Librettos Pizzeria — Restaurant in Charlotte

In Ballantyne is a delightful secret nestled within Libretto's Pizza—a ghost kitchen by the name of Junior's NYC Deli. It was an Instagram post, a visual siren's song of a Cuban sandwich that first beckoned me, only to find myself further enchanted by the allure of a house-smoked pastrami Reuben sandwich. Unable to resist, I marked my calendar for a weekend lunch escapade.

I boldly ordered both the Cuban and the Pastrami Reuben. Yes, both! Half of each was thoughtfully boxed to prolong the gastronomic joy into the evening. For those whose appetites wander to different cravings, fear not, for the Italian embrace of NY-Style pizza and dishes stands ready to satisfy. And for those in pursuit of libation, a full bar awaits.

The Cuban sandwich, priced at an inviting $13, was a masterclass in sandwich craft. The house-baked Cuban bread, lovingly baked with bacon fat, cradled house-roasted mojo pork, ham, mustard, pickles, and Swiss cheese—a press sealing the deal. This, my fellow foodies, is the Cuban sandwich of my dreams. The mojo pork moist & tender, the Swiss cheese a gooey delight, and the balance of mustard and pickles, a harmony of flavors that danced in my mouth.

Next up, the house-smoked pastrami Reuben, at $14, a spectacle on thick slices of house-baked sourdough rye bread. Each element, from the buttery crispy sourdough rye to the savory thousand island dressing, melded with the Swiss cheese and, in my case, sans sauerkraut. The pastrami, oh the pastrami, smoked in-house to a level of perfection that would make NYC delis weep with envy. Mike Libretto, the maestro behind the curtain, has channeled the essence of NYC's Sarge's Deli into every bite. And for the insatiably hungry, a mere $5 promises a double mountain of meat, though I found the standard serving more than ample.

Ease of access? Check, with parking aplenty and free. Comfort? Assured, amidst a dining area that welcomes with open arms. My visit, at the peak of Saturday's leisurely hours, found the place abuzz with satisfied patrons. The soundtrack? A soothing blend of Norah Jones, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Jack Johnson that serenaded the dining experience.

Savannah, the ambassador of Junior's/Libretto’s at the order counter, navigated the menu with an expertise that was both impressive and reassuring. And Mike, the visionary behind this culinary haven, radiates a pride in his offerings.

Support this beacon of local business, and treat yourself to a meal that resonates with the soul seeking Cuban and Reuben sandwich...

I picked up a large pie there on 7/17/20. We have eaten there a handful of times over the last couple of years.It has never blown me away, but is "OK". However, what caused me to take the time to write a review is my concern for the health and safety of all of us. First on the positive, the pizza was good, (but a long way from great). As for Covid-19 safety, there is a big sign on the front door about masks, which makes a good first impression. Unfortunately, in my observation and opinion, it all stops with the sign (and the hand sanitizer on the wall as you leave. Again on the positive, On the kitchen side, the employees all had masks on...thats a positive. But, on the bar side, NO ONE... patron or employee/bartender had a mask on and they are giving each other high 5s and clearly NOT adhering to any social distancing or any other preventative measures. Their sign says you must have a mask on moving around the restaurant, but NO ONE is enforcing that, people are walking in and out without masks. People are going in and out to smoke (really nasty if you ask me), going to the restroom, basically generally ignoring any safety protocol. There was a guy, who looked like he might be the owner or manager, who was drinking with a table at the bar and then was in behind the bar, like he owned it, no mask, hugging, high 5 ing...no thank you! Not in this day and time. If that is what you are looking for, I would suggest go to Myrtle Beach! Plus, as I stood there waiting for me pizza, which took about 10 mins longer than they told me on the phone, the place just looks tired and dirty, like its not well cared for. Again, its not horrible.... but there are WAY TOO MANY good pizza places in south Charlotte, that I do not have to wonder about the sanitation and getting the Covid-19 to get a good...

In response to previous review: Wow. What a way to respond as the owner. Thank you for taking the time to respond to my review. However, I feel it’s important to address the tone and content of your reply. As a paying customer, my concern wasn’t about the popularity of your pizza but about the lack of professionalism in handling my experience.

It’s understandable that a busy restaurant may run out of certain items, but dismissing a reasonable inquiry about availability and responding with rudeness is not the way to build trust or loyalty. A simple acknowledgment of the situation and an effort to improve the process for future customers would have gone a long way.

The quality of your food may bring people in, but consistent and respectful customer service is what keeps them coming back. I hope my feedback encourages reflection on how such interactions are handled moving forward. (See previous review for reference)

Previous Review: I just called to place a pick up order and was told by a young man named Tucker that they were out of cheese pizza and that he could not tell me what kind of pizza was still available because he was too busy. At 8pm on a Monday night to be told by staff that you are too busy to serve in the service business is absurd. Especially for a business establishment in my neighborhood (Ballantyne)...