Genova’s To Go – Manchester

Quick delivery, good pizza and cheesesteaks. Best in the area by far!

I live about a mile from the former Genova’s location in Hampstead. That location became my favorite place to order pizza from. Their cheesesteak subs were really, really good as well — the rolls seemed fresh made and just could not be beat. We occasionally tried the italian entrees as well (and sometimes ate in the restaurant). But, it closed about 18 months ago and while the owners claim to still be planning to reopen, I am not holding my breath.
Once the Hampstead location closed, we started ordering from the Deep Run location, which still delivered to us, and we also would get carryout. While I would have given the old Genova’s 4 stars, things have just gone down hill at Deep Run.
The good thing is that delivery is really prompt. Even though we are at the very edge of the delivery area, we usually get our order fast. If I do go to pick up, the location always has a musty smell — like basement, or mold. That doesn’t make me feel great — I would hope to instead smell baking pizza and food.
The pizza has been about on par as what I’ve come to love from Genova’s. The selection of italian entrees has really been pared down. I used to pretty much only order Chicken Marsala, and that is no longer offered. Instead, there are just basically lasagna, baked ziti and ravoili — so marinara. I can tell you that marinara at Genova’s is not good. It basically tastes like tomato sauce from a can. No spices or anything whatsoever added. Bland, boring, not worth it.
The cheesesteaks are what are really disappointing. The last time we ordered from Genova’s, the rolls were rancid. There was a distinct rancid smell that was from either butter or shortening that had gone bad. The rolls were not stale, they were spoiled. And terrible. I cannot get that smell and taste out of my head, and it has prevented me from ordering from Genova’s at all ever since. I cannot imagine that a restaurant would serve their customers obviously spoiled food (I mean, it really smelled — someone had to notice). Gross! How could I possibly order anything, cheesesteaks or otherwise, from them again? Back to ordering from J&P.
Add to all of this that when you pick up a menu from Genova’s, they inevitably have whited out all the prices and hand written in new, higher prices. They keep raising their prices — and their food is getting worse. I don’t think that’s how it works — improve the food and keep the prices the same and you’ll sell more and make more money.
Ugh. Never again.