Our first visit here as we were referred for their Calzones and pizza.
They open at 4, and by 5 they were well full on a "Monday".We are true Italians ourselves, so we were excited as there are not many Italian restrurants in the area that are "homey", and great for a normal blue collar facial in rural areas.
Nice olsder building in the old Grand ledge area.Walking in thru the back entrance as we could not get a parking spot on the street...That said...It was VERY dimly lite, and we had to stop in our tracks as our eyes reajusted.
We found our way thru the darkness to the "hostess station.
She got us a table quickly as it was only 4:00 their opening time.
That said, I was getting excited as it reminded me of mom and pop Italian restrurants/Pizzaria places where I grew up in Detroit.
We started with the Bread sticks WITH melted cheese to "share with the 4 of us".
I thought I "would DIE and go to Heaven! Amazing!
The BEST part was the DELICIOUS Marinia sause in a cup that came with the order.
I could of DRANK the whole thing!Seriously!
NOW, I was REALLY excited to order what I came for as it was my 74 birthday, and I "wanted a Good pizza, with a Great CRUST, and after "tasting that Marinara sauce earlier...I just KNEW the sauce on my pizza was going to be "perfect, the same sauce.
.
We ordered a 14 inch...one half pepperoni and cheese, the other side 5 meat lover ,original crust.
My grandaughter ordered a Calazone.
We ordered a half order of Greek salad to spilt beteen my hubby and I.
Her Calazone was perfect, so large she had to take 75% home.
The greek salad was very messy to eat, as instead of "mixing all the ingredients, the ingredients were displayed in "sections on TOP of the lettuce(which was cut into very small pieces)
This presentation caused me to "litterly use my fingers to distribute and mix the salad so all" the ingredients actually got "distributed INTO the lettuce.This is on a very TIGHT tabletop..Spilling onto the tabletop(booth)
Grrrr...But I stayed calm and carried on as my hubby is fumming.(he's Italian, and used to the way I do things)
That said, I was NOW ready to take my long awaited 1st bite into Cujinos pizza (after tasting that delicious Marinar sauce(it tasted like my 8 hour sauce I make on Sundays)
WRONG! First bite was SO acidic! Like pure "tomato PASTE out of a can!"
The authenic Italian crust was a big disappointment
The pizza Flopped when we picked up a piece(true test of a good crust)
My 8 year old grandaughter said "this is NOT good crust grandma".
Another letdown, was the meatlover side ,it was 5 meats "all jumbled together(looked like they ground it all together) rather than hand placing each meat onto the pizza.
I know, I make from scratch pizza.
Yes, I understand they have lots of customers, and time is of essence when running a pizza place and restaurant.But THIS is just plain laziness.
Even Jets, or Pizza Hut "place each item "separtatly on the pizza.Nice chunks.
Their Salads are "beautifully "mixed"and presented.
This is a "sit down pizza with family place, but to "cut prep time, they short cut the customer.
Yes, it "takes more time to "PLACE pizza topping onto the pizza, and it "takes more time to MIX the ingredients i
INTO the salad greens...But it's ALSO so much more ENJOYABLE to the diner guest!
Please use a better sauce on your pizzas.Use chunks of Meat(Bacon, sausage, beef, pepperoni(that was whole at least, but STILL "mixed in the 5 meat combination)It was so mixed together I could not TELL what was what meat)
That said, We will be back again, NOT for your pizza, but to try your Italian specialties menu.
We did like the atmosphere...But I almost FLEW down a set of two small steps as we walked back the the restrurant to get out the back entrance! Luckily, our waitress "happened to be standing by those tiny steps to get something out of the kitchen.
Seriously.you definitly need to put in updated lighting...Especially by steps/ramps, etc.
If I hadn't looked down"at just the RIGHT moment.I would have went flying.
A serious fall, as it would have been "head first"
Looking forward to returning, just not for pizza.
Definitly for the cheese bread.
I am curious to see if your pasta dishes pass the test of a real Italian Nonna.
If not, its back to Francisco's Bistro in St.Louis,Mi.
BEST pizza , crust and sauce and individually hand placed toppings onto the pizza.
Along with nicely mixed salads,ready to eat.
They have a fabulous homemade meat sauce and meatballs to die for.
You can actully "see once inside the restrurant".
Oh, some Italian music might be nice at your restrurant too.
Atmostphere is everything!
Cujinos bread sticks with cheese WEREworth the trip.
More garlic seasoning please.
I do love that you do use REAL mozzarella cheese on your dishes! So much fun seeing that cheese just Drip off the food and "twist it with my fork and fingers into my mouth! The grandaughters "loved THAT about our food! read more