This, my friends, is the true definition of a pizza joint. I see that word thrown around casually about fairly nice places but this isn't one of those times. This is a legit pizza joint- no frills, no decorating, wasn't even positive I walked into the right place as there is no sign inside or anything to indicate this is Jonuzi's. Just a guy waiting for me at the counter while I walk by the four tables, two cooler, single high chair and mirror on the right wall to get to him. There's no menu on the wall, just a stack of nicely done color to go menus on the counter. He writes the order down on the ticket, no time to chit chat, he's got to go back to the kitchen and make it. Doesn't even bother with the fake smile and wait time, just 'ok' and gets to it.
I remember places like this and it wasn't even nostalgia, just familiar, and I fell into the roll of patron. The wait was a little less than 20 minutes and I ordered a lot of food. Like I said, this was familiar, I grew up with no nonsense. If he's up here making nice with me, who's making the pizza?? The wait was nice for me, Wednesdays are full and hectic at work followed by back to back physical therapy appointments, it was the first time I sat still all day. I perused the menu and took pictures, as you can see. I did wonder how patrons more accustomed to southern hospitality would perceive it. While I waited a delivery driver returned and manned the counter; so for all I know he's the face most people see and passes the order through the window to the kitchen.
I arrived shortly after 4pm and it was empty. While I waited someone picked up a to go order and a family came in and placed an order. The menu boasts a lot of gourmet pizza options, big slices, apps, a variety of salads and sandwiches and even a burger. They have daily specials- a lot of them, which helps with the price. The gourmet pizzas seem to run higher than the average pizza place but the listed combinations ranged from normal to highly unusual. I want to try a calzone on a future visit, and they have Stromboli as well.
Item to note, the shopping center they are in is off Teasley. There is a light between 35 and Londenderry with no name or sign that gives access to this shopping center, so hopefully you won't be too confused.
I ordered the Jonuzi Sampler which has a couple of everything for $9.50. The fries were good and crispy, the chicken and mozzarella sticks appear to be frozen but cooked well, the onion rings were very greasy and a bit overcooked. This appetizer reminded me of everything you want when you are drinking- greasy, not bad, but nothing amazing. I was so excited to see big slices for $2.75, extra 50 cents for toppings. I got a cheese and a pepperoni. The cheese was everything I remember but bigger. I folded it over and started chowing down. This style of pizza is meant to be chewy- in a good way (thin, chewy on the inside with a crisp on the outside) but my husband wasn't accustomed to that. Since he was raised in the south I feel the need to warn you that it's not the same as pizza you get from a chain, but it's tasty so keep an open mind!
The two slices were in the same size box that my husbands small white pizza with pepperoni and jalapenos were in. The pepperoni tasted like heartburn- don't worry kids, you'll be fine, just something us old folks have to worry about with greasy food. :) They are very liberal with the toppings, very, very liberal. Next time I will ask for light toppings, but they were easily removed. My husband liked his pizza but I didn't touch it, not a jalapeno fan. The small white pizza is $8 and the toppings are $1.50 unless you get a specialty topping which are meats. Based on the size of the small and the size of my slices, I would guess the higher prices of the gourmet pizzas is probably worth it for portion. The cannoli was $3.50 and it's probably okay for the masses but I'm really picky about my cannoli's and only like them at one place. The cream was pretty okay but the pastry seemed a little stale. I did notice the cheese cake and chocolate cake in the coolers up front which looked really pretty, so maybe it's how the cannoli is stored.
At the end of the transaction when the work was done the owner was very gracious. He and the delivery driver got pretty chatty at the point and I'm familiar with the type. No biggie if you get it.
They've been open for a year and they are doing the pizza joint thing right. Make sure you take one of the menus to go so you can order delivery, they don't have a website. Give them a try! read more