DeSano Pizzeria Napoletana — Restaurant in Austin

To be clear, I’m writing this review based on now two separate delivery orders and as such, cannot speak to the service or atmosphere- but can definitely still speak to the quality of The food. So, it’s probably worth mentioning up front here that I am a pizza guy through and through, not only is pizza my favorite food and something I’m passionate and particular about, I’ve also spent multiple decades working in the industry and I am pretty set in my ways with regard to what I do and do not care for, and generally I have a pretty good idea whether I’m going to love or hate a new pie long before I try it. This, happened to be one of those very rare occasions when my expectations were proven way wrong, and I was left shockingly, pleasantly surprised. The pies are phenomenal, there’s little more I Can say to express any better how impressed I was with this delivery Neapolitana To my door. It was cooked, on both occasions, well, and how I’d expect it to be cooked. Thick, puffy, chewy crust with delicate leopard spotting and what im sure would have been delicately crispy around the bottom Outside edges coming straight from Oven to table- and not my apartment door- my expectations were appropriately tempered though. The center of the pie saw a thin and delicate, yet still chewy crust where the tomatoes and cheese pooled ever so slightly into the center- just as you’d expect of the real deal (this is often a point of contention for reviewers who expect a thin crispy crust through and through of their Neapolitan pie, and contrary to what they’ve been led to believe, this pooling of toppings toward the center like I’ve seen on all the pies I’ve ordered, is just precisely what I’d expect and I appreciate seeing it. A subtle, athentic touch and proof positive that they are building and maintaining a good fire and working their ovens well. The pies themselves….the tomatoes make me wanna cry they’re so good. Sure, just crushed San marzanos I suspect, but you know, they can have that effect. The toppings taste of high quality, pies are consistent one order to the next, and ordering regularly is totally not an issue with their lunch menu. Not to mention, I can order a limonata or Aranciata to wash it down…this is a combination that’s seriously right dead in the middle of my happy place.

Cannot recommend enough, but understand that if you’ve never had this style of pizza, remain open minded, and appreciate the insane flavors they are capable of putting together with relatively simple ingredients and combinations. Great pies, fully surpassing my expectations of ‘ok’ chain pizzeria pies at best, truly incredible.

Edit- to be fair sir, I believe my previous 4 star rating may have been due more to alprazolam and user error than a deliberate strike. I have corrected that, and hope to pop in for a pie soon....

Dasano Pizza: A Tale of Two Expectations Dasano Pizza, a local spot frequently praised by my girlfriend, held the promise of authentic, wood-fired Neapolitan goodness. After hearing endless raves, I finally decided to give it a try, ordering their classic Margherita. While the overall execution hinted at quality, a perplexing lack of key ingredients left me underwhelmed. Let's start with the positives. Dasano clearly understands the fundamentals of a good pizza. The crust boasted a beautiful, leopard-spotted char, indicating a proper high-heat bake. Both the bottom and top were evenly cooked, achieving that sought-after balance of crispy and chewy. The sauce, a vibrant red, tasted remarkably fresh. There was a bright, clean acidity that spoke of simple, well-chosen ingredients. However, the Margherita's defining characteristic – its simplicity – was where Dasano faltered. The classic trio of tomato, mozzarella, and basil was, in this instance, tragically imbalanced. While the mozzarella was plentiful and melted beautifully, the tomato seemed to be playing a supporting role, rather than the starring one. But the real culprit was the basil. Instead of the scattered, fragrant leaves expected on a traditional Margherita, a small, almost pitiful garnish of basil resided solely in the very center of the pizza. It was as if the chef had decided to create a basil-centric island in a sea of cheese and tomato. This resulted in a bizarre experience: The center was intensely basil-flavored. Where was the generous scattering of fresh basil that should have complemented every bite in my opinion? Where was the balanced distribution of tomato that would have created a harmonious flavor profile? These omissions were glaring, especially considering the otherwise solid execution of the pizza. While I can appreciate the quality of the crust, sauce and bake. Dasano Pizza clearly has the potential to deliver exceptional Neapolitan pizza. However, they need to pay closer attention to the balance and distribution of their toppings, especially on a classic like the Margherita. Until then, I remain unconvinced, and my girlfriend’s enthusiasm, while admirable, remains a mystery to...

So, I kept trying to like this place. The pizza is pretty good, reminds me of what I had in Italy more than any other pizza in Austin. However, the service is horrendous. I believe I've always seen a manager or someone who looks like they're in charge. I have been about 8 times and only once when they were busy. That is by design, I go at off peak times. Maybe that is why the staff is cranky and unhelpful? Today I went at 2pm (it's a Thursday.) The cashier was taking a large order on the phone. I did not interrupt, I only wanted a gift certificate. 7 other employees behind the counter saw me but gave no acknowledgment. I realize the chefs/cooks are not allowed to take over as chasier, but isn't that what a manager is for? Could they let the manager know I was there? The call took 3 to 4 minutes and the employee was rolling his eyes and getting huffy about the $193 order being placed. An old guy walked in 10 seconds before the cashier hung up the phone and the cashier chose to help him first. 2 years ago when the pandemic started and I first tried DeSanos an employee gave my kids a ball of their dough to play with while we waited. They were friendly and kind and even smiled. I've been at least six times in the last year and each time had rude service at the register. The time before this was in May when I placed a 4pm pick up order and wanted to buy 2 $25 gift certificates at the time of pick up. This time the female cashier was none to pleased. I had exact cash, didn't need change, or the attitude. I hope those who claim to have "good" to "excellent" customer service continue to have the same experience. Maybe I'm supposed to go at busier times to get better service? But if that is the case, I'd...