Papa Vito's Pizza Downtown — Restaurant in Belleville

I cant tell you how surprised l was when l visited yesterday, around 12.30pm! I saw a couple of tables, by the wall, with customers that appeared to be enjoying their lunch break, but it didn't look too busy. As we waited to be seated we reviewed the menu. Oh my gracious, everything looked good, but nothing could've prepared me for the experience that awaited me. On our way to be seated we were lead around the corner to a lively, larger dining area; the only table that was empty was the one we were led to. As we passed we noticed the portion sizes, LARGE! We chose to share the Toasted Cannelloni (Hand-cut cannelloni filled with beef and pork  and coated with batter. Finished with seasoned breadcrumbs) and Vito's Garden Salad (Generous serving of iceberg and romaine lettuce topped with cheese, mushrooms, green peppers, red onions, tomatoes, pepperoni, bacon bits and croutons) [generous is not the word, think almost the size of an olive garden salad]. The salad's veggies were crisp and juicy. I built a 9" pizza with Chicken, Red Onions, Green Peppers, Mushrooms, Black Olives, Tomatoes, and Banana Peppers. Even with all of the veggies the thin crust was still crispy. It was delectable -I ate the whole thing. He got the MAMA'S CLASSIC MEATBALL. Fresh homemade meatballs, marinara sauce and provel cheese, on crunchy chewy French bread. Everything was amazing! We couldn't stop complementing the food, or our waiter Luke! He was running around like his pants were on fire, but made the effort to stop by 3 times to make sure everything was ok. I can't wait...

I didn't want to do this review because I typically try to not review bad experiences. However I felt I needed to do it because this place is high rated and I dont think they deserve it. It used to be a school. The atmosphere is amazing. It's un like any other run of the mill restaurant. I give it a 10 out 10 for atmosphere. Heads up you may have to park across the street as it is downtown I was fortunate enough to get a space in front. We were greeted and some time passed as the staff seemed confused. We were seated and our waitress was super friendly. We got apps. The toasted ravioli is embarrassing. For an Italian restaurant in the saint louis area to serve frozen toasted ravioli. Is just disgusting. The table next to us sent theirs back. The garlic bread was bread with cheese. No garlic. The wings were good but my daughter asked for buffalo dipping sauce and got ranch. The salads portion is very generous. One salad is good for 3 people. The amount of toppings on the pizzas was very generous as well. Although I had to get up from my table and walk to the wait station to get a jar of parmesan cheese. All of our drinks ran beyond empty and I was on the verge of going to the drink station to refill them myself. After coming home and looking at reviews the issues i experienced seemed common place. This wasn't an employee shortage issue. This is a training issue. I'd like to think a business that's been around this long would have mastered its craft. If this was your first year or even third I would given you second chance. But my family will not...

Papa Vito's is usually so delicious we go there on a regular basis and my spouse and I usually get the garden salad and share it along with an entree. Today something was off in the salad and we believe it was the pepperoni there is a taste on the back of our tongues that will not go away even with anything you try to wash it down with. We picked most of the pepperoni out I had stated maybe they changed suppliers or it is bad. My spouse brought it up to our waitress when he went to pay and she smiled and said she doesn't really eat pepperoni but she would bring it up to the kitchen. So when we got home I called up there and asked who the manager on staff was and they said brittany. Brittany got on the phone and lo and behold she was our waitress. She said she went back to the boys in the kitchen and asked them about the pepperoni and again stated she doesn't eat pepperoni and they said it was fine. I asked if they changed suppliers and she said no and said they had a busy lunch crowd and no one complained. Hello yes someone inquired it was us. She said sorry about that. That was it. I'm sure it will be awhile before we go back there if that is the customer...