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John's Pizza Cafe
Category: Restaurants Pizza Pizza [Edit]
616 Como AveSaint Paul, MN 55103
Neighborhood: North End
(651) 488-1922
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 10:30 am - 9:30 pm
Fri-Sat 10:30 am - 10:30 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
About This Business:
Do what you love love what you do. That attitude's been our recipe since we started Toppers back in 1991. We're pizza people and damn proud of it. We're… read more »
21 reviews for John's Pizza Cafe
Review Highlights
"If you go to the resturant (new location across the street."
(in 2 reviews)
"...counter they also have fresh homemade hoagie rolls for sale."
(in 2 reviews)
"On a recent visit, I had a Stromboli that was wonderful."
(in 3 reviews)
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21 reviews in English
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Review from Luke H.
St Paul, MN
9/1/2011
IMO best pizza around (St. Paul & northern subs)
Great sauce, extremely fresh cheese & other ingredients...try the 'hog in the bog'. -
Review from gary b.
Saint Paul, MN
12/9/2011
Perhaps we should have had the pizza, because the pastas we ordered were, how shall I say this... "pedestrian". I had the "John's Special": sausage, green pepper, and onions on a paperdelle noodle. Noodles were cooked spot on...just right. The vegetables could have used about another minute or so in the pan. The sausage was just plain WRONG. "Italian Sausage" said the menu. No fennel, and a kind of "off" flavor. I asked John (a VERY nice guy!) and he said "I don't like fennel". Sorry... but if you are going to call it ITALIAN sausage it's got to have fennel in it. My wife's ravioli special was good, nothing special... just good. Also, the menu said the dish came with garlic bread. It was plain on the plate. I asked the cashier and she said "Oh, we changed that..." Hey kids, if it's on the menu it better be on my plate!
We went there because one of my wife's students was playing a background music gig. The place was TOO LOUD even for a small group. If he's going to have music, he needs some fabric on the wall to smooth things out. And speaking of the walls... they sure could use some art. BORING plane.
Probably won't be back. Maybe if I'd had pizza I'd think differently, but with what I had, probably not. -
Review from Chris M.
10/4/2011
After a few orders from John's I think I'm going to officially throw in the towel.
GOOD
- Online ordering
- Diverse menu of pizza, sauce options, hoagies, pastas and salads
- They make their own crusts and breads from scratch
- Very friendly delivery drivers
MEH
- Every hoagie I have tried has been mostly bread and overcooked meat
- The 'volcanic' wings are an insult to volcanoes and anyone that likes spicy food
- Pizzas, while somewhat original sounding, have been consistently bland
I know and respect the fact that places like John's, Savoy's, Little Oven, etc. have a cult following in the Cities, they're just not my cup of koolaid. -
Review from Spider M.
St Paul, MN
7/8/2011
You can usually tell how good a place's wings are by their BBQ wings. If their BBQ wings suck the rest of their selection is going to suck.
Good thing John's BBQ wings are awesome. Sure, they aren't your BBQ cook-off, your friend's dad is having a get together wings but for restaurant wings? Awesome. Great flavor, drenched in sauce, and you can get a Baker's dozen.
Wife and I, after a long shopping trip in the heat, had forgotten to get anything for dinner. Neither of us felt like cooking and decided to get some delivery, something we don't do very often. We drive by John's everyday on the way to work and have been dying to try the place out so we ordered from the website.
(Issue with website that is the developer, not the owner's, fault: if you are using a Mac it defaults to the mobile version of the site no matter which browser used.)
Got some Italian Fingers, the aforementioned BBQ wings and a split 12" pan pizza (hand tossed). Wife like sauerkraut on her pizza and I like anchovies; John's takes care of those tastes. The sauce on the pizza (and for the fingers) was awesome. Meats tasted fresh (Morelli's?), veggies looked healthy. There was garlic but not an overdose. (I may be Sicilian but I'm not a big fan of garlic.)
Everything was top notch and the delivery was faster than anticipated. You aren't going to find a better delivery pizza or wings for the price with the taste of John's. We look forward to ordering more and often in the future, as well as trying out much of the remaining menu. -
Review from Bruce Y.
Saint Paul, MN
5/14/2011
John's has been our spot to order pizza-to-go for years. We usually each order our favorite so we would have leftovers. Mine would be the "Hog in the Bog"... German brat sausage, mushroom and wild rice with cheese and garlic and herb sauce.
With the recent move to a bigger space across the street, they have added ample seating and new pasta dishes. On a recent visit, I had a Stromboli that was wonderful. The time before it was Calzone. Fortunately, they also have an ample supply of "to-go" boxes to bring home your leftovers. Of course, sharing would also work... by why?
We ordered our first pizza from John's shortly after moving to the neighborhood in 1993 and have never been disappointed. Go there now! -
Review from Jim H.
Saint Paul, MN
12/22/2010
Although John's has been on this corner for probably 20 years, I've never stopped until tonight. They recently changed corners within the same intersection, so we wanted to check out the new place.
Four of us went in and were surprised by a few things;
+ Very nice help
+ Reasonable prices
+ Very large portions
- Fast food type order placement
- Sterile decor
- Lack of beer
One hot hogie - very good
One calzone - huge and delicious
One stromboli - ditto
One small pizza - excellent -
Review from AJ B.
St Paul, MN
1/6/2011
Best pizza place in the Twin Cities. There is none other like this when it comes to good pizza. I have it delivered at home and we get it at work. Everyone loves it. They are a bit more expensive, but when you eat the pizza you will forget about the price.
In December we had a snow fall between 15 and 24 inches, this was the ONLY place delivering. My street had not been plowed, so the delivery guy came up the alley and called me to let me know he was there. THIS is GREAT service!!!
The also have pasta, calzones, etc. The saghetti and meatballs was really good, too.
If you go to the resturant (new location across the street ... great place), you can get pizza by the slice!
If you go to there, parking can be a bit difficult ... esp in the winter with all the snow. -
Review from Bartek P.
St Paul, MN
3/30/2011
Our first time here, with my six-year-old son. The place is just perfect for an informal family dinner. Blues is playing through the sound system. The food is American Italian style pizza, etc. But there are a few vegetarian salad options, too. If you are into this kind of food, you're going to love this place. Finally, it is a neighborhood joint, and that's fantastic.
Will come back often. -
Review from James R.
Eagan, MN
9/12/2011
Crust is dry, pizza was boring
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Review from Rhonda G.
5/14/2011
I would have to try other things to give them a mere 4 stars. It's such an attractive place and very clean and comfortable from the seating to the temperature of the room. We got a sausage pizza, which was no better or worse than other places. A huge stromboli with pepperoni. I've only ever had it at Cosetta's and that's where I prefer it. They do their own desserts. I was tempted by the cheesecake, but they make it a very strong lemon flavor, and the bottom crust is extremely sweet and gooey. They have a separate room that could be used for parties. A handy well placed soda fountain, adds to the convenient layout of the place. The patio looks really nice and I could see enjoying it sometime. At the counter they also have fresh homemade hoagie rolls for sale. I've been putting off coming here for too long.
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Review from Chaunce S.
Saint Paul, MN
4/25/2010
No wonder you will consistently Saint Paul's finest squad cars parked for lunch at this place.
We ordered for delivery, and the person who answered was very friendly and got the order right.
I almost flying hugged the driver when he came to the door, so in the spirit of full disclosure, we were very hungry.
They have a terrific thin crust that is crispy and flaky -- PLUS they offer fresh garlic as a topping. I haven't tried their other fare (sandwiches, etc.) but I would be likely to.
I bet they have a meatball sandwich that I will be following up on.
If you live in the North End or Como, give it a whirl! -
Review from Laura P.
Minneapolis, MN
12/7/2009 1 Check-in Here
Oh. Mah. Gawd. Becky.
This pizza is the best pizza I have ever had.
Hands down.
My pizza mission is over.
I finally found the one. . .
(cue music)
"I finally found someone, who knocks me off my feet
I finally found the one who makes me feel complete
It started over coffee, we started out as friends
Its funny how from simple things, the best things begin
This time is different
Its all because of you
Its better than it's ever been
Cuz we can talk it through
My favorite line was can I call you sometime?
Its all you had to say
To take my breath away
This is it
Oh, I finally found someone
Someone to share my life
I finally found the one to be with every night
Cause whatever I do
Its just got to be you
My life has just begun, I finally found someone"
Yes, this pizza is so great,
that only a snippet of a love ballad by Barbra Streisand will do
in order to convey the feelings I'm feeling.
I threw a party and my roommate happens to work for John's
and brought home some pizzas for all of us to chow on.
(don't worry, we paid for them)
He made the Veggie 2000
and the Spicy Caribbean Chicken
and some other random ones.
Daaaaaaaaaaaaamn Gina!
They were so so so so so good!!!!
There are actually carrots on the Veggie 2000,
which I wasn't sure about,
but do away with all your skepticism or you will miss out!
That pizza is delicious!
And the Spicy Caribbean Chicken was quite a delight as well.
Yummy in the tummy!
I haven't eaten in the restaurant,
but I fully intend to make a pilgrimage to the mecca.
I gotta get my fix!
Seriously, best pizza I've ever had.
Ever!!Listed in: Pizza!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!…
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Review from David M.
Knoxville, TN
Updated - 4/26/2011
**update** Ate here a couple of times after loving the delivery, and I would say it didn't stand out as a pizza place I'd want to frequent. If I'm going out for pie in Saint Paul, I'm heading to Savoy's. But I'll still get John's for delivery. (Ironically, I'm not as big a fan of Savoy's leftovers; much better when it's fresh and at the restaurant... basically the opposite of John's.)
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/20/2010
I was looking for a place that delivered in Saint Paul, and went with the suggestions of other… Read more »
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Review from Anna M.
Saint Paul, MN
7/30/2009
Quality pizza. Quality toppings, quality service, quality crust. The pre-designed orders are great (for veggie, go for a classic Meatless Wonder); but you can dream up your own, too.
This isn't your typical pizza parlor, either. I've never seen Van Gogh on the walls of such a joint, nor have I eaten fresh 'za in the fully natural light of a glassed-in acute triangle (one could even call it an architectural pizza slice) between two semi-busy streets.
I will be returning for originality, fast service, and delicious pizza. -
Review from Tony H.
Saint Paul, MN
12/5/2009
I'm a carnivore. My meals seem incomplete without meat. I've eaten it raw. Morning, lunch and dinner. So when I say the Veggie 2000 is my favorite pizza ever, know the magnitude of such a statement!
John's pizza showed up at a party I was at earlier this month. I open the top box. It looked scary. I elected to try the slice I had accidentally touched, just to be polite. The mix of brocolli and carrots atop the pizza stimulated my taste buds. I quickly ate up the piece. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Sleep. -
Review from Lisa M.
11/16/2009
Quick and delicious!
We stopped in for our first John's Pizza Cafe experience on a recent Wednesday night.
The Chinese Firecracker Pizza was great! We ordered a medium for the 2 of us and it was perfect. It only took between 10 and 15 minutes for the order to arrive.
Chinese Firecracker is pepperoni, pineapple, and banana peppers. I'm not a pepperoni fan, so I 'changed' it to Canadian bacon instead and it was good!
I say 'changed' it because when I inquired as to whether I can substitute Canadian bacon for pepperoni, I was informed I can request the pepperoni to be held and the Canadian bacon to be added. That's a substitution in my eyes but the snappy woman behind the counter told me I can change, I can't substitute. She seemed to be bothered we were looking at the menu trying to decide.
I guess I would go here for the food, but certainly not friendly service or good atmosphere.
Bill was $18 or so for the pizza and a fountain DC.Listed in: Too Cool for School, Red Sauce!
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Review from Brad M.
St Paul, MN
10/8/2011
Favorite "traditional" pizza crisp crust and well proportioned toppings. Only downside is no beer.
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Review from Jim M.
Waltham, MA
6/5/2010
After reading all these reviews, I've noticed that most people are only eating the pizza. Big mistake! Try the Italian Fingers, Chick-a-Dilly sandwich, or my personal favorite, the BBQ Chicken Sandwich. I'm like Joey from Friends with that sandwich...greatest in the world.
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Review from Robb S.
Saint Paul, MN
3/4/2010
Great pizza and wings! So far that's all I've eaten. I plan on going there many times more!
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Review from Maxine M.
St Paul, MN
8/28/2010
Stopped in one year ago because I love the building. I had a pizza and salad. Skip the salad. Gross lettuce. Their pizza isn't memorable. I don't remember it being horrible but I'm not rushing back. This was a one time visit for me.
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Review from Joe E.
Saint Paul, MN
5/2/2005
I grew up on John's Pizza, a small independently owned pizzeria in St. Paul. Until I left home for college, my Friday nights were spent with family eating John's pizza. It was a great tradition that still pops it's head up when I visit my parents. I've never found another pizza place that makes pizza like they do. For me, the number one best part of this place is the quality of ingredients. Their toppings are generous and fresh. The green peppers are crunchy and long (not soft and minced). The meat is thick, juicy and abundant; especially the sausage (not dry and thin). The pizza is never too greasy while still having enough greasy quality to still be called a pizza. They have remained consistent in quality and taste over at least 15 years. Unfortunately, their prices tend to be a little higher than some of the deals the chains offer. But you are truly getting what you pay for. If you are looking for a fresh take on high quality pizza, I'd give this place a try. By the way, this place used to be called "Papa John's Pizza" until the big chain came into town.
