Luisa’s Brick Oven

When you order a large pepperoni you expect a decent amount on your pizza. I received my pizza and it had one and a half pieces of pepperoni per slice. Completely unacceptable in my opinion.

After Reading a few reviews on the their Gluten Free pizza, I decided to try luisa’s. I’m still on the hunt for a decent pizza for my wife. I got there at the end of the lunch rush and took the pizza to go. The top of the pizza looked great, Hawaiian style ingredients. Unfortunately the bottom was way undercooked for us. We threw it on a cast iron skillet and cooked it more. My wife said the ingredients were nice but she wouldn’t want to go back. So there goes that. The price was good as compared to other GF pizzas we’ve had.
As far as their regular pizza, I grabbed three slices from the lunch buffet. Super small, but tasty. A good munchie pizza. I was turned off by an employee who came out grabbed a slice and jammed it in his mouth. Not cool in front of customers in my opinion.
Too many pizza places in town to choose from so we won’t be returning to Luisa’s.

Love this place! Between my boyfriend and I, we have been to just about every well known pizza spot in CLT and after each time we always end up feeling like Luisa’s wins out. It is a family/​employee owned restaurant (owner Luisa started it and ran it for 15 years and then sold it to an employee who’s had it for the last 10). It has a very old timey family feel and is not overly presumptuous or fancy. The Fiorentina Pizza is AMAZING and when their homemade ranch is added it cannot be beat. This place does a great job of making you feel welcome and satisfied every time you come. Can’t wait to go back!

A year and a half later and the service is still consistently horrible! I am surprised that the owners are okay with this… you have a great product, but we rarely come here anymore because every time we do we feel not welcome. When your ambiance is poor, you hope it is because it is a great family restaurant that welcomes you with delicious food and a smile. Their kitchen timing is also all off. we still often get our appetizers after the pizza and sometimes our daughter gets her kids meal after we get our meal… which leads to a very upset 1 year old and parents that have to let their hot pizza get cold while they try to soothe her until her food comes. This place welcomes you with good food (it has been extremely inconsistent the past year) and an eye roll. Sometimes I fear calling because I know the person taking me order at the other end of the line is going to act like I am bothering them by putting in an order… such a shame!

The pizza was delicious by the salad was brown and had two thin slices of unripe tomato

I have mixed reviews about this place. It’s more of a 3.5.
When we first walked in, we were waiting by the sign where it said to wait to be seated. Right across from us was the oven station where they had three people making pizzas. They didn’t say anything to us but I did notice when some people walked behind us, they greeted them like crazy. They must of been regulars. We waited a few minutes before anyone even greeted us. Someone walked by briskly asking how many people were in our party and we told him 2. He said he would be right back. We waited a few more minutes and finally got seated. We got sat at a table and as soon as I sat down, my whole dress was wet from the seat being cleaned and not dry. Not a huge issue, but annoying.
We got greeted by our server. She was ok. We ordered a pizza that was similar to a supreme (pepperoni, peppers, onions, mushrooms, ham and beef). We waited about 30 minutes for our pizza which is normal for a oven pizza. When we got it, we couldn’t tell where the beef was. But when she dropped the pizza off, she pretty much just walked away. We ate a few slices and asked her if there was any beef on the pizza. She looked at our pizza then asked us if we tasted any beef. What? That’s why we are asking. We didn’t see any nor did we taste any. She then said she asked them to put beef on the pizza. And then said sorry and walked off. What? That’s kind of rude especially since we asked for it.
I will admit the pizza was good. But the whole service in general was just ok.

This place is such a great deal for lunch. Pizza buffet is amazing. Classic cheese, basil tomato, and veggie pizzas are great! I love the history of their oven imported from Italy. They’ve made a ton of pizza in it since the restaurant opened. The staff is friendly and they are good about keeping pizza and salad fresh and full on the buffet. It was also clean! Can’t beat it for $ 10.

A close friend recommended this place and he was right — they have the best pizza in Charlotte! Not only was the pizza baked to perfection (and with great ingredients), the staff is super-​friendly and they had some good wine options as well. I’m a fan!

Luisa’s might have a great story and a brick oven, but I wasn’t impressed with the pizza. We ordered 2 large specialty pizza’s for carry out. One Luisa and the other a Margherita. Disappointed mainly because both pizza’s lacked flavor. It was like we had ordered 2 large, bland, and soggy discs of dough. May have been a better experience had we dined in.

This is a tough place to review. I give the ambiance one star! I give the service 2 stars! I give the pizza 4.5 stars! Antiquated dining room that needs to be demolished. It feels like your great grandparents pizzeria. Spend the money for a remodel, you’re located in one of the trendiest spots in Charlotte. It will pay for itself and bring in new customers. DO IT!!!
Service needs to improve. Family places often fall back on doing things the way they’ve been doing it for years. This can be a blessing or a curse. Some places get that nostalgic feel and they earn business for treating people to a taste of the past. Luisa’s is not one of those places. They need to get better systems set up to deal with customers. Bottleneck at the counter, seems like any kid can be a server. I have never had great service inside the restaurant.
The pizza. It’s unique for Charlotte and it’s a really good pie. Their thin crust is cooked in a wood/​gas fired oven and has unique characteristics. New York hand tossed reigns supreme in Charlotte, so it’s really nice to have a great pizza that is a completely different style. It’s not Chicago thin, it’s not authentic Neapolitan or Roman, it’s not Midwestern thin, and it’s definitely not New York style. And trying to define the style really doesn’t matter at all, what matters is the quality and flavor of the pizza. The crust is delicious, sometimes it’s better than others. They probably slow rise their dough in a cooler, and the longer is stays the better it gets (until all the sugars are gone and then its trash). I like the use of cornmeal or semolina on the bottom of their crust. I’m not sure which they use, but it adds the slightest flavor and texture and it’s the perfect amount. They are too light on their toppings. For the price of their pies, they should do a better job with toppings. The flavor is still really good. If you want a crispy bottom to your pizza you will not get it here. If you think that’s what defines good pizza, get in your car, shut your stupid trap, drive back to wherever you’re from, and keep your ignorant opinionated ass away from other humans :)
This is a place that most will get around to trying because it’s been around and has a decent reputation. Once they’ve dined in, they aren’t likely to return because you feel yourself age in the dining room. One hour in the dining room ages you one full year… for real. It’s a great pizza and one you can’t compare to any others in Charlotte.

This place has delicious gluten free pizza! The salad was sub par and the service was extremely slow. But the pizza was delicious and fresh tasting!

We went to Luisa’s for dinner last night, it was pouring rain and cozy Italian sounded great. We were seated immediately with a smile. As we approached our table I asked to be seated further away from the table of maybe 12 with 6 small kids. It is very family friendly, but if you want a restaurant a little more adult oriented this might not work for you.
We ordered a large pizza, salads, and a spinach lasagna with spicy marinade sauce. A bottle of Mark West Pinot Noir for only $ 29. Service was quick when we ordered, salads came fast and with a bit of a delay in the food the manager came by apologized and explained the pick up service was super high and the kitchen was busy with the rain so many pick ups that night. We were fine with it chatting and having our wine.
Food came hot and delicious. The spinach lasagna was molten hot and gooey and delicious. The pizza was large and crunchy edge. Do I wish the bottom of the pizza was crispier, yes but it was very tasty. Maybe you can ask for extra crispy, not sure our first time here.
Let me say I am born and raised in Chicago and only living in Charlotte for under a year now. It does not compare to Chicago pizza it’s apple and oranges, you just can’t. BUT, we think it may be our favorite pizza in Charlotte so far.
Service plus: during dinner the manager brought over 3 different wines for us to sample as he was ordering new ones for the menu and wanted our opinion. I felt so honored and special, he was cute, funny and just such a great treat. Sometimes good service can make or break your dining experience. A++++++++ for a fun time and a feel good place I will definitely return to!

Stopped by Luisa’s for their lunch pizza deal and was pleased. While it’s not great pizza, it is absolutely very good pizza. Brick oven baked, rather than the usual gas oven stuff, it is a bit more charred around the edges and this adds a different flavor — a good one — to the pie.
The buffet has a salad which is nice and tasty, but don’t decieve yourself into thinking that’s a healthier choice than the pizza. It’s got a good amaount of dressing on it. And really, you’re at a pizza place. Have the pizza!
And for the pizza choices, it was a nice variety though not spectacular. The focus here is on the tasty crust and not the creative toppings. What are you expecting for $ 9? Pepperoni and sausage and peppers and mushrooms and the like. The pesto-​topped pizza was tasty.
A very nice lunch option at a great lunch price for very tasty brick-​oven pizza. I can see why Luisa’s is so popular!

We frequent Luisas weekly now that we’ve tried it. Moved here from NYC about a year ago and looked at all the Italian spits around town. Thus pizza is by far the best to us because of the thinner crust like the pizzerias in little Italy and the Italian spots in Brooklyn and soho. Of course sometimes you must switch it up and order a sandwich or actual entrée of ravioli and everything is stellar on the menu, even the Tiramisu does not diappoint. Owner is very friendly and the restaurant is always clean. If you’re in a hurry after a long day and don’t care to eat, you can order them through foodie call and it’s just as hot and fresh. I was surprised to find such a great Italian spot in charlotte, and so happy were right down the street.

Pretty underwhelming. I paid over $ 18 for a medium specialty pizza. Not worth the money. 2.5 stars.
Pizza is too flimsy and the cheese wasn’t that tasty. Not very many toppings, not great. Hope this helps.

This pizza may pass inspection in North Carolina… but it is a chez ordinaire in the rest of the world.
Never expected Chicago quality… and was clearly not disappointed. not even close.
Have had oven baked pizzas many times… They must be using strange coal because it did not have anywhere near the same taste.
Ordered a sausage pizza located a few pieces of meat on one side of pizza and none of the other. The pizza it was mediocre city.
They should visit chicago and learn… actually Domino’s would ace them in a contest.
We used an outside delivery firm they were perfect … perhaps they denigrate the pizzas they ship out?
How could someone mess up a pizza… beats me.
Felt compelled, a week later, to share this pizza embarrassment …
P T Brent Originally from Chicago W G C

This is one of those places that you liked but things did not go well. but you knew they could had circumstances and timing been better?
Well of course we get there early and greeted right away, and we were sat just to the right of the dining room. Then came the kids Birthday party and always when early afternoon it is with parents who can not control them so they are up running around and screaming and yelling.
Funny thing their were 2 servers one younger she was ours and one older but… I do not think the older one wanted to serve the kids section so our server was pulled to handle us and them, leaving us with no attention.
She blew it off with I knew you had your wine and you liked the pizza, so i knew you wouldn’t mind if I did not come over. Really?
Pizza was inconsistent in the crust too thin at the middle, too thinck at the edges, must have been a new maker.
So it was okay towards the edges and slimy at the middle. Do not get me wrong it was a good pizza but you definitely have to eat it with a knife and fork or fold it over.
The fried ravioli was good almost tasted packaged instead of fresh.
So far Brix then Mama Ricotta’s pizza is how we order the preference in favorites.
Will keep looking for something better.
Not a bad place to go and will leave this at a 3 till we see how the next visit goes.
PS
A little out of date in the ambiance.

The best unique Italian Pizza you can grab in Charlotte.
In hidden spot great flavor… good toppings and tasty salads as well.

So I’ve read all the reviews, mostly from my fellow Unilocal Eliters, about this possibly being the best pizza in Charlotte. My first time here so I went for their famous pizza buffet as you get to try various types of their ‘Za. I believe I tried one of everyone they put out.
The first thing you notice is how THIN this pizza is. This to me is NOT «NY Style» pizze, but rather classic Neopolitan… with minimal toppings and a crust you can almost see through.
The thin crust was nicely baked, and the rim edges were crunchy and flavorful. Toppings were tasty as well. But in a Neopolitan you simply cannot put too many toppings on it due to the über thin crust which couldn’t take the weight.
For only $ 9, you get all you can eat pizza, pasta salad, regular salad, and a drink. That is a pretty good deal!
But I have come to the easy conclusion that this is not even close to being «the best» pizza in Charlotte. It’s tasty and good, nice staff, but to me, Portofino’s pizza and some of the other (gulp, hold your breath) chain restaurants like Brixx are better than Luisa’s. Maybe it’s because I grew up eating Chicago THIN (yes, Chicago has it’s own THIN style) pizza which have tons of flavorful toppings. I just can’t get past the whole («hey honey, you can see through the crust) über thin crust style. Hey it’s good, don’t get me wrong, just not my thing.
And for the record, New York style IS THICKER than this crust. Not much, but New Yorkers do enjoy toppings on their pizza’s as well.
I’d definitely come back though for a good pizza buffet. Maybe I should order a full pie to go and see how that differs from their lunch buffet?

Years ago, I used to come here regularly for their lunch buffet and thought they had some of the best pizza in Charlotte. Why I stayed away so long is beyond me especially when I live a mile down the street now. Oh well. It’s been corrected.
I still believe Luisa’s has some of the best pizza in town. A 12-​inch pie is enough to satisfy anyone! The dough is light and thin and topings are flavorful even if they were a little scarce. But overall, I was happy with my custom pizza, what I called the «Vampire repellent pizza» with pepperoni, broccoli, onions and garlic.
Service was ok here. For a Wednesday it was not busy but there was was only one waiter. I think they upgraded the décor since my last visit. I remember it being more sterile than it was this time. So that’s a plus too.
Anyway, I think I found a new pizza take out place.