La Piazza Di Caruso

The sign out front says «there’s a big difference between chain restaurants and the independent pizzerias come on in and will prove it to you» so I was expecting great food and atmosphere. We weren’t sure if it was seat yourself or not because there was no sign of a hostess. The atmosphere was dark. The blinds were closed and the lights seemed out. It was weird when we were seated because there was barely anyone there. We were seated in literally the middle of the dining room. We first noticed the stickiness of the table and paper napkins. When we looked around we saw half the tables had table cloths and cloth napkins. This inconsistency had us feeling unworthy enough to be at a «fancy table.» There was only one waitress for the entire floor during this slow lunch service. She was not attentive and when she asked us how our meal was/​how we were doing she didn’t even stop. We think she went on break during our meal to the point where we felt we could dine and dash. We ordered a bruschetta appetizer and when it arrived it immediately felt cold. The bread was toasted more like a croûton than bruschetta to the point where we used the bread that we got with my meal to eat the bruschetta topping in. There was also parmesan and mozzarella cheese on top of the bruschetta which made it more like a capriese. The penne that I got tasted like Campbell’s tomato soup with cheese and mushy noodles. It taste more like SpaghettiOs than a traditional penne dish. The lemonade was not worth three dollars. It tasted like watered-​down lemon juice. If anything the bread was the best part of the meal.

My family use to do carry out here a lot and had a private party here in April. So, I’m sure everyone can understand my disappointment, when I went in this week for dinner with my family and was told that I would have to pay a few extra dollars per sandwich. However, I could do carry out for the regular menu price! WHAT? So, I have to pay more to sit at a table?! Let’s be honest, this is not a fine dining establishment, it’s in a strip mall and there was only ONE other table! The manager shrugged his shoulders when I asked about him charging us a higher price than what was on the menu. Needless, to say we will NEVER eat here again!!!

I can say that I have a favorite here — it is the chicken parmigiana. I would give every dish and pizza slice that I have eaten a 4 or 5 star. Chicken parm, manicotti, lasagna, tomato pie… However, the day waitress, always there every time I go during the day, is terrible. She is miserable and by the end of the meal the great taste of the food is gone. She is tall, skinny I guess, light colored pony tail… She just ruins it for my crew and I. If she hates her job — go do something else. BTW, the bathrooms are way better than they were. Just really wish that they hired some one qualified to do the work — because they didn’t.

Food is awesome… Wait staff has always been great. The only disappointment I have is with the restroom. The bathroom is falling apart, doors that won’t shut, toilet paper & paper towels have no dispenser to hang from… Dirty. I generally judge a place by their bathroom & if it weren’t for your authentic good Italian taste, I don’t think I’d ever visit again. You food is worth the price, please take some of that money & revamp your bathrooms!!!

I was here for a business networking mixer where it was a cash bar situation. I first ordered a simple rum and coke and was somewhat taken aback by the $ 7.80 charge for it, but I signed my debit card slip and left an additional $ 1.20 tip. When it was time for another drink, I decided to go with a Yuengling beer — mainly because they’re less than $ 3 pretty much everywhere. The check for that was given to me by the bartender — for $ 4.50! Closer examination indicated that the beer was $ 3.75 but they had added a 20% gratuity to it. So that explains the earlier drink being so expensive. It was actually $ 6.50 — pricey still, but not crazy — but with a 20% gratuity added.
What irritates me the most is that if this is indeed their policy, it should have been pointed out. It wasn’t. If I hadn’t discovered it on my own on the second drink, I would have been deceived into leaving yet another unnecessary tip.
Live and learn. And I’ve learned not to ever go back to La Piazza de Caruso.

Not a bad place to stop and get a pizza to take home. The chicken cacciatore pizza is pretty good. You can get a beer while you wait too. The place overall is dark, dank and dirty. The tables are usually dirty and other customers at the tables look at you as if they were locked up in prison and need you to rescue them. I wouldn’t sit down there to eat if the food was free. The only food I trust is the pizza and only when I can’t get to Tony’s in west Newark. This is definitely not a place to go for dinner. A quick takeout pizza yes but nothing else in my opinion.

I was disappointed to read the bad reviews on this place because I have been here twice within the last 3 months and had a great experience both times. I think the prices are a little high (or I would have rated it a 5 star!). Service was awesome and so was the food. We’ve had the chicken marsala, pasta carbonara, ravoili, lobster ravioli and children’s chicken tenders w/​fries. Every meal was excellent with good portions, served hot and presented nicely. We ended up here because we didn’t feel like driving to Ms. Robino’s in Wilmington for pasta and La Casa Pasta is way overpriced. Plus it’s close to home. I am so sorry to all the people that had bad experiences here because it really is good. Someone mentioned the salads and how they don’t give you enough dressing. That IS correct, but we asked for extra and they brought it without hesitation or extra charges. I am looking forward to eating here again next time I crave pasta and will definitely try something else from their menu. Good stuff! Give it another chance folks!

The service was a little slow tonight as the server explained that they were understaffed due to two servers calling out and a large party in the other room. We were not in a hurry and for a Friday night it was really not all that bad. Our food was delicious. We had the Pasta Carbonara and the Clams with the white sauce. For dessert, which we took to go, We had the chocolate covered peanut butter bomb. Fabulous is all I can say. This restaurant is a must try for anyone looking for good Italian tucked away quietly in a shopping center.

Food is ok. I like the pizza and salad here. The man behind the counter where I ordered my late lunch was very accommodating and kind. unfortunately I can’t say the same about the waitresses who were very irritated that I even came in there or so it seemed. The one waitress (about she 50 and has a long ponytail) never smiled One the whole time I was in there! I Her scowl made me feel uncomfortable while I was eating my meal, as if I was in their way or an imposition in some way! if those waitresses are making their living off Tips, good luck! If I was basing my rating on the food alone this place would have four stars… Historically the service had never been good!

I took my family to La Piazza Di Caruso’s in Peoples Plaza today. The service was very poor considering how few customers were there on a Sunday afternoon. My son’s salad had a dead bug in it. He told the waiter who looked at the bug on the salad and said, «Oh», then walked away (he took the salad with him at least) and then didn’t mention it again. No apology. No offer to make it right. Nothing. When the check arrived, I pulled the waiter aside and told him I didn’t appreciate that he made no effort to make it up to us. He said, «Oh» again, then took my check and walked away without explanation. I assumed he was going to knock off some small portion of the check. I waited almost 5 minutes before he came back, handed me a box with 6 small cannolis (there were 8 of us at dinner) and the check again. He took nothing off the bill.
Yeah. That’s the last time we’re eating there.

Sat at the bar for lunch — great pizza steak with Fried Onions — good size and tender beef… Came with basic Krinkle cut fries but plenty on the plate.

The service here is absolutely horrendous, confirmed after 2 separate visits. Visited with the same friend both times. The hostess is unfriendly, and it is apparently an inconvenience to seat customers. Each visit we had to ask for the specials because the waitress either does not know them, or care if you know them. Almost rated a 2 because the lobster ravioli was good, but since they start cleaning with bleach 3 hours before closing, it is now a 1. Not a big fan of bleach with my food, shocking I know. And your employees are there because you have customers, hire some that care.

Stopped for quick bite before movie. Salad was surprisingly fresh and included red bell peppers, cukes and tomatoes were quite good — I usually give up on those as not fresh. Had a sub that was pretty good. Great art and Muzak … Place smells stale and or musty though. Also had some fruit flies competing with us. Overall on — well try them again soon.

So we stopped by while we were waiting for our movie to start. I grabbed 2 slices of cheese pizza. Took it back out to the car and grubbed. That first bite into the crispy goodness, yummy! For 2 huge slices for 4 bucks, can’t beat that, and they have beer.

My wife and I have been fans since it opened. The food is always terrific but service is somewhat spotty at times.

A buddy of mine suggested this place so I gave it a try. As my girlfriend says, I’m paying it forward by reviewing this place. We were seated in a booth and the first thing I noticed was that my salad fork still had what appeared to be a dried up tomato that had been washed. Her dinner fork looked like it went through a garbage disposal. We got an appetizer and highly recommend the wings.
As for entrees, I got the chicken parmesan while she got spaghetti bolognese. Salads came out and her vinaigrette was home made where as my salad dressing looked like a dipping cup for tenders from any fast food joint.
Presentation was decent but the taste was a different story. My pasta was a little too chewy and the chicken parm itself looked like an extra large chicken tender from any local bar.
Sadly to say, the best thing I ate was the wings, which I would go back for, but that would be the only thing I would get from here. Quite disappointing.

Great local hangout for awesome food! Pepperoni rolls are to die for. Great drink menu, great desserts to go along with really good Italian fare.