Bruno's Pizza — Restaurant in Clifton

Well, we really do like the pizza from this place. It's delicious and tasty! We have ordered from here many times and have even eaten there. But, today we part ways with Bruno's because of the owner's attitude. We originally started ordering from them when I read an article in a magazine that they were in the top 10 of pizza places in NJ. But, I also remember clearly the very first time we ordered from them - when we gave our address we were quickly told they didn't deliver to Paterson (you will see later in my review why I explain this). I explained that we lived right on the boarder with Clifton so they accepted to deliver. That was two years ago. Tonight I ordered a sausage pie and a pepperoni pie. I was told they were very busy and it would take an hour before they would deliver. I said ok - no problem. Pizza came and we paid for it. Husband takes the boxes to the kitchen. When I see the pizza I realized they had delivered the wrong pizzas to us. I immediately go looking for the delivery guy since he had just delivered it and thought he might still be outside. He was gone. So, I call the place and get to speak to who I believe is the owner. I explained we had received the wrong pies and if the delivery guy could come back to pick it up. He rudely goes on to tell me how he had us down for a plain pie (the other one looked like some kind of Sicilian pie) and that that's what he had us down for. I went on to explain that I knew very well what I had ordered. After a second of going back and forth about what I had ordered and what he had us down for, he went on to comment about them being busy and that someone must have made a mistake. I asked about the delivery guy coming back and he told me that they are not in the business of picking up the pizza that I would have to take them back. Ok, so I said ok, I would take them back. We had already put in another order which would again take another hour to deliver because they were short a driver. When I called them back I had requested they cancel the second order. Anyway, when I get there with the boxes, I said "hi" no response from the "owner", he went to the register and quickly gave me my money. As I was leaving I APOLOGIZED (no apology from him) and said that I understood that they are busy but that wasn't what I ordered. He asked "ok, but why return the pizza?" I said "because that's not what I ordered and I want to eat what I ordered" (I think to myself "how would he like it if he went to a restaurant and ordered the best steak and he gets the wrong steak? Would he be happy? Would he just eat the steak he didn't order?" I don't think so) I continue to walk away when he says "we aren't delivering to Paterson anymore." I said excuse me, see that's your problem - that it's because it's Paterson - that is your. mentality" - I live in Paterson but, I live on the border of Clifton - just because I live in Paterson doesn't mean I live in the ghetto" (I hate when people think so ignorant - yes, Paterson has a bad reputation but not all of it is bad). He continue to say some other things and I just kept walking away and said yeah, ok, right, goodbye, whatever." I don't know what his problem was tonight because when we've gone there everyone has always been very nice. Probably he can't handle it when they are too busy and short a driver. But, that's no way to treat a customer. So, for this reason alone we part ways with Bruno's - don't need to deal with the boss' lousy attitude - Mr. Bruno was rude and arrogant - we are not their only customers but they are not the only pizza place around either. So yes, we give it a one star for the boss' attitude. We are very...

It is really easy to accidentally bypass Bruno's - it's one of several storefronts in a nondescript strip mall right off 46 West. Despite living five minutes away, I didn't end up stopping by until Bruno's was featured as one of the top 100 pizza places in the country (I THINK it was the Daily Meal's list from a few years ago, but I could be mistaken). The chum I brought wasn't as enthused as I was, but she also made it clear at the time that she doesn't like sauce-dominant pizza. I suspect it was also an act of defiance after having to go to 50 other places with me because they happened to be on a random list, but I can't confirm that.

My usual pizza preference is unapologetically snobby. I love Neapolitan, wood-fired pizza and rarely frequent the more blue collar, few-bucks-a-slice restaurants (when I lived in the city, I never went to Ray's, for instance). This is a deserved exception to the rule. It's no frills, affordable, tasty pizza. I always get the plain square Sicilian slices. As previously alluded to, the star of this pizza is the sauce - it's got a nice little zip to it, and it manages to be thick without having tons of chunky, crunchy shizzle in it, like bits of tomato slices, onions, etc., which is a palate pet peeve of mine. The cheese is decent but as a supporting cast member doesn't need to be more than that. The crust/dough is very solid, though sometimes a LITTLE chewier/doughier than I'd prefer (I like a nice crispness to a Sicilian slice).

The staff is always efficient and excellent. Most of the time the counter is manned by older Italian guys who know their craft and can ably juggle multiple tasks at once without sacrificing the customer service.

Are there better pizzas in the area? In my opinion, yes, but I think this one has the best bang...

If I could put a lower rating I would. I ordered a Caesar salad, a Stromboli a pizza and garlic knots. I have worked in pizzerias restaurants and delis before. The pizza was greasy which I get can happen but all the cheese was all over the box and it didn’t even look like a pizza. The Caesar salad had peppers, which isn’t what usually comes on those salads. And while I was waiting for thirty minutes the older bald man was too annoyed at how the five calls came in and he was “too busy”. During a pandemic with the law you should be wearing masks and gloves. His mask was held under his chin and he wore no gloves. Took my Stromboli in both hands to the counter to cut it. Upon asking about his gloves he said he doesn’t need them because he washes his hand after he touches everything. Funny he says that when he didn’t wash his hands once between touching the phone, counter, register, his face etc. when I called to complain he said don’t come back here. $30 thrown away and his attitude was beyond acceptable. I would never go to a place like that again. You don’t treat customers like that. Everyone, I warn you, stay away. The younger worker making the pizzas was nice and sweet but that was all that...