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    Leo's Casa Calamari

    3.5 (229 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 11:00 pm

    Order Leo's Casa Calamari Takeout or Delivery

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    Business Info

    LEO'S CASA CALAMARI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Leo's Casa Calamari

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    That fresh out the oven Eggplant Parm Roll complete with cheese pull
    J Sweenizzle 3.

    Let's get this out of the way: this place is a staple of the community. Local spot since late 90s. I believe they used to be on 86th over a decade ago but glad they are still around and dishing out that fried squid deliciousness. Truthfully, when several other solid calamari centric places closed over the years (RIP Rocco's), this small spot on the corner in Bay Ridge became my go to for proper Brooklyn-Italian crispy GahLaMahd (calamari). The Greek owner, whose name I never can remember, is always there with a proper New York smile, attitude and charm that makes everyone from NYC feel welcome and for those of you hating on this place, just note that I am a "sit down and enjoy the meal" kinda guy that would rather eat out by going out and eating on location. Perhaps the limited seating is a turn off (not for me), but to be served and welcomed by a conversational and hard working owner and staff truly makes Leo's a great community spot for some solid food, a glass of vino and some chit chat. I ended up down in Bay Ridge with the wifey from LA and brought her in for her first time. We ordered an eggplant roll and the calamari and not only did she love the fresh out the oven crisp of the eggplant roll, but even she said, "this eggplant in this roll is fresh and clean." She was in shock... I wasn't. And then the main course came, no, not the two root beers BUT the crispy calamari that Leo's is known for. Again, fresh out the fryer and onto a plate that's placed down on the table right in front of you. The calamari here, when eaten right out the fryer, is truly one of the best in the city. Listen, take out and delivery could obviously alter the calamari as it sits and cools, looses its crisp BUT when it's straight out the fryer and onto your plate, this is one of the best and only ways to enjoy a proper calamari dish. Theres a great ratio of legs to rings, the seasoning is delicious, the batter is crispy and light and even the wifey was shocked with how good it tastes. She was so surprised how something so heavy looking can be so light, delicious and addicting, especially with fresh lemon squeezed all over it. To the owner and staff, thank you for keeping it real and keeping the place as OG as possible. Also, seating may be tough but worth it for the best food experience. The place was busy when we walked in but we were made an open table in minutes as a large group of older Greeks celebrating a family dinner were more than open to sharing their end table with us. In summary, all I gotta say is this: if you love classic NYC fried calamari, if you are from south Brooklyn, and if you love old school NYC attitudes and vibes.... THIS is the place for you. Walk in, wait for a table while talking some friendly smack, laugh way too much, sit down and enjoy a classic and delicious meal... and then make plans to come back for more calamari deliciousness the next time you're back on the block. A great local spot and to the staff, keep on slinging that fried squid deliciousness boys!

    The cheese felt like cardboard. Second guy on phone said they didn't have normal cheese so they used fresh mozzarella.
    John G.

    Literally have ordered from Leo's Casa Calamari for over 10 years as a Bay Ridge Local. Have dealt with tasteless meals, and sometimes burnt pizza here and there occasionally as it happens. Today I opened my pizza after waiting an hour for delivery off of Seamless with all the extra fees to help the struggling restaurants right? The cheese is like cement, its weirdly spread over the dough. I tried to call and explain my situation and not be a dick. The guy who answers asks "what's the problem?" I say "cheese is hard" He goes "hmm, cheese is hard" Random hold for 6 minutes Get hung up on Number is blocked! Had to use a different cellphone to call again and curse out some poor counter guy who has to learn my situation because he botheres to give a shit and refund me cause he actually listened to me. Customer service? Have to try first before we can even discuss that category. Oh and by the way since you bothered to block my fiances number, guess we don't have to bother to call and order from you anymore do we?!!!!

    Samra M.

    Came in for some pizza Their regular slice - skip , nothing special and way better options in the neighborhood Their chicken Buffalo is AMAZING ! really good And of course the vodka square is bomb The crust on all was a bit too hard

    Leo's Calamari
    Devon O.

    What a Brooklyn day this was to go into a spot my wife went to when she was younger. We had icees just before, but that couldnt take away the taste of calamari we had been craving. We sat outside, 73 degrees, breeze, and a hot plate of calamari and spicy marinara. My wife actually said it was the chunkiest calamari she's had, and loves it. I found the sauce smooth, spicy, and there was a mountain of calamari to dip. I dont know if we take too much when we dip or what, but a tip for myself will be to ask for more sauce next time. We weren't going to get it at first, but we had to try the pasta too and I'm glad we did. We went with the rigatoni with chicken, wow. Its not everyday Im trying to pick up sauce alone with my fork and eat it. So much focus and flavor went into every part of this dish, I was glad to have experienced it. When were walking down 3rd ave, Leo's may be my general choice for pasta, and what are you doing if you dont get calamari too.

    Half Buffalo/Half Cheese
    Tatiiana L.

    We were craving pizza, and chose Casa Calamari for a pie for dinner after work. We were seated in the middle of of the restaurant and the waiter came over to take our order in a timely manner. The "mood" of the restaurant was great, with dimmed lights. We ordered a pie - half buffalo chicken and half regular. The pie came within 15 minutes and was super fresh and hot. LOVE IT! I will be returning to try other Italian food options, since the reviews say good things about Casa Calamari.

    Bianca S.

    Leos does it REMARKABLY well no matter WHICH way you order... individually, you'd be hardpressed to find a single item not cooked to absolute PERFECTION but less known is his incredible FAMILY STYLE!!! mussels, shrimp, baby lobster tails, clams & calamari over linguini... The seafood sweetens that wonderful sauce. Leo is the best host & the food is always fresh & great... salads, pastas, rolls, calzones... from appetizers to entrees, it's home cooked comfort food. The atmosphere is also just so warm & inviting!!!!!!!! Do yourself & those you Love a great service & GET THERE or ORDER!!! YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU DID!!!!!!!! EASY FIVE STARS... SIXTH STAR FOR INCREDIBLE PIZZA!!!

    Jackie L.

    Food is not bad, but service could be extremely slow. Table next to us sat down roughly the same time as us, ordered a minute before us but finished their dinner and got their check before we got our entrees (we did not order anything special, just pasta). Food is worth close to 4 stars, but service brought it down to 3. The reason why it's at 2 however is their concept of making you pay cash. When you're about to pay your bill, the side says there is a 3.99% discount if you pay cash. However, once we asked for that, the waitress just informed us that IF we were to pay credit card, we just get that 3.99% surcharge. So it's great to know that we don't have to pay extra just because we're paying you cash so you probably don't have to report it. With all the good restaurants around bay ridge, you definitely do not have to settle with scheming restaurants like this. Definitely would not recommend and will not be returning.

    Extra cheese pizza

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    5 months ago

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    2 years ago

    Delish! And always quick for deliveries. Always consistent and really great with accommodating special diets.

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    4 years ago

    I ordered linguine on white clam sauces and it had lots of sand, you guys need to wash better those Manila clams

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    5 years ago

    Pizza is ok very thick crust yet still a bit floppy. Caesar salad is just some iceberg with bottled dressing and packaged croutons.

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Dogshit food. No flavor, dry, stale, tastes as if it was sitting out for days prior. Don't waste your money or time here

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    5 years ago

    Food was so delicious nice size portions as well very happy I was afraid of the bad reviews took a chance and we'll be back for sure !

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    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - Leo's Casa Calamari

    Wow! Another Bay Ridge icon goes belly-up. That's a prime corner spot; what's taking over, yet another Turkish kebab joint?

    Leo's Casa Calamari moved one block over 🤗 New corner address: 8502- 3 Ave, Bklyn, NY 11209

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    Mr Bagels Cafe - Bagel time

    Mr Bagels Cafe

    3.4(27 reviews)
    0.5 miFort Hamilton, Bay Ridge

    Great spot and opens at 6AM! We had scoped this out as a…read moremust-visit in the morning after packing up for the long drive back to Toronto on the last day of our trip. That was such a perfect idea. First thing we were there, and it was a warm and sultry morning at 6:30AM with the sun up to greet us along with a New York bridge adorning the scene to the south, with us eating outside on the sidewalk I could not imagine a better send off from this great world city. Bagels were a perfect breakfast and we sucked those back in a jiffy. Just as we were finishing, members of the US military, maybe national guardsmen, showed up in black SUVs right in front of us and parked. They got out, a gaggle of them and headed in for their bagels. Well that's something to remember and not an every day sight for us being from Canada, and added to the local flavour of this epic road trip.

    Working in a new neighborhood is always a challenge. It's like you're the new kid in school, you…read moreneed to find out the lay of the land. Well, I went to my first bagel spot in Ft Hamilton. I pulled up and I see "Mr" Bagels cafe. For Brooklyn, it sounds like pure class. I'm sure the owner must have a pinky ring. Walking inside, the bagel counter are front and center. To the left, is a coffee bar with multiple coffee choices. Nice looking spot. I ask for a Sesame Bagel with Cream Cheese. Would you like that toasted sir? Wait a second Years ago, I asked for my bagel toasted at Murrays Bagels in Chelsea. The guy behind the counter? He lost his mind! The next day, they put up a hand written sign: No Toasted Bagels So I'm always lerry when asking for extras. Except the bagel guy asked me so I feel relaxed. I pour myself a cup of delicious French Roast Coffee and my bagel is ready. The bagel is perfect. It has a nice chew, just a little too big but thats my personal taste. The cream cheese, even though it's plain, is very silky. Mr Bagels, thank you. Until we meet again.

    Photos
    Mr Bagels Cafe
    Mr Bagels Cafe
    Mr Bagels Cafe - You can see where we sat on stools at the little table along the window with the New York bridge in the background.

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    You can see where we sat on stools at the little table along the window with the New York bridge in the background.

    Charlie’s Sandwich Shop - 6. The How You Doin

    Charlie’s Sandwich Shop

    4.4(118 reviews)
    0.4 miFort Hamilton, Bay Ridge
    $$

    Man that sandwich was bangin'!…read more New job and I'm getting the lay of the land with some go to lunch spots. Charlie's Sandwich Shop came up on Yelp, I set the Nav to fresh Mutz! I walk into a small shop, the large menu is front and center. I read on line what I wanted, the #6 - The How You Doin You're not finding this sandwich name in LA! This spot is pure Brooklyn, with some great sounding sandwiches. Trust me, I looked over the menu and wanted to try everything on the menu. The #6 was a fantastic choice, Fresh Brooklyn Italian bread with a perfectly Fried Chicken Cutlet and topped with Roasted Peppers, Fresh Mozzarella and completed with an Oil Balsamic drizzle. Cash only spot, that's ok. Take my money! I'm coming back for the Thursday Special, the Homemade Roast Beef and Melted Fresh Mozzarella sandwich. (How awesome does that sound?!)

    Every time I am in this area of Brooklyn, I stop by this sandwich shop for a Menny Special. It is…read morenot super complicated, but it's so darn tasty. What makes it finger licking good is the freshly baked sesame seed crusted hero bread filled with tender medium rare roast beef, melted Swiss & Provolone cheese, and balsamic mayo. I know Charlie's have other great sandwiches, but I have not gotten past this one yet. After several attempts, I am still stuck on this one damn sandwich. It's alright. I'll move on someday. Maybe. Do I really have to? Lol

    Photos
    Charlie’s Sandwich Shop - Funny signs

    Funny signs

    Charlie’s Sandwich Shop - Half of the 9 roast beef and fresh moz

    Half of the 9 roast beef and fresh moz

    Charlie’s Sandwich Shop - Sandwich list

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    Sandwich list

    Leo's Casa Calamari - italian - Updated May 2026

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