Nice outdoor seating area. Staff was obviously working hard, some folks who are online reviewing need to be a bit more understanding of how hard it must be to open a restaurant during the Covidpocalypse. Some decent beer choices.
The pizza was the highlight. It's difficult to find good thin crust pizza in South OC. You've got some great deep dish options in Rance's and Selma's (Chicago Pizza Pie style) but thin crust is tougher to find. A lot of places serve kind of what I'd call "medium crust" ... it's overly doughy. May be good, but not what I think of as "thin crust." Sgt. Pepperonis nails that salty, slightly garlicy overpowering cheesiness that's ESSENTIAL for good thin crust pizza. Simplicity is king. Delicious pizza, I'd return whenever I'm in the mood. I can't stress enough what a welcome breath of fresh air this is for South OC pizza, as I can't think of any other thin crust pizza in the area even close to this delicious. My kids loved it as well and named it their new fave.
Now, the not so good.
We had wings and meatballs and both were big time losers. This is a fairly expensive restaurant and the quality of the wings and meatballs was not acceptable. The guy at the counter told me the meatballs were "homemade," Bulls**t. Or, if they are homemade, they mastered the art of making homemade meatballs that taste like they are frozen and mass-produced in the midwest. I was also told they were "big" meatballs. Again, not true. $10.50 for the appetizer consisting of three mild-sized, largely tasteless meatballs is absolutely ridiculous. Peppinos, the sorely missed SquareX, North Italia ... somehow these places manage to have meatballs literally 10x better at lower per-meatball prices.
Similar story with the wings. First, I think they messed up the order and made BBQ wings that they then doused in buffalo sauce to try to "fix." Second, the quality of the wings is what I expect buying a frozen bag in a grocery store. Just terrible wings. There are multiple restaurants within a five mile radius that serve EXCELLENT wings and they're going to charge $7.50 for six tiny, probably microwaved wings? Ugh.
I'd come back for the excellent pizza, and I'm sure I will, but as far as I can tell the rest of the menu needs a complete overhaul on pricing and...
Read moreI want to take a moment to highlight the exceptional service provided by Ki, who is truly an invaluable member of this establishment's team. From the moment we walked in, Ki greeted us with a warm and genuine smile that set the tone for an outstanding experience. One particular moment that stood out was when a fresh pizza we had ordered was slightly delayed due to the high volume of takeout orders. Ki immediately approached us, explained the situation with genuine care and attentiveness, and reassured us that it was being taken care of. His calm and proactive communication turned what could have been a frustrating situation into a positive and appreciated experience. It’s rare to see someone handle challenges with such grace and professionalism! Ki’s unwavering friendliness, attentiveness to customer needs, and seamless teamwork were evident throughout our visit. He creates an inviting atmosphere that reflects his evident pride in his job and the restaurant. Even during peak times, Ki remained attentive and ensured that the operations ran smoothly, leaving no detail overlooked. It’s clear Ki is committed to delivering top-tier service, and his balance of professionalism and friendliness is truly admirable. We left impressed not only by the food, but by how much of a positive impact Ki made during our time there. He sets a high standard of excellence for customer service, and I sincerely hope management recognizes what a valuable asset Ki is to the team. Thank you, Ki, for going above and beyond and for making every visit feel special. We can’t...
Read moreIf you're looking for a slice of heaven, or should I say, a slice of pizza, then Sgt. Pepperoni is the place to be. Now, I have to warn you, it's not exactly the cheapest joint in town, but trust me, it's worth every penny. Picture this: a thin crust that's crispier than your Aunt Mildred's burnt toast, topped with the most divine combination of flavors. It's like a party in your mouth, and everyone's invited! Even your taste buds will be dancing the Macarena.
Now, I've been around the block when it comes to pizza, and let me tell you, Sgt. Pepperoni takes the cake... or should I say, the pie. It's hands down the most delicious New York style pizza I've ever sunk my teeth into. And I've been to Orange County, so that's saying something!
But it's not just the pizza that's amazing. No, no, my friend. The folks at Sgt. Pepperoni are super friendly. I mean, they're so friendly, you'd think they were long-lost relatives coming to a family reunion. They'll greet you with a smile so big, you'll forget all your worries. And the clean environment? It's so spotless, you could perform surgery on a pizza there. Not that you'd want to, but hey, it's an option!
So, if you're in the mood for a pizza that will make your taste buds do the tango, and if you want to be treated like royalty by the friendliest pizza-loving people around, then make your way to Sgt. Pepperoni in Aliso Viejo. It's a pizza paradise that's worth every bite. Just be prepared to part with a few extra bucks, because this pizza party...
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