Pizza Italian is a no frills Italian restaurant. Two things that make this restaurant (or any other dining establishment) worth visiting... 1) good food; and 2) good service. The pizza was good. Different from any other pizza I have ever had; it had a considerate amount of tomato sauce beneath the cheese. We had the "Special Deluxe" pizza, which had green peppers, olives, mushrooms, Italian sausage, onions, beef, and pepperoni. There were also Spanish olives on the pizza. In my opinion, the Spanish olives made the pizza smell like baby diapers... but to everyone else at the table, it didn't have the same effect. I also recommend the garlic bread. The spread on the bread is great! This is a cash only business. They do not take credit or debit card! Also, prices are very fair. A side order of Garlic Bread is $2.75 (can be generously split between a party of four). Moreover, a 15" Special Deluxe pizza is about $15.00. Additional Notes: - Pizza Italian is closed on Sunday.
(4)
Mandie G.
Being a native to Jacksonville, I can attest to this restaurant's longevity. I presume it is because of their low cost in food production, and that reflects in their menu. Their food is by no means high-class but, the portions are huge. It's worth the money spent if you want to leave stuffed. The place is dim with no music and a t.v. that plays one of the local channels. Ambiance is neutral. My fella and I went in today. Our food didn't come out all at once, his came out about 10 minutes after mine. The waitress did bring out this side of pasta with my ziti al la rosa. The Alfredo was a creamy red sauce over my ziti. I'm not one for burned garlic bread, as far back as I can remember the bread has been served that way. Apparently they are doing something correct.
(3)
Robert K.
good food, great prices, entrees are delicious but never cared for the pizza
(4)
linda h.
best italian food yet ! Great prices also. Riverside secret !!!!!!!!
(5)
Alex V.
Love everything here from the pasta to garlic bread. House salad is simple and perfect!
(5)
Barry F.
Cash only! Be aware! There's an ATM across the street in case you forget! Craving spaghetti one night and didn't want to cook. It turned out to be a big serving for one person - plus a whole basket of garlic bread, plus a house salad. It was too much food. Go with a friend and share across the table. Red sauce was on the sweet side, not my thing but not unpleasant. It was also not as thick as I like, but, again, not unpleasant just not my thing. Everything else was good but not great. There's a lot on their menu, definitely the kind of place I'm going to try again for some variety, but I'll bring friends with me. I'm also not running to return. Just if I'm ever in the mood for decent homemade Italian food. Not a bad price either. Full meal (and then enough left over for one full leftover meal with some extra) for less than $15.
(3)
Sandra B.
We had take out from Kostas as tonight. It was only fair. The chef's salads were iceberg lettuce, tomato, some sliced onions and sliced olives...Both black and green. there was some feta cheese on top. It all tasted very bland. I choose blue cheese dressing...it tasted like mayonnaise. ..basically no taste. The dressing tasted like it cam in a gallon jar. nothing was stale or tasted off..just boring. For a main course I had meat lasagna. .There was a meat sauce..but no actual meat in it. The dish was heavy on the pasta and light on the filling. There was nothing wrong with the lasagna. It seemed to be cheaply made. There was no parsley or other herbs. I have had better frozen lasagna than this. It would probably work with small children who like bland food. I like mine with more flavor. I am changing my review to 2 stars..got a chance to talk to others in group..The salad was "bag salad"..machine chopped iceberg, a Few pieces of carrots, red cabbage and onion. The onion had absolutely no flavor..they put on black and green sliced olives..The kind which come pre sliced in a can. there was a bit of feta on top. It was a McDonald's salad. Once was enough. We were served paper bags with what I think was meant to be garlic bread. The bags had large grease spots on them. The bread was room temperature and so hard that I could not bite into it. From the small taste I got the topping was some sort of flavor less spreadl which was bought pre prepared. I wonder if customers who eat there get the same food. The menu indicates two meats in the lasagna. ..do not count on much if you are ordering take out...try someplace else.
(2)
Corey M.
Best. Pizza. Ever. On my birthday me and two of my friends went here. I was in total shock that this small place didn't have a line out the door. My friends and I ordered a pepperoni pizza with fetta cheese and 3 drinks. Pizza was literally the best I've ever had, The costumer service was Amazing (ask for Candy), and it was cheap! It was less then 12$ and one pizza filed us up and we took some leftovers. The only down fall was they only except cash.
(5)
Bryce Z.
Not sure if you can call this round brown sloppy mess "pizza". I don't think I have ever had a worse pizza in my life; you'd be better off putting BBQ sauce and rotten mozzarella on a tortilla and microwaving it for 20 seconds. Also, the bathrooms are honestly worse than a gas station. I created a Yelp account solely to inform you how terrible this place is. I will never return.
(1)
Leah A.
This place is FANTABULOUS! Apparently, everyone calls it "Pizza Italian" when clearly their sign says "Kostas Pizza Italian" but who really cares since most are just here for the solid, Italian-style comfort food. Like another reviewer wrote, it's like stepping into the past when you walk in. You'll see what I mean when you go. The food is simple and sometimes simple is all I want. For my first time, I ordered the meat, spaghetti & ravioli combo & Jeff ordered their version of chicken parmesan (holy cheese). Our dinners came with a nice chef's salad & garlic bread. The food came out pretty quickly--so hot & fresh! The chicken parm was not exactly what we expected, but it was delicious all the same. The servings were nice portions and we even had leftovers to take home. All in all, our bill was $16.05 without the tip. Not too bad for a Friday night date. This is a CASH ONLY place and as a plus apparently you can bring your own wine and maybe beer. I didn't inquire if there was a cork fee, but next time we go we will be sure to bring our own. All I can say is I don't know how there aren't more reviews on this joint, but I have a feeling that's the point and the locals are trying to keep it a secret.
(5)
Kris S.
Had the lasagne - meh. She had the spaghetti with a sort of lasagna topping - filling, but what I call institutional food. Remember the stuff they served at school. Lots of food, very filling, but I wouldn't want to take it home even in a "Doggy bag!" Hey -Kostas is Greek. Why am I trying to eat Italian food at a Greek's restaurant? Got only myself to blame for this less than satisfying repast.
(2)
Joe K.
I might be the only one writing a poor review and I wish I wasn't. I have fond memories of this place from when I lived in Jacksonville back in the mid to late nineties. The garlic bread was all soft and smushy. Kind of like if you put a tiny memory foam pillow in your mouth and tried to chew it up. No crust or crunchiness to speak of. Sadness number one. The salad that came out was all iceberg (all white and no green to be seen) and had one slice of tomato and a heap of canned black and green olives. The ranch was severely lacking. We took two bites and stopped there. Sadness number two. We ordered the Parmesan chicken (this is sauteed and then oven baked, there is no crispy breading on the chicken) and the sausage lasagna. Both dishes tasted the same - an overall taste of too much acidity mixed with old cooking oils. The lasagna was only a bit better because of the addition of the sausage flavor. The smaller spaghetti dish that accompanied the Parm chicken looked like something from a school cafeteria. I didn't touch it. Sadness now at highest level. We ate our meals and politely tipped, and left acting happy. I didn't even have the heart to be honest with the server because she was the best part of the experience. She was attentive, polite and kind. I will sadly never return to this location. I can understand the great reviews due to the nostalgia, but even for this price, the food was all around terrible.
(2)
Monica P.
Not impressed. Garlic bread was good but otherwise there was much to be desired. Also need to clean fans and use gloves when handling fresh salad from the old nasty looking cooler. Also CASH ONLY, not an attractive quality.
(1)
Chris C.
The food is fine,the dining room does NOT have any off odors and the staff are always pleasant and quick to refill your glass. If youre from Jacksonville , or you read the menu, you will see the Chicken Parmigiana is sauteed boneless chicken, and not the usual breaded hockey puck served elsewhere. The sauce isnt sweet and yes the whole dish will be gloriously covered with gooey mozzarella and nicely browned, perfect for dipping that nice (,yes commercially made) basket of garlic bread in. Ask for your side of spaghetti to be with garlic and oil instead of red sauce. They only accept cash and the prices are very reasonable. Yes the place is comfortably divey..just has its always been. May it never change! PS they do actually have pretty good dessert..usually a huge slab of chocolate cake to share with your tablemates.
(4)
Jeremy H.
Reading all the good reviews here makes me feel like I'm taking crazy pills. It's mom & pop so I want to root for them, but I can't. Everything is from a can. Gross. Don't bother.
(1)
Bill L.
My wife and I were starving and ended up in five points accidentally. Most of the restaurants looked pretty upscale and I was afraid I'd be having a $20.00 hamburger or salad at one of them but,by then, didn't care. We just wanted food. Then we saw this little Italian place across the street. We went in and sat down in one of the rustic looking booths. A beautiful waitress who reminded us of a younger Christina Applegate came over to take our order. I couldn't believe the prices when I opened he menu,there was hardly anything over eight bucks. Dinner entrees came with a large salad and a full basket of great garlic bread. The wife had lasagna and I had eggplant parmigiana. The portions were huge,delicious and piping hot. Once we were stuffed, we still had over half to take home. Omigod! The bill was only $22.00. They only take cash, but so what? Stop by an ATM. It's well worth it.
(5)
Mark B.
We have been going to Pizza Italian for a year or so now. My doctor told us about it once and we have returned ever since. This place is not anything fancy just really good food that is made with heart. The old man in the kitchen is pouring out his love on every dish that comes out. We have eaten almost everything on the menu. I love the Lasagna and the Ravioli with a mountain of cheeses. The red sauce is such old school I bet there isn't even a recipe for it. It's probably in his head and was taught to him by his Mother. The pasta dishes are great I love the ziti and the manicotti and the whole menu is just plan good. I however have not eaten a pizza from here mainly because of my diet. Now that's about to change today I think that I will try one for I'm off my diet and I'm not watching my calories for now. I have been graving pizza for months now to. I'll tell y'all about it later. Bon Appetit OK it's later. I went yesterday for lunch and had the deluxe 9" pizza. It was as close to heaven as I have been since last August. There were plenty of toppings and the red sauce was fabulous. Let me tell you thou the Italian sausage was really good. If Gus didn't make it there somebody out there that knows what their doing. I make a heck of an Italian sausage but this stuff was great. Way better then mine.
(4)
Jonathan A.
Nothing in town beats the bang for your buck at this joint. They could charge twice what they do and I'd still happily come back (or what others do charge for lower quality food). Love it. I've been eating their lasagna and chicken parm for twenty years and hopefully will for another 20.
(5)
Lisa R.
This place is not closed I have been coming here 40yr. I love everything, its always great. Can't bet the price. (Unbelievable). Eggplant with mariner sauce always good. I think they have the best pizza. I have taken lots of friends here and they always return. Great take out. So much food. This is one of those great hole in the wall kind of place.
(5)
Katherine M.
Okay so I'm just a LITTLE biased about my love for this restaurant. This may be because my father is the owner and chef ::cough cough:: .....but that doesn't change the fact that, as other reviewers have mentioned, most restaurants just can't compete with Pizza Italian's yummy, Italian-style comfort food and it's undeniably huge portions and low prices. They offer a wide variety of dinners and the meat sauce is homemade as well as the Italian and blue cheese dressing which are all from the owner's own secret recipe- he won't even tell me! The place is old fashioned so they don't advertise- it's all word of mouth, but it must be working because this past March marked the 35th year of Pizza Italian being in business. So don't let looks deceive you or you'll be missing out on a delicious piece of 5 Points history.
(5)
Carol M.
If you love authentic, home-made, hand-prepared Italian food AND funky, local eateries, you've got to try Pizza Italian in Five Points. We've been going there for years, and it's just so easy and affordable and delicious that we find ourselves there two or three times per week. I love the manicotti (with marinara), but my husband's fave is Gus's Spaghetti Caruso (spaghetti with chicken livers). Their house salad is loaded with black & green olives, onions, and a generous portion of crisp iceberg lettuce. Ladle the house Italian dressing over it, and you'll fall in love. Friendly service, wonderfully faded-and-worn finishes, and home cooking that you'll rave over. NOTE: I believe they've gone to "cash only," so go prepared. But you won't need much cash to leave stuffed!
(5)
Karen H.
Good food; both pizzas and pasta dishes. Good service, old interior, we have been going to PI for over 20 years, and it looks the same as it did the 1st time we ate here. Prices are very reasonable. I think it could do with a little paint and touch ups, few new furniture pieces, but at least it is always clean. Very busy on Fri night, parking is sometimes difficult to find a spot since you are parking at a street curb of a sidewalk in a very old part of town (small car spaces). Small restaurant, so no big parties can be seated all together.
(3)
R H.
what a great place for an unpretentious italian meal..decent price great food great service...bring your own wine..its the best deal in the city..just wish theyd stay open longer..745 on a Saturday is way to early to close...get someone else that can cook the meals if he cant work later than 8 on a sat.
(4)
Gary P.
Was in town on business, looked on Yelp (as usual) to see where to go for some GOOD italian food. Well.....this wasn't it! Had antipasta salad (small), have never seen so many green & black olives on a SMALL salad in my life. Tons of iceberg lettuce on a small plate.....tomatoes were very bland. Italian dressing was oily and tasteless. Then i had the 9" cheese pizza, thin crust that was doughy and way too much mozarella......In other words if your looking for GOOD italian food try somewhere else. Would not go back!
(1)
Justin B.
my wife and i were at baptist downtown for a few days, so i came on Yelp and was looking for reviews for places to eat. I'm a pizza enthusiast and this place had good reviews, so i decided to give it a shot. It was decent for cheap new york style pizza, but i'd rather spend a couple more bucks and go to Mellow Mushroom, Al's Pizza, or Broadway pizza. also, as it's 2013, the cash only policy caught me off guard.
(2)
Robert L.
Cuddos to Kathy, for being forthright in apprising of of her bias, i.e.being the daughterof the owner of Pizzq Italian. And congratulations for being accurate too, Kathy. New to the area, i went to thegreat combo of IPad and YELP and found this jewel of a place. It these things are important to you, i think you will be pleased (i was): good quantity, good tasting, fast service and fast food from kitchen. I had salad (nice and good homemade italian dressing mix), spaggetti and mear balls and very goog garlic bread. It was all good and the garlic bread was baked just right (unlike one prior reviewer's comment). The sauce was rather unique. Hard to explain except that it had a hint of Skyline Chilii "5 way chili" for those who have experienced that food famous in Cincinnatti for more than half century. It was very good meat sauce and thick, not watery like some places. And last of all, all of this was only $6.95. That is really inexpensive for the area and for the quantity and quality. I would rate it a "bargain". I shall return! robert peck (Tampa and now Jax)
(5)
David B.
Best Eggplant Parmesan in the zip code.
(4)
Ophelia B.
I love this restaurant. It's unpretentious, the food is always great, and it's a family owned business with the same staff since 2001. It's a little run down in some parts of the shop, but they've updated the wall paper since the smoking ban. The sweet tea is powdered, so don't expect fresh squeezed lemons in the tea! Otherwise, it's great. Foodwise, the salads are simple, but delicious. The manicotti is my personal favorite. For a rediculously low price, you can get a quality meal in a low key place. No need to dress up, but you always leave feeling good.
(5)
Eric G.
Great food, great price. I've driven by hundreds of times and finally tried it. I will definately be back again and again.
(5)
Thomas L.
I wish I could comment on whether or not the food was any good, although I have heard very positive things about cost and portion size. Sadly, when I arrived with a party of 6, we were told that they would be closing at 8pm and it was 7:35. We asked if it would be okay to stay and were told by an uninterested waitress "well, you can if you want to, but we'll be cleaning up all around you." Sounded like a "No" to us! So we took our business down the street to Al's Pizza and it's extremely unlikely that I will put in any effort to go back and give them another try. I'm sure the owner would have treated us differently, but you are only as good as your worst employee.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : No Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
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.
Italian Cuisine
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.
A B.
Pizza Italian is a no frills Italian restaurant. Two things that make this restaurant (or any other dining establishment) worth visiting... 1) good food; and 2) good service. The pizza was good. Different from any other pizza I have ever had; it had a considerate amount of tomato sauce beneath the cheese. We had the "Special Deluxe" pizza, which had green peppers, olives, mushrooms, Italian sausage, onions, beef, and pepperoni. There were also Spanish olives on the pizza. In my opinion, the Spanish olives made the pizza smell like baby diapers... but to everyone else at the table, it didn't have the same effect. I also recommend the garlic bread. The spread on the bread is great! This is a cash only business. They do not take credit or debit card! Also, prices are very fair. A side order of Garlic Bread is $2.75 (can be generously split between a party of four). Moreover, a 15" Special Deluxe pizza is about $15.00. Additional Notes: - Pizza Italian is closed on Sunday.
(4)Mandie G.
Being a native to Jacksonville, I can attest to this restaurant's longevity. I presume it is because of their low cost in food production, and that reflects in their menu. Their food is by no means high-class but, the portions are huge. It's worth the money spent if you want to leave stuffed. The place is dim with no music and a t.v. that plays one of the local channels. Ambiance is neutral. My fella and I went in today. Our food didn't come out all at once, his came out about 10 minutes after mine. The waitress did bring out this side of pasta with my ziti al la rosa. The Alfredo was a creamy red sauce over my ziti. I'm not one for burned garlic bread, as far back as I can remember the bread has been served that way. Apparently they are doing something correct.
(3)Robert K.
good food, great prices, entrees are delicious but never cared for the pizza
(4)linda h.
best italian food yet ! Great prices also. Riverside secret !!!!!!!!
(5)Alex V.
Love everything here from the pasta to garlic bread. House salad is simple and perfect!
(5)Barry F.
Cash only! Be aware! There's an ATM across the street in case you forget! Craving spaghetti one night and didn't want to cook. It turned out to be a big serving for one person - plus a whole basket of garlic bread, plus a house salad. It was too much food. Go with a friend and share across the table. Red sauce was on the sweet side, not my thing but not unpleasant. It was also not as thick as I like, but, again, not unpleasant just not my thing. Everything else was good but not great. There's a lot on their menu, definitely the kind of place I'm going to try again for some variety, but I'll bring friends with me. I'm also not running to return. Just if I'm ever in the mood for decent homemade Italian food. Not a bad price either. Full meal (and then enough left over for one full leftover meal with some extra) for less than $15.
(3)Sandra B.
We had take out from Kostas as tonight. It was only fair. The chef's salads were iceberg lettuce, tomato, some sliced onions and sliced olives...Both black and green. there was some feta cheese on top. It all tasted very bland. I choose blue cheese dressing...it tasted like mayonnaise. ..basically no taste. The dressing tasted like it cam in a gallon jar. nothing was stale or tasted off..just boring. For a main course I had meat lasagna. .There was a meat sauce..but no actual meat in it. The dish was heavy on the pasta and light on the filling. There was nothing wrong with the lasagna. It seemed to be cheaply made. There was no parsley or other herbs. I have had better frozen lasagna than this. It would probably work with small children who like bland food. I like mine with more flavor. I am changing my review to 2 stars..got a chance to talk to others in group..The salad was "bag salad"..machine chopped iceberg, a Few pieces of carrots, red cabbage and onion. The onion had absolutely no flavor..they put on black and green sliced olives..The kind which come pre sliced in a can. there was a bit of feta on top. It was a McDonald's salad. Once was enough. We were served paper bags with what I think was meant to be garlic bread. The bags had large grease spots on them. The bread was room temperature and so hard that I could not bite into it. From the small taste I got the topping was some sort of flavor less spreadl which was bought pre prepared. I wonder if customers who eat there get the same food. The menu indicates two meats in the lasagna. ..do not count on much if you are ordering take out...try someplace else.
(2)Corey M.
Best. Pizza. Ever. On my birthday me and two of my friends went here. I was in total shock that this small place didn't have a line out the door. My friends and I ordered a pepperoni pizza with fetta cheese and 3 drinks. Pizza was literally the best I've ever had, The costumer service was Amazing (ask for Candy), and it was cheap! It was less then 12$ and one pizza filed us up and we took some leftovers. The only down fall was they only except cash.
(5)Bryce Z.
Not sure if you can call this round brown sloppy mess "pizza". I don't think I have ever had a worse pizza in my life; you'd be better off putting BBQ sauce and rotten mozzarella on a tortilla and microwaving it for 20 seconds. Also, the bathrooms are honestly worse than a gas station. I created a Yelp account solely to inform you how terrible this place is. I will never return.
(1)Leah A.
This place is FANTABULOUS! Apparently, everyone calls it "Pizza Italian" when clearly their sign says "Kostas Pizza Italian" but who really cares since most are just here for the solid, Italian-style comfort food. Like another reviewer wrote, it's like stepping into the past when you walk in. You'll see what I mean when you go. The food is simple and sometimes simple is all I want. For my first time, I ordered the meat, spaghetti & ravioli combo & Jeff ordered their version of chicken parmesan (holy cheese). Our dinners came with a nice chef's salad & garlic bread. The food came out pretty quickly--so hot & fresh! The chicken parm was not exactly what we expected, but it was delicious all the same. The servings were nice portions and we even had leftovers to take home. All in all, our bill was $16.05 without the tip. Not too bad for a Friday night date. This is a CASH ONLY place and as a plus apparently you can bring your own wine and maybe beer. I didn't inquire if there was a cork fee, but next time we go we will be sure to bring our own. All I can say is I don't know how there aren't more reviews on this joint, but I have a feeling that's the point and the locals are trying to keep it a secret.
(5)Kris S.
Had the lasagne - meh. She had the spaghetti with a sort of lasagna topping - filling, but what I call institutional food. Remember the stuff they served at school. Lots of food, very filling, but I wouldn't want to take it home even in a "Doggy bag!" Hey -Kostas is Greek. Why am I trying to eat Italian food at a Greek's restaurant? Got only myself to blame for this less than satisfying repast.
(2)Joe K.
I might be the only one writing a poor review and I wish I wasn't. I have fond memories of this place from when I lived in Jacksonville back in the mid to late nineties. The garlic bread was all soft and smushy. Kind of like if you put a tiny memory foam pillow in your mouth and tried to chew it up. No crust or crunchiness to speak of. Sadness number one. The salad that came out was all iceberg (all white and no green to be seen) and had one slice of tomato and a heap of canned black and green olives. The ranch was severely lacking. We took two bites and stopped there. Sadness number two. We ordered the Parmesan chicken (this is sauteed and then oven baked, there is no crispy breading on the chicken) and the sausage lasagna. Both dishes tasted the same - an overall taste of too much acidity mixed with old cooking oils. The lasagna was only a bit better because of the addition of the sausage flavor. The smaller spaghetti dish that accompanied the Parm chicken looked like something from a school cafeteria. I didn't touch it. Sadness now at highest level. We ate our meals and politely tipped, and left acting happy. I didn't even have the heart to be honest with the server because she was the best part of the experience. She was attentive, polite and kind. I will sadly never return to this location. I can understand the great reviews due to the nostalgia, but even for this price, the food was all around terrible.
(2)Monica P.
Not impressed. Garlic bread was good but otherwise there was much to be desired. Also need to clean fans and use gloves when handling fresh salad from the old nasty looking cooler. Also CASH ONLY, not an attractive quality.
(1)Chris C.
The food is fine,the dining room does NOT have any off odors and the staff are always pleasant and quick to refill your glass. If youre from Jacksonville , or you read the menu, you will see the Chicken Parmigiana is sauteed boneless chicken, and not the usual breaded hockey puck served elsewhere. The sauce isnt sweet and yes the whole dish will be gloriously covered with gooey mozzarella and nicely browned, perfect for dipping that nice (,yes commercially made) basket of garlic bread in. Ask for your side of spaghetti to be with garlic and oil instead of red sauce. They only accept cash and the prices are very reasonable. Yes the place is comfortably divey..just has its always been. May it never change! PS they do actually have pretty good dessert..usually a huge slab of chocolate cake to share with your tablemates.
(4)Jeremy H.
Reading all the good reviews here makes me feel like I'm taking crazy pills. It's mom & pop so I want to root for them, but I can't. Everything is from a can. Gross. Don't bother.
(1)Bill L.
My wife and I were starving and ended up in five points accidentally. Most of the restaurants looked pretty upscale and I was afraid I'd be having a $20.00 hamburger or salad at one of them but,by then, didn't care. We just wanted food. Then we saw this little Italian place across the street. We went in and sat down in one of the rustic looking booths. A beautiful waitress who reminded us of a younger Christina Applegate came over to take our order. I couldn't believe the prices when I opened he menu,there was hardly anything over eight bucks. Dinner entrees came with a large salad and a full basket of great garlic bread. The wife had lasagna and I had eggplant parmigiana. The portions were huge,delicious and piping hot. Once we were stuffed, we still had over half to take home. Omigod! The bill was only $22.00. They only take cash, but so what? Stop by an ATM. It's well worth it.
(5)Mark B.
We have been going to Pizza Italian for a year or so now. My doctor told us about it once and we have returned ever since. This place is not anything fancy just really good food that is made with heart. The old man in the kitchen is pouring out his love on every dish that comes out. We have eaten almost everything on the menu. I love the Lasagna and the Ravioli with a mountain of cheeses. The red sauce is such old school I bet there isn't even a recipe for it. It's probably in his head and was taught to him by his Mother. The pasta dishes are great I love the ziti and the manicotti and the whole menu is just plan good. I however have not eaten a pizza from here mainly because of my diet. Now that's about to change today I think that I will try one for I'm off my diet and I'm not watching my calories for now. I have been graving pizza for months now to. I'll tell y'all about it later. Bon Appetit OK it's later. I went yesterday for lunch and had the deluxe 9" pizza. It was as close to heaven as I have been since last August. There were plenty of toppings and the red sauce was fabulous. Let me tell you thou the Italian sausage was really good. If Gus didn't make it there somebody out there that knows what their doing. I make a heck of an Italian sausage but this stuff was great. Way better then mine.
(4)Jonathan A.
Nothing in town beats the bang for your buck at this joint. They could charge twice what they do and I'd still happily come back (or what others do charge for lower quality food). Love it. I've been eating their lasagna and chicken parm for twenty years and hopefully will for another 20.
(5)Lisa R.
This place is not closed I have been coming here 40yr. I love everything, its always great. Can't bet the price. (Unbelievable). Eggplant with mariner sauce always good. I think they have the best pizza. I have taken lots of friends here and they always return. Great take out. So much food. This is one of those great hole in the wall kind of place.
(5)Katherine M.
Okay so I'm just a LITTLE biased about my love for this restaurant. This may be because my father is the owner and chef ::cough cough:: .....but that doesn't change the fact that, as other reviewers have mentioned, most restaurants just can't compete with Pizza Italian's yummy, Italian-style comfort food and it's undeniably huge portions and low prices. They offer a wide variety of dinners and the meat sauce is homemade as well as the Italian and blue cheese dressing which are all from the owner's own secret recipe- he won't even tell me! The place is old fashioned so they don't advertise- it's all word of mouth, but it must be working because this past March marked the 35th year of Pizza Italian being in business. So don't let looks deceive you or you'll be missing out on a delicious piece of 5 Points history.
(5)Carol M.
If you love authentic, home-made, hand-prepared Italian food AND funky, local eateries, you've got to try Pizza Italian in Five Points. We've been going there for years, and it's just so easy and affordable and delicious that we find ourselves there two or three times per week. I love the manicotti (with marinara), but my husband's fave is Gus's Spaghetti Caruso (spaghetti with chicken livers). Their house salad is loaded with black & green olives, onions, and a generous portion of crisp iceberg lettuce. Ladle the house Italian dressing over it, and you'll fall in love. Friendly service, wonderfully faded-and-worn finishes, and home cooking that you'll rave over. NOTE: I believe they've gone to "cash only," so go prepared. But you won't need much cash to leave stuffed!
(5)Karen H.
Good food; both pizzas and pasta dishes. Good service, old interior, we have been going to PI for over 20 years, and it looks the same as it did the 1st time we ate here. Prices are very reasonable. I think it could do with a little paint and touch ups, few new furniture pieces, but at least it is always clean. Very busy on Fri night, parking is sometimes difficult to find a spot since you are parking at a street curb of a sidewalk in a very old part of town (small car spaces). Small restaurant, so no big parties can be seated all together.
(3)R H.
what a great place for an unpretentious italian meal..decent price great food great service...bring your own wine..its the best deal in the city..just wish theyd stay open longer..745 on a Saturday is way to early to close...get someone else that can cook the meals if he cant work later than 8 on a sat.
(4)Gary P.
Was in town on business, looked on Yelp (as usual) to see where to go for some GOOD italian food. Well.....this wasn't it! Had antipasta salad (small), have never seen so many green & black olives on a SMALL salad in my life. Tons of iceberg lettuce on a small plate.....tomatoes were very bland. Italian dressing was oily and tasteless. Then i had the 9" cheese pizza, thin crust that was doughy and way too much mozarella......In other words if your looking for GOOD italian food try somewhere else. Would not go back!
(1)Justin B.
my wife and i were at baptist downtown for a few days, so i came on Yelp and was looking for reviews for places to eat. I'm a pizza enthusiast and this place had good reviews, so i decided to give it a shot. It was decent for cheap new york style pizza, but i'd rather spend a couple more bucks and go to Mellow Mushroom, Al's Pizza, or Broadway pizza. also, as it's 2013, the cash only policy caught me off guard.
(2)Robert L.
Cuddos to Kathy, for being forthright in apprising of of her bias, i.e.being the daughterof the owner of Pizzq Italian. And congratulations for being accurate too, Kathy. New to the area, i went to thegreat combo of IPad and YELP and found this jewel of a place. It these things are important to you, i think you will be pleased (i was): good quantity, good tasting, fast service and fast food from kitchen. I had salad (nice and good homemade italian dressing mix), spaggetti and mear balls and very goog garlic bread. It was all good and the garlic bread was baked just right (unlike one prior reviewer's comment). The sauce was rather unique. Hard to explain except that it had a hint of Skyline Chilii "5 way chili" for those who have experienced that food famous in Cincinnatti for more than half century. It was very good meat sauce and thick, not watery like some places. And last of all, all of this was only $6.95. That is really inexpensive for the area and for the quantity and quality. I would rate it a "bargain". I shall return! robert peck (Tampa and now Jax)
(5)David B.
Best Eggplant Parmesan in the zip code.
(4)Ophelia B.
I love this restaurant. It's unpretentious, the food is always great, and it's a family owned business with the same staff since 2001. It's a little run down in some parts of the shop, but they've updated the wall paper since the smoking ban. The sweet tea is powdered, so don't expect fresh squeezed lemons in the tea! Otherwise, it's great. Foodwise, the salads are simple, but delicious. The manicotti is my personal favorite. For a rediculously low price, you can get a quality meal in a low key place. No need to dress up, but you always leave feeling good.
(5)Eric G.
Great food, great price. I've driven by hundreds of times and finally tried it. I will definately be back again and again.
(5)Thomas L.
I wish I could comment on whether or not the food was any good, although I have heard very positive things about cost and portion size. Sadly, when I arrived with a party of 6, we were told that they would be closing at 8pm and it was 7:35. We asked if it would be okay to stay and were told by an uninterested waitress "well, you can if you want to, but we'll be cleaning up all around you." Sounded like a "No" to us! So we took our business down the street to Al's Pizza and it's extremely unlikely that I will put in any effort to go back and give them another try. I'm sure the owner would have treated us differently, but you are only as good as your worst employee.
(1)