My family, coworkers and I have been getting food and would LOVE to dine at this establishment. Their fried zucchini is awesome and their italian subs I've been known to crave. Food quality aside, a recent trip with my out-of-town sister-in-law, brother, their 3 very small children (2,4,6 years of age) and my mother was horrible. Our waitress was likely a newbie, and I always have the utmost respect and patience for new employees and green waitresses (we all have to start somewhere!). My sister-in-law has a strict diet for herself and her children and requested no fries for their kids' meals. As the food arrived, there were fries on all of the kids' plates. We inquired as to why and the waitress said "well, they're free with the meal, so we gave them to them anyhow!".... :/ Then my sister-in-law's salad was completely incorrect. When she informed the waitress it wasn't what she ordered, the waitress said "I can take it back" and my SIL decided she would pick off what she didn't want. After the waitress left, she realized the task of removing things from her salad was too much of a task. The busboy took the dish back to the kitchen as per our request. The waitress finally returned and my SIL requested the salad be taken off of our bill. The waitress said that she couldn't because she didn't personally see the returned salad. She then SCOLDED my SIL and said "Next time, you should send the salad back immediately"... Finally, after our meal, with terrible service (the waitress never returned to check on us), I received our bill that had a 20% gratuity added to the final bill. I walked up to the hostess and requested I speak with the manager. The manager said that parties greater than 8 people would have 20% gratuity added. Since when are 3 small children part of a party greater than 8 people??? I told her that if I felt the waitress earned 20%, I would happily tip that (which I usually do). She did not earn 20%. I wanted to only tip 10%. The manager looked at me and scolded me with a "Next time, be prepared that a party of 8 people has 20% gratuity added". I kindly informed her there would never be a "Next time". While I waited for the new bill at the front of the restaurant, the waitress returned to tell my family (without me present), that she didn't earn a tip, so feel free not to tip her. ??? Wow. As we left the restaurant, after I paid with my 10% tip, the manager and all of the staff lined up along a wall and scowled at us as we left. The NEXT TIME I want to eat a high school cafeteria, I'll be sure to tip my waitress as per her service.
(1)
Christian L.
After driving by here every day, I thought I would give the lunch buffet a try. I guess it was my mistake to go at 1:30, but I was disappointed. I understand that eating a later buffet with hardly anyone in there does not mean all the food will be the freshest, but the pizza was very dry and cold. The hot foods were still decent and they had pasta with meatballs, pierogies, chicken pot pie, buffalo shrimp, scalloped potatoes to go along with soup and a salad bar. It had potential, but for $10 was not worth some of the food being dried out. That being said, i will probably try it again for take out, so at least I know the food is fresh. Being new to Pittsburgh, I clump this restaurant into the many restaurants that seem like people just eat there because their parents or grandparents did even though it isn't as good as it used to be.
(3)
Jim M.
I had not been here for many years due to not being in this area of town. Tried the Wedding soup and was very disappointed. It was nothing special and not as good as I remembered. The crab ravioli, I would not recommend. The pasta was very tough and crab tasted like it came from an old can and very poor seafood taste. While my wife had the sausage casserole was good. The only reason the review did not get a lower bark, was that the service was very good.
(3)
Sheila B.
Love Monte Cello's! Very consistent and it is always pretty tasty. It's a great place for family and friend get togethers with plenty of room for larger tables. One half of the restaurant is more bar centered with multiple TVs, while the other half of the restaurant is more of a dining room with no TVs. Some of my favorite menu items...Joe's Special pizza is delightful. A thicker crust with a bit of a spicier sauce and extra cheese. Get it with mushrooms and you'll be so content and in a carb coma before you know it. Their salads are fresh, crisp, and their dressings are delish. All of their hoagies are also great with quality ingredients, perfectly toasted bread, and large portions. If you come during the week at lunch time, they have a lunch buffet which includes a salad bar, some hot food, and various pizzas. They usually have a dessert pizza as well. I think it's the best lunch buffet in the area and they really work hard at keeping the food fresh and loaded. It is a buffet so the cheese on the pizza may not be quite hot and bubbling, but come on people, have some reasonable expectations. The service is always friendly and quick. With large groups the waitresses are quick to bring over pitchers of pop or iced tea so a glass is never empty. Oops...I almost forgot dessert! Two words. Hoho cake. It's worth coming here for this. Remember those lunch treats that as a kid you housed but now you feel them sticking to your hips as you eat them? Well now it's in a CAKE version, and it's as delightful as you think it would be. I believe they get their desserts from a local well known bakery and they definitely seem like they are right out of a bakery. Try the Hoho cake. And the carrot cake. And the german chocolate cake. I think I'm drooling...
(4)
Tom K.
Their food is consistent, that's for sure. You're not gonna get a super fancy meal but you're not gonna pay for it either. The food here is better than some of the nearby "upscale" Italian places too, without the attitude and price. What I get most often (2 times a month or more) is the Buffalo Chicken Pizza. SOLID. It's a staple for events and people coming over. When friends from outta town visit they often request it.
(4)
Joe A.
Website says open till 10:00 pm. My wife and I arrive at approximately 9:30 pm. We are told you're closed. Signs and website say you're open until 10:00. Also you doors were unlocked. If you're closed you need to lock the doors, I've worked in the business as a night shift manager and I'm open until my doors are physically locked. If someone walked in to my open doors I always served them, that's how I was trained and that's how I ran things. Look at your menu burgers, hoagies, pizzas, etc 80% of which take under 10 minutes to make. Your staff didn't even offer to make us a carry out order, for example a cold sub so you don't even need to turn back on a grill.
(1)
Jennifer C.
First our server Amber B. Was AWESOME!! Very attentive, quick and super nice! All of our meals, apps, soups and salads were great. My only slight complaint was the hostess wasn't very friendly, the hostess is the first person who greets you when you walk through that door, they must be happy to see you & everyone that walks in there. There was also a couple seated behind us that ended up leaving after they sat for 15 minutes without any service at all. Not sure whose fault that is but In my restaurant it is my hostesses job to let my servers know that thats their table. But other than that My family had a great time. Thank You
(5)
Gretchen B.
Great restaurant with tasty food. I've never been disappointed in 23 years! My Mom worked there when I was growing up, and their food is just as good as it was when I was 6. I've never had bad service, and Joe really cares about his customers. I love their pizza, and the hoho cake from Lincoln Bakery is a divine treat on occasion.
(5)
Sammy B.
I like it..
(3)
Michaela R.
This is a good Italian restaurant with reasonably priced food! There pizza is really good! My favorite is the fact they have Ho-Ho Cake for dessert! You have to try it , its the best!
(5)
Jeremy M.
Best Buffalo Chicken Pizza I've ever had! Fantastic pizza all around! Only downside is that they don't deliver.
(5)
Sara P.
I've never had a pizza at Monte Cello's that I didn't love! Don't take my word for it. My friend brought her Italian boyfriend who makes pasta and dough for his family's restaurant in Ancona. They traveled throughout PA, both to Pittsburgh and Philly, and even went to NYC... and he said that Monte Cello's pizza was his favorite. Pittsburgh was his favorite too :) I'm not comparing Monte Cello's pizza to New York Pizza (or pizza from Italy for that matter). It's totally different. But, no matter where you're from or what kind of pizza you've had, you can't deny that Monte Cello's makes a stellar pie.
(5)
Maria S.
For a red sauce joint, this place is good. A great option for a non-chain restaurant on the North Hills.
(4)
Bill C.
Average food overall, pretty lousy prices. For Italian food you could do worse, but you could also do a whole of a lot better. Pizza is expensive but tasty. Dinner's were over prices and i think i could make the same thing at home pretty cheap
(1)
Michele K.
I've been to Monte Cello's on Babcock more than a few times in the past 5 years, so it wouldn't be fair to review them on my last visit (which was this past Monday) but instead review them based on the sum total of all of my visits (which are many). First things first: What I like: 1. Their Calzones are AMAZING. Definitely the best I've ever eaten. Not too saucy, not too small or dry, perfectly seasoned. I always opt for the meatball, and while I've usually had it with the usual meatball fillings (meatballs, a little sauce, ricotta and mozzarella cheese), this recent visit made me realize that you can add extras in it, and apparently it doesn't cost you any extra. I tried it with some pepperoni and extra cheese -- even though it was good, I will still just do mine plain. Also, I love the fact that they are filling enough (at least for me) that I can eat half there, and take half home the next day for lunch. Tip: if ordering the side of sauce (which does cost extra) and more than one person is doing the calzone, ONLY order one sauce. There is more than enough to share. 2. Which leads me to their side sauces. If you order a side of something (ranch, sauce, whatever) you get practically a BOWL full of it. It's almost bordering on too much...but hey...too much is better than not enough. 3. Pizza. They USED to have a special during Steeler games that you could order (during the game) a large cheese pizza for 7.99. They don't anymore. Hey, the economy, whatever. Their taco pizza is one serious pizza. Lots of meat, lots of cheese, lots of taco toppings. They aren't messing around. Get the jalapenos on the side, though. A little pricey on their pizzas, but they're really good. That's what Monte's is known for, mainly, is their pizza. 4. French fries. Crispy on the outside, fluffy and soft in the inside. Enough said. Some *minor* gripes: 1. If eating in, try NOT to sit in the dining room by the bar. I have found service to be a little slower there. I prefer the other dining room, or take out. 2. The price is a little high, but on the other side, the quality is good. General overall review: This is an all around great place to go. Go here.
(4)
Josh C.
A little better than average, which isn't bad. Figured I'd give Monte Cello's a try since we are getting tired of our go to pizza spots. Some people had recommended it and it meets my qualification of family owned and local. *Warning* The review is limited to take out and pizza, we do plan on going back and having different grub off the menu, so I will update when we do. The person answering the phone for take out was friendly and estimated the pick up time at 20 minutes. I hate places that say 10 and it turns out to be 30 or visa versa. The prices are reasonable, but not as cheap as some competitors, because of this their stuff should be better, but it isn't. The pizza was well cooked, the crust is good. A little bit of crunch yet it still had that chewy texture on the inside. The sauce was the part I wasn't too keen on. It was smooth, but a little too acidic and runny. They didn't load up on the sauce however so it didn't bother me too much. The toppings also were a little weak. We ordered the Margherita pizza, a favorite of mine and something I always order if it's offered. The menu pictures and the actual pizza look nothing alike. The basil on the pizza was tiny and didn't have that fresh taste you'd expect. The cheese was good, but was mostly mozzarella taste and again did not taste like good mozzarella. They claim to put asiago on it as well, but I didn't taste it. Onto the garlic bread sticks. They were too crunchy and tasted like a giant crouton, not impressed. An average pizza Margherita and not very good bread sticks.
(3)
Sal G.
Heading back to Pittsburgh-proper from the Ross Township mall, we decided we were ready to eat but didn't want to have to fight any of the holiday traffic surrounding the mall. So, breaking out the handy-dandy iPhone application, we found Monte Cello's. With only one review, it was a bit of a gambit, but we decided to get ourselves some Italian food. When we arrived, the place was packed. This is a VERY popular local business. We arrived just in time for the Friday rush to be waning and we were sat in a booth after about a two-minute wait. The place looked quite new and nice on the inside. Our server was immediately at our table and taking our drink and appetizer order: Italian Wedding Soup Provolone sticks Meatballs Unsweet Tea with lemon Pepsi Our drinks were on the table immediately as was the soup. The Italian Wedding soup is some of the best that I have tried in the entire Pittsburgh area and I had no qualms finishing it. My issue was trying to figure out what I was going to have for dinner. Was I going to order an entree, or were we going to share a pizza. As our appetizers arrived, we opted to try the pizza before delving into anything more complex. We ordered: Bread and butter 12" pepperoni pizza with extra cheese The meatballs and the cheese sticks were anticlimactic after having had the Wedding soup. The meatballs were average as were the cheese sticks. We finished the appetizers and awaited the pizza with anticipation; not knowing if it would be more akin to the soup or the rest of the appetizers. When the pizza arrived, we dug in immediately. This was no Fiori's. It was an average pizza, but it tasted better than much of the food that I had found in the area. In the end, I counted ourselves lucky to find a restaurant that I would consider "A-Ok" and could return to when I am in the area of the mall.
(3)
Misty P.
Mu husband and I love this place. We have done take-out, dine in and I had a wedding shower for a girlfriend here. It is a cute little italian restaraunt that offers a small bar and a party room. The service is always out of this world. The waiters and waitresses are always really nice, on top of everything, and keep my drink full. We usually get pizza when we go and it is also great. Even take-out the pizza is fantastic. We have gotten buffalo fries there as well and they are never the same. It depdnds on the cook. This is the reason I gave them 4 stars. I has a wedding shower for a girlfriend here and I couldn't have asked for anything more. They dedicated one server to us which was plenty. He was courteous of everyone that was there and provided friendly service. The shower went off wihtout a hitch, food was delicious, service was great, and everyone enjoyed themselves. We usually take our out of town guests here to have dinner as well. They seem to enjoy the food and atmosphere. They have alot of choices for dessert as well. Some are homemade and others are purchased from the bakery, Oakmont I think, but they are all good. They will tell you which ones are purchased from the bakery as well. We would reccomend this place to everyone if you like italian food.
(4)
Emily H.
I cant believe i havent discovered this place until now! iTS SOO good! everything from dessert to appetizers to entrees this place was great.. we started at the bar and waited about 20 to be sat(on a fri night) the bar prices were awesome & they do have specials.. we got sat and order an appetizers right away, we got the fried provolone- which was excellent. Then we ordered our meals my boyfriend got the chicken parm, he was very full after and had some to take home. i got the stuffed shells, they were good! we also got cheesecake to take home- EXCELLENT and they brought the desserts out to you on a try to see which one you would like.. kinda different! overall i will return, and tell my friends about this place!
(5)
Grant T.
This restaurant is THE Italian restaurant to go to. Try the calzones or pizza and you can not go wrong. Make this your next pizza visit.
(5)
Matt G.
I have never set foot in this place, although it looks nice from the outside. What I have done on several occasions is eaten their pizza. It is the best I have had in the area.
(4)
Matt K.
Long standing, Italian tradition. Great food and good times.
(5)
Jeffrey L.
I'm never disappointed when I go here. It gets busy but never more than a 10 to 15 minute wait. They have a bar if you don't want to sit at a table. Decent beer and wine selection. Nothing crazy. They make homemade soups. I'm a fan of the wedding. If I'm there for pizza then the antipasta salad is a must. Their house italian is one of my favorites. For the most part I believe the salad dressing are also homemade. They have great pizza. Either square or round. They have specialty pizzas, great calzones, hoagies and an array of pasta dishes. If you venture here you and your wallet will happy customers.
(4)
Ashlynn R.
Visited this place after a few people said I should check it out. First of all, its very nice inside. A little crowded but nice. At times I felt like I was having dinner with the family behind me because their child's highchair was right beside me but hey, I can deal with that. It was busy there and it showed it by how long it took for us to get our food. However, our waitress was very friendly and helpful. We hadn't been there before so she explained some menu items to us. We ultimately decided on pizza because that's what everyone raved about. When it finally came out, it wasn't cooked all the way through and well, I wasn't impressed with the taste. It seemed bland. I actually baked it in the oven when we brought our leftovers home and it was a little better! I've heard they have great drink specials but I haven't been back to check it out after that one meal. I would like to give this place another try at some point simply because everyone else seems to love it! Also, it was really cute IMO that every member of their staff was wearing Steeler jerseys the night I was there.
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No 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 : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : 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.
Sarah L.
My family, coworkers and I have been getting food and would LOVE to dine at this establishment. Their fried zucchini is awesome and their italian subs I've been known to crave. Food quality aside, a recent trip with my out-of-town sister-in-law, brother, their 3 very small children (2,4,6 years of age) and my mother was horrible. Our waitress was likely a newbie, and I always have the utmost respect and patience for new employees and green waitresses (we all have to start somewhere!). My sister-in-law has a strict diet for herself and her children and requested no fries for their kids' meals. As the food arrived, there were fries on all of the kids' plates. We inquired as to why and the waitress said "well, they're free with the meal, so we gave them to them anyhow!".... :/ Then my sister-in-law's salad was completely incorrect. When she informed the waitress it wasn't what she ordered, the waitress said "I can take it back" and my SIL decided she would pick off what she didn't want. After the waitress left, she realized the task of removing things from her salad was too much of a task. The busboy took the dish back to the kitchen as per our request. The waitress finally returned and my SIL requested the salad be taken off of our bill. The waitress said that she couldn't because she didn't personally see the returned salad. She then SCOLDED my SIL and said "Next time, you should send the salad back immediately"... Finally, after our meal, with terrible service (the waitress never returned to check on us), I received our bill that had a 20% gratuity added to the final bill. I walked up to the hostess and requested I speak with the manager. The manager said that parties greater than 8 people would have 20% gratuity added. Since when are 3 small children part of a party greater than 8 people??? I told her that if I felt the waitress earned 20%, I would happily tip that (which I usually do). She did not earn 20%. I wanted to only tip 10%. The manager looked at me and scolded me with a "Next time, be prepared that a party of 8 people has 20% gratuity added". I kindly informed her there would never be a "Next time". While I waited for the new bill at the front of the restaurant, the waitress returned to tell my family (without me present), that she didn't earn a tip, so feel free not to tip her. ??? Wow. As we left the restaurant, after I paid with my 10% tip, the manager and all of the staff lined up along a wall and scowled at us as we left. The NEXT TIME I want to eat a high school cafeteria, I'll be sure to tip my waitress as per her service.
(1)Christian L.
After driving by here every day, I thought I would give the lunch buffet a try. I guess it was my mistake to go at 1:30, but I was disappointed. I understand that eating a later buffet with hardly anyone in there does not mean all the food will be the freshest, but the pizza was very dry and cold. The hot foods were still decent and they had pasta with meatballs, pierogies, chicken pot pie, buffalo shrimp, scalloped potatoes to go along with soup and a salad bar. It had potential, but for $10 was not worth some of the food being dried out. That being said, i will probably try it again for take out, so at least I know the food is fresh. Being new to Pittsburgh, I clump this restaurant into the many restaurants that seem like people just eat there because their parents or grandparents did even though it isn't as good as it used to be.
(3)Jim M.
I had not been here for many years due to not being in this area of town. Tried the Wedding soup and was very disappointed. It was nothing special and not as good as I remembered. The crab ravioli, I would not recommend. The pasta was very tough and crab tasted like it came from an old can and very poor seafood taste. While my wife had the sausage casserole was good. The only reason the review did not get a lower bark, was that the service was very good.
(3)Sheila B.
Love Monte Cello's! Very consistent and it is always pretty tasty. It's a great place for family and friend get togethers with plenty of room for larger tables. One half of the restaurant is more bar centered with multiple TVs, while the other half of the restaurant is more of a dining room with no TVs. Some of my favorite menu items...Joe's Special pizza is delightful. A thicker crust with a bit of a spicier sauce and extra cheese. Get it with mushrooms and you'll be so content and in a carb coma before you know it. Their salads are fresh, crisp, and their dressings are delish. All of their hoagies are also great with quality ingredients, perfectly toasted bread, and large portions. If you come during the week at lunch time, they have a lunch buffet which includes a salad bar, some hot food, and various pizzas. They usually have a dessert pizza as well. I think it's the best lunch buffet in the area and they really work hard at keeping the food fresh and loaded. It is a buffet so the cheese on the pizza may not be quite hot and bubbling, but come on people, have some reasonable expectations. The service is always friendly and quick. With large groups the waitresses are quick to bring over pitchers of pop or iced tea so a glass is never empty. Oops...I almost forgot dessert! Two words. Hoho cake. It's worth coming here for this. Remember those lunch treats that as a kid you housed but now you feel them sticking to your hips as you eat them? Well now it's in a CAKE version, and it's as delightful as you think it would be. I believe they get their desserts from a local well known bakery and they definitely seem like they are right out of a bakery. Try the Hoho cake. And the carrot cake. And the german chocolate cake. I think I'm drooling...
(4)Tom K.
Their food is consistent, that's for sure. You're not gonna get a super fancy meal but you're not gonna pay for it either. The food here is better than some of the nearby "upscale" Italian places too, without the attitude and price. What I get most often (2 times a month or more) is the Buffalo Chicken Pizza. SOLID. It's a staple for events and people coming over. When friends from outta town visit they often request it.
(4)Joe A.
Website says open till 10:00 pm. My wife and I arrive at approximately 9:30 pm. We are told you're closed. Signs and website say you're open until 10:00. Also you doors were unlocked. If you're closed you need to lock the doors, I've worked in the business as a night shift manager and I'm open until my doors are physically locked. If someone walked in to my open doors I always served them, that's how I was trained and that's how I ran things. Look at your menu burgers, hoagies, pizzas, etc 80% of which take under 10 minutes to make. Your staff didn't even offer to make us a carry out order, for example a cold sub so you don't even need to turn back on a grill.
(1)Jennifer C.
First our server Amber B. Was AWESOME!! Very attentive, quick and super nice! All of our meals, apps, soups and salads were great. My only slight complaint was the hostess wasn't very friendly, the hostess is the first person who greets you when you walk through that door, they must be happy to see you & everyone that walks in there. There was also a couple seated behind us that ended up leaving after they sat for 15 minutes without any service at all. Not sure whose fault that is but In my restaurant it is my hostesses job to let my servers know that thats their table. But other than that My family had a great time. Thank You
(5)Gretchen B.
Great restaurant with tasty food. I've never been disappointed in 23 years! My Mom worked there when I was growing up, and their food is just as good as it was when I was 6. I've never had bad service, and Joe really cares about his customers. I love their pizza, and the hoho cake from Lincoln Bakery is a divine treat on occasion.
(5)Sammy B.
I like it..
(3)Michaela R.
This is a good Italian restaurant with reasonably priced food! There pizza is really good! My favorite is the fact they have Ho-Ho Cake for dessert! You have to try it , its the best!
(5)Jeremy M.
Best Buffalo Chicken Pizza I've ever had! Fantastic pizza all around! Only downside is that they don't deliver.
(5)Sara P.
I've never had a pizza at Monte Cello's that I didn't love! Don't take my word for it. My friend brought her Italian boyfriend who makes pasta and dough for his family's restaurant in Ancona. They traveled throughout PA, both to Pittsburgh and Philly, and even went to NYC... and he said that Monte Cello's pizza was his favorite. Pittsburgh was his favorite too :) I'm not comparing Monte Cello's pizza to New York Pizza (or pizza from Italy for that matter). It's totally different. But, no matter where you're from or what kind of pizza you've had, you can't deny that Monte Cello's makes a stellar pie.
(5)Maria S.
For a red sauce joint, this place is good. A great option for a non-chain restaurant on the North Hills.
(4)Bill C.
Average food overall, pretty lousy prices. For Italian food you could do worse, but you could also do a whole of a lot better. Pizza is expensive but tasty. Dinner's were over prices and i think i could make the same thing at home pretty cheap
(1)Michele K.
I've been to Monte Cello's on Babcock more than a few times in the past 5 years, so it wouldn't be fair to review them on my last visit (which was this past Monday) but instead review them based on the sum total of all of my visits (which are many). First things first: What I like: 1. Their Calzones are AMAZING. Definitely the best I've ever eaten. Not too saucy, not too small or dry, perfectly seasoned. I always opt for the meatball, and while I've usually had it with the usual meatball fillings (meatballs, a little sauce, ricotta and mozzarella cheese), this recent visit made me realize that you can add extras in it, and apparently it doesn't cost you any extra. I tried it with some pepperoni and extra cheese -- even though it was good, I will still just do mine plain. Also, I love the fact that they are filling enough (at least for me) that I can eat half there, and take half home the next day for lunch. Tip: if ordering the side of sauce (which does cost extra) and more than one person is doing the calzone, ONLY order one sauce. There is more than enough to share. 2. Which leads me to their side sauces. If you order a side of something (ranch, sauce, whatever) you get practically a BOWL full of it. It's almost bordering on too much...but hey...too much is better than not enough. 3. Pizza. They USED to have a special during Steeler games that you could order (during the game) a large cheese pizza for 7.99. They don't anymore. Hey, the economy, whatever. Their taco pizza is one serious pizza. Lots of meat, lots of cheese, lots of taco toppings. They aren't messing around. Get the jalapenos on the side, though. A little pricey on their pizzas, but they're really good. That's what Monte's is known for, mainly, is their pizza. 4. French fries. Crispy on the outside, fluffy and soft in the inside. Enough said. Some *minor* gripes: 1. If eating in, try NOT to sit in the dining room by the bar. I have found service to be a little slower there. I prefer the other dining room, or take out. 2. The price is a little high, but on the other side, the quality is good. General overall review: This is an all around great place to go. Go here.
(4)Josh C.
A little better than average, which isn't bad. Figured I'd give Monte Cello's a try since we are getting tired of our go to pizza spots. Some people had recommended it and it meets my qualification of family owned and local. *Warning* The review is limited to take out and pizza, we do plan on going back and having different grub off the menu, so I will update when we do. The person answering the phone for take out was friendly and estimated the pick up time at 20 minutes. I hate places that say 10 and it turns out to be 30 or visa versa. The prices are reasonable, but not as cheap as some competitors, because of this their stuff should be better, but it isn't. The pizza was well cooked, the crust is good. A little bit of crunch yet it still had that chewy texture on the inside. The sauce was the part I wasn't too keen on. It was smooth, but a little too acidic and runny. They didn't load up on the sauce however so it didn't bother me too much. The toppings also were a little weak. We ordered the Margherita pizza, a favorite of mine and something I always order if it's offered. The menu pictures and the actual pizza look nothing alike. The basil on the pizza was tiny and didn't have that fresh taste you'd expect. The cheese was good, but was mostly mozzarella taste and again did not taste like good mozzarella. They claim to put asiago on it as well, but I didn't taste it. Onto the garlic bread sticks. They were too crunchy and tasted like a giant crouton, not impressed. An average pizza Margherita and not very good bread sticks.
(3)Sal G.
Heading back to Pittsburgh-proper from the Ross Township mall, we decided we were ready to eat but didn't want to have to fight any of the holiday traffic surrounding the mall. So, breaking out the handy-dandy iPhone application, we found Monte Cello's. With only one review, it was a bit of a gambit, but we decided to get ourselves some Italian food. When we arrived, the place was packed. This is a VERY popular local business. We arrived just in time for the Friday rush to be waning and we were sat in a booth after about a two-minute wait. The place looked quite new and nice on the inside. Our server was immediately at our table and taking our drink and appetizer order: Italian Wedding Soup Provolone sticks Meatballs Unsweet Tea with lemon Pepsi Our drinks were on the table immediately as was the soup. The Italian Wedding soup is some of the best that I have tried in the entire Pittsburgh area and I had no qualms finishing it. My issue was trying to figure out what I was going to have for dinner. Was I going to order an entree, or were we going to share a pizza. As our appetizers arrived, we opted to try the pizza before delving into anything more complex. We ordered: Bread and butter 12" pepperoni pizza with extra cheese The meatballs and the cheese sticks were anticlimactic after having had the Wedding soup. The meatballs were average as were the cheese sticks. We finished the appetizers and awaited the pizza with anticipation; not knowing if it would be more akin to the soup or the rest of the appetizers. When the pizza arrived, we dug in immediately. This was no Fiori's. It was an average pizza, but it tasted better than much of the food that I had found in the area. In the end, I counted ourselves lucky to find a restaurant that I would consider "A-Ok" and could return to when I am in the area of the mall.
(3)Misty P.
Mu husband and I love this place. We have done take-out, dine in and I had a wedding shower for a girlfriend here. It is a cute little italian restaraunt that offers a small bar and a party room. The service is always out of this world. The waiters and waitresses are always really nice, on top of everything, and keep my drink full. We usually get pizza when we go and it is also great. Even take-out the pizza is fantastic. We have gotten buffalo fries there as well and they are never the same. It depdnds on the cook. This is the reason I gave them 4 stars. I has a wedding shower for a girlfriend here and I couldn't have asked for anything more. They dedicated one server to us which was plenty. He was courteous of everyone that was there and provided friendly service. The shower went off wihtout a hitch, food was delicious, service was great, and everyone enjoyed themselves. We usually take our out of town guests here to have dinner as well. They seem to enjoy the food and atmosphere. They have alot of choices for dessert as well. Some are homemade and others are purchased from the bakery, Oakmont I think, but they are all good. They will tell you which ones are purchased from the bakery as well. We would reccomend this place to everyone if you like italian food.
(4)Emily H.
I cant believe i havent discovered this place until now! iTS SOO good! everything from dessert to appetizers to entrees this place was great.. we started at the bar and waited about 20 to be sat(on a fri night) the bar prices were awesome & they do have specials.. we got sat and order an appetizers right away, we got the fried provolone- which was excellent. Then we ordered our meals my boyfriend got the chicken parm, he was very full after and had some to take home. i got the stuffed shells, they were good! we also got cheesecake to take home- EXCELLENT and they brought the desserts out to you on a try to see which one you would like.. kinda different! overall i will return, and tell my friends about this place!
(5)Grant T.
This restaurant is THE Italian restaurant to go to. Try the calzones or pizza and you can not go wrong. Make this your next pizza visit.
(5)Matt G.
I have never set foot in this place, although it looks nice from the outside. What I have done on several occasions is eaten their pizza. It is the best I have had in the area.
(4)Matt K.
Long standing, Italian tradition. Great food and good times.
(5)Jeffrey L.
I'm never disappointed when I go here. It gets busy but never more than a 10 to 15 minute wait. They have a bar if you don't want to sit at a table. Decent beer and wine selection. Nothing crazy. They make homemade soups. I'm a fan of the wedding. If I'm there for pizza then the antipasta salad is a must. Their house italian is one of my favorites. For the most part I believe the salad dressing are also homemade. They have great pizza. Either square or round. They have specialty pizzas, great calzones, hoagies and an array of pasta dishes. If you venture here you and your wallet will happy customers.
(4)Ashlynn R.
Visited this place after a few people said I should check it out. First of all, its very nice inside. A little crowded but nice. At times I felt like I was having dinner with the family behind me because their child's highchair was right beside me but hey, I can deal with that. It was busy there and it showed it by how long it took for us to get our food. However, our waitress was very friendly and helpful. We hadn't been there before so she explained some menu items to us. We ultimately decided on pizza because that's what everyone raved about. When it finally came out, it wasn't cooked all the way through and well, I wasn't impressed with the taste. It seemed bland. I actually baked it in the oven when we brought our leftovers home and it was a little better! I've heard they have great drink specials but I haven't been back to check it out after that one meal. I would like to give this place another try at some point simply because everyone else seems to love it! Also, it was really cute IMO that every member of their staff was wearing Steeler jerseys the night I was there.
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