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Proto's Pizzeria Napoletana
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
39 reviews for Proto's Pizzeria Napoletana
Review Highlights
"The Ruby pie was fantastic, though."
(in 2 reviews)
"Patio seating is fun in the summer."
(in 8 reviews)
"...Ruby: Pesto, artichoke hearts, Kalamata Olives, and fresh..."
(in 3 reviews)
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39 reviews in English
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Review from Cameron M.
Boulder, CO
8/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
Our custom za: Ricotta, sausage, basil, tomatoes & garlic. Perfect after hiking or skiing! Super tasty. We designed this pizza after getting home from skiing at Breckenridge last year and think that Proto's need to make it a regular menu item. Our (my) suggested name: Jordan's Back From Breck Pizza.
We also had the peach salad special which featured a peach vinaigrette, feta cheese and of course, slices of peach. Perfect to split while splitting the Back From Breck za. -
Review from Rachael B.
Boulder, CO
8/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
I really like Proto's. This location is right up the street from my parent's house so we used to come in often. I was up in North Boulder lunching with Brittany and we decided pizza was the way to go.
We sat outside and ordered two tuscan salads (tuna, capers, red onion, tomato, olive oil and balsamic) and split a Proto Pie (sausage and basil).
Service has always been good at Proto's - my club soda was always refilled and they always bring out your pizza as soon as it comes out of the oven.
The salads here are just okay. I always order one because I love the combination of tuna, capers and onions but the lettuce is always the tough top parts of a head of romaine. I get that it's not a 'hearts of romaine' Caesar but a little more quality on the leaves here would be appreciated.
Our pizza came out and was, as usual, cooked perfectly. Hot, melty cheese, super thin, crispy crust and simple, tangy tomato sauce. Oh how I wish they would throw another handful of basil on there (I hate paying 1.50 extra for a few more leaves of basil....HATE it SO much that I refuse to do it).
Only 3 stars because of the quality of veggies, lack of basil and price. It's not cheap, that's for sure. But I am happy to spend $13 on a pizza every once in a while. The pies are consistently delicious.
Go during off hours - it gets PACKED and really freaking loud in there. -
Review from Brendan K.
Quincy, MA
2/5/2012
Best pizza in town, if you are from the east coast, this is the only spot you might find enjoyable, which is a few steps up from eatable (which Abo's can't even achieve)
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Review from Eli I.
Boulder, CO
1/9/2012
Good pizza but portions to small for the price.
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Review from Cathy B.
Boulder, CO
10/15/2010
I'm slowing trying all of the pizza places in town, and tonight was Proto's in North Boulder.
I called ahead and ordered a medium traditional with mushrooms & olives to go. The woman on the phone told me that their next "time available is...(pause)..." while I'm thinking dang, how long am I gonna have to wait to get pizza?! Then she finishes her sentence and says "...8:35 pm..." which happened to be 15 minutes from that point. Sweet!!
I got to the restaurant and my pizza was ready, yay! Glad I didn't order a small though - definitely not enough food for dinner for one hungry person, whereas the medium is enough with a slice or two left over. They should include the diameter of their pies on their menu.
Friendly staff - the hostess gave me my pizza with a smile, the bartender gave me a smile & a nod to acknowledge that she saw me waiting to pay, finished serving the drinks she was working on, then efficiently got me paid up and thanked me for coming. A busser wished me a good night on my way out.
The restaurant is a decent size for a neighborhood joint and pretty casual with some nice touches like outdoor seating at the bar.
Got home and opened the box. The crust was a little bland - I've had better and I've had worse, though some argue that the crust is supposed to be bland, that its purpose is to be a neutral delivery mechanism for everything on top. I think it could be a little more flavorful. However, I appreciated that there wasn't black char all over the bottom - char doesn't make the pie rustic, it makes the food taste dirty.
The sauce was super tasty - tomatoey and not too spicy, though it was a little sparse. It would have been nice to have the toppings or at least the sauce go a little closer to the edge of the pie, especially since the crust was just ok.
Overall, I think my experience with Proto's is really between 3-4 stars but I bumped it up to 4 because of the speed of preparation and friendly service. -
Review from Andrea G.
Longmont, CO
2/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is my favorite Proto's location. I have been to the Denver (Platte St) & Longmont locations as well. I love the drive to this location from Longmont - it's very pastoral. The neighborhood is nestled into the mountains, it's really pretty.
The food here is awesome also, of course, as all the locations are. Good quality ingredients, that thin, cracker-y crust, nom nom. I prefer their simple pizzas from the menu to the daily specials, usually, and the simpler the better. I never liked a thin crust pizza before I ate here, but they have converted me. And a pizza without meat? A total waste. That was before Proto's.
They also have a lovely patio area when the weather is nice, and the service has always been great. Definitely a place we take out of towners. -
Review from Ruth Y.
Boulder, CO
11/9/2011
I live in North Boulder and love this cool bar/restaurant for thin crispy pizza. It's always busy but no trouble yet getting served. They have a really cool bar and super people waiting on you. Their pizza is awesome!
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Review from Ryan L.
Boulder, CO
8/21/2011
Good stuff. My favorite: The Low Rider. Also, try their jalapeno oil. Yummy.
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Review from Ben S.
Boulder, CO
7/7/2011
Best pizza on the front range. Coming from a Brit who has spent over a year in Italia :-)
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Review from Yoyo T.
Brooklyn, NY
8/23/2010
This place is good, but expensive. I've been here two times and each time had good service and food. There's an outside seating area that is so nice in the summer.
The pizzas are thin and taste pretty good, but still doesn't match up to the place I used to grab a slice in NYC. But Boulder's lacking in good choices in the pizza department so I guess I should be happy there's this option. -
Review from Ali M.
Boulder, CO
If you like thin-crust pizza, this is your spot. Try one of the combinations on the menu (***Go for the Ruby: Pesto, artichoke hearts, Kalamata Olives, and fresh mozzarella***) or make your own. This is the kind of pizza you can actually feel good after eating.
Prices are reasonable, the ambiance is nice and cozy too. Have a glass of wine or an espresso. A Medium pizza and 2 cappuccinos was $20.
From 4-6 have really cheap drinks while you scarf down some $5 pizza-pies. -
Review from A S.
Boulder, CO
7/12/2011
Protos is amazing.
They were the first to bring real neapolitan style to Colorado 12 years ago, and they have remained true to their roots.
Pam Proto and her staff make you feel welcome and full.
Their crust is to die for. -
Review from Harmony O.
Boulder, CO
3/22/2008
The first time I tried Proto's it was the one in Longmont, and I didn't care for the minimalist portions, but was impressed with the quality of the food.
Quite some time after that, this Proto's appeared in Boulder's Holiday Neighborhood, very close to my office. Many people swear by Proto's and feel that they serve the best pizza in Boulder. I don't mind it really, and have dined here several times since Proto's came to Boulder.
The service is usually efficient and friendly. It's a bit too expensive considering the portions. The ingredients are good quality ingredients. It's not my favorite pizza place in town. I do enjoy their salads & their patio. A pleasant place to hang out in the cool, hip NoBo Holiday Neighborhood. -
Review from James W.
Boulder, CO
3/17/2009
I've dined in at Protos a handful of times since they opened in North Boulder 3-4 years ago, and taken pizza to go many many more times.
However, something changed in the quality of their crust a year or two ago... some friends think it may be the flour. I know it doesn't taste as good, and it's not as good as other thin crusts I've had (i.e. Marco's). Oh well. It's the only thin crust fancy-style pizza (a friend of mine calls it fou-fou pizza) I can call and pickup in 20 minutes in North Boulder = convenience. I usually quickly toast it again, to get rid of the "pizza box soggy" effect. They do use nice ingredients, though usually sparse on the toppings.
Even though their small restaurant is nice enough and service mostly pleasant and friendly, and I can walk there, I hardly eat there. As others have mentioned, the tab stings a little for just pizza. (If within a twenty or less of sushi, it's gonna lose out EVERYtime.) It's also on the noisy side and a local families place (lots of kiddos, sometimes better behaved than others). I find the atmosphere more pleasant mid-day, suitable for some visitors you may have in town or a mellow late lunch. Don't order the small individual size pizzas, though, they felt like a ripoff to me. Caesar salad can be nice, but that's not hard; desserts are ok, though, again, they seemed to be better in my memory.
Protos is nothing special (I think they used to be almost something special), but there if I need it (good for kids). Hey, they've expanded thru the Front Range and all the way to Boise. That says something, doesn't it? In the meantime, I'll wait for my outpost to get back on their pizza game. -
Review from Graham S.
10/29/2008
While I find the pizza to be delicious, and accommodating as you generally order your own, I can't say much about this place that would bump it above 3 stars.
My first complaint is the price, you're lucky to leave without spending $20 if you're having a drink and trying to leave full. The small pizza isn't enough to fill you up, which means order a bigger one or a salad.
Anyways, its tasty but too expensive for what you get. -
Review from Adam M.
San Diego, CA
7/28/2010
Great service and good pizza. My wife and I were in town for the weekend and we were craving pizza. I ordered a pizza that had bacon, meatballs and red onions and it was awesome. The bacon was crispy and it is hard to find places that put good bacon on pizza. I love bacon!
Salad was pretty average but if you make a good pizza that has bacon on it you will automatically get a pretty good review from me. -
Review from Nadeem A.
Union City, CA
2/22/2009
Another stop on the Boulder business trip food tour and a continuation of my search for the perfect cheese slice of pizza. T'was a cool little place, that was busy but not too busy. I got the Pizza Margherita, which was good but not great, and they had Pepsi (I'm all over that!). 90% of the time the conversation goes like:
- Waiter: Would you like anything to drink?
- Me: I'll have a Pepsi
- Waiter: We don't have Pepsi, I'll bring you a Coke.
- Me: No thanks, I'll have water.
*Waiter stares at me with an odd look and walks away.*
So, I'm always a bit surprised when a sit down restaurant has Pepsi, and most of times I think they'll just give me Coke thinking I won't know the difference. Ok, I'm a little picky about my Pepsi, so what??
Anyway, I agree with the others that this place is on the pricey side... and my search for the perfect cheese slice of pizza continues.Listed in: Boulder, CO
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Review from Fallon V.
Boulder, CO
7/24/2009
I finally made it to Proto's after hearing rave reviews about it for so long. It was all it was cracked up to be and then some!
My boyfriend and I had the week from hell and Friday is our pizza night. We usually order it, take and bake it, or make it ourselves. Seeing as I was such a bizzo all week, my boyfriend suggested date night instead of killing me in my sleep (I wouldn't have blamed him) to relax and blow off some steam. Not wanting to give up our pizza night we decided on this place.
Hands down the best service I've ever had. Believe it. And I'm a picky ex-server. Cole(our server) was super helpful in guiding us through the menu and made delish suggestions(clam pizza? yes, please.) Drinks were awesome and had fun locally inspired names.
The tab was surprisingly reasonable and food was awesome. Next time we have have a bad week this will definitely lift our spirits! -
Review from Matt C.
Boulder, CO
3/12/2008
Proto's is a great summer place.
Sit on the patio, watch the folks watching you from their condo patios across the street, have some pizza and a beer or wine or two, then finish with some gelato while the sun sets. -
Review from Amanda M.
3/2/2010
These Neopolitan pizzerias are all the rage in DC right now. I was curious to see what the western version would entail. Proto's pizza was solid, but it didn't come close to taking the top spot.
My friend and I came in at 8pm on a Thursday and found open seats at the bar. We were quickly served with drinks by a friendly bartender. We decided to split two small pizzas, the Atomica (Mozzarella, tomato sauce, garlic, oregano, red pepper, black olives and Italian sausage) and the Ruby (Pesto, mozzarella, feta cheese, kalamata olives, artichoke hearts) for $9 each.
I was a bit disappointed by the Atomica; this same exact pizza is offered by a DC pizza joint (Pizzeria Paradiso) and based on my experiences there, I was expecting something much better. The olives on the Proto version tasted like they were straight out of a can, and the sausage wasn't spicy enough for my taste. The Ruby pie was fantastic, though. It was packed with great flavor and I loved the pesto sauce. The crust on both pizzas wasn't my favorite; it was not particularly flavorful and a bit too thin/crunchy - but I realize that a lot of people like very thin crust pizza, so it comes down to personal preference.
The bill came to around $35 (tip included) for two pizzas and two drinks - not inexpensive. It's a cute location though, with nice staff. I'd come back here occasionally if I lived in Boulder. -
Review from Meghann L.
Denver, CO
7/16/2010 1 Check-in Here
I found Proto's while I was in Boulder for the first time about a month ago... I was meeting up with a photographer friend to help him out with a shoot he was doing.... Starving and about an hour early for the shoot I started wandering around.. This review is tricky as the joint itself was a very clean spot and the menu choices were pleasing... My problem comes with the arrogant staff and the prices...
I walk in and ask the guy behind the bar for a menu... Seemingly annoyed he points to them in a basket back at the front door.. Okkkkk, so I grab one and browse through it. As always I ask what's the most popular.. His response "Everything"... A little taken back by this and quite frankly, wanting to smack the waiter in the face with the menu I order and wait... and wait... and wait.... The restaurant wasn't busting at the seams with hungry people demanding their pies, there was only one family, but the wait was incredibly long and the staff seemed to make it a point to avoid the patrons.. I did eventually get my pizza and to be honest with you, it was phenomenal.... But I can't get the attitude of the workers out of my head...
My advice, try Proto's but avoid this location and try another! -
Review from Steven W.
Spring, TX
1/17/2011
Very good thin crust pizza. I particularly liked the White pie. Kind of expensive for such a small pie, but appeals to the trendy crowd in Boulder.
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Review from Kia Z.
Beverly Hills, CA
9/26/2010 1 Check-in Here
Excellent thin crust pizza and a nice but casual atmosphere and good outdoor seating. Staff is also friendly, attentive, and helpful.
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Review from Anne C.
New York, NY
7/17/2010
I went to Proto's with a group of 4 for lunch a few weeks ago when I was in Boulder visiting family. The service was quick and friendly. They let us move inside from outside when it started raining and made the move easy for us. The Ruby Pie (Pesto, mozzarella, feta cheese, kalamata olives, artichoke hearts) was deeelicious! Definitely would go back next time I'm in Boulder (and in the mood for pizza).
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Review from Laura S.
Boulder, CO
12/1/2010
Have you eaten at Pizzeria Ai Marmi in Rome? No? Well, this is the next best thing, at least in Boulder. Excellent, though pricey, thin crust 'za. We go on Fridays for the special clam pizza (red, though staff will recommend white) and a caesar salad (served with white anchovies, yum). Service is competent and professional, always a pleasant surprise in this college town. They have a respectable, though changing, beer list too. If they only had a brasseola-and-arugula option, I might never feel the need to go to Rome again.
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Review from Bill Z.
Boulder, CO
11/6/2010
I live in the neighborhood and I used to go to Proto's on a regular basis. No longer, there are better and less expensive options less than a block away now... Try Bacco or O Pizza nearby...
I think the pizza is good and consistently prepared. The portions end up being quite small, especially the small pizzas which are microscopic. The menu is limited; this restaurant is really just a two trick pony -- salads and pizza. You really can't get anything else here. Forget the "panini" it's just a hunk of dry pizza dough for almost five bucks. Criminal...
The primary reason to stay away from this place are the phenomenally high prices. The pizza is over $25.00 a pound by weight. Two people with salads, medium pizzas, and a drink could easily top out at $75.00.
Puh-leese... Go back to Naples... -
Review from John O.
1/20/2008
Average tasting thin crust pizzas with an abundance of toppings available. A handful of salads are on the menu for starters. I tried a spinach salad special that was pretty bland. Only two beers are available on tap unfortunately.
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Review from Kevin G.
Boulder, CO
2/18/2007
Pizza is very good. Patio seating is fun in the summer. I've enjoyed eating there. And so one day I ordered some pizza to go. The big pies were $20 each. And so wow, I learned that if you sit down at happening neighborhood restaurant and have a $20 dollar pizza, it's apparently no problem. When you want the same pizza as take-out, it's a bit shocking. And for some reason, it also doesn't taste as good once you get home.
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Review from Ryan V.
Boulder, CO
3/28/2010
This place is fine if you like paying sushi prices for pizza. Can we get an abo's up here please??
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Review from Nick R.
Boulder, CO
Updated - 11/4/2008
Jonathan G.**, GM of Proto's, contacted me a few weeks ago to address my review and to apologize for my experience. His diligence, genuine apologies, and insistence that my experience wouldn't be repeated has given me renewed faith.
He also specifically address 3 points in my above review:
- He claims that he pineapple IS fresh, but is intentionally cut very small. Given this, my own perceptions may have been influenced less by the size/flavor any than by my overall experience.
- He also claims that he Prosciutto is extremely salty, and the server should have warned me.
- As per the rest, he's addressed the staff members in question and promised that such performance wouldn't occur again. Also, he offered to speak with me personally should I wish on my next visit.
Given this, I am more likely to try Proto's in the future. The review as written still stands, but I will most definitely revise it should I visit again and the service improve.
**DISCLAIMER - Jonathan G. is one of the reviewers listed for his own restaurant, and "reviewed" it on 10/11/08.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/16/2008
We waffled on where to go to dinner recently, and after some discussion decided to give Proto's a… Read more »
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Review from GA S.
Mendocino, CA
3/17/2009
After 3 dining experiences at Protos, I'm sold. Casual, great pizza, salads, desserts, and drinks. Clam pizza was excellent but did not think the clams were flown in fresh from the East Coast. My ice cream was melted (the freezer had fried), if so, comp the ice cream, it's gonna be trash in a few hours anyway. Other than that great service and nice to be able to sample wine specials and special pizzas.
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Review from Clare G.
Boulder, CO
6/20/2010
This place is always really quick with pizza. We went last night and sat outside. The patio was crowded but the service was great. Make sure to tell them if you don't want sardines on your ceasar salad.
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Review from Sam M.
San Francisco, CA
8/20/2009
I love Proto's. It's a bit pricy but the style and quality of the the pie can't be beat in this area. The clam pizza isn't that great though. I tried it once and I was quite unimpressed. Stick with the prosciutto or sausage. The only pizza I'll eat around here is Proto's and Abo's.
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Review from Ben C.
Boulder, CO
11/1/2008
Good thin crust pizza with a nice selection of toppings. There is a variety of seating (bar, inside/outside), and the patio is great during spring/summer/fall - they have heat lamps. They always have a few good beers on draft. Negatives that the prices are on the high side for the amount of food and there is not much beyond pizza and salad.
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Review from nick w.
Boulder, CO
11/5/2006
Excellent super thin authentic Italian pizza. Great selections, friendly folks. If you're hungry in NoBo, this is your stop.
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Review from Ash S.
Boulder, CO
3/22/2011
Protos has been making true pizza since 1999. It's amazing. It is the best pizza we have ever eaten. Really. The cannolis are rich and creamy . They have a full bar and beautiful patio. The owner is a great supporter of many many non profits.
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Review from Jalene S.
Chicago, IL
5/26/2009
Great thin crust - I had the caprese. The have a good vodka lemon drink. The patio is great to sit outside when the weather is nice. Easy location to park in Nobo and places to tie up the dog. If you like spicey, ask for the hot oil - olive oil infused with hot peppers - yum!
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Review from Jerri J.
Denver, CO
2/20/2010
Way overpriced for what it is. Dinner consisted of 2 salads, 2 medium pizzas and 2 beers for $50. At this price, I expect the food to be excellent and it just wasn't. I moved from Denver to Boulder recently and I miss Il Vincino, I was really hoping Proto's could fill the void, but unfortunately it was no where near the level of Il Vincino's. The pizza crust was too cracker-like for my tastes and the toppings were sparse. The service was really good, but way too many kids running around unattended for my liking.
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Review from Scott G.
Boulder, CO
2/11/2010
Good though overpriced and pretentious.
