Cusanellis

So... interesting turn of events tonight.

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As MOST who knows me knows, I've had an obsession with Cusanelli's Restaurant since I first ate it in the summer of 1984. That was the year my sister (who has since passed away) was in a VERY serious car accident. She spent the next year or more at a rehabilitation Hospital just a few blocks from there. We went to visit her everyday. On Fridays, my dad (who has also since passed away) would take me to Cusanelli's every Friday night.

Once I turned 16, I would travel the 65 miles just to eat there almost weekly. I went to Cusanelli's with my date for my Junior Prom in 1989 and my Senior Prom in 1990.

Over the years, I have introduced many many people, both young and old to Cusanelli's Pizza.

To say that this place has special meaning to me is an understatement!

Well... tonight was my last trip there!

Tonight, my guest and I got a waitress that we had a bad experience with a few weeks prior. On the first run-in with this young waitress, the service was terrible... downright terrible... so she did not get a tip. When we left that night... we had made it to the parking lot and she came outside and rather smugly said "Thanks a lot!" which I assume was her way of telling us that we forgot to leave a tip. (We didn't forget, she did not deserve a tip.)

The following week, we had one of the best waitresses ever... and yes she got a tip and we told her what happened the week prior. She apologized for our experience and went above and beyond!

Fast forward to tonight when we got the same bitch little waitress from two weeks ago. We ordered our drinks and placed our order. When she brought our drinks, they were slammed down on the table and she just threw the straws on the table and walked away... she didn't say a word at all.

We didn't get our fresh bread while we waited as we ALWAYS do. After a very long wait... in which she never checked on us, she finally brings our pizza... but with no plates or anything to eat from and didn't bring napkins as every waitress has done for as long as I can remember. As she sets the pizza down without saying a word, I politely asked for some plates as well as our bread. Her bitchy and coy reply was "want me to bring you money too?" like we were asking for something we didn't deserve (I had no idea what she was talking about).

She never checked on us again. About 15 minutes after finishing tonight's pizza, she finally asked if we were ready for our bill... I said "yes please." She brought us the bill and a card was given to her to process it... when she came back... we again did not leave a tip to this piss poor waitress... she did not earn nor deserve one. And yes, we put a note on the receipt as to why no tip was left.

Upon leaving, we were approached by a guy that said he was the owner. He said that we were no longer allowed on the premises. When I asked why, he accused us of stealing a tip off one of the tables that this same waitress was in charge of. The people at this table were not happy with her service either, they asked for a bag for their to-go containers and she never brought them one... they had to ask the server lady for a bag which was brought promptly.

The "owner" threatened to call the cops on me and I asked him to please do... I have no problem if he feels better having the Police there. Then, he decided not to.

Keep in mind, this is the same place that I special order ten frozen pizzas from every few weeks in the summer because my summer schedule doesn't allow me to go up there weekly.

I can't say for sure if the other table left a tip or not... but I know they weren't happy with this waitress and neither were we and it's very possible that no tip was left in the first place.

In closing... I guess I am not going back... but, I not by my choosing.

The new owner doesn't care about longtime and loyal customers. Again, I drive over 65 miles just to eat this pizza... it's been a routine since 1984... like I'm going to steal a tip off a table... for what? To cover the gas? Totally absurd and I have NEVER been accused of anything like this in the 48 years I have been on this Earth. I am a respected business man in the Saint Louis area... have been for approx 18 years... and have been an elected official in my hometown for the past 6 years... in fact, one of my city Police Officer's is a grandson of the founder. He was saddened to hear of this experience as were his other family members

Just a shame what has happened to this once fine establishment!

Both my boss and one of my law school professors had claimed this to be "the best pizza in St. Louis." I'm an IMO's guy, myself, and rarely stray too far from them.
Last night, my gf and I had Cusanellis and we were floored. I had the deluxe and she had a custom pizza with jalapeño, chicken, garlic, and green olives.
It was crispy and the cheese was very gooey. It was the perfect combination of texture. The sauce wasn't overpowering or messy. Needless to say, both of us ate our entire pizzas.
I will be getting my pizza from Cusanelli's from now on.

If you're looking for authentic St. Louis style pizza, check out Cusanelli's. It's a family-owner old-school Italian spot in Lemay in one of the oldest structures still standing. The pizza is made by hand with ingredients made in house as well. This is a no frills spot with all the old school charm and none of the unnecessary updates to keep with trends. They make great food and have a great staff and donuts go enjoy what they put on the plate -- and bring a large group, they can accommodate you!

I am absolutely appalled by this restaurant! I found a soggy, folded up, week old receipt in my salad. I had originally ordered a seafood pasta, but after finding that foreign object in my food, I canceled my order. I wasn't about to eat seafood. Who knows what condition that would have been in! I would have expected a manager to come over and apologize, but instead the waitress said a simple I'm sorry. I will never be returning to this establishment.

Good food. Pretzel balls were good and Deluxe Pizza was very good if you like thin crust which we do. Not the best in St Louis but very good.

Salad house dressing is zesty vinaigrette if you like that. Good value.

Decor could use some TLC (ceiling tiles are stained all over)

Food is good , but the kitchen is VERY slow. Done with our salads before the garlic cheese bread ever came out. Waitress is slow also, waiting on the check , waiting on take home boxes.
Overall, slow and a-lot of waiting.

Been going here for years. Pizza is always good. Much of the staff is friendly. Somewhere along the way, it's started to lose focus. Doesn't appear anyone is in charge. Members of the wait and kitchen staff hang out at the bar, several noticeably drinking while working. One in particular - couldn't tell if he worked there or not but he knew the staff well enough and was in and out of the kitchen - was so drunk he was slurring his speech and swearing loudly while some family with little children was sitting at a table just a couple feet behind him.

The bartender and hostess were both very friendly but I don't think either had any authority to rein in the others. A couple of the waitresses were taking good care of their tables and overall our food was good. There just didn't seem to be anyone there in charge.

Someone needs to step up and let certain members of the staff, particularly the younger ones, know it isn't their personal bar and playhouse. Can't imagine it's helping their business.

I can't give the exact date Cusanellis opened but this place has been here it would seem forever. The decor is old but very inviting. I really do like eating at restaurants like this one with real time proven character. The pizza here is very good. It's what they are primarily known for and it doesn't disappoint. I had the seafood cannelloni which was great. I only wish there was more in my plate. Their house dressing has a tart and unique flavor which I found very tasty. The service was very good and the prices were very reasonable. I will certainly return again in the near future.

I grew up in Boulevard Heights Near Bella Villa and Cusanellis was the place to go with a date for FRIED RAVIOLI and MARINARA, FLAT CRIST PIZZA and anything on the menu. However things change, restaurants pass on to new owners who diddle with established recipes and decor. Rumor had it back s bit the restaurant was sold to KOREANS and after that is when I noticed things slippery sliding downhill including the sauce's, the FRIED RAVIOLI and THE Pizza.

Left Mo and visit annually but after some really bad blah at Cusanellis, I stopped going! Too bad but it had a good run for family owned restaurants.

Another update on Cusanelli's.
We have never received a response, email, or a returned phone call.
If you want to go to a restaurant with the worst food in st. Louis then this is the place for you! Otherwise avoid it like the plague! They do not care and it shows in their food and their lack of response!