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Za's Pizza Pub: Lucky Number 7 ?

Za's Pizza Pub

7 of 52

1573 Bardstown Road

www.zaspizza.com

June 29, 2010

This week we have a guest writer, Kat Lynn, 

we hope you enjoy her review as much as we did! Thanks Kat!

                        

Kat & Patrick (our unofficial Calzone regulars)

Calzone Connoisseurs: Amy, Matt, Patrick, Kat, & Pops

            Matt/Amy's Scores  

Filling Selection:     6 /10= 60%

Sauce:                   6/10= 60%

Crust:                    8/10= 80%

Filling:                   8/10= 80%

Overall Taste:         8/10=80%

Overall Calzone Rating: 36/50, 72% C

Lucky number 7 for this week with Za’s Pizza Pub up on the chopping block. This restaurant has been a Louisville staple for more than a decade and its ambience reflects it. Decorated with years of Louisville native apparel and plenty of televisions, the word pub couldn’t sum it up better. The smaller, open front portion of the restaurant allows for a very casual, stereotypical Highlands feel. At the back of the restaurant, out of sight of the dining room, is a rec room with pool tables and general bar vibes. The two rooms make for a perfect balance of restaurant and casual hang out. And kudos to Za’s for fully embracing the “go green” initiative because the air conditioner is either set on African Savannah or is just off. Al Gore? Smiling. The rest of the patrons? Sweating.


After ordering some tasty beverages off their small but impressive beer menu, we decided to order an appetizer and a salad to start. We were pleasantly surprised by the side Italian salad we ordered to quasi counteract the oncoming heart attack brought on by weeks of calzones. Expecting a small cereal bowl worth of iceberg lettuce with maybe some pre-shredded cheese if we were lucky, we were impressed by the generous portion of delicious veggie side items that topped our more-than-enough lettuce. The appetizer of cheese bread was a healthy portion as well, with even enough left over to ward off Patrick’s appetite for a few more minutes while the delayed calzones found their way to our table.

A few beers in and mere seconds from a revolt, our calzones arrived. Wrongly placed in front of each of us, cutting into them was like opening Christmas presents. The vegetarian was surprised to find 4 different meats deliciously stuffed inside her calzone. After a round of musical calzones, we each found our rightful calzone and dove in. The crust was wonderfully seasoned with spices and all calzones had the golden glow of butter upon them…always a good start. The veggie calzone was overflowing with toppings, especially olives and mushrooms. The works was just that, working hard to contain all its fillings of ham, sausage, and bacon just to name a few. The cheese to topping ratio could have been better and the marinara is questionably similar to Ragu, but the overall taste was still good.

Both sets of couples split a calzone and, ignoring Patrick because of his freakish appetite, were satiated at meals end. The lone eater was only able to finish half, so portions were just right for the average consumer.

Overall, the limited calzone selection and sometimes too casual of service left us desiring more in a pizzeria, but the Pub name on the door does warn us of what to expect. The casual atmosphere and laid-back service makes for an excellent beer tasting venue but a less than ideal pizzeria.

                                        

Price:

Cheese                   6.95

Each Topping             .90

Works                    9.95

Veggie                    8.95

Types Tried

Amy and Matt---build your own style, Chicken, Tomatoes, Green Peppers, & Jalapenos.
Kat and Patrick ---ordered off the menu, Veggie

Pop --- ordered off the menu, the Works

                                         

PIZZERIA RATING:     Matt & Amy

Cleanliness:             3/10=30%
Ambiance:                  6/10=60%

Friendliness:              6/10=60%

Service:                  4/10=40% 

Overall Pizzeria Rating: 19/40, 47.5% F