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Ledo Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Pizza Restaurants Italian Pizza, Italian [Edit]
4509 Knox RdCollege Park, MD 20740
(301) 422-8122
- Nearest Transit:
-
College Park/u of MD Metro Station (Green, Yellow)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 9 am - 11 pm
Fri-Sat 9 am - 12 am
Sun 10 am - 10 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
71 reviews for Ledo Restaurant
Review Highlights
"the Parmesan Garlic Bread is just to die for."
(in 3 reviews)
"...the restaurant to the new location in College Park and it..."
(in 8 reviews)
"I thoroughly enjoyed the pizza, especially the crust."
(in 31 reviews)
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71 reviews in English
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Review from Julie R.
Middletown, NJ
1/1/2012
Delicious pizza. I've come back here a few times for pizza. They have a good variety of different named pizzas that have all been tasty.
It's a nice atmosphere, but usually really busy.
All the food besides pizza is basically like a diner. Good sized portions and always just OK. Have had spotty service at different times, but it is alright since it was busy.
I went once on Easter Day and got the turkey plate which was good, slightly too salty. -
Review from Mang J.
Silver Spring, MD
1/2/2012
Last night was my first visit to the new Ledo location. I'm on the fence about it for a few reasons.
Parking is a piece of work at the new location; we had to park in the lot by the Bank of America on Route 1, so by the time we got to Ledo, we just wanted to sit and eat. The hostess seated us, and we waited about 10 to 15 minutes for our server to appear.
(Note: It seems that none of the old servers are at the new location, dang it!)
My dining companion is a bit...persnickety and abrupt with wait staff, so it's always an experience. Last night was no different; however, to Joey's credit, he took it all in stride.
The food: The house salads are really pitiful. Ledo, you've got to step up your game; and what happened to the house dressing? It was flavorless, greasy dreck. C'mon! I was told the toasted ravioli are as delicious as ever. My pizza was fabulous, as always. My dining companion said the toppings were cut too large on hers. What-ev. It was still delicious.
So, awesome pizza and toasted ravioli, crappy house salad, and a pleasant server. Three stars, my friend. Stay hungry. -
Review from Starr C.
Ellicott City, MD
10/2/2011
Stopped by here Saturday evening with some friends for dinner. It's a popular location in CP, so we had to wait about 10-15 minutes to be seated (party of 3). Our server was very attentive despite the crowded restaurant, and came by twice before we had even made our decisions.
None of us ordered pizza. Why? Uh... couldn't tell you! Weren't in the mood? And we didn't know how large the sizes were.
I ordered a crab cake sandwich. It was pretty good. No complaints besides the awkwardly shaped iceberg lettuce that just... didn't really fit in the sandwich? XD The chips were SO boring, though. Not really salty, not super crunchy, the ripples didn't excite me at all. =P
Friends ordered linguini and the roast turkey dinner. Both seemed to enjoy their food a lot. My friend ordered fries with the turkey, but they accidentally gave him mashed potatoes and gave him the fries he asked for, no extra charges, so that was good.
All in all, I guess I wasn't blown away here? I hear a lot about their pizza, but either really good or really bad. Maybe I'll try it next time? -
Review from Emily P.
Bethesda, MD
12/12/2011
Yum, this place is nommy. I had my doubts because the pizza was served on cafeteria trays. BUT these square pizzas delivered. Tangy sauce. Crisp, flaky crust. I pretty much ate half a medium pizza in one sitting. Garlic bread was soft (a little too buttery). Ordered the garlic chicken with spinach and mushrooms. Delish. Would love to come back.
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Review from Derek B.
Washington, DC
12/3/2011
The original square pizza. It's to die for.
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Review from Ben J.
Bowie, MD
5/25/2011
I really liked this place. I had a Chicken Caesar Salad and a personal pizza with sausage. I enjoyed both very much. The chicken on the salad adds more money than it's worth. But it tasted excellent. Their iced tea is outstanding and served in huge glasses. The service staff was extremely kind and welcoming. The atmosphere was very bright and clean. It is an excellent place for lunch and perhaps even better for dinner.
I thoroughly enjoyed the pizza, especially the crust. I was really satisfied with the thickness of the cheese as well. The sauce was okay. But the pizza is very cheesy and I imagine a cheese pizza alone would do the trick.
This place has plenty of space. There is free parking on Sundays in the attached parking complex. Otherwise it might cost you. I'm definitely going back. -
Review from Derek I.
7/23/2011
The medium, bacon, jalapeño pepper and black olive pizza looked soooo promising---smothered in bacon. I thought it was going to a bacon-fest---unfortunately the bacon was dry and all the savory flavor that should be in bacon was non-existent. The pizza crust was hard and crumbly. It is hard to believe people think this is good pizza---they obviously have NOT tried New Haven or Chicago pizza! I had a Caesar salad which also was lacking something.
The spicy buffalo wings however were 4 stars. The sauce was rich, spicy and meat tender, and the only reason I would go back would be for the wings. The fast and prompt service brought up the star count to 3. The service was impressive given that I was part of a party of over 20 people during the dinner rush hour and I was able to get my food within 10 minutes after it was ordered. -
Review from Anthony M.
College Park, MD
7/15/2011
Ledo's is not the greatest pizza, maybe average at best for MD and slightly above average for PG county. I compare their pizza to putting over-sized slices of pepperoni on a cracker-like sized thin crust with a tiny slice of mozz & a stingy tea spoon of tomato sauce. Not much going on with it, but I like how it wishes it could have the hearty qualities of an upstate NY sheet pizza because it comes in rectangles and is cut into squares. If I ever served this pizza to my family in NY and told them this was good, they'd would've probably cut me out of their wills.
However, they have a variety of good things to make up for it with their specials. For example, The crab dip was good - it didn't pretend to be one with the disguise of cheese and imitation meat like alot of other places do in Maryland. Their beer is cold, reasonably priced for a weekend happy hour for the area. The service is good as well, you can always appreciate an attentive waitress. -
Review from Michelangelo S.
Seattle, WA
1/24/2011
"DOWN MEMORY LANE - MY PIZZERIA FROM HIGH SCHOOL!"
SIT-REP
I will admit up front that this review has a LOT of sentimental value to me since LEDOs is close to where I went to high school at TAKOMA ACADEMY in Takoma Park, MD. Located in College Park - the home of the awesome University of Maryland - LEDOs has been one of my all time favorite pizzerias and has the distinction of being the pizza-establishment that I've been going to the LONGEST since I first went to it in 1975 when I was still in grade school! 35 YEARS is quite a history with one restaurant!
The Original LEDOs opened in 1955 by Tommy Marcos Sr. They moved the restaurant to the new location in College Park and it is still owned and operated by Tommy Jr. and Jimmy. The Marcos Family restaurant has been a landmark for years serving famous pizza and other specialty dishes including some amazing pastas and, oh!, the Parmesan Garlic Bread is just to die for!
CLASS REUNIONS
I have the occasion every year I come back for homecoming and my class reunions to hit LEDOs with the old school gang. And beyond my high school associations, LEDOs is also HOME TURF for the University of Maryland TERPS. So the energy during ball seasons gets quite frenetic in this loyal TERP-establishment.
THE MENU
LEDO's serves one of the most unique pizzas that I've ever had. It's not quite Sicilian, it's not quite NY and it definitely isn't Chicago-style, but it is one of the most delicious CHEEESY pizzas I've ever had. It's ADDICTING. If ever there was an example of a European original cuisine that was AMERICANIZED in an awesome way, THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST EXAMPLES of that coming out great.
The pizzas are square in traditional Sicilian style but seem to be more generous with the cheese proportions. The other menu items - besides pizza and parmesan garlic bread - include:
* FRIED CALAMARI
* TOASTED RAVIOLI
* ONION RINGS
* MARYLAND-STYLE HOT WINGS
* CHICKEN TENDERS
* BUFFALO TENDERS
* CHEESE STICKS
* SPICEY WAFFLE FRIES
* GRILLED BBQ SHRIMP
and, lots of SALADS, including:
* SPINACH SALAD
* CHEF SALAD
* GREEK SALAD
etc. etc. etc.
I've had all the above at one point in time or another over the last 35 years and I've LOVED all of it. This is a GREAT PLACE to stop by and pick up your orders TO GO before moving on to a UM game as well.
THE LOWDOWN
When hanging out with your school-chums in-restaurant, or screaming "bloody murder" for the TERPS to the knock the visiting team on their asses, LEDOs provides you with the best yummy FOOD-FUEL to keep you energized and rarin to go!
Oh yeah, "GO TERPS!" -
Review from Daniel A.
8/29/2011
One of my U of M friends told me about the "original Ledo" just off of the campus and had us go for dinner. I must admit, the pizza was very good. I just did a custom of my favorite combination (pepperoni and black olive for anyone who is keeping score). I could tell you all the characteristics of a pizza, but I feel you probably already know. I would simply say, the quality of their toppings was what set it apart. For the pepperoni, they didn't have the Giant brand packaged stuff, but rather the thick, deli cut fresh variety I like to see on a pizza. They also had a good beer selection to go along with a pizza night. The personal pizzas are a bit small, but circular, as opposed to their larger sizes. I don't know why, but I always find that round pizzas taste better.
Listed in: PIZZA-THE-HUT!
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Review from Allison K.
Arlington, VA
2/26/2011
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I don't like pizza. But apparently the metro area has a lot of good pizza, starting with the original Ledo. Wow. Perfect little squares of cheese and pepperoni hot out of the oven and ripe with goodness. There's not a lot of crust because most of the pieces are middle pieces. I would usually applaud this, but I really enjoyed the crust. So much so that I sought out the outside pieces.
I can tell you I was still eating leftovers 3 days later and they were continuously excellent. -
Review from Brenda D.
Riverdale, MD
9/17/2011
Okay, I am a huge Ledo's Pizza Fan. Real Ledo's Pizza in Langley Park, MD. My Dad used to take us to Kiddie Land, the Duck Pond and then to Ledo's or Mighty Mos for supper on Saturdays for years. A big treat for us, a bigger treat for my Mom.
I was initially pleased that the original Ledo's was moving to College Park. A little closer. A little less of a hike. But the move just goes to show - be careful what you wish for. I don't know what happened in that short move, but everything is different. The service is terrible, parking is a nightmare, and the food, well the food is not nearly as good. I guess the rent must be higher in College Park because the food got pricier. While the Langley Park location was family oriented, the College Park location is all about the College kids. Probably a good thing for them (Ledo's). There's a new crop of freshmen every year. The folks that have supported them for 50+ years are likely in the wind. -
Review from Jen F.
1/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
I came to Ledo's for happy hour... they have a bar in the back which served me well.
Maybe this was because they just opened, but the service was horrendous! It was like a Denny's when you walk in...people waiting, names scribbled on a piece of paper. (during busy times)
Maybe its because I'm from NY, but the pizza did nothing for me. Vito's around the corner has better pizza. The pizza was square yet not Sicilian... huh? -
Review from Charlotte S.
Silver Spring, MD
2/20/2011
Let me start out by saying that I love Ledo's pizzas! I was a convert after going to another location with a close friend and I can hardly eat any other pizza. That being said, I came to this location to introduce another friend to the greatness of Ledo's and was rather disappointed.
We got a pepperoni pizza to share and I asked for "light/lesser cheese" on half of it since they tend to overwhelm the pizza with cheese. The waitress said that wasn't possible since "the cheese spreads". Funny, because it's possible in at least 2 other locations - New Hampshire Avenute/Silver Spring and University Boulevard/Wheaton. The pizza itself was nice and piping hot but was, of course, overloaded with cheese and the grease at this location seemed to be in excess as well.
I still love Ledo's pizzas but I won't be coming to this location - I've pretty much stuck with the New Hampshire Ave location. -
Review from Ian K.
Gaithersburg, MD
1/21/2011
The original Ledo has moved on campus. Smart move, finally.
I've been a few times... for lunch and before a MD basketball game. The new location is on the ground floor of a seriously low budget city garage. Very odd... their exhaust fans vent on the second floor of the garage, which you have to be a genious to use the auto-pay stations.
Lunch is a no-brainer.. Nice and quick. Before a basketball game, you need to get there early. The bar is way too small for what it should be. The pizza is good as ever. The service is generally good and efficient... Seems like they brought over some of the crazies from the old place to meet and greet at the front though.... -
Review from Sara T.
12/6/2010 1 Check-in Here
I was in College Park visiting my family and my cousins brought a large group (12) of us here. They had made a reservation, but when we got there, the hostess insisted that there was no way they could seat a party that large. After almost 30 minutes of arguing with her, we pointed out two large tables in the back room. Grudgingly, she pushed them together and we finally sat down and ordered.
Once we were seated, the service was considerably better! Our waitress was friendly and very patient with our large group. The pizza was delicous and I'm a big fan of their new and different take on crust. I tried a few different toppings and the sausage and twice-cooked bacon were by far my favorites.
Would have given them 4 stars if not for their rude and inflexible hostess. -
Review from Anna P.
Manhattan, NY
8/28/2011
When I went to the Ledo restaurant, I was expecting better. The waitress that served us forgot my order and 2 other items. She had to be asked several times for lemon slices and tarter sauce. The atmosphere was boring but the food was decent enough. I had the eggplant parmigiana, it was tasty enough but very greasy. My Mom and Grandparents had pizza and complained that it was too oily. My Grandfather has to use some napkins to wipe off some of the oil. It's a very big space that caters to a college crowd.
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Review from Martin B.
College Park, MD
12/2/2010
Ledo's is sort of a DC icon, I guess. I've had their pies before, but never at the original restaurant (which this technically isn't, but I think they brought the oven from the original location so it counts). I stopped in here to get some grub and overall I was satisfied.
It's a pretty big space, with a restaurant area and a bar area. The bar looked well-stocked and had some good beers on tap (although obviously I couldn't have any!). The bartender was quick to attend to me and was friendly. However, the restaurant didn't seem that busy yet it took quite a while to get my pizza!
I ordered a small pepperoni pizza. Unlike the bigger pizzas, this one is circular, but it's still pretty tasty! The crust is incredibly buttery and somewhat flaky, and the ingredients all taste good, from the gooey cheese to the thick-cut pepperoni. That said, it wasn't well-constructed. I had to fold, bend and stack parts of each slice so that it wouldn't all just fall down onto my plate. It made for a messy meal, but I enjoyed it overall. -
Review from R S.
Potomac, MD
Updated - 9/8/2010
Went to the new location.
I can sum up my experience this afternoon at the new location as follows
The Good:
Pizza is still magnificent and tastes different than the Ledo chains. Love the "everything" pizza.
The Bad:
The service is absolutely terrible. The waitress we had was extemely slow and we thought she forgot us at one point. Knock 2 stars for the bad service.
The Ugly:
Not really an ugly, but as compared to the original location... The nostaglia of the place is gone. The bar at this location is a joke and is small.
I really think the owner needs to consult an interior decorator. The place looks meh.3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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7/21/2010
Ledo's is officially closing its Adelphi location on Sunday July 25th
They are expected to open their… Read more »
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Review from Marianne L.
Alexandria, VA
4/19/2010 3 photos
Prior to yesterday, my entire exposure to Ledo pizza had been the radio jingle for the franchise. Thanks to 'OYB' for setting up a fun UYE here where Ledo's began so those of us who live south of the Potomac could try this Maryland original.
I grew up in the suburbs of Boston and thin NY-style pizza has always been a dietary staple. Ledo is not what I consider pizza, but that doesn't mean its without value and if you set aside the title of "pizza", well then I will admit I had a good, tasty dinner and a boat load of leftovers for today. I guess I'd consider what I had a savory thin Italian pie rather than a pizza.
PIZZA
I tried 3 different pizza options at Ledo: plain cheese (meh, really kind of boring), sausage/pepper/onion/blk olive (or the Ol' Yella Special - very good, if I ever got Ledo pizza again it would be this), sausage/mushroom/onion (my personal pizza choice and one of my go to options when trying a new place - good, but I liked the 2nd option better).
Crust - Ledo's crust reminds me of that used in Chicago style pizza (only this isn't a deep dish pie). Its flaky pastry, good for what it is and actually not bad cold as leftover, but it doesn't hold the weight of the toppings at all. This pizza when hot I found was easier consumed with a knife and fork, but I could just as easily have seen it as the base for sugar/apples/cinnamon as pizza toppings.
Cheese - With apologies to Charlton Heston "you'll get my mozzarella when you pry it from my cold, dead hands", or that is usually the start and end of my opinion of substituting any other cheese on a pizza. But the smoked provolone that Ledo uses actually complements the crust, sauce and toppings quite well. Only real downside - its damn oily.
Sauce - Bright tomato flavor with a touch of sweetness.
Toppings - Vegetables were fresh and uniformly cut so they cooked evenly and none I had were over cooked in the slightest, even the onions were nicely cooked through. Sausage, meh crumbled Italian sausage that was ok but needed more flavor.
APPETIZERS
Calamari - Nicely cooked and not too greasy but too many tiny 'bits' vs defined rings. Tomato sauce it was served with was a bit one the oily side, but was tasty enough to serve as a dipping sauce for the onion rings. (I'm guessing the tomato sauce was served in place of the 'light lemon sauce' advertised on the menu.)
Onion Rings - Boring, only real upside was they were cooked at the proper temperature so they didn't soak up oil but the breading lacked flavor and the 'texas petal sauce' was conspicuously missing from the order.
Maryland Hot Wings - Great hot wing flavor and perfectly cooked wing itself. Cheers to our waitress that brought out both the blue cheese and ranch dressings for us to try (though neither was all that special).
SERVICE / ATMOSPHERE/PRICE
We had a group of about 11 which they kindly accommodated. Our waitress did a good job taking care of us and keeping drinks coming and things. But the kitchen and waitstaff were clearly swamped even though the place was only about 1/2 full. Food just seemed to come out kind of whenever it was ready and if not for all the sharing going on some would have been waiting awhile for anything to eat at all. (One of our pizza orders just got lost in the shuffle, and they ended up making 2 of one of the other ones.)
I thought the pizzas were very fairly priced given the crust makes it a bit heartier than a ny-style slice, but the apps are probably a tad over-priced for the quality and they don't offer free refills on sodas, only on iced tea.
They are moving soon and I wonder if the new place will have even a fraction of the institutional charm the old wood paneling and colored glass lights have. Sturdy wooden tables and chairs that have seen decades of family dinners, college nights, and countless other occasions. This is the humble establishment that spawned a growing chain of franchises - its worth dropping by to experience it in its original home before they move to their new location.Listed in: Did you Yelp?, "I make nice for you"...
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Review from Robert S.
Silver Spring, MD
7/2/2010
There are almost 40 reviews of the Original Ledo Restaurant--also known as Tommy Marcos' Ledo Restaurant--and most of them go on about the unusual pizza that has become the trademark dish. Like many reviewers, my bias is deep and nostalgic, and firmly on the side of yay. Sure, sometimes its a little off, but when it is fresh on the table out of the oven it is heaven. But I want to diverge from the other reviewers by commenting on some of the other items on the menu that are often overlooked.
There are three items at Ledo's that have never failed to satisfy. The first is their turkey club sandwich. They make fresh turkey every day, and while it is the yummy centerpiece of their open-face turkey sandwich and turkey dinner, thickly sliced and obviously real home-cooking, in the simple club it shines. Toasted white bread, lots of crunchy bacon, iceberg lettuce and middling tomatoes, held together with lots of mayo, the total is pure bliss for anyone who appreciates a real club.
Second, the fried chicken dinner at Ledo's is a perfect version of Maryland style fried chicken. A simple coating of spiced flour and quickly fried, the result is hot, juicy and usually greaseless. My wife enjoys the chicken so much, she still orders it even though it isn't on the current menu. The kitchen staff runs next store to the Shoppers Warehouse and buys a half chicken to cook for her. Short of a trip to Holly's across the Bay bridge, it is perfect chicken. Fortunately, my wife's misguided sense of healthiness impels her to strip the meat of the crispy coated skin, allowing me the opportunity to help her meet the clean plate club requirements by enjoying the rejected portion of her meal. The chicken has been removed from the menu because not enough people order it, according to the manager, so if you love fried chicken, go to Ledo's and request it!
Third, Ledo's makes a hell of a meatball sub. The same red sauce and provolone that goes on the pizza is in the meatball sub, along with three large tasty obviously house-made namesake items. Served in a soft yet crusty sub roll, it might be the perfect version of this comfort food.
So, go beyond the pizza at Ledo's and you might be surprised. The waffle fries and onion rings are excellent, the chef's salads are huge and contain fresh meats and cheeses--and none of the frou-frou baby greens that pass for salad these days. Finally, Ledo's makes a great Lasagna, just as you would hope an italian restaurant would.
With the impending move to College Park from Adelphi, it is hard to know how much of the old retro charm will make the transition; let's hope the food stays the same. -
Review from C P.
Washington, DC
11/7/2010
Lead me to Ledo's!
I was in College Park with friends, and they took me to Ledo's for lunch. The space is full of light, with tall ceilings, and is quite larger than I initially thought. I had the lunch portion lasagna, which came with a house salad and a side of garlic bread. My side salad was actually quite large (a welcome change from other places that provide the tiniest rations of lettuce). I had the balsamic vinagrette which was fine, but next time I will order the honey mustard (which one of my friends had and was quite tasty).
My lasagna was terrific. The lunch portion was quite generous, and it came with a hefty portion of a rich, slightly sweet (but not overpowering) marinara sauce. The garlic bread was nicely toasted without being burned. My beverage came in a big enough glass that I did not gulp it down in one drink and then wonder if I could get a refill (I personally don't like places that give you beverages in glasses that resemble thimbles).
I would have given Ledo's 5 stars, if not for some service hiccups, which I attribute to new staff and growing pains. There was no silverware on the table and it did not arrive until after our salads were set down and we asked for them. Our server forgot about our garlic bread order. When we were seated, the host forget to bring menus with him. These are small things that in time I believe can be corrected. And to be clear, in no way did it effect the quality of the food itself.
I would happily lead the way back to Ledo's in College Park. -
Review from Khalib B.
Washington, DC
4/19/2010
Went here with the good company of several fantastic Yelpers. We feasted and I left stuffed and suprisingly still had damn near a whole pizza in my box to go. Outside of the company and the portion size unfortunately I wasn't to impressed with Ledo's.
I am no pizza snob but I just couldn't get into the crust or the general sloppiness of the Ledo's style 'za. I ended up having to eat it with a fork and it although the toppings were good, at points I felt like I was eating a slightly better version of a homemade supermarket pizza kit type pie.
The decor means crap to me as long as the food is good, but if you need to know Ledo's looks like a place you would take a little league team after a game, win or lose.
All in all I enjoyed the experience and was okay with the food but Ledo's has earned no special place in my heart. It will be sad to see such a revered local business go, but in all truth without any nostalgic attachment to the place you wouldn't be all that surprised. -
Review from MiC g.
Silver Spring, MD
12/2/2009
Anne Rice once talked about how New Orleans preserved its' history through neglect. There's no old town in New Orleans because the city isn't that different from when it began. They never bulldozed the old buildings, but just let them grow old.
That's a little bit of what has happened to this, the original, Ledo Restaurant. It sits, just down the road from U of MD,College Park in the same, little strip mall that sprang up in the mid 1950's. If you want to feel like you walked onto a set of Mad Men, then dine here. Old ACC football helmets hang over the bar. Pictures of past U of MD glories dot the walls. Old, once modern, wood booths line the walls. Small, modular, fake wood tables are geometrically spaced out on the dining room floor. Of course, the lighting is just a shade above foggy black.
I think it was due to a review that I had read, but I felt a pang for Ledo's to relive my college days. I remembered in those far away, carefree days of my friends raving about Ledo pizza. The first time I tasted it, I couldn't figure out why people salivated over the pizza. Even the kids from Jersey and Long Island loved it. I didn't get it. It was just an ok, greasy pizza. If I wanted great, greasy pizza - I could go home to Continental.
Then I heard that the original Ledo Restaurant would be moving to downtown College Park. I grabbed my daughter and said, "Let's get some pizza." I had to fight her tooth and nail, but eventually she relented.
The older, blue haired ladies seated us into our booth. Nothing had changed since my college days (or farther back than that), save the young, Indian waitress who took our orders. We got one cheese pizza and one sausage, green pepper, and onion. It had been a long time, but the reaction was just the same as I had a decade and a half ago....
um, ok. It's a bit greasy. A bit tangy. Not mind blowing. Nostalgic - yes. (I still prefer my Confidential for greasy pizza)
We paid up and left, as the middle aged, white folk, lunch crowd began to trickle into the restaurant. Is change good? Ledo's sits right next to a baseball field, that I have often seen filled with young, Indian men playing cricket matches. Most often, change is simply change. As we drove home, I wondered what would be taking the place of Ledo's.Listed in: Pizza, Pizza (and sometimes…
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Review from Deborah N.
Miami, FL
2/5/2009
This is the best pizza I've ever had, or expect to have.
Everything about the pizza here is perfect.
DO NOT FALL FOR IMITATION LEDO'S FRANCHISES, YOU WILL BE SEVERELY DISAPPOINTED.
I love it so much, it was the deciding factor in making a trip up to D.C. in the spring. An expense well worth making for another Ledo's experience. -
Review from Tracy V.
Mt Rainier, MD
4/27/2011
Canned mushrooms? Really? Look, I know Ledo's was founded in 1955, but we don't need mushrooms from Happy Days. The interstate highway's come a long way since then. Crust was also pretty pale and floppy, which wouldn't be that big a deal if the pizza were round, but with 2/3 of the pieces not having an edge, it meant stuff was slip-sliding away. DC has better pizza, but if you're a U of MD student without a car, I guess it meets BPQ (baseline pizza quality). Just skip the 'shrooms.
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Review from jen t.
Chicago, IL
9/25/2007 ROTD 1/16/2008
This pizza is greasy, cheesy, and delicious, and the toppings are fresh. They make cherry coke at the bar the way it should be. Four stars because sometimes my butt hurts the next day.
Don't ever go to LEDO'S the chain, just go to LEDO the restaurant. Completely different. -
Review from Judd L.
5/12/2011
This Ledo's is sort of pricey for lunch (12-15 pp) and if you do not get there early there will be a wait. I guess they had to make up for moving from their University location to this new space. One thing I hate about going to restaurants by the University is that you have to pay for parking. Carry quarters with you to feed the meters.
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Review from Cherry L.
College Park, MD
5/20/2007
This is the original Ledos. Like the other reviews I've written, this fantastic establishment is located in a seedy strip mall. What is with these strip malls in PG county?
Ledo's Pizza is distinctive. It's got a great flaky crust, like the previous reviewer noted, and a nice sweet robust sauce. The best thing about Ledo's Pizza, though, is the quality of its toppings. I love mushrooms on pizza, but I can't stand when places obviously do not use fresh mushrooms. All the toppings at Ledo's are the best quality. Our faves are mushrooms, thickly sliced pepperoni, and tomatoes.
This location also has a bar next door. I actually don't recommend sitting at the bar if you're a young woman and it's around dinner time. There are some pretty skeezy looking men in that bar who don't hesitate to eavesdrop or start conversation, so go with your friends and sit in the dining area.
The cheesesteaks are also delish. The calamari--stay away from! It's greasy, greasy, greasy! The toasted ravioli is good and better than the ones over in the Laurel location. The openfaced turkey sandwich is nothing to call home about.
Ledo's is a local legend. And, I think you get a discount on Wednesdays if you have your UMCP ID. -
Review from Jeff W.
10/29/2007
I finally got to go to Ledo's after much anticipation and was extremely disappointed. Service was abysmal, even after the initial rush when my table was one of 4 groups. Drinks were not refilled promptly, our pizza took at least 45 minutes and the appetizer of parmesan garlic bread was disgusting. Basically a pound of parmesan on white bread and thrown into a broiler. I could barely even eat it.
I was willing to overlook these flaws if the pizza was all that it was made out to be. When it finally arrived, it was hardly appetizing in appearance. The toppings were barely noticeable and didn't look anything like Miriam's picture. It was also completely covered in standing oil. I couldn't even see a crust anywhere. What crust was there was soggy and flimsy and not even sturdy enough to transport the 2"x2" mess of overproportioned cheese and underproportioned toppings (tomatoes, green peppers and hamburger) to my plate.
3 stars instead of 2 because they gave us a discount for the pizza taking so long and because the pizza sauce was excellent. Everything else was a mess though and well deserving of a 2. -
Review from Shawn M.
Washington, DC
9/1/2010 1 photo
I'll be the first to review Ledo's in its new location!
The Ledo restaurant opened at 4509 Knox Road in College Park on Friday, Aug 27, 2010. The brand-new interior is really nice and you can tell that they wanted to keep the character of the old location as best they could while building a nice, new restaurant.
I ordered a large, 8 topping pizza for $19.99 and it was amazing (this is two large trays - maybe 32 slices?). Even though they spent the money to build a new location, I don't think they raised their prices at all. I think my pizza was cheaper at the original Ledo restaurant than it would have been even at one of the chains. It seems like some of their items are a relatively better value than others though (Pizza is a good deal. $11 for a burger and fries is not a great deal).
The service was great and I like that they serve drinks in huge glasses so you never run out of diet coke or water.
For the first week or two, you might expect them to be out of a few toppings or ingredients and experience some other hiccups while opening a new location, but I think things will be going perfectly smoothly in no time.
I'm so happy we have the original Ledo restaurant in College Park! You can already tell that the restaurant is being embraced by students and residents alike. -
Review from Robert P.
Claremont, CA
Updated - 6/15/2008 4 photos
With some trepidation I again made a pilgrimage to the holy temple of pizza -- The Original Ledo Resteraunt [NOT one of the many chain-oids]! Afterall, nothing lasts forever.
Whew!!!
It was just as good as it's ever been. I *do* ask for my pizza to be made well-done, and I always order the "original"! Well...not always. One time in the 70's, I believe, I corrupted the blessed sacrament with pepperoni. FIE FIEon me!! [Pepperoni is for inferior pizzas -- that would be all the others.]
I wasn't the only pilgrim there, by the way. Although I got there at 11 am when they opened, there was a couple that preceeded me through the door. How do I know this? Well, they were exclaiming this to the waitress, and I was close enough to hear -- and they expressly wanted to mention that they live near a Ledo "branch" -- but, "it's not the same," they exclaimed.
This confirms my earlier review, but I've added three new pictures -- one being a shot of the very pizza I ingested in the holy of holies.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/27/2007
I first stepped inside -- after waiting in line for about an hour -- many many many decades ago , a… Read more »
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Review from Kool B.
San Francisco, CA
6/5/2011
Having spent my college years at the original location for Ledo's, I was a little skeptical about trying the new one. My fears were quickly allayed. The pizza is just as good as I remember. The franchise versions out there will never compare to the original.
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Review from Angela Z.
Baltimore, MD
12/2/2007
Ledo's Restaurant is a great place to get delicious, well-priced Italian food. The restaurant looks plain from the outside, and the decor inside isn't much, but they make up for it with great pizza and pasta. The service is alright, and in the several times I've been there, my server has always been friendly.
The pizza is a style all its own, with a crumbly crust, great sauce, and thick, melted cheese. The most interesting part is the shape - the pizza is rectangular and cut into squares, not slices (with the edge slices being everyone's favorite). If you're the kind that requires traditional presentation, this may not be the place for you as the pizza is served on plastic lunch trays.
Don't confuse this restaurant with the Ledo's Pizza chain. This place is much better and has a more cozy Italian feel.
If you're in the area, it's worth checking out. -
Review from Paul L.
Apopka, FL
5/29/2011
Mediocre pizza with below avg service ... and the canned mushrooms are horrible !!
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Review from Ron G.
Palo Alto, CA
12/10/2007
I grew up eating Ledo's pizza, so I am very biased. That said, the crust is wonderfully flakey with a hint of rosemary and the sauce is deliciously sweet. For me, it is the perfect pizza, the one that all others (including those in Rome) are measured against!
I've had family from back east bring it with them when visiting me in CA if that tells you anything. ;-)
You go to Ledo for the pizza, not the service, the atmosphere or anything else. It's all about the pizza! -
Review from Eric L.
District of Columbia, DC
2/19/2010
If you are a pizza purist Ledo's is not for you. Go away and seek out DC's imitations of NY's Ray, Famous Ray's, New Famous Ray's and Famous Ray's Famous Pizza. Don't expect to be able to fold and flip a slice like origami. If you're a Chicago Purist who thinks that every good pizza must be heavy enough to require a wheeled cart to get it to the table, again this aint the place. Ledo's does two things differently: the pie is square and the crust is flaky.
I have no idea why the pie is square but I suppose it makes sense. I've never gotten a pizza in a round box so I suspect somebody decided to maximize space. And most importantly there is more crust - sadly I had to think about my HS geometry before scribbling that down. If the crust around the edge is your favorite, consider this a bonus.
I also said that the crust is flaky. It is almost like a pastry dough without the sweetness. It's also got a bit more body but I think you get the point.
As for the restaurant, don't expect much for looks. The overall decor isn't decorative. I've been going since I learned to drive last century and the only thing that's changed is me. But no one goes for the decor.
We go for the pizza and I love it. It's different and tangy and just good. If you can walk in the door without preconceived ideas about what a pizza is or isn't you'll walk out with another spot on your favorite's list. -
Review from Kathy H.
Annapolis, MD
5/27/2008
Ledo style pizza will never be on Wolfgang Puck's menu - Thank Goodness for that!!!
This is the one and only ORIGINAL Ledo's! No other pizza tastes the same. I really think it's the "milluns & milluns" of pizzas baking in those ovens over the years imparting the very essence of our college days into every pizza...the crust, so thin and flakey, almost like A yeasty croissant style cracker, sweet succulent tomato sauce, house wine, heavenly memories, dates, study nights, cheap eats, staring into big brown/blue/green eyes...
....OH, sorry, I got caught up there for a moment.......
Anyway, I have been to Ledo's franchises from Frederick to Ocean City, trust me, there's no place like home. Go to the original. -
Review from Michelle S.
Takoma Park, MD
8/27/2009
I live near Ledos, and I love their pizza. If only it didn't take so long to get it. Friday night carryout: 50-60 minutes. Wednesday night dine in, about the same.
Crust is not always thin & crispy. Depends on who's cooking.
I prefer the pizza at the Ledos franchises, which may not be "authentic" but is consistently good. -
Review from Christina K.
Woodside, NY
6/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
Worst meal ever. Felt like I was served grease in a dish. Calamari was heavily breaded coated in grease, the garlic bread was stale this confirmed by our waiter. Could feel it sitting in my stomach. Add to all this there was dropped food on the hallway floor that no one no server no manager picked up, just sitting there getting walked on and spread all over the floor. Gaaaak
