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Cafe Italia
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual, Intimate
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
32 reviews for Cafe Italia
Review Highlights
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"The best pizza we've tried so far in El Paso." In 7 reviews -
"...a liquor license but you can bring your own wine ($3 fee." In 3 reviews -
"Brick oven pizza was great as was the many appetizers we..." In 2 reviews
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31 reviews in English
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Review from Marc M.
2/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place is why Yelp was created (well THAT and for the company to go public and make the founder rich).
Who would have know that one of the world's best pizza places would be in El Paso, Texas USA!?!?
The location is a slight minus: small parking lot with spaces reserved for the title company next door (I hope they get don't get a discount for taking up so many spaces!)
The place is not big (maybe 10 tables) and the patio is even smaller, but perhaps this is the next Big Thing in AMA.
Let's start with the Perfect house salad. The spinach salad was good too. But the house salad has dressing lightly applied. The sliced pears, walnuts and grated Parmesan added the perfect flavor to the mixed greens.
Next, the pizza. OMG - The Pizza! There are giant pictures on the walls of a man making pizza. Yes - that is him in the kitchen. I actually applaud him for drinking (Corona) on the job - it must be hot back there. The pizzas were both amazing - I don't think there is a bad one.
If there such a thing as a sixth star on Yelp, I would have give it here. Oh, and did I mention that it is BYOB? Truly an amazing meal at an amazing price -
Review from Phillip D.
Lubbock, TX
2/16/2012
This place is great. The Margherita pizza was delicious and crispy. Service was fast and excellent. All but 2 tables filled up while I was there but I thought the speed of service was great.
Business travelers: they take Amex cards. I'll be back! -
Review from R L.
San Francisco, CA
2/4/2012
Best pizza in El Paso, period.
I never expected to find such good pizza in El Paso of all places! This pizza can hold its own in any city really - even in Italy! It's all in the crust: thin but not cracker thin, crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside and just the right saltiness. I get the margherita pizza every time, and it's consistently good. I never bother with anything else on the menu, the pizza is what you come for.
The service can get slow when they are busy, but they make up for it because they are always friendly and courteous.
My only gripe is that they have the same DVD on repeat every time I go in... yeesh ;) -
Review from Chris T.
El Paso, TX
5/22/2012
Best pizza on the westside and possibly best in El Paso. Perfect for a first date or anniversary. Best of all, you can bring your own bottle(s) of wine as you feast on brick oven pies.
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Review from Maria S.
Houston, TX
5/12/2012
Mmm really good pizza. The house salad was yummy also. I got the margherita and took half of it to go.. one is enough for 2 people or 1 person with a good appetite!
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Review from Charity P.
El Paso, TX
5/8/2012
Don't let the outside fool you. This is a terrific place! Good food. Great waitstaff. Great Price. Great appetizers (we had the calamari) and wonderful dessert (we had the cannoli, there was a bit too much cinnamon, but the best we've had outside of NY or NJ).
We will definately go back again! -
Review from James W.
4/2/2012
Finally got the chance to check out this little pizzeria that has garnered an remarkable amount of 5 star reviews on yelp. I could definitely see the charm and attraction of the place, it was quite loud and packed to the gills on a Friday night with the $5 BYOB corkage fee being taken advantage by several tables to relatively young patrons. The menu is small and our group had the chance to sample several items. The highlight was probably the Panne Rustico, Prosciutto, Goat Cheese, Salami, Pear, Walnut, Honey anti pasti plate which was well portioned and probably worth the 14 dollar price tag. Although the pizza is what seems to raved about most by fellow yelpers, I found the several types that I tried decent, but not phenomenal and a bit over priced for a pizzeria. This is a decent pizzeria, although a bit overpriced the ambiance and relatively low corkage fee makes up for it.
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Review from Snackly P. Hungrypants I.
El Paso, TX
5/6/2012
Roasted seasonal vegetables. House-made fresh mozzarella. Perfectly (and i mean perfectly) wood-fired Neapolitan pies. And all in a town that has been suffering a tragic pizza dilemma since always. Perhaps there is a god. If there is, he eats this pizza.
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Review from Nicholas L.
Littleton, CO
11/20/2011 3 Check-ins Here
This is a fantastic restaurant. My wife and I went for dinner last Wednesday. On a midweek evening, the restaurant was busy.
We had heard the restaurant is BYOB, and took a good bottle of red wine. They charge a very reasonable $3 corkage fee.
We ordered a caprese salad and a pizza with fennel and mushroom, to which we added Italian sausage. The pizza did not have a red sauce.
The caprese salad had mozzarella made in-house. ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS. I have had caprese salad all over the world, including in Italy, and this is the best I have encountered. The seasoning was perfect.
The bread accompanying the caprese salad, pane rustico, was served with herbed and salted butter. The bread was perfect for sopping up the olive oil and mozzarella juice of the salad.
The pizza was excellent, with a nice crust, flavorful mushrooms, soft and tasty fennel. It was accompanied by crushed, dried red chilies, also fresh, with more flakes than seeds.
Service was excellent.
I spoke to the pizza chef in Italian, realized he didn't speak Italian, switched to English and was shocked to learn he is Mexican. I asked where he learned to cook Italian food, he replied, simply, "At home." He must have grown up in a great Italian home in Mexico.
This dinner cost $37, and so far, is the best meal I've had in El Paso.
My only disappointment: their sole dessert is a Nutella calzone. I think they should add a couple of desserts to the menu. -
Review from Mark E.
2/1/2012
The best pizza I've ever eaten. I am a fan of large, greasy new york style pizza, and this is not it. The pizza is about the size of a chain restaurant's medium. It's far better than anywhere else in town, and everyone with any kind of respect for decent, slow food should support a small business like this, especially one that makes all of their meals with integrity and a focus on fresh, handmade ingredients.
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Review from Kristine D.
El Paso, TX
8/5/2011
"It's really good, and we're in Mexico - IT'S FIVE STARS" says my boyfriend who has been desperately trying to find anything that isn't Mexican food. When we went on a Friday night around 7 there was a 10 minute wait, which is to be expected when the dining room has less than a dozen tables. We split the house salad and the Bianco pizza, both of which were quite good. I'm looking forward to going back and getting a pie with a red sauce on it, as ours was olive oil, mozzarella, ricotta and arugula.
Pro-Tip: It's BYOW, so come prepared if you're looking to drink. -
Review from Ryan K.
El Paso, TX
2/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
It is the best wood fired pizza in El Paso. But there is not a lot of competition either. I wish they worked on their decor and atmosphere (dimmer lights maybe?). Food was great, service was excellent. Get the Gnutella desert!
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Review from Alison B.
Houston, TX
9/9/2011
Best Pizza in El Paso.
Gracie and Andy c Basil are phenom.
After reading reviews it looks like I'll have to try dessert next time! -
Review from Jayne T.
El Paso, TX
3/14/2012
We have been here three times now, and Cafe Italia is consistently amazing. It is small and quaint inside, and the menu is short and sweet. The pizza is authentic Italian, made in a wood-fired oven. The crust is thin and perfectly crisped on the outside, and the toppings are ample but never overdone (we have had almost all of them now and the Gracie's and Smoked are standouts). The salads are fresh and served with a dynamite house dressing. The wood roasted vegetable appetizer could be a meal in itself; it arrives piping hot from the oven and perfectly browned on the outside. They make their own mozzarella, and it is mouthwatering when served with their fresh bread and olive oil. Our next visit we are going to try the nutella calzone, which sounds heavenly. They don't serve alcohol, but they are a "bring your own wine establishment" and the corkage fee is only $3...unbelievable deal! The prices here are very reasonable for this caliber of food. Service is always good, never overbearing but attentive enough. The restaurant has been busy every time we have visited, sometimes there will be a wait but it is so worth it! This is our go-to for pizza in El Paso, hands down.
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Review from caosmith S.
El Paso, TX
8/13/2011
Small, Intimate and good food.
We ordered ANDY's pizza which is salami and cheese pizza with pickle peppers. Pizza is a large personal size pizza with think crust. The ingredients are fresh and it tastes absolutely rewarding.
The shrimp linguini was perfect. Thick sauce, nice big shrimps and perfect seasoning. Cafe Italia is a great place for. Not first date dinner -
Review from Jacques R.
El Paso, TX
4/10/2011 20 photos
Brilliant.
Small menu, everything is done right. Starters are mouthwatering but not too filling. Definitely for the refined palate. The pizzas are not big, good for two, but the flavor is downright ethereal. Wonderful blends of spice, perfectly textured mozzerella (made in-house), and a crust that should be held up as a standard for all to see.
Pasta was immaculately cooked, perfectly sauced, small portions but again; this place is much more about savoring than gorging. There is only one dessert: a Nutella calzone. It's big, but also glorious.
Small dining room gives it a welcome sense of both control and exclusivity. Always a wait. Pricey, but worth the splurge. Definitely a gem.
(BYOB) -
Review from Patrick M.
El Paso, TX
6/16/2011
Excellent meals, great service. That is why you come here: food and service , atmosphere is large room with not much in it but tables and chairs - but not to worry - the place fills up and the food is worth it!! Brick oven pizza was great as was the many appetizers we have tried.
We b visiting there often now that we found it!! -
Review from Casy M.
Frisco, TX
10/24/2010
This has got to be one of the best pizza places in the US. I was extremely surprised to find such an awesome pizza shop in the middle of the desert.
The crust is crispy yet chewy and beautifully flavored and textured. The perfectly done flavor of the crust is enhanced even further by their oven which is a wood fire oven. The sauce is also home made and beautifully seasoned and fresh.
The toppings like the hand made mozzarella and the fennel sausage are exquisite. I've had each and every signature pizza and not a single one was a let down.
Cafe Italia does cary a few different appetizers and salads, my favorite the house w/ fresh pears and walnuts and homemade vinaigrette. The menu is dedicated to their pizza so you won't find any other choice of entrees. It is also BYOB so be sure to grab a nice bottle or two of wine to accompany your meal. -
Review from Miranda b.
Jersey City, NJ
11/4/2009
The Pizza was delicious, but on the small side which I found disappointing, however tasty nontheless. The caprese was fresh and pretty good too.
Pumpkin Mousse followed suite. nice.
DOWN SIDE: NO SOUP SELECTION. I even offered to share my Italian wedding soup recipe, being I'm an Italian and all, but was looked at like I had six heads by the owner when I mentioned it..lol!! -
Review from Kevin L.
Glendale, CA
12/26/2009
I don't know what's going on or how it happened, but there's a truly authentic Italian cafe in El Paso! I stayed in rural Italy for a month, so I know Italian and Cafe Italia is amazingly it.
They make their own mozzarella and its quite good. Not as good as fresh Italian, but almost. The pizzas are Italian style too (extremely thin crust) and pretty good. They have have a small selection, and aside from the cheese pizza they are not your usual pizzas (but that is not a bad thing).
It is delicious and not too expensive. They don't have a liquor license but you can bring your own wine ($3 fee). The place seems very busy so be warned! -
Review from Karen L.
Dallas, TX
9/5/2011
MUST HAVE THEIR MEATBALLS!
I don't typically order spaghetti and meatballs any where, but this is a must try! So tender and flavorful! I was in El Paso for a two weeks, but I couldn't leave without having their meatballs again!
Pizzas here are good too. It's BYOB here. So don't forget your drinks! -
Review from Michelle Z.
El Paso, TX
7/18/2011
The best pizza we've tried so far in El Paso! The pizza came out so quickly too!
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Review from Annie L.
Philadelphia, PA
5/20/2011
I'm from NY state and can honestly say that this is the _hands down_ best pizza I've ever had! The staff is so friendly here, and it's byo which is rare for around here! This place will be at the top of our list whenever we trek from the Northeast to El Paso!!
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Review from Bruce F.
El Paso, TX
12/20/2010
Cafe Italia got lost and landed in a former TCBY Yogurt shop in west El Paso. The regulars here bring two bottles of vino, not one. No corkage. The limited menu means they get everything right. Traveled all over Italy and find this to be as authentic as any I've found. From the freshly home-made mozzerella and light tomato sauce to the fresh basil, the Margherita pizza is the real deal. Wood burning brick oven. Crisp crust with just the right amount of char. This is really a pizzeria--very limited menu. The antipasto is fantastic and the Nutella calzone is tops. The only downside is its downsize--almost always a wait.
Listed in: Best Pizza
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Review from Janella F.
Queen Creek, AZ
7/8/2011
This restaurant is amazing!! I got the roasted veggie platter. The veggies are grown in their own garden and they melt in your mouth with every bite you take. The pizza was cooked to perfection!! Super creamy mozzarella (handmade). The parmesano reggiano was salty and creamy!! Super crisp Arugla with a nicely cured prosciutto!! My mouth waters everytime I tell someone about this place. I wish they would open one in Arizona.
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Review from Bill E.
El Paso, TX
6/3/2011
Cafe Italia does not have the best pizza in El Paso. They have the best pizza ANYWHERE!!
We go at least once every other week and every visit is perfect. Everything is very fresh and very tasty. The owners/staff are great. Nice intimate place.
The only negative is if you go on a busy night it may take awhile to get a table. However, it's well worth the wait. I can't eat pizza at any other place in El Paso. Cafe Italia makes the others look pathetic. Keep up the great work Cafe Italia. -
Review from Doug V.
El Paso, TX
3/26/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Fabulous. A small brick oven pizzeria with a small menu but the mozzarella is home made, the desserts are seasonal, the sauce always fresh. The appetizers, especially the plate wight the pears, cheese, prosciutto. Their bread is homemade and wonderful. Bring your own wine and get their early- you will wait an hour for one of their tables on a Friday or Saturday night.
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Review from Linda P.
Alamogordo, NM
9/29/2011
The absolut best pizza in el paso! Tried other pizza joints in elp and this beats them all by far! Pasta was simple but very delish! We're driving the hour and a half tomorrow just to eat here! Bringing our friends with us as well to show them what theyre all about! See ya tomorrow! Oh yea! It's a bring your own wine for $3 per bottle for cork fees. That's the way to do it if u wan alcohol
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Review from H M.
El Paso, TX
5/10/2010
This is one of my two favorite places to eat out in El Paso. I'll agree with the other reviewer in saying that while the menu may be small, everything on it is absolutely amazing.
We always start with an order of the rustic bread (which, again referencing the other viewer, it's a shame they now charge for, but I'm willing to pay), along with a house salad, which they split so nicely for us on two plates. The house salad comes with greens, walnuts, thin slices of fresh pear, freshly grated parmigiano, all with a nice light vinaigrette. Absolutely delicious. The rustic bread is served piping hot with a delicious garlic butter.
Then to the pizza - my absolute favorite is the Bianco's, which is ricotta, parmigiano, and their housemade mozzarella, all topped with a big pile of fresh arugula. I have never had a pizza quite like this anywhere else, and it's a big part of what keeps me coming back to Cafe Italia. Sometimes, we also get the classic Pizza Margherita, which needs no description. It's fantastic.
The desserts area little pricey, IMO, for what you get. But, occasionally we'll order the creme brulee, which doesn't disappoint, but isn't spectacular for $7.00. I won't take any stars off for that, though.
The service is always courteous and friendly, although a little slow at times, mainly because there's usually only one server for the whole restaurant. This is a lovely place to bring some bottles of wine (a nice perk!) and enjoy a nice meal with friends. A must try! -
Review from Ricardo N.
Ocean Springs, MS
2/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
great pizza. i like the small menu - you know you're getting fresh ingredients. real deal italian food for sure. very small place, maybe 14 tables and make sure you bring your own alcohol. i'll be returning real soon.
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Review from Outsourced N.
El Paso, TX
11/1/2009
A friend of ours had never been to Café Italia, so last Saturday seeing that two of our friends were at a loose end due to their husbands being out of town for a football game, we all decided to treat ourselves to Café Italia.
This is a tiny little café on the Westside of town in a former TCBY location in front of Savers OR Discount Tires however you decide the front. This place since its opening has been a favorite of ours. This is a classic example of a place which has a small menu but does everything on the menu well. There may have been one time in our umpteen visits, when the pizza may have been slightly soft in the middle...but hey the odds of getting a just okay pizza are pretty slim.
This place has a small wood-fired oven and churns out super thin crust pizzas (reminds one of pizzas in Rome and strangely enough Lombardi's on Spring Street in NYC), a few pasta dishes, outstanding appetizers and salads and three desserts. All cooked excellently.
One quibble I have, that I will get done with early on so I can wax rhapsodic about the food, is that this place has started nickel-and-diming you nowadays. They are a BYOB establishment and used to have no corkage fee. Now they have corkage fee, which is fair given that they do provide glasses, but they charge the fee is per bottle! The fee is reasonable, and again, not that big a deal considering that you can bring a wine you like and want to drink. The other quibble is that none of the appetizers come with bread anymore. The bread is made from the same dough as the pizza and is fabulously light and crispy...and immensely desirable. A few slices of this heavenly bread used to be complimentary and then if you wanted a bit more bread, there might be a small charge for more. (Actually in the very beginning not only was the bread complimentary, but we were plied with bread any time we needed more). Again, this is a part of the small irritation that adds up. We certainly have no issue with having to pay for stuff this good, though.
Anyway, we started with the roasted vegetable antipasti. This is a substantial appetizer for sharing with a beautifully roasted medley of green and red bell peppers, purple onions, zucchini , yellow squash and some absolutely fantastic eggplant. This eggplant was the star of the show: very meaty, with small tender seeds and a fantastic smoky flavor from being in the wood-fired oven, no doubt. We had a pleasant wait for our main course with good conversation and a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Our Gracie's pizza showed up (along with the other pizzas ordered by our friends, a Yukon gold pizza and a margarita pizza with sausage. These pizzas were great smelling too and our friends loved them, but I don't have room for descriptions of stuff I did not eat!). The Gracie's arrived looking crispy and smelling wonderfully of the flavorful elements that were spread on it. This pizza, in my humble opinion, is the best pizza in this place. Gracie's is a bianco pizza (no tomato sauce) with homemade fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced fennel, roasted mushrooms and fresh rosemary. All these flavorful components are highly enhanced by being roasted in the wood-fired oven resulting in a beautifully thin, crispy crust with charred bits acting as flavor enhancers and the wonderful sweet crunchiness of the fennel, enhanced by the earthiness of the mushrooms and rosemary mellowed by the soft creamy melted mozzarella. Needless to say, a fabulous pizza!
Even though we were full, I ordered the pumpkin mousse that they make in-house. This is served in a martini glass with a good dollop of whipped cream. The desserts at Café Italia have always been phenomenal (though I think they have upped the sweetness lately...but that could be an El Paso demand) and this one is no exception. It is not piped in fancy swirls or anything, but the flavors are completely redolent of fall flavors. You get a gentle flavor of pumpkin with nutmeg and cinnamon floating through each spoonful. The four of us shared the dessert, which was an ample and perfect end to the meal.
Run don't walk to Café Italia. If you want to go for dinner, get there early since there can be a wait at times. I have pretty much eaten my way through the entire menu and have not found anything that is not good.
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