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Ameci Pizza & Pasta
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
32 reviews for Ameci Pizza & Pasta
Review Highlights
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"...priced, we usually just call in the order, and pick it up." In 5 reviews -
"Chicken Parm sandwich is da bomb." In 2 reviews -
"...able to order salads, calzones, sandwiches, and pasta in..." In 3 reviews
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32 reviews in English
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Review from Kam S.
Lake Forest, CA
3/7/2012
Food: absolutely delicious.
Service: Excellent.
Prices: Very fair, especially for the quality of their food.
Overall: I love this place. -
Review from Tracey S.
Lake Forest, CA
2/26/2012
Well, if your order delivery, you better remember to ask for parmesan cheese and red peppers, or they will NOT bring any. The food is expensive. I got a 12" Margarita pizza delivered a half hour late and it was cold- for $26.00. Again- I asked for cheese and peppers and they didn't bring any. Or a pen.
They do not honor Groupons, although they are advertised to do so. If you use a coupon, you get a bad attitude. My overall impression is: Stingy, cheap and inflexible.
Pizza is pizza. Service and VALUE is more important. PS- People have choices! -
Review from Michael K.
Lake Forest, CA
1/27/2012
The cheese pizza here is the best tasting I've had in California. The crust is the perfect blend of crisp and chewy. The sauce is mild and tasty. The cheese, though, that's the best part. There is something about the cheese they use there. It's stringy, salty, and juicy, like the cheese that USED to come on Pizza Hut pizzas back in the 1980s.
The place is small but large enough to seat a party of ten usually. In the evening.
There are always at least 5 people working there, most in the back, dealing with the delivery load. They hire neighborhood teens and they are usually pretty friendly. -
Review from Roger B.
Irvine, CA
4/29/2012
We've been eating here for over 20 years. Ameci in Lake Forest has the best pizza in town. There are a lot of different pizza places in Lake Forest and I like them all, but Ameci is the best. Since I was a kid, we've been getting the Family Meal - a large pizza, bucket of pasta, salad, bread, and soft drinks. We love it. When I was in high school (many years ago), my friends and I used to always order Ameci. Yum!
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Review from Janel J.
Lake Forest, CA
4/6/2012
My husband and I always order the El gigante, super yummy and very hard to resist for me being on my diet. Always fresh and hot. No complaints.
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Review from Brett R.
Lake Forest, CA
4/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Best pizza around by far...
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Review from Emily B.
Lake Forest, CA
3/22/2012
So far I've tried the classic cheese, pepperoni with sausage and the garlic chicken pizza and I'm hooked. The tomato sauce is delicious and their mozzarella cheese is awesome and not chewy like some places. The prices are good, quality is great and their pasta and sandwiches are definitely on my list of things to try.
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Review from Kristin Leigh M.
Los Angeles, CA
For what you get... this place is actually on the pricey side.
Sandwiches, pizzas, salads, etc. 'Italian' food.
I came here for dinner to pick up a few subs - a sub was $7. The chicken parm was just OK... sauce didn't have much flavor, so that kind of killed it. My husband's cold cuts sub was all right.... But $7 was a bit steep, for what it was... as I said. Maybe $5 or so. But not $7.
Their pizzas do look good though. I haven't tried one -yet - but I hope to order one from here in the near future.
About the place as a whole:
Order at the counter. No frills. No superb staff, just ordinary. Guy taking my order was a bit rude, actually, but maybe he was just tired? Don't know. Won't hold it against them - we all have bad days! -
Review from Chris F.
Lake Forest, CA
3/25/2012
Great pizza and I absolutely love their hot wings here, as well as their BBQ wings. Their antipasto salad is pretty good too. Pizza crust seems to be on the thin side, which I generally prefer anyway. They have quite a few pasta dishes and sub sandwiches. Prices seem a little high compared to other similar pizza places.
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Review from Haylee T.
Lake Forest, CA
8/6/2011
I used to come here when I was in High School on our lunch break - it was $2.50 for a slice of cheese pizza and a coke... Sorry to say it's not as cheap as it was over 10 years ago, however the pizza is still great.
They are always prompt and kind when we pick up and usually have pretty good specials.
Today we had the Garlic Chicken Alfredo Pizza (It was my cheat day) and it was excellent! Hit the spot.
I choose Amecis over papa john, or dominos anyday. -
Review from Nikki P.
Orange, CA
12/12/2011
Good quality pizza. This place is like a small mom and pop restaurant, When I went it was late and there was a huge party there. It was loud and I just wanted to eat and get out. I suggest taking your food to go. The restaurant was not very appealing. Food did make up for it though.
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Review from Monica D.
1/30/2011
There's a slight difference between Ameci back in the day and the Ameci of January 2011 that I'm having trouble articulating... nonetheless it is still some damn good pizza. Run and tell that.
I think the best part of this lovely, cold, rainy winter afternoon was reading all the comments about 'service' while I was WAITING inside for my pizza. Awesome. Thankfully my 10-15 minute wait for my large one-topping pizza was closer to the ten minute side. Large = 8 small-ish slices, with a decent amount of pepperoni = $12.
To be honest I'd been craving "New York" style pizza (because as well know, and as has been proven scientifically by Ted Allen et al, there is no way to get REAL NY pizza out here on the west coast) and went to go hit up Rustica down the street. At 4:30pm on a Sunday when it clearly says they close at 6, I walked in to hear "sorry we're closed." Maybe they had some catering or something done but whatever. Reminiscing of the good ol' Ameci days, I sped down here to pick up my alternative.
For those of you not in the know, you don't let a good NY slice "cool down." You just don't. You somehow pick it up and somehow get it in your mouth and let it just burn, baby, burn. There may have been a little too much sauce, but it was doable. Plus the cheese presence on Ameci's pizzas has ALWAYS been top notch. Love it.
After devouring two slices in the parking lot and one at a stop light just because, here's 5 slices left of Ameci at home. Maybe I'll have lunch tomorrow if the rest of my family doesn't devour it tonight. Thanks for being a south county standard forever and ever, Ameci! -
Review from Natasha N.
Irvine, CA
1/15/2011
You may think that since I reside next to an acupuncturist I'm a sleazy and creeper restaurant. Well, news flash: I'm legit.
Amecia has a brilliant lunch menu, accommodating the ever-so-broke high school student to the I-eat-out-way-too-much office folk.
Meal + Salad + Coke for the price that won't empty your wallet is always appreciated. And as an added bonus, their food is delightfully tasty.
So feast your eyes on the restaurant itself, and ignore it's questionable neighbors. -
Review from Tom P.
Lake Forest, CA
11/13/2011
Probably the best pizza i've had in California. None of that cookie cutter, generic Domino's/Papa John's fake pizza. Entree's are good too. Average priced. Chicken Parm sandwich is da bomb! Nice staff too. I go here atleast every other week for something. Highly recommend.
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Review from Gia M.
Lake Forest, CA
1/22/2011
I've lived in Lake Forest for many years, and this is the best Pizza joint around! I'm Italian and know good Italian food. Their pizza has a super thin crust and is loaded with flavor. The Calzones are awesome and you can pick whatever you want to fill them with, even removing the Ricotta and using only mozzeralla as the cheese base.
Try the cheese rolls as well. TO DIE FOR! As for their other menu items, I can't really say as I do not like to eat Alfredo, Clam sauce, dishes from Pizza places. Just not authentic enough for my tastes.
Look in your weekly junk mail flyers and you'll usually find a carryout coupon for $8.99 on a large 2 topping pizza. The sausage is awesome! And so is the meatball. They make you bring the coupon so don't forget.
The delivery fee is pretty high though. And you order has to be for a certain amount before they will even consider sending someone out with your food. That, along with the tip it can add up quickly. When calling in, ask what their specials of the day are.
Due to my new lifestyle, Pizza is out of the questions and I will miss it. I guess I'll just have to watch my kids eat it. :) -
Review from Jim T.
12/15/2011
This place ia expensive compared to other pizza joints, but I didn't order the special. I had the 10" personal for $6.99 and two toppings for $.79 each. I asked for extra sauce and little cheese. I didn't get a salad because it was a dinner salad for $3.99 and probably too big. The 10" pizza was good and plenty to eat. I said extra marinara and little cheese. It wasn't a thick paste of marinara but still was good. I tipped them $1.00, and what does he do? When I got up to refill my drink, he lazily sees me and hands me my pizza over the counter as I walk by. Why tip? If this is over the counter, serve yourself, what are you tipping for. Oh yes, they do clear the tables as there is no self-clean bin for your dirty dishes. This place does take-out and delivery, so it might be better that way. It is N.Y. style with thin crust, but not as good as my memory of Pizza Man pizza from the 60's. LOL
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Review from Michelle M.
Lake Forest, CA
11/28/2009
This place is decent...just A-OK. I wouldn't call it the best pizza I've had, but it certainly isn't the worst.
One of my guy friends is in love with their pizza. So every time we hang out and we want to order pizza, he HAS to order from Ameci's. He orders food there so much, the employees even know them by name. Nice.
Pizza here is ok. Nothing special. It's thin and greasy most of the time I eat it. Not my fave. But it does have flavor, and that's what saves it for me. I like their peperoni or mushroom pizza, it's by far the best I think of their selections.
Prices are pretty expensive here. For a Medium sized pizza, the cost runs about 14-15 bucks. Ehh, a little pricey for me. But, they do send a lot of coupons out in the mail, so the pizza will run you a little cheaper if you have a coupon.
Service is ok. I've experienced better. It's a hit or miss with who ever is working that night.
This place is definitely a place to check out. You'll either love it or hate it. Go find out yourself! :) -
Review from Cassey R.
Lake Forest, CA
2/3/2012
So... it took me all night to talk my husband to order from Ameci's tonight. I finally sold my husband on the Chicken Pesto that is on their site. I went to call in our order... and to our surprise... the only chicken sub they ACTUALLY serve is the chicken parmesean (even though there is like 5 listed on their site). So... we still haven't got to try their food. While they have great looking pictures and menu items listed on their site... they don't serve any of it!?!?!?! So f-ing annoying. So much for searching menus all night all talking your husband into something!!!
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Review from Jana H.
Lake Forest, CA
2/19/2011
This place has gone down hill since the new ownership. For the price being charged you can get a lot more food somewhere else.
Don't usally give bad reveiws and my family has been going to this restaurant for years. But I'm not happy about the Customer Service being given now.
Placed an order and was told that it would be 20 mins till I could pick it up. After I got off the phone I realized that I did not get a price. I called back and asked for a total. It came out to about $58.00 for Two Jumbo Pizzas with two toppings each and two small salads.
I asked if there were any deals that would lower the price. The best deal they had going on would have been for a one topping jumbo for a $1.00 less.
I told them that I was not happy about the price and why would they be charging so much. I was told that it was my opinion and then hung up on.
Well here's a fact I'll be spending my money somewhere else. -
Review from Justin W.
Lake Forest, CA
9/22/2011
Ok as far as food goes this place should be 5 stars but there TERRIBLE service and attitude dock them to 3 stars.. I love the pizza here and its a go to stop quite often, but latly there has been this new guy whose in charge late night with a mustache hispanic 40-50s hes beyond rude all the time... I came in one night after ordering on my way home from work to bring home a pizza to the family I always get the 8.99 large 2 topping carry out special like over 100 times no joke throughout the years. Anyways as I was on my way home from work and I didnt have the coupon with me. He made this HUGE deal about it... I was like really bro I come here alllll the time, you know me and your gonna be all rude about it?? He said yea I know you and glared at me?? Which then I was even more confused..
I was like fine either give it to me for 8.99 or throw it away cuz i'll go order somewhere else and he finally gave it to me... I could not believe the lack of customer loyality and disrespect... Everytime I see that guy hes rude and I always bring my coupon to make sure he cant say shit... It litteraly discourages me from ordering on my way home on a whim or something because I know it will be such a hassle... What a shame get rid of the asshole and this place would get double the buisness... -
Review from Candice Y.
Lake Forest, CA
5/10/2007
We had lots of recommendations to try out this place when we moved into the neighborhood.
Word to the wise: stay away.
The pizza's arguably New York-style -- i.e. thin and drippy -- but the service (or lack thereof) is the reason I caution you.
My first time ordering from them, I went in to pick my pizza up at the prescribed time, and spent the next 20 minutes dealing with no less than eight clueless guys.
The thought "How many dumbasses does it take to make a pizza?" kept running through my head.
The cashier became argumentative with me when I told him that I had simply ordered a large pizza, not a $30 "family meal" (do those syllables even sound similar?), and the other seven (count 'em -- seven) guys in the small kitchen just stood around, making fart jokes and talking about the hot chicks they were working on bedding.
I was asked "Is this yours?" three times (each pizza they held up was totally not mine). The other woman waiting with me got there 10 minutes before me, she said, and was still sitting there when I finally left with my pizza, at which time she began prodding them for her order.
Like I said, the pizza itself was so thin that the cheese, sauce and toppings slid around with the slightest provocation. You couldn't lift a slice without fearing for the toppings' imminent demise.
To be fair, I ordered from them once more, and we had the same experience with the drippiness; but the delivery arrived promptly, which is why I gave them two stars. -
Review from RF G.
Orange County, CA
1/8/2010
Ameci's is A-Ok.
It's simply good NY-style pizza, and a far better alternative to the degenerated quality of Pizza Hut and Dominos (which we no longer buy). I've tried the Amecis pastas, and its really hit or miss in that department... so we just stick with the pizza.
Although it would be wise not to expect great service at this price level, a little friendliness (after all, the name IS Ameci !), and also being a little patient when taking orders could go a long way, perhaps even earn a 4th star .... just a guess :)
Very convenient and reasonably priced, we usually just call in the order, and pick it up. Highly recommended for just a simple, quick and cheap Pizza. Make sure you ask about their specials when you call, otherwise you pay full price, which is not cool. If you want higher quality take out pizza, call Round Table in Foothill Ranch, but be ready to pay up. -
Review from Terra W.
El Toro, CA
11/24/2009
We love this place. The pastas are decent (I like Veal Parmigiana, it's take out but better than expected taste) and it's great to get a pizza delivered and be able to order a good salad with it instead of the crappy lettuce you get from chains. The pizzas we LOVE LOVE LOVE. They aren't the best I've ever had, and I find them greasy (read: real cheese), but they remind us (me and my guy) of the pizzas you ate growing up - the ones after ball games and for birthdays - it's totally a comfort food pizza.
Serivice: I've always had friendly service, and usually I get some guy that is beyond awesome and makes sure to give us coupons and recommend stuff.
It's nearby and we still order delivery, they are always faster than what they say and the pizzas are always in good condition and hot when they arrive.
Price might be slightly more than a cheap chain, but it's worth it! And I think being able to order salads, calzones, sandwiches, and pasta in addition to great pizza is wonderful for families or other large groups - everyone gets something they like! -
Review from Kevin M.
Lake Forest, CA
6/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
One of the better pizza places in Lake Forest. A lot like pizza made back East (a little greasy). Good service, friendly and efficient.
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Review from K G.
Orange County, CA
2/27/2009
I think they've made huge improvements to their service based on other user reviews, or else I've just been lucky. I have been a couple times with no problems, and the last time was with a large group...and our service was really good. They got our 4 gigantor pizzas out fast, and they were really cool with us shifting the entire (little) restaurant around to accommodate our big group. The pizza is really, really good. Perfect crust thickness, great amount of toppings, and plenty of cheese...just the way I like it. I would say 4.5 stars. I really like Ameci's.
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Review from Sara D.
Grants Pass, OR
10/20/2010
I love the pizza here. After living in the Springdale Apartments, it's almost impossible to not love it. All of the neighbors that we hung out with only ordered from Ameci's when we got hungry.
They have the most amazing calzones (I personally get it with pepperoni and garlic) that you can't eat in one go unless you play a sport regularly. Every bite is savory with all of the different flavors hitting different taste receptors just perfectly. The explosion of flavor from the herbs in the sauce to the cheeses to the spice of the pepperoni... so good! Garlic added just makes it the best it can be.
Other things I have tried have been off other people's plates, like the White Knight (Is that the right name?) pizza which was the alfredo chicken. You could smell the alfredo before you opened the box, it was so intoxicating that you wanted to shred the box completely just to get to your food. The taste was comparable, definitely not a place where you smell deliciousness and taste crap. -
Review from Rae Z.
Lake Forest, CA
4/7/2009
This is my walking distance pizza / quick Italian place and they always send coupons in the mail, so I get takeout from here often. The pizza really is quite good, and priced on par with the lousy chain places if you use a coupon. I find the ingredients to be top quality, and the crust pretty good. While it is a thinner crust, mine have always been perfectly baked and not at all soggy.
The pastas are average, but not at all bad for a cheaper carryout place. The one with the cream sauce, sun dried tomatos and chicken is pretty good. So is the eggplant parm. My negatives are that the lettuce in the salads are not always the freshest (although the house dressing is delicious) and the bread they give you is always cold and hard. Also, their drink selection is lousy with the iced tea being extra awful. These are small things, though, so I would definitely recommend trying this if you live in the area. -
Review from JK L.
Washington, DC
3/6/2008
I used to work around there. Whenever we hang out at our coworker's place near by, Ameci pizza was always there. White night and BBQ Chicken were awesome. They're fast and make good pizzas. However, I do agree with Candice about their unfriendly service at the store.
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Review from Rachel S.
San Diego, CA
7/12/2010
The HOUSE Special is the bomb! Try it!
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Review from Camilla S.
Lake Forest, CA
3/17/2010
MY REVIEWS ARE HONEST TO THE CORE! This place is a M*U*S*T*. I actually made this Yelp account strictly to be able to review Ameci's (otherwise I enjoy just reading reviews!). Ther best pizza I have ever tased by far (and Im a certified FOODY, so ive tried many). The service is great. Theres a girl there whos always friendly. Theyre quick and overall just have pizza that is the best ive ever encountered in my life. simple ingredients but the best out there. great prices..all you need to try is the classic cheese pizza and youre hooked. they have specialties as well (white knight pizza, alfredo sauce instead of pizza sauce- mouth watering) TRY THIS PLACE you wont regret it.
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Review from Yury T.
Irvine, CA
2/22/2011
I just stuffed myself with half of the large 14" Garlic Delight. It was delicious, the cheese was awesomely gooey like in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoons, and the cream garlic sauce exceeded my expectations. I could've done with a little less saugage and pepperoni, but overall, the pizza was very nicely done. I wouldn't reccommend this pizza place for the lactose intolerant, as they splatter on A LOT of cheese and cream sauce. But if you're having friends over or watching the game, this is a good spot to order out. Their online ordering is easy and convenient, and the pricing is reasonable, especially since the quality of their pies are better than your average Pizza Hut or other run-of-the-mill pizza place on tv. I'll be coming back to try their other specialty pizzas.
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Review from Al L.
San Juan Capistrano, CA
1/19/2010
Been going here since Ron Pole owned the place, early 90's. Basic good thin crust pizza. They make their own dough, they used to make their own sauce, but since the new guys bought it, I don't think they do that any longer. They use actual real mozzarella cheese. The type of cheese that most of the current 18 - 30 somethings don't know or recognize. The crap you get from all those other chains is bunk! Good decent NY style pizza, very similar to what you actually get in NY City. The only real way to have it is eat in get a cheese pizza, nothing else on it, out of the oven, on the platter and then into your mouth. Don't let it cool off, let it burn all the way down. That my friends is pizza. There are certain things that have never been intended for pizza - Any kind of fruit, BBQ sauce, (that is like putting ketchup on a hot dog....absolutely forbidden, unless you're four or under, and even that is open for discussion.), Avocado, cheddar cheese, anything that is produced by California Pizza Kitchen or Domino's....unless it's two in the morning, you have been partaking in your Roommates collective prescription alternative medication and all you need is something to fill a void in your belly....then I completely understand. Just please dispose of the Domino's boxes responsibly.
