Cafe Pizzaiolo

Use to like this place better than I do now. Food is solid for the price, but looks like the owner has just entrusted amateurs in charge to completely run the business to the ground. The place is just as filthy as can be, sticky, dilapidated, an array of randomness piled up in the way, on the floor, every nook & cranny… If you are going to have an open kitchen, then make sure it looks sanitary & presentable and that your line cooks are wearing gloves (on both hands), etc…
Other little irritating things that I guess were meant to be cute, but are actually a turnoff: the homemade pizza stands that they use to elevate the pizza off of the table top– a pizza pan epoxied to an upside down can of tomato sauce and the plates are actually 6″ tin pizza pans that just exude CHEAP. Plastic or even disposable plates would be 100x more appealing, you’ll see what I mean.
I can’t fathom that the owner walks into this joint and smiles with pride. It’s only like 5 years old and should look gleaming, but the lack of re-​investment of time, effort & money to maintain and upkeep the facility clearly shows under all of the grime.

Terrible service. Ok food. Good pitzza.
I’ve come to this place several times mainly for breakfast since I live in the neighborhood. The service hasn’t been that great to begin with but it has gotten worst over the last few months — they don’t have enough waitress, food is always late, and today, Saturday morning, a neighbor and I got pretty much ignored by the waitress (she might be the owner) while she texts away.
I’ve come to conclusion, while very convenient for me, not to come her again. Can’t keep getting screwed and disrespected any more.

Arrived after 9PM to a relatively empty and quiet café for a late evening husband and wife dinner. Soon after the food and wine arrived so did the girl’s soccer team from the local high school. To loud applause they were seated around us. Obviously they were expected, but we were not warned. The noise level drove us quickly out with take away. A reluctantly given «sorry» from the owner (whose daughter seemingly was on the team) did not cut it or make up for a wasted evening and a $ 50 bill.

Oh, Café Pizzaiolo on Fern… whyyyyy?
Your ingredients are fresh, your speciality pizzas are unique, and I live so close to you. Why do you have to disappoint me time and time again?
Twice we have ordered delivery, and twice the pizza has arrived 60 minutes later, overcooked and cold.
We have had 5-​star worthy experiences while visiting both the Shirlington and Fern street locations. We pick local pizza shops over big chains in a heart beat, but it’s becoming difficult to make the case to order delivery from you when one large pie is nearly $ 30 and completely disappointing.
Perhaps up your delivery game, or get rid of it all together.

My husband and I went there for lunch today. Olga, our server, was very friendly and provided excellent service. Her cappuccino was perfect! My husband enjoyed the Caprese pizza and said that it was the best pizza that he has had in years. Very fresh ingredients! I loved the Italian sausage/​peppers sub. They have a good wine and beer selection. The calamari was perfectly cooked and seasoned. The music is very Italian and adds a great touch. Obviously, the staff takes great pride in their work. We cannot wait to return! A great find!!!

Only ever ordered delivery. Their service is excellent, and it’s even better that they deliver wine!!! I love their Alfredo and arincini!

Terrible — waited 30 minutes for a dry salad. Staff were lazy and did not care. The building and atmosphere is great — would not repeat due to food and service.

Sigh. The food is generally good but service is sooooo bad. We ask for water– doesn’t arrive until we ask again. We ask for a spoon — doesn’t arrive until we ask again. The table had an indentation– filled with crumbs — yuck.

Once again the service was bad. Shockingly bad. I sat at the bar hoping to order food and despite the place being almost empty and several employees hanging around and leaning on the bar, no one even bothered to make eye contact with, or say anything to, me, even though I stared at them hoping for some contact. After 10 minutes I walked out.

This is one of the best pizzas i’ve had in a long long time. We ordered the Caprese which was very good. Waitress was very friendly.
Ella B.

This is an awesome place. Opens early and the food was amazing. I love the fact the support veterans. On veterans day, they had a 20% off on everything. Support this place if you are a proud vet.

Great place for a family friendly breakfast, lunch or dinner. The staff is very friendly and a great place to enjoy food with friends.

This cozy, neighborhood café is absolutely filled with delicious and fresh Italian and American-​fare dishes. I grew up outside of New Jersey so I feel my review should be weighed heavily. ;) I come often!

The best pizza in the area! This local jaunt has terrific thin-​crust pizza with just the right toppings. A decent wine and beer menu along with pizza-​box art décor make it a great place for families. Just don’t get the takeout – it does not taste the same.

Really poor communication. I recommend against using the online ordering system. It doesn’t communicate the wait time (1.5 hours in my case). Also it is unreliable calling and asking employees the delivery time (I was told my food would arrive any minute at around an hour of waiting). Food is hypothetically good. Or maybe I have just been extra hungry from the wait on those previous orders… Maybe if you ask for the manager to confirm the wait time before ordering.

Just a quick shout to café on fern Pizzaiolo, had a great time dining in today for lunch with friends, food was delicious especially the neapolitan pizza so good tasted fresh,
The wait staff are friendly and helpful to our needs, I love the wall art on the wall very cool idea,
Thanks again and def will come back :-)

I’ve come here a few times for breakfast meetings with my office. We’re too big of a group for them to handle. Which makes me hesitant to mark them down so much for it — but the most simple mistakes are made which make me dread going there whenever it’s required.
Their menu is decent — but on the heavier side for breakfast. Which is fine — but if you’re going, and are hungry, you’re going to eat half of the calories you should be for the day. And the food isn’t worth that. Also — they don’t have enough staff — so the guy taking your order is also making the food. Which means if you’re a big group, half of you are getting cold eggs.
Finally, once my coffee came in a cup with a lipstick stain. I mean, really?
I suggest they just take the ‘café’ out of the name and not pretend to be some they’re not. You’re a pizza restaurant — admit it and set yourself free!

I want to like café pizziola, I really do. It’s a neighborhood place, the people are nice. Peroni on tap! But The food. The food! Mama Mia! the pasta is always so very salty. I’ve reserved judgment now for the last 4 times, but 4 times is just too many times to consistently get salty pasta. First 2 times the gnocchi; last two, the rigatoni. I could not eat it. Just could not.
I’m sorry CP… I tried to overlook the negatives of this cute neighborhood place, but I just cannot any longer. Maybe less salt in water or in sauce…
I’d go back if they changed.

This morning was our 3^rd time here (2^nd time for breakfast) and have always left really satisfied! From their calzones and pizzas to their breakfast items, we haven’t gone wrong.
We’ll be moving to the neighborhood in a few weeks and already have this place as one of our local options!

Ordered delivery and pizzas arrived cold. He restaurant said 45 – 55 minutes and the pizzas arrived an hour and a half later. I live 5 minutes away.
Even if the pizzas arrived hot, they would have still been very disappointing. The Pesto pizza (see photo) and Famiglia pizzas were extremely salty (and I love salt) and dry and the crust was very chewy.
Sorry, Pizzaiolo. Never again.