressed by Capo's. Bring your family and friends here when they visit and help them dodge some of the crappy tourist food in this neighborhood.
I love Capo's 4 styled pizza! Whether it is deep dish, iron pan, cracker thin or stuffed, their pizzas taste amazing and worth the wait to be freshly baked up in the oven! P I Z Z A S and S T Y L E S Old Chicago - deep dish! This one is a classic, traditional and saucy one! Packed and endearingly feastful! Italian Stallion - cracker thin. Baked thin to perfection! I loved the subtle pizza texture to this compared to the packed deep dish. Definitely do this, if you don't want to stuff your face! I do love the Italian Stallion as a choice topping! Highly recommended! Johnny Torrio - iron pan. The bottom is nice and specially crisp! The dough is baked delightfully fluffy! It was my first time trying an iron pan styled one and it is a keeper for my pizza book! I can't get enough of their pizza and they have this signature Quattro Forni Pizza that they only make 20 orders of per day! I must go there when it opens, to get that limited serving to taste try! If you don't want to make a mess of yourself, they provide fork and knife to eat their pizzas with! They offer up complimentary house soup as a starter! Their Caesar salad with anchovies, makes a good healthy green appetizer! For pasta, I do recommend their Wood Fired Conchiglie Baked with Dungeness Crab. Mixed with shrimp and tossed in tomato sauce with shredded crab, this pasta was homely and marvelous! Ambiance and service, is all there! Capo's pizza - pizzas my heart!
(5)
ron c.
Tell you what. Save yourself some dough. Order from Domino's. This place is simply overpriced Domino's. We ordered this spicy pizza deep dish, "chicago style". All we got was a piece of thick bread topped with some cheese and tomato sauce. Just as I said order from Domino's. I have a picture, see for yourself, no need for me to write a long review. Guys the essence of Chicago pizza is the cheese. It is almost pie-like.
(1)
Denise P.
Absolutely delicious. After a long day of walking across the Golden Gate Bridge, my cousins and I were starving. Yelped Italian food and Capo's popped, didn't even read the reviews, we based it off of the photos. Anyways got here and there was a 30 minute wait which we didn't care because the aroma of the food was just too good to pass up. We were given complimentary prosciutto while waiting and soup when we were finally seated. And the food was delicious, great family style too. And our waitress and servers were absolutely amazing. Loved everything about this place, so much that I'm literally rating this place as I finish my meal!
(5)
yvette c.
Nice place which showcases a special point in time! Portions are HuGe, they serve you broth before you meal as well as a side of meatballs with each entree~yum but ouch! Fresh sliced charcuterie was like butter and the thick crust pie is Insane:) three of us shared one slice! The Al Capone table is choice and the phone booth is damn cool! Service is on point, fun buzz in the joint and a bit dark~tres tres Bon!
(5)
Roger P.
Full!! That's what happens to you when you leave Capos! And that's a good thing! A charming Italian dining spot with great food! Known for their Chicago style deep dish pizza, they also have really good food besides deep dish. I tried what they called the quatro forni. A bread that's baked 4 times in four ovens. It had Arugula, prosciutto, Parmesan and tomato sauce. Oh my word! was this heavenly! I originally thought it was a flatbread of some kind, but when it came out it was anything but flat! It was like a cake! Like a 4 inch thick cake! It was so good! It looks like it would be something very heavy to eat because of how thick the bread is. But it was actually very surprisingly light. The bread was very warm. It was very soft and moist. Almost had the texture of say, a bread pudding but just not wet. The crust was buttery and crisp and had an excellent crunch to it that balanced perfectly with the tenderness of the bread. The bread was sweat and with the saltiness of the prosciutto and Parmesan made for a magnificent pairing of flavors. The garlic bread with melted mozzarella was addicting. I couldn't stop eating it! A complimentary soup came with dinner which again was very good. The pizza was also good. Deep dish heaven! I love deep dish, well I love pizza in general haha but Capos is definitely good! Can't wait to go back and try other dishes
(4)
Jay K.
Tony has done it again! All of his restaurants serve phenomenal food and service! The ambiance was awesome. Service was outstanding. I walked in with a smile on my face and left with a thoroughly satisfied belly! I'd highly recommend Tony's Pizza Napolitina in SF!
(5)
Darien R.
We came here for an after church lunch one Sunday. I was very impressed with this restaurant. Felt very authentic and very East Coast. I was raised in Boston and it felt like home for me. We over-ordered and ended up taking the entire pizza home because we couldn't even take a bite we were so stuffed. THIN CRUST FRANK NITTI SPINACH RICOTTA - Perfect crust with perfectly paired toppings. HONEY CALBRESE SAUSAGE - Never tasted this dish anywhere. If you're the kind that likes to dip your breakfast sausage in your maple syrup, you'll love this. Maybe too sweet for some, but not for me. GARLIC BREAD TRUFFLE OIL AND ARUGULA - Please give me more of this. ARTICHOKES IN CREAM SAUCE - The least memorable for me, but not bad. I love how they have purposely limited their menu to the few things that they do best. I am a fan and I wish they were right down the street so I could drop in at least once a week.
(4)
Lesley F.
Second night in a row we tried to get in. Arriving at 6:30, hostess let us know it would be at least 1/2 hour and she would text us. We stood outside for a minute deciding what to do with our time when the manager came out and said he would try to get us a table. Within a minute the hostess let us know we could sit at the bar . Chris our bartender was very amicable and delivered perfect cocktails. My husband ordered the Quattro Forni, cooked 4x in 4 different ovens . Crust was light and airy and delicious! My daughter and I shared the Margherita Cast iron style.. It was very good, the Parmesan was baked into the crust and this did not disappoint . Each of us could only finish one piece each. The manager Sergio was very welcoming , gregarious and really went out of his way to make us feel special . He brought out prosciutto and some fabulous soup for us to try. He was fun to talk to . Everyone including Danielle and Chris and Sergio were exemplary in their customer service. This has been our fave in SF thus far !
(5)
Amy W.
I suggested this place for a team dinner (for team members from out of town) and it was a great choice. The wine flowed, we ordered a ton of apps and then 1 deep dish pizza to split. The apps were really the highlight - we ordered most of them: the artichokes swimming in cheese and cream (YUM), the antipasti platter, the garlic bread with truffle oil (and something else I cannot recall). We all got soup as part of the meal - others loved it...I'm kinda "meh" on soup in general... We had one of the cool old school red leather booths. Ordered a lot of wine (served by a cutie waiter - who kept it coming!) The night is a bit of a blue - but the next day everyone said what a great choice it was, so I call it a success.
(4)
Karen Z.
Atentive service, delicious pizza!! From begining to end our experience was pleasant! They offer free soup while you wait for your food. We had enough left overs for breakfast! ! They use eco friendly to go containers.
(5)
Jessica V.
Capo's is amazing. If you haven't tried it its a must. We started with the meatballs which were absolutely amazing ... juicy and the marinara sauce was bomb. We had the old Chicago pizza honestly the best pizza I ever had, I never knew pizza could taste so good. My friend ordered the pasta genovese and it was incredible. We also had the clams casino which were good too. I would give this place an A+. Be prepared to wait give yourself time. We waited over an hour but well worth it. Mario snd Sergio were very attentive and very aware of all the guests making sure we were enjoying our meal. Great place.
(5)
V O.
Excellent deep dish. Had the Frank Nitto pizza. Not quite like Chicago deep dish, but still very good. Good service in a small spot in little italy. Only issue was the walk through China town which wasn't very pleasant. I would definitely go again and try the cracker crust pizza.
(4)
Dani M.
This place is amazing. I came here with my family last night and had one of the best meals ever. I have to eat gluten free which can make eating out depressing and eating out Italian feel like torture. Not so at Capo's. They can make almost any pizza or pasta gluten free (skip the meatballs), have a few salads, Damm Daura gluten free beer, and Italian white bean soup (they will hold the noodles if you are gluten free). Our server was extremely attentive and helpful as well as the manager who both stopped by numerous times to check on our meal and both assured me that not only was the gluten free pizza awesome but that the kitchen is properly trained to cook gluten free food that is safe for me to eat (one of the managers is gluten free and their sister restaurant is trained as well). The pizza was the best gluten free one I've ever had and the service was awesome. Don't hesitate to stop at Capo's even if you aren't gluten free (their non-gf stuff looked and smelled even more amazing); you won't be disappointed (although you might have to wait if you don't have a reservation which was super easy to do on OpenTable).
(5)
Jeana A.
Holy moly this place...i have been here so many times and it has turned me, an east coast pizza lover, into a Chicago deep dish fanatic....or at least a capo's fanatic! The slices weigh as much as as damn baby and I can usually only finish one (If I'm lucky) but man oh man, it's as a Carb-aholics dream. Their garlic bread is amazing too and my Italian side so appreciates the rat pack mobster old school vibe the place brings. I literally tell everyone about this place and will continue to do so cause it's just that good. The only down side is that it is always SO packed because of how amazing it is haha. But I don't care, it's worth it!
(5)
Colleen W.
Best Deep Dish in SF. Yup, that's right-- skip Patxi's and Little Star. This is the closest you'll get to authentic Chicago Style pie. I warned my companions about the portion sizes. Those who think they can wolf down two slices will be humbled. A slice of Big Jim will stick to your ribs. NO JOKE. I start feeling too stuffed to move about halfway through my slice every time I come here. Great food, honest servers, huge ass mafia sized portions. Capo's is the way to go. A little bit of Chicago soul in this Western city of love.
(5)
Ashley E.
There are so many good things about this place! Where do I start?! 1. This was hands-down the best pizza I've ever had. I got the cast iron DILLINGER. The crust is fluffy, the bottom is soaked in olive oil, and the edges are baked in parmesan. And then the toppings...I'm drooling just typing this. 2. It comes with complimentary soup and bread. 3. We mentioned we were there on a birthday date (not trying to get free stuff), but when they brought our credit card back they also brought ice cream and biscotti. It was so thoughtful. 4. The service reminds me of Europe in that the table is yours for the evening. They didn't rush us at all and actually left us to talk. When the server noticed we were finished, he watched us and waited for us to finish our conversation before asking if we wanted the check. 5. The server was totally honest about the portions and encouraged us not to order any appetizers or sides because our meal would be plenty. I really admired this honesty. This honesty may have cost him $10 on the total paycheck, but he gained new loyal customers.
(5)
Suzie H.
Perhaps this owner produces my favorite italian in the Bay Area....question is which of his restaurants wins the war Tony's around the corner or Capos? They both have the heart, the passion....Battle to be gleefully continued. In the meantime we had the Dillinger chicago pan pizza. At first when I saw it, I thought God damn it with the frozen chicken slices. But boy was I wrong. Homemade moist rotisserie chicken perhaps? Alfredo type sauce, spicy, broccolini, bacon, ham, etc. the unique combo works and it is clear why it was the best pizza in 2014 in a Las Vegas competition. Not sure why but the crust reminded me of Pizza Hut Pan Pizza crust, which isn't a bad thing. I'll be back for round two on my birthday-oh yeah!
(5)
John S.
Num num num! Really delicious traditional Italian food. Only reason they get 4 stars instead of 5 in my book is because they don't take reservations for less than parties of 5 and parking is a pain the ass in the area. The food and the service is excellent though. Must try.
(4)
Jessica K.
Chicago-style deep dish done delish just about sums it up. Hands down the best deep dish pizza in the Bay Area. The portions are humongous and can feed 3-4 famished adults. I highly recommend the Old Chicago. The ratio of meatballs to bread was like 2:1! And the delicious morsels of ricotta on top made the pizza taste even better. Capo's accepts phone orders and the pizzas taste equally good even when you carry out. Factor in 40-45 minutes of wait time for pick up orders.
(5)
Sam A.
What an awesome restaurant - I can't wait to go back and try more stuff here! I had a date last night and we loved this place. The setting was great, the service was pretty good, and the food was excellent. The free minestrone was pretty good, but the clams we had as appetizer were to die for. We had the Deep Dish pizza with the thick crush and it was amazing - I think I would offer Tony personally to clean his kitchens on the weekend free for a LONG time if he would teach me how to make tomato sauce the way he does - absolutely the best. I can't wait to come back here and try more of the menu - plus, for a Thursday night, getting a table was a breeze!
(5)
Brian L.
If you want your taste buds to do a happy dance, try the cracker thin farmers pie and wash it down with a glass from their excellent whisky collection. Who wants another slice of cardboard crusted, ragu sauced, frozen generic pepperoni pizza anyways? I mean cmon, there's an egg on top of this pie!
(5)
M H.
Made a reservation for a group of 8. Had no idea we were on the clock. They basically kicked us out of our table 2 hours later because their next reservation was there. Felt rushed, walked out of there so unsatisfied. And they tell us the deep dishes take at least 30 min, so we definitely didn't have enough time to enjoy our meal. Who doesn't offer dessert? We tried to continue ordering, and our waiter says he can't because the 9:30 reso is approaching. If you have limited time at least let us know this ahead of time so we can plan accordingly. Family dinner spoiled. Surprised this happens on non holidays. The food didn't leave a mark for me, I was so distracted by the way we were treated. Don't come here for group dinners.
(1)
Derek W.
If Capo's pizza was worth its weight in gold, it just might be the most valuable commodity known to humankind. I say that after having to count to three and bend my knees in order to hoist our leftovers into my arms to carry them, joyously but without subtlety, to our waiting car. There's nothing subtle here, actually. Not the red leather hi-back booths, not the large painted brick walls, and certainly not the must-be-visible-from-space red neon Capo's sign out front. I liked the people here from the get-go. After having dropped my girlfriend off while I parked, the maitre'd told me as I entered that he was worried someone would scoop her up in my absence (a common fear, rarely alluded to with such comedy.) The bartenders were simply delightful, taking the time to be personable and helpful to us even as garrulous regulars chatted them up while awaiting their next whiskey flight. The first waiter we saw came bearing a complimentary bowl of pasta fazool, a warm and tasty way to tune us up for the meal. We knew there'd be leftovers, mind you. A serve swept by with a large plate of garlic bread - had to have some - and then of course also one of the salads, perhaps to provide in our minds a mildly healthy counterbalance to the colossus to come. The garlic bread, smothered in mozzarella, covered in roasted garlic, was a real treat, though we went slow on it. The caprese salad featured homemade mozzarella slices, soft and plentiful, and a bright red and tangy heap of minced peppadews, a rare treat I appreciated even as my lovely companion did not. Then came the pizza - a full hour after our order, and no wonder, given how much work the oven must have had to do to get this sucker baked through and piping hot on its arrival. We went for a stuffed masterpiece with delightful, chunky tomato sauce on top, a generous portion of sauteed spinach below, and the creamy decadence of ricotta between layers of the crust. The crust itself had heft and crunch, but was pillow-soft inside. As we reached our point of triumphant gluttonous ecstasy after just one piece, we were sent packing to dream of leftovers for tomorrow's dinner and to plan for which gargantuan pie might strike our fancy during our next visit.
(4)
David W.
Sitting here with friend's that are Martini snobs (not a bad thing) and they are rating the Martinis as 4 Star. They taste good to me (the Martinis, not my friends)
(4)
Susan P.
In a nutshell... Make reservations Service - awesome and attentive Meatballs - tender and amazing marinara Mozzarella Garlic Bread - delicious Mostaccioli w Meat Sauce - so so Clam Linguini w White Sauce - amazing Chicago Deep Dish Pizza - delicious Would definitely recommend for those wanting good quality Italian food in SF.
(4)
Krystal C.
Had dinner here based on the reviews and i wasnt dissapointed. The service is friendly and efficient amd the food was delish
(5)
Sophie W.
The pizza was good. We knew we had to wait 40 minutes, and I was starving by the time it came. The minestrone soup and bread was tasty and took the edge off, but the wait was still long. I got the deep dish, and I was having a food baby by the time I finished the first slice. We got it to go, which was good, because pizza for breakfast! Best thing ever. I love how thick the cheese is and how liberal they are with the sauce. Plus, the sausage is delightful. Next time, I'm definitely going to try the thin crust since I've already seen how weak I am when faced with a slice of pizza three inches thick. The service left something to be desired. The waiter was very friendly... when he actually came to us. It took forever for me to get the check, and I was in a hurry to get back. That was a bit of a damper. As long as I don't have to wait to be seated, I think I'll come back!
(3)
David G.
I came in with my 8 year-old daughter on a Saturday night. Everyone was exceptionally nice. Service was flawless. Food was fantastic. We couldn't have asked for a better experience. We shared a Ceasar salad and lasagna. The portions were HUGE. We came close to finishing everything. Can't wait to return...
(5)
L N.
Baked artichoke spinach dip -- YUM! The pasta dishes are HUGE. Large enough for 2-3 people. Be warned or plan to take some home.
(4)
Amanda G.
Since we LOVE Tony's (and our friends do as well) we decided to give this place a try. My husband, another couple and myself got here abut 7:30 on Sat. night. We knew there would be a wait, but I didn't expect as long of a wait. We were quoted 1.5 hour, and that's almost exactly how long we waited. Points for being accurate Capo's! They took our number and we went nearby for beer. It took a long time to decide what to order, and several of the things we picked they were out of. We ended up with 1 cracker thin crust, with different toppings on each half. I appreciate when pizza places will do that, then you get to taste more things:) LOVED the cracker thin crust. The whole table LOVED this pizza. It was the big winner of the night. After having the amazing meatball at Tony's, we got the meatballs (we were told they were the same.) They were good, but not as good as the meatball at Tony's. A Chicago style was ordered as well, because, we came here, how could we not? Not a fan, we made the mistake of ordering a pizza we thought had red sauce (this can happen if you've been drinking) , and it didn't. I like my pizza with red sauce. This pizza was too cheesy,and too heavy.I couldn't even finish a piece. They also have a great whiskey selection and good cocktails. I would return, but only for the cracker thin crust!
(4)
Lisa C.
This place has it all! Great food, incredibly friendly staff and wonderful ambiance. We sat at the bar and they brought us fresh cut complimentary prosciutto. Delish!! The pizza was unique and delicious and I would go back again in a heartbeat!!
(4)
Derek S.
Capo's really does feel like an old family neighborhood place in the heart of north beach. The service was friendly but a little slow but the food was fantastic. We shared the garlic bread with cheese and mushrooms, Caesar salad, and The Dillinger pizza. The Chicago style pizza, although not my favorite (I'm a ny guy) is so unique and has a great crust from the cast iron skillet. It's a truly filling meal but one I would come back to time and again.
(4)
Derrick V.
Excellent service. Not sold on the deep dish though. I'd like to come back and try the thin Chicago styles. Clams had loads of bacon, felt like bacon with a hint of clam. Loved the meatballs. Cocktails were great.
(4)
Fela K.
Dillinger best pizza in the world
(4)
Jon H.
We love deep dish pizza, so it's too bad it didn't hit the Mark here. The pizza did not hold together at all when it was sliced and served - making it very hard to serve - it was just too soggy. The garlic bread was great, the baked artichoke was good - but not at all a healthy appetizer. The waiter was nice, but did not at all care when we mentioned the pizza was soggy
(3)
Nancy W.
Had to wait quite a while even with reservations at 9:30 on a Saturday night. We stood around until two seats opened up at the bar. The bartender was very friendly and helpful. House Cabernet was recommended and we loved it. The place is small, very old school Italian restaurant feel with the red leather high backed booths and brick walls. Got seated by owner or manager who looked like he stepped out of The Sopranos. He was apologetic for the wait. Our waitress was outstanding. They brought complimentary Pasta "Fazool" soup-- so good! We ordered a Caesar salad without the anchovies. Still tasted fishy to us. Couldn't eat it. The Quattro Forne was delicious and different, a 7" square pizza/bread that was topped with delicious tomato sauce and cheese. We added prosciutto and arugala. Would have liked pepperoni, but they couldn't do that for some reason. Dessert was whisky crumble (or something like that), a kind of dark butterscotch/whisky pudding with oats, pears, and apples//yummmm! Comes with vanilla gelato. Delicious. Had an espresso with it-thoroughly enjoyed! Next time would love deep dish pizza, but would have a ton left over because they are humongous. Also, ambience would have been better without large birthday group near us with woman who shouted. Impossible to talk.
(4)
Sasha R.
Impressed! Freshly saved proscuitto, oh my! Thin crust pizza, cold martinis and just a cool old school vibe!
(5)
James K.
This place is delicious! My girlfriend told me she wanted deep dish and I was opposed for deep dish made in San Francisco. I couldn't have been more wrong. The deep dish is all you need if you want leftovers for days. We purchased the Farmers pizza; the egg on the pizza is fantastic.
(5)
Regina C.
great pizza!! it is everything you look for in a solid chicago style pizza. their lasagna is also pretty good but don't make the mistake i did of getting both a deep dish pizza and a lasagna. it's pretty much like eating the same thing twice. good food and good service though! also, it's pretty italian in there setting-wise, which felt right considering the area.
(4)
Thao T.
last night's pizza "The Dillinger" was not all that great. it wasn't a pizza, it was a savory cake: full of bread, not enough sauce, but good ingredients. high quality cheese used in every dish here that is for sure. if you're looking for a pizza that is definitely more of a chicago style dish, do not get the award winning dillinger. it doesn't come with red sauce at all - which was OK with me since i like cheese and white sauce. we weren't a fan of this dish, and will decide next time on a different, thinner crust pizza. this particular award winning pizza was unusual and overwhelming. house-made honey sausage was fantastic. was a combination of sweet and spicy and the left over honey sauce was used for dipping pizza crust. as for the dungeness crab pasta, no one at the table smelled or tasted crab at all. i suppose we all expected the dish to be OVERWHELMED by seafood, but it was actually underwhelming and overrated. service was great, super small restaurant. had to make a reservation weeks in advanced. we're definitely trying different dishes next time. good for groups and priced well. $26 per person and we had leftovers.
(3)
Kate B.
Where did the cheese go?! Will be interesting to see how sticky customers are. Will customer volume decline bc of their decision to cut costs on pizza? Or pizza vol increase enough to overcome the drop in repeats? Could be a brilliant idea capo's... Less cheese, less filling, customer orders more food. Bravo for mean reverting quality of food. One star is for three waiters + manager denying change in recipe. Management if you're looking, here is my tip: you should re-do the menu with the new "regular" being less cheesy and the old "regular" being now a "super" -- something like this, so all these customers who gave five stars for cheesiness aren't misled. Customer satisfaction is worth the costs to reprint, and that way you aren't letting go entirely of what repeat customers are coming for (THE CHEESE!). If someone's new, or their preferences are for a healthier option, they will likely order the "regular" which will be the higher margin pizza you're looking to sell. It's a good path to take if you don't want to completely turn off your loyalists.
(1)
Christine S.
Ordered the Old Chicago deep dish pie and was very disappointed. The pie arrived hot and it was huge. Large enough for four people and still have some left overs. The pie was slathered with a very thick and heavy tomato sauce. There was no freshness or lightness to the sauce at all and it overwhelmed whatever else was underneath. The biggest problem was that there was hardly any cheese just a thick layer of sauce on top of meatball slices. This pizza was one dimensional and no one at the table felt compelled to finish their first slice. The crust was flavorless and really served no point but to hold the large mass of sauce in place. This was definitely not Gino's pizza in Chicago, nor did it hold a candle to Little Star on Valencia. A deep dish pizza without the cheese oozing throughout is of no interest to me.
It's been 2 years since I had my last deep dish chicago pizza in Chicago ir self. And yesterday at Capos I felt like I had a better version of it. Awesome pizza!! Totally worth it!
(5)
Amy J.
If you like old school Italian restaurants, you'll love Capo's. My friend lives nearby so she recommended this for an impromptu dinner. The deep dish here is delicious and filling. The crust is amazing. The staff are also really helpful and friendly. We also ordered a salad that had dried cherries in it which gave it a nice sweet and savory taste without being overwhelming. It wasn't super crowded when we stopped in on a Friday night but we also arrived when it was just opening. I heard the owner also owns Tony's which I have yet to try. I would definitely seek this place out again if I am craving deep dish. Prices are pretty reasonable when you're splitting with everyone in your party.
(4)
Aman S.
Great little homey Italian place... cool ambience, and great service. Pizzas and apps were top notch. several different crust and topping options. I would go back here again.
(4)
Daniel W.
I was staying in the financial district and decided I wanted some good pizza... so glad I found this spot. It was a fun walk up to their location and I will be heading back when I am back in San Francisco.
(5)
Carson C.
Capo's has some great options and spectacular variety for pizza. Beyond the topping combinations, there's the style, of course, if which deep dish is the way to go. The cast iron cooked deep dish is great. There selection of appetizers, and non-pizza fare is disappointing in variety, and frankly not all that good quality. Go for the ambiance, great drinks, and deep dish, forget the rest. Be warned that the deep dish takes a while to prepare (~40 minutes) so don't arrive starving. Enjoy.
(3)
Karmen S.
LOVE this place! Amazing food! It's the best pizza I've ever had. It makes Little Star and Zachary's look like Round Table. Must haves: the cast iron Dillinger, the stuffed Old Chicago & the garlic bread with truffle oil, mozzarella, wild mushrooms, romano, & arugula! Never had better service or food anywhere in SF. Sergio is absolutely wonderful and makes us feel like family every time! Favorite restaurant in SF - I'd pick this place over Gary Danko, Kokkari and Nopa.
(5)
Charlene A.
The food is AMAZING! Literally died and went to heaven from the appetizers to the end it was superb! So was the service! Must visit this place in SF!
(5)
Jocelyn B.
Crispy yet saucy, savory and creamy, flavorful yet simple... Old Chicago style deep dish pizza. So delicious, but we could only down one slice each. Service was on point, quick and efficient. Manager was there to personally check on us. We were seated quickly as well. Alcohol was overpriced so we definitely didn't partake. Complimentary soup was tasty and spicy. Two thumbs up. Pizza was the best though!
(5)
Elizabeth Q.
Went for my birthday on 9/10/2014. Very pleased. The restaurant is exceptional, from the fantastic, old-school booths, to the staff and the food! The drinks are rather nice also. Had both deep-dish and thin crust pizza. Absolutely delicious! My only concern is when can I go back? A very nice find.
(5)
Ziyan C.
I came here for a really great Simmr event. Capo's is usually closed on Mondays but they opened up just for Simmr. Tony came in to cook for the event and even came around to say hi to everyone, and there seemed to be a constant flow of pizza and pastas. We got 3 drink tickets plus dinner for just $60, *and* there was a cocktail making contest! Chris was an awesome bartender. We realized that he had actually served me when he was working at 25 Lusk and kept me company when I got brunch at the bar one day! He's still just as easy-going, fun, and great at making drinks as before. Some highlights from the drinks/food I tried that night: * The Wise Guy - 5 stars (Rye Whiskey, fresh lemon, cracked white pepper, orange marmalade, agave nectar, fresh oregano) Amazing! Everyone loved this drink. It was wonderfully balanced, tart but not overwhelmingly so, with a little bit of spice. A must-have. * Thin crust pizzas I love the bit of grainy crunch (they told us that they add a little bit of corn meal to add that texture). This isn't your classic, softer neopolitan-style thin-crust pizza, but has a much more hearty crust and they were all still really good. * Deep dish pizzas Compared to other deep dish pizzas I've had, this one has a much thicker crust. Looking at a slice, about 50% of the volume is in the crust! There was a pizza with all kinds of meat, but this one had too much cheese that tended to harden pretty quickly. There was one with a layer of meat covered by tomato sauce and a bit of cheese on top - this was my favorite! It was well-balanced, didn't have as much of an overwhelming amount of crust as the others, and I loved the tangy fresh tomato sauce.
(4)
Craig S.
Came in near closing and no one flinched about having us arrive so near to closing time They would not be able to do a deep dish in that amount of time which I understand , so we had the " Cracker crust pie" pizza "The outfit " Antipasti platter and the baked and the Wood Fired Mostaccioli Baked in Meat Sauce. Washed it all down with a few Anchor Steams. We sat at the bar and got chummy with the bartender who was friendly and well versed in beer history and and the food being served. All items we ordered came complete and in a very short amount of time. Everything hit the mark and we left quite satisfied with the food and service. Never once did we feel rushed or hurried as the staff began closing. A warm and welcoming environment with some really good food and drink despite the late arrival and departure
(4)
Erin A.
This was truly the best pizza I have ever had in my lifetime. The Dillinger pizza cooked in cast iron with cheese crust. I will be dreaming of it for months to come. The service was amazing everyone made us feel like we were old friends!
(5)
Monina G.
I ordered the garlic bread with mushrooms, cheese and truffle oil. Enjoyed every tasty bite!! It may be filling but best to share an order with everyone. Also tried the old Chicago pizza which was delicious. One of the tastiest pizzas I've tried in SF!
(4)
Amy D.
We came into Capo's for a late lunch on a Sunday, and the restaurant was mostly empty around 1:45pm. We were sat at one of their shiny red booths, and ordered a few dishes to share: -Complimentary Pasta Fagioli Soup ( yelp.com/biz_photos/capo… ): Surprisingly tasty! I am not a soup person and actually drank half of this. I liked the pasta in here but avoided the beans. -Garlic Bread w/Mozzarella, Wild Mushrooms, Truffle Oil, Romano, Arugula, $9, yelp.com/biz_photos/capo… ): Yum! This was my favorite out of all the dishes we had, and I loved the mushrooms, truffle oil, and cheesy goodness of this version of garlic bread. A must order! -Fried Chicken (Bone-In Leg & Thigh w/Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Bourbon BBQ Sauce, w/Side of Vesuvio Potatoes, $21, yelp.com/biz_photos/capo… ): Just ok. The chicken was tender, but there was still a tiny bit of pink by the joint areas (we didn't notice until we got home since we took a lot to-go). However, I really enjoyed the bourbon BBQ sauce. The mashed potatoes were too thick and the vesuvio potatoes (w/garlic, peas, lemon juice, olive oil) were ok, but nothing special. I wouldn't order this dish again. -Chicago Beef Sandwich (Traditional Italian Beef in "Au Jus" w/Giardiniera Peppers & Mozzarella, $12): I only had a small bite of this sandwich but could taste that the beef was really dry. Also, the peppers are actually quite hot, so tell them to leave it off if you don't like spicy food. However, I wouldn't order this dish again. -Conchiglie Baked w/Dungeness Crab ("Arabbiata Style" Spicy Tomato Cream Sauce, Calabrian Chiles, Shrimp, Garlic, Smoked Provolone, $20): This dish tasted a little fishy/crabby to me for some reason, which ruined the overall taste. I loved the conchiglie though, and the texture of the baked dish. -Margherita Pizza (Mozzarella, Provolone, Tomato Sauce, Garlic, Basil, Oregano, Romano, "Cracker Thin", $21): This was just ok- I didn't like the cracker thin version since it was too thin and crunchy for me. I wish we got the Cast Iron Pan version instead, but that takes 45-50 mins version the 20 mins for the Cracker Thin. I wouldn't order this version of the pizza again. The service here was excellent, but I didn't like a lot of the dishes we ordered. I wish I had ordered a different pizza and crust instead since that is what they're known for. I've had Tony's pizza (their sister restaurant, and only a few blocks away) on my bookmarks for a while now, so I'd opt to go there in the future versus returning. However, Capo's is a good option to check out for Italian food, but just avoid most of the dishes that I ordered! Parking in this area can be tough, especially during the weekend rush hours, but metered street parking is available along with pay lots.
(3)
Dave K.
Ok, so, maybe you're like me. You're all excited because it's an indulgent pizza night, and you start batting back and forth the possibilities: Patxi's or Little Star. Well, that all changed last night in a single bite: the revelation that is Capo's Chicago deep dish. We went with the Old Chicago since we figured it'd be best to start with their most classic pie. Rather than work the ricotta into the pie as Little Star does, they add it in beautiful little dollops of heaven on top. Result: crispiness perfection throughout the pie. Forget about the Little Star crust. Yes, it is delicious. This takes it to a *whole new level*. Within bites I was a giggling mess. What?! How is this pizza this good?! I'm a changed man. At the risking of sounding like I think everything is the best I shall describe the other delicious fare we enjoyed: -spaghetti and meatballs: spaghetti is more like bucatini. Yes. Tomato sauce is the same perfection served on the pizza. Yes. I want it everywhere. -caesar salad: fantastic. Just the right amount of dressing, not too heavy. -tiramisu: yes! Get it! I can't recall having had more delicious tiramisu anywhere else in SF. Serve all this up with really nice service on the phone despite the fact that the place was totally hoppin. The hostess Julie couldn't have been more accommodating in managing to get us seated at 8:30pm on a Friday. YES!
(5)
Melva M.
Everything was tasty. Quattro forni did not disappoint. Great service. Make a reservation, atleast on weekend. We lucked up and sat at bar.
(5)
Ray K.
Really, empty tables and nobody waiting for a table and you have the audacity to ask us to leave because you have reservations...not to mention half of the delay was due to the length of service. Person who I believe was owner brings Caesar salad and the it topples over so the parmesan cheese and anchovies and now on the table. No acknowledgement of "whoops".
(1)
Dimple B.
Generous portions, very heavy, and delicious. I'd go back :)
(4)
Holly L.
This was a super fun place for a super good deep dish pizza. They sit you down give you a soup to sip on and some bread. Which if you have little ones works wonders! Since the deep dish takes about 45mins to come. We also got the caesar salad. That was very good too. By the photos it looks bigger then it really is. So if your coming far make some reservations..
(4)
Leah Anne W.
Unbelievable! They use the very freshest ingredients. We ordered the Old Chicago thinking it would be very basic but we were surprised with the intricate yummy favors. Prices are very similar to Little Star (our former favorite deep dish). If they have pickup service it is worth the traffic maze that is North Beach. Best we have had in SF.
(5)
Gary G.
Love this place, came here last year during Bay to Breakers weekend. Other places turned us away at the door yakking about needing reservations, pfft, trust that they didn't warrant them in my opinion. Capo's was full at the moment so we were going to put our name down, however they mentioned a single outdoor table they had if we could handle the cooler weather outside. Works for me! They treated us great even though we were dressed in workout clothes, excellent service from start to finish, and the deep dish pizza? Wow. And why 5 stars? These recollections were from a visit 8 months ago. For me to recall all these details with such delight says something about the experience. Believe me, I'll be back when I swing back by San Fran.
(5)
Alfonso L.
Great place tucked just off Columbus. A cut above typical Italian-American fare and one big plus is the homemade pasta and flavorful, robust sauces PROS: Great, informative service Fantastic mixed green salad with dried cherries and creamy gorgon cheese Comforting broth brought to you before apps Hearty really wonderful and intense sugo (sauce) on spaghetti Meatballs not dense Fantastic huge pork chop Creamy well seasoned potato puree Perfect steamed spinach with garlic Mostacchioli with vodka cream sauce a must try Tall glasses of ice cold Peroni on draft CON: They don't take American Express. To soften the blow, waiter said they used to not take cash. Thanks Could have offered us more bread Another two or three pasta options would be nice. Pesto? Side of pasta not an option with meats/chops Slim unimaginative list of desserts
(4)
Lacy C.
This is my go-to Italian place in San Francisco, the food is amazing and I love the ambiance and the fun Prohibition-era decor. It's always busy so unless you have a reservation prepare to wait. But don't worry, it's worth it! Bring your appetite because the pizzas are enormous. One slice is a meal in itself.
(5)
Catalina V.
Really disappointed. After seeing the great reviews about Capo's, I really wanted to try it. It was on a Saturday afternoon and the traffic was INSANE. But we drove and drove and drove until we found a parking spot. There were plenty of good-looking restaurants everywhere, but NOOO, I really wanted to see what the hype was about. For starters, this is a CASH ONLY place. It says so on the door. Okay, cool. So they want to be a little old fashioned. I'm cool with that. The inside is gorgeous. Brick walls. Huge, ornate, quilted booths. Low lighting. It all looked good. But that's about where it ends. We had many waiters and all of them had no personality. For a minute I thought maybe they were racist! Bad assumption, I know, but they were so bland! I practically starved myself all day because I was craving penne/mostaccioli pasta and all of its al dente chewy goodness. My friend and I both wanted the same pasta plate (Wood Fired Mostaccioli Genovese.) It was about 4:15 p.m. What does the waiter say to us? "Our pasta guy is not in. He won't be in until 5:00 p.m." Pasta guy?? If they were open, and they specialize in Italian food, shouldn't they have a "pasta guy" at all times??! I was so disappointed. We drove so much and I felt too defeated to get up and leave. So the waiter suggested the meat lasagna and said it would be enough for two. So we got that. It had absolutely no flavor. The best part of the meal was the initial complimentary soup and the two beers my friend tried. They didn't even offer any sugar or have any available for my iced tea. Maybe I'm being dramatic. But this place didn't live up to the hype that day.
(2)
Pria P.
I was soo excited to try Capo's because Tony's is great and I love stuffed crust pizza! Capo's defnitely sits at the bottom of the list of deep/stuffed pizza in SF (below Patxi's, Little Star, and Zachs). The pizza was way too salty, they use lard in the crust, and there were generally issues with the crust (too thick, not flaky enough). The top layer of dough on Capo's stuffed pizzas is crispy, whereas traditionally it should be soft. The fave pie at the table was actually a cracker thin crust one. The cocktails were nice and strong. It was really easy to make a reservation (avail. for groups of 6+). The interior was nice (Roaring 20s-esque), although the bathroom was sort of ghetto (had a bunch of cleaning supplies in the corner). Cash only. I'll be sticking to Patxi's for my stuffed crust fix.
(3)
Ellen S.
So good, and sooo much food. Not sure I would go there with just two people again. I heard of this place from tablehopper and we tried it one Friday night regardless of the fact that it's CASH ONLY. Pretty strange for a full restaurant. Anyway, the Baked Artichokes appetizer was incredible! Their Chicago style pizza is very good, but we ended up with left-overs for days. One slice of their deep-dish is plenty of food on it's own. I think this place would be great for a group, especially because they take reservations for parties of 6 or more, and their large booths sort of encourage big groups.
(4)
Kevin M.
Still freaking amazingly delicious but they don't take reservations anymore so please strategize around that. Every day practically have to fight the urge to return and get my favorite pie, the cracker thin crust, adorned with Anchovy. I want it now!
(5)
Joel C.
This is my new favorite pizza joint in San Francisco and possibly the BEST PIZZA I've ever eaten in my life! I came here last night with a friend who is a fan of Chicago Deep Crust pizza. I wanted something different from Patxi's or Little Star and happened to read a few reviews and articles about Capo's....plus it's in North Beach, I mean where else can you get authentic Italian pizza in the city. The place is a good size although if you are really interested in eating here, I suggest you go early. The pizzas at minimum take 40 min to bake so most people at the restaurant are there for a good two hours. Another thing to note...CASH ONLY. Usually, this would defer me on going but I am more than happy to carry cash from here on out to get some delicious pizza! They have four different ways you can order your pizza: Deep Dish, Stuffed, Cast Iron Pan and Thin Crust. We ended up trying the Big Jim, stuffed style. Man was it good and HUGE! In the pizza there were at least 14 different types of toppings from veggies to cheese to meats. What made this pizza amazing over all other pizza that I've ever had is the sauce! Not too acidic and had a nice sweet edge to it. I literally could have a bowl of the sauce alone and be very happy. Plus as an added bonus, the crust was really really delicious! My friend who likes to claim himself a pizza connoisseur, is madly in love with this place as well. Sadly he says.... "This could actually beat my favorite place, Pi in St. Louis/DC and I don't even live in SF!" The staff is really great and I highly recommend sitting at the bar if the tables are full. Great way to make friends with the bartender as well as talk to the other patrons enjoying their pie. Make no mistake...I will definitely be back!
(5)
roderick h.
Obsessed thus far. Deep dish is amazing... The salad is amazing... And the free bowl of fresh homemade soup was amazing. Everything seemed to taste so fresh and homemade!!! Plus it gave me a bit of my missing Chitown feeling back...
(5)
John D.
Wow! The food here is absolutely amazing! I ordered the lasagna and I think it was the best I ever had...EVEN better than mine (which I make damn good pasta). The restaurant itself is very 1930's NYC or Chicago. An old cigarette machine and old gold cash register are some of the cool relics in the place. The service was excellent. I would highly recommend!
(5)
Jennifer A.
A good friend highly recommended this cozy Italian restaurant to my husband and I so we checked it out a few nights ago and we absolutely LOVED it! I felt a little guilty ordering thin crust pizza at a Chicago pizza joint but our server Rebecca made us feel so at home and helped us order the perfect meal. She was awesome! Great wine list as well. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Alex C.
Simply amazing! I didn't think it could get better than Tony's, but Capo's is incredible. The cast iron pizza is like nothing you've ever had before, and the thin crust Frank Nitti (which just made the annual 7x7 100 Things To Eat Before You Die list!) is one of those things you eat and then dream about every day for a week. Service is great, food is decadent, cocktails are delicious... One of the best places in North Beach!
(5)
Bruce M.
Ahhh, Tony G. - You get a long review because you deserve it! The nearly or indeed self proclaimed king of pizza in the U.S. (He has won more awards than any pizza guy). Has a pizza school. Teaches pizza making. Lectures pizza making. Touts pizza wisdom all over the land. Has a great pizza place called (what else) Tony's in S.F. He Really is a pizza god to many. Even me I must say. So it is with such admiration to the craft and passion of pizzadom that I feel needs a true review. Not biased, but I am sure overly critical. But that is what being at the top gets you from a somewhat self obsessed pizza nut. So here goes. (Don't strike me down with your golden pizza paddle Tony!) Capos is his second restaurant I believe. His First, Tony's is great. A shrine to the art of pizza. And he is making some killer pies there. Capo's on the other hand is an attempt to go after the "Chicago" pizza lovers. In San Francisco you already have long time fans of chicago deep dish. Zachary's in the east bay is quite the deal. Little Star is my favorite in SF for deep dish. Paxti's is a growing chain that is also pretty damn good. So Tony comes along and has to trump these guys. Lets go OLD SCHOOL Chicago he says. Small place. Real old school tuffted red leather booths and lots of old Chicago props adorn the place. GM is in a natty 3 piece suit. And CASH ONLY. Yes. This is not cool in todays world. This knocks a star off in my book. Are you trying so hard to be OLD school that you think cash only is cool? It's not. it's a hassle. Or are you to cheap to pay the credit card companies the 3% fee that 99 percent of all places pay, even little mom and pop places. Either way, not cool. If you were a true original that was around before credit cards were invented, then I can maybe buy it cause you are "grandfathered in". But not here. Sorry big T. ... You loose a star for this move. OK, atmosphere will make any ex chi town oldy feel at home. But this is maybe more of a Disneyland representation of Chicago than the real deal. And some will be turned off by it. But this is of course San Francisco, so a lot of his customers are tourists and they will dig it. Now on to the pizza. Well Tony went for FOUR types of Chicago pies in this place. But he is the man to do it. Lets start with the best. The cracker crust pie. This is more of a 'midwest" pie than Chicago, but close enough. It was "perfect". Crisp, light, crunch. Almost laminated in a good way. Perfect sauce, cheese and toppings with a touch of char around the edges. This is a mastery of this type of pie. 5+ stars for this baby. Passed on the stuffed crust and the pan pizza. so cant comment on them. Went for the special 4 oven pizza appetizer. A nice buttery crunch of a outer crust but a lot of white bread light doughy top on part. I ate the crunchy outer part. It was a nice different type of pie and worth the try for it's being different, but don't expect much and you may like it. Then the Chicago Deep Dish. This had a fairly puffy and thick edge and thin bottom. I'm ok with that, but the crust did not have a buttery or flakey texture to it. It actually seemed pretty pedestrian. Now there are many types of pizza in Chicago. Lou Malnati's seems to be the favorite, with a buttery flakey crunchy dough. That is what I would consider to be the most classic. A tender flakey pie like crust. This was NOT that. Was it bad? No. But not what I was thinking it should be. A master pizza man should be able to make a better crust than this. Sauce was robust but thin. not chunky. Fair amount of toppings and blend of mozz and provolone. But for me this pie needed more cheese and toppings. 33 bucks for a 3 or 4 topping pie better load up. This did not. Also got a couple of italian dishes. They were ok, but nothing great. old school but I have had WAY better in SF. So go for the pizza . Service was good even though they made my pizza wrong and brought out a wrong pasta dish. But I forgive that. The manager was on it and apologetic and things like that can happen so I for one dont really hold that against them. So my 3 stars is because the cash only thing is a joke. The deep dish was good but not what i was hoping for. Your pizza dough-e-ness holds you to a higher standard. But the thin crust was spot on and your jewel. Tony, you can do better and have. But that wont stop you. Your passion is what all pizza places can and should aspire to. Many do and more are opening up every day across our great pizza loving country. And you will have many more competing with you and your skills. It's all good my friends. More great pizza for us all to eat! So the king of pizza lives on to flip pies another day. This place will make him tons of "CASH ONLY".... Keep an eye out for the Brinks truck with Tony's minion's guarding the "dough" with sharpened pizza cutters and golden paddles. Cheesy, I know..n
(3)
Kiley R.
I went here with 5 friends for a girls birthday. We were seated at the window booth which was nice but the table is definitely built for 9 not 5. So it was a little impersonal during dinner. But that was okay. The meal started off on the wrong foot when the server brought us a bottle of white wine instead of the bottle of the red wine we ordered of the same exact name. It might have been just by accident but then it turned out they were out of the red so it was a little suspicious. She seemed irked at us from the beginning since she had opened up the white bottle already. Everything would have been fine with the meal except for our server wasn't very friendly to us throughout. She wasn't mean or rude by any means, just not very friendly. Which sucks because coming from the service industry I know what it's like to have an off day or an off table. I know Capo's can be better than this judging by the reviews. Just not with us. And it was my first time so I likely will continue to try other restaurants in NB. What ticked us off the most was when we tried to pay with 4 credit cards. Apparently they have a max CC limit of 3. We asked for an exception and she cited policy that she couldn't. Thanks Capo's. It really made paying a lot more difficult and because of that I was stuck with a larger bill. So imagine you just had a nice dinner, then you go to pay for it and it cost $20 more. Makes the dinner not seem so good and delicious right? No longer worth it. Anyways, we settled up, left our 20% tip as you always should. And then walked out without so much as a goodbye from our server. OR.... And this is the other Kicker... A Happy Birthday to our friend. We mentioned it was her birthday. So she either wasn't paying attention, didn't care, or forgot. Either way, as a restaurant, Capo's did not make her feel special or her special day.
(2)
Christy C.
maybe we were lucky, but we got a table for 6 within an hour on a friday night. the deep dish and cast iron pizzas were delicious and we had leftovers for days! the baked artichoke app is a MUST. i also liked the fancy cocktails. the only downside was that it was cash only...and since there were six of us we needed LOTS of cash.
(5)
Corinna K.
I don't know dick-all about deep dish pizza. My general criterion for food is: is it tasty? I can happily report that, ignorance aside, Capo's serves up some seriously mother-flippin' tasty deep dish pizza. And not just the deep dish - although the San Giancano with the house honey Calabrese sausage is tremendous. The tomato sauce has a depth of flavor belied by its simplicity, a sweet savoriness that coats the mouth and activates immediate drooling. The crust is made with special flour and coated in cornmeal, a more than able vehicle for the thick load of mozzarella, sausage, and sauce lying above. But again, I repeat - more than just the deep dish is superb here. The cracker crust Jonny Torrio with Italian beef and giardiniera is perfection on a plate, tender meat and pickled peppers, folding the tongue into a loving embrace. The calamari and salads brought over from Tony's Pizza Napoletana are just as pleasing, and the complimentary vegetable soup to warm the belly and whet the appetite has a clarity and flavor that's most appealing. The ONLY reason Capo's lands a four instead of a five is because I prefer Tony's Pizza Napoletana by just a hair - the larger variety of pizzas and the cocktail menu are slightly more to my taste. This is, perhaps, an unjust rating, and Capo's is well worth a five by any other standard. Tony Gemignani once again has created a masterpiece, a work of love and some ridiculously good eats.
(4)
check p.
Yup, we had a great lunch at Capo's. Fri through the weekend, they have a lunch special, but we had just had dimsum takeout in neighboring Chinatown, so we were leery of overeating/overordering. The lunch special is great: a slice of deep dish and a salad for $11 was just right. But we also ordered the Quattro Fromagi , a puffy yet crusty foccacia like pizza. I loved it because it contrasted with the deep dish (hardly any sauce or cheese, mainly a delicious bread). They also served up a bowl of pasta bean soup (forget the name) and bread, so the lunch was really a deal. Service was adequate, the surroundings excellent, didn't mind the cash only (half of chinatown's best hideaways are the same). Will go back to try the Chicago beef sandwich (the next table had it), and plate of pasta. And the thin crust pizza... what can you say, but you know it's going to be great.
(5)
Larry B.
Nice atmosphere, comfortable, portions are more than adequate, service good. A little too spicy for me on the items ordered. Have a problem with the name of the the restaurant -- even though Capo means boss in Italian -- the other use of capo in concentration camps is disconcerting.
(3)
Kelly C.
You know, I've been a couple times and I can't make up my mind. I think I ordered wrong - don't you hate it when that happens. I love Tony's down the street and know he makes the best pizza in the city. I just can't get over this thick crust. I've yet to order a thin crust at Capo's but next time when I go, I must. Stick with what you like, right.
(3)
Dave N.
Advertised as Chicago Deep Dish--clear case of FALSE advertising for anyone who has savored Papa Del's in Champaign, IL or Giordano's in Chicago. Very little bread in the crust, no bubbly brown layer of mozzarella, swimming in a too sweet tomato sauce, and the sausage is very mediocre compared to the above mentioned establishments. Maybe this suffices for deep dish out here, but this place woould not last long in IL. Gave it a 2 star because I liked the interior, the comp soup is a nice touch, and the antipesto appetizer is wonderful. Drinks are way overpriced.
(2)
sarah m.
I know I'm a bit of a weirdo to say I don't really like pizza and am now posting yet another recommendation for pizza. I also typically will only eat very thin crust pizza, however, I had Capo's deep dish pizza a few weeks back - forget which one but it had ricotta and sausage. I would say it was like eating a great lasagna without the noodles. So good! The pockets of ricotta added a little extra lightness. One slice is all you really need. They have a great lunch special too - I think for $10 you get soup, salad, and a slice of their deep dish pizza of the day. Also, it's cash only, which would normally be kind of a pain if you forgot to bring cash and don't feel like jumping up and running across the street to the ATM. However, they have an ATM inside of the restaurant, so they at least try to make it convenient
(5)
Z P.
Randomly stopped in on a Monday night. First off, great ambience, cool vibe, good service. We ate at the bar and had a great bartender and some stiff drinks. Now, the food: average. Pasta fagioli soup was watery, salty, and weak. The quattro fiorni, their award winning four piece pizza appetizer is fine. Nothing special, nothing innovative, its just average. Then the margherita pizza, again, average to mediocre. The problem is that for this neighborhood and all the Chicago swagger, the food is just a hair above an olive garden or a pizzeria uno chain at O'Hare airport. There is simply too much good food in SF to go somewhere, get a bad impression, and then go back, especially when you consider their original, Tony's Napoletana, around the corner. Disappointing.
(2)
Ed L.
Seriously this place embodies what an Italian restaurant should be. Everything remind you of an old world Italian place, yet the place is super clean. Best yet the food... I am not the Spaghetti and meatballs guy, I typically go for the "more refined dishes" but this place you go with the classics and you will be glad you did. The S and M were delicious... and the artichoke literally better than a dream... the complimentary soup... off the charts and the service was great as well. Seriously my date and I will never forget this place.
(5)
Dianne M.
I was happy to discover a new spot in North Beach but it won't be a place I'll frequent to drink. The atmosphere was nice, rustic brick walls and a wooden back bar but a vodka soda was too pricey for a "cash only" place at $10. They say they are in line with the higher end spots and the menu indicates "fine Italian dinners" however those places offer you a credit card option. When I think of a "cash only" place I picture dive bars and/or cheap drinks. Since I can get a drink for several dollars less in most bars within walking distance I'll drink elsewhere. I would however like to check out the food, I find it odd that this Italian dinner establishment is serving Chicago Style pizza but I'm willing to give it a try. If they don't already they should add an ATM until they start accepting credit cards or lower their prices.
(3)
Michael A.
Brought my in-laws from Iowa here and we had an AWESOME expierence. Our server, Miranda? Or Serena? I don't remember regretfully, was AMAZING. My wife and I will be back. I wish there were more stars to give!! :)
(5)
Spencer R.
I go there for the thin crust pizza with pepperoni.. Their deepdish pizza is very filling and should only be ordered with company.. This thing weighs ten pounds.. No joke..
(5)
Roxanne S.
SO delicious. We didn't go in intending to try the pizza, but seeing another table with a deep dish made it too temping. I'm so glad we ordered it, one slice was enough for a meal, and had another four or five meals off the one pizza. It was so good, we will definitely be back to try the rest of the food!
(5)
Morris D.
Been here twice. Once for lunch, once for dinner. I guess they hadn't updated the lunch hours on the website before we left, but luckily we made it in time. We split a Italian beef sand. It was pretty big. You really do get a lot of food here. As for dinner, I don't even remember what I had, but the old lady loved whatever she had and I don't remember whatever I had as being bad.. Again, they gave us a lot of food. I think we got bread, soup , an appetizer, our entrees and I prob had a couple drinks and it was like $60 before tip. I will say I will have to disagree that this place is "good for kids" Its not. Its small, theres usually a long wait (we sat at the bar for dinner) and theres a lot of drunk yuppies. But if you want a night out with your better half, you could do worse.
(3)
Bethany C.
Yum!!! We've been wanting to try Capo's for a while. The cast iron pizza was fantastic. Great sauce to dough ratio. Jules told us to eat it from the crust to the point. Cheesy crunchy crust!!! Fantastic cocktail list.
(5)
Brandon N.
Every time I come with the same goal: finish 2 slices. Although I've never actualized that, this place always makes me want to return before I even begin to leave with 20lbs of leftovers. We also got the prosciutto sampler which was also amazing (so fresh with great cheese meat and vegetable pairings). Deep dish and stuffed pizzas are all I've ever had here but you can't go wrong. Servers were incredibly friendly and had excellent recommendations of wine and beer. This place is amazing. Easy 5 stars.
(5)
Milo T.
Had the baked artichokes, amazing. Had the mostaccioli genovese, amazing. Had the tiramisu, absolutely beyond this world. Staff was very friendly and accommodating. Will definitely be returning.
(5)
Nors P.
Free soup Friendly service Quick comfy seating on Sunday night Garlic bread w whole roasted Garlic cloves thin crust pizza. Delicious!!
(4)
Jake H.
They know Chicagoans eat thin crust pizza cut in square, and they make it, and it's really delicious. The staff are super friendly and nice, and aren't trying to make food that's a simple homage to eats in Chicago, they are making food the "right way" - right flour, right preparation, etc. The crust is a mix of styles - reminds me a bit of Barnaby's and Pat's pizzas in Chicago. Which is a good thing. The only giveaway is the sauce is a little too fresh tasting than it would be in Chicago. My only beef is that an Old Style would go well with their Old Style sign! Next time I go I'll have to try their Italian beef sandwich.
(5)
Jeanne C.
I'm always on the hunt for cracker thin crust and imagine my surprise when I saw that their menu actually states Cracker Thin! Sadly my excitement did not make it past my first slice. Their thin crust is more corn meal than cracker and kinda hard rather than crispy. Service was great and so were the clams and dessert. You've got to try the tiramisu. It's heavenly!
(3)
Johnny L.
In case y'all don't know, this is the sister restaurant of Tony's a few blocks away - I hear almost the same pizza without the looooong wait. Went in late Friday a few weeks back, not too crowded at 9:45p.m. Had a caesar and a cracker thin margherita - holy shit, that was an incredible pizza. Perfect crust, GREAT mozzarella, garlic, etc, words cannot describe. Probably the top 5 pizza I have had. We had something for dessert, but, after being in pizza heaven, I cannot remember what it was other than good. I will be back, and, soon. Ya feel me??
(4)
Amy Z.
I've been here a handful of times now, and it's such a great experience each time. A few lunches on the weekend and dinner. Very highly recommended for lunch. A slice of the day in deep dish and salad for $10 is the perfect late lunch that makes dinner look questionable. Nice and friendly service and great portion sizes make a few meals of leftovers.
(5)
Tiffany L.
Was recently in SF and stumbled upon this place and it was amazing! The food was superb! The owner and also the guy who helped us at the bar were very friendly and nice! We ended up going back the second night and enjoyed it just as much as the first. The clams casino were soo good and the artichoke dip was unbelievably amazing!! Can't wait to go back in a couple weeks!
(5)
Kelly B.
One of the better pizza joints in the whole city! Please try the Chicago Deep Dish as many other reviewers have mentioned. I've had some really amazing pizza in New York, and always moaned about finding a good slice in California. But in San Francisco this the place for dreamy pizza!
(4)
Mark R.
Friendly family style Italian. Good for kids. Clams and Linguini done right; whole clams, garlic, Olive oil, and wine.
(4)
Rachel B.
It's no secret our family has been big fans of Tony for years so when we heard about a second restaurant in North Beach opening up (an old-school Chicago style pizzeria) we couldn't wait to make our first visit to Capos. The short quick review: Go to Capos, we loved it. Everything we ate was really delicious. It is fun, casual, small and intimate but has that upscale quality. You'll need a reservation and it is cash only but well worth the bit of extra planning. We had the pasta fagioli,a light Italian broth with a nice kick. This was the special of the day I think. The first pizza was the QUATTRO FORNI, it's basically a nice thick pizza bread topped with sauce and cheeses cooked in 4 ovens (a meal in itself), then we tried a deep dish called JONNY TORRIO & the cracker thin SAM GIANCANA. All are very different and all really savory. We loved them all. There were 4 of us so we took home leftovers for the next day on purpose. Gotta love leftovers! We have already made plans to go back and take friends. A few more details...We made reservations a few days before and headed out for a fun night on the town with the kids. Parking was surprisingly easy for the city. There is a garage just a couple short blocks up the street. The attention to detail has always been a big part of the experience with Tony. Each booth is named after a notorious mobster and there are other fun things to take note of like the old phone booth and vintage cigarette machine. From the look and feel of the restaurant, to the service and the food, it's the whole package. So when you go make sure to take your time to enjoy. Don't rush it not that kind of place but they do encourage a call ahead to preorder since some of the pizzas have a bake time up to 35 min. We spent a couple of hours lingering and enjoying the food over a bottle of Italian wine. The service was wonderful with multiple people checking on us throughout our visit. The bar is quite impressive as well with an extensive whiskey menu. Very enjoyable experience, highly recommend checking it out.
(5)
Maria M.
I'm giving this review 3 stars after waffling back and forth wanting to give 2 stars. OK folks, this may be a long one. I feel like I need to preface this by saying I ate at Capo's on opening night and while I expected some missteps I was disappointed by my overall experience that night. This being said the pizza was good and I will be back to try other items on the menu and give another review. It took two days of calling to get a reservation. Even after following the directions to leave a number with requested date, time, number of people in party, and time to call back. They did not call back at requested time. We got a reservation and once there were seated within 5 minutes of arriving. This was the biggest problem of the evening. We ended up seated at a table in the bar side of the restaurant. A big problem with this table was that since it was regular dinner table height instead of bar height most people standing around at the bar did not notice people at the table until they were practically in our laps, or in one instance practically a butt in the face. More than once did I have to utter a loud "Excuse me" and the date finally had to go to the hostess to have her say something to bar patrons. If they insist on having a table in the bar it really needs to be bar height. The hostess tried to move us, but it never worked out. Ultimately sitting here for the entire dinner ruined the whole experience for this first visit. The restaurant is beautiful, from the cork floors, brick walls, red pin-tucked leather booths, vintage phone booth (and yes, you can make free calls in the US), and vintage cash register. The bar is similar in appearance to the bar at Tony's. Our dinner consisted of the following: Libations: Peroni $5 The following cocktails were on the house from Tony himself. Tony was very friendly and personable, greeting patrons whenever time permitted. Suicide Koval Chicago White Rye, Fresh Lemon, Crème de Violette, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, Amarena Cherry $12 Chicago Cocktail Courvoisier VS Cognac, Cointreau, Col de Salici Prosecco, Angostura Bitters $12 Appetizer: Small plate of assorted olives Complimentary Pasta Fagioli Wood Fired Clams Casino-White Wine, Bacon, Garlic, Bread Crumbs, Romano, Lemon & Parsley $12 I can make a pretty mean Clams Casino at home. This dish was good but at $12 for 8 of the smallest manila clams I would definitely not order again. I am used to going to any number of french bistros and ordering Clams or Mussels Mariniere and getting a big bowl for less than $20. All pizzas are named in either reference to Chicago or to "honor" Chicago organized crime bosses. Pizzas are available in different crusts including Deep Dish, Stuffed, Cast Iron Pan, and Cracker Thin. Eating at a pizza joint paying homage to Chicago it was a no-brainer to order a deep dish version. Pizza: "Big Jim" Colosimo's Triple Double Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella, Provolone, Garlic, Pepperoni, Chicago Italian Sausage, Ricotta, Meatball, Roasted Peppers, Bacon, Oregano & Romano(Deep Dish) $33 The pizza was delicious with a full flavored sauce, excellent sausage, and extremely creamy ricotta cheese. I would order this again, but for the me this is a California take on a Chicago style pizza. I am a Giordano's girl through and through and there is no comparison. Desserts: Spumoni $6 Tiramisu Savoiardi Dipped in Espresso w/a Hint of Rum and Frangelico, Layered with Mascarpone & Whipped Cream $8 Once it was time for dessert we ordered only the Tiramisu. The dessert arrived and we were served one of each. Our mistake was not questioning why we got both. We wrongly assumed one would be complimentary after having the major issue with the table. But we were wrong and both ended up on the bill. After the fact I was grateful for the spumoni as the Tiramisu was a dud. It came served in a small mason jar which while it looks cute, it doesn't work for the proportions of the ingredients. There was not enough ladyfinger to compete with what was a way too sweet mascarpone. Tony knows pizza and I will give them another chance once they've been open a couple weeks. On a positive note, the hostess told us to remind her of the problems we had and she will be sure to book us a booth the next time around. Stay tuned for chapter 2.
(3)
Fatty A.
Best garlic, cheese, mushroom and truffle oil bread ever. Freakin delicious. The pan pizza is not my favorite. I will have to go back and try the paper thin crust. Tony's down the street is still my favorite. My fat ass will be back to try the rest of the menu. Note: they only accept cash. pwned
(4)
Ash A.
3 visits to Capo's - good satisfying pasta, salads and pizza's of course. Clear soup to start with is always welcome and always excellent. Well priced wine menu. A little slow on busy nights (mostly always) Service on the last visit was uneven. A bit cold and perfunctory. It warmed up after our table ordered several bottles of wine. A bit sad, that.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
F. P.
I'm not usually a fan of deep dish but the Old Chicago version here is soooo good! It has tomato sauce, mozzarella, provolone, Italian sausage, meatball, garlic, ricotta, oregano and romano that's generously applied to the top of the crust. I was informed that this is different from the cast iron pan pizza here (which has a much thicker focaccia-like crust). Because it's so filling, it's difficult to order anything else but a pie. It takes about 45-50 minutes for the deep dish but in the meantime, they gave us complimentary minestrone soup, which was surprisingly flavorful and really hit the spot on a cool evening. Anyways, no matter because all you need to know is to get Old Chicago deep dish. Also good to know: cash only. The decor here is really cool. Really like the old school vibe.
(5)Dave G.
When my cabby dropped me off here, he seemed to approve, even though he hadn't tried Capo's yet. "I hear they are excellent, it's a new place by the same ownership as Tony's Pizza Napoletana." I was looking for more Italian than pizza and browsing the menu, this seemed to have some pretty heavy dishes that would reward me for a day of walking around the city This is Chicago Italian. It's tough and it ain't pretty. No lightly sprinkled olive oil on a piece of bread here. You want garlic bread? You gonna get whole cloves of roasted garlic on each piece, sitting on top of the smaller garlic pieces that's smashed into the bread. The dressed up version which includes mozzarella, wild mushrooms, arugula, truffle oil, and sliced romano, is like a mobster in a tux. Underneath all that fanciness, is still a whole clove of roasted garlic waiting to punch you right in the mouth. yelp.com/biz_photos/capo… I like how everyone gets a bold bowl of pasta fagioli soup on the house. This broth based pasta and bean soup has quite a nice kick of red pepper to let you know there's nothing fagioli about it. (word play joke included for Dan H.) The main event for me though, was the House Made Calabrese Sausage. There was no warning from my server about what I was about to order. It was only me and my 6 year old daughter who isn't going to eat a spicy sausage. Out comes 4 huge links on a large plate of sauce with roasted marinated red bell peppers, caramelized onions, and cloves of roasted garlic. It was a beautiful sight, but came with a serving fork on the plate. This was totally for sharing, one human being shouldn't consume that much sausage even in San Francisco. These were great sausage links, nice and spicy, it was a shame to waste them. While I had plenty after two links, I ate a 3rd just out of respect. I just hope someone working hard int the kitchen didn't let that 4th link go to waste, it was a beautiful thing. yelp.com/biz_photos/capo… So what side dish does one get with a sausage entrée? A side of meatballs. These were some of the best meatballs I've had (at least until the next day when I had the 1lb giant meatball at Tony's Pizza Napoletana - that one takes the cake for sure). These were 3 medium sized meatballs in a nice thick red ragu of sauce. I highly recommend these as a side. yelp.com/biz_photos/capo… We got there right at 5pm on a weeknight and had no problem getting a table, but this place seemed to fill up fast. Lots of good looking cocktails and good smelling food were walking by us at all time. Chicago Deep Dish Pizzas, Roasted bone in chicken in Marsala Sauce, and and and. I'm definitely coming back here on my next SF trip. ****CASH ONLY**** which is strange considering how nice the restaurant is. Usually when you see cash only it's written on a piece of paper stuck to the window, not permanently painted on the window in fancy gold writing like a badge of honor.
(5)V B.
Ok Heat fans, the tripping call on LeBron last night was the right call. And the call after the game to feast at Capo's was also the right call. Thick crust pizza usually isn't my thing, but I don't know what it is about the San Francisco Bay Area but you people sure kick butt over Chicago with your version of "Chicago style" pizza. Capo's is another recent addition that again is topping my list of Bay Area favorites. The dark "speakeasy" environment is right up my thirst alley. A creative cocktail list that had me at 'Silencer". Without getting into details, order it. The appetizers are gut busting delicious. The meatballs are a meal by themselves, but the honey pork sausage was the winner. We loved them so much we made sure that the pizza we ordered were stuffed full of those suckers. Yep, the salads looked great as well. But if you're concerned about calories then this place isn't for you. Give into your temptation and feast away at one of San Francisco's newest food Mecca.
(5)Tonya H.
I can't stop thinking of your spaghetti and meatballs! Spot on! Please open a spot in Seattle!
(5)qirk z.
The deep dish is delicious. The cracker style was too cornmealy for my taste. Enjoyed the comp house soup, very good. The the comp meatball, very good. Two slices of deep dish kept me full for the rest of the day, even when the day included a five mile walk around SF going up and down 3000 stairs.
(5)Carin W.
My bf and I went to Capos last night; the handcrafted drinks were fabulous and very original. I had a Suicide; it was very complex and reminiscent of an Aviation. We were told it would be an hour wait and we were seated 15 minutes later. The restaurant is very comfortable. The red bench seating was pure 1920's. Pictures of gangsters on the wall added to the 1920's prohibition mob era feel. The owner was incredibly gracious; he stopped by each table to check on your experience. My bf is south side Chicago; he was craving deep dish pizza but was highly skeptical of finding a decent facsimile; we found the best deep dish Chicago style pizza outside Chicago that he has eaten since he moved to Columbus. Service was fantastic as well and if we lived in San Fran we'd be regulars!
(5)Brian L.
You would be challenged to find a better deep dish pizza in SF. The restaurant's inside gives the great Old Chicago feel, and the wait staff is very accommodating (also very good about recommending how much pizza your party needs). Worth every penny. Give it a try.
(5)R B.
Worst experience ever. The pizza was very disappointing and I agree with another reviewer here about choosing the Costco pizza over this one. We also ordered the Wood Fired Conchigile (seashell pasta) baked with dungeness crab. Sounds yummy, right? Wrong, it was way too salty and you couldn't even taste the crab (if there was any in there). But as bad as the food was, the service was even worse. We had a party of 8 and had reservations for 7:30pm. As soon as we got there, the (rhymes with witch) hostess wailed at us that our table would need to be available for a 9:30 reservation. Really? No, welcome to Capo, glad to have you here. More like please make sure you eat in two hours because we will need your table at 9:30. Then to top it off the manager (I think he was) came to our table and told us we were too loud. He was a total jerk who has no business being in the restaurant or service industry. Firing him would raise my review here by almost 3 stars. Yeah he was that rude. A huge, boisterous space of glass, brick, concrete and steel meant to encourage lively conversation (which was happening all around us) and WE were too loud? Give me a break. A total waste of $400+. Don't waste your time. Yelp should have the option for zero stars which Crapo's deserves. Crappy food and even crappier service.
(1)H. D.
To be fair...we did not eat here. We went to the restaurant Sunday at 6:45 pm after seeing Beach Blanket Babylon just a block or 2 away. We were asked if we had reservations and we did not. The hostess said she could not seat us because they were running out of cheese and would not be able to take walk-ins. The restaurant website says there is always accommodations for walk-ins. Go Figure! Saw this place on Check Please. Not sure we will bother.
(1)Mel M.
CAPO's you stole my heart & I left it in San Fran!!!! The food was soo soo delicious! An they were so accommodating for my group of 8. There was a little mix up with my schedule and they made up for it in every way. My experience here left all of us craving more. I love their pizza.. Anyway, next time I come back I will be dining here :) I also want to shout out to Mario the owner. Thank you for the great service!!!
(5)Mike G.
It was a cold fall night in San Francisco and we were parked about 7 blocks from our original destination. We saw Capo's neon sign and peaked into the window to see a nearly packed house. Decided to try it out! What a great choice. The service is friendly and very attentive. We were sat down at a comfy booth for two and our drink orders were immediately taken... no wait! Happy to have my Hendrick's on the rocks stat! We were handed menu's to browse and there was an assortment of anti-pasto, pastas, and pizzas. I decided on the eggplant lasagna and my partner ordered mostaccioli baked in meat sauce. Within a few minutes of ordering a courtesy bowl of pasta fagioli was brought to the table for each of us. It was yummy and helped warm us up for the delicious dishes that were to come. The food arrived in about 20-25 minutes. The eggplant lasagna was perfect outside of it being a bit over sauced. But considering the sauce was perfectly balanced, that was just fine. The mostaccioli with meat sauce was incredibly tasty.The sausage they use is delicious! Oh, how could I forget, the portions are huge! Each dish could definitely be shared by two. After only being able to eat half the serving it was time to consider dessert... and by consider dessert I mean order it and devour it... I order my usual whenever at an Italian restaurant Tiramisu. It was served in a jar and the mascarpone was thick and the coffee flavor so nice. Probably one of the best tiramisu I've had in recent memory. Left full and more than content. Will definitely visit Capo's again on our next trip to San Francisco!
(4)Brit M.
Sat at the bar on sat night without any wait. Bartender was awesome and so was the food
(5)Steve B.
Please note this is a cash-only location. Comfortable environment with very generous portions and friendly staff. I had the baked mosticcioli and my wife had the sausage (quite spicy). The free soup was a pleasant surprise. The breadsticks would be great for those who really love garlic, because they sure made extensive use of it. If you'd like a slightly upscale yet comfortable environment with reasonable prices and very large portions, this is a good choice. Just keep an eye on that garlic because you're bound to encounter quite a bit of it here!
(3)Catherine S.
This was a fun place. I walked here with some co-workers and we arrived a lite early before the dinner rush. We were led to a lush, comfortable booth and our very Italian waiter was attentive and helpful about the menu as we had never been to this restaurant before. They served complimentary vegetable soup and sour dough bread before our pizzas arrived. We ordered deep dish and a thin crisp pizza, both were very good. Our water glasses were always filled, they let us stay long after we were done and were flexible when we gave them four credit cards to pay. When we left, the restaurant and bar seating was filled! I would for sure return for pizza next time I'm in this neighborhood.
(4)Andy R.
I'm giving this a 5 for, food, drink and service. I want to give it a 4 for the inconvenience of being cash only... But the food is too darn good! My stars...(5=epic "best of") (4=really tasty and want to go again and again) (3=good and will go back once in a while) (2=fair, might return for a visit if there was some glimmer of hope) (1=avoid at all costs) Go or No? Go! Tease: It's a Chicago style pizza and Italian food place in the heart of SF's North Beach. Why I went: Friends of ours recommend Capo's when we had a trip planned to SF with some other friends. Given we were in SF, we felt going to a Chicago style place seemed silly. But we were told it was worth it. When: May 2013 Food: The Johnny Torrio Thick Crust Chicago Style Pizza is it! Made spicy, it included sauce, cheese, sausage, Italian beef, giardiniera, and sweet peppers. Man was it good! So darn good, my friend and I ate so much we virtually got in food comas! We also tried a sausage and onion thin crust. The thick was a rockstar, and the thin was only an opener. The thick is honestly one of the best I've ever had. The thin, very forgettable. Don't bother! All meals come with a nice brothy soup. The cocktails were also superb! They have all sorts of old and new school mixed drinks. They also have their own blend of whiskey. They have so many whiskies it's not even funny! Service: Great! I forget our waitress' name, but she was very good. Hints/Final thoughts: Best darn Chicago style thick crust pizza outside of Chicago...and even better than most in Chicago! BRING CASH!!! This is a cash only place. It's super annoying. I think it's so it keeps costs down and to give it an old timey gangster/prohibition vibe. Thankfully, there is ATM in the place in case! I recommend the management allows credit cards. Our group would have spent more if they allowed it! My family is originally from Chicago. I've had all kinds of Chicago pies from Uno to Lou Malnati's. Capo's simply stacks up with the best of 'em! Get the thick, skip the thin! Also, be warned, the place is small! You may have to wait for a table!
(5)Tammy B.
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(5)Mitzi A.
All things famously Chicago style! From the deep dish pizzas named after well known Chicago landmarks (like "The Michigan Ave" - their pepperoni pizza) made with "Ceresota flour (the oldest most traditional flours used..." in Chicago and throughout Illinois.)....to their Italian Beef sandwiches, this place harkens to old Chicago. The ambiance has old brickwork walls and dark red leather booths that can seat 4-5 people comfortably...and then there's the swanky old fashioned wooden bar and public phone (domestic calls are free!). Try the homemade veggie soup starter served before every meal. This pizza joint is brought to you by the same folks behind the world reknown Tony's Pizza (also in North Beach). Recommendations: Caesar Salad, Cast Iron skillet pizza crust (is still deep dish style, but has a crisper crust so not as soggy as the regular deep dish). Don't Recommend: The Quattro Forni (4x cooked) pizza...not as tasty as the other pizzas and not any crisper (which one would think based on the fact that they pizza is cooked 4x in different ovens!). The pastas are good...the lasagna can probably feed 2-3 easily. Another good point is the now TAKE CREDIT CARDS (which wasn't the case when they first opened!). Stop by and let Capos take you back in time to the Chicago of old.
(4)Daniel S.
First two things you have to know. This place is cash only and when you sit down they tell you a pizza will take 40 minutes. (It says 35 minutes on the menu so a long wait is the norm). So knowing both these things up front, had to problems. The Service. We are seated by the hostess and given the run down. 5 minutes later we get drinks. 15 minutes later a waiter takes our order. 25 minutes later our pizza shows up. During the course of the meal I was asked if I wanted another Coke. It never showed up. I do not need my waiter to be friendly and interested in my day. I just need him to be around in a timely manor. After we finished our meal, we sat another 15 minutes before I was able to catch someone and ask for our check. The Food. We got a deep dish pepperoni and garlic. The crust was fairly thin, the mozzarella was about an inch thick, add some pepperoni, whole garlic cloves and then a large helping of a very wet red sauce. You had to cut small pieces off because you we're chewing a ball if cheese. Flavors were all over the place and did not meld together very well. A great product would have let me easily over look the poor customer service. We are reheating the left overs for breakfast. We will see if the food is any better the second time around.
(2)Christian H.
I was surprised that I didn't see Al Capone come walking through the door while I was here. The waiter and hostess both were kind and very informative of daily specials and dishes that were going to take time to cook. Communication between staff seemed excellent. Chicago deep dish was a very big portion, big portions around all dishes actually. Overall the experience was inviting and I would return for another great pizza.
(4)Natalie I.
Wow! What a huge meal. Left this place totally stuffed. My husband and I are huge fans of Tony's so we had to try his new spot Capos. We ordered a cracker crust and a deep dish pizza. Both were great, but it was a little much. Probably could have gone with just one. Still think Tony's is better but this place is definitely worth the trip.
(4)Janell H.
We ordered the thin crust pizza, meatballs to share and salads. The complimentary soup starters is AMAZING! So glad I can order it to go next time I am in need of a good soup, aka sick. The salads are a good size. .We each got one but easily could have shared one. Meatballs are a must. Do it. You will be glad. Thin crust pizza is great... and and a god choice if you went for soup, salad, meatballs and bread. We took some pizza home.
(5)B. Y.
I LOVE Tony's Pizza - so I really wanted to love Capo's. Unfortunately, it just didn't do it for me. The crust wasn't thick enough, the sauce was a little too sweet and the toppings/stuffing were too salty. We sat at the bar, and the service was great, though. Unfortunately, we'll have to stick to Zachary's or Little Star (or frozen Lou Malnati's through mail order) for our deep dish fixes.
(3)Kirsten V.
I am very excited about this find in North Beach. It's sort of off the beaten path but If you happen to want a great Italian spot away from the North Beach craziness try this spot. The decor is great as you walk in. Has kind of a speakeasy feel with the exposed brick walls and the pictures of Italian mobsters and the crafted cocktails being mixed. The service is great and you definitely get the sense that when you leave they'll remember you. So we split a paper thin pizza (I think it was called the old Chicago) which was outstanding. The touch I especially loved was the very simple soup of homemade consume and some sort of a pasta they bring everyone at the beginning! It tasted like my mom's homemade chicken stock she takes all day to make. We wrapped up the meal with gelato which was very, very good! Next time I am not leaving without trying the Chicago style pizza. Hope this place stays around cause it's really good.
(4)Alexandra I.
Really cool place! It has kind of a 1920s gangster vibe that we liked. We decided to get 2 pizzas (4 people). One was the "cracker thin" kind (can't remember what it was called but it was the only one with horseradish) and one was deep dish and was the italian stallion one. I preferred the italian stallion one but both were great. The service was also superb and my glass was never less than half full.
(4)Ennie L.
I'm not a fan of deep dish but everything else I had was really good. - their thin crust pizza has amazing cornmeal crust - meabtalls were DELICIOUS! - calamari, I'm not usually a fan of calamari in general, but this one's a winner - soup & pastas were all very good - Cesar salad, a lighter dish & very good indeed - artichoke pesto, yum yum Overall I was happy with this resto and I'll be back!
(5)Kim N.
Ive been trying to hit this place forever and for one reason or another, I've failed many many times. Too late, closed on the day, etc etc. I finally try and go to a different resto and they're closed for a private event, Remembering there is a 10pm last seating we rush over. Just slipped in. Problem is, cant get the Chicago style special. Phooey. Guess there will be another visit in the future, If I can make it back. The cracker style Sam Giancana and Conchigilie crab pasta sure hit the spot though. And these are large portions for two people. They even brought us soup before the meal. Needless to say we had food for the next day. Service was super friendly even though we were in at the very last minute. The only drawback is it's cash only so I had to run down the block to my bank for a withdrawal since I had nothing on me. Though they do provide an ATM inside, Im not sure what the service charge would be. Next time deep dish and cocktails for the full experience.
(4)Mel L.
From the moment you meet the well dressed, charming host, with a great smile and a firm handshake, Mario, you feel like family. The door opens and you are transported in time and space. The service is excellent, the complimentary soup has a really nice spice and was a welcomed surprise. The cracker thin crust margherita is a perfectly balanced blend of garlic, olive oil, sauce and cheese. The deep dish with sausage is out of this world. Despite the deep dish crust, it is not heavy. Excellent value. Came home totally stuffed, with plenty of delicious leftovers. Can't wait to go back and be smart enough to save room for dessert.
(5)Rick O.
The soup that they served me actually had a fly in it. I can't believe actually took 2 spoonfuls before seeing that fly in it. All that the manager told me was that she was sorry and that critters sometimes fly in unexpectedly. I could not believe how she handled the situation. I was in such a shock that I didn't even ask to be compensated. I will never go back and would not recommend the place based on the service and the cleanliness as well as the fact that they only do cash.
(1)S. L.
After reading the excellent reviews, my husband and I were excited to try Capo's. Unfortunately, at the end of our Saturday lunch, we left the restaurant disappointed and wanting more (as in better quality, not quantity). Yes, the portions are big, but so is a Costco pizza...and I would choose the Costco pizza over Capo's any day...sad but true :| Antipasti platter: good, pretty standard (yay * one star for their supplier) Garlic bread: gross, tasted and looked old Soup: salty as fcuk Margherita cast iron pan pizza: tomato sauce, cheese, and toppings slide right off the pizza. why? well seems like they pre-bake the dough so you're left with a boring dry flat loaf of bread with toppings slapped on as an afterthought and melted right before they bring it out to you. lame * The second star is for their attentive bus boy (man). He's the hardest worker there. Drink glasses were always filled. He was the only employee to quickly tend to a lady that spilled her water all over the table. Promptly removes plates. Skillfully manages to do his job without having his bum in your face or touching your table / over your food (tables here are really close together so it's bound to happen).
(2)Brett S.
Couldn't have been more interested in trying the new place by one of the best pizza chefs in the country. Unfortunately we were greeted with a cash only restaurant. Cash only is fine at a small cheap establishment but not at a top tier place in SF. We decided not to empty out an atm to eat here. Hopefully credit card will be added soon.
(2)Darrell L.
LOVE Capo's (as well as its sister restaurant, Tony's Pizza Napoletana, down the street). This isn't just a place that you go to enjoy great pizza of many different types, but also for a great experience. The staff do a great job, the bartenders know how to mix up excellent drinks, and it is always great to see Tony, who despite being one of the hardest working pizza makers in the business often stops to say hello and provide a great recommendation. Every time I have been in Capo's, even if it was just to grab a drink when walking through North Beach, I always seem to meet very friendly people who are also enjoying their visit to this treasure. Get to this restaurant, but you will have to get there many times to enjoy all the menu has to offer!
(5)Nikki A.
Make sure you have cash (or use the ATM inside). My husband and I shared the meat and cheese platter. The spaghetti was delicious. Service was excellent.
(4)Terry C.
I can't remember the last time i ate till i want to throw up but i sure did last night. Everything we had here was DEEEEELiciousssss. The four of us ordered one of each type of pizza (except for the stuffed). It was a bit ambitious but it was too hard to decide! We called ahead to order a Quattro Forni - the pizza that is cooked 4x in 4 different ovens. They only have 20/day and it was definitely worth it. The crust had a nice crunch but the dough was so soft and chewy. Our second pizza was the cracker thin crust - i was surprised at how delicious it was. The name says it all, it really is cracker thin, but imagine it warm, with cheese and sauce and whatever topping your heart desires. Our 3rd pizza was the cast iron pan. For that pizza we got the Frank Nitti and the ricotta on top was very delicious. The cast iron pan crust is similar to the Quattro Forni. It is more bready and very delicious. For our final pizza, we got the chicago deep dish. I honestly can't be very objective about this because by the time this pizza came, my stomach was beyond it's capacity. I can say the tomato sauce ratio was perfect and there a hint of sweetness which was perfect. On top of all this pizza, we had the complimentary soup and a delicious side order of the meatballs. The Meatballs are delicious, i highly recommend it. Besides all the amazing food, the decor of Capo's is awesome. They have the old time cash register, a phone booth that actually works (i saw someone use it!), leather booths, brick walls & a high ceiling which makes the place seem bigger and more open. Even though i'm still in a pizza coma, i'm looking forward to coming back to try their other dishes!
(5)Tammy G.
We saw this place on Check Please and my brother-in-law decided to have his birthday dinner here. We were lucky enough to get the front window booth which made the birthday boy happy. The Dillinger and the Big Jim. Chicago style. Sis said the Big Jim was her "flavorite". Everything was yummy and we had a ton left.
(5)Anyssa R.
Service is great. Atmosphere is great. The servers are very friendly! The deep dish pizza was amazing!! Will definitely come back to this place next time we are in San Francisco!! Overall such a great experience here!
(5)Ron S.
Dine on September 27th approx 9:30 great service by McKenzie always impressed they can memorize everything we wanted without writing it down. Place was full we didn't mind waiting a bit which gave us a chance to review the menu. We ordered a sampling of quite a few items all were delicious and came out timely. Cant wait to return.
(5)Claire b.
I ADORE this place. Have already been twice. My absolute favorite dish here is the anchovy crostini. If you like that sort of thing. The complimentary soup is SO GOOD. the Ceasar salad was perfect, very lightly dressed which is the best way in my opinion. Last time I came I got the cast iron pizza which I do not recommend. The crust is super thick and kind of dry. The regular deep dish is fantastic though and the cracker thin was seriously out of this world. I like the cracker thin crust even better than Tony's. It has some kind of cornmeal on it to make it extra crispy. They have wines on tap, love the pinot noir, very drinkable and went well with the food. Got the whiskey crisp for dessert, also great. My absolute favorite part about this place is the ambiance. Its just so cozy and fun and they have these big snuggly booths for larger parties. Least favorite part... cash only. Feels kind of pretentious. They have an ATM machine in the back but it happened to be broken. Overall, I absolutely love this place and will be back again & again!
(5)Jon W.
Tony Gemignani can execute a creative restaurant concept and design as well as he can toss pizza dough and bake the perfect Margherita pie. As we approached Capo's my wife exclaimed, "How does he do it! This place looks like it has been a popular spot here for decades." In fact, we were going to Capo's on the second night it was open. Incredibly, the staff seemed to be already in stride and the kitchen in peak form. To start the meal, guests are offered a complementary bowl of white bean and vegetable soup that would make your Nona smile ear-to-ear. We ordered The Sam Giancana deep dish pizza--made with tomato sauce, Mozzarella, Provolone, house honey Calabrese sausage, Chicago Italian sausage, garlic, oregano & Romano. It was so flavorful, the sauce so delicious, it would have made Tommy Dorsey forgive this pie's namesake for "convincing" him to let Frank Sinatra out of his contract (an offer he could not refuse). The stylized Chicago-retro interior is replete with heavy nostalgic touches that include a vintage cigarette vending machine, period phone booth, gangster photos in oval frames and massive red leather booths. Somehow all these visually-demanding elements managed to sync harmoniously without seeming contrived or forced; the place is very cozy and intimate. I look forward to returning to sip cocktails like the Wise Guy--made with Rye Whiskey, Fresh Lemon, Cracked White Pepper, Orange Marmalade, Agave Nectar, Fresh Oregano--at the bar while watching Tony's magic unfold. Only one warning about going to Capo's: It's CASH only.
(5)Rick T.
Capo's is located between Chinatown and North Beach. You'd think parking would be a insanely hard, but if you know where to look, it's quite easy. Worst case scenario, just park at the garage up the block on Vallejo. I had their Wise Guy at the bar while I waited for our table. Quite refreshing and not too sweet. I'd get it again. For our table, we tried the anchovy and sardine crostini, meatballs, a deep dish (Old Chicago) and a cracker thin (Johnny Torrio) pizza. The restaurant served us all complimentary soup! The crostini was a bit too anchovy for me, but the meatballs were superb! Putting some of that along with its sauce spread over some bread made for a great bite-sized meatball sandwich! On to the pizza. The deep dish seemed like it had a cornmeal crust (just like Little Star, my fav). The sauce was a little sweet, and I could taste sausage in every bite. The mounds of ricotta on top was a nice touch. Kinda wished they cut the deep dishes slices smaller. I was definitely surprised by how great the cracker thin crust was. I absolutely love their crust! Wasn't that big of a fan of the peppers on top, so I'd probably choose another type next time. We were completely over stuffed by the end of the night. Would absolutely come back and also want to try their other pizzas, especially the Quattro Forni which is only limited to 20 a day.
(4)Drew P.
Three word review: Better. Than. Zachary's. For those of you not from the Bay Area, let me explain. For decades, the king of pizza (at least, deep dish Chicago-style pizza) has been Zachary's in the East Bay. No one could come close to the texture and taste of their crust, the deep flavors of their tomato sauce, or the smoothness of their cheese. Until now. Capos serves several styles of pizzas, but the ultimate is the deep dish. The crust is dusted with corn meal and incredibly crunchy like fried dough. Their sauce is savory and spicy with chunks of tomato (as opposed to Zachary's even and blended texture). But the difference is the cheese. Throw in some chunks of ricotta (I got the "Big Jim" Colosimo's Triple Double), and it takes the pie into a completely different category. PROS - Best deep dish pizza I've ever had. Period. - Full bar with signature cocktails. - Great decor and furniture. CONS - Pretty small, so get there early or go on off hours. - Cash only (as of 2013-01-18). TIPS - Deep dish pizzas take 35-40 minutes to bake. - Come hungry and come thirsty.
(5)Jeff R.
I had a lot of fun at Al Capone's table. Tasty wine and a good beer selection. I got a deep dish and just as a warning these things are huge, six slices = six meals. Make sure you bring your friends. The beer and wine have the usual mark up ($6 - $12 per glass), and I almost didn't come in because a deep dish is $26, but you get your money's worth out of that pizza. Great crust and generous toppings, a solid pie.
(4)Yvette F.
Finally found our way there for lunch last Sunday. When we got in, we were greeted by the host who looks uncannily like a cross between Ivy from the TV show Smash and Kate Beckinsale. So Of course we had to take a 2nd look. Once in and seated, we marvelled at the delectable sounding items on the menu and finally settled on the deep dish of the day for my partner and the mostaccioli (fatter version of the macaroni pasta) genovese. Well, color me amazed, my dish was humongous!! It was also delicious! With 4 different kinds of cheeses plus pesto and sundried tomato, it was just packed with flavor. At $18, it turned out to be a very economical meal because it not only filled me up nicely that day, my partner and I each ended up with a full size lunch out of my leftover too!! As many have mentioned, this is a cash only establishment. While this is the norm when compared to the nearby Chinese eateries, Capo's is also trying to establish their cocktail program which can run up the tab so I'm not sure this makes good business sense here. I for one would be more conscious when ordering my alcohol here to make sure sure I brought enough cash to cover my tab. Though ATMS are close by, I wouldn't feel safe withdrawing money after a glass or 2. Other than that, we will definitely be back!!
(4)Sonj F.
Yummy! My husband and I ate here last night for the first time, it was fantastic! We had the clams casino to start, they were just ok. It seemed like perhaps Tony was going for a more modern take, but I think this dish should be reworked a little bit. (my disclaimer: my uncle makes the BEST clams casino, most pale in comparison.) The complimentary soup was fantastic,I'd go back just for it! We ordered the Old Chicago deep dish with spinach instead of sausage... The verdict? Split decision. I loved it. Better than little star! My husband? Little Star is a 10 in his book, this gets an 8.9. As expected, drinks were great. Had Unti wine on tap and a couple of cocktails. We preordered our pizza earlier in the day of our reservation. They double and triple checked our order and everything came out perfectly. Don't forget the phone booth! Use this vintage phone to make free calls to anyone in the US!!
(5)Kajal G.
From hostess, to food runners to bartender, this place has incredibly nice, helpful and knowledgeable staff. Hostess made conversation while we waited for a seat and when we were waiting more than 5 minutes, started shifting the people waiting for to-go orders so we could sit. They offer pasta fagioli soup on the house. Meatballs are delish, especially the marinara! The mushroom, arugula, truffle oil garlic bread is amazing and the salad was yummy and well dressed. Very fresh ingredients and these people clearly give a fuck. This place is awesome. The bartender was incredibly knowledgeable about the whiskey flights he poured us- knew a lot about each and described the flavors and tastes perfectly (not like when wine tasting and people give me bs "flavor notes" about their wines). Also, he makes a great cocktail! Will definitely be back as there were a bunch of people who came in to pick up their chicago style pizzas to go so clearly the pizzas have to be a big hit.
(5)Victoria J.
I came here for dinner on a Friday night. I knew it was going to be crowded and expected to wait, but it was an hour and 20 minute predicted wait time. I put my name down, and the hostess took my phone number. I love that they do this because I always hate when some establishments make you wait around to be called. This way, my boyfriend and I were able to cruise around North Beach and take advantage of the time we had there. Something I wish they would have told us before though was that you can pre-order your pie! While walking around the thought occurred to us that maybe we could pre-order since deep dish pizzas take around 30 minutes to bake. We went back to the restaurant and filled out a pre-order slip for the Sam Giancana, recommended to us by the hostess, and were able to continue our jaunt around North Beach. When we were called back to the restaurant we got our pie in about 10 minutes of being seated, which was truly perfect timing after finishing our complimentary soup. The pizza itself was pretty great, I loved the red sauce and the crust was perfect. Of course deep dish styles have a huge amount of cheese, so just be prepared for that. I would return here, but maybe at a less crowded time and I think I would definitely pre-order again rather than having to wait for so long at the table. You have to have a really interesting date or a book to keep you going. This is definitely a cute date place because of the nice interior and cool speakeasy-ish vibe.
(4)Amy A.
First, let me say that I hate paying a lot for food, that I am incredibly picky, and that my husband and our friend absolutely loved this place. I am sure that they would give it 5 stars and they especially loved the apricot stilton. I like simple food, a margherita pizza or some capellini pomodoro, some bread...so, for me, the food was too fancy. The staff are so friendly. Even though it was probably obvious that we were tourists, they were warm and welcoming. A man that I assume was the owner was flirting with a group of young girls and making them laugh. It was a good time, even if I didn't love the food.
(3)mike c.
I'm a regular here and tonight I was showing my friend around sf and new she had to try the dellinger pizza. We picked up the pizza Togo right before they were about to close. Not even half way through my pizza did I feel something in my pizza...the longest strand of light hair. It wasn't a hair that you just pick and pull out but a hair that you continued to pull out and the hair just continued to elongate out of my mouth. Not only am I disappointed and grossed out that the longest hair was inside this pizza but grossed out and now my friends never want to come back again. Thanks for making me eat a hairball...
(1)H T.
i had dinner here on sat night, and it was pretty good! i got there after my friends already ordered, so i didn't see the actual menu. to start, they give everyone a bowl of brothy veg and pasta soup, and it was so delicious...like comfort food. we got a salad w/ gorgonzola and the clams rockefeller to start, which were both tasty, particularly the clams. for pizzas, we got one cracker crust margherita and a cast iron one w/ sausage. the coal oven one was very bready w/ a cheesy cast iron crust. the thin crust was very nice and crispy. i would try the chicago style next time over the cast iron crust, but i was in a bready mood anyway, so i was fine w/ it.
(4)Tim R.
Just had a pizza Margherita thin at Capo's. It's a Chicago-style joint but sadly the stuffed pizza is made with lard, so no go for mio. The crust was crunchy owing to the corn meal and the sauce was great. The cheese was nothing to write home about but for a 25 dollar pie, it was decent. Good thing they had Duvel on tap. Nice place, great bartenders, too. Being in North Beach there are so many Italian joints to try. On to the next.
(3)Dheeraj I.
North Beach has always been known for its Italian food. Until recently though, it hasn't had great pizza. Sure, there's Golden Boy, but I rarely have it before 1am. And I never have it sober. That said, it's good stuff. With the addition of Capo's, and of course Tony Gemignani's other amazing restaurant, Tony's Pizza Napoletana, I can no longer say there's no good pizza in North Beach. Yesterday was my first meal at Capo's, but I will be back several more times to work my way through the menu. Although, only few days old, this place was running like a well-oiled machine. They nailed it. The look and feel of Capo's is unreal. As soon as you walk in, you can tell this place is special. My buddy and I sat at the bar, but I couldn't help but wish we sat in the one of the plush booths behind me. Next time. As for food and drink, I started out with the Made Man. Whisky isn't my go-to drink, but I liked it. It was expertly prepared by the bartender. Our meal started off with a complimentary serving of fagiole and bread. It was a light, but very tasty way to start off the meal. Next up was the chop salad. Iceberg lettuce, garbanzo and kidney beans, onions, olive and a very light and tangy oil and vinegar dressing. Nothing special here, but it reminded me of the salads they served at old school Italian restaurants on the east coast. For the pizza, we ordered the Michigan ave (cast-iron) and the quattro forni -- Tony's award winning pizza. Quattro means for, and forni means oven. This pizza was baked in 4 different ovens! Both pizzas were amazing. Tasty sauce and cheese, and amazing crust. I rarely give out 5-star ratings, but Capo's is definitely deserving of one. It's hard to think of anything that could be improved upon.
(5)Brad C.
In our quest to conquer North Beach, my wife and I found ourselves in the neighborhood on a walk and decided to check out this hot spot I've been hearing much about. We were seated as soon as they opened their doors at around 5:30. The service was attentive, gave us the run down on the specials and favorites and after we ordered our food they brought us a complimentary soup and bread. Nice move, it was very tasty. I had the Frank Nitti deep dish pizza and it was delicious. Very heavy, layers of cheeses, and just super nice. The only thing I've had similar to this in SF has been at Paxtis. Not cheap but the place is damn worth it. I could only get through 2 slices. This $26 monster deep dish was good for 4 meals. Fun, friendly, clean atmosphere. Great bar. Solid! I'm a fan.
(4)Alex S.
Cozy restaurant, aka small for what it is. It's interesting manager/owner/gangster kept walking up and down the stairs in suit and carrying around prosciutto. I think we just ordered sad menu item, but it could have been better. We all ated the pizza, but pizza was drenched in horseradish. Italian stallion. A really thick layer of horseradish over almost all the pizza and nothing to balance it out. No red sauce, not much meat, one layer of beef of some sort. It really didn't seem like such a good deal for a pizza. Now that I think about it, place was only ok. Id go back if someone else made me, and we ordered something different. Also waitress was pretty put off that all we ordered was a pizza. We were pretty full from stuffing our faces at the wharf with chowder and calamari, much better deal in my humble opinion. Also complimentary soup was pretty sad... tasted like bullion, the stewed veggies in it were nice, but i would be surprised if that soup did not have msg in it. and i love msg by the way.
(2)Al T.
Tony G has done it again - another winner! While I love Tony's wood-fired and coal-oven napoletana masterpieces, I've always had a soft spot for Chicago-style pies. Having spent my college years in the windy city, I've had my share of deep-dish. The bay area spots (Zachary's, Patxi's, etc.) can (mostly) hold their own against their Chicago counterparts...and places like Little Star have upped the ante with their cornmeal crust. Capo's is a welcome addition and possibly the best of the lot. In the former Pulcinella space, the restaurant is almost unrecognizable...in a good way. The decor looks great...we sat the beautiful bar, but also looking forward to sitting in those comfy red booths on subsequent visits. Extra points for the Old Style sign against the brick walls. For a restaurant so new, the service is extremely polished and friendly. We were greeted at the host(ess) stand by Tony's lovely wife. The service at the bar was excellent...and Tony himself brought out our antipasto appetizer. The pizza? We were curious about the cast iron option...so we ordered the Sam Giancana pie and it was sublime. The house-made calabrese sausage on the pizza was insanely good. Washed it all down with Goose Island Mathilda...well paired. Overall, a great experience. I can't wait to come back and try the deep-dish and stuffed options!
(5)E G.
Cute place, large flavorful portions, great service, cash only
(4)Katherine M.
I just came here tonight for the first time. I had to check it out being a huge fan of Tony's. My server was really nice, but the tables (2-tops) are really close together to the point where your neighbor can hear your entire conversation. Huge portions, but delicious food. i had the spaghetti and meatballs and the pasta seems like it's homemade. Delicious. The salads are huge as well. I would like it a little more if they had different lighting and worked on the bathrooms. It was too dark, and not in a relaxing intimate way.
(4)Vena V.
The anchovy and sardine crostini, with kalamata olive tapenade, anchovy cream, and smoked provolone, was out of this world. We'll be back just for that. For Chicago pizza, it's Due or die for me. So Capo's deep dish is good (perfect sauce, perfect cheese, perfect toppings), but none of his Chicago pizza's have cheese in the crust, so I'll enjoy the pizzas, but still wait for my next opportunity to go to Due in Chicago to get my heart attack on a plate. My husband liked the deep dish and gives this place 5 stars, but both of us preferred Tony's (same owner) thinner crust pizza's, so we'll likely go back to Tony's for pizza.
(4)Stephanie A.
Love love love the pizza here. Except, I hate business's that only take cash. What's the deal??!! Man up n pay the Visa fee.
(4)Samuel C.
Was recommended by a fellow foodie, and this place did not disappoint. I really loved the ambiance and the food was amazing. Great food and great service, thoroughly enjoyable experience, will definitely return!
(5)Roxy B.
Probably tasty if you consume meat, but a surprisingly terrible option for vegetarians. All their pizzas (aside from the cracker thin) contain lard and the complimentary soup has a chicken broth. Normally I wouldn't knock off too many points for this but it's not a steak house - it's a pizza place. Vegetarians should be able to go and expect a delicious meal as well. I did order the cracker thin crust which was just okay and the crust was burnt. I also didn't love the bread their served beforehand. Redeeming qualities are that the atmosphere was nice and there was absolutely no parking in North Beach the night we went, so the owner (mafia boss?) very graciously let us park right in front of the restaurant.
(3)William B.
The food here was great. They led off the the juiced up amouse bouche course which was a white bean soup and didn't look back from there. Next we went for the calamari and the artichoke/cheese creation for the app course. Both had a subtle kick to them that really got me going. Not going to lie though... after inhaling those I was a little worried about the deep dish on the way. We decided on the Old Chicago for the pizza and it sure was a treat. Great pizza from the red sauce down, but the ricotta they set on top just takes it to the next level. Why just 4 stars? The GM or manager on the floor was mean mugging our table from the moment we walked in all the way through us walking right back out that door. I was carrying a bike helmet and didn't wear a suit to dinner, was this your reason for the scowl? This was very surprising as our waitress was very nice and people have been giving the service rave reviews all around.
(4)Jason D.
Excellent Service Excellent Pizza And free soup!
(5)Freckles H.
Great restaurant - from the decor/theme, service, and food! The four of us ordered the clams, which was really good because it had bacon bits! The sauce it was in was really yummy, too. We were given free chicken noodle soup, which was nicely seasoned and perfectly salted. As for pizza, we ordered the cracker thin Margherita and Triple something for the deep dish. I'm not a deep dish fan, but I have to say it was pretty good in terms of the crust & sausage. We all enjoyed the Margherita as well. The two pizzas were more than enough since the deep dish is super heavy with the cheese, sauce, and dough. Overall, great dining experience and will definitely come back for more!
(5)D G.
What he said! The flavor of the fresh ingredients, the exquisite drink made by the whiskey celeb bartender, Bree the beautiful Hostess, the gracious and attentive servers, the cozy and historic room with treasures on the walls.... Wow. Glad we were there; a special time for us to be able to celebrate the contained success of Tony Gemignani and Company. As Matt H. reviewed, Tony has hand-picked, discovered or designed almost every aspect of Capo's. There are so many charming features and treats to talk about at Capo's... but I won't list them here so you can discover them on your own. OMG - the food at Capo's! Delicious and hearty. You will find yourself telling others what you ate at Capo's days later. Capo's is a special place for those seeking a special dining experience.
(5)Michelle N.
I was fortunate enough to receive a lucky invitation to the grand opening of Capo's and wow - I was definitely impressed! I loved the atmosphere, the amazing bar, and of course the delicious food. I am now an even bigger Tony's fan and can't wait to come back with my friends and family. Some of the highlights of our tasting were: * The made-man cocktail...delicious and packs-a-punch...watch out! :) * The sausage deep dish pizza, I could eat that crust with cornmeal all day long *The calamari - omg, a must order! *The meatballs, even in my wildest dreams I could not recreate these or the marinara If you're looking for a great meal to share with italian food and chicago style pizza lovers, book a reservation at Capo's (tip: they plan to operate practially exclusively on reservations unless you are joining the bar), you definitely won't find a better pizza in San Francisco.
(5)J-nine D.
Happened to find this place by accident.. the BF was craving an Irish Coffee and this was the only bar in the area willing to make it for him, so we decided to come back for dinner. MAKE RESERVATIONS b/c this place gets really busy and it is CASH ONLY. We arrived and waited 1 hour to be seated because I made the mistake of not making a reservation. We sat at the bar where the BF enjoyed a glass of whiskey and I had a bottle of Sarsaparilla. YUMMM there is a 45 MINUTE WAIT FOR PIZZA. We learned that sitting at the bar talking to the lovely waitress. She let us order our "Big Jim" deep dish pizza from the bar and we had it delivered to our table 20 mins later. We later found out that they give complimentary soup with any order but also ordered the Caesar Salad to share between the party of 4 and "the Outfit" which was a big serving of cured meat. **best apricot cheese ever** By the end of our delicious meal we were all stuffed. I think it was the owner lady but she wasn't that nice and spoke to us condescendingly each time, but the rest of the staff was fine. I would like to go back and try a different pie =)
(5)Vicki L.
Order the deep dish and garlic bread. Friendly service from the entire staff - nice greeting from the host, bartender, manager driveby, great server and back up team. Friendly valet service, too. Comfortable vibe. This place rocks in all areas.
(5)dave g.
We ate there once so far and it blew our socks off! Can't wait to go back! We got two pizzas. One was a stuffed with galic and ricotta and the other was a cracker crust half cheese/half spinach and ricotta. With the thin crust, the bottom didn't droop one bit. It stoop up straight, was crispy, crunchy and quite flavorful. The stuffed was equally as tasty. It had big, thick crust on the outside (almost too thick) but was just wonderful. I had a few slices the next day and they re-heated superbly. The ambiance and decor couldn't be better. There are red vinyl booths, red brick everywhere, pictures of old mob guys on the walls, even a secret door I saw someone disappear into. This place is the real deal. Rather than serve bread as your free appetizer, they served soup - Pasta Fagioli, which was tasty and a nice, unexpected touch. Since they make 4 different types of pizzas, we've only had two and I can't wait to try the others. We've already made reservation for 10 to bring family there over the holidays. Can't wait.
(5)Chris Q.
The best Chicago-style deep-dish pizza I've had in California! More authentic than Pizz'a Chicago, Patxi's, Zachary's, and the others. Zachary's is mighty tasty in its own right, but it doesn't take me back to Chicago like Capo's. Still need to try Little Star or Tony's Pizza Napoletana. I judge my Chicago pizza by Pizzeria Uno and Pizzeria Due in the city. Do not be fooled by the name of the franchised Uno Chicago Grill which is NOWHERE in comparison. Capo's is good, at least equal to Giordano's in the Chicago area, lots of melty mozzarella, rich tomato sauce and a solid layer of spicy sausage. The crust approaches the ideal stand-up crunchy yet somehow flaky texture, not oily but with olive oil goodness (like a croissant is not oozing butter but tastes buttery). I ate at the bar because it was pretty crowded and enjoyed the barkeeper's excellent service and humor. I also give Capo's a little credit for attracting interesting people to the bar for me to talk to.
(5)Eric A.
If you are a pizza lover go to Capo's. The Quattro Forni is cooked 4 times in 4 different ovens and is one of the best pizza's I've ever had in my life. Since it is baked so many times, the bread is very puffy which makes for an excellent taste.
(5)Carolina H.
Dining at Capo's was a great way to kick off the holiday weekend - best friends, delicious food, and liquid libations on a stormy night. We started with the garlic bread topped with truffle oil and mushrooms, and the mixed green salad. The complimentary soup was also a nice surprise, along with the good looking server who brought it over - which was the little lift that my table needed. We ordered the Old Chicago (sausage/meatballs) deep dish, which was quite filling and we took a few slices to go. It was a beer (Goose Island Matilda) and wine night for my group, but the cocktail menu (Wise Guy) sounds inspirational for trip number two. The service was stellar, and Tony himself, even came over and thanked us for dining in last night. Just another highlight. The service and staff were super friendly, and helpful, whether in person or over the phone when making the reservation. As for the interior, I did feel like a boss! Especially, sitting in one of the red cushioned booths. All I really needed was a cigar and I'd be in a season 3 episode of Boardwalk Empire. I've been looking forward to it's opening for awhile, will definitely be back in the near future and am adding it to my must do it again list.
(5)Jeannette V.
FANTASTICO!! We went with a big group (10 ppl) for my husbands birthday and WOW - the food was AMAZING. We ordered family style so got to try a lot of the menu and everything we had was delicious! The Quattro Forni was well worth the wait! The spaghetti & meatballs were amazing too - best meatballs ever! For pizza we got the Old Chicago deep dish and the Margherita think crust. WOW! The margherita had excellent flavor and the crust was amazing. But the real show stopper was the Old Chicago - holy smokes! Hubs, who is Italian and from back east was in heaven!
(5)Jenna R.
Came here on a Sunday night with the boyfriend and it was pretty crowded, but there were two seats at the bar and they will serve you a full menu there...perfect! The bartender was amazing! He was prompt, answered our questions, and made sure we enjoyed everything, while still making casual conversation. We had the Caesar salad with anchovies. It was served with the whole romaine leaves which I like, but I know some people don't like the stalk. The meatballs were a perfect consistency and tasted great and the marinara sauce is perfect! It is rich but flavorful and complimentary. We ordered the garlic bread thinking it was just a side but it was a whole plate! It was also very good. We skipped over their pasta and meat dishes and went straight to the deep dish pizza. I loved it! It was very saucy and very cheesy which I love! The crust was cooked to perfection and magically didn't turn soggy even with all of the juicy marinara sauce on it! This is by the same guy that owns Tonys down the street which has a more classic take on pizza and Italian food, so we knew that this place was going to be good, and it definitely lived up to our hype. Go Go Go!
(4)Kari K.
The food here is AMAZING! I came here with my mom after walking up the Coit Tower steps, and I couldn't be happier to be seated right away. The only shit part was they were cash only, so my mom had to run to the bank which was around the corner. We ordered the caesar salad, which was huge, the clams that had a generous amount of prosciutto, and the spaghetti and meat balls (my fav). I would recommend ordering the spaghetti and meatballs to anyone. the noodles are like ive never had before! A+ service as well, our server was really sweet and attentive. Minus one star for being cash only.
(4)Josh Q.
One of the best sub-haute meals I've had in a long time. To start, we had the quattro forni. It looks like a pizza, but trumps every type of pizza I've had, from Chicago, New York, Berkeley, anywhere. We were seated at ~9-9:30, so I was very surprised they had any left, since they purportedly have only 20 a day. It's a shame that so few people order it. We then had the fire roasted bell pepper and seafood (crab, shrimp, and other stuff) pasta. The bell pepper was great, and the the best flavors of the seafood were noticeable, not overwhelmed, by the pasta. We also had the fried chicken, which was good for the taste buds (very), for the alcohol (details later), and for the heart (not). Finally, given that this is a sister restaurant to Tony's, we had to try their actual pizza - so we finished off our meal with a Big Jim. Topped with all my favorite toppings cooked to perfection, our night of gluttony reached a satisfied end. On the drinks side, the Made Man is one of the best bourbon-themed drinks out there, next to Aviary in Chicago. Delicious, strong stuff, which our food paired very well with. Service was impeccable as well - I don't remember her name, but our waitress was incredibly friendly the entire night and shared many awesome stories with us. This is a great spot for a group or casual dinner, and I'll surely be coming back here again.
(5)Erica L.
Kinda disappointed. This was on my list to try and walked in this past weekend. Besides the free minestrone and bread pudding + gelato, nothing was really that great. We started with the meatball side, garlic bread (with the works - spinach, truffle, oil, etc) and artichoke dip - it was all decent but I wouldn't be surprised to find the same food at a BJs or some sort of chain. For pizza, we did the deep dish Big Jim. It was just OK. Sadly, I wouldn't recommend this place or come back. BUT i will be going back to Tony's, which is why I was surprised this place wasn't up to par. However, I will say service was 5 stars and portions are huge so there's great value here.
(3)Jen A.
Deep dish pizza was so good. I think my favorite part was the waffle fries and free soup though. Decently priced, great food, and excellent service.
(4)Kelly K.
If i could choose my last meal on earth i would eat capo's deep dish pizza, the chicago to be exact. Filled with juicy chunks of meatball, chewy mozzarella and the best tomato sauce your mamma couldn't make! The crust is fluffy like a foccacia with a crispy exterior. We also enjoyed their cracker crust pizza. The stallion has chopped italian beef, red peppers and a horseradish cream. Full of flavor yet light and crispy together the pizzas represent the yin and yang of pizza. A great surprise was the baked artichoke in a provolone cream sauce. Pickled artichokes bathed in a creamy cheese sauce. The acid in the artichoke's pickling liquid cut through the rich sauce and left me wanting more, much more! Service at capo's is always excellent, they treat you like mom's favorite child. Tables are well spaced and booths plush and comfy. If you haven't visited, you are missing out on the best pizza in san francisco. Like sister restaurant tony's pizza napolitana, the quality is excellent and really a great value. Mange bene!
(5)Katherine H.
Every thing from the first greeting to the goodbye was amazing. The hostess was nice, friendly and personable. The waitress was funny and helpful and the servers and bussers where great. We had the roasted artichoke and garlic bread with mushrooms. Both are huge and so tasty. Had them boxed since we didn't know they were that big and we ordered entrees as well. The chicken Marsala and the pork chop were both incredible. Can't wait to come back here but we will share entrees next time.
(5)the night w.
Came here for the first time with friends. We loved the food, service and atmosphere so much, we decided to hold our next birthday celebration here. The waitress took our order - special changes and all - without taking notes. That's worth one star right there. I was so looking forward to trying the deep dish pizza, which looked amazing. Although the cracker-thin Frank Nito's was delicious, I would give one more star if they had a vegetarian method of cooking the deep dish. As it is, they cook the deep dish pies with lard, so have no vegetarian deep dish pizzas. : ( The mozzarella salad was delicious. My friend raved about her pork chop. Very few chicken dishes were available that evening. Desserts were delicious.
(4)Dan H.
I must begin this review with a nod to the awesome service. The LF and I have had a trip planned to Napa Valley and SF for quite some time now to meet up with some of my family from Michigan. It was the occasion of their 40th wedding anniversary (!), and the trip started off in The Holy Land for winos. I searched out what sounded like a perfect place for the actual anniversary dinner in St Helena. The service there was sorely lacking (will review soon), to the point I probably would have walked if it wasn't for a special occasion. We stuck it out, and ended up having a decent dinner, not great thanks to the lack of professional service, but decent. Well thankfully I was able to point out to my peeps what great service IS during our nearly 2 hour visit to Capo's. Immediately greeted by a smiling hostess, that escorted us to our super comfortable huge blood red leather booth. So as to hide the bloodstains from a possible mafia hit? This cool place has that vibe, especially because of the framed picture of Al Capone staring unsmiling down at us. Our waitress was that perfect combination of professionalism, with loads of personality, and joining in on our comical banter when appropriate. Always at the ready with suggestions regarding the food and wine, and there exactly every time she was needed. A real pros pro. I was alerted to this place by Dave G, and we had to try the truffle garlic bread he fawned over. This is without a doubt the best version you will ever have. It definitely was for me. It really is in a class of its own, and calling it mere garlic bread seems to be almost an insult to this divine creation. Creatively assembled with Mozzarella, wild mushrooms, truffle oil, Romano, and arugula, and whole garlic cloves. Arugula, it's a veg-a-ta-bul: youtube.com/watch?v=YtAP… . I will forever crave this masterpiece. Be aware that the portions are huge, and your waitress will keep reminding you, thankfully. That is why we split the excellent spinach salad four ways. Truthfully, it is probably suited to be spit for two if you love spinach salad as much as I do, but this is not the place to fill up on salad. We arrived not starved, and were getting full with the above, but since it was the last day of vacay, lets get a pizza! Damn glad we did. My pushy niece insisted on The Farmers Pie. I have to admit, it appears she picked the hit of the litter. This wowed us all, even though we were getting full. Topped with tre foraggi, a superior spicy Calabrese sausage, bacon, wild mushrooms, 4 over easy Guam farm eggs, peppadews, and more arugula. Dang, what a gift from the Gods. We ordered thin crust instead of their specialty deep-dish, and it definitely did not suffer in it's thin state. Yeow, this was one superb Italian feast. I have been coming to SF for over 30 years, and this restaurant will forever be in my must do rotation. It's one of those places that it's a good thing I don't live nearby, as I would be drawn here far too often. Thanks for the heads up Mr. G!
(5)Erin F.
Amazing food and first class service! Not only did they accommodate our family of 5, the owner even went across the street and purchased apple juice for our 3 year old to make sure he was as happy as we were! Cracker Thin Old Chicago Pizza was fabulous, as was the chicken parm, meatballs and spaghetti! This restaurant goes the extra mile and succeeds on all levels. We will definitely be back soon!
(5)Alison S.
Can I give them more than 5 stars? Since I wrote that last review: They started taking credit cards, they added new toppings for the quattro forni, and they held an amazing whiskey pairing dinner event that was fun, informative, and extremely delicious! One of my favorite restaurants in SF.
(5)Robin G.
YES. I'll go in order: While we had to wait a few minutes for a table, we were seated at the bar where I had an amazing cocktail. I don't remember what it was, but I loved it (always a good sign). The garlic bread was *perfect*. Makes me feel like I've never actually had garlic bread before this place. Very crispy, with fresh cloves of garlic on top, just enough olive oil to melt in your mouth, and italian spices. The salad was great. Perfect amount of everything, dressing was just right. The pizza. (eyes roll back in head, writer forgets where she is for a moment). Okay, I'm back. The pizza was incredible, 13", but seemed far bigger. We got the "cracker-thin" crust option, which was crispy but substantive, and we chose a meat pizza. I don't remember the name, but it had sausage and slices of beef on it. I did end up taking it off some of the beef though, because for me it was too much meat for me, personally (not to say it wasn't also incredible). They used sweet peppers and onions, and again, italian spices - not too much but more than most pizzas. Perfect! Service was good. There was a giant table of dot-com people next to us that looked like they stepped out of a cable show, and they were a little loud, but it was a nice, festive atmosphere. We ended up taking half of everything home - and that says a lot, because my husband and I eat like lions when we go out. It was almost as good the next day. Going back soon!
(5)Casey S.
You can get pizza almost anywhere in North Beach, but deep dish is a rarity around those parts. Then again, it's called "Chicago-style" for a reason... Capo's feeds that need. It's not doughy, but at the same time it's not brittle either. The pies easily outclass Zachary's and Paxti's, but I feel like the crust is missing that certain something. I saw they have a pan option on the menu -- maybe that's what's missing...
(4)Sarah W.
This was my first visit with a large group of friends and I will be back. Our group started off with Baked Artichokes, the Garlic Bread with Arugula, Truffle Oil, Wild Mushrooms, and Romano, and the house made Honey & Calabrese Sausage. They were all delicious, though the Garlic Bread was the stand out. We then ordered a Chicago Style stuffed Old Chicago pizza and it was so good. I am a Chicagoan so any establishment that says "Chicago Style Pizza" is usually lying. This is the closest to *true* Chicago style pizza outside of Chicago that I have found. My husband enjoyed the huge Italian Beef sandwich that was good but not as good as I can get back home when I visit. The cocktails were fantastic, I had the Good Citizen and other members of our party ordered Moscow Mules, wine, and neat shots of Whiskey. We are excited to come back for more Chicago pizza.
(4)Jason Z.
Good food. Like the place and would go back for sure. The service was good for a really busy day in the city with so much going on...it's a little pricey for my taste but I was hanging out with two really cool people so it wored out no problem.
(4)Rob M.
Insanely amazing pizza pie! Would recommend 1 pie between at least 6 people UNLESS you're planning on taking the rest home haha!! Fantastic :)
(5)Matty B.
I met a very good friend here last night for dinner and drinks before a show. The owner greeted me at the door with a handshake. Levi the bartender was extremely professional and courteous. We were promptly gifted some soup which should have been presented with a straw. I forget what it was called, something Italianish, but not minestrone. And it was more delightful than a massage with a happy ending on senior citizen discount day. Then came sautéed spinach drenched in sweaty garlic and my side salad with cherries, nuts and blue cheese. The salad itself could have easily fed every customer in the restaurant. ..a spattering of extras from any given Sopranos episode. Then came our Quattro Forni, a four times cooked deep dish pizza hybrid that you must eat with a fork. They only prepare 20 a day. They accommodated our request to make it half vegetarian, half prosciutto. And they were not skimpy on the prosciutto either. Heaven served on a raised pie platter! To complete the meal I ordered one of their signature cocktails, the Wise Guy, a concoction of rye whiskey, fresh lemon juice, agave nectar, crushed white pepper, orange marmalade, yes marmalade, and garnished with a sprig of oregano. Life changing! Levi kinda sorta filled me in on the measurements. If Jesus was a bartender, this is what he'd make you. I don't make it a habit to venture out to North Beach, but with old school Italian respect for food and service, I will be changing my tune. And now the Sopranos theme song is stuck in my head. Oh, and like the show the owner's name is Tony. You woke up this morning Got yourself a gun Mama always said you'd be The Chosen One.
(5)CJ G.
With the already successful Tony's Pizza Napoletana and Tony's Coal Fired Slice House, Tony Gemignani extends his San Francisco pizza empire with Capo's, a Chicago-style deep dish pizza palace. Walking into the dining room, diners are transported to Chicago in the '20s: exposed brick walls and tin ceilings with lots of dark wood. With mozzarella, wild mushrooms, truffle oil, Romano cheese, arugula, and whole garlic cloves, the truffle garlic bread ($8) is to-die-for. Rich and delicious, the wood fired conchiglie baked with dungeness crab ($19) is a hearty serving of pasta with mountains of crab. Fried and then baked four times in four different ovens, the quatro forni did not disappoint: its tomato sauce, mozzarella, garlic, and oregano were perfect. With tomato sauce, mozzarella, provolone, house-made honey Calabrese sausage, Chicago-style Italian sausage, oregano, and romano, the San Giancana was fiery and cracker thin. With mozzarella, provolone, tomato sauce, Italian beef, Chicago-style Italian sausage, hot giardiniera and sweet peppers, oregano, and romano, the deep dish Jonny Torrio pizza ($26) was a spicy masterpiece. At almost 3 inches thick, a single slice will fill you up, but it tastes so good, you'll want more. The service was friendly and attentive, and the complementary homemade soup made the 40-45 minute wait for the pizzas fly by. Some tips: - Capo is cash only. Bring cash. - Come hungry. Portions are huge. - Go with a group. That way you can try more items. Capo's is definitely the crown jewel in Tony's pizza empire.
(4)Nick W.
Made same-day reservations for 5 and showed up the night after the Nike Women's Marathon...Yes, that's right. My cousins ran it, and I spent the day watching football. Of course we needed to replenish the carbs. Secretly convinced that their vegetarian/discretionary pescatarian eating habits would stymie my first Capo's experience, I encountered quite the contrary. 1. The Garlic Bread ($4) + Mozzarella ($2) + Wild Mushrooms/Truffle Oil/Arugula ($2) -Tony absolutely crushed it here. Huge portions with whole garlic cloves that costs just a tad more than a slice of pizza? Holy crap, I'm sold. I honestly see myself jsut ordering this for takeout. 2. Wood Fired Conchiglie Baked w/ Dungeness Crab ($19) -This did the trick for those of us who ran 13.1miles that day. As advertised, it was a hearty serving of pasta without skimping on the crab. 3. Old Chicago (Cracker Thin $22) -The cracker thin variety laden with sausage and meatball and finished with a dollop of ricotta on EVERY slice provided a textural symphony and resounding taste fermata. Heck, it even tasted great as leftovers. *The meal started with some free soup. It was quite tasty but the soup maker that day was a bit heavy-handed with the salt. Why wait 2-hours with no reservations possible for Tony's #1 when Tony's #2 (Capo's) is down the street, more accessible, and a perfect sit-down spot.
(5)Ginger G.
The service & food was wonderful. Loved the meatballs and garlic bread the best! They also have some pretty amazing drinks. Loved the good citizen.
(5)Dave K.
Things didn't start off well. I waited to get seated while others without a reservation were seated before me. Once seated, I waited quite a while for my order to be taken. It was aggravating to the point that I almost left the place, but I was tired and hungry so I dealt with it. Once my drink order was taken, I waited and waited and finally they remembered to bring me a drink. The house wine was good and the plate full of spaghetti and meatballs was hearty, but the service was seriously lacking. The atmosphere is friendly, but I'm not compelled to return.
(2)Jessica W.
Really delicious italian food, but absolutely massive portions! Definitely a family style restaurant with great appetizers, pasta dishes and pizza. Our table ordered a thin crust which was one of the best pizza's I've ever had, but they also had deep dish that looked great. We also ordered a few pasta dishes between our group which had great flavor. I advise to come hungry and bring lots of friends.. you're going to want to try everything on the menu! I will definitely be back.
(5)Mark B.
A little pricey Italian food for the quality. I did not have the pizza that others rave about but the Mostaccioli Genovese was good and very rich. It was cheesy, maybe too much. I just thought it was average.
(3)Peter K.
Great Chicago style Italian restaurant in North Beach. Make sure you get a reservation, especially if its the weekend. Very good home made pasta and Chicago style pizzas. I really like their marinara red sauce, it's very dark red and pasty and their not skimpy with it. Great atmosphere, feels like a mobster's hangout or like it should be on Mulberry St in New York.
(5)Mo L.
One of my favorite restaurants in my neighborhood. The food is great. My favorite things include the cast iron baked pizza, the calabrese sausage glazed with honey, and believe it or not, the caesar salad is the best i've had anywhere. Levi, the bartender kicks ass, and Sergio the GM is so accommodating and friendly. Everyone here has a true passion for what they do and will treat you like family, you can't go wrong at Capo's (unless you forget to make a reservation, then you might have a long wait ahead of you.
(5)Gloria H.
Have enjoyed everything here from different visits. Sitting at the bar is pleasant and not too shabby at one of the tables. I was going to ding them .5 star for not accepting credit cards but whatever...it's silly of them and their loss. What we have tried: Imported anchovy & sardine crostini - $10 - good The Outfit "Antipasti Platter - $13.50, great deal Caesar w/ white anchovies - $7 - good Sautéed spinach - good (had as a side to an entrée) House-made Calabrese Sausage (spicy) - $18 - the portion is so generous and it is so good, definitely one of our favorites Chicken Marsala - $20 - so tasty, love that it's dark meat and the chanterelle and wild mushrooms really add to the wonderful flavors meatballs - had it as a side and my goodness, it can be a meal! Deep dish Johnny Torrio - $26 - just too much, I couldn't even finish half a slice. I don't think we'll be having deep dish pizza again... Tried the Chicago cocktail - $12 - it's served in a pretty glass. You get a wooden chip that is $1 off the next one but I kept mine, thinking others would too. Nice place, really love the feel and everything they have done. Always a fan of booths and tufted red ones, love!
(4)Jared M.
I came here with high hopes after missing a reservation last time I was in San Francisco. The atmosphere was wonderful and the server was exceptional. Her name was Kelly. I started with the appetizer of clams which I would highly recommend. Then I split a steak sandwich which was very good. Then for my main course I had the eggplant lasagna. It was no joke the worst eggplant lasagna I have ever eaten in my entire life. I felt bad leaving such a large portion but I could not choke anymore of it down. The server was very understanding and I do not fault her at all for the horrible entrée. As I looked around the restaurant I founds a few patrons eating the pizza which looked wonderful and I wish I would have tried some. I would definitely recommend going here but staying away from the eggplant lasagna.
(3)Saar H.
Well, I got stuff for making food. But wife was hungry NOW!!! So, restaurant it is. We have tried the rest. So figured we would try this. Entrance. Hi do you have a table No, attitude, etc, you can wait for 90 minutes or eat outside in the cold wind. fine, we sat on the bar, I had my baby strapped on me. So I didn't care I was semi standing. So 1 star down for attitude. Beer, $6 Peroni and $12 wine from tap. So a little pricey 1 star down. We got a complimentary soup without asking. Which was nice so 1/2 star up. It was a nice soup but nothing to write about. The guy at the bar was extremely nice and had good advice. So 1/2 star up. Now for the pizza. We got the thin kind, not the chicago, not the cast iron as those take too long. The pizza was great. It came with eggs on it, the eggs were runny which went well with the dry pizza. The cheeses were a decent mix etc. So 4 stars, all is good. Give it a try but make sure to get a reservation.
(4)Cornelia I.
I love authentic, italian food. This is what you get there. The service is good and the personnel very attentive. They know wgat they're doing and you can feel, see and taste the quality. Great pizza, pasta and tiramisu!
(5)Bradley C.
Got here right after opening so getting a table wasn't a problem. The Yelp pictures of the cheese bread looked so good we had to try it. Got the fully loaded variety and it was indeed memorable. Also had the clams Casino which were also wonderful. The waiter suggested we split the Calabrese sausage which was a good idea since who can eat 6 large sausages? The jury is still out on the sausage. I don't really know if I like the sweet taste after you bite into one of these bad boys. The waiter said it was honey we tasted, but I have a feeling it might also be one of the spices. In any case I think on our next visit we will try something else.
(4)Emily Z.
Stopped by for a late-night quick bite and cocktails Saturday night, and everything was great. Loved the decor with the red booths and Prohibition era feel, and the handcrafted cocktails were well-crafted and delicious. I haven't really tried "colored" hard alcohol (e.g. whiskey, rum etc.) before as I've never really liked the taste, but the cocktails were surrisingly tasty. Unfortunately we had eaten an early dinner so didn't get to try any of the pizzas or pastas, but will definitely plan on coming back to try it out.
(5)Robert U.
Really a disappointing meal from Capo's. I wanted it to be better. High hopes for a great Chicago pizza experience. Almost all items disappointing. Caesar salad - paste-like dressing. Strips of white anchovy and brown anchovy (why both?), stale croutons and hardly a sign of parmigiano. I've seen better execution a crappy chains. So lazy and undeveloped. Mostaccioli in Meat Sauce: Barely any meat. Pasta overcooked. Disappointing sauce. Cracker thin pizza: One would expect that when serving a cracker thin pizza they would take special care to make sure it wasn't dry and the cheese and sauce had enough flavor to hold up. Nope. Cardboard, which is so disappointing. Honestly, Dominos (and I do not eat dominoes btw) does a better job at cracker thin. Old Chicago Deep Dish: Ok, this was the money shot. They had to do this right, right? And while it was the better of the dishes, wow it just wasn't good. No effort put into the sauce - just a gloppy, overly sweet tomato paste heavy sauce. No depth of flavor. Meat was a thin layer, the crust was lacking the buttery flakiness of a great Chicago pie. Dots of ricotta were the most edible part. For the price he is charging, you'd expect so much better. All of that was $100 and it really was a waste. I hope this helps people find their way to a better Chicago pie. So far in SF Patxis is the best I've had. I know people swear by Zacharies, but I don't get it.
(1)Tapedeck B.
I love this place. We have been here twice and the first time we had a thin crust pizza that was delicious. The second time, we shared a pork chop and a pasta dish and it was way too much food for the two of us. And we eat a lot! The service is always great and attentive without being too attentive.
(4)Veronica M.
Tony's joint. Just a couple of blocks down Columbus Avenue from his Stockton Street joint in north beach. It was a great night... Started w the house made honey sausage appetizer. Friggin delicious. I mean, SERIOUSLY DELICIOUS. Our pizza picks... Even though Capo's is known for Chicago style, we ordered thin crust. We had the Sam Giancana. Thin crust. Spicy, cheesy, meaty. We also had the Farmer's Pie. This is the pie w the eggs on top. Love. Everything was fantastic. Everything. Service, food, & wine. Simply 5 stars.
(5)Mike C.
Meeting with some old friends, I was the last arrival of our party of five at Chubby Noodle. Walking in, the bar/restaurant only had a few occupied tables, a stark contrast to my last visit during the holidays. My friends had drinks in hand when one friend grimly said "The menu's changed." My eyes studied their menu which did not have any of the staples that I knew and enjoyed. In emergency mode, I called Capo 's and scored a table ten minutes later. Appetizer 1) Baked artichokes - Creamy rich and heavy. Not good for the health conscious. Mains 2) Calabrese sausages and peppers - Definitely the most flavorful dish of the evening. 3) Old Chicago pizza ( yelp.com/user_local_phot… ) - Waiter's recommendation, this did not disappoint. Heavy flavors were lightened by the dollops of ricotta cheese. If you like sausage, look no further. Side 4) Meatballs - Nothing to write home about, just okay. Might be jaded by Tony's giant meatballs. We were also given small metal bowls of their complimentary Minestrone soup ( yelp.com/user_local_phot… ). The feel is certainly less hectic than Tony's original spot and there is a huge difference in the fare here. Things are more simplistic and heavy (read rich and hearty) which exemplifies the Midwest/Chicago palate. There are several other menu items that catch my eye and would warrant another trip here. The food we ordered rates 3.5 stars, but rounding up a half star for potential missed items in their extensive menu. Oh, and if you are history buff and a fan of the Untouchables (black and white or Costner version), you could treat this like a mini museum of that era. Will be back.
(4)Cathy C.
Great food nice menu with a little something for everyone huge portions and tasty drinks
(4)Chris B.
I'm a huge fan of Tony's! We ordered pizza almost every week at is first restaurant in Castro Valley. Ended up here because his pizza restaurant was closed for a private event and I'm glad they were. The staff is amazing!! Great service, super friendly and they love their job. The food was amazing - and the soup a WOW!
(5)aj p.
Great food. Great prices. The servings are huge so be careful. I ended up taking 3/4 of a pizza home because the appetizer filled me up. The prices are more than fair, and the service is awesome. Highly recommend this place.
(5)Rosanna T.
We were the first to come for lunch. Ordered a pizza to share (sausage and pepperoni ) and salad. The pizza is thick and one slice will fill you up. I enjoyed the salad very much.
(4)Antony T.
The guys have a serious tomato problem... Really serious. Do they think that if you add tons of tomato on everything you got good taste? Everything is swimming in mediocre tomato sauce. I did not try everything on the menu but the Quattro Forni was a big waste of baking. You don't need to bake 4 times for such a simple tasteless thing. The house made Calabrese sausage left us speechless. Who the hell thought of that combination???? Spicy salty sausage with honey? The real question is what was I thinking to order this...... I am sorry if this is a really rude critique, I went there with the best intentions and left so disappointed....
(1)Chris K.
I come into this post strictly rating the "Chicago-Style" Deep Dish pizza from Capo, as I just moved here from Chicago (born and raised) and figured I would give them a shot. Unfortunately it wasn't even close. The pizza had entirely too much tomato sauce and not enough cheese which made it very soup-y. Also, the tomato sauce was extremely sweet and it overpowered the rest of the pizza. I could not taste the crust, the sausage, the cheese, or even my red pepper flakes because the sauce was so much. Also, wasn't nearly enough sausage on the pizza to claim it to be a "Chicago-Style" pizza. Lastly, the crust. It tasted like an overgrown digorno pizza crust made to look like a deep dish pizza. Very bland and not much taste. Overall, it felt like this pizza was created by someone who has never tried an actual deep dish Chicago pie before. If you have had Pequods, Lou Malnati's, or Uno's you will understand my sentiment. For a person who has never eaten a real Deep Dish Chicago pizza, please do not judge it by Capo's version. Because it doesn't hold a candle. I wont be getting this again. With that said, I have not tried any of their other food. This is strictly just a deep dish review.
(1)Kathy V.
3.5 stars-A-OK Check, Please! Bay area After an episode of watching Capo's being filmed, I was determined to go. PIZZA PIZZA galore. RSVP come in handy, walk in can be up to an 1hr + Unfortunately we had no reservations and waited an hour. But totally worth the wait. Let's see intimate cozy eatery, dim lighting, and friendly staff. What we order? Wood fired baked artichoke dip-bread licking good!! Meatballs-average Clams Casino-bacon makes everything better!! Old Chicago- DEEP DISH PLEASE, I thought it was actually better than little star. Farmers Pie-3 stars Totally fulfilled my tummy!
(3)Karen T.
Five stars!!! Great service very attentive and friendly. The food was so good! I was told by my friends I had to get the meatballs so I ordered spaghetti and meatballs. The spaghetti was thick like chow mein cooked al dente great sauce and the balls were so good! I want more balls. We ordered the iron skillet pizza half with the special with pesto, vegetables, feta. Another with ricotta and vegetables. First off the crust OMG! whoever thought of adding cheese to the outside was genius. It made the crust crunchy on the outside soft and delicious, it was heaven. I'll be back!
(5)Jistice G.
As we walk in the pink haired hostess picks up menus before we told her we had a reservation, then when we said we had a reservation she put them down and sent us outside to wait even though they clearly had tables open. Then she finally calls us in and takes us to literally the worst table in the restaurant, it looked like it didn't even belong. The rest of the tables were booths with comfy seats. Me being 7 months pregnant and my mother being handicap I asked to be moved to a booth table or at least a half booth table for better comfort for me and her and the lady would not accommodate us but gave a lady with no reservation & the rest of her party wasn't even there yet a booth table. We just left & will not be returning, unless to the real capos in Vegas. Also hostess, your hair is gross and you work in a restaurant not a strip club wear unripped tights & appropriate length outfits.
(1)Karen H.
I was a very happy customer walking out. Our waiter was really nice, along with the servers.They say it takes about 45 mins for the deep dish pizza to cook. So he recommended us to order their sausage in a sweet and spicy sauce as an appetizer, which was absolutely delicious! The pizza was so amazing, I'm glad we walked in here, we left San Francisco happy!
(5)Antaash U.
Chicagoans take their pizza seriously. New Yorkers be damned, our pizza is the best in the world. There is nothing quite like a Chicago Deep dish and I'm not talking about those generic, mass produced chains that have become so famous. I'm talking about the pizza that real Chicagoans eat and tell all their friends about. So, when having a reunion with ex-Chicagoans who raved about Capo's I had to check it out for myself. Unfortunately, they make their crust with lard, which fall into my only dietary restriction category so I wasn't able to partake in the legacy that Capo's has left on San Francisco. Apparently, only the thin crust is lard free, but I'm not one for thin crust to begin with, so I felt obligated to pass on the pizza all together. Thank god I did, because the entree I chose was really, really good, considering it was in a primarily pizza place. I ordered the Wood Fired Conchiglie Baked with Dungeness Crab: arrabiata style spicy tomato cream sauce, calabrian chilis, shrimp, garlic and smoked provolone. Geez. Just writing this review is bringing back fond memories of the party in my mouth. This dish was bold, had the perfect amount of heat but didn't mask the sweetness of the dungeness crab or shrimp. This dish would be any seafood lovers dream come true. The portion was also huge and unfortunately, I could only eat half of it. Luckily, my friends were happy to take it home. Though I wasn't able to experience the pizza at Capo's, I must say that the pasta could rival that of some of the best pasta places I have dined at in the course of my travels. Capo's can compete with the best of them, hands down!
(4)Jen W.
I've been to Chicago...tried almost every deep dish pizza they had to offer...but Capo's in SF is by far the best I've ever had. Freakin delicious...come hungry but don't come too hungry because the pizza takes awhile to make and bake. We ordered the sam...stuffed crust. Amazingness. The crust was perfect. The toppings to cheese ratio was fantastic. The tomatoes were delish. We've also ordered pasta dishes and their Caesar salad. All were totally worth it...but the pizza is the winner winner here. It gets busy so make sure you either come early or be prepared to wait. The restaurant is tight but the ambiance is fantastic and lively. An absolute 5 stars to the best Chicago deep dish I've ever had!
(5)Jimmy M.
Wow this place had an outstanding atmosphere. Just seemed very cozy and the staff was exceptional. We ordered the thin crust pizza and it was too much food for 2 people because the pizza only came in 1 size. We did not want to take it back to our hotel room but the server insisted that we take it and if we dont want it to give it to a homeless person or set it on a trash can. Ummmm this felt strange because i have never done something like that. We decided to set it on a trash can and sure enough someone came up and grabbed it. Pretty cool and felt good. Wish I could remember the servers name but thanks anyway.
(4)Kimberly H.
Right next to Chinatown, people start lining up even before the restaurant opens. The Outfit "Antipasti Platter" is a wonderful appetizer to keep you busy for the twenty minutes or so it takes for the deep dish pizza to come out. It is a very generous spread of prosciutto, assorted salami and cheese, mixed olives and peppers. Their alcohol selections are quite varied and compliment the food well. The pièce de résistance is their pizzas. Only tried their Old Chicago, but it was really very good. Their pizzas only come in one size, so you'll definitely be carrying several pounds of leftover pizza if it's a small party. The pizza still tastes good the day after. The manager was very friendly and helpful. Definitely will come back.
(4)Gina V.
B/F suggested we try this place. I'm glad we did! smaller than I thought it would be , but it didn't matter. Memorabilia , 1920's AL Capone old school. (Very cool). Thank goodness our waitress advised us the portions were a healthy size: ordered anti-pasti- delish ! (Really enjoyed the prosciutto and olives) Paced ourselves. Packed the rest for a midnight snack. Then ordered the chicken marsala. Perfection! ! Crispy chicken laden with creamy mushrooms and marsala sauce. With a side of waffle fries. We're coming back to try their must have pizzas- can't wait... Only downside, their cocktails were not a "healthy portion" for the price :0 (
(4)Noey G.
A night at Capo's for some good deep dish Chicago style, clams casino, artichoke dip, garlic bread and precisely poured Hendrick's Martinis a little dirty with 2 olives. Just another great night out with good friends! Wrap it up with an Affogato of course ...Like a Boss.
(5)Robert T.
Went to North Beach on an early Saturday night intending to go to a different restaurant, but Capo's was the only one that took us without reservations. The atmosphere was nice and cozy (big plus his red booth seating with plenty of interesting pictures on the wall). In a party of 4, we ordered a stuffed pepper, a Caesar salad (both of which were average), an thin crust margarita pizza, and then a Chicago deep dish. The deep dish was amazing but quite filling and had a little too much tomatoe sauce for my liking. I personally prefer the thin crust because its enjoyable and light (our crust was a little burnt), but you can't go wrong with any of the pizza choices. TL;DR - Great restaurant for its signature pizzas
(4)Rich D.
Garlic bread was off the hook. Drinks were good. The Dillinger pizza was amazingly delicious. Best Chicago style pizza in the Bay. U will not find a place like this. I really felt like I was in Chicago chillin with the mafia. I will be back for sure.
(5)Joco F.
Originally I had tried to come here on opening night only to be turned away. I stumbled back in here for lunch this last Saturday and gave it a try. They had a nice lunch special advertised for a slice of deep dish with a salad for 10 bucks. A great deal already and it came with a cup of soup too. The food was all pretty solid. The pizza which is the star of the place was very good and from what I've been told by the pizza experts I know, very much in the style of Chicago style. My problem is I've never been to Chicago and my deep dish roots are built from Zachary's. So any hardcore proponents to the "traditional" style of things who might read this keep in mind I was just raised differently. I didn't like the crust too much as it wasn't crispy and flaky like Zachary's. I've learned Capo's is the way it should be so if you're into that then you will probably dig it way more than me. As far as the rest of the pizza it was great and really nice they do a slice special. I wish that was possible else where because I hate having to rally a group just to get some deep dish. The bar is really nice and the staff was polite and cheerful. They do very good cocktails as many places do these days. I suggest trying the "Wise Guy" personally. One other huge gripe I had was they only take cash. Now I get the whole trying to make it seem like Chicago during gangland times theme but as far as only taking cash that's just ridiculous this day and age. Especially then having to use the ATM in the back which has fees which then takes away from any value I just got from the special in my opinion. Get over yourselves and take cards. They take cards at farmers market stands I'm sure you can break down and take a card at your permanent venue. You can afford a website you can afford to take cards. If you want deep dish and a great cocktail this is the place for you just remember to bring your gangster roll.
(4)Mike G.
I was born and raised in Chicago. Legit deep dish, even though I prefer thin crust, square cut pizzas. Not taking credit cards is weak. Get with it Capos! But they have Old Style so that makes up for it.
(4)Cathy K.
Dine at Capo's if you want to fill your belly with delicious tomato sauce, garlic, and meats! Their main attraction is Chicago-style deep dish pizzas - they also offer three other kinds of crusts: the stuffed, the cast iron (which to my understanding is more bready), and the 'cracker thin' - which is more like NY-style pizza. They also serve appetizers, salads, sides, meat entrees, and pastas and have a full cocktail menu, along with beer and wine. Since the deep dish pizzas take approximately 35 minutes to cook, we ordered a side of three meatballs. They were full of flavor and had a lot of sauce to pair with their complimentary bread and bowl of minestrone soup, which were also delicious. As we waited, I took in the decor - it's a new restaurant with lots of old fashion fixtures and detailing, tin ceiling, lots of brick and wood, long bar, medium-size dining area with a combo of large booths, tables & chairs, and the bathrooms are clean and new. The staff is knowledgeable, attentive and helpful. Our pizza arrived sooner than expected and we thoroughly enjoyed it. A beautiful blend of flavors and textures - we had the Old Chicago which includes Italian sausage, meatballs, garlic, mozzarella, provolone, romano cheeses, oregano, and lots of robust tomato sauce. It's a very hearty pizza (one size offered, which was a large) and we could only fit one slice a piece. The rest we boxed to go - it felt like it weighed at least 7 pounds! We are happy we celebrated Valentine's Eve at Capo's! Between the two of us, the pizza continued to last for another couple meals! Now 'That's Amore!' PS: Cash only.
(5)Natalia H.
I loved Capos! I had such a great night here. There cheese artichoke appetizer was so good!!! And I absolutely LOVED the deep dish. After reading the bad reviews I must say I kind of get it...Yes the atmosphere is not the most lively. This restaurant does not tend to be packed, but really are you there to people watch or to eat? The bar is great! I asked for a Blood and Sand and they didn't know what it was, but none the less the bar tender googled is and guess what? YUM! Loved my drink! I will definitely bring my Sicilian family here when they visit. Chicago style decorations...I love it!
(5)Jennifer W.
This is a great place for a date, very romantic place. The service was great and the interior was just beautiful. The vinyl booth seating was a nice touch, though not exactly the most comfy. Pizza is the focus here. They have 4 types of crust: deep dish, thin, stuffed, and cast iron pan. All the pizzas only come in one size. The deep dish was 8 slices, but even just 1 slice was filling. We had trouble deciding between all the combos they had, they all started to look the same after a while, but went with the Big Jim in the end. The deep dish Big Jim was sooo delicious-- meaty, lots of tomato sauce and droplets of mascarpone on top. We had leftovers and when the pizza cooled up in the fridge, we could see all the neat layers of meat inside. The minestrone soup and bread was delicious as well. Remember to bring cash!! And a lot of it too. If we had more cash on us, we would've ordered more food. I think Capo's should seriously consider accepting credit card payments because they may potentially be losing business from more and more people who just don't carry cash anymore.
(4)Lisa T.
1 word--- AMAZING!!! By far one of the best Italian restaurants I have been to! Excellent service, reasonable prices and enough food to share! My friend and I shared Caesar salad, clam and mussel linguini which was accompanied with a choice of a side. Go with the meatballs (they were better then my mom's, shhhhh!!) And the garlic bread...Delicious!!! Topped with whole fresh garlic! This find kinda made my trip to the city all the more worth it!!!!
(5)David H.
The pizza was awesome. We ordered the big Jim. Yeah, we went deep dish. The bartender was great. Glad we stopped by and grabbed a seat at the bar and had a great dinner!
(4)Mark Y.
Holy food coma Batman! Our group of three rolled into Tony Gemignani's second North Beach pizzeria, Capo's on a Sunday afternoon around 5:30pm with no reservations and were seated right away. By the time 6 rolled around the restaurant was already fully packed. The décor is awesome old school brick, custom tall red banquettes, and tons of black and white photos of gangsters everywhere. It's good to come here early and allow plenty of time for your food to arrive because deep dish can take 45-50 minutes. Funny thing is, we originally came here looking forward to comparing the spaghetti with meatballs to Emmy's Spaghetti Shack and ended up ordering the following: Baked artichokes in cream Old Chicago cracker crust: 2 different types of sausage Sam Giacana deep dish: sausage and meatball The pizzas are cool because you can specify how you want them prepared, either deep dish, stuffed, cast iron pan, or Chicago cracker thin crust. If you get confused while you are ordering, just ask your server for recommendations. We got through about half the artichokes when the Old Chicago came out. The cracker crust was delicious, and it's definitely more substantial than the Italian style thin crust that I'm used to. Since I don't see myself eating deep dish all the time (I won't be in weight gain mode forever), I will definitely be debating between Tony's down the street and Capo's for future dinner options when I'm in the area. This pizza was enough to feed the three of us by itself and we did a good job by almost finishing it when the deep dish was ready for us. Once the deep dish Sam Giacana arrived we were completely intimidated, this thing was massive. Calling the cracker crust filling and then eating this pie was like comparing a Mini with a H1. Each bite was both crispy and filled with thick tomato sauce, meat and cheese, it was like crispy lasagna. We only managed to eat 2 slices total before boxing it. Our waitress had a great sense of humor the entire meal, and joked that we would have enough food left to feed us for days. I'm hoping it tastes even better as leftovers in the convection toaster since the flavors will have more time to blend together. One tip: Cash only!
(5)mike r.
The Hostess / owner said " Your Poor and a Loser cuz you have NO Cash . I told her the cash only was annoying. . SHe Told me " Just don't come back " I told her I would review of my experience on Yelp . She say " I don't care about Yelp or poor losers " SO who cares if the pizza is good .if the owner doesn't know how to treat customers with respect The server Elizabeth was wonderful ! Way to good for this place But we NEVER go back and will discourage ANY of the Poor SF loser to go there . I worked 16 years in Restaurant Biz ' Owners treatment NO EXCUSE !!! I can see an IRS audit in their future
(1)Patrick T.
Environment: In a neighborhood awash with Italian joints, each one trying to out Italian each other, Capo's out comforts and out portions them all. Big, overstuffed red leather couches, brick everything, comfy bar stools. It's a good thing the furniture is so comfortable, because you're going to need the support after you stuff your face with the best Italian food you've had in a long while. Food: Perfect. I wish they would open a day spa so I could bathe in a warm pool of their red sauce. Lasagna cut outs over my eyes, my hair wrapped up in spaghetti. Between two, we ordered garlic bread with mozzarella, the clams casino, a carafe of wine, and the meat lasagna. -- complimentary minestrone- tasty and light, a nice way to start the meal. the noodles looked like the race car spaghetti-o's --Garlic bread w/ lasagna- perfect. studded with big pieces of melty roasted garlic, the bread was just the right balance of chewy and textured, not overly crunchy and flaky like you're eating garlic drywall. -- Clam Casino- an antipasto, not a huge dish but packs a big hit. maybe 15 clams, each one filled with a fat clam on one side of the shell, and bacon on the other. They were perfectly cooked, meaty with just the right amount of chew. The broth was rich and great for dipping bread in -- Lasagna- If I ever find myself on death row, I might eat their lasagna as my last meal. It might even do the added benefit of killing me ahead of the gas chamber, because the portion is massive. It was enough for both of us, plus both of our lunches tomorrow (with a spare piece or two of garlic bread). Layers and layers of delicious pasta, perfect red sauce, and fennely, mild sausage. -- wine carafe- because, alcohol. she said it was about 3 servings, but was really more like 4.5. plenty of wine for 2 people. Grand total was $66 w/out tip. More than enough food for us to be plenty full, and enough leftovers for both our lunches the next day. Protip- if it's not peak hours, bring a few more friends so you can try more dishes. It would have been nice to eat other things too, but they would have had to knock a wall down to forklift my fat ass out after.
(5)Cherylynn N.
When I think of Italian, I immediately think of an Italian Stallion: tall, dark and handsome with big hands and hung like a .....ummm OK, I'll try to keep it PG-rated for once. Al Capone doesn't usually come to mind when I think of an "Italian Stallion" but Tony Gemignani's newest restaurant, Capo's is inspired from Al Capone's Chicago of the 1920s. Walking into Capo's, the vintage scarlet leather booths, brick walls, chandeliers and saloonish style bar was contemporary old school with a touch of sensuous swank: bit.ly/Vrq1q6 . The dining room is small with just 5 booths, 4 small tables, and bar seating (2 flat screens TVs) so don't come without reservations (phone reservations only). As a 11 Time World Pizza Champion, I expected nothing less than stellar at Tony's new restaurant. In addition to thin crust pizzas, there's stuffed pizzas, Chicago deep dish pizzas, pastas, and rustic Italian dishes on the menu. The cocktails ($12) are amazing. Although most are whiskey and bourbon based, the Suicide made with white rye is perfect for those who favor clears. Be forewarned though, the cocktails were very stiff and packed quite a punch. I was buzzed after half and after two, I was ready to...oh yah, PG-rated. CASH ONLY (there's an ATM inside). We started dinner with a complimentary Minestrone Soup which was ultra-comforting with tender veggies and al-dente pasta: bit.ly/1029hVk . Enough to feed a family of four, the Traditional Calamari ($13.50) had an extra crunchy exterior crust and was tenderly sweet: bit.ly/13I8Ggf . If one appetizer wasn't enough for a party of two, we also ordered the Baked Artichokes ($13.50) in a Spinach and Provolone Sauce: bit.ly/10293O6 . I didn't care for the artichoke hearts which were too sour for my taste but the decadent, oooey goooey sauce was sinfully good with the crusty bread. Not a fan of deep dish pizzas, we ordered the Sam Giancana Pizza with a Cracker Thin Crust ($20): bit.ly/XdHmQ1 . Even better than the thin crusts at the Tony's first restaurant, these crusts were dusted with corn meal which helped the crust stay crunchy throughout and helped cradle the mélange of vibrant tomato sauce, mozzarella and provolone cheeses, duo of sausages and garlic. Using both the house honey Calabrese sausage and Italian sausage was genius as it gave the pizza a good balance of sweet savoyness. Don't leave Capo's without ordering one of their rustic Italian chicken dishes. The Chicken Marsala ($20) was perfectly roasted leaving the skin crisp and the meat succulently juicy: bit.ly/13I8uxF . The mouth-watering marsala sauce had an amazing depth of flavor and earthiness from the chanterelles. Every time I go to Tony's, I can never get enough of his balls; his meatballs that is: bit.ly/YbM2g8 . A side of the same bountiful Meatballs (3 for $5) will leave you wanting more balls in your mouth. As recommended by our waitress, the Whiskey Crisp ($9) made me weak in the knees: bit.ly/V8iRG0 . Like a thick, dense apple pie filling, the apple and pear mixture was spiked with 4 Roses Whiskey, cinnamon, caramel and topped with oats for that layer of crunch. Served alongside creamy vanilla bean gelato, it gave the dessert that cold and warm temperature contrast which I love. Just as wonderful as the food is the incredibly warm, friendly, and attentive staff. Rebecca was our waitress and she was an absolute delight. Food service was timely and you can even call in your deep dish pizza order before arrival to avoid the 35 minute wait. I appreciated that the manager checked in with every table which is always a nice touch. Oh yah, it doesn't hurt that the entire staff is attractive. HOLLA! Opps, did I say that? =X Parking is a nightmare in the area but there's a garage a block away near the police station on Vallejo or you can valet your car for $10. Capo's definitely won my heart and tummy with their solid, delicious Italian eats and super stiff cocktails. And I'm sure it did the same for Mr. NSS because he got... Sorry folks, I promised PG-rated remember?
(5)Susy C.
I'm not big on pizza, but when I do eat it I prefer a rustic, thin crust with plenty of sauce and veggies. However, Capo's is pretty tasty. I still haven't had Little Star so I can't compare their deep dish to theirs.. I have had Paxti's and thought it was disgusting. Capo's deep dish is decent. Saucy, meaty.. Don't bother with the 4x baked specialty thing, it tasted like Chinese doughnut. They also serve you a pot of soup on the house, so Capo's is extremely filling. Best to come in a large group so you can try a variety of things.
(4)Cary Elizabeth L.
Really good - hearty Italian food. I particularly liked the pastas which were nice and al dente and the meat sauce was rich and full of flavor. They gave us a complimentary minestrone soup which was good, albeit a little weird at first. We had the cracker thin pizza which I thought needed more sauce. Next time we'll try getting the deep dish instead.
(4)Melissa M.
went here for my birthday dinner last night. really crowded with Friday night crowd,and so,very loud. our booth for six was very tight and crowded. service was good,the server took our orders very quickly and food came out at a good pace. I am no longer eating bread,pizza or pasta,so the choices are limited. I had the caesar salad,mostly romaine lettuce and a few croutons,dressing on the side. I had a small bite of the pizza with cracker crust,pepperoni,cheese,it was very good. the toast with artichokes was very good also,my one little indulgence. the other ordered a deep dish Chicago pizza,looked and smelled really good. I do wish they offered more food not so heavy on the cheese and cream. I might go back here when I am in san francisco again.
(3)Jason B.
Illegal. Plenty of what namesake Al Capone did. Added to the list should be Capo's deep dish pizza. There is no explanation for how good it is other than illicit substances were added. Which make you want a slice. And then another. And then two more. Oozing with cheese. Buttery crust. Plenty of sauce. So bad yet so good. Took all the willpower in the world to stop and save the rest. Leftovers didn't last long. Was not the only one impressed. Grandma was too. And sis. Two very important opinions that should not be taken lightly. Soup to start was delicious. And complimentary. Chicken broth, noodles and veggies. Nothing more needed. Chicken marsala wasn't as memorable but that could have been because we were all eyeing more of the deep dish. Made Man whiskey drink got me in the mood for more whiskey. Namely a Whiskey Crisp dessert with apples, pears, cherries and topped with vanilla bean gelato. Got intoxicated. On flavor. Red booths and vintage decor (including a working phone booth) were awesome. Same with the reasonable prices and friendly service. Capone might have gone straight for another slice of pizza.
(5)Steven Z.
I'm already a big fan of Tony Gemignani's two other SF restaurants, Tony's Pizza Napolenta, and Tony's Coal Fired Slice House. Capo's extends Tony's pizza empire into the realm of Chicago style pizza. They offer each pizza four ways - deep dish, cast iron (thick crust), stuffed crust, and cracker thin crust. Some of the pizzas take 45-50 minutes to prepare, so its best to look at the menu beforehand and order as soon as you sit down if you plan on trying a deep dish. Out of the four pizza crusts, I've tried deep dish and cracker crust. I prefer the cracker crust, as it's light and lets the flavor of the toppings come through more. The Old Chicago pizza on cracker crust is amazing. Along with pizzas they have something called a Quattro Forni, which is quite similar to a pizza, but cooked in four different ovens to give the thick crust an amazing airy texture, but be crispy on the bottom. We had the one with prosciutto and arugula and it was fantastic. Everything else I've eaten here is top notch - the complimentary soup, the meatballs, the Caesar salad, and I have to give a special shoutout to the Antipasti Platter. The freshly shaved prosciutto was the star of the show. They have an old fashioned deli slicer in the front window and shave off slices of prosciutto fresh to order. The flavor is fantastic and it practically melts in your mouth. The most recent time I went here was with a group of 7, and it was absolutely perfect for a family style meal. We sat in one of the large red leather wraparound booths. The meal was quite affordable too, the tab was only $170 and that was with a bottle of wine. This place is definitely at the top of my list of places to bring people when they're visiting the city.
(5)Esther A.
As a HUGE fan of Tony Gemignani's Naples style pizza we had to try Capo's. We finally got around to it earlier today despite the neighborhood's challenging parking on St. Patrick's Day, no less. But we finally managed to score a spot WITH a broken meter. Their menu offered a few pasta dishes, some sides but their main specialties are the pizza which comes in stuffed crust Chicago style and thin. I even saw someone with a hot sub and a side of criss cut fries. Complimentary soup is served to all guests which I enjoyed. We both decided on the slice of the day as an entire pie seemed a bit too much for the both of us at the time. The stuffed crust slice accompanied a side salad and was fairly priced at $10. I found my slice to be slightly overwhelmed by the sauce and I would have liked a bit more cheese. Also the crust was a bit hard for my liking but I think this is because the slice of the day is most likely premade and reheated upon order. Our neighbors had a thin crust and it looked delicious and fresh. We also had the garlic bread with wild mushrooms, mozzarella and truffle appetizer was tasty and I think I might have even enjoyed that a tad more than the pizza itself. Servers are fine however my water could have been refilled more often. After I had my last bit of the pizza my water glass was completely empty and the person refilling was nowhere to be seen. I'd be willing to give them another shot however I think I will opt for a freshly made full pie next time.
(4)Bob K.
Tony G knows his pizza. Capo's deep dish is just more proof. Hey, can I have a bowl of that sauce, maybe with a little grated reggiano on top? - I could call that lunch all by itself. Yes the sauce is that good. The pizzas are that good. The nice casual ambience and complimentary zuppa. You may run into chefs from other establishments here... Capo's is that good. The hardest choice in North Beach, if not all of San Francisco, is whether to go to Tony's, or Capo's. Tony you have made my life into a wonderful dilemma. Grazie! Small comfortable room, but not too crowded if you can swing by at off times. Bravo!
(5)Jack And Barbra D.
Excellent service, fun and cool ambience, spot-on antipasti, and cast iron pan deep dish pizza as good as it gets. Sink into the plush booth seating, order the family blend of red wine, and tuck into some of the best pizza you'll find anywhere. Loved this place.
(5)Rusell L.
Great place. Eat at the bar. Ordered the garlic bread with arugula, truffle, etc, roasted artichoke, sausage with honey, and caprese salad. All 5's except for the caprese. Give it a 3. Great service. Looking forward to going back and ordering off the pizza menu.
(4)jonathan s.
5 stars for food. meatballs - fantastic tomato sauce. probably the most affordable thing on the menu at like $6 or $7 for 3 meatballs. garlic bread - could eat this for a meal. extremely garlicky though. this was great. huge order. deep dish - again with some of the best tomato sauce i've had. excellent crust. also a giant portion. mostaccioli - had the pesto one. this was probably my least favorite. not a big artichoke fan. very rich. it was fine, just would not order again. hard to have a $$$ restaurant that takes cash only. makes it pretty inconvenient. also, they don't take reservations. 2 hour wait for a party of 6 on a saturday night might dissuade me from heading there in the future unless it was a weeknight and we had a smaller group.
(4)Tina A.
come hungry people! the portions here are hefty! prices also reflect the portion Truffle/Mushroom/Arugula/Cheese Garlic Bread - OMG THIS IS AWESOME. there are many slices, the cheese is melty and mixed with tender mushrooms, with lots of garlic. i did not really taste the truffle oil but everything about this garlic bread is mind blowing. i actually recommend this over the pizza Complimentary Minestrone Soup - very fresh and tasty broth with uniquely shaped oval pasta which was perfectly cooked Chicago Deep Dish Pizza - this pizza is HUGE! they really don't skimp on anything. the tomato sauce is different over here, the sauce is sweeter than others, however the crust with cracked corn was deliciously crisp/crunchy like it was deep fried. the sausage/meatball toppings were homemade and they tasted home made. extra tips: come with large group with reservations so you can share, and make sure to bring CASH i'd consider coming back here again but with more people, and i will definitely have some of their garlic bread to take out if i ever forget my lunch!
(4)Nat S.
The most amazing food. Amazing drinks. Great service. Good people. All around amazing place.
(5)Ami D.
Delicious pizza & nice ambiance. Both of us agreed the pizza rivaled many contenders in Chicago and the atmosphere inside was great. I'd definitely recommend this spot to friends. Their cocktails are really good too- the Made Man, especially.
(4)Andrew K.
Complimentary soup was great. Salads were solid. Caesar with white anchovies was yum. Spinach salad hit the spot. Meatballs were yummy. Chicken marsala was so-so. Lots of bones to navigate, and sort of too sweet sauce. Prefer Tony's in a big way.
(3)Graceann C.
The wine blends, pizza, and service is just amazing! YOU MUST try the Farmers pizza-and always, always, always go deep dish.
(5)KingBBinLV B.
Went here to celebrate Valentines day on Sun 2/16. There was a lengthy wait at 6pm so we took 2 seats at the bar. I can't believe this place has the same owners as Tony's of North Beach at The Graton Casino. That place blows big time but Capo's was excellent! The 2 pasta dishes we had were tasty. The cheese and antipasto was also very good. I would have liked to sit at a table but we were hungry and had to get to the comedy club for an 8 pm show. I would recommend Capo's and will def go back again.
(4)Bree P.
I've been wanting to try this place for months and finally....DREAMS DO COME TRUE! First of all, CASH ONLY. Secondly, do yourself a favor and get ANYTHING with sausage involved. Their sausage here is literally to die for...sooo bumpin' with flavor. We had: +Stuffed bell pepper appetizer (which had sausage in it--amazing) +Old Chicago deep dish pizza (once again, more sausage and huge globs of ricotta) Plus, they give you complimentary bowls of some sort of minestrone to start with. They don't have the greatest cocktail menu, which was kind of a bummer, but they did have some of my favorite wines (Qupe), so I ain't mad! Overall, fun mobster sort of atmosphere and ridonculous deep dish pizzas! Oh yeah, and get there before 6 so you don't have to wait a century for a table.
(4)J. M.
We love to walk to Capo's and just sit back in time where life was a little feisty in N. Beach. The place is a lot of fun to be in. Loosen up and have some fun there. The food ain't bad either!!!!
(4)Regina L.
This review is primarily for the atmosphere of the restaurant. We stopped in on a whim and thankfully it was early enough to grab a table immediately. The feel of the restaurant at first glance is old school Chicago, and they do a good job recreating the feel with the bar and big red booths. However, once we were seated and I had time to look around the place, it kind of reminded me of a Bucca di Beppo in terms of the overplayed Italian stereotypes/overdone mob style. Now I'm not one to pull the "politically correct" card but I did find it odd that instead of focusing on the Chicago feel, they turned it into a pro-mobster den, with images of Al Capone framed on the wall. Why do pizza and mobsters have to go hand in hand? We ordered the antipasti plate, which came with meats and cheeses. Unfortunately the majority of the cheeses and meats tasted like they were Safeway brand. We also ordered the deep dish Old Chicago pizza and that definitely did not disappoint (and was well worth the wait!!). Plus, the pizza alone is so much food that we were able to take most of it home (yay leftovers). BUT, when we got our pizza back in the takeout box, I couldn't help but do a double take at the pizza box cover. Maybe I'm being overly sensitive and need to loosen up a bit, but here's what I saw: a mobster's face with the city of San Francisco on his head, and various images of whiskey, beer, and pizza. Ok, I get the Beach Blanket Babylon reference (ha ha the city's on his head), but really? The whole thing looked really cheesy and something you would see at Disneyland. I would eat their pizza again, but I could definitely forego the in-house dining experience.
(3)Emile C.
Excellent pizza and a free cup of soup. Pizza might even trump Tony's. The waitress was nice too. Looking forward to going back.
(5)Emily B.
Food-amazing! We couldn't decide so we handed the menu to the bar tender and he just ordered for us. Best decision we made all night. Drinks- dangerous. They were so good, but they didn't feel as good the next morning but that's our own fault. Service- very friendly. We sat at the bar and had a great time! Coming from a boston Italian family, it felt like home!
(5)David G.
Dropped in with friends in town over the weekend. Loved Capo's! Can't recommend it enough. + Our waitress was very helpful in narrowing in options + Complementary soup was excellent + Garlic bread was tasty + Deep-dish pizza was HUGE. Sent four patrons home fat and happy with leftovers to spare. - I was so full I didn't make it to the desert menu, not a bad thing. Not only was everything good, everything was reasonably priced for the area. I have recently spent double our bill on Dine About Town dinners for two. The visit to Capo's was much more satisfying. I did not get a chance to sample their drink menu so can't speak to that end of things. I plan to return to try more of their offerings. Note! Capo's is no longer cash only. My credit card suited just fine.
(5)Philip L.
READ MY IMPORTANT NOTE AT THE BOTTOM (NOT THE CAPO) FOR A GREAT TIP This place is run by the same guy that run's Tony's Pizzeria down the street. You can argue which is the best in North Beach, but Tony will just smile all the way to the bank. You know what? He deserves it. He puts out a good product from the ingredients up, hires great servers (and hosts), and does his best to create a unique atmosphere. If I was coming from out-of-town and wanted an experience in San Francisco's famed North Beach, this would be what I might hope for. Certainly better than going to the Stinking Rose, Mona Lisa, or any other number of places hoping you don't know better. I might even say the diners at Capos are more discerning, attractive, and fun loving than at the Stinking Rose. :) You judge for yourself. As far as deep dish style pizza, a pound+ of cheese is not really in my current diet plan. Is it worth the extra calories? I'd say Capo's delivers a solid pizza. The crust at the back edge is really nice with the cornmeal crunch (helps the pizza not stick to the cast iron pans). The sauce had a little bit of bite and was delicious. So, thank you Tony. But it didn't necessarily blow away any of the other pizza places (little star, patxi) with authority. I think I might need an exceptional sausage (more fennel)? Results: We both ate one slice each, and I tore off another bite of crust to achieve satisfaction. (That comes out to ~$5/ slice--and being that each slice was a full meal, that's a good deal for me.) And let me tell you: the to-go box, with four remaining slices in it? You will need two man biceps for that. It was the heaviest to-go pizza box I'd ever hefted. You might as well slap a 24 hour fitness sticker on that and practice curls all the way to your car/hotel. One thing that is important to note--is the wait can be long--sometimes 1-2 hrs. Why? It's a popular place, but really, deep dish pizzas take 30 minutes to bake. So make sure you come with someone fun to talk with. Prepare a 1 hour conversation for the wait (maybe walking around North Beach--they will call you when your turn is up). And for the table, if you're not very conversational, bring along a book or stream the Sopranos on your phone. I would say--given the timing of things, a first date might be risky here--as we observed on the table next to us with two recent divorcees (drunken man, elegant asian lady). You could literally hear her thinking "this pizza better be worth it..." So, some tips: the restaurant, in a stroke of efficient elegance, allows you to pre-order your pizza once you are on the waiting list. Instead of waiting 1.5 hrs to sit, sitting down to peruse the menu, ordering, then waiting 30 minutes for your pizza to arrive . . . our pizza arrived 10 minutes after we sat down. Just enough time for the free pasta fagioli soup (not bad) and some crusts of bread (clearly designed to sate your hunger temporarily until the ovens catch up with your order). Our pizza arrived a good 15 minutes before the divorcee daters' (and she was steamed!--effectively dooming that date to hug status). But otherwise: WINWINWIN. you get your pizza faster, tony's turns your table faster, and the line outside becomes shorter. Finally, even though going with your honey is fine--maybe this place is better suited for a large party. The booths (for four) are swank looking--very upholstered. And there is a large mega booth that can probably fit 8--and you can even reserve in advance larger parties. The pizzas themselves have six massive slices--and you can save on the hernia bills if you finish them and carry them in your tummies rather than carry them out in a box. Meanwhile, the 2-tops (tables for two) have just enough real estate so you can see the pizza and just a little bit of your date. Plus, as you've already figured out by now, the date tables are a bit close to each other. Close enough so you can hear the dating history of recent divorcees. Cash only. Valet for $10 (fortune cookie garage for less--about 1 block away).
(4)Brad M.
Being from Chicago, I'm always judgmental when it comes to restaurants in other cities having Italian beef sandwiches. Capo's got it right!! Great seasoning, thinly sliced juicy beef, crisp bread! This is truly a Chicago Italian Beef and they know what Giardiniera is! In addition, we ordered the spinach and mixed greens salads, both were really good. We did try a slice of our friends thin Pizza and, ehhh, so-so (but they did order thin). So can't comment on their deep dish.
(4)Blake B.
We had our latest dinner club at Capo's and had an awesome experience. The service was really good and the food was amazing although note that the pizzas are large and there will most likely be leftovers (which isn't a bad thing). I ordered a caesar salad to start and then as a group we ordered the Old Chicago, Snap E. Tom and Frank Nitti. All were amazing and we tried one deep dish, one stuffed, & one cast iron pan. I'd recommend a mix as well so you can try different kinds. Awesome pizza spot we'll definitely be back to.
(4)Patrick S.
I was unimpressed. The pizza was burnt. The sauce tasted like tomato paste. There was a long wait, forcing us to hover around people seated at the bar. I won't be going back.
(2)Calvin W.
Came here on opening night (aka expecting lots of delays and minor mistakes) and we had a BLAST! The hostesses were attentive and dressed kinda old-timey hipster (is that a thing? they definitely looked like they were the first ones to convince Capone to have a Jameson with PBR-back) Anyway the décor was cool: old school cash register, studded red pleather booths, and a phone booth with rotary phone that can dial any long distance number!! Just gotta dial 1-areacode-phone# (I'm crossing my fingers hoping they buy out the place next door and convert the phone booth into the secret entrance to a second bar!) Ok, FOOD quotes from the night: Antipasti Platter - "just okay" "Big Jim" Colosimo's Triple Double Deep Dish Pizza- "OMG, Little Star who?" "I don't feel like I'm going to have a butter heart attack like at Pizzeria Uno" (Chi-town) Wood Fired Conchiglie Baked with Dungeness Crab - "RIDICULOUS" "CHANGED MY LIFEEEEEEEEE!" *cash only btw
(5)Vikki A.
Great food, great service and the gentleman bussing tables was wonderful. Definitely try the baked artichoke. Yum! Family style eating so share... The hostess was sweet. Salvador the waiter is perfect. Pizza is worth the wait in gold... and the soup left me speechless
(5)Andrea A.
We got here right at 5 and the house was empty which was nice. Came with our little baby and didn't want him losing his ish. By the time we left around 630 (Friday) it was pretty packed. Maybe one or two tables open. We ordered the meatballs and Quattro forno. Meatballs were super good! Good size serving and sauce is sweet and savory. Pizza was good but super think dough. It was like we were eating breadsticks dipped in sauce. Next time probably try a Chicago style to see what the difference is.
(4)Lance W.
Capo's makes a very good version of the deep dish Chicago style pizza. It is not 100% but it is close enough to satisfy. I went to grad school in Chicago and Geno's East was always my favorite. Capo's is in the style of Geno's with a thick corny crust. I saw another table order an Italian Beef sandwich and from a distance it didn't look like an Italian beef but the diners seemed happy with it. For Chicagoans, an Italian Beef should be served on a Gonella roll dipped in Au Jus. The Capo's version looked like it was served on a baguette of some kind. I'll order a side of giardinera next time I go in to see if it is any good. The dining room is small and they don't take reservations for parties of at least 6 people. If there is a line, you can place your order while you are waiting. Deep dish pies take at least 30 minutes to bake so be prepared for the wait.
(4)Caroline W.
Celebrated a birthday here. Great bar and ambience was typical of what you'd expect of an Italian restaurant. We had a deep dish pizza between 5 of us and there were leftovers! Servings of salads were huge as well. I particularly liked the bar.
(3)Caitlin S.
The deep dish pizza is AMAZING! I went with one other person and we were both pretty hungry so we just ordered the deep dish they always have baking since all the specialty ones were going to take so much longer! It was really tasty but waaaay too much for 2 people, so definitely be prepared for leftovers or go with more people! The only thing I didn't like was the tables were soooo close together I could hear everything the people next to us were saying, it was like we were at the same table.
(4)Dan M.
I went deep this time. The first time I tried this place, we went for the cast iron which was not my favorite (too bready - Sicilian style like foccacia bread). But the Chicago style won't disappoint if you are looking for some authentic gut filling Chicago Za. We went for the Old Chicago with sausage and meatball and it was quite tasty. Just a forewarning.... 1 slice will fill ya, 2 slices will overstuff you.... They also have a rotating selection of good microbeers on draft. Score one for old Capo. Finally, you gotta try the phonebooth with a real working dial phone... free calls to anywhere in the U.S. and you can reminisce about wow... if you mis-dial how hard it was to start over :)
(4)Lisa K.
I love Tony's and the slice house is one of my favorite places for food in the city. Being from Chicago, I was very excited to hear about Capo's and had very high expectations - which were not met. We came early (6 pm on a sunday night) to avoid crowds and were seated pretty quickly. The booths were full so the 5 of us were seated awkwardly around a table. We ordered the artichoke appetizer, the honey and calabrese sausage appetizer, a deep-dish pizza, a "quattro forni," and 2 pasta dishes. The artichoke dip was quite tasty and ridiculously rich (a theme which was welcome early in the meal but became a bit tiresome). The sausage appetizer was truly enormous - I don't know how many pounds of sausage came out, but it was staggering - and unfortunately had too much honey for my taste. Our waitress gave us an extremely detailed description of the quattro forni, and it was fine, but nothing special (I found it too bready, and I generally like bready!). One thing I do like a lot is the tomato sauce, which was very generous on the pizza. Overall, the deep dish was one of the better dishes I tried. There were a couple of minor things that irked me: as many have noted, it's cash only, which strikes me as pretty silly for a restaurant in this price range. I understand that it costs money to take credit cards, but personally I feel like one thinks a lot about ordering another cocktail or glass of wine if one has to make sure to have enough cash. Maybe they're being considerate of our finances. And be very careful when ordering here. When asked if the sausage is pork, our waitress said "yes... it's a blend." We had to specifically ask if it had beef (which it did). Additionally, the complimentary soup has chicken broth, so it's out for vegetarians. As noted on the menu, most of the pizza crusts are not vegetarian either. And a baked pasta was ordered without cheese - it came without mozzarella baked on, but still with Parmesan sprinkled on it, so we had to send it back. When we visited, one bathroom was out of commission, leaving only one available. This lead to that awkward situation where you have to watch the bathroom like a hawk and try to jump in as soon as it's free. Hopefully this was fixed promptly. To be honest, I found the food to be a little on the salty side while we had it, but for the next day noticed that I was drinking tons of extra water, and having just had some of the pizza as leftovers, the salt stands out more. Finally, the portion sizes are absurdly large. This makes it difficult to try different dishes. It would be great if half-sizes were offered. I understand that it may be harder (but not impossible!) to cook a smaller pizza, but it's just as easy to serve less pasta. I'll definitely stick to the slice house!
(2)Sarah L.
I stick with the perfectly spiced snap e tom on cracker thin crust. Cracker think crust matches the toppings well and cannot be better described than "cracker thin". The meatballs are juicy, with a robust tomato flavor, absolutely worth the stomach space.
(5)Jay R.
Capo's was a good experience I honestly can't complain about nothing besides parking situations which is always a giving in SF regardless.Had a reservation for party of 6 and we got in no problem the the host/hostess was great,very nice and the man in the suit was respectful as well. the environment was very comfy old fashion style at it's best which was cool too.The waiter was extremely cool since it was our first time there she broke it Down to us the basics on the menu the wine list and how to order because the food portions are huge so be cautious on pigging out on appetizers. the waiter only was excellent and kind 2 thumbs up for her. So that being said Capo's......excellent place to dine groups or dinner dates...the deep dish pizza IS OFF THE HOOK! 2 slices at the most for one person if that! the pasta entrees as well are enough for 2 people like even though there a one person entree. PATXI'S PIZZA?.....yea right! CAPO's is the S#%+ I live in San Jose so the next time I'm in frisco I'm going to stop in to capo's for sure.
(5)Andy S.
Tony (of Tony's Pizza Napoletana and Slice House fame) has another winner. A totally different spin and style, but extremely high-quality, delicious food. We couldn't sit for dinner so we called for a take-out. Our bounty for 3 people was a mixed green & dried cherry salad, a quattro forni w/ prosciutto & arugula, and a deep-dish Sam Giancana style pizza. Good thing we drove an SUV to pick this stuff up as the payload we received from the restaurant was massive. The salad was great- stretched fine for 3 people. If we were sharing for 4 people+ it would have been thin. I'd go 1 order for 2 people moving forward. The quattro forni was delicious- this was essentially a very artfully constructed pizza-like appetizer. I'm not giving it justice by saying that- it was thick and crunchy and really delicious. However, moving forward- that plus a deep-dish pizza is a bit redundant & some-what overkill. But I will definitely order it again. Soon! On to the pizza- this massive deep-dish was akin to slaughtering an animal- we had food for days! It was 6 slices, but each of us could consume just one- they are THICK and layered with sausage and cheese and sauce and the crust was outstanding. I ate the other half over the next two days...and it revived very well in the oven at 350 for 15 minutes. The pizza was really delicious and a tremendous contrast to the wood-fired masterpieces I have grown to know and love at Tony's Napoletana. So different, but at the same time, just as perfect in its construction and compliment of flavors. The menu is really intense and extensive at Capo's, and with 4 styles of each pizza to choose from, as well as numerous other pastas, chicken dishes, etc- it will be a while until I have a grip on what my favorite items are, etc. But thats a discovery process I am seriously looking forward. I'll be back again VERY soon. Thanks for hitting another home-run, Tony! PS- Cash only, don't forget.
(5)Leanna C.
Meets the essential criteria of a cozy neighborhood bar, with the added bonus of a fanatic menu... The artichoke app was a stand out and the thin crust pizza with 2 types of Sausage and horseradish sealed the deal... The deep dish being devoured by the people next to us looked awfully tempting as well... Will definitely be back :)
(5)Ryan D.
The Capo's Family Blend Unti Vineyards Red wine is amazing! Had the Margarita pizza. Oh boy. To die for. Cast iron style is superb. Service was good. Price is very reasonable.
(5)Jee H.
You walk in and you feel like you're in an old skool Italian joint and half expect to see mafia guys chilling in the back booth. It has a great vibe and decor. I'm a huge deep dish fan, esp Zachary's in Berkeley, and thoroughly enjoyed the pizza here. My friend and I split the Old Chicago. Figure you gotta go with the classic. I would definitely go back and get it again if I didn't want to try all the others. The service was friendly and attentive. They gave us complementary homemade soup while we were waiting for our pizza (40-45 min for deep dish) and that too was surprisingly good. Give it a go. Everything looked damn tasty.
(4)Mike J.
Holy freaking freakout batman! Where do we start..... badass drinks - check, badass meatballs - check, badass pizzas - check, badass servers - check. The only reason I'm not going to be a regular here is because I don't want to weigh 300lbs, and I would not be able to control myself. I wonder how long it would take me to get through the entire menu - 10 visits?... 20 visits? Maybe there's a room upstairs I could rent and just come down and eat til I was sick and had to hobble back up stairs.... actually better to try and get a subterranean room; limping downstairs will be easier with a meaty pizza-baby in my belly.
(5)Beatrice W.
Wow - 5 stars for the pizza! I'd been to Tony's before and for the price, the pizzas are not large. On the other hand, Capo's deep dish stuffed pizzas are so filling that one slice was enough even for the guys around the table! Plus, you get complimentary soup! Talk about a good deal... Our complimentary soup was a pasta and white bean soup that was also served with complimentary bread. The pasta was clearly homemade, and had a delectable chew to it. We also ordered garlic bread and for only $3.95 you get 8 slices - a very affordable appetizer as you await your pizza! I am not usually a fan of garlic but Capo's roasts the garlic to the point that it is sweet and therefore I am a fan. My party also tried the steamed clams with bacon which was tasty but the bacon overpowered the seafood flavor which I would have liked to shine through. Also, $12 for 9 clams wasn't such a steal. And then came the stuffed pizza. Honestly, we were already stuffed even before the pizza arrived but it was so tasty each person wolfed down an entire slice! The crust was thick and crisp on the outside while chewy, doughy, and cheesy in the center. The toppings were plentiful, the tomato sauce was fresh. The stuffed pizzas range from about $28-$37, and are cut into 6 slices. Considering a single slice will make you plenty full and send you spiraling into a deep food coma, it's a pretty sweet deal! Also, our server was friendly and patient with me as I asked countless questions about their specialty cocktails (I am very picky about my cocktails). She was able to guide me to a drink that would suit my fancy which scores major points in my book. My drink was basically a glorified Old Fashioned with Benedictine. Good, very drinkable, but a tad sweet for my taste (I like stiff drinks). The only annoying bit is that Capo's is cash only. What kind of moderately priced restaurant +bar is cash only?! But even with this caveat, I will return.
(5)Brian C.
4.5 Stars? hilarious. I had to come out of retirement to write this one. 2 stars, for food only, and we haven't even gone into the service yet. My friend and I ordered the thin italian stallion. I have to say, the crust was done nicely, but everything else was a mess. There was too much sauce which was over powering and worst of all, it was too salty, where I could even taste the salt bits. Well, according to our server, Rebecca H. "maybe I'm just not a salty person because she eats it all the time." That's a big no no, when you ask diners how their food is and you shoot back with a smart remark. Once again, the 2 stars does not take into consideration the service.
(2)Celina A.
Only thing to add: They only take CASH, so load up before you go or pay the fees at their ATM. The Spaghetti and MEAT BALLS ARE AMAZING! My husband and dad haven't stopped talking about them in like 2 months, so I figured they were worth a shout out.
(4)Brye L.
We wondered in on a Friday evening and were able to secure seats at the bar. The person who greeted us was really friendly, she wasn't a server, more like a manager. She was awesome in seating us and answering any questions we had on wines or the menu. The other 400 reviews do a good job of explaining about the food the portions is what surprised me. The appetizers are more like full portions, we were a party of three and they were more like for 5 or 6 people as appetizers. We wanted to try other dishes but after three items we were beyond stuffed. All the food was excellent, and we didn't even get to the pizza. All the ingredients seem fresh....I'm excited to try a baked pasta and a cracker pizza! If you aren't doing pizza order the quatro forni, baked and then fried dough, can't go wrong there!!!!
(4)Julie J.
Fun atmosphere, friendly staff, and delicious food!
(4)Frankie G.
Love, Love LOVE the old school Italian vibe of this place. Tony and crew have done it again. We went on their opening weekend, where one might expect a rough execution on food - no one was disappointed at our table, the food and service was great. It's nice to be greeted with olives and a bowl of soup. We ordered the chicken Vesuvio (delicious), a cast-iron deep dish pizza with two sausages (light and very flavorful) , Vesuvio potatoes (really REALLY good. Lots of garlic), but to begin with was an appetizer that could not be out shined - the imported anchovy and sardine crostini (to DIE FOR!) We can't wait for our return and we will return. Thanks for opening an Italian restaurant in North Beach!
(5)Nothing But The Truth S.
Ever since I've eaten here I want to go back every night. The food is beyond delicious, with wine and other libations to match. I was never a fan of deep dish pizza, but after eating the award winning Dilinger, I am a believer. Wow. The crust and the fact that its not drenched in sauce is heavenly. I also had their minestrone soup and artichoke parmesan dip....soooo good. I cant stop thinking about you, Capos!
(5)Brendan H.
Medium at best. The attempt to compensate for quality with quantity is not pleasant.
(2)Sara K.
Tony Gemignani is hands down the best pizzaiolo in the Bay Area. Having lived near the italian border for years and having pizza in Naples itself, I totally know my italian food! Also being exposed to Chicago style pizzas, italian-American joints and speakeasies, I can say Capo's has pretty authentic atmosphere and the food portions are copious and delectable. Such a nice touch for them to offer soup as an amuse-bouche to all diners. Staff from the bartender to the hostess (Tony's very own wife) and waitstaff were attentive and professional. Cannot wait to return to order the quattro forni pizza, an artisanal technical tour de force only chef Gemignani could pull off. The homemade honey spice sausage is also a must.
(5)Matt D.
As a loyal customer of Tony's, I was really looking forward to indulging in Capo's deep dish. Unfortunately, we didn't even get to try the food. The ambiance was strange, the drinks were mediocre (but priced with the likes of the mixologists at Bourbon & Branch and Trick Dog ($12)), and the service was poor. Tony and team better make some changes if Capo's is going to survive.
(2)Joshua W.
I came here with some co-workers and very much enjoyed it. We sat at the large booth in the front....very spacious and a nice view of the street. I like the honesty upfront from our server "Keep in mind while ordering our portions are large" and they are. None the less we continued to order a large amount. Hey were a hungry bunch! Stand outs include the deep dish pizza, which my friend compared to a lasagna. And the artichoke appetizer. We brought our own wine.....which was good. lol My only "gripe" they do not take cards, only cash, so it made it extremely difficult for some of us to pay. I'll be back.
(4)Paolo C.
nothing compares to real deep dish pizza in Chicago from Lou Malnati's, but this is as good as it will get in SF. Definitely a solid pizza and puts Patxi's to shame. Have already gone twice in the last 2 weeks and plan on returning when I need my fix!
(4)Johnson W.
Probably one of the best pizza joints I've been to in a long time. The food and atmosphere just fits its name Capo "boss". They accommodated me and my guests on a last minute reservation do to our time restraints and the service equaled if not bettered then a 4 star restaurant. I highly recommend all of my friends and family to come to Capo's
(5)Bianca J.
So fucking good. portions are huge. I usually hate italian restaurants, I always feel overcharged for pasta and sauce. This was the best italian food I have ever had in my entire life.
(5)K H.
Went to Capo's for a holiday dinner last week and I must say that I was very impressed with the setup. The aged brick interior, the beautifully decorated high ceiling, red colored booths and last but not least the whiskey bar absolutely made the place live up to it's name. Really feels like old Chicago! Now to the food. We had our waitress recommend some dishes for our table of 13, crab conchiglie, cracker thin snappy tom, stuffed big Jim, clams casino, chicken Marsala. From the ambiance to the food and staff we all had a wonderfully positive experience at Capo's and recommend for my fellow Yelpers to check out and enjoy the experience yourselves.
(5)Tina A.
After reading all the great reviews and having had the "original" Tony's pizza several times I couldn't wait to try the new "Chicago" style restaurant opened by the same owner. Well I will have to say this was the WORST pizza I have ever had.....no joke! We ordered two deep dish pizzas-margarita and one that we created with different types of meat and mushrooms. When both arrived they looked like a giant can of tomato sauce had exploded all over them! You couldn't see a single topping just GLOBS and GLOBS of extremely thick and overly sweet tomato sauce...............YUCK! No matter how many layers I took off with my fork there was more! It completely took away from the taste of any of the toppings! We also ordered two Caesars salads...one arrived within 15 minutes and piled high enough for three of us to share. The other person in our party does not like anchovies so he ordered his own AT THE SAME time as us. We had already finished our salad and he still didn't have his. So we mentioned it to our waitress and she said nonchalantly it's coming"....seriously??! The other salad did not arrive for another 20 minutes!! I also had to ask for more dressing and I am not one that loves a "wet" salad but this one was as dry as it gets and flavorless. The only reason I gave this place an extra star was for the complimentary soup (some kind of Italian pasta soup) which was pretty tasty AND the fact that the maitre d Mario followed us outside and asked how everything was. Wonder if he could tell how unhappy we were with our food! I am not sure how Tony Gemignani learned to make so called Chicago style pizza but perhaps he should take a lesson from Old Chicago Pizza in Petaluma that makes such amazing deep dish pizza that it makes me want to salivate just thinking about it!! I will say the original Tony's Pizza is great but expect to wait 3-4 hours for a table on the wekends!
(2)Chris J.
We found this place at the last minute on the last day of our trip and I will be talking about it for months. The service is top notch, they have an extensive drink menu and there food is amazing. The best Italian food I have ever had and I have been to Rome. If you find yourself anywhere near here, it is a San Fran MUST!
(5)Tim R.
I've been coming to the city for years, but tonight was the first time I've ate at Capoi's, what the hell have I been thinking why haven't I've been to Capo's before! Damn this place is great it will most definitely be my first destination next time I'm back in the city. The handmade sausages were the bomb plus a side order of meatballs both were top-notch and second to none this place is a must!!!
(5)Melissa L.
I took my Italian mom here after an afternoon Italian Opera; the food was delicious and the service was friendly! I spied on all of my neighbors dishes, and everything looked wonderful! I am looking forward to going back and trying more!
(5)A. R.
It was just okay. My friend and I shared the cast iron pizza. One half was the Frank Nitti while the other half was the Johnny Torrio. I was underwhelm with the flavors. Maybe their other pizza style are better.
(3)Zak P.
Man on man do they have some GREAT food! I wish I could say the complete experience was the same, unfortunately it was not. FOOD- Let's start with where Capo's excelled. Everything that went in my mouth was stupendous. We tried the Garlic Bread with Cheese, Old Chicago pizza (deep dish) some wine and the comp soup. The soup was far better than I expected it to be, actually it was one of my favorites of all time! It didn't have much in the way of pasta or vegetables but the broth had a mild kick to it which was well worth it to me. The Garlic Bread just completely melted in your mouth and was the perfect way to start the meal. The pizza was huge and covered with so many toppings that I could only handle eating one slice. Everything about it was top notch, the only negative I would say was the sauce which I liked.. But it was a tad too sweet. They do warn you when you're seated the portions are family size and they aren't kidding so don't over order! SERVICE- It was Sunday night and we didn't plan ahead enough to make reservations. So we had to wait about an hour and a half for a party of two (The food was worth the wait) certainly not their fault for us not planning but just as a warning to others out there the place is small and the food takes a long time to come out so it could be a while before you get a seat if they are full. Service however was pretty bad. Once we were seated the server came by dropped off menus and took a while to come back. We had another server (possibly the manager) come by to assist with wine selection and drop off the wine. At one point we wanted to clear the table since there isn't much room so we asked the bouncer if he could bring a box. He took the bread and didn't return. Our server didn't come by for quite some time so we flagged her down to ask about what happened to our garlic bread and she condescendingly said "you haven't got your pizza yet so they keep your boxed food in the back until you are done eating". That's awesome! She just didn't need to be rude about it. It took about 50 minutes for the food to come out and in that time we weren't checked on once. A food runner came by dropped off the food and shortly following the server finally came and dropped off a check. She didn't ask how our meal was, she didn't offer dessert or coffee (which I was planning on getting, but didn't) and mind you she asked every other table around us but skipped us over. I was completely surprised that the she was that bad. PRICE- Considering the amount of food you get its acutally pretty good, the Pizza, Bread, Soup and a Bottle of Wine came out to $73 and we had tons of leftovers. The only real negative thing I have to say money related is they ONLY TAKE CASH SO COME PREPARED!!!! It's really odd that a place that sells bottles of wine only takes cash, I understand small hole in the wall quick service places only taking cash but a place like this!? Very Odd. All in all I loved the decor and ambiance , food was amazing but servive was subpar. I would gladly have given them 5 stars if their service was even a tad better. Basing most of my review off of food, you wont go wrong if your looking for AWESOME PIZZA!
(4)George P.
I haven't had such a warm welcome to a restaurant in more than a decade. Sergio and the staff treat you like family, and the food brings it home. The bar has some great innovations on classic drinks too. Great place to chill out with friends, cozy up on a date or hang out at the bar just off the little italy strip. The appetizers are delicious and well proportioned. Main course are big enough to do a family style dinner or satisfy a fairly hungry solo. My table ordered the following and shared: - Wood Fired Baked Artichokes : Delicious and large portioned. Very saucy/cheesy though, a little much for me. (3/5) - Antipasti Platter : Again with the large portions, but very good quality meats. (4/5) - Baked Conchiglie : My favorite dish so far. Delicious red sauce with crab meat and shrimp. Perfect for a lighter course, but still filling and flavorful. (5/5) - The Dillinger : Deep dish pizza, but with a deviation from the classical variety you'll see at Zachary's or Little Star. Wasn't my favorite since I'm one for lots of tomato sauce on my Chicago style. (3/5) I think this is going to be my go to place when I want to get out to North Beach, even to just grab a drink, and say hi. It's so hard to find places in S.F. that really take hospitality to heart, so I hope Capo's sticks around for a long time.
(4)Adam L.
Review is for the most unprofessional hostess EVER! Watched her seat every larger party to fill their big tables while tricking us into waiting over an hour! If you are a party of 2 and there is a wait...go some place else.
(1)Erich R.
Capos was amazing. I can see from the other reviews here that I was not alone in thinking this. Loved both the deep dish and the cracker thin. Cocktails were divine. Tony G. has done it again!
(5)JoeBob C.
The food was very good though not great. The service was very good with a nice staff and the owner/chef visited our table, a great touch. The atmosphere is fun, but the noise level is fairly high though not excruciating. The portions were huge and value great. The Chicago style deep dish pizza was excellent, better than what I ate at Geno's East in Chicago. The pasta dish was good. For 2 diners, a salad, pizza (which weighed about 6 lbs), pasta dish and one dessert meant we had enough left over for 2+ more meals at home. I recommend this place. I left with a craving to return.
(4)Brett W.
The best deep-dish pizza in town. Unlike Tony's, though, their pasta isn't as good as their pies. Stick to the pies and you won't go wrong.
(5)Matt H.
It is with humble gratitude and smug pleasure that I hereby lay down the first ever review of the soon to be famous Capo's. As long time fans of Tony Gemignani's other outlet of the same name (Tony's Pizza) we were invited by none other than the Capo himself to the soft opening of the new Capo's. Tony designed the new place himself to be as close to something you'd find in Chicago during Prohibition as you'll see anywhere without visiting a museum. The bar is gorgeous and built from scratch. The entire place is walled in red brick. The ceiling is copper tiling like you'd see in Chicago or New York. The floor is cork tiles, which absorbs so much of the noise that would otherwise make this place a "bomb" rating in noise decibels. When I asked Tony about that he specifically got the cork tiling on the floor for that reason. He really has thought of everything in this new establishment and it's no stretch to say it is his masterpiece. Whether you sit in the Capone booth which faces the front (Al never sat anywhere he couldn't see everyone) or one of the other spacious red leather booths the main draw of course is the food. Several items appear as they do at his namesake restaurant; you'll find calamari, meatballs, clams, and more for appetizers. For the main event the Chicago style pizza is dazzling. Not to be mistaken for only "stuffed," you will find several styles on a thinner crust. The difference from other styles is the cornmeal in the crust and perhaps a bit of lard that is used to make the crust crispy. Combined with Tony's second to none command of sauce and toppings this might very well be the best pie in the country. Of course the debate about that will rage on for a long time to come but from someone who has been to a lot of places that are considered to be the best Pizza places in the country I think this might be the best. The deep dish isn't trying to be "over the top" like Paxti's or Zacharys or Little Star (although those are all very good in their own unique way). Here the pie is more simple in nature, true to its elements and heritage and totally authentic. Try it and I think you'll agree. Capo's will take reservations unlike Tony's, but good luck on getting them. Rispettare il mestiere!
(5)Tara T.
Prohibition memorabilia and cushy red booths - you just know you're going to love Capos the moment you walk in. While the pizza is amazing of course, I couldn't recommend the Lasagna enough. I don't even like lasagna and I loved this dish - the perfect amount of sauce and meat in proportion to the noodles - it's a must! The place gets pretty packed (it's new and on the hot list) so make reservations or just enjoy a couple of their fabulous drinks while you wait.
(5)Jeff S.
I mis-ordered. Ordered "the house specialty" instead of pizza. Will definitely go bak and try the pizza. it looked great
(3)Peter R.
Great food. Great atmosphere. Great prices
(5)Kyle L.
Pizza is epic!, if you like the movie Godfather than this is your spot. They are a cash only place so be sure to hit the ATM before you head over.
(5)Cathy I.
We had drinks at the bar few weeks ago at this retro feel restaurant and had to come back and dine. We thoroughly enjoyed our entire experience. The decor is just this side of kitschy, 1930s Chicago speakeasy style, yet feels completely charming and cozy. The atmosphere is very lively, most local diners peppered with tourists, acceptable noise level, energetic but still can converse. The service is easy and friendly, and food was really fantastic, just what the restaurant promises, old style Italian American food, not highfalutin or pretentious. Hubby ordered the Snap E Tom cast iron pizza, I had a few bites, and sweat it's the best pizza I've had. I am not even a pizza fan and generally avoid any red sauce pies, but this had a great sauce, and unbelievable crust. Also had great meatballs and yummy clams casino. We can't wait to return to try the desserts! Warning - Cash only, just like Tony's other pizza place. Worth the trip.
(5)Jon P.
Fresh prosciutto right off the leg, and thin crust the way it's really done in Chicago. The complimentary soup and salad to start of the meal, perfect. The soup tasted just the way Grandma made it. Really felt like I was back at home. If you're from Chicago... they even have Old Style beer there! Brick and mortar interior, another thing to remind me of Chicago. The staff was great, really welcoming, and portions... well, just how you expect them to be in the midwest, more than enough to fill you up. Only one disappointment, I didn't realize they wouldn't have beefs for dinner, but I'll look forward to a beef the next time we are in the city. Thank you all! Thank you for reminding me of what I love about home!
(5)Jon W.
Looking forward to dinner! The place told me tonight's reservations filled up too weeks ago.... Pizza was GREAT!!!! Pasta Rocked, just bring Cash...
(5)Rachel H.
Ambiance is kinda Prohibition-Era gangster, and it works. It's quaint and warm. The food is fabulous - we enjoyed a wide variety of selections from the menu, and what stood out most were the meatball appetizers, the complimentary soup (some sort of Italian wedding type soup this day), the stuffed chicago style pizza and the pasta with crab (cannot recall the name, I am sorry!). What I would skip next time is the Quattro Fromagi appetizer (they claim they only make 20 per day, so we thought we had to have it)...it was like a fried foccacia bread with a little cheese on it, quite dry and not at all what the menu description lead us to believe. Wine selection was nice, I had a grey goose and soda that could have used a touch more goose, but everyone else's drinks were spot on. My only constructive criticism is the "cash only" policy...who wants to be in North Beach with that much cash on them in this day and age? Not me. I would like to see this policy change before we come back, even if it is supposed to be part of the throw back to another time vibe - it doesn't work. The food however, does, and I highly recommend it.
(4)Paul T.
The freshest tomatoes I've ever had on a deep dish pizza. The atmosphere is amazing. Tony has really created something special. Highly recommended...make sure you have a reservation.
(5)alex c.
came in here for a drink with my friend after school (coincidentally, after santacon, so i understand the staff had been dealing with a lot of drunk and obnoxious customers all day). we stopped on our way in the door to chat with a group of santacon revelers then ordered a drink at the bar. the bartender who was helping us didn't know how to chill shots and asked us to wait until the other bartender was free to do it. we watched him chat with the couple at the end of the bar for about ten minutes (i clocked it) before he sauntered over and told us we were cut off (before we even got to a drink) because the people we were talking to earlier in the evening had been too rowdy! the bartender was very rude about it too, even offering the excuse that "you don't really want to drink here, those drinks will cost like $20 anyways". $10 for a shot of top shelf tequila doesn't seem out of the ordinary for me, but clearly the bartender felt the need to let me know i seem like the sort of person that can't afford that. really upsetting because my friend and i had just arrived a few minutes before and had not consumed any alcohol or acted as such before we were cut off. thanks capo's, i'll make sure to NEVER patronize your establishment again! went across the street to trattoria pinocchio and enjoyed several drinks. much friendlier and talented bartender and a much more lovely experience. instead of a sullen blonde sighing a greeting at the door, there was an older italian gentleman serenading us and pulling out our chairs for us too. instead of a bartender who ignored us and didn't know how to chill shots (how do you not know how to chill shots?!), we had a friendly pro take care of us with speed! food looked and smelled fantastic too... will definitely be back there but NOT to capo's! seems that bad service is kind of the standard here judging by the other reviews. bummer!
(1)Amanda M.
Wow one of the best meals my husband and I have had in the city! Make sure you leave plenty of time to be seated and to order a deep dish pizza. (Don't go starving) Well worth the wait! YUM
(5)Dilly M.
Really cool spot, love the interior with all the brick walls and the red leather booths. Started with some complimentry soup, then order a few appertizers for the table. The stuffed pepper was delicious, they should serve more than just one on a plate. We also had 2 of the deep dish pizzas..they were great! Everyone at the table agreed these were some of the best around. Definitely a place i want to come back to.
(5)Miles M.
Simply magnificent .. I write this review in my bliss of being full from eating one of the best dinners of my life . The plates are huge , if your planning on feeding just yourself be prepared to take home your dinner and enjoying it for the rest of the week. One of my favorite pastas Conchiglie with Dungeness crab, set me away to retire myself for great dreams after. Everyone , everything here is divine . Don't want to give away to much to you because I want a table next time I bring anyone to North Beach . Starve yourself before coming and be prepared to be happy . 6 people and up you need a reservation , eat hearty friends. Yee!
(5)Mike A.
Service is great, they are very accommodating. Deep dish pizzas are incredible. Make sure you bring cash.
(5)Amy S.
This place was disappointing. I grew up on Chicago deep dish (Gino's East / Giordano's). I think Patxi is a better SF option than this place. We got a couple sausage pizzas and it they were both just mediocre.
(2)Billy W.
From the moment that my date & I walked in this restaurant we knew that we were in for something special. The hostess greeted us with a smile and told us that there would be a 20 minute wait. No problem. Then some space at the bar open up and I think he might have been the manager and he offered us seating there. We accepted and were promptly seated. Shortly after we were greeted by the bar tender who asked what we wanted to drink and if we needed menus which he provided. The menu looked very appetizing. We asked the bartender some questions and based on his recommendation ordered the deep dish Italian Stallion. More on that later. Minestrone came from the kitchen and it was delicious . My date and I both commented on how delicious it was. Next came our Cesar salad which was equally delicious. Long leafs of romaine lettuce with a drizzle on Cesar dressing with anchovies in the dressing. Yumm. Next came out pizza. It was the best pizza and most unusual pizza that I can remember having. It had mozzarella cheese and a horseradish sauce. It totally worked.!! I don't write long reviews but because of our experience at Capos I made an exception. The staff was awesome!!. The food was awesome!! The ambiance, scene, and decor, awesome. These people got it right! Thank you for a wonderful experience Capos!!
(5)James P.
I went to Capo's for a late lunch with a group of 5. We were all impressed with the food, whiskey selection, service, decor and unique style of Capo's. We ordered quattro forni, calamari, and the old Chicago deep dish pie. Every bite was absolutely delicious. Capo's was an all around good experience. I will definitely be returning. Thank you.
(5)Wendy J.
Capo's is a new little gem that just opened in North Beach. The speakeasy theme is awesome - you walk into a beautiful room with brick walls, cork floors, and shiny red booths. Very mafioso! There is a gorgeous art deco bar with an old school cash register and even a vintage phone booth in the back (you can make free calls anywhere in the US of A!!). Food is served in large, family style portions - plenty to share with the whole table. They begin the meal with complimentary house-made soup that is warm and delicious. I ordered the Chicken Limoncello and it was perfect, tender and savory in a semi-sweet limoncello sauce. My husband got the Chicken Vesuvio and a cracker thin pizza with house made sausage. Our friends ordered a Chicago style deep dish pizza ... this was a ton of food and we didn't even come close to finishing it - but it made for the perfect leftover lunch the next day! I haven't even mentioned the drinks yet. They have 3 special drinks as advertised on the mirrors behind the bar. My hubby had the Made-Man Manhattan and a Capone. I'm not a whiskey/bourbon drinker, so I had the bartender make a awesome lemondrop for me. It was so good I had another! They have quite the impressive drink selection and will make whatever your heart desires. Definitely going back and taking friends and family. Good place for celebrations (reservations are required though, so make sure to call in advance) or just to stop in and have one their delicious cocktails with friends or significant other. A great date place too. Thanks Capo's. I'll be back!
(5)Katelyn W.
Delicious deep dish. After being an every friday paxtis delivery family....im convinced this is the best and Capos has won us over! This should not truly be compared to paxtis, zachrys and little star....they are more 'cal' style vs. True Chicago style.
(5)Stan B.
Tony's latest restaurant... an homage to Chicago... excellent deep dish pizza and traditional Italian entre's...
(4)Cameron A.
I love sitting at the Bar here and splitting a Pizza. All of their Pizzas are amazing and love the minestroni soup that comes with the meals! Their specialty coctails are perfectly done. I always prefer to come here rather than Tonys, even though it is the same owner, because it is cozier.
(5)David J.
Ok. I have a new favorite restaurant in North Beach. Tucked away on Vallejo, I feel that an abandoned street has been reclaimed. Capos is a gem. From the moment you walk in you feel like you found a secret club hidden away. The narrow dinning area is laid out nicely. the bar on one side dining on the other and an open space to the kitchen in the back, where you can see the marvelous oven that this yummy pizza is born from. The classic red buttoned leather booths against a exposed brick background reminded me of a lost era. The décor is an homage to an old Chicago. There is even a "capone" table which you must see. I don't want to describe it. You should see it yourself. This is not the over done pastiche of Planet Hollywood. This is an elegant presentation giving San Francisco a finer dinning Chicago pizza experience and an homage to history. Ask the wait staff about the lovely bar, and the incredible mural in the back! Oh and the food? Just do yourself a favor and get the Wood Fired Mostaccioli Genovese and a Fire Rosted Stuffed Bell Pepper. Well that's what I got, and man I was happy. I can't wait to try the Chicken Limoncello!
(5)Mama J M.
Wow is really all I can say. I came here with my huge family last night and had such a great time. The food was exceptional, ambiance unique and fun and although not super friendly, our waitress did a good job. I has the spaghetti and meat balls and it was delicious. The homemade noodles were thick and perfectly chewy and the meatballs were soft and flavorful. Best I've ever had hands down. We got 5 pizzas and they were all great. The Italian Stallion being my favorite. My aunt can't eat wheat and so being able to have any pizza on gluten free crust was great. She said it was the best she's ever had. This place is awesome and I'm so looking forward to my leftovers for lunch!
(5)Heather M.
Fantastic! The pizza is great and I've excellent service the three times I've been there. I also think the Chicago decor is cool. Keep up the good work!
(5)Denise G.
Love! Went to Capo's on Saturday night with a group of 5 and we had a great meal. The only problem was we ordered way too much food! Ambiance : This place has a great vibe. We loved the over sized red leather booths. It felt like the business had been there for years and we had been taken back in time. Service : The wait staff was amazing. They were very attentive and there were plenty of them! The manager came over to greet us and checked in on us as our check was coming to make sure everything was perfect with our meal. Food : Like I said before we ordered too much. We were asked to pre-order our pizza's since the deep dish take 30-40 minutes to prepare. Really, I don't think it made a difference as we had to tell the waiter we had done so and they were fired up shortly after. Capo's brings to you a complimentary pasta fagioli which was flavorful and delicious. The garlic bread oozed in cheese and garlic. We also ordered the Quattro Forni which was a smaller version of their pan pizza cooked in 4 different ovens. We did this as an appetizer. While it was good, I would skip this going forward. Salads : The spinach and mixed green were both delicious and fresh. If you haven't guessed by now, at this point we were all full. But, our pizza's had not arrived! **The Pizza's** We ordered a the Frank Nitti cast iron pizza. Frankly, the only reason I did not like this is the crust is just too thick. We were afraid to order the cracker thin crust but, from looking at the tables around us it looked like a thin crust pizza. The flavors were wonderful we just cut off most of the crust. The meat eaters made the best choice of the night. They ordered the Old Chicago pizza. It was amazing. One slice is all you need and the pizza has 6 slices. I have to talk about the sauce because so many places just have a sub par pizza sauce. The sauce at Capo is filled with chunks of tomato, spice and it has a slight, and I mean slight, sweetness to it that rounds out the sauce very nicely. Yum! If we want a deep dish pizza we will skip patxi's and little star and head to Capo's. Enjoy!
(5)Francisco M.
I always forget just how good this place is. It's so good to see that even with all the changes happening in the city, some things stay the same. The food is out of this world and the portions are insanely large. Every fiber of my being wanted a deep-dish pizza, but they are massive. With no way to keep left overs in a hotel room, and not wanting to eat so much that I turn into the blueberry pie kid form Stand By Me.. I opted for the Spaghetti and Meatballs. The plate came out and the damn thing was massive, it was really good for 2 people or maybe 3 but it was just straight up manna from heaven. The meatballs were so tender and tasty, they must have come from a golden calf somewhere. I've never had better pasta in my life. I ate so much that I felt like the spaghetti guy in Seven. They also do not skimp on the drink pour's either. My wife ordered a glass of wine and got like a 12 Oz pour. The only knock is the cash-only requirement, but with an ATM in back with only a 1.00 surcharge, no big deal. One of my favorite places, in a city that is jammed packed with incredible restaurants.
(4)Duff L.
What can I say other than this place has Duvel Belgian beer on tap and specializes in making Moscow Mules. The food was amazing. Be warned, if you order deep dish it is huge and definitely big enough to share. We went with another couple and we both ordered an appetizer and a deep dish pie (because that is what they are known for) and we quickly realized we should have shared. It was our fault, we should have asked how many each deep dish feeds but we ignorantly assumed that a 13" pie would only feed two. The pizza lived up to its name but my favorite part of the meal was our appetizer. We ordered the baked artichokes, which were the perfect balance of texture and flavor but was unexpectedly more of a dip (served with toasted bread). Highly recommended but we were definitely carbed out by the end of our meal. The place is small, which is great but we impatiently sat at the bar which was not as comfortable as the plush booths. They only accept cash so plan ahead and enjoy! The only knock I had was we wished the waiter (bar tender because we were at the bar) had warned us that we had ordered too much food.
(4)Kenwood G.
The standard answer was No. No we couldn't have a booth. No they don't make Bloody Marys (but they do, with a mix for $12). The pizza slice with salad for $10, 2 stars. Sauce ladeled all over pizza was a sweet tomato. Couldn't even tell what you were eating. Worst part of the meal. The paired salad has a sweet citrus vinagrette. Greens were good, didn't care for dressing. The Antipasto ($13.50) was very good - but was missing the artichoke hearts, complimentary soup was very good. Somehow though, we were underwehlmed and with so many choices in town, we'll keep exploring for true Italian.
(2)Woody M.
Saturday night date night would be great wether or not we went here due to the great company but this place was awesome. We loved the Quattro Forni , fresh baked bread with marinara and cheese. Soup was understated very delicious. I ordered the Johnny Torrio on cracker thin crust also delicious and SPICY. The wife had Linguini and Clams. The pasta was perfect, clams in shell, and the wine sauce was garlicky goodness. Even better than the food was the service, the best I've had in a while.
(5)Alexei B.
Got a chance to try the Old Chicago with the stuffed crust, which we were told is exactly the same as the deep dish except for the extra edge stuffing. Needless to say -- amazing! The sauce was sweet without being overpowering, the crust was perfectly toasty, the meat was delightfully seasoned, the different cheeses created a wonderful flavor mixture, and the whole thing just looked photo-perfect to boot. I think this place takes the spot for my favorite deep dish pizza in the Bay Area, a few notches above Patxi's. I was going to say that you'll have to pay slightly more for the quality, but to my great surprise it actually looks like Capo's is cheaper! Compared to the $29.50 Patxi's 14" Favorite which includes pepperoni, mushrooms, and black olives, Capo's 13" Old Chicago features provolone, Romano, Italian sausage, meatball, garlic, and tasty blobs of ricotta for $27 (or $29 stuffed). Factor in the complimentary soup (surely at least a $5 value) and you've come out significantly ahead. A true bargain for world-class eats! (One caveat: I believe the crusts use lard, so vegetarians won't be happy here.)
(5)C A W.
I find it as disappointing being compelled to write this review as the experience itself. I am a long term resident of the North Beach neighborhood and love everything North Beach. I eat at Tony's other place bi-weekly and I was pretty excited to try Tony's new place, as I had heard great things at Trieste over coffee in the morning. Unfortunately our waitress mistook our order... and accidents do happen, but we ended up with the polar opposite of our original order. What we did receive was an inedible gloppy mess of cold ricotta, spinach, and lots of tomato sauce on a lukewarm crust. Regretfully I had to say something which is actually pretty difficult for me.We were comped the food we did not eat which was appreciated. Honestly I went to Capos tonight and expected more. Yes we were comped for what we did not eat, but we spent time and money that we could have enjoyed in many other deserving NB venues. I think we deserved a little more...? perhaps a free glass of wine? a dessert ? I wanted to have a great experience, I wanted to come back again and again and most likely I won't be back. I would be hard pressed to recommend Capos to anyone else with so many great alternatives in the neighborhood.
(2)Shirley W.
The beet/mozzarella/tomato salad is divine. All other salads and pizzas we tried were good too.
(5)Katie A.
Had dinner at the bar, even though only my husband was drinking. There was a long wait for a table otherwise. The complimentary soup was awesome. We had the Johnny Torrio thin crust...would definitely order it again. It did take a while to get our dinner, although to be expected with that many people in the place ordering pizza. Enough for 4, maybe 5 people for dinner. We ate the rest for breakfast the next morning before leaving for the airport.
(4)Giorgio N.
Picked as second choice for a late Sunday dinner turned out to be an experience over expectations. The cracker thin crust is definitely rewarding and not overwhelming if compared to the deep dish, delicious but challenging!
(4)Vegafong V.
My 2 girls and I took a road trip to San Francisco. I Heard about this place and decided to give it a try. Our waitress was Not Great actually she was pretty BAD. (Sorry Abigail, but I can not lie) We decided she wasn't going to ruin our dinner. Garlic cheese bread was out of this world; careful it has whole garlic. You also get complementary soup. We ordered A Cast Iron Pizza. It was Hands Down the BEST PIZZA ever!!!! The crust was cheezy and crunchy and aw sooo delicious. It certainly made up for the waitress and was well worth the wait. We will certainly come back whenever we come to SF or surrounding cities. Price's were decent too. We highly recommend this spot. Just Keep in mind the wait can be long and some pizza's will take apprx 45 min to cook. You will NOT be disappointed. I'm sure the story behind the restaurant is interesting but our waitress was not very fourth coming with the information, despite the fact that we were asking questions about the memorabilia all over this place. We got one or two word answers. Hopefully the service will be better the second time around. Thanks to her I can only give it 4 stars
(4)Tyler S.
Great deep dish pizza. They have a number of tasty mixed drinks and all the bartenders are very friendly and laid back. Definitely going to come here again.
(5)Linda W.
OMG this place is the best! have been twice and love everything I have ordered. The pizza here makes you want to eat until you are literally ill! The bar has 100 kinds of whisky and is great fun to order up a different one each time I go. They have an old time phone booth that really works and is very cool. If you like old world San Francisco atmosphere you will love this place!
(5)Maris D.
I haven't written a Yelp review in a long time 1) because I kind of can't stand Yelp lately and the damage it does to small businesses (If someone doesn't like something about a restaurant, how about calling them, talking to their manager, and giving them a chance to make it better, before throwing a faceless tantrum on Yelp), and 2) lots of new restaurants in SF that I've tried lately just don't live up to the hype. But I was truly impressed by Capo's so I felt compelled. We didn't have the pizza (I'm a Zachary's fan, so I'll have to come back and see if it compares), but we shared the loaded garlic bread, wood-fired mostaccioli genovenese, chicken marsala, and wood-fired eggplant lasagna. All the dishes were superb and hugely portioned (we had 3 to-go boxes and were sharing these dishes amongst 4)--I've never had chicken marasala that rich in flavor! And it's sort of silly, but my favorite part was the complimentary soup they serve you as an appetizer. Not only was it delicious, but it really made them stand out against other restaurants who tend to skimp on details like these. I am definitely coming back and bringing more people!
(5)Don N.
cash only. will not get our business.
(1)Leiza B.
Excellent restaurant! The atmosphere was great definitely had the early 1900's gangster feel, expected to see Capone walk through the door. We started with the baked artichoke and it was probably the best appetizer we have every had. We moved onto the Caesar salad and then shared a iron skillet Chicago pizza and wood fired conchiglie baked with dungeness crab. The pizza was by far the best pizza I've ever had and the conchiglie was loaded with seafood and had the perfect amount of spice. Our dinner was completed by a visit from the owner Tony. I must say Tony hit a grand slam with Capo's.
(5)Rachel K.
I was very pleased with what I ordered. I got the antipasti platter as an app, a cracker thin crust pizza and tiramisu. Great cheese and olive selection for the platter. Super good pizza- I would have ordered the deep dish, but I was not hungry enough. I have had many tiramisu deserts before but this was one of the best, served in a cute jar. Very nice staff.
(5)Sprayin Lead N.
Stopped in for lunch after seeing it on line. We had the lunch special, meatball stuffed piazza slice with a salad and the house soup. It was very tasty and all for 10 bucks.
(4)Steve B.
If I could give six stars, I most definitely would!!! This was the best pizza I have had in over a decade. I was raised outside of New Haven, CT, which has arguably some of the best pizza on the East Coast(Pepe's, Zuppardi's, Bar and many others). The staff was very knowledgable and fast. Frank, the owner, came out to talk to us twice and was obviously very proud of his newest addition to the SF culinary landscape. We tried the wafer thin and deep dish and they were both great. The deep dish reminded me of Due(sp?) in Chicago and the wafer thin reminded me of some of the old, Mom and Pop spots in NYC. If you love pizza and Italian food, do not hesitate to try Capo's. You will be very happy you did. I can't wait to go back. Thank you, Frank!!!
(5)Fzarond K.
the best spaghetti and meatballs in the world. they really care about their tomatoes. their pasta's unique in a great way. want to try the pizza but this first time, couldn't get past the pasta and the quattro dish. need to go back, its become a craving.
(5)Andrew S.
Awesome deep dish pizza and a fun alternative to Tony's new york style pizza. Just know that deep dish is HEAVY. Literally, the box weighs like 7 lbs and is tough to carry back up the SF hills ;) Cracker thin is tasty too, but I feel if you go thin, you're better off going to Tony's
(5)Sue J.
First time visitor. -We were easily able to make a reservation on Open Table on a Sunday evening. -Their portion sizes are extremely generous and we were easily able to share mozzarella bread and a pizza between 3 people. The pizza was very large, what we ordered was a little spicy for my liking- so I ended up not even finishing my piece :( -their pizza is all very intricately made, and takes up to 45 mins to cook so if you are starving order a starter. They did let us know this immediately and it's clearly written in the menu - once we got our food we didn't see our waitress again the entire meal. She wasn't back to check in or offer refills. She was attentive to the table across from us, but until we reached out to her she wasn't around. -I did like the decor and ambience of the whole place. -
(3)Christopher M.
Capo's is a great little Chicago-Style Italian joint in Chinatown... The serving sizes are massive, so if there are only two of you, I wouldn't recommend getting more than one things, or if you do plan on having a week's worth of food. Also, the pizzas take a LONG time to make, so be prepared to wait. It'll be 45 minutes for your deep dish. So if you're hungry, you better get something beforehand. On first glance, the prices seem like your typical through-the-roof San Francisco pricing, but considering how much food you end up getting, it's a decent enough deal. If you can get a Groupon then even better. It think they're $29 for a $50 (for 2 people) or $44 for $100. We had the Quattro Forni, Baked Artichoke, and the Old Chicago Deep Dish. The Quattro Forni seems like it would be THE thing to have. Sounds fancy enough. Baked 4 times in different ovens, only 10 made per day, etc. But honestly, for all the to-do over it, it's OK. It's good, don't get me wrong, but you'd expect something so rare and troublesome to make it would knock your socks off. It's good, but there's no reason for it to be construed as anything but a piece of fluffly focaccia. The baked artichoke, is a spinach artichoke dip. Again, it's really good, but understand what it really is. And finally, the Old Chicago Deep Dish. Was great, The corn meal crust is something that I've been missing since the first time I went to Chicago and had it. This pizza is full of meat (sausage and meatballs) that contrasts perfectly with the thick red sauce. Also, this pizza is huge. I'd estimate it probably weighed 7 lbs. At this point we had enough take out for the week, and definitely no room for dessert. For the service, we had a reservation and were asked if we could wait 5 minutes because there was a rush when the restaurant opened. After 10 minutes we went back and were asked to wait another 5 minutes. Not a huge deal, but something to consider. Also she told me to tell her when the rest of my party arrived while my wife and son stood right next to me, which I thought was odd. And the waitress was about a 10 minute wait after sitting down. We're very patient people so again, it didn't bother us. After that she only came by a couple of times during our 105 minute dinner. We didn't really need anything, but again, something to consider for some people. Overall, it's a good place. Now that I've tried a handful of things, I can zero in on some of their other dishes, like their award winning pizzas.
(4)Rosalyn W.
Five star dining! Five star food! Been twice in the past month. Saw this place on check please and had to try it for myself. BTW, that was a REALLY good episode of check please ;) Once you're seated they bring you complimentary minestrone. It's a thoughtful welcome. This place can have a very long wait. It's nice to be greeted by a warm cup of soup. Fiancé loves authentic Chicago style deep dish. On our first visit I chose the Dillinger. It's their award winning deep dish. It was good but underwhelming in a sense that it was bread-heavy with minimal toppings. It wasn't bad just wasn't what we were expecting. On our second visit we got the best deep dish I've ever had: The Old Chicago. Delicious! Loaded with hearty meats, quality cheese and a well seasoned, robust red sauce. The ricotta cheese dollops were so smooth and rich. The flavor of the ricotta was sweet and unexpected. Outstanding! The house made Calabrese sausage with honey is both spicy and succulent. A must try. Goes well with everything on the menu. Truly adds a spicy-sweet, unexpected kick to pastas and pizzas alike. The wood fired baked artichoke cheese plate was very rich and enough to feed 6 people. It was satisfying but the crostini could have been toasted a bit longer. A good appetizer choice for a large group. What keeps me coming back for more is the Mostaccioli alla Vodka. YUM!! The vodka sauce lightly dresses the pasta. Tremendously tasty! This restaurant is well organized. Management and staff are efficient. Lots of staff delegated to check water, beverages and clear plates. Comfy booths and cool decor. Reservations are a must if you're a large party. Pro Tip: parking garage is a block away. Wish this place was open for lunch!!
(5)David G.
Starving Yelpers need only apply! Capo's is a wonderful restaurant by Tony Gemignani ( founder of Tony's pizzeria Napoletana). Less hectic here and easy to get into. Capo's reminds me of the old Italian restaurants in North beach in the 70s and 80s that my family would frequent on Saturday or Sunday nights. Family style meals, comfy booths, that amazing blaring music, the smells and sounds...ahhhhh. Pizza here is wonderful if not substantial. We ordered both the cracker thin ( Margherita) and the iron pan (Sam Giancanna). While they both had their merits the unanimous vote was for the more bready Iron pan. If you do not like a bready pizza do not order the iron pan. I think it is amazing fluffy, crunchy, topped with amazing cheeses, meats, tomatoes, and veggies....ummmm. The cracker thin is good but not wow. Artichoke dip with crostini is fantastic but very rich. Cesar salad was good. The desserts....if you even dare after all that are just meh. The tiramisu was lackluster and the breadpudding was really doughy and flat as well. nice beer and wine selection. It aint cheap as 5 people with a 20% tip was over 2 Benjamins. Definitely one to checkout and try!!! Tip. Park next to the police station on Vallejo in the public parking lot...3 bucks an hour.
(4)Rodney H.
It's been a while since I last reviewed Capo's and even then I didn't have a chance to try their Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizzas. Well, after going back a couple of times with a few hungry friends I can finally post a true review of what Capo's has to offer. Before we get to the pizzas, let's discuss Appetizers! Caprese Salad -- bit.ly/1whH5Bu House-made mozzarella, peppadew relish, roasted red peppers, kalamata olives Pretty much your basic Caprese salad. But they definitely provide a good amount of mozzarella cheese. Wood Fired Baked Artichokes -- bit.ly/1wKgHy6 Wood Fried Baked Artichokes in spinach & provolone cream We ordered this from word of mouth and as you can see from the pic, it's pretty awesome! They provide almost a loaf of crostini with this and it still wasn't enough to scrape up all of the dip. You definitely don't want to eat this alone unless you don't plan to eat anything else for dinner. Now on to the pizzas! It's highly recommended to enjoy these with a hungry group of friends. We tried their different crust varieties from Cracker Thin, Pan, and Chicago Deep Dish. What's nice is that with their pizza menu, you can order most of their specialty pies with any of those three crusts I previously mentioned. Old Chicago Cracker Thin -- bit.ly/1whH40i Tomato sauce, mozzarella, provolone, Chicago italian sausage, meatball, garlic, ricotta, oregano & romano This was a good pizza since it had a lot of tasty meats on it along with dabs of ricotta cheese. Though I think the Old Chicago would be better off as a Deep Dish Pizza. Snap E. Tom Deep Dish -- bit.ly/1vm1y40 Mozzarella, provolone, garlic, pork chorizo, pepperoni, roasted red peppers, serrano peppers, crushed red pepper, tomato & cholula hot sauce, ricotta, sport peppers, romano & oregano This was actually my favorite pie of all the ones I've tried. I love the spicy kick it has from the chorizo, pepperoni, and serrano peppers. I'm glad we ordered this Deep Dish style. The red sauce was amazing and the gooey mozzarella is all on the bottom. This is Chicago Style Deep Dish at its finest! The Dillenger (World's Best Pan Pizza, International Pizza Challenge, Las Vegas, 2014) -- bit.ly/1JmuEe2 Sharp cheddar, mozzarella, provolone, smoked hanger 1 vodka cream sauce, marinated chicken, bacon, brocollini, artichoke hearts, red bell peppers, garlic, crushed red pepper, fresh lemon If there's one pizza that you have to try at Capo's, it's the Dillenger. This is their prized pie! Literally! Not only does it taste great, it's one of their most photogenic pies as well. The toppings go really well together. You got chicken, bacon, vodka cream sauce and some nice veggies as well. It's a very complete pie and it's no wonder it won World's Best Pan Pizza. All in all I can't say anything but great things about Capo's. Even though Tony's Pizza Napolitana is still getting all the hype, I really don't mind Capo's being the underrated sidekick. I'm glad that I've been here a couple more times to try their other pizzas and side dishes. And like Tony's, there are still a whole slew of menu items I would like to go back and try like their Chicken Parm Sandwich, Italian Beef Sandwich, all their Pastas, and their other pizza pies as well. That'll be for another future review for sure!
(5)Trina N.
I don't always get deep dish as I'm more of a thin crust person, but I am so happy that I decided to get the deep dish here! SERVICE: the staff & manager know good customer service. My bf&I were seated nxt to a couple where the guy was really drunk. He would blurt out singing and saying inappropriate things. My bf&I did not want to sit nxt to that for the entire dinner, so we asked the manager if we could change tables. They were extremely generous, allowing us to switch tables w/ no hassle, apologizing for the situation, even apologizing again after our dinner. That was a huge plus in my books b/c I'm big for customer service. FOOD: - Woodfried Baked Artichoke:in spinach&provolone cream - soo creamy & savory. The toasted, buttered-sprinkled-cheese bread that came w/ it was addicting. Get a piece of the bread,top it w/ the artichoke, & bite into a warm, cheesy deliciousness of heaven. Both my bf &I really enjoyed it & could not get enough of it! Definitely recommend for starters - "Big Jim" Colosimo's Triple Double Deep Dish (mozzarella, provolone, garlic, pepperoni, chicago italian sausage, ricotta, meatball, mushrooms, onions, roasted peppers, bacon, oregano&ramano): the name speaks for itself - big, colosimo,triple,douple,deep. But boy, it was phenomenal! They do not mess around w/ the filling b/c there were huge chunks of sausages, pepperonis, mushrooms etc inside. The crust was crisp around the edges yet soft&bready underneath the toppings. Great flavors altogether! My bf&I brought the leftovers home,& even after 1-2 days, it still tasted just as amazing. Overall, great first experience w/fantastic food & big portions! Fantastic staff & manager. Definitely will be coming back & definitely recommend checking out!
(5)Tiffany V.
The Good - $44 Groupon for $100 worth of food & drinks - Complimentary soup was the best thing I had all night - $18 for 16oz of wine from the tap The Bad - Quattro Forni, a pizza the owner invented and they only make 10 per day was a big let down. Would not recommend unless you are really into bread. They described it as a pizza on a doughnut crust. The Ugly - Arrived for our reservation at 5:00. The hostess checked us in and said she would seat us after she was done helping the people who arrived before us. They were looking for something on their phone for about 5 minutes while the hostess just stood there. My parents left and took a walk around the neighborhood. - There was a piece of nasty plastic in my uncles drinking water. He didn't notice until the plastic was already in his mouth. We told the waiter and all we got was "its half Walgreens fault" because they had bought their ice from there. WTF? That is like finding a staple in my food and saying "oh its half Office Depots fault"
(3)Anya C.
Pasta was good. Noodle was homemade. While the source was good, I felt a bit heavy after finished half of the portion. Pizza was huge. A bit too oily and everyone who had he pizza didn't feel well when they got home or next day morning. Server was fast and nice.
(3)Dave S.
High cool factor. Swing music playing. Bar tender took care of us with two different killer Manhattan's and a smooth vodka gimlet on the rocks. We had the charcuterie plate, hit the mark server all kinds of meat, cheese and pickled goodies. Definitely sit at the bar with your woman and engage with the bar tender.
(5)Ed U.
Badda boom, badda bing. Y'see I been meaning to take Jamie W. here for a while since we're big fans of Tony's Pizza Napoletana, but I had it in my head that this was gonna be more of a tourist magnet. What a goombah I was to think that since there ain't no bigger tourist magnet than Tony's. Just walk by any hour they're open. They did get smart and added outdoor seating, but still it's a zoo. Capo's ain't nearly as crowded, at least early in the evening like 6PM on a weeknight, maybe because people don't venture much on Vallejo. It's more hidden away like city pizzerias usually are in what looks like an old-style brick-laden dining room with big leather booths (photo: bit.ly/1GmRKzJ ). A lot of the the pizzas are named after infamous Chicago mobsters like Sam Giancana and Johnny Torrio. An Eliot Ness pizza? Fuggedaboutit. We got seated right away in what looked to be a very crowded table for two since there was barely any space between the tables. What a relief it was later when the waiter made an effort to space out the tables as new diners came in. We barely glanced at the side of the menu with the pasta and house specialties although I made a mental note to come back for that Quattro Forni (photo: bit.ly/1CZ8cot ). Sounds very enticing. Nope, it was pizza for us, and we pretended to have a healthy start by sharing a salad. No mixed greens though since we ordered the $9 Caprese Salad. little rounds of house-made mozzarella, peppadew (sweet piquanté pepper) relish, roasted red peppers and kalamata olives (photo: bit.ly/1CZ7E1U ). The peppers definitely lent an unexpected kick to a dish that I usually considered a milky cheese plate, but this was a most unique treatment of a traditional dish. Even before the plate of caprese, we were given complimentary stainless steel bowls of their house soup, Pasta e Fagioli with bits of garlic, kidney beans, carrots and cabbage mixed with a macaroni in a heated chicken broth (photo: bit.ly/1BUnDJI ). It came with bread like we needed the extra carbs. But alas, it was all foreplay before our pizza. We selected the $25 Old Chicago, a salty-savory mix of mozzarella, provolone, Chicago Italian sausage, meatball, Romano, garlic, ricotta, oregano and tomato sauce on a 15-inch Chicago cracker-thin crust (photo: bit.ly/1y5fYgE ). Loved the thin crust dusted with cornmeal because it didn't overwhelm the toppings. they also smartly sliced the pizza in easy-to-grab squares with each square holding the right portion of toppings. This was the downfall of Long Bridge Pizza for us since they sliced their pizza in regular slices and were consequently stingy about their toppings. That problem didn't occur here since every bite was as good as the last. Badda boom, badda bing. FOOD - 5 stars...could be the best thin crust pizza in the city...there, I said it AMBIANCE - 4 stars...vintage, old-style pizzeria with a modern sheen SERVICE - 4.5 stars...excellent waiter was proactive about everything TOTAL - 5 stars...Tony strikes gold again...badda boom, badda bing
(5)Aubrie R.
So... Was a rare evening that I found myself with my kiddos in the Financial District picking up the Hubs from work and found that we all had a hankering for Italian... Helloooooooo North Beach, right? Ah, but where to go? My fave little cafes and coffee bars aren't exactly the right spot for a five year-old with no nap on the verge of a meltdown, a teenager who looks like she might take a bite out of me, and a surly spouse who (SHOCKING!) hasn't eaten all day. We walk and walk and walk and I glance to the left on Vallejo and see the awning for Capo's. Okay, crew - THAT'S where we are going. I chose wisely. Love the décor... Dark and brick and sexy red vinyl button hook high-backed booths with gangsta memorabilia adorning the walls. Love the soup and bread that they serve before your meal. (+1 with a kid). LOVE the flavor of their red sauce - just the right blend of savory, sweet and tangy! Good service, generous and strong cocktails - my Mule was picture perfect! Knocked off a star because they forgot to put in our entrees and it exponentially increased our wait time. Walked out of there with four smiles on four faces at the end of a long day for all of us and trust me - that's no small feat. We shall return and take on your deep dish, Chicago-style pizza. Oh yes, it will be mine.
(4)David R.
On Saturday, 2/28/15, my girlfriend and I along with my friend and his wife ate at Capo's for dinner. Atmosphere/Decor: Refer to my previous review. Food: We ordered Mostaccioli Genovese (baked in pesto, garlic, ricotta, goat cheese, mozzarella, artichokes hearts, sun dried tomatoes, romano) and The Dillinger (World's Best Pan Pizza, International Pizza Challenge, Las Vegas, 2014) (Sharp Cheddar, Mozzarella, Provolone, Smoked Hangar 1 Vodka Cream Sauce, Marinated Chicken, Bacon, Brocollini, Artichoke Hearts, Red Bell Peppers, Garlic, Crushed, Red Pepper, Fresh Lemon.) The Mostaccioli Genovese was really good. The pasta was cooked perfectly. I really liked he taste of the pesto, ricotta and goat cheese. Everything inside of the baked pasta tasted great. The Dillinger was perfect! This pizza is amazing and a definite must try. It's my favorite pan pizza and one of the best pizzas I've ever eaten in general. All of the toppings tasted excellent. The chicken was so tender and tasty. The pizza dough is cooked to where the crust is crisp around the edges yet soft and bread like underneath the toppings. The Dillinger was beyond delicious! Service: Our waitress McKenzie was really nice and attentive throughout our dinner. Our waters were always topped off. The food came out at a decent time. The service was good. Overall: If you want the best Pan or Deep Dish Pizza Capo's is the place for you! If you haven't been to Capo's you better hurry up and go, NOW!!! Their pizzas are very scrumptious. This is one of the best Pizza places I've ever been to. I'd highly recommend this restaurant. Do yourself a favor and order the Dillinger. I guarantee you've never eaten a pizza like this before.
(5)Natasha R.
I can't even put into enough words how INCREDIBLE this place is. My mouth is watering while I'm writing this review. This is by far, me and hubs FAVORITE restaurant. Whether, it's going out on a whim or a celebratory dinner - this place is perfect for any occasion. Capo's Spinach and Artichoke dip just KILLS any place that offers it on their menu. You will never taste anything like it. And when you do, you'll agree with me that it puts every restaurants dip to mf* (excuse my language/abbrev.) shame! We usually start off with a mixed cocktail. My favorite is the "Wise Guy." Hubs either gets a beer or the "Made Man." And then of course, we order the dip! Ugh, I have to say - even if you don't like artichoke and spinach dip - try theirs, they'll make you start liking it. HAHA! Depending on our hunger level - if we're starving, we'll order the Chicago style pizza (I can only eat one piece, those things are HUGE)! If we're mediocrely hungry, we'll order wood fired conchiglie baked with dungeness crab. And of course their GARLICKY garlic bread. Mmmmm delicious! There hasn't been a time where we've gone to dinner and didn't get complimentary something. We'll usually order our usual and then boss man gives us complimentary meatballs for our baby girl, complimentary calabrese sausage, prosciutto and salami and caesar salad. On top of bread and soup. So you can pretty much see, by the time we leave, we are STUFFED! See you VERY soon, Capo's :)
(5)Michael W.
Finally got the privilege to eat here before my it my time off started. I first heard about this place from Check Please Bay Area a long time ago and I must say it really feels at home. I really like how it is in the heart of San Francisco. It is was easy to find and you can just take the bus there. For the food it tasted better than any other Italian place that you see in the Bay Area. The price may exceed an average person's budge but it is really worth the price. I have. I would also suggest the wines here because they are a good vintage. This place is really for the elite person who wants good quality. The pizzas here are really good to. This is a choice that stands out from all of the Bay Area. The best place to sit in this area is the Bar.
(5)Mike M.
Went here for dinner Friday night, we didn't have a reservation but not a problem as the host and Maitre d immediately found us a spot in the bar which was ideal as I wanted to watch the game. We ordered the garlic bread, spaghetti and meatballs and the Long Con pizza. Everything was delish...sauce in the spaghetti wasn't too tangy which I can't stand and the garlic bread was so good with garlic cloves on top. Perfect to dip into my spaghetti sauce. The pizza was exploding with all kinds of flavor but almost had too much for what I was wanting, I should've ordered pepperoni and sausage. That's for next time.
(5)Cynthia L.
I just found my new favorite NB restaurant. Our party arrived early and was seated promptly. Our waitress was pleasant and not at all bothered by the fact that we came armed with a Groupon voucher. Now down to the nitty gritty, it's all about the food. Every dish we ordered was scrumptious and filling. Be sure to come hungry. The garlic bread with mozzarella had just the right amount garlic and cheese - best for sharing. Our little one can't eat spicy and they were able to accommodate us by making their Baked Conchiglie with Dungeness Crab not spicy. It was divine! Will have to go back to try it without the modification. Also tried their Quattro Forni with prosciutto because we didn't want to wait 45 minutes for the deep dish pizza. Think focaccia with tasty toppings...good but not great. But hey, there are so many items I want to try. Love the retro decor too. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Babs B.
WOW! This place has it ALL... Phenomenal food, atmosphere, awesome service and beyond friendly staff. This is by far the best hidden gem I have ever found. The food was amazing! I've been to a lot of places over the years and come from the food and service industry myself for over 30 years. OMG Their house soup (forgot what it's called) was out of this world. The meatballs were light and delicate, flavorful and not greasy. The Caprese salad was so perfect. Truly a wonderful all around place. Hopefully no one finds out about it because we would never be able to get in the door. Thanks for the wonderful evening! Babs
(5)Rick H.
Capo's is good and fun, and no, it's not authentic old world Italian, but it's pretty authentic Chicago Italian. Deep dish pizza, which is not really my thing, is their thing at Capo's, and I have to say they do a great job -- particularly with the cast iron pan pizza. Fabulous crust. For those who really don't want pizza their pastas and entrees like pork chops are great, too. And beware, the portions are big. We sat at an old world Italian restaurant across from Capo's having a drink while we waited for our table. The bartender ranted about Capo's not being "real" Italian. But, I believe that food evolves at it moves around the world. Tex-Mex is authentic Mexican food from Texas, but it's not like food from Oaxaca. The same is true with Italian. Authentic Roman or Sicilian or Genovese is wonderful. But, so is New York or Chicago Italian. I'm tired of the fake "authentic" debate. Go to Capo's for fun and good food.
(4)Elaine Y.
Super friendly staff and cute place. Server recommended a classic deep dish pizza (not too bready but full of fresh ingredients) and the seafood pasta was local and sustainable, rich but not overwhelming. Needless to say we had leftovers and it was delicious.
(4)Angela D.
One of my favorite italian restaurant in north beach aside from tony's pizza.. We we went here 2 nights ago and brought some left over pizza but my complain is while eating my pizza this morning I saw a hair inside my pizza which I was so frustrated calling the attention of the people who works at the kitchen pls wear your hairnet.. I love the food guys but please be more careful on how to prepare your food.
(1)Elena N.
Review #800 goes out to Capo's! This seriously was a special occasion since I'm known to celebrate my birthday for a whole month. This is the first time I celebrated almost 2 months later! Thank you Rodney H for setting this up! And Peter L and Bobby L for celebrating with me yesterday! I got there early so I sat at the bar and got the Kentucky mule: housemade ginger beer, fresh lime, makers mark bourbon, angostura bitters ($12). I wanted something light and refreshing, so the mule was perfect! Plus I was watching game 7 of the World series, so I needed a drink! Once everyone got there, we moved to a booth in the dining room. Of course, I requested a table within view of the TVs so we could still watch the game. WINE: *Barbera del monferrato, marchesi di barolo, maraia, 2012 ($36) -Peter picked this wine. My only requirement was a red, so this worked well. I like full bodied reds, but this one had a little spiciness to it. It worked well with all our pizzas. APPETIZERS, SALADS & SIDES: *Wood fired baked artichokes: in spinach and provolone cream ($13.95) -This is gigantic! I ordered it since a gf said I had to try it. It was creamy, savory and sooo good! I almost ate a whole slice of bread because it was so good! And I normally stay away from bread so I can eat more of the mains! *Caesar with white anchovies ($9) -I wanted this to have lots of anchovy flavor, but it didn't. There were three slices of anchovies on the salad, but the dressing didn't really have any of that flavor. *Caprese salad: house-made mozzarella, peppadew relish, roasted red peppers, kalamata olives ($9) -I actually didn't care for this. I wanted more basil and maybe a balsamic to cut into the richness of the cheese. 3 meatballs ($6) -Okay, I probably shouldn't have ordered this, but I really love meatballs! These were tender and meaty. And had lots of tomato sauce which was great since I love extra sauce. PIZZA: I don't know what made me think I could eat 3 pizzas, but my eyes are always bigger than my stomach. By the time we got the pizzas, I was already full, but I had to try some of each. *Old Chicago: tomato sauce, mozzarella, provolone, Chicago Italian sausage, meatball, garlic, ricotta, oregano & romano ($26 cracker thin) -We originally didn't order this pizza, but I'm more of a fan of cracker thin, so I thought: Let's try it! The crust was great! Crunchy, but still chewy at the same time. Since I love tomato sauce, I wish it had more sauce. *The dillinger (World's best pan pizza, International pizza challenge, Las Vegas, 2014): sharp cheddar, mozzarella, provolone, smoked hanger 1 vodka cream sauce, marinated chicken, bacon, brocollini, artichoke hearts, red bell peppers, garlic, crushed red pepper, fresh lemon ($37 cast iron pan) -This was the last pizza we got. Super bready, but the combination of the toppings worked really well together. And the inner lush in me loved the vodka cream sauce! *Snap E Tom: mozzarella, provolone, garlic, pork chorizo, pepperoni, roasted red peppers, serrano peppers, crushed red pepper, tomato & cholula hot sauce, ricotta, romano & oregano (spicy) $38 deep dish -Giant slices of deep dish! I couldn't eat much last night but this was so good today for lunch! The crust was still chewy with the edges caramelized. Lots of sauce, cheese and toppings. Yum! DESSERT: *Affogato: tahitian vanilla gelato topped with a single espresso ($7) -They gave us this on the house which was super sweet. I don't think it was cuz we were celebrating my bday because I don't think anyone told him. It was probably because we ordered so much food! Lol! Great place to watch the game as the whole restaurant was super excited when the Giants won. We each got a complimentary glass of bubbly to celebrate! Would love to go back and try their Quattro forni since they only make 20 a day! And with mushrooms, arugula & truffle oil, it sounds like heaven!
(5)Sonny D.
The North Beach tour of Italy continued this week with a stop at Capo's per suggestion of an SF native who knows how to eat. We were able to watch the Warriors playoff game from our booth in the far corner, and I really enjoyed the ambience and atmosphere inside. The food servers and manager that evening were very helpful in helping to make a decision for the three of us. They also brought us complementary items like minestrone soup and The 3 meatballs appetizer. The meatballs and garlic mashed potatoes were delicious, as was the Mostaccioli Baked in Meat Saucedish we tried. The flavors of each item we enjoyed had their own distinct ingredients which exploded with each bite. The final knockout round came 40 minutes later when the Sam Giancana deep dish Chicago style pizza was served. The food and ambience was truly amazing and made for a memorable evening with two of my friends. We ate like kings and were treated just the same by staff and management. I will absolutely be making a return to Capo's in future.
(5)Casey P.
this is my go to italian place in the city. a little nicer than you're normal pizza place in the city - definitely darker lit and a little dressier. Make sure and get reservations a few weeks ahead of time. It is worth it - I promise! You will not leave hungry. It's impossible. Extremely large portions on everything. GET THE GARLIC BREAD!
(5)Maximillian M.
Update: had cocktails and the Italian Stallion pizza, plastic now accepted, still awesome!
(4)Mary A.
Went last nite for the first time with friends and shared both a cracker thin crust and deep dish pizzas at our table. Both were great. Also shared their meatballs which were delicious. Shout out to our waiter Colin who was the best. Very attentive to a noisy and sometimes picky group. Would definitely go again.
(5)Rena C.
Super!! Awesome pizza and even better service. Got the cracker thin...so good! Mario really took care of us. We had to wait for a few minutes, while we drank our cocktails he gave us a small meat and cheese platter with fresh shaved prosciutto. Will go back every time we visit SF and definitely recommend to friends.
(5)Fancypants X.
By the looks of Capo's, I've just stepped into the 1920s when the talk of the town were mobsters & bootleggers. In my prohibition era-obsessed mind, the phone booth is where you give a secret password (for who knows what), & the brick walls contain trapdoors (leading who knows where.) No need to worry, everything was copacetic, no funny business occurred, at least not while we were there. Food, I'm sad to say, was not as exciting as the restaurant's setting. We ordered: -- spaghetti & meatballs ($18): pasta was way too thick & al dente. Meatballs & sauce were a-ok, but the pasta ruined this dish -- "big Jim" colosimo's triple double: takes about 40 min to bake. Enjoyed the tasty crust & generous piping of ricotta. Absolutely humongous. I only finished half a slice, & I usually throw down a couple slices easily. There's a lot going on between all that crust & three meats. I brought a slice home, & it was even better the next day! -- complimentary minestrone: nice & light. Tides you over if you're starving & just can't wait for the main event If I were to come back, I'd definitely try a different pie, served a different way (margarita on a cracker thin crust, perhaps?)
(3)Marcus F.
Check SECRET MENU ITEM and must haves below! What a great place to go! Friendly staff and manager that make your experience fantastic! They have suggestions for whatever you're craving and quickly provide service. Every entree comes with a flavorful clear broth soup (Pasta e Fagioli) When you order a pizza with prosciutto, the manager manually slices the meat fresh with an old Italian hand crank slicer. Don't be fooled by some prices. The portions are huge and definitely family style friendly if you'd like to share to try multiple items. Capo's has a great atmosphere with an old school Italian restaurant charm. Unbelievable that it's a little more than 2 years old! SECRET MENU ITEM: Marcus' Meatball Sandwich...basically the chicken sandwich with meatballs instead. A must have! Meatballs are tender and dusted with parmesan. Perfectly melted provolone. Delcious warm roll. Loved all of these menu items so far: -Mastiaciolli pasta with Vodka Sauce (suggest to add their spicy sausage to it) -Cracker Thin Pizza Margherita added Prosciutto, Pepperoni and Salami -House-Made Honey & Calabrese Sausage
(5)Gregory P.
Good size, small enough to stay cold, but large enough to pack a punch in a small chalice shaped glass. Could be a little saltier, possibly due to the mild olives it comes with, pit included. Also only had 2 olives. I'll definitely have another. -1 Olive.
(4)Meghan N.
This place has great deep dish pizza, and the thin crust was tasty too. Also has great service
(4)Melissa H.
Can't believe it took me so long to eat here as a Tony fan and North Beach girl... but better late than never and NEVER HAVE I BEEN MORE SATISFIED. Sergio, Ajeet and Carlos made our night unforgettable between their sincerity, extra special attention and purely fun, loving and hospitable personalities. Then there's also the food... baked artichoke dish plus cracker thin Johnny Torrio pizza and don't get me started on how mouth watering delicious the Whiskey Crisp was!!! Thank you Tony, Sergio, Ajeet and Carlos on an all around outstanding experience last night!!! I'll be back :)
(5)Rick B.
What a great place! Was in SF on vacation and found it using a phone app. for places with gluten free items. Cool space with brick inside and pictures of mafia Capos. The service was excellent. I let them know about my gluten issues and they were able to serve up some awesome food. Complementary house made Minestrone soup, no noodles for me. Had the perfect pork chop and potatoes with a balsamic and apple bacon glaze. Finished up with sweet Spumoni. If I'm in SF again I'd visit anytime.
(4)Wendy W.
Ordered this for delivery via Caviar: Mostaccioli alla Vodka The description said "spicy" it was BEYOND bland...not a flavor in sight! Hoping I can resurrect the flavor tomorrow adding my own spices to the dish - HUGE disappointment!
(1)Daniel L.
As a Chicagoan, I was curious and eager to try a west-coast take on Chicago style pizza. I went in with an open mind knowing that "Chicago style" deep dish even in Chicago isn't one monolithic form, and there are a lot of local variations. So I wasn't expecting it conform to my favorite pizza or anything like that. Still, I ended up mostly disappointed. Pros: It was hot and fresh, and it definitely seems like a lot went into the quality of the toppings. Cons: I don't feel like it was anything resembling a pizza. The crust had the composition and airiness of a loaf of garlic bread (instead of an actual crust), and otherwise it was mostly just slathered in sauce to the point where it almost drowned out the toppings. I didn't taste any cheese (something that's crucial to pizza) and almost didn't think there was any if I hadn't noticed a paper-thin layer melted on top of the bread. To be fair it was filling and reasonably tasty, but I left with the feeling I had just eaten a ton of garlic bread and marinara.
(2)Brian S.
Killer pizza and a (surprisingly) great value, especially given that it's in North Beach. This is one of the few places that lives up to the hype for me. I always get a deep-dish pizza and end up having some to take home. The salads are excellent, the sandwiches are excellent, and the portions on everything are generous. The food itself is rich, but dude, you're eating authentic Chicago-style pizza. You're gonna want to hit the gym. It's from the dude who did Tony's, but I'm much more impressed by Capo's. Bring your family and friends here when they visit and help them dodge some of the crappy tourist food in this neighborhood.
(5)Miki C.
Loved this place! Four of us dined here last night and we can't wait to come back. Bread with olive oil (nice and peppery) - excellent Mixed greens with gorgozola and cherries - excellent Chicken Vesuvio (very Chicago!) - excellent Sautéed garlic spinach - excellent Old Chicago deep dish pizza - excellent Bread pudding - excellent Wine - excellent Service - excellent Ambiance - excellent Need I say more?
(5)Tiffany D.
I love Capo's 4 styled pizza! Whether it is deep dish, iron pan, cracker thin or stuffed, their pizzas taste amazing and worth the wait to be freshly baked up in the oven! P I Z Z A S and S T Y L E S Old Chicago - deep dish! This one is a classic, traditional and saucy one! Packed and endearingly feastful! Italian Stallion - cracker thin. Baked thin to perfection! I loved the subtle pizza texture to this compared to the packed deep dish. Definitely do this, if you don't want to stuff your face! I do love the Italian Stallion as a choice topping! Highly recommended! Johnny Torrio - iron pan. The bottom is nice and specially crisp! The dough is baked delightfully fluffy! It was my first time trying an iron pan styled one and it is a keeper for my pizza book! I can't get enough of their pizza and they have this signature Quattro Forni Pizza that they only make 20 orders of per day! I must go there when it opens, to get that limited serving to taste try! If you don't want to make a mess of yourself, they provide fork and knife to eat their pizzas with! They offer up complimentary house soup as a starter! Their Caesar salad with anchovies, makes a good healthy green appetizer! For pasta, I do recommend their Wood Fired Conchiglie Baked with Dungeness Crab. Mixed with shrimp and tossed in tomato sauce with shredded crab, this pasta was homely and marvelous! Ambiance and service, is all there! Capo's pizza - pizzas my heart!
(5)ron c.
Tell you what. Save yourself some dough. Order from Domino's. This place is simply overpriced Domino's. We ordered this spicy pizza deep dish, "chicago style". All we got was a piece of thick bread topped with some cheese and tomato sauce. Just as I said order from Domino's. I have a picture, see for yourself, no need for me to write a long review. Guys the essence of Chicago pizza is the cheese. It is almost pie-like.
(1)Denise P.
Absolutely delicious. After a long day of walking across the Golden Gate Bridge, my cousins and I were starving. Yelped Italian food and Capo's popped, didn't even read the reviews, we based it off of the photos. Anyways got here and there was a 30 minute wait which we didn't care because the aroma of the food was just too good to pass up. We were given complimentary prosciutto while waiting and soup when we were finally seated. And the food was delicious, great family style too. And our waitress and servers were absolutely amazing. Loved everything about this place, so much that I'm literally rating this place as I finish my meal!
(5)yvette c.
Nice place which showcases a special point in time! Portions are HuGe, they serve you broth before you meal as well as a side of meatballs with each entree~yum but ouch! Fresh sliced charcuterie was like butter and the thick crust pie is Insane:) three of us shared one slice! The Al Capone table is choice and the phone booth is damn cool! Service is on point, fun buzz in the joint and a bit dark~tres tres Bon!
(5)Roger P.
Full!! That's what happens to you when you leave Capos! And that's a good thing! A charming Italian dining spot with great food! Known for their Chicago style deep dish pizza, they also have really good food besides deep dish. I tried what they called the quatro forni. A bread that's baked 4 times in four ovens. It had Arugula, prosciutto, Parmesan and tomato sauce. Oh my word! was this heavenly! I originally thought it was a flatbread of some kind, but when it came out it was anything but flat! It was like a cake! Like a 4 inch thick cake! It was so good! It looks like it would be something very heavy to eat because of how thick the bread is. But it was actually very surprisingly light. The bread was very warm. It was very soft and moist. Almost had the texture of say, a bread pudding but just not wet. The crust was buttery and crisp and had an excellent crunch to it that balanced perfectly with the tenderness of the bread. The bread was sweat and with the saltiness of the prosciutto and Parmesan made for a magnificent pairing of flavors. The garlic bread with melted mozzarella was addicting. I couldn't stop eating it! A complimentary soup came with dinner which again was very good. The pizza was also good. Deep dish heaven! I love deep dish, well I love pizza in general haha but Capos is definitely good! Can't wait to go back and try other dishes
(4)Jay K.
Tony has done it again! All of his restaurants serve phenomenal food and service! The ambiance was awesome. Service was outstanding. I walked in with a smile on my face and left with a thoroughly satisfied belly! I'd highly recommend Tony's Pizza Napolitina in SF!
(5)Darien R.
We came here for an after church lunch one Sunday. I was very impressed with this restaurant. Felt very authentic and very East Coast. I was raised in Boston and it felt like home for me. We over-ordered and ended up taking the entire pizza home because we couldn't even take a bite we were so stuffed. THIN CRUST FRANK NITTI SPINACH RICOTTA - Perfect crust with perfectly paired toppings. HONEY CALBRESE SAUSAGE - Never tasted this dish anywhere. If you're the kind that likes to dip your breakfast sausage in your maple syrup, you'll love this. Maybe too sweet for some, but not for me. GARLIC BREAD TRUFFLE OIL AND ARUGULA - Please give me more of this. ARTICHOKES IN CREAM SAUCE - The least memorable for me, but not bad. I love how they have purposely limited their menu to the few things that they do best. I am a fan and I wish they were right down the street so I could drop in at least once a week.
(4)Lesley F.
Second night in a row we tried to get in. Arriving at 6:30, hostess let us know it would be at least 1/2 hour and she would text us. We stood outside for a minute deciding what to do with our time when the manager came out and said he would try to get us a table. Within a minute the hostess let us know we could sit at the bar . Chris our bartender was very amicable and delivered perfect cocktails. My husband ordered the Quattro Forni, cooked 4x in 4 different ovens . Crust was light and airy and delicious! My daughter and I shared the Margherita Cast iron style.. It was very good, the Parmesan was baked into the crust and this did not disappoint . Each of us could only finish one piece each. The manager Sergio was very welcoming , gregarious and really went out of his way to make us feel special . He brought out prosciutto and some fabulous soup for us to try. He was fun to talk to . Everyone including Danielle and Chris and Sergio were exemplary in their customer service. This has been our fave in SF thus far !
(5)Amy W.
I suggested this place for a team dinner (for team members from out of town) and it was a great choice. The wine flowed, we ordered a ton of apps and then 1 deep dish pizza to split. The apps were really the highlight - we ordered most of them: the artichokes swimming in cheese and cream (YUM), the antipasti platter, the garlic bread with truffle oil (and something else I cannot recall). We all got soup as part of the meal - others loved it...I'm kinda "meh" on soup in general... We had one of the cool old school red leather booths. Ordered a lot of wine (served by a cutie waiter - who kept it coming!) The night is a bit of a blue - but the next day everyone said what a great choice it was, so I call it a success.
(4)Karen Z.
Atentive service, delicious pizza!! From begining to end our experience was pleasant! They offer free soup while you wait for your food. We had enough left overs for breakfast! ! They use eco friendly to go containers.
(5)Jessica V.
Capo's is amazing. If you haven't tried it its a must. We started with the meatballs which were absolutely amazing ... juicy and the marinara sauce was bomb. We had the old Chicago pizza honestly the best pizza I ever had, I never knew pizza could taste so good. My friend ordered the pasta genovese and it was incredible. We also had the clams casino which were good too. I would give this place an A+. Be prepared to wait give yourself time. We waited over an hour but well worth it. Mario snd Sergio were very attentive and very aware of all the guests making sure we were enjoying our meal. Great place.
(5)V O.
Excellent deep dish. Had the Frank Nitto pizza. Not quite like Chicago deep dish, but still very good. Good service in a small spot in little italy. Only issue was the walk through China town which wasn't very pleasant. I would definitely go again and try the cracker crust pizza.
(4)Dani M.
This place is amazing. I came here with my family last night and had one of the best meals ever. I have to eat gluten free which can make eating out depressing and eating out Italian feel like torture. Not so at Capo's. They can make almost any pizza or pasta gluten free (skip the meatballs), have a few salads, Damm Daura gluten free beer, and Italian white bean soup (they will hold the noodles if you are gluten free). Our server was extremely attentive and helpful as well as the manager who both stopped by numerous times to check on our meal and both assured me that not only was the gluten free pizza awesome but that the kitchen is properly trained to cook gluten free food that is safe for me to eat (one of the managers is gluten free and their sister restaurant is trained as well). The pizza was the best gluten free one I've ever had and the service was awesome. Don't hesitate to stop at Capo's even if you aren't gluten free (their non-gf stuff looked and smelled even more amazing); you won't be disappointed (although you might have to wait if you don't have a reservation which was super easy to do on OpenTable).
(5)Jeana A.
Holy moly this place...i have been here so many times and it has turned me, an east coast pizza lover, into a Chicago deep dish fanatic....or at least a capo's fanatic! The slices weigh as much as as damn baby and I can usually only finish one (If I'm lucky) but man oh man, it's as a Carb-aholics dream. Their garlic bread is amazing too and my Italian side so appreciates the rat pack mobster old school vibe the place brings. I literally tell everyone about this place and will continue to do so cause it's just that good. The only down side is that it is always SO packed because of how amazing it is haha. But I don't care, it's worth it!
(5)Colleen W.
Best Deep Dish in SF. Yup, that's right-- skip Patxi's and Little Star. This is the closest you'll get to authentic Chicago Style pie. I warned my companions about the portion sizes. Those who think they can wolf down two slices will be humbled. A slice of Big Jim will stick to your ribs. NO JOKE. I start feeling too stuffed to move about halfway through my slice every time I come here. Great food, honest servers, huge ass mafia sized portions. Capo's is the way to go. A little bit of Chicago soul in this Western city of love.
(5)Ashley E.
There are so many good things about this place! Where do I start?! 1. This was hands-down the best pizza I've ever had. I got the cast iron DILLINGER. The crust is fluffy, the bottom is soaked in olive oil, and the edges are baked in parmesan. And then the toppings...I'm drooling just typing this. 2. It comes with complimentary soup and bread. 3. We mentioned we were there on a birthday date (not trying to get free stuff), but when they brought our credit card back they also brought ice cream and biscotti. It was so thoughtful. 4. The service reminds me of Europe in that the table is yours for the evening. They didn't rush us at all and actually left us to talk. When the server noticed we were finished, he watched us and waited for us to finish our conversation before asking if we wanted the check. 5. The server was totally honest about the portions and encouraged us not to order any appetizers or sides because our meal would be plenty. I really admired this honesty. This honesty may have cost him $10 on the total paycheck, but he gained new loyal customers.
(5)Suzie H.
Perhaps this owner produces my favorite italian in the Bay Area....question is which of his restaurants wins the war Tony's around the corner or Capos? They both have the heart, the passion....Battle to be gleefully continued. In the meantime we had the Dillinger chicago pan pizza. At first when I saw it, I thought God damn it with the frozen chicken slices. But boy was I wrong. Homemade moist rotisserie chicken perhaps? Alfredo type sauce, spicy, broccolini, bacon, ham, etc. the unique combo works and it is clear why it was the best pizza in 2014 in a Las Vegas competition. Not sure why but the crust reminded me of Pizza Hut Pan Pizza crust, which isn't a bad thing. I'll be back for round two on my birthday-oh yeah!
(5)John S.
Num num num! Really delicious traditional Italian food. Only reason they get 4 stars instead of 5 in my book is because they don't take reservations for less than parties of 5 and parking is a pain the ass in the area. The food and the service is excellent though. Must try.
(4)Jessica K.
Chicago-style deep dish done delish just about sums it up. Hands down the best deep dish pizza in the Bay Area. The portions are humongous and can feed 3-4 famished adults. I highly recommend the Old Chicago. The ratio of meatballs to bread was like 2:1! And the delicious morsels of ricotta on top made the pizza taste even better. Capo's accepts phone orders and the pizzas taste equally good even when you carry out. Factor in 40-45 minutes of wait time for pick up orders.
(5)Sam A.
What an awesome restaurant - I can't wait to go back and try more stuff here! I had a date last night and we loved this place. The setting was great, the service was pretty good, and the food was excellent. The free minestrone was pretty good, but the clams we had as appetizer were to die for. We had the Deep Dish pizza with the thick crush and it was amazing - I think I would offer Tony personally to clean his kitchens on the weekend free for a LONG time if he would teach me how to make tomato sauce the way he does - absolutely the best. I can't wait to come back here and try more of the menu - plus, for a Thursday night, getting a table was a breeze!
(5)Brian L.
If you want your taste buds to do a happy dance, try the cracker thin farmers pie and wash it down with a glass from their excellent whisky collection. Who wants another slice of cardboard crusted, ragu sauced, frozen generic pepperoni pizza anyways? I mean cmon, there's an egg on top of this pie!
(5)M H.
Made a reservation for a group of 8. Had no idea we were on the clock. They basically kicked us out of our table 2 hours later because their next reservation was there. Felt rushed, walked out of there so unsatisfied. And they tell us the deep dishes take at least 30 min, so we definitely didn't have enough time to enjoy our meal. Who doesn't offer dessert? We tried to continue ordering, and our waiter says he can't because the 9:30 reso is approaching. If you have limited time at least let us know this ahead of time so we can plan accordingly. Family dinner spoiled. Surprised this happens on non holidays. The food didn't leave a mark for me, I was so distracted by the way we were treated. Don't come here for group dinners.
(1)Derek W.
If Capo's pizza was worth its weight in gold, it just might be the most valuable commodity known to humankind. I say that after having to count to three and bend my knees in order to hoist our leftovers into my arms to carry them, joyously but without subtlety, to our waiting car. There's nothing subtle here, actually. Not the red leather hi-back booths, not the large painted brick walls, and certainly not the must-be-visible-from-space red neon Capo's sign out front. I liked the people here from the get-go. After having dropped my girlfriend off while I parked, the maitre'd told me as I entered that he was worried someone would scoop her up in my absence (a common fear, rarely alluded to with such comedy.) The bartenders were simply delightful, taking the time to be personable and helpful to us even as garrulous regulars chatted them up while awaiting their next whiskey flight. The first waiter we saw came bearing a complimentary bowl of pasta fazool, a warm and tasty way to tune us up for the meal. We knew there'd be leftovers, mind you. A serve swept by with a large plate of garlic bread - had to have some - and then of course also one of the salads, perhaps to provide in our minds a mildly healthy counterbalance to the colossus to come. The garlic bread, smothered in mozzarella, covered in roasted garlic, was a real treat, though we went slow on it. The caprese salad featured homemade mozzarella slices, soft and plentiful, and a bright red and tangy heap of minced peppadews, a rare treat I appreciated even as my lovely companion did not. Then came the pizza - a full hour after our order, and no wonder, given how much work the oven must have had to do to get this sucker baked through and piping hot on its arrival. We went for a stuffed masterpiece with delightful, chunky tomato sauce on top, a generous portion of sauteed spinach below, and the creamy decadence of ricotta between layers of the crust. The crust itself had heft and crunch, but was pillow-soft inside. As we reached our point of triumphant gluttonous ecstasy after just one piece, we were sent packing to dream of leftovers for tomorrow's dinner and to plan for which gargantuan pie might strike our fancy during our next visit.
(4)David W.
Sitting here with friend's that are Martini snobs (not a bad thing) and they are rating the Martinis as 4 Star. They taste good to me (the Martinis, not my friends)
(4)Susan P.
In a nutshell... Make reservations Service - awesome and attentive Meatballs - tender and amazing marinara Mozzarella Garlic Bread - delicious Mostaccioli w Meat Sauce - so so Clam Linguini w White Sauce - amazing Chicago Deep Dish Pizza - delicious Would definitely recommend for those wanting good quality Italian food in SF.
(4)Krystal C.
Had dinner here based on the reviews and i wasnt dissapointed. The service is friendly and efficient amd the food was delish
(5)Sophie W.
The pizza was good. We knew we had to wait 40 minutes, and I was starving by the time it came. The minestrone soup and bread was tasty and took the edge off, but the wait was still long. I got the deep dish, and I was having a food baby by the time I finished the first slice. We got it to go, which was good, because pizza for breakfast! Best thing ever. I love how thick the cheese is and how liberal they are with the sauce. Plus, the sausage is delightful. Next time, I'm definitely going to try the thin crust since I've already seen how weak I am when faced with a slice of pizza three inches thick. The service left something to be desired. The waiter was very friendly... when he actually came to us. It took forever for me to get the check, and I was in a hurry to get back. That was a bit of a damper. As long as I don't have to wait to be seated, I think I'll come back!
(3)David G.
I came in with my 8 year-old daughter on a Saturday night. Everyone was exceptionally nice. Service was flawless. Food was fantastic. We couldn't have asked for a better experience. We shared a Ceasar salad and lasagna. The portions were HUGE. We came close to finishing everything. Can't wait to return...
(5)L N.
Baked artichoke spinach dip -- YUM! The pasta dishes are HUGE. Large enough for 2-3 people. Be warned or plan to take some home.
(4)Amanda G.
Since we LOVE Tony's (and our friends do as well) we decided to give this place a try. My husband, another couple and myself got here abut 7:30 on Sat. night. We knew there would be a wait, but I didn't expect as long of a wait. We were quoted 1.5 hour, and that's almost exactly how long we waited. Points for being accurate Capo's! They took our number and we went nearby for beer. It took a long time to decide what to order, and several of the things we picked they were out of. We ended up with 1 cracker thin crust, with different toppings on each half. I appreciate when pizza places will do that, then you get to taste more things:) LOVED the cracker thin crust. The whole table LOVED this pizza. It was the big winner of the night. After having the amazing meatball at Tony's, we got the meatballs (we were told they were the same.) They were good, but not as good as the meatball at Tony's. A Chicago style was ordered as well, because, we came here, how could we not? Not a fan, we made the mistake of ordering a pizza we thought had red sauce (this can happen if you've been drinking) , and it didn't. I like my pizza with red sauce. This pizza was too cheesy,and too heavy.I couldn't even finish a piece. They also have a great whiskey selection and good cocktails. I would return, but only for the cracker thin crust!
(4)Lisa C.
This place has it all! Great food, incredibly friendly staff and wonderful ambiance. We sat at the bar and they brought us fresh cut complimentary prosciutto. Delish!! The pizza was unique and delicious and I would go back again in a heartbeat!!
(4)Derek S.
Capo's really does feel like an old family neighborhood place in the heart of north beach. The service was friendly but a little slow but the food was fantastic. We shared the garlic bread with cheese and mushrooms, Caesar salad, and The Dillinger pizza. The Chicago style pizza, although not my favorite (I'm a ny guy) is so unique and has a great crust from the cast iron skillet. It's a truly filling meal but one I would come back to time and again.
(4)Derrick V.
Excellent service. Not sold on the deep dish though. I'd like to come back and try the thin Chicago styles. Clams had loads of bacon, felt like bacon with a hint of clam. Loved the meatballs. Cocktails were great.
(4)Fela K.
Dillinger best pizza in the world
(4)Jon H.
We love deep dish pizza, so it's too bad it didn't hit the Mark here. The pizza did not hold together at all when it was sliced and served - making it very hard to serve - it was just too soggy. The garlic bread was great, the baked artichoke was good - but not at all a healthy appetizer. The waiter was nice, but did not at all care when we mentioned the pizza was soggy
(3)Nancy W.
Had to wait quite a while even with reservations at 9:30 on a Saturday night. We stood around until two seats opened up at the bar. The bartender was very friendly and helpful. House Cabernet was recommended and we loved it. The place is small, very old school Italian restaurant feel with the red leather high backed booths and brick walls. Got seated by owner or manager who looked like he stepped out of The Sopranos. He was apologetic for the wait. Our waitress was outstanding. They brought complimentary Pasta "Fazool" soup-- so good! We ordered a Caesar salad without the anchovies. Still tasted fishy to us. Couldn't eat it. The Quattro Forne was delicious and different, a 7" square pizza/bread that was topped with delicious tomato sauce and cheese. We added prosciutto and arugala. Would have liked pepperoni, but they couldn't do that for some reason. Dessert was whisky crumble (or something like that), a kind of dark butterscotch/whisky pudding with oats, pears, and apples//yummmm! Comes with vanilla gelato. Delicious. Had an espresso with it-thoroughly enjoyed! Next time would love deep dish pizza, but would have a ton left over because they are humongous. Also, ambience would have been better without large birthday group near us with woman who shouted. Impossible to talk.
(4)Sasha R.
Impressed! Freshly saved proscuitto, oh my! Thin crust pizza, cold martinis and just a cool old school vibe!
(5)James K.
This place is delicious! My girlfriend told me she wanted deep dish and I was opposed for deep dish made in San Francisco. I couldn't have been more wrong. The deep dish is all you need if you want leftovers for days. We purchased the Farmers pizza; the egg on the pizza is fantastic.
(5)Regina C.
great pizza!! it is everything you look for in a solid chicago style pizza. their lasagna is also pretty good but don't make the mistake i did of getting both a deep dish pizza and a lasagna. it's pretty much like eating the same thing twice. good food and good service though! also, it's pretty italian in there setting-wise, which felt right considering the area.
(4)Thao T.
last night's pizza "The Dillinger" was not all that great. it wasn't a pizza, it was a savory cake: full of bread, not enough sauce, but good ingredients. high quality cheese used in every dish here that is for sure. if you're looking for a pizza that is definitely more of a chicago style dish, do not get the award winning dillinger. it doesn't come with red sauce at all - which was OK with me since i like cheese and white sauce. we weren't a fan of this dish, and will decide next time on a different, thinner crust pizza. this particular award winning pizza was unusual and overwhelming. house-made honey sausage was fantastic. was a combination of sweet and spicy and the left over honey sauce was used for dipping pizza crust. as for the dungeness crab pasta, no one at the table smelled or tasted crab at all. i suppose we all expected the dish to be OVERWHELMED by seafood, but it was actually underwhelming and overrated. service was great, super small restaurant. had to make a reservation weeks in advanced. we're definitely trying different dishes next time. good for groups and priced well. $26 per person and we had leftovers.
(3)Kate B.
Where did the cheese go?! Will be interesting to see how sticky customers are. Will customer volume decline bc of their decision to cut costs on pizza? Or pizza vol increase enough to overcome the drop in repeats? Could be a brilliant idea capo's... Less cheese, less filling, customer orders more food. Bravo for mean reverting quality of food. One star is for three waiters + manager denying change in recipe. Management if you're looking, here is my tip: you should re-do the menu with the new "regular" being less cheesy and the old "regular" being now a "super" -- something like this, so all these customers who gave five stars for cheesiness aren't misled. Customer satisfaction is worth the costs to reprint, and that way you aren't letting go entirely of what repeat customers are coming for (THE CHEESE!). If someone's new, or their preferences are for a healthier option, they will likely order the "regular" which will be the higher margin pizza you're looking to sell. It's a good path to take if you don't want to completely turn off your loyalists.
(1)Christine S.
Ordered the Old Chicago deep dish pie and was very disappointed. The pie arrived hot and it was huge. Large enough for four people and still have some left overs. The pie was slathered with a very thick and heavy tomato sauce. There was no freshness or lightness to the sauce at all and it overwhelmed whatever else was underneath. The biggest problem was that there was hardly any cheese just a thick layer of sauce on top of meatball slices. This pizza was one dimensional and no one at the table felt compelled to finish their first slice. The crust was flavorless and really served no point but to hold the large mass of sauce in place. This was definitely not Gino's pizza in Chicago, nor did it hold a candle to Little Star on Valencia. A deep dish pizza without the cheese oozing throughout is of no interest to me.
(2)Tiffany T.
Authentic deep dish pizza. DELICIOUS authentic deep dish pizza. I've gone to Capo's 3x now and I keep coming back for more. The inside of the restaurant is so quaint and cute, the service is impeccable, and the pizza is the only deep dish I will ever eat that's not in Chicago. Get the Old Chicago - it won't disappoint. The most recent time I came here, I had to wait a little longer than normal since a party of 2 were taking way longer than estimated to leave. The manager felt bad that we had to wait so long and even gave us a complimentary small meats platter. We weren't even mad, but the meats platter was such a nice gesture!! They give complimentary soup before your food comes out and the soup is always so good. They even serve you when they deliver your pizza! I would definitely make reservations if you're not willing to wait, but waiting is so worthwhile for this place! They text you when your table is almost ready and being in North Beach, there are a bunch of cute cafés nearby to wait at.
(5)Joao S.
It's been 2 years since I had my last deep dish chicago pizza in Chicago ir self. And yesterday at Capos I felt like I had a better version of it. Awesome pizza!! Totally worth it!
(5)Amy J.
If you like old school Italian restaurants, you'll love Capo's. My friend lives nearby so she recommended this for an impromptu dinner. The deep dish here is delicious and filling. The crust is amazing. The staff are also really helpful and friendly. We also ordered a salad that had dried cherries in it which gave it a nice sweet and savory taste without being overwhelming. It wasn't super crowded when we stopped in on a Friday night but we also arrived when it was just opening. I heard the owner also owns Tony's which I have yet to try. I would definitely seek this place out again if I am craving deep dish. Prices are pretty reasonable when you're splitting with everyone in your party.
(4)Aman S.
Great little homey Italian place... cool ambience, and great service. Pizzas and apps were top notch. several different crust and topping options. I would go back here again.
(4)Daniel W.
I was staying in the financial district and decided I wanted some good pizza... so glad I found this spot. It was a fun walk up to their location and I will be heading back when I am back in San Francisco.
(5)Carson C.
Capo's has some great options and spectacular variety for pizza. Beyond the topping combinations, there's the style, of course, if which deep dish is the way to go. The cast iron cooked deep dish is great. There selection of appetizers, and non-pizza fare is disappointing in variety, and frankly not all that good quality. Go for the ambiance, great drinks, and deep dish, forget the rest. Be warned that the deep dish takes a while to prepare (~40 minutes) so don't arrive starving. Enjoy.
(3)Karmen S.
LOVE this place! Amazing food! It's the best pizza I've ever had. It makes Little Star and Zachary's look like Round Table. Must haves: the cast iron Dillinger, the stuffed Old Chicago & the garlic bread with truffle oil, mozzarella, wild mushrooms, romano, & arugula! Never had better service or food anywhere in SF. Sergio is absolutely wonderful and makes us feel like family every time! Favorite restaurant in SF - I'd pick this place over Gary Danko, Kokkari and Nopa.
(5)Charlene A.
The food is AMAZING! Literally died and went to heaven from the appetizers to the end it was superb! So was the service! Must visit this place in SF!
(5)Jocelyn B.
Crispy yet saucy, savory and creamy, flavorful yet simple... Old Chicago style deep dish pizza. So delicious, but we could only down one slice each. Service was on point, quick and efficient. Manager was there to personally check on us. We were seated quickly as well. Alcohol was overpriced so we definitely didn't partake. Complimentary soup was tasty and spicy. Two thumbs up. Pizza was the best though!
(5)Elizabeth Q.
Went for my birthday on 9/10/2014. Very pleased. The restaurant is exceptional, from the fantastic, old-school booths, to the staff and the food! The drinks are rather nice also. Had both deep-dish and thin crust pizza. Absolutely delicious! My only concern is when can I go back? A very nice find.
(5)Ziyan C.
I came here for a really great Simmr event. Capo's is usually closed on Mondays but they opened up just for Simmr. Tony came in to cook for the event and even came around to say hi to everyone, and there seemed to be a constant flow of pizza and pastas. We got 3 drink tickets plus dinner for just $60, *and* there was a cocktail making contest! Chris was an awesome bartender. We realized that he had actually served me when he was working at 25 Lusk and kept me company when I got brunch at the bar one day! He's still just as easy-going, fun, and great at making drinks as before. Some highlights from the drinks/food I tried that night: * The Wise Guy - 5 stars (Rye Whiskey, fresh lemon, cracked white pepper, orange marmalade, agave nectar, fresh oregano) Amazing! Everyone loved this drink. It was wonderfully balanced, tart but not overwhelmingly so, with a little bit of spice. A must-have. * Thin crust pizzas I love the bit of grainy crunch (they told us that they add a little bit of corn meal to add that texture). This isn't your classic, softer neopolitan-style thin-crust pizza, but has a much more hearty crust and they were all still really good. * Deep dish pizzas Compared to other deep dish pizzas I've had, this one has a much thicker crust. Looking at a slice, about 50% of the volume is in the crust! There was a pizza with all kinds of meat, but this one had too much cheese that tended to harden pretty quickly. There was one with a layer of meat covered by tomato sauce and a bit of cheese on top - this was my favorite! It was well-balanced, didn't have as much of an overwhelming amount of crust as the others, and I loved the tangy fresh tomato sauce.
(4)Craig S.
Came in near closing and no one flinched about having us arrive so near to closing time They would not be able to do a deep dish in that amount of time which I understand , so we had the " Cracker crust pie" pizza "The outfit " Antipasti platter and the baked and the Wood Fired Mostaccioli Baked in Meat Sauce. Washed it all down with a few Anchor Steams. We sat at the bar and got chummy with the bartender who was friendly and well versed in beer history and and the food being served. All items we ordered came complete and in a very short amount of time. Everything hit the mark and we left quite satisfied with the food and service. Never once did we feel rushed or hurried as the staff began closing. A warm and welcoming environment with some really good food and drink despite the late arrival and departure
(4)Erin A.
This was truly the best pizza I have ever had in my lifetime. The Dillinger pizza cooked in cast iron with cheese crust. I will be dreaming of it for months to come. The service was amazing everyone made us feel like we were old friends!
(5)Monina G.
I ordered the garlic bread with mushrooms, cheese and truffle oil. Enjoyed every tasty bite!! It may be filling but best to share an order with everyone. Also tried the old Chicago pizza which was delicious. One of the tastiest pizzas I've tried in SF!
(4)Amy D.
We came into Capo's for a late lunch on a Sunday, and the restaurant was mostly empty around 1:45pm. We were sat at one of their shiny red booths, and ordered a few dishes to share: -Complimentary Pasta Fagioli Soup ( yelp.com/biz_photos/capo… ): Surprisingly tasty! I am not a soup person and actually drank half of this. I liked the pasta in here but avoided the beans. -Garlic Bread w/Mozzarella, Wild Mushrooms, Truffle Oil, Romano, Arugula, $9, yelp.com/biz_photos/capo… ): Yum! This was my favorite out of all the dishes we had, and I loved the mushrooms, truffle oil, and cheesy goodness of this version of garlic bread. A must order! -Fried Chicken (Bone-In Leg & Thigh w/Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Bourbon BBQ Sauce, w/Side of Vesuvio Potatoes, $21, yelp.com/biz_photos/capo… ): Just ok. The chicken was tender, but there was still a tiny bit of pink by the joint areas (we didn't notice until we got home since we took a lot to-go). However, I really enjoyed the bourbon BBQ sauce. The mashed potatoes were too thick and the vesuvio potatoes (w/garlic, peas, lemon juice, olive oil) were ok, but nothing special. I wouldn't order this dish again. -Chicago Beef Sandwich (Traditional Italian Beef in "Au Jus" w/Giardiniera Peppers & Mozzarella, $12): I only had a small bite of this sandwich but could taste that the beef was really dry. Also, the peppers are actually quite hot, so tell them to leave it off if you don't like spicy food. However, I wouldn't order this dish again. -Conchiglie Baked w/Dungeness Crab ("Arabbiata Style" Spicy Tomato Cream Sauce, Calabrian Chiles, Shrimp, Garlic, Smoked Provolone, $20): This dish tasted a little fishy/crabby to me for some reason, which ruined the overall taste. I loved the conchiglie though, and the texture of the baked dish. -Margherita Pizza (Mozzarella, Provolone, Tomato Sauce, Garlic, Basil, Oregano, Romano, "Cracker Thin", $21): This was just ok- I didn't like the cracker thin version since it was too thin and crunchy for me. I wish we got the Cast Iron Pan version instead, but that takes 45-50 mins version the 20 mins for the Cracker Thin. I wouldn't order this version of the pizza again. The service here was excellent, but I didn't like a lot of the dishes we ordered. I wish I had ordered a different pizza and crust instead since that is what they're known for. I've had Tony's pizza (their sister restaurant, and only a few blocks away) on my bookmarks for a while now, so I'd opt to go there in the future versus returning. However, Capo's is a good option to check out for Italian food, but just avoid most of the dishes that I ordered! Parking in this area can be tough, especially during the weekend rush hours, but metered street parking is available along with pay lots.
(3)Dave K.
Ok, so, maybe you're like me. You're all excited because it's an indulgent pizza night, and you start batting back and forth the possibilities: Patxi's or Little Star. Well, that all changed last night in a single bite: the revelation that is Capo's Chicago deep dish. We went with the Old Chicago since we figured it'd be best to start with their most classic pie. Rather than work the ricotta into the pie as Little Star does, they add it in beautiful little dollops of heaven on top. Result: crispiness perfection throughout the pie. Forget about the Little Star crust. Yes, it is delicious. This takes it to a *whole new level*. Within bites I was a giggling mess. What?! How is this pizza this good?! I'm a changed man. At the risking of sounding like I think everything is the best I shall describe the other delicious fare we enjoyed: -spaghetti and meatballs: spaghetti is more like bucatini. Yes. Tomato sauce is the same perfection served on the pizza. Yes. I want it everywhere. -caesar salad: fantastic. Just the right amount of dressing, not too heavy. -tiramisu: yes! Get it! I can't recall having had more delicious tiramisu anywhere else in SF. Serve all this up with really nice service on the phone despite the fact that the place was totally hoppin. The hostess Julie couldn't have been more accommodating in managing to get us seated at 8:30pm on a Friday. YES!
(5)Melva M.
Everything was tasty. Quattro forni did not disappoint. Great service. Make a reservation, atleast on weekend. We lucked up and sat at bar.
(5)Ray K.
Really, empty tables and nobody waiting for a table and you have the audacity to ask us to leave because you have reservations...not to mention half of the delay was due to the length of service. Person who I believe was owner brings Caesar salad and the it topples over so the parmesan cheese and anchovies and now on the table. No acknowledgement of "whoops".
(1)Dimple B.
Generous portions, very heavy, and delicious. I'd go back :)
(4)Holly L.
This was a super fun place for a super good deep dish pizza. They sit you down give you a soup to sip on and some bread. Which if you have little ones works wonders! Since the deep dish takes about 45mins to come. We also got the caesar salad. That was very good too. By the photos it looks bigger then it really is. So if your coming far make some reservations..
(4)Leah Anne W.
Unbelievable! They use the very freshest ingredients. We ordered the Old Chicago thinking it would be very basic but we were surprised with the intricate yummy favors. Prices are very similar to Little Star (our former favorite deep dish). If they have pickup service it is worth the traffic maze that is North Beach. Best we have had in SF.
(5)Gary G.
Love this place, came here last year during Bay to Breakers weekend. Other places turned us away at the door yakking about needing reservations, pfft, trust that they didn't warrant them in my opinion. Capo's was full at the moment so we were going to put our name down, however they mentioned a single outdoor table they had if we could handle the cooler weather outside. Works for me! They treated us great even though we were dressed in workout clothes, excellent service from start to finish, and the deep dish pizza? Wow. And why 5 stars? These recollections were from a visit 8 months ago. For me to recall all these details with such delight says something about the experience. Believe me, I'll be back when I swing back by San Fran.
(5)Alfonso L.
Great place tucked just off Columbus. A cut above typical Italian-American fare and one big plus is the homemade pasta and flavorful, robust sauces PROS: Great, informative service Fantastic mixed green salad with dried cherries and creamy gorgon cheese Comforting broth brought to you before apps Hearty really wonderful and intense sugo (sauce) on spaghetti Meatballs not dense Fantastic huge pork chop Creamy well seasoned potato puree Perfect steamed spinach with garlic Mostacchioli with vodka cream sauce a must try Tall glasses of ice cold Peroni on draft CON: They don't take American Express. To soften the blow, waiter said they used to not take cash. Thanks Could have offered us more bread Another two or three pasta options would be nice. Pesto? Side of pasta not an option with meats/chops Slim unimaginative list of desserts
(4)Lacy C.
This is my go-to Italian place in San Francisco, the food is amazing and I love the ambiance and the fun Prohibition-era decor. It's always busy so unless you have a reservation prepare to wait. But don't worry, it's worth it! Bring your appetite because the pizzas are enormous. One slice is a meal in itself.
(5)Catalina V.
Really disappointed. After seeing the great reviews about Capo's, I really wanted to try it. It was on a Saturday afternoon and the traffic was INSANE. But we drove and drove and drove until we found a parking spot. There were plenty of good-looking restaurants everywhere, but NOOO, I really wanted to see what the hype was about. For starters, this is a CASH ONLY place. It says so on the door. Okay, cool. So they want to be a little old fashioned. I'm cool with that. The inside is gorgeous. Brick walls. Huge, ornate, quilted booths. Low lighting. It all looked good. But that's about where it ends. We had many waiters and all of them had no personality. For a minute I thought maybe they were racist! Bad assumption, I know, but they were so bland! I practically starved myself all day because I was craving penne/mostaccioli pasta and all of its al dente chewy goodness. My friend and I both wanted the same pasta plate (Wood Fired Mostaccioli Genovese.) It was about 4:15 p.m. What does the waiter say to us? "Our pasta guy is not in. He won't be in until 5:00 p.m." Pasta guy?? If they were open, and they specialize in Italian food, shouldn't they have a "pasta guy" at all times??! I was so disappointed. We drove so much and I felt too defeated to get up and leave. So the waiter suggested the meat lasagna and said it would be enough for two. So we got that. It had absolutely no flavor. The best part of the meal was the initial complimentary soup and the two beers my friend tried. They didn't even offer any sugar or have any available for my iced tea. Maybe I'm being dramatic. But this place didn't live up to the hype that day.
(2)Pria P.
I was soo excited to try Capo's because Tony's is great and I love stuffed crust pizza! Capo's defnitely sits at the bottom of the list of deep/stuffed pizza in SF (below Patxi's, Little Star, and Zachs). The pizza was way too salty, they use lard in the crust, and there were generally issues with the crust (too thick, not flaky enough). The top layer of dough on Capo's stuffed pizzas is crispy, whereas traditionally it should be soft. The fave pie at the table was actually a cracker thin crust one. The cocktails were nice and strong. It was really easy to make a reservation (avail. for groups of 6+). The interior was nice (Roaring 20s-esque), although the bathroom was sort of ghetto (had a bunch of cleaning supplies in the corner). Cash only. I'll be sticking to Patxi's for my stuffed crust fix.
(3)Ellen S.
So good, and sooo much food. Not sure I would go there with just two people again. I heard of this place from tablehopper and we tried it one Friday night regardless of the fact that it's CASH ONLY. Pretty strange for a full restaurant. Anyway, the Baked Artichokes appetizer was incredible! Their Chicago style pizza is very good, but we ended up with left-overs for days. One slice of their deep-dish is plenty of food on it's own. I think this place would be great for a group, especially because they take reservations for parties of 6 or more, and their large booths sort of encourage big groups.
(4)Kevin M.
Still freaking amazingly delicious but they don't take reservations anymore so please strategize around that. Every day practically have to fight the urge to return and get my favorite pie, the cracker thin crust, adorned with Anchovy. I want it now!
(5)Joel C.
This is my new favorite pizza joint in San Francisco and possibly the BEST PIZZA I've ever eaten in my life! I came here last night with a friend who is a fan of Chicago Deep Crust pizza. I wanted something different from Patxi's or Little Star and happened to read a few reviews and articles about Capo's....plus it's in North Beach, I mean where else can you get authentic Italian pizza in the city. The place is a good size although if you are really interested in eating here, I suggest you go early. The pizzas at minimum take 40 min to bake so most people at the restaurant are there for a good two hours. Another thing to note...CASH ONLY. Usually, this would defer me on going but I am more than happy to carry cash from here on out to get some delicious pizza! They have four different ways you can order your pizza: Deep Dish, Stuffed, Cast Iron Pan and Thin Crust. We ended up trying the Big Jim, stuffed style. Man was it good and HUGE! In the pizza there were at least 14 different types of toppings from veggies to cheese to meats. What made this pizza amazing over all other pizza that I've ever had is the sauce! Not too acidic and had a nice sweet edge to it. I literally could have a bowl of the sauce alone and be very happy. Plus as an added bonus, the crust was really really delicious! My friend who likes to claim himself a pizza connoisseur, is madly in love with this place as well. Sadly he says.... "This could actually beat my favorite place, Pi in St. Louis/DC and I don't even live in SF!" The staff is really great and I highly recommend sitting at the bar if the tables are full. Great way to make friends with the bartender as well as talk to the other patrons enjoying their pie. Make no mistake...I will definitely be back!
(5)roderick h.
Obsessed thus far. Deep dish is amazing... The salad is amazing... And the free bowl of fresh homemade soup was amazing. Everything seemed to taste so fresh and homemade!!! Plus it gave me a bit of my missing Chitown feeling back...
(5)John D.
Wow! The food here is absolutely amazing! I ordered the lasagna and I think it was the best I ever had...EVEN better than mine (which I make damn good pasta). The restaurant itself is very 1930's NYC or Chicago. An old cigarette machine and old gold cash register are some of the cool relics in the place. The service was excellent. I would highly recommend!
(5)Jennifer A.
A good friend highly recommended this cozy Italian restaurant to my husband and I so we checked it out a few nights ago and we absolutely LOVED it! I felt a little guilty ordering thin crust pizza at a Chicago pizza joint but our server Rebecca made us feel so at home and helped us order the perfect meal. She was awesome! Great wine list as well. We will definitely be back!
(5)Alex C.
Simply amazing! I didn't think it could get better than Tony's, but Capo's is incredible. The cast iron pizza is like nothing you've ever had before, and the thin crust Frank Nitti (which just made the annual 7x7 100 Things To Eat Before You Die list!) is one of those things you eat and then dream about every day for a week. Service is great, food is decadent, cocktails are delicious... One of the best places in North Beach!
(5)Bruce M.
Ahhh, Tony G. - You get a long review because you deserve it! The nearly or indeed self proclaimed king of pizza in the U.S. (He has won more awards than any pizza guy). Has a pizza school. Teaches pizza making. Lectures pizza making. Touts pizza wisdom all over the land. Has a great pizza place called (what else) Tony's in S.F. He Really is a pizza god to many. Even me I must say. So it is with such admiration to the craft and passion of pizzadom that I feel needs a true review. Not biased, but I am sure overly critical. But that is what being at the top gets you from a somewhat self obsessed pizza nut. So here goes. (Don't strike me down with your golden pizza paddle Tony!) Capos is his second restaurant I believe. His First, Tony's is great. A shrine to the art of pizza. And he is making some killer pies there. Capo's on the other hand is an attempt to go after the "Chicago" pizza lovers. In San Francisco you already have long time fans of chicago deep dish. Zachary's in the east bay is quite the deal. Little Star is my favorite in SF for deep dish. Paxti's is a growing chain that is also pretty damn good. So Tony comes along and has to trump these guys. Lets go OLD SCHOOL Chicago he says. Small place. Real old school tuffted red leather booths and lots of old Chicago props adorn the place. GM is in a natty 3 piece suit. And CASH ONLY. Yes. This is not cool in todays world. This knocks a star off in my book. Are you trying so hard to be OLD school that you think cash only is cool? It's not. it's a hassle. Or are you to cheap to pay the credit card companies the 3% fee that 99 percent of all places pay, even little mom and pop places. Either way, not cool. If you were a true original that was around before credit cards were invented, then I can maybe buy it cause you are "grandfathered in". But not here. Sorry big T. ... You loose a star for this move. OK, atmosphere will make any ex chi town oldy feel at home. But this is maybe more of a Disneyland representation of Chicago than the real deal. And some will be turned off by it. But this is of course San Francisco, so a lot of his customers are tourists and they will dig it. Now on to the pizza. Well Tony went for FOUR types of Chicago pies in this place. But he is the man to do it. Lets start with the best. The cracker crust pie. This is more of a 'midwest" pie than Chicago, but close enough. It was "perfect". Crisp, light, crunch. Almost laminated in a good way. Perfect sauce, cheese and toppings with a touch of char around the edges. This is a mastery of this type of pie. 5+ stars for this baby. Passed on the stuffed crust and the pan pizza. so cant comment on them. Went for the special 4 oven pizza appetizer. A nice buttery crunch of a outer crust but a lot of white bread light doughy top on part. I ate the crunchy outer part. It was a nice different type of pie and worth the try for it's being different, but don't expect much and you may like it. Then the Chicago Deep Dish. This had a fairly puffy and thick edge and thin bottom. I'm ok with that, but the crust did not have a buttery or flakey texture to it. It actually seemed pretty pedestrian. Now there are many types of pizza in Chicago. Lou Malnati's seems to be the favorite, with a buttery flakey crunchy dough. That is what I would consider to be the most classic. A tender flakey pie like crust. This was NOT that. Was it bad? No. But not what I was thinking it should be. A master pizza man should be able to make a better crust than this. Sauce was robust but thin. not chunky. Fair amount of toppings and blend of mozz and provolone. But for me this pie needed more cheese and toppings. 33 bucks for a 3 or 4 topping pie better load up. This did not. Also got a couple of italian dishes. They were ok, but nothing great. old school but I have had WAY better in SF. So go for the pizza . Service was good even though they made my pizza wrong and brought out a wrong pasta dish. But I forgive that. The manager was on it and apologetic and things like that can happen so I for one dont really hold that against them. So my 3 stars is because the cash only thing is a joke. The deep dish was good but not what i was hoping for. Your pizza dough-e-ness holds you to a higher standard. But the thin crust was spot on and your jewel. Tony, you can do better and have. But that wont stop you. Your passion is what all pizza places can and should aspire to. Many do and more are opening up every day across our great pizza loving country. And you will have many more competing with you and your skills. It's all good my friends. More great pizza for us all to eat! So the king of pizza lives on to flip pies another day. This place will make him tons of "CASH ONLY".... Keep an eye out for the Brinks truck with Tony's minion's guarding the "dough" with sharpened pizza cutters and golden paddles. Cheesy, I know..n
(3)Kiley R.
I went here with 5 friends for a girls birthday. We were seated at the window booth which was nice but the table is definitely built for 9 not 5. So it was a little impersonal during dinner. But that was okay. The meal started off on the wrong foot when the server brought us a bottle of white wine instead of the bottle of the red wine we ordered of the same exact name. It might have been just by accident but then it turned out they were out of the red so it was a little suspicious. She seemed irked at us from the beginning since she had opened up the white bottle already. Everything would have been fine with the meal except for our server wasn't very friendly to us throughout. She wasn't mean or rude by any means, just not very friendly. Which sucks because coming from the service industry I know what it's like to have an off day or an off table. I know Capo's can be better than this judging by the reviews. Just not with us. And it was my first time so I likely will continue to try other restaurants in NB. What ticked us off the most was when we tried to pay with 4 credit cards. Apparently they have a max CC limit of 3. We asked for an exception and she cited policy that she couldn't. Thanks Capo's. It really made paying a lot more difficult and because of that I was stuck with a larger bill. So imagine you just had a nice dinner, then you go to pay for it and it cost $20 more. Makes the dinner not seem so good and delicious right? No longer worth it. Anyways, we settled up, left our 20% tip as you always should. And then walked out without so much as a goodbye from our server. OR.... And this is the other Kicker... A Happy Birthday to our friend. We mentioned it was her birthday. So she either wasn't paying attention, didn't care, or forgot. Either way, as a restaurant, Capo's did not make her feel special or her special day.
(2)Christy C.
maybe we were lucky, but we got a table for 6 within an hour on a friday night. the deep dish and cast iron pizzas were delicious and we had leftovers for days! the baked artichoke app is a MUST. i also liked the fancy cocktails. the only downside was that it was cash only...and since there were six of us we needed LOTS of cash.
(5)Corinna K.
I don't know dick-all about deep dish pizza. My general criterion for food is: is it tasty? I can happily report that, ignorance aside, Capo's serves up some seriously mother-flippin' tasty deep dish pizza. And not just the deep dish - although the San Giancano with the house honey Calabrese sausage is tremendous. The tomato sauce has a depth of flavor belied by its simplicity, a sweet savoriness that coats the mouth and activates immediate drooling. The crust is made with special flour and coated in cornmeal, a more than able vehicle for the thick load of mozzarella, sausage, and sauce lying above. But again, I repeat - more than just the deep dish is superb here. The cracker crust Jonny Torrio with Italian beef and giardiniera is perfection on a plate, tender meat and pickled peppers, folding the tongue into a loving embrace. The calamari and salads brought over from Tony's Pizza Napoletana are just as pleasing, and the complimentary vegetable soup to warm the belly and whet the appetite has a clarity and flavor that's most appealing. The ONLY reason Capo's lands a four instead of a five is because I prefer Tony's Pizza Napoletana by just a hair - the larger variety of pizzas and the cocktail menu are slightly more to my taste. This is, perhaps, an unjust rating, and Capo's is well worth a five by any other standard. Tony Gemignani once again has created a masterpiece, a work of love and some ridiculously good eats.
(4)check p.
Yup, we had a great lunch at Capo's. Fri through the weekend, they have a lunch special, but we had just had dimsum takeout in neighboring Chinatown, so we were leery of overeating/overordering. The lunch special is great: a slice of deep dish and a salad for $11 was just right. But we also ordered the Quattro Fromagi , a puffy yet crusty foccacia like pizza. I loved it because it contrasted with the deep dish (hardly any sauce or cheese, mainly a delicious bread). They also served up a bowl of pasta bean soup (forget the name) and bread, so the lunch was really a deal. Service was adequate, the surroundings excellent, didn't mind the cash only (half of chinatown's best hideaways are the same). Will go back to try the Chicago beef sandwich (the next table had it), and plate of pasta. And the thin crust pizza... what can you say, but you know it's going to be great.
(5)Larry B.
Nice atmosphere, comfortable, portions are more than adequate, service good. A little too spicy for me on the items ordered. Have a problem with the name of the the restaurant -- even though Capo means boss in Italian -- the other use of capo in concentration camps is disconcerting.
(3)Kelly C.
You know, I've been a couple times and I can't make up my mind. I think I ordered wrong - don't you hate it when that happens. I love Tony's down the street and know he makes the best pizza in the city. I just can't get over this thick crust. I've yet to order a thin crust at Capo's but next time when I go, I must. Stick with what you like, right.
(3)Dave N.
Advertised as Chicago Deep Dish--clear case of FALSE advertising for anyone who has savored Papa Del's in Champaign, IL or Giordano's in Chicago. Very little bread in the crust, no bubbly brown layer of mozzarella, swimming in a too sweet tomato sauce, and the sausage is very mediocre compared to the above mentioned establishments. Maybe this suffices for deep dish out here, but this place woould not last long in IL. Gave it a 2 star because I liked the interior, the comp soup is a nice touch, and the antipesto appetizer is wonderful. Drinks are way overpriced.
(2)sarah m.
I know I'm a bit of a weirdo to say I don't really like pizza and am now posting yet another recommendation for pizza. I also typically will only eat very thin crust pizza, however, I had Capo's deep dish pizza a few weeks back - forget which one but it had ricotta and sausage. I would say it was like eating a great lasagna without the noodles. So good! The pockets of ricotta added a little extra lightness. One slice is all you really need. They have a great lunch special too - I think for $10 you get soup, salad, and a slice of their deep dish pizza of the day. Also, it's cash only, which would normally be kind of a pain if you forgot to bring cash and don't feel like jumping up and running across the street to the ATM. However, they have an ATM inside of the restaurant, so they at least try to make it convenient
(5)Z P.
Randomly stopped in on a Monday night. First off, great ambience, cool vibe, good service. We ate at the bar and had a great bartender and some stiff drinks. Now, the food: average. Pasta fagioli soup was watery, salty, and weak. The quattro fiorni, their award winning four piece pizza appetizer is fine. Nothing special, nothing innovative, its just average. Then the margherita pizza, again, average to mediocre. The problem is that for this neighborhood and all the Chicago swagger, the food is just a hair above an olive garden or a pizzeria uno chain at O'Hare airport. There is simply too much good food in SF to go somewhere, get a bad impression, and then go back, especially when you consider their original, Tony's Napoletana, around the corner. Disappointing.
(2)Ed L.
Seriously this place embodies what an Italian restaurant should be. Everything remind you of an old world Italian place, yet the place is super clean. Best yet the food... I am not the Spaghetti and meatballs guy, I typically go for the "more refined dishes" but this place you go with the classics and you will be glad you did. The S and M were delicious... and the artichoke literally better than a dream... the complimentary soup... off the charts and the service was great as well. Seriously my date and I will never forget this place.
(5)Dianne M.
I was happy to discover a new spot in North Beach but it won't be a place I'll frequent to drink. The atmosphere was nice, rustic brick walls and a wooden back bar but a vodka soda was too pricey for a "cash only" place at $10. They say they are in line with the higher end spots and the menu indicates "fine Italian dinners" however those places offer you a credit card option. When I think of a "cash only" place I picture dive bars and/or cheap drinks. Since I can get a drink for several dollars less in most bars within walking distance I'll drink elsewhere. I would however like to check out the food, I find it odd that this Italian dinner establishment is serving Chicago Style pizza but I'm willing to give it a try. If they don't already they should add an ATM until they start accepting credit cards or lower their prices.
(3)Michael A.
Brought my in-laws from Iowa here and we had an AWESOME expierence. Our server, Miranda? Or Serena? I don't remember regretfully, was AMAZING. My wife and I will be back. I wish there were more stars to give!! :)
(5)Spencer R.
I go there for the thin crust pizza with pepperoni.. Their deepdish pizza is very filling and should only be ordered with company.. This thing weighs ten pounds.. No joke..
(5)Roxanne S.
SO delicious. We didn't go in intending to try the pizza, but seeing another table with a deep dish made it too temping. I'm so glad we ordered it, one slice was enough for a meal, and had another four or five meals off the one pizza. It was so good, we will definitely be back to try the rest of the food!
(5)Morris D.
Been here twice. Once for lunch, once for dinner. I guess they hadn't updated the lunch hours on the website before we left, but luckily we made it in time. We split a Italian beef sand. It was pretty big. You really do get a lot of food here. As for dinner, I don't even remember what I had, but the old lady loved whatever she had and I don't remember whatever I had as being bad.. Again, they gave us a lot of food. I think we got bread, soup , an appetizer, our entrees and I prob had a couple drinks and it was like $60 before tip. I will say I will have to disagree that this place is "good for kids" Its not. Its small, theres usually a long wait (we sat at the bar for dinner) and theres a lot of drunk yuppies. But if you want a night out with your better half, you could do worse.
(3)Bethany C.
Yum!!! We've been wanting to try Capo's for a while. The cast iron pizza was fantastic. Great sauce to dough ratio. Jules told us to eat it from the crust to the point. Cheesy crunchy crust!!! Fantastic cocktail list.
(5)Brandon N.
Every time I come with the same goal: finish 2 slices. Although I've never actualized that, this place always makes me want to return before I even begin to leave with 20lbs of leftovers. We also got the prosciutto sampler which was also amazing (so fresh with great cheese meat and vegetable pairings). Deep dish and stuffed pizzas are all I've ever had here but you can't go wrong. Servers were incredibly friendly and had excellent recommendations of wine and beer. This place is amazing. Easy 5 stars.
(5)Milo T.
Had the baked artichokes, amazing. Had the mostaccioli genovese, amazing. Had the tiramisu, absolutely beyond this world. Staff was very friendly and accommodating. Will definitely be returning.
(5)Nors P.
Free soup Friendly service Quick comfy seating on Sunday night Garlic bread w whole roasted Garlic cloves thin crust pizza. Delicious!!
(4)Jake H.
They know Chicagoans eat thin crust pizza cut in square, and they make it, and it's really delicious. The staff are super friendly and nice, and aren't trying to make food that's a simple homage to eats in Chicago, they are making food the "right way" - right flour, right preparation, etc. The crust is a mix of styles - reminds me a bit of Barnaby's and Pat's pizzas in Chicago. Which is a good thing. The only giveaway is the sauce is a little too fresh tasting than it would be in Chicago. My only beef is that an Old Style would go well with their Old Style sign! Next time I go I'll have to try their Italian beef sandwich.
(5)Jeanne C.
I'm always on the hunt for cracker thin crust and imagine my surprise when I saw that their menu actually states Cracker Thin! Sadly my excitement did not make it past my first slice. Their thin crust is more corn meal than cracker and kinda hard rather than crispy. Service was great and so were the clams and dessert. You've got to try the tiramisu. It's heavenly!
(3)Johnny L.
In case y'all don't know, this is the sister restaurant of Tony's a few blocks away - I hear almost the same pizza without the looooong wait. Went in late Friday a few weeks back, not too crowded at 9:45p.m. Had a caesar and a cracker thin margherita - holy shit, that was an incredible pizza. Perfect crust, GREAT mozzarella, garlic, etc, words cannot describe. Probably the top 5 pizza I have had. We had something for dessert, but, after being in pizza heaven, I cannot remember what it was other than good. I will be back, and, soon. Ya feel me??
(4)Amy Z.
I've been here a handful of times now, and it's such a great experience each time. A few lunches on the weekend and dinner. Very highly recommended for lunch. A slice of the day in deep dish and salad for $10 is the perfect late lunch that makes dinner look questionable. Nice and friendly service and great portion sizes make a few meals of leftovers.
(5)Tiffany L.
Was recently in SF and stumbled upon this place and it was amazing! The food was superb! The owner and also the guy who helped us at the bar were very friendly and nice! We ended up going back the second night and enjoyed it just as much as the first. The clams casino were soo good and the artichoke dip was unbelievably amazing!! Can't wait to go back in a couple weeks!
(5)Kelly B.
One of the better pizza joints in the whole city! Please try the Chicago Deep Dish as many other reviewers have mentioned. I've had some really amazing pizza in New York, and always moaned about finding a good slice in California. But in San Francisco this the place for dreamy pizza!
(4)Mark R.
Friendly family style Italian. Good for kids. Clams and Linguini done right; whole clams, garlic, Olive oil, and wine.
(4)Rachel B.
It's no secret our family has been big fans of Tony for years so when we heard about a second restaurant in North Beach opening up (an old-school Chicago style pizzeria) we couldn't wait to make our first visit to Capos. The short quick review: Go to Capos, we loved it. Everything we ate was really delicious. It is fun, casual, small and intimate but has that upscale quality. You'll need a reservation and it is cash only but well worth the bit of extra planning. We had the pasta fagioli,a light Italian broth with a nice kick. This was the special of the day I think. The first pizza was the QUATTRO FORNI, it's basically a nice thick pizza bread topped with sauce and cheeses cooked in 4 ovens (a meal in itself), then we tried a deep dish called JONNY TORRIO & the cracker thin SAM GIANCANA. All are very different and all really savory. We loved them all. There were 4 of us so we took home leftovers for the next day on purpose. Gotta love leftovers! We have already made plans to go back and take friends. A few more details...We made reservations a few days before and headed out for a fun night on the town with the kids. Parking was surprisingly easy for the city. There is a garage just a couple short blocks up the street. The attention to detail has always been a big part of the experience with Tony. Each booth is named after a notorious mobster and there are other fun things to take note of like the old phone booth and vintage cigarette machine. From the look and feel of the restaurant, to the service and the food, it's the whole package. So when you go make sure to take your time to enjoy. Don't rush it not that kind of place but they do encourage a call ahead to preorder since some of the pizzas have a bake time up to 35 min. We spent a couple of hours lingering and enjoying the food over a bottle of Italian wine. The service was wonderful with multiple people checking on us throughout our visit. The bar is quite impressive as well with an extensive whiskey menu. Very enjoyable experience, highly recommend checking it out.
(5)Maria M.
I'm giving this review 3 stars after waffling back and forth wanting to give 2 stars. OK folks, this may be a long one. I feel like I need to preface this by saying I ate at Capo's on opening night and while I expected some missteps I was disappointed by my overall experience that night. This being said the pizza was good and I will be back to try other items on the menu and give another review. It took two days of calling to get a reservation. Even after following the directions to leave a number with requested date, time, number of people in party, and time to call back. They did not call back at requested time. We got a reservation and once there were seated within 5 minutes of arriving. This was the biggest problem of the evening. We ended up seated at a table in the bar side of the restaurant. A big problem with this table was that since it was regular dinner table height instead of bar height most people standing around at the bar did not notice people at the table until they were practically in our laps, or in one instance practically a butt in the face. More than once did I have to utter a loud "Excuse me" and the date finally had to go to the hostess to have her say something to bar patrons. If they insist on having a table in the bar it really needs to be bar height. The hostess tried to move us, but it never worked out. Ultimately sitting here for the entire dinner ruined the whole experience for this first visit. The restaurant is beautiful, from the cork floors, brick walls, red pin-tucked leather booths, vintage phone booth (and yes, you can make free calls in the US), and vintage cash register. The bar is similar in appearance to the bar at Tony's. Our dinner consisted of the following: Libations: Peroni $5 The following cocktails were on the house from Tony himself. Tony was very friendly and personable, greeting patrons whenever time permitted. Suicide Koval Chicago White Rye, Fresh Lemon, Crème de Violette, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, Amarena Cherry $12 Chicago Cocktail Courvoisier VS Cognac, Cointreau, Col de Salici Prosecco, Angostura Bitters $12 Appetizer: Small plate of assorted olives Complimentary Pasta Fagioli Wood Fired Clams Casino-White Wine, Bacon, Garlic, Bread Crumbs, Romano, Lemon & Parsley $12 I can make a pretty mean Clams Casino at home. This dish was good but at $12 for 8 of the smallest manila clams I would definitely not order again. I am used to going to any number of french bistros and ordering Clams or Mussels Mariniere and getting a big bowl for less than $20. All pizzas are named in either reference to Chicago or to "honor" Chicago organized crime bosses. Pizzas are available in different crusts including Deep Dish, Stuffed, Cast Iron Pan, and Cracker Thin. Eating at a pizza joint paying homage to Chicago it was a no-brainer to order a deep dish version. Pizza: "Big Jim" Colosimo's Triple Double Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella, Provolone, Garlic, Pepperoni, Chicago Italian Sausage, Ricotta, Meatball, Roasted Peppers, Bacon, Oregano & Romano(Deep Dish) $33 The pizza was delicious with a full flavored sauce, excellent sausage, and extremely creamy ricotta cheese. I would order this again, but for the me this is a California take on a Chicago style pizza. I am a Giordano's girl through and through and there is no comparison. Desserts: Spumoni $6 Tiramisu Savoiardi Dipped in Espresso w/a Hint of Rum and Frangelico, Layered with Mascarpone & Whipped Cream $8 Once it was time for dessert we ordered only the Tiramisu. The dessert arrived and we were served one of each. Our mistake was not questioning why we got both. We wrongly assumed one would be complimentary after having the major issue with the table. But we were wrong and both ended up on the bill. After the fact I was grateful for the spumoni as the Tiramisu was a dud. It came served in a small mason jar which while it looks cute, it doesn't work for the proportions of the ingredients. There was not enough ladyfinger to compete with what was a way too sweet mascarpone. Tony knows pizza and I will give them another chance once they've been open a couple weeks. On a positive note, the hostess told us to remind her of the problems we had and she will be sure to book us a booth the next time around. Stay tuned for chapter 2.
(3)Fatty A.
Best garlic, cheese, mushroom and truffle oil bread ever. Freakin delicious. The pan pizza is not my favorite. I will have to go back and try the paper thin crust. Tony's down the street is still my favorite. My fat ass will be back to try the rest of the menu. Note: they only accept cash. pwned
(4)Ash A.
3 visits to Capo's - good satisfying pasta, salads and pizza's of course. Clear soup to start with is always welcome and always excellent. Well priced wine menu. A little slow on busy nights (mostly always) Service on the last visit was uneven. A bit cold and perfunctory. It warmed up after our table ordered several bottles of wine. A bit sad, that.
(3)