Caruso Pizza

Thank you for great food sir and may you rest in peace. The pizza was awesome, the antipasto was awesome, the salads were awesome, the ambiance was awesome and Don Michele was a good man with a big heart and a great dedication to his establishment and country. America needs more people like him but such people are few and far between. Most people are sissies who don't realize the sacrifices their ancestors made to get to this country. You are with the Lord now Don Michele. I salute you! Pros: He made great food and was a real man more

The man behind the counter was rude when he took my order. Rude when he gave me my change. So rude when he handed me my pizza that I asked for my money back. ""Hey You!"" Is not how you address your customers when their food is ready. I left with out my pizza but my pride is priceless. I went down the street to Petronis where not only was I treated with respect I got my moneys worth. GO TO PETRONIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The food is better, the parking is easier and they are not jerks. If I did not have to give them just one star to publish this I would not. Cons: EVERYTHING!!! more

We went into Caruso's last night for the first time in probably ten years. Unfortunately we have to agree with most of the negative reviews here. The decorations are way too cluttered, the floor needs to be replaced, and the tables and chairs are completely mismatched. Some of them even look like (and are as uncomfortable as) school chairs! Seriously, the interior really needs an ""extreme makeover"". Oh, and don't forget, none of the plates or flatware match each other. Bizarre. Prices are really high for what you get. We love a good mushroom and onion pizza. We bought a large, which turned out to be $15! Strangely, the toppings were very uneven, like they had been dumped on instead of spread out. We also had purchased a small cheese pie and two cups of Coke. The total bill was $30. Now the fun part: We were all done and went to the counter to pay. It turns out that they don't take credit cards! I had to run 1/2 mile down the street to find an ATM machine so that I could get enough cash to pay the bill! Talk about embarrassing... In short, the food is good, but not outstanding, certainly not justifying the price. The atmosphere and cash-only policy are real turn-offs. Pros: Awesome pizza Cons: Decor, cash-only, outrageous prices more

Mark G.\r Peabody, MA\r 7/1/2009 I am in a group of co-workers who have fun enjoying a meal together now and again. One of our group had recommended Caruso's in Melrose to us, and the rest of us thought it was just a pizza joint. We usually go to much more elaborate (and expensive) places but we decided to give it a chance as he said the food was the real prize. Then I read some reviews about the supposed rude owner and the rude service, and I was not feeling good about our choice. But, we arrived last night, around 5:30PM and walked in to an unusually different setting, anything but elegant, but it had a certain charm as if someone really loved the place. And we ordered some drinks (we looked for a wine list, but found out that the only wine was the house wine -which by the way was terrific - so we got it). Then this nice older man (Don Michele Caruso - the owner) comes up to us with a very inviting discussion and welcomed us warmly, he then brought out a couple of plates of anti-pasto and then some fresh garden tomato's and mozzarella cheese which was fresh, and bowls of bread. We hadn't even ordered yet!!! This guy was great. \r Then we ordered the famous Zaza pizza, Sicilian style for our 6 guests to share like an appetizer. This pizza was authentic, delicious, and came in a huge tray that allowed each of us 2 good size pieces. Then we ordered the meals. Our hardcore Italians in our group ordered the Tripe and said it was the ""best they every had"". They loved it, and couldn't say enough about it. 2 others (including me) had the Braciolla Plate - it was awesome - tender, tasty - and the sauce was excellent!!!! - I soaked every morsel of sauce up with the bread - AWESOME!!!. Another had the Italian Roast Pork, and loved it so much, he almost ordered seconds. Our friend who recommended the place, ordered his favorite meal - Escarole Soup, which came in what looked like a family size bowl that he finished every last bite of. \r Mr. Caruso entertained us with stories of his days in Italy, and his coming to America, how he started the business back in 1961 in Danvers Square with almost nothing in his pocket but desire to succeed. He kept telling us how he was blessed by God so many times to help him on his way. And he told us he was helped by others (including Padre Pio and his faith), and how he had helped his family and friends to set them up in business, just like others had helped him- he didn't forget the ones who helped him. At one time he had over 20 pizza places around Boston. He now focuses on his Melrose store and it works really well.\r He even broke out the accordian (which he hadn't played since he lost his good friend who played guitar along with him) and played us an Italian tune, to which some of our party knew the words and sang along with. Magical moments!\r We also had a family style HUGE salad he brought our table, and I don't think everyone's meal had a salad with it, but he treated us right.\r And one of our party, also had the Calamari Salad and he is usually a lighter eater, but he finished it ALL.\r We finished 3 large carafe's of wine between the 6 of us as well.\r Then came the bill. It was only $119 for tons of food, entertainment from a place that quality of food is as good as anywhere.\r We left a $50 tip because we were so grateful for the food, the entertainment and the good time.\r I highly recommend this place if you love great Italian food, eccentric, down to earth surroundings, and maybe, just maybe - you will have MR. Caruso show you a good time like he did to us.\r Thank you Mr. Caruso, I look forward to my next visit.\r Pros: Awesome Food more

Friend called saying they were going to pick up some pizzas from Caruso and I said that I didn't want this place because every time I go in to get a drink or slice I am treated rudely and the service is slow. To boot, I disagree with their politics but since my friends wanted to get the pizza from Caruso's I agreed to look up the phone number since they were on route. I found it amusing that many other reviewers have had the same experience I have had at this place. It's amazing that they have managed to stay in business so long. Pros: Can't think of any Cons: Rude, Slow and Attitude more

I went to Caruso's with my family. Pizza was HOT, pasta was barely cooked, it was quite crunchy and hard. The waitress didn't talk to us once. I would really recommened them hiring more ""sociable"" and respectful waiters Pros: Nice Decor and OK pizza Cons: worst customer service ever. more

I have heard about Caruso's Pizza numerous times, and having grown up a pizza fan, I had to try it myself. As I entered, I was greeted with, ""No, not in that door, go around to the other side."" Ok, my fault, I guess I missed a sign. When I was reading the menu, I got a ""You gonna order?"" Ok, strike two for me...except, there wasn't anyone else waiting to order? Huh. I asked if they served pinapple on the pizza. I got a ""No pinapples on a pizza."" So, I ordered simple - large cheese.\r \r While waiting, a family with three boys came in. They were seated and told by a man to make sure they don't ""run around."" \r \r Well, the pizza came. And, it was pizza. Cheese, crust, yada-yada. Nothing unique enough to be worth being yelled at and to witness another patron being yelled at. (Oh, I forgot, two other cusotmers came in the ""worng"" door. Maybe a sign would help?)\r \r If you'd like the ""Soup N*zi"" experience and pizza that is a step above most chain pan pizza types, but not better than Papa Gino's down the street - enjoy Caruso's. Otherwise, drive on by...it's not all that's it cracked up to be. The other reviews suggest some BIG TIME homer-ism and some childhhod fondness that has nothing to do with the actual quality. Pros: They have pizza Cons: They have horrible customer service more

I can count on one hand the number of pizza places that get pizza exactly right. Caruso's is one of them. This is pizza without the thick layer of modern marketing thrown on top of it, just a gruff Italian ""paisan"" serving up a perfect blend of herbs in the sauce with nothing but the best toppings on the pizza itself. This is the first place I'd take someone from out of town if they asked me to show them the best food in the city, and it has the advantage of being...well, pizza; this is not the $100-a-plate Ritz Carlton food that makes the Gourmet Magazine types go ga-ga. This is food for the proletariat, and is miles better than ""molecular gastronomy"" or any of the other food trends that cost six times as much. Best pizza in Boston and quite possibly the best pizza in America. You'd have to go to Italy to find something more authentic. Pros: Convenient location, parking, quality food Cons: Service a bit too old-school more

I have to say that if you want real Italian food, you have to go to Caruso's. Strictly for the food, nothing is more authentic in or outside of Boston. Other reviwers mentioned La Vita Mia, but sorry, their food does not even come close. Maybe the place itself is nicer, but the staff is gruff, and the food is like eating salt. If you can get past the 1950's-60's look of Caruso's, you will love the food, and the prices. Pros: Food is the best Cons: 1950's-60's dining area more

Have recently relocated to Colorado and noticed the reviews of Caurso's. We went to Caruso's on a regular basis for around 16 years. I agree that he can be gruff at times but he is a good man and that is part of the atmosphere of the restaurant. \r This restaurant is what a real italian meal would be like at your mom's or noni's house if you were from an italian family. Yes, yelling sometimes to be heard but great italian sauce or gravy whichever you call it and anitpasto like you would get in Italy. The zaza pizza is the BEST!\r Don Michele and his staff are the BEST. \r I can't wait to vist on my next trip and YES there is no place like Caruso's Pizzeria. Pros: Ambiance is the decor not found anywhere else more

Carusos could be such a gem if it got a massive makeover. Nearby eateries like La Vita Mia - just a few miles down the street - put Caruso's to shame. Caruso's dining area is so old and cluttered it makes me feel like I'm eating in the dusty back room of a museum. The linoleum floors look like they're from the 1950's, the wobbly, sticky furniture from the 1960's, and all the memorabilia commemorating Don Caruso's life makes me feel like the place is a mausoleum. The food at Caruso's is good - not great. The kitchen is clean, spacious, and visible. But the dining area is why I won't go there. It's too bad, the location is amazing, with wonderful views of the gazebo and lake - Caruso's could be a premier regional dining destination if the owner would simply get over himself and clean the place up. Pros: The food. The location overlooking the lake Cons: Dining room looks like a mausoleum. more

hey i got a review, Sammy123, if you ever even fathom calling my uncle rude, ignorant, and a disgrace again, ill show you what it really means to be embarresed you ignorant low life lazy mentally challenged half brain. you wouldnt know what hard work or pizza was if it clocked you in the face, and if you think im just talking trash, my number is 781 308 7028 and ill be happy to verbally confront you on the situation anywhere and anytime. do everyone a favor and get off this sight before you disgrace yourself any more. Pros: good service, hard working owner, good food Cons: people like sammy123 more

I went to this place after leaving my very sick mother at Melrose Wakefield hospital. My sister and her husband are from out of town and I thought Caruso's would be a good choice to take our minds of our troubles. The food we ordered was one 1 white zaza pizza, escarole soup, and two subs. First, the pizza came and was a red pizza not white. So we asked the waitress and she said we ordered the red pizza. Then the owner, who is an older Italian man came over and starting yelling in the middle of the restaurant. He yelled at his staff and then he grunted at us. next, the subs came to the table along with 2 soups. We explained we only got one soup. The waitress quickly took back the soup and we continued to eat. Next, the white pizza arrived to the table. The owner came over and again said we ordered the wrong pizza and we need to be careful at what we asked for because he lost money on the first pizza. He said this several more times very loudly in the restaurant for everyone to hear. I was so upset at the bad day my family was already having I just wanted to eat fast and get out of that place. The food is fairly good but this out ways the very unpleasant service that we received from the owner. I will never step foot in that restaurant again!!!! I will stick to Pisa Pizza in Malden if I want a slice of good pizza and friendly service. more

i ate last night at caruso's pizza in melrose mass-the service was terrible. we waited 20 minutes for a waitress. then my mother went to say hi to the grumpy old owner don michele. all of a sudden he screemed in front of 4 tables of people. i saw you coming in and i will get to you when i feel like it. we were so embarrassed. we went there since we were little kids when the old buck had no customers. he is so rude and ignorant. save yiour $$ go somewhere else..he is a disgrace! Cons: rude OWNER more

Caruso's has delicious, traditional pizza. Thin crust, great sauce, just the right amount of cheese. You must try their secret Zazza combo! Sweet sauce lovers look elsewhere. No fancy toppings; try Antonio's in Amherst, MA for the best pizza ever. Pros: inexpensive, delicious more