Cowabunga+ — Restaurant in Hamilton

Came all the way from Toronto to try this place. We waited in line for a long time only to show up at the front to see there were stairs inside—I’m a wheelchair user ♿️. I then had to turn around, leave the line, and awkwardly wait on the side while my partner stayed in line for us. It was humiliating to say the least. Luckily, once he got inside, he spotted an alternative barrier-free entrance. I went around the corner and entered the building; it was packed and no one greeted me. I figured maybe you had to seat yourself but the only available table was near the front entrance and it was impossible for me to get to due to the tight seating arrangement and crowd. To paint a picture, a walking, able-bodied person would even struggle to get through so my wheelchair definitely didn’t fit. I anxiously waited for 5-10 minutes before I decided to ask a kind couple sitting near me if I could have their table as it was literally the only viable option for me. Thankfully they agreed and I situated myself, followed by waiting another 15-20 min where no one greeted me or took my order down. Meanwhile, my partner eventually meets the front of the line at the other entrance and is told to seat himself where he then joined me. (He stayed in line this whole time just in case he got served before me). Still, no one came to us. One server even looked our way but didn’t come towards us. My partner then had to go physically find someone. They eventually took our order and later, still didn’t return with the water they promised so we had to ask for that again.

While I can understand lunch hour is typically busy and chaotic, I just wished there was more attentiveness for new customers arriving, and more mindfulness of other types of people who go out of their way to experience your food and business. If I can give some suggestions, please have some wayfinding signs to guide people towards your accessible entrance and how ordering dine-in vs takeout works. If we had seen that, that would’ve saved us a lot of time waiting. And please consider reserving a table like the one I sat at for people in wheelchairs or with strollers as that was the most spacious and least in the way of other customers. If that kind couple said no to giving me their table, where would I go? I know I won’t be the only one who will need that kind of accommodation when dining in.

Overall, the whole experience was confusing and neglectful as someone in a wheelchair but the food was decent so maybe getting take-out...

Cowabunga+ in Hamilton, Ontario, has made waves on the global stage by winning the World Champion Best Cheese Slice of 2024. That accolade, proudly displayed on their wall, immediately puts the pizzeria in the spotlight. Naturally, I had to try it for myself, eager to see if it lived up to the hype. However, I must preface my review by noting that I opted for slices rather than a fresh pizza straight out of the oven. Pizza quality is highly dependent on freshness, and this may have impacted my experience.

We ordered two slices: the award-winning cheese pizza and the “1up” pizza. Cowabunga+ is known for its sourdough crust, which typically delivers a shatteringly crisp texture with a slight chew. Unfortunately, the crust on my slice had lost its charm, feeling lackluster and past its prime. Instead of the signature crispiness one might expect, the crust leaned toward mediocrity—perhaps an unfortunate byproduct of sitting in a display case.

The cheese pizza had its strengths, particularly the tomato sauce. It was reasonably well-balanced, leaning slightly acidic but rounded out with hints of sweetness and herbs, most notably oregano. The cheese, however, was underwhelming. I expected the kind of texture that creates contrast: crunchy edges encasing a molten, stretchy interior. Instead, it was serviceable but far from world-beating, lacking the exceptional quality I’d hoped for from a title-winning slice.

The “1up” pizza was a creative offering with truffle cream, honey, chili flakes, and white truffle. Unfortunately, it fell short of expectations. The truffle flavor was prominent, but the sweetness from the honey overpowered the other elements. A touch more salt could have provided balance, and the chili flakes were so mild they were almost undetectable, leaving the pizza feeling one-dimensional. What should have been an exciting interplay of sweet, spicy, and umami flavors felt muted and flat.

That said, I want to emphasize the importance of freshness when evaluating pizza. A freshly baked pie might have told a very different story, and I would love to return and give it another chance. Based on this experience, though, I’d give Cowabunga+ a 3.75/5. There’s potential here, but for now, I’d reserve judgment on whether it truly deserves the title of...

Cowabunga Pizza has carved out a name for itself in the GTA’s pizza scene, and after a few visits, I can see why it has its fans. It has a fun, laid-back vibe that feels very approachable, and the pizzas are definitely good, but for me personally, they don’t quite hit the same level as the very best. Still, if you’re in the area and craving a solid pie, Cowabunga is definitely worth a stop. The crust is the first thing I noticed: it’s got a nice chew and decent blistering, though not always as consistent as I’d like. Sometimes it comes out just right, other times a little heavier than expected. The toppings are fresh and thoughtfully chosen, but the balance of sauce, cheese, and crust isn’t always perfect, at its best, it’s really enjoyable, but at its weakest, it leaves you wishing for a little more refinement.

Here are my ratings for the pizzas I’ve tried so far:

Cheese Pizza – 8.14/10: A good slice overall, with a solid crust and decent cheese pull. Flavor-wise, though, it doesn’t stand out much compared to other top spots. It’s satisfying, but not memorable.

GG Pizza - 8.29: A small step up from the cheese. The toppings add a bit more character and flavor, giving it more personality and making it a more enjoyable option overall. Still, while tasty, it doesn’t quite reach that “must-have” tier.

Margherita – 8.93/10: Definitely their strongest offering. The tomato sauce is bright and flavorful, and the basil adds a nice freshness. It comes together nicely, though still just shy of that transcendent “wow” factor that the very best Margheritas deliver.

Overall, Cowabunga makes good pizza, sometimes very good, but not the BEST pizza. Compared to my go-to. It feels like it’s missing that final level of precision, depth of flavor, and consistency. That said, it’s a fun, reliable spot if you’re nearby, and it’s clear they put care into what they’re doing. If you’re looking for a casual pizza night and want something tasty, Cowabunga will do the trick. The staff is very friendly and the...