Caruso Pizzeria & Restaurant
Caruso Pizzeria & Restaurant
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$ Price range Under $10
8 reviews
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It's a typical corner pizza joint, serving slices from pre-made pies as well as custom delivery/takeout. Two things I thought were different from many other typical places:
1. More meat topped options… my choice was generously smothered in chopped bacon. There were several other protein-topped offerings in the pre-made racks.
2. They have a variety of crusts, but their signature pies are pretty thick. That said, they were only thick in volume. The dough is firm on the bottom but the rest is pillowly/light.
Overall, pretty good for a quick bite. Not a pizza mecca or worth a pilgrimage, but also a bit different than many average places.
[For the purposes of this review, I'm going to claim that] There are two types of pizzerias.
1. Gourmet. Be it thin crust, Neapolitan, whatever, these places are more expensive and usually only sell full pies. This is because their ingredients are fresh, and pies must be made to order (to sell by the slice would compromise the quality of the crust).
2. Slice joints. They are everywhere in the city, and they range from godawful $1 slice spots to actually quality places that give NYC its reputation for pizza.
Caruso is certainly not gourmet, and it falls somewhere in the middle of the spectrum for slice joints. I've never had anything other than a regular slice (or one where the pepperoni has been tossed on as an afterthought) and I probably never will.
In fact, I often tell myself that I shouldn't eat pizza unless it's from one of the nearby gems (Sottocasa, Lucali, hopefully Krescendo). But every thrice in a while I drink too much at one the bars on Smith St., and Caruso is right there. Waiting.
Pizza is a way of life in Brooklyn. So maybe that's why I sometimes find it borderline insulting that in the Smith/Court area, our options for slices are limited. Don't get me wrong, I love the Lucali's and Luzzo's of the world, but sometimes you just want one giant slice dripping with mozz. Off of Atlantic, there's only My Little Pizzeria, which sucks, and Caruso. I'm not even going to consider Dominoes legitimate pizza.
Caruso is a no-frills joint that looks and feels like Brooklyn. There's some seating inside, but in the summer with the ovens running, it's much too hot. They have some interesting slice options, but probably best to stick with what you know.
I got a mushroom slice and a Sicilian. I don't know how they did it, but the crust on the mushroom slice was really puffy, and absolutely delicious. They didn't skimp on the mushrooms either. The Sicilian was good too, with a nice crisp and heft to it. I paid $6.50 for two slices. Best deal you'll find in the area.
Ehh. Not my favorite, but a solid local joint in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. They don't seem to be very responsive to the customers and their food is not as good as others have mentioned. I'll go back for a slice if I'm desperate but it ain't nearly the best in the neighborhood.
My neighborhood pizza joint.
I think their basic slice is the way to go. What makes them unique is the sesame seeds they roll the dough in – nice touch.
You are passing by on Smith St.? Yes!
You live in the delivery vicinity? Yes!
You're looking for a destination sit down establishment that sells pizza? No!
Neighborhood pizza shop. The pizza won't blow you away, but you'll be happy if craving a slice and they serve a few basic pasta dishes for inexpensive prices.
Stopped for a quick slice after visiting my friends before heading back to Manhattan. Good slice. Over priced 20 ounce soda. The variety available when entering is impressive. I will stop here again when around and in need of a bite to eat.
Smith
Deserves
Better slice
Joints but few and
Far between. Eat here when broke and hangry.