(Tookout 12/17/20 TH @ 5:00pm): Nothing rocky about this pizza place, but calling it gourmet might be a stretch!
Living during these COVID-19 times, my roommate and I have eaten a lot of takeout pizza as we have systematically been trying all of the neighborhood pizza joints and wherever we might be which was the latter case this time with Rocky's Gourmet Pizza. Actually, I saw a coupon menu flyer at my mom's house and almost instantaneously decided to check them out before I went home. Was this fortuitous moment a good one!?
PURCHASE
1/2lb 5pc Buffalo Chicken Wings ($5.99): At more than $1.00/piece and truly an impulse buy, these were fine but surely nothing special or memorable https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=Q9leOw9FRZ9sJfLIxncKZQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw.
Italian Combo Submarine Sandwich ($7.99): Made with slices of ham, mortadella, and salami between a lightly toasted flaky roll, this was deliciously simple but wished there was more cheese, vegetables, and meat https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=TPujRSuDAe-c--eqzyyPxg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw.
Large Greek Salad w/Balsamic Vinegar Dressing ($8.49 + $0.25): Made with romaine lettuce, tomato, red onion, cucumber, green pepper, black olives, fresh parsley, oregano, and feta cheese, I generally enjoyed this but preferred sizable pieces of feta cheese instead of flecks which eventually dissolved into the salad. Also, the lettuce didn't need to be so finely-chopped https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=2DqyoamRHn9BWsO_WQywIA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw.
Large Rocky's Special "Makhsoos" Specialty Pizza ($20.99): A collaboration of pizza sauce, bacon, mozzarella, mushroom, turkey, ham, salami, red onion, and green pepper, the amount and size of all the ingredients covered the pie nicely for even distribution in every bite - a solid pizza https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=RN8kzZKebwUu7ZS1DDmG0A&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw!
Large Vegetarian Specialty Pizza ($20.99): Made with pizza sauce, spinach, mozzarella, mushroom, red onion, green pepper, black olives, diced tomato, and broccoli, same comments as with the previous pizza, I liked this one more for its perceived healthiness - yummy https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=zp-rfDXdSUl3PXLjRFZaYQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw!
SERVICE
During these COVID-19 times, they recommended online orders/payment for takeout although they also accepted phone orders (which I did) and walk-ups available. The gentleman who took my order was friendly and efficient. I arrived about an hour later with only one customer ahead of me. Quickly enough, I was up next with my order ready, small chit-chat with the possible manager/owner, and eagerly I went to get home and feast on these - all was good!
PARKING (FREE)
They shared a tight parking lot with several other businesses, I luckily found a spot. Otherwise there seemed to be some parking along the parallel drags of Canada Blvd. and Verdugo Rd. - 'nuff said.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
Located directly across from Glendale Community College, this seemed primarily a takeout joint although pre-COVID-19 there was a small amount of space for a few tables and chairs which were removed at this time. I appreciated the clean and clear environment with an easily legible menu above up on the wall behind the order counter which was directly in front of you. There were some outdoor tables if you wanted to hang around. Plenty of natural lighting came in through the front glass windows and front doors while standard electric ceiling lights covered the rest. I couldn't recall any TVs or background music. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=2kjk3lanXx5Hb6Apph5CMw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
I was surprised Rocky's Gourmet Pizza has been around for nearly ten years according to the gentleman I dealt with, and was happy to have seen the coupon menu flyer at my mom's that brought me here. The prices were very competitive (the wings seemed high), the food was good albeit nothing really stood out, and the service was fine for what I needed, and the menu selection was varied enough that I wanted to try several of their other specialty pizzas. And, it was always a pleasure to support a mom & pop small business https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=Aw1KQ_4gm2k7ma38gH7XwQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $66.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 4.0 STARS read more