Totonno Pizzeria Napolitano
| Address: | 1524 Neptune Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224, USA |
| Phone: | +1 718-372-8606 |
| Site: | totonnosconeyisland.com |
| Rating: | 4 |
| Working: | Closed Closed Closed 12–8PM 12–8PM 12–8PM 12–8PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 6
JU
Julian Gallegos
I dont typically write reviews online but after this experience it was definitely warranted! There are pictures on the walls of a woman in her last 40s / early 50s who looks tired but genuinely happy. The lines in her face reveal the many hours her hands were covered in flour and dough...today the sparkle in her eye has been replaced with frustration and discontent. It was in fact some of the best pizza I have ever eaten sullied by the WORST service I have ever encountered...and from what I suspect was one of the owners. Perhaps she was having a tough day BUT coming from a former waiter, you dont allow your personal life to interfere with the customer experience because this happens...you lose customers who then in turn write bad reviews online to future cusomters and warning them of their potential experience. Upon entering the pizzeria, we were quickly escorted out with a gruff and commanding voice telling us to wait outside until we were allowed to come in. I understand that the purpose of this was to make sure the restaurant was clear of people to make it easier on the wait staff BUT there were no benches outside so for someone with a torn acl (my sister) this was incredibly irritating. The entire experience made us feel as if we were an inconvenience to this woman as she hurriedly tried to remove the pests that plagued her personal space. The employee wait staff and the chef were incredibly accommodating and kind when the boss wasnt around and seemed to understand the frustrated look in our eyes. When we asked for toppings that were on the menu she first said we couldnt have them and then actually told us that the pizza didnt need the toppings we wanted...which is fine if you feel that way...but if thats the case then kindly remove those items from the menu so people dont ask for them. She was rude, disrespectful, and made the entire meal seem as if she was trying to get rid us as soon as possible, which I could at least understand if it was busy...but it wasnt busy at all. This restaurant may be famous and the pizza may be delicious but there are so many other places I could go for pizza just as good with MUCH BETTER service. Honestly, the only reason I ever want to go back to this place is to provide an interactive example to my future children of how people with poor manners behave.
KA
Kawang Wong
One slice just isnt going to cut it. Came here the day of the Mermaid Festival, boy was it packed. Took at least 2 hours to get in here because they refused to do pizzas to go, so a line formed. The were probably afraid of pizza reselling, perhaps there was limited help, and they could generate more revenue via tips if customers dined in. When we finally got in, we ordered 4 plain slices for each of us and waited approximately 20 minutes, but it was definitely worth the wait. First off, the pizza is thin sliced, the cheese isnt evenly placed, but on the center and sprinkled. The cheese is not typical pizza cheese, its a bit like ricotta, Im not sure what it was, but it was good. The sauce isnt overflowing like some pizzas, which is a good thing, and it didnt take away from the taste of the cheese. The service wasnt great, it was mediocre at best. I assume this was because of the line outside and the huge influx of people wanting to come in. Completely understandable, but even the water became self serve, which bothered me a bit because I honestly didnt see the waitress do anything. Im sure they were tired, considering that it was near the end of the day and they were actually nearing closing time. Perhaps Ill get better service next time, definitely coming back for more of those slices of italian heaven. Decor is definitely nice, very cluttered with historic pieces of pictures, histories, and news articles, making it look old fashion. Experience overall was okay, pizzas were really well made and good, service could be a little better.
YU
yuk mason
I doubt I will ever be back... The reason is in the end of my review. The place was packed when we visited it last Sunday, Aug 10. Like: 1) crust is thin; 2) sauce is tasty; 3) pizza chief bring your pizza personally. Not the best pizza Ive ever had, but better then many others. Dislike: 1) expensive for the pie; 2) menu is short, very few toppings; 3) each topping is $2.50, but if you take half-pie pepperoni, half-pie pepper & onion - they charge you 2 toppings - $5, even if each topping covers half-pie only; 4) you eat from paper plates, 1 paper napkin for each person; 5) you must specifically request seasonings, red pepper and garlic powder, which, by my opinion, must be present on every table by default, considering the pizza price. HATE: waiting for our pizza to arrive Ive noticed, that one of the waitresses, w/o washing her hands, helps pizza chief to cover pizza with cheese and toppings. All with her bare hands, right after cleaning tables from dirty dishes, wiping tables with wet towel, dealing with cash, etc. After done with pizza she just shaken her hands from cheese crumbs and went to servicing next visitors. And then back to covering pizza with cheese and toppings. Multiple times, with the same dirty hands. Cheese, toppings, shake hands, bring food, get cash, clean tables, back to pizza again. And then you eat that pizza with your friends. Nice. Good job!
JU
Justin Levine
After having come here many times, I have to concur with the majority: this is one of the best pizzerias in NYC. The woman whose the main waitress is Cookie Ciminieri, one of the owners and a descendant of Anthony "Totonno" Pero; shes actually a very sweet lady. Her son Lawrence is the main pizzaiolo here, and its amazingly great (and fortunate for us) that this pizzeria has stayed in the family. The crust is one of the very best around. Flavorful, charred, and with a perfect balance of crispness and lightness. The tomatoes are flavorful but not the best around, and the homemade fior di latte is creamy, but not the best around either--both work together perfectly with the crust, and are also balanced beautifully. The overall pie tastes fresh and delclious, and is the best excuse to trek out to Coney island. Dont even bother with toppings as they dont do the pie justice; get a margarita, because this is the pizza that put pizza on the map in the United States.
DA
Dance Art
Non abbiamo avuto modo di assaggiare la pizza perché la proprietaria è stata scortese dicendoci che il locale era chiuso alle 7:00 del pomeriggio. Dicendoci :"can you help? " due volte.... nessuna accoglienza... Anzi .... avremmo pagato mica mangiato gratis!! comunque ragazzi la vera pizza napoletana andatevela a mangiare a Napoli! Di napoletano non cera nulla...compresa laccoglienza e la cortesia... Mai visto una cosa del genere.
VL
Vlad Z.
Supposedly the second oldest pizzaria, as the founder was an employee of Lombardis in Manhattan back in 1905. The fame of this place is largely exaggerated as I grew up a few blocks away and only found out about it after living there for a decade. There are no lines out the door (though maybe during the peak Coney Island season) but that should not dissuade you from stopping buy. Unfortunately they only sell by the pie but the pies arent that huge so a hungry man can easily down half. One of the few places in NYC where the pizza is made in a coal oven and the taste really benefits from it. Not the best pizza Ive ever had but it damn sure is up there. A must visit for fans of pizza, history and NYC.
