Ippolito's Cucina Italiana and Pizzeria

+1 732-363-0103

700 NJ-70, Lakewood, NJ 08701 United States of America

Open Today: -

Quick Facts About Ippolito's Cucina Italiana and Pizzeria

Ippolito's Cucina Italiana and Pizzeria is a restaurant that has received mixed reviews. While some customers praised the friendly staff, flavorful food, and adherence to COVID protocols, others complained about rude service and unaccommodating staff. In order to provide a comprehensive analysis, we will examine the strengths and weaknesses of the restaurant based on the comments provided.

Starting with the strengths, many customers praised the friendly and welcoming atmosphere at Ippolito's. They mentioned that the servers and the owner were very friendly, making them feel welcome in the restaurant. This positive interaction with the staff contributes to a pleasant dining experience and creates a positive impression of the restaurant.

Another strength mentioned by customers is the quality and flavor of the food. Reviewers specifically highlighted the antipasto, sausage pizza, and other menu items like cheesesteaks as delicious and flavorful. The freshness of the ingredients and the homemade sauce were also appreciated by customers. The large serving sizes and generous portions were also mentioned as a positive attribute of the restaurant. Additionally, the pizza crust was praised for being thin and crisp, enhancing the overall taste of the pizza.

The fact that Ippolito's is a family-owned restaurant and offers authentic Italian cuisine was seen as a strength by some customers. Reviewers who have Italian heritage or are familiar with Italian cuisine praised the restaurant for its genuine Italian influence. The fact that the owners are from Italy was considered a positive aspect that adds to the authenticity and quality of the food.

Furthermore, some customers mentioned that Ippolito's is a BYOB (bring your own bottle) establishment, which allows customers to bring their own alcoholic beverages. This can be seen as a strength for those who enjoy pairing their meal with their preferred drink and appreciate the cost savings of not having to purchase drinks from the restaurant.

Moving on to the weaknesses, a common complaint from customers was the rude service they received. One customer described an incident where they were greeted by a rude employee who made them feel unwelcome, ultimately leading them to leave the restaurant and vow to never return. Similarly, another customer reported being hung up on by a staff member after asking a question about their order. These instances of poor customer service reflect negatively on the restaurant and can deter potential customers from visiting.

Another weakness mentioned by a customer is the wait time. They reported that they were informed of a 30-minute wait upon arrival, which they found to be inconvenient. Although this may not be a major issue for all customers, it can be seen as a weakness for those who prefer prompt service or have limited time for dining.

In terms of pricing, while some customers found the cost of their meal to be reasonable considering the serving sizes and quality, others mentioned that Ippolito's is not cheap. This can be seen as a weakness for customers who prioritize affordability over quality.

In summary, Ippolito's Cucina Italiana and Pizzeria has strengths such as friendly staff, flavorful food, authentic Italian cuisine, generous portion sizes, and the option to bring your own alcoholic beverages. However, it also has weaknesses including instances of rude service, long wait times, and higher prices compared to other options. Taking into account these strengths and weaknesses, potential customers can make an informed decision about visiting the restaurant based on their preferences and priorities.

Best TL Reviews

This place was recommended by some "locals", so we dropped in for a late lunch. The servers were very friendly, as was the owner. This is a "local fave", yet we certainly felt very welcome. We ordered an antipasto and a large sausage pizza, and since it was 92 degrees outside, 2 large waters with ice. The antipasto was huge and more than enough for both of us, and came with warm Italian bread and butter. Everything was flavorful and fresh. The pizza came piping hot, and the owner served the first 2 slices to us. The crust was thin and crisp and the cheese and sausage were abundant. The pizza tasted great. The cost of our meal was $33 (not cheap), but the serving sizes and quality make it quite worth it! Although we didn't drink, it's also a BYOB.

I would give them ZERO stars if I could.

Last night upon arrival we noticed there was a very large party already dinning at the restaurant. We were greeted by a very rude guy behind the pizza counter, his exact words. "It's going to be at least 30 minutes wait" and then gave us a we don't want your business very rude look. We simply turned around and left to never ever go back there again.

Family owned & the BEST Italian food in Ocean County. REAL Italian cuisine. My Mom and all her Italian friends raved about Ippolito's. The pizza is amazing. The owners are from Italy & they haven't lost that Italian influence.

Finally tried Ippolito's & we’re mad at ourselves for not doing it sooner! we are new to the area & tried places a bit closer to us but none were even passable. Ippolito’s pizza is wonderful! Thin, tasty crust, fresh homemade sauce & cooked perfectly. Cheesesteaks were equally delicious. Only ordered from them couple times so far but looking forward to trying many other pizzas, sandwiches & entrees at our new go-to Italian place!

What a wonderful experience this was. Incredible prices, flavorful food, generous portions, superbly friendly staff, and strict adherence to covid protocols. Can't wait to return!

Working in the area and stopped for lunch for a couple slices to go. The pizza, one plain, one sausage was excellent! To top it off, the owner was a real nice guy, struck up a conversation as he worked. Now that I know they're there, I'll be back as often as possible.

After moving to Manchester, NJ in January 2016, finally got to stop by here for a very nice lunch.

It consisted of Antipasto, Garlic Cheese Bread and a Large Pomodoro Pizza.

Another variation of an Upside Down - Trenton Style Pizza.

Their spin appears to be a mixed blend of delicious cheese's and of course a very tasty tomato sauce on top with a Sesame Seed Crust.

Pizza was very crisp, how I like it.

We finished the meal with a freshly made zeppole dusted with fine powdered sugar.

Perfect ending to our meal.

February 26, 2021

Made another visit for same slices.

After getting a haircut at a local Barber for the first time since Covid-19 started, stopped in for some Friday Lunch Slices!!!

Today's choices were 3 Pomodoro, 1 Sausage and 1 Italian Hotdog.

The Pomodoro is cheese down first, marinara sauce, garlic and a sesame seed crust.

The Italian Hotdog was a white pizza, cheese, sliced hotdog, potato slices, pepper and onions.

All slices were delicious!!!

I would give this pizzeria 0 stars if I could!!!! Tried to order from them for the first time tonight as I have been recommended from family. I called looking to place an order for two pies - one of them being a Buffalo pie and when I asked if they could use hot sauce instead of pizza sauce I was informed they don’t do it that way and that maybe this wasn’t the place for me.. they then hung up on me. Terrible service and very rude! My family will no longer be ordering from them.