We had a large group with 6 adults and 9 kids, so we called ahead to ensure that we had tables ready. When we arrived at 5:15pm, the parking lot was packed, that we found parking on the street. Apparently this was the happening place at 5pm on a Friday. Every table was occupied. Fortunately for our plan ahead mentality, our table was set and waiting for our arrival. We were the first family to arrive, I was quite hungry, and I didn't want to wait for the others to arrive so I promptly put in an order for apps and two pizzas.
Our server Anna was very helpful and friendly. She understood the predicament and advised us on some good appetizers. We had an order of fries $2.95 and the combination appetizer platter $14.95. For the pizza, I ordered two 20" pizzas. (Just a note...when hungry...i would tend to order too much. Should have just done 1 pizza + the appetizers for our party of 15 - we left with just about one whole pizza remaining!!).
My thoughts on the food...
Appetizer platter - it was huge. A fried food fiesta! The same size as a 20" pizza platter. It had calamari rings, mozarella sticks, bread sticks, what I thought were fish bites but it was really cauliflower, fried onion rings. I seriously thought I was eating fried fish bites. It was awesome. I loved it - kind of the way cauliflower was meant to be eaten fried! Haha. The fries were thickly cut - so not my preference. Kids liked them though.
Meat lovers pizza $24.50- loved this one. You're suppose to choose the crust either the standard thin or pan for $2 extra. The restaurant is known for it's thin, so just go with that! The crust was crispy and delish. The sausage, pepperoni, bacon, ham it was great, especially since it was cut in squares - the way I liked it.
After about only 2/3 of our meat lovers and full tummies, our 2nd pizza arrived the chicken parmesan $18.50. Now this is where the thought of fullness set upon us. But the chicken parmesan on pizza seemed like a novelty worth pushing through pain. The crust was a tad chewier than the meat lovers. Anna the server said it must have come from the top oven, whereas the bottom was hotter, thus crispier. Good to know for future. For me, it's crispy all the way. My wife however enjoyed the chewier crust more.
As we were eating, I saw a giant calzone on it's way to another table...and I knew from that point on, I will need to return to Ruffalos to try it. My bucket list is set!
The space is quite kitchy, has all these funny signs around like "we don't have wifi, talk to each other" (the wifi router was just above the sign btw). So they do have wifi.
I really enjoyed our time at Ruffalo's. The staff is so friendly and the food is good! Will be back for the calzone challenge. If you can't find parking, plenty of parking on the street. Just a good local establishment.
Big smiles, good times. read more