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Balducci's Winefest Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Pizza Restaurants Italian Pizza, Italian [Edit]
12527 Bennington PlSaint Louis, MO 63146
Neighborhood: Maryland Heights
(314) 576-5024
- Nearest Transit:
-
Marine Ave @ Mckelvey Rd (98)
Marine Ave @ Schulte Hill Dr (98)
Marine Ave @ Whisper Hollow Dr (98)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 9 pm
Fri 11 am - 10 pm
Sat 5 pm - 10 pm
Sun 5 pm - 9 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
21 reviews for Balducci's Winefest Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"...individual lunch portions of the deep dish, and it was darn..." In 3 reviews -
"Pretty darn good thin crust." In 2 reviews -
"...so tasty for the those not from the Lou Mayfair is the St." In 3 reviews
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21 reviews in English
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Review from Justin W.
Fenton, MO
2/9/2012
Ok, I will start of by saying I may be a little bias with this review. I lived in the apartments down the street as a teenager and this was my first place of employment. And I still to this day am proud to have worked here and honestly miss working with my former co-workers who have all since moved on.
Balducci's is really known for two things. It's pizza and it's wine. The Saint Louis style pizza is one of the best in the area in my opinion. The ingredients are fresh and the cheese is one of my favorite versions of provel. The deep dish pizza, however, is the real winner. It is made Chicago style, with the toppings on bottom, then cheese, then sauce. The sauce used is a very chunky sweet tomato sauce and it is delicious! Just keep in mind a large deep pan pizza takes 20 minutes to cook, so order a salad or something while waiting.
As far as other menu items, the salads are good. The Mayfest, a Saint Louis version of Caesar salad, is by far the best. I would avoid the pastas as they are somewhat bland, but the sandwiches are all pretty good. Also, the carrot cake, which is made in house by the owner's sister, is AMAZING.
The wine selection is pretty limited at the restaurant. If you want to try all the wines I suggest visiting their vineyard in Augusta. I love their Dolce Bianco, but it is rarely available at the restaurant.
ALSO: If you are disabled and cannot do stairs, DO NOT COME HERE. The restaurant is in a basement and is not accesible. It opened much before ADA requirements for that. -
Review from Jennifer M.
Maryland Heights, MO
4/20/2012
Came here out of curiosity. Been passing to and from work for a while and wanted to check it out.
Ordered a salad and the Chicken Sonata. Salad was good. The chicken entree was a way too big portion for one person, it was oozing off my plate. Was underwhelmed by the taste - ended up taking 1/2 of it home for re-heated lunch. Was actually much better the second day. Over all, it was just 'okay'.
If friends wish to stop by again sometime, I won't object. Might even try the pizza. But I won't go out of my way to return either. -
Review from Omar C.
Chicago, IL
2/6/2012
I came here on a Monday night for dinner with a few friends. It was a relaxed atmosphere, felt kind of like I was going to a friend's house and he converted his basement into a bar and restaurant. They have a winery (I think they used to have a brewery that doesn't exist anymore) and deep dish pizza that they call "deep pan". We got garlic cheese sticks to start and they were the standard greasiness that tasted great. I ordered a 12" sausage and pepperoni pizza and my friends all ordered the deep dish.
Everyone enjoyed their food and their experience there. Our waitress was really attentive and friendly and the ambiance was low key. I wasn't blown away by my 12" pizza, the crust was thin and really crunchy. My friends were very impressed with the deep dish though, so I'd definitely suggest trying that when you come.
I'd say it's a fun place to go with the family or friends, I'll probably be back if I'm in the area. -
Review from Barry R.
Kansas City, MO
5/23/2012
As the waiter sat my personal size deep dish in front of me. I thought I was going the best pizza experience in my life. The cheese had the texture of yogurt and the crust was like chewing card board. My wings were well over cooked. I recommend they try another recipe because that's not working
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Review from Dan G.
I knew I was going to be in the area near Balducci's to meet some people after work one evening, so I decided to give them a call just before I left work. I was of course hungry for pizza, so I decided to get one of their 12 inch thin crust pizzas with sausage and pepperoni. However, I wasn't only hungry, but I was STARVING, so I decided to add a personal-sized deep dish pizza that had a few different meats in it.
My order was expected to be ready in 25 minutes, so I headed up there promptly. I arrived there a little early, but headed down to the basement where the restaurant was. It was ready right around the 25-minute mark and cost somewhere around 25 bucks; not terrible.
I got the 2 pizzas home to try them out. The sausage and pepperoni pizza was a St. Louis-style, though it didn't seem to use Provel exclusively--don't quote me on this, but it seemed like it could've been mixed with some mozzarella. All of the toppings were pretty good, though if I had to compare it to anything, I would say it reminded me of a somewhat better tasting version of the "Mama Lucia" brand frozen pizza I've gotten from Schnucks/Dierbergs. This was indeed better, but wasn't exciting.
Now for the deep dish; this thing could've been outstanding. The crust was slightly crisp on the outside with a very soft, buttery flavor the rest of the way through. The cheese and toppings were also really awesome. HOWEVER, this pizza sported not a chunky sauce on top; rather, it really was just tomatoes with some spices on them. I don't mind a chunky sauce, nor do I mind tomatoes too much in general. I really think this pizza needs sauce on top, though, and not huge chunks of tomato. It was far too much for me, so I had to take a lot of them off and was left with a half-full deep dish pizza. Besides that, though, it was pretty great.
Overall, I would try it again, but I do feel pretty sorely about the way the deep dish was finished off. For St. Louis style, this wasn't bad, but I wouldn't go out of my way just for that. I think Balducci's is certainly worth a try, but I wouldn't go out of my way for 'em. -
Review from Jenny P.
4/13/2011
Balducci's Restaurant does not quite live up to the same caliber as their winery, but it is still worth the visit.
Balducci's pizza is the only reason I came here. I honestly have not tried any of their other menu items except for their salad, and it was ok. Based on the pizza only this place would get 5 stars, but the ambiance and service bumped it down.
This place is located in a basement. It's dark, kind of creepy, and waaaaay outdated. The service was slow. They also do not offer all their wines here so of course they did not have my favorite, the sweet wine called Dolce Bianco. Boo!
I would choose the winery over the restaurant any day, but the pizza is worth a shorter trip to the restaurant. -
Review from Sandy M.
4/2/2011
I have never been a fan of thin crust pizza, but this place made me change my mind. Thick toppings really do make a difference! Thankfully it's good reheated because I always end up with leftovers.
The salads are pretty basic and if you don't like a ton of dressing be sure and get it on the side. I've had a few of the appetizers and they're pretty good but usually I leave room for the pizza instead.
I've never had a problem with the service here no matter how crowded it is and now it's completely non smoking of course! -
Review from Cara B.
3/8/2009 1 Check-in Here
Personally, I'm quite a fan of Balducci's. We live really close, so we've been several times. I've actually never gotten their pizza (though I hear good things), only their pasta dishes. I can definitely see how someone wouldn't care for the atmosphere, but I actually really like it. It's kind of dark and oddly decorated, but I personally quite like the large poster of the busty German beer-maid. It makes me laugh.
My favorite dish is the baked ravioli, which I find to be damn enjoyable. Basically, that's my whole thing with Balducci's. Nothing there is the best I've ever had, but for the most part, it's damn enjoyable. I feel this way about the sangria, fettuccine alfredo, spinach lasagna, etc. Although I do really like their house salad dressing. It's very tasty. The service there isn't impeccable, but I've never had a bad experience. -
Review from Allan C.
Saint Louis, MO
2/10/2007
I was pretty disappointed with this place because a coworker told me it was awesome and that it would be what I was looking for.
Was NOT looking for the pizza cut into squares. Was with another coworker who didn't like St. Louis style pizza more than I did so we got the deluxe deep dish pan pizza. It was pretty good. The ingredients were fresh and the tomato sauce just a little sweet with some tang.
The atmosphere has a rustic bar feel with a big screen tv in the corner. what annoyed me was that I could smell cigarette smoke, but couldn't tell who the heck was smoking. Our service that day wasn't so good either as we had soda's and beer mugs sitting around empty for a while. Overall, if I lived near here, I would probably grab some pizza to go every so often, but was not a big fan of eating in. -
Review from Toni P.
Los Angeles, CA
1/4/2012
The best pizza! I've been coming here since 1975 and I always make a point of visiting anytime I'm in town. Great, cozy, neighborhood vibe. Oh and the sangria....yum!
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Review from Bryan M.
6/24/2011
Been here a couple of times for lunch. I'll have to try the pizza. The pasta lunch dishes are good. The ambiance is cozy - not a lot of space - but not creepy (as someone else noted). It is older, but feels like a 'local' hangout. Service was fine both times. Busy both times.
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Review from Stephen S.
Saint Louis, MO
11/13/2009
Jacki's family basically worships this place and I have come to enjoy it quite a bit. Cannot rate anything but the pizza, because as I am never the payor I eat what is brought to the table and that is always pepperoni pizza. I have had a couple bites of some chicken tenders when Jacki's sister didn't finish them, a couple curly fries, and the garlic cheese bread. All seemed fine to me. I like the pizza a lot and wish I knew why the guy that just gave it such a bad review did so.
I am excited next time I go to get a salad with the Mayfair dressing and I have always wanted to order something else so we'll see if I am feeling bold next we go... -
Review from Patrick C.
Columbia, MO
6/28/2009
I am going all the way! 5 stars baby!
I just went there last night, but this place has been a staple since forever for me. The pizza is great, and always cooked just right! Furthermore, the Mayfest (their version of cesar) salad is pretty amazing. I have only had the individual lunch portions of the deep dish, and it was darn good. French onion is good there too...not to salty.
As for the other factors. Its great for families, and I don't think its ment to a "bar"
The ambience is pretty shiney too...old pictures and everything!! -
Review from Jill L.
6/21/2008
Balducci's has been a few times a year staple since I lived across the street. I like the ambience and the pizza is good quality- both the deep dish and the thin. Someone mentioned smoke and that was most certainly true a while back. It was always smoky and had really poor ventilation. However, it has since gone completely smoke free (other St Louis restaurants should take note!) and doesn't have the smoke issue any longer. They have great wine, a tasty house dressing and a decent sized menu. I gave 3 stars - if they would consider coming down in price on their pitchers, I would consider 4.
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Review from d o.
St Peters, MO
8/23/2010
The place definitely has atmostphere. It is very old pub style.
Like others I have not had a bad meal. Everything seems to be made with fresh ingredients. The prices are decent especially for the food you get. Pizza: thin but tasty; Soup: Great, especially french onion; Salads with Mayfair good; French dip is alway a good meal.
Only down side is like the one reviewer said, it does get crowded at lunch. There is not a lot of waiting room. -
Review from Paul K.
11/7/2009
I was looking at the other reviews and kept thinking to myself man this really is not a pizza place. In fact I don't think I ever purchased a pizza from Balducci's. To me it is a restaurant. I just went there for who knows how many times. Could it have been 50? I bet is has. I had their Mayfair dressing on the salad. It is so tasty for the those not from the Lou Mayfair is the St. Louis version of Cesar dressing. Since I was very hungry on this visit I ordered the hamburger. It came with Swiss cheese lettuce pickles can't remember if it had an onion or not. The burger was cooked to order and came seasoned with a good amount of pepper. I love pepper and the taste it imparts to a good burger. The burger also had fries the curly type. Not a curly fries kind of guy but they did taste very good. On a side note the waitress did offer to exchange my fries for the salad for my side. I said no I was err hungry. Just great food. Also at my table one person had the french dip and another had a pizza. From looks only the dip seemed to be a better choice than the pizza. So I guess in my mind this is not a pizza place but almost a full service restaurant.
Going back over the years I have had most of the pasta's and sandwiches and cannot remember a bad meal.
One caveat this place does get crowded for lunch and it is a tight fit. i guess you can call it atmosphere. -
Review from Ed A.
Saint Louis, MO
11/12/2009
Very bad pizza. Some of the other stuff is passable. I won't be running back there any time soon.
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Review from Denny B.
Saint Peters, MO
I have going here for over 30 years. Even back in the college days is amazingly good. Still, like a fine wine has just gotten better without changing. A must place...known for Pizza, but has great food throughout their menu. Don't walk...run to get a table. It will make you smile.
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Review from Matt D.
St Louis, MO
I eat here a lot because it is local. The menu is very basic but the food is good. Its a little bit pricey but addictive. If it were a little bit cheaper I would probably eat there a lot more. Anyway you look at it it is much better than Imos.
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Review from Jennifer H.
Fenton, MO
5/24/2008
Balducci's doesn't have a whole lot of atmosphere and it doesn't have a whole lot of options either. The pizza is fine, good in fact, but at the end of the day, it's just pizza. I would definitely get it to go, but only if you live in the area.
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Review from Terrence L.
Saint Louis, MO
1/27/2010
Pretty darn good thin crust...very consistent
