Comments on: Discussion (and mini-review): LaRosa’s

By: John

John — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:40:48 +0000

I laughed when I read your review, because I remember a short time after I moved to Cincinnati (about 15 years ago) when the Enquirer had a “favorite pizza” poll, and LaRosa’s won. The Enquirer published comments from voters, and nearly every person who vote for LaRosa’s said they did so for nostalgic reasons (one person said it reminded him of the pizza he used to get in the high school cafeteria), not for taste.

This was my first inkling that there may be some truth to the rumors that the Midwest is, um, lacking. What is it about a personality that would prefer a comfortable, familiar experience to a sensual quality? And in the years that followed, I came to realize that that would define the Cincinnati experience.

LaRosa’s, as you pointed out, makes terrible pizza. The fact that it is so popular, in terms of sheer quantity of portions sold, says something about Cincinnati. It makes living here all that much more fun … when you need to seek quality, and it’s difficult to find it, it makes quality that much more enjoyable.

By: Christina Baita

Christina Baita — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:14:12 +0000

This is a great debate that I hadn’t really thought about until now. I really like Dewey’s so that Michael and I can watch through the window and also since I can just buy the crust and make it at home. I have gotten Donato’s before and thought it was OK. My work orders Snappy Tomatoes for parties and it’s the first time I ever had pizza with ranch dressing. Not bad. I do love Papa John’s but my husband says it makes him sick…
As for LaRosa’s, we really like the bacon & pineapple and the spinach florentine. The sauce really is a different. I came up from Florida so my only memory of pizza in Cincinnati is a place up in Mt Adams. We got a deep dish with just about everything but anchovies on it!
Great! Now, I want pizza and I am eating GF. Gotta go bake until someone brings a Pizza Fusion to Cincinnati!
.-= Christina Baita´s last blog ..Warranty On A Knee Replacement? =-.

By: SHHU

SHHU — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:16:38 +0000

LaRosa’s, JTM, and Kahns are by far the worst Cincinnati food traditions….and the value on LaRosa’s simply could not be any worse….

By: Laura Schmidt

Laura Schmidt — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:23:58 +0000

Larosas is the first thing I crave after being sick or hungover. It reminds me of every friday, my parents going out to dinner, leaving us kids,Grandad, Larosas and one bottle of precious coke to split between the 4 of us. This was of course followed by our other friday fave…The Dukes Of Hazzard. Bo….you were so hot! My Grandad looooved ol’ Boss Hog! THIS is what Larosas means to me.

By: julie

julie — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:07:08 +0000

Well, I’m glad it’s locally owned and all, but I’m certain it’s more expensive because, in some places, it’s the only game in town.

By: Richard

Richard — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 21:31:45 +0000

I lived in Fairfield for 4 years during the late 90′s. While I cannot speak to the pizza I do know the spaghetti was as good as any I have ever tasted, and I have tasted a lot. Those of you lucky enough to be living in their service area should appreciate what a wonderful establishment you have there and the price was always very reasonable!

By: Butterfly

Butterfly — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:13:27 +0000

LaRosa’s and Snappy Tomato were the two pizza places near my house growing up. I loved Snappy, nice big thick crust and just right pizza sauce. As a kid, I don’t remember LaRosa’s being that bad, but as an adult I can’t stand how the toppings slide off the pizza. I also ABSOLUTELY hate how it smells like sweaty gym socks when reheated. That alone makes me never want to order the pizza. Plus, they’ve always been much more expensive for their pizza than any other place. Now, I order from Papa John’s (great, but must have the extra sauce, otherwise it’s no good,) and from Donato’s. I happen to love that Donato’s has the edge to edge toppings, and that everything has a little zing to it.

By: vudutu

vudutu — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:29:38 +0000

Not a LaRatsos fan, dumbed down to appeal to the masses. I do have fond memories of the Boudinot location and do you remember Zinos? Romundos is my current fave pie.

By: Hampton Major

Hampton Major — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:22:28 +0000

It goes without saying that you are not from Cincinnati. There are dozens of unique to Cincy restaurants that I will put up against any other cities. The point is.. if you’re from here then its in your blood. Skyline/Goldstar isn’t fine cuisine, however its a chilli that can only be found in THIS city. Not some tex mex bean remix found in every other metro on the globe. Back to pizza, yeah sure you can get your stone oven wood fired masterpiece if you want. But when its time for the game, time for a party, its time for LaRosa’s! Grow up. Quit hating!

By: carol

carol — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:00:28 +0000

You can like or not but it has to be the worst value for your money.