Cesare’s of New York Pizzeria

I find it hard to believe anyone would not love this place. One could suggest, I am biased because I have been a customer since I was a child (when they were located on Church). I love the pizza and I love that the owner, Silvana, has known me since i was a child. As you can read from previous posts, pizza is offered by the slice. Depending on my mood… I either go for the cheese or the spinach and tomato. I honestly don’t think you can do wrong either way. Maybe those of us who have grown up on this pizza are biased… or maybe we just know good pizza. In my opinion, its is absolutely worth your time! Just remember, it is cash only. ENJOY!

I’ve been eating at Cesare’s since they were located in the 7 – 11 plaza that used to sit on the plot of land which now serves as a loading dock for Publix. As a child, I used to ride my bike to the old stationary store next to the 7 – 11 and stop in Cesare’s to grab a slice. Back then, it was one of only two places you could get some pizza by the slice. Vacaro’s in Westshore Mall was the other. Before today, the last time I ate here was in 1995 or 1996. I remember it being okay back then, and it was ok today. Very fresh ingredients, perfect crust, but missing the umpf. Not a bad pizza in any way, shape or form, but just not the best in town. On the flip side, this place has a lot of history and I love that. In this day and age of chains and new trendy eateries cropping up like weeds, it’s awesome AND RARE to walk into a joint after 17 years and see the same person behind the counter. Props upon props.

I love local «Mom and Pop» style pizza places like this. «New York pizza made by real New Yorkers» could be a slogan for them. I love the pizza. The owner, Silvana, usually has desserts such as fresh cookies and cannoli for sale. She also has fresh pasta dishes in a «grab and go» format in the refrigerator that you can purchase.

Great NYC-​style pizza!!! Get a lsice or 2 or get a whole pie!!! Good folks working there and great food!!!

I remain a fan. Cesare has retired, and this space is not as awesomely rundown as the old space (ah, I do so miss the wood paneling in the old location…) I’ve been getting slices here since the late 1970s.
The spinach/​tomato slice is usually the best IMO. The cheese is good, but its better if you get a whole fresh cheese pie and take it home for dinner.
I heart Cesare’s.

This pizza was OK but not great. The toppings were OK but the crust was kind of soggy/​uncooked in the middle and the sauce & cheese were just average. There’s better NY style pizza out there.

I was really not pleased with the pizza from here. We came on a pizza tour and only ordered slices of cheese to level the playing field. $ 3.00 for a small slice of ick. Well, the pizza here tastes like the pizza I used to avoid from the snack bar at the roller skating rink back in the 80’s. The sauce tasted like canned peaches, the cheese was barely melted, and the crusted tasted like pizza buffet dessert crust. The whole thing was just too sweet. Maybe because adjust their taste buds to eat here or have just grown up on the stuff and find it acceptable. I feel really bad about the negative review because they have been here forever.

I could not have said this better than David C’s review. Very disappointed. I got two slices and only took three bites and had to throw the rest away. My girlfriend felt the same.

This place broke my heart. Our second stop on the Pizza Tour, I walked in here and smiled — it’s set up just like the NY Pizza Joints of my youth, even the same orange and red plastic tables. A real, gas fired oven (sure, coal or wood fired are fancier, but that doesn’t equate to more authentic), and appropriately sized slices. Some of my companions were put out by the general squalor, but all I had eyes for were the piping hot slices plated on paper and slid across the counter.
Then I bit in.
Caked cheese, bland sauce, and yeasty, pudgy crust. This was a pale, middle-​american imitation of a slice of pizza. Not as bad as, say, Chuck E Cheese’s, but a far cry from the New York heritage proclaimed on the façade.
And I wanted so badly for this to be my new spot, even a whole bay and half a city away from me. Luckily, I’ve got better, closer.
Final scores of the group (averaged, out of 5):
Sauce: 1.6
Crust: 1.4
Cheese: 2
Seating: 3 (dissenting opinion: this is perfect seating for a NY Pizza Joint)
Ambiance: 3 (dissenting opinion: spot-​effing-​on)
Service: 3.2
Cleanliness: 2.4

Don’t let the dingy little strip mall fool you! This is a truly awesome hand tossed NY style thin crust exactly like your Italian mama would make if you had one. Seating is limited so definitely drop in for a grab and go lunch or takeout

I’ve been eating at Cesare’s pizza for over 2 decades. This pizza is better than crack. Try the spinach pizza for a real treat. They also serve whatever Silvana (the owner) decides to cook up that day. Lasagna, pasta, eggplant parmisan etc… with top quality ingredients.

Best NY style pizza in Tampa!!! From Italy to New York to Tampa.