Pizzeria Toro — Restaurant in Durham

I found most of the staff to be very rude. This place was very crowded and you must sit in a communal style (Strangers sit with you at your table). Upon entering the restaurant, I was in the process of walking through the door when the group in front abruptly stopped. I was immediately yelled at by the front of house staff "Shut the door"(I'm thinking, I am literally in the middle of walking through the door) no please, no thank you. Our party of 4 had to wait around 25 minutes. Because the waitingroom only has enough seating for 4 people, and the standing room was nonexistent and it was almost a 100 degrees out we decided to go to wait at the bar. The bar is located in another room on the other side of the restaurant. I was repeatedly and rudely knocked into several times by staff that just barged through the busy bar area without a single excuse me or apology. When it was our time to order at the bar the drink menu was a little confusing for non alcoholic mocktails. The section reads non alcoholic and low alcohol drinks but nothing to indicate, which is what. So I asked the bartender, and he seemed annoyed and was not very helpful. I asked him what was in one drink, and he simply replied vinegar. So I just pointed and said, "Does this have alcohol in it". He said no, so I ordered that. My husband and our friend ordered a whisky drink and asked for less of the simple syrup as they didnt want the drink to be too sweet. However, instead he made both the drink regular and then told them he hoped it was okay, but he made it regularly. We were all puzzled as to why he couldn't just make the drink with less simple syrup as asked, but I guess getting what you want isn't really a priority here. Finally we were sat. I had to ask repeatedly if the sausage had beef in it. The servers first reply was im pretty sure it doesn't have it. I had to insist he checked for sure. When he came back, he asked to take the order but still hadn't checked with the kitchen about the beef. Finally he came back with the answer and we ordered. My pizza was black on the bottom and tasted burnt. This experience was not pleasant, and the food was terrible, and we still had to pay 20 percent tip. This place forces all parties no matter the size to give 20 percent. They say it is to give to all staff but im sorry that is your job as an establishment to pay your help a fair wage. Tips are just that, meant to be given as a reward for service. This is probably why literally every staff member I encountered was so rude. Why try if you know you are already going to be tipped nicely. I will...

A Deeply Disappointing and Concerning Experience at Toro

Our recent visit to Toro on Friday, May 16, 2025, was not just disappointing—it was disturbing.

The service we received was rude, unprofessional, and discriminatory. What began as a simple dine-in and takeout experience ended in confusion, mistreatment, and being asked to leave the premises for a mistake the restaurant made—and refused to take responsibility for.

The male host appeared visibly frustrated and disinterested in engaging with guests. He failed to properly take our order, then later shifted blame onto us, claiming we were “rude.” which made me wonder is he or the female manager copying my word, 'rude' to describe their behavior to fight back? Instead of addressing the issue or involving a manager promptly, he allowed the situation to escalate. This reflects a complete lack of training and care—especially for someone serving as the front face of a restaurant.

After being left waiting at the bar for our takeout pizza for an extended time, we learned that our order was never even placed. The bartender removed my water glass and poured it out in front of me without a word, then told us to leave because others wanted our seats. We had been seated there long before the others arrived.

Adding insult to injury, we were told we could not eat our takeout at the bar - a policy that was never previously communicated from the beginning. We were warned that if we did eat, we would be asked to leave. The staff then unilaterally added a 20% tip to our bill for a service we never fully received.

When we requested accountability and asked for the manager's name, she refused to provide it. Instead, she threatened to call the police. Her reaction made it clear: rather than addressing their mistake, they sought to remove the “problem”—us.

This kind of exploitative and thoughtless service is not just bad business—it’s unsafe. As a customer, I felt dehumanized. As someone who understands the service industry, I was shocked at the lack of professionalism and integrity. The indifference displayed was not a one-off; it seems to echo the experiences shared in other reviews.

Toro's model prioritizes profit and control over basic hospitality and decency. I would never take my family or friends here again.

Ownership of this establishment includes Gray Brooks, Cara Brooks, and Jay Owens. I urge them to reflect on the culture they’ve built. If this is how guests are treated, it raises serious questions about what happens...

Ive been coming down to Durham for years, and this is the first time I have been to Pizzeria Toro. And all I could ask myself after my meal was why did it take so long to get to this spot?!? I believe I know the answer - First, I am a New Yorker....so why would I take the time to go to a pizza spot in Durham? and also, they dont take reservations (and when traveling on tight schedules I tend to only go to places with a reservation)...that being said....letting my NY attitude combined with concerns over schedule get in the way....BIG BIG BIG MISTAKE.

Just getting down to the details....the PIZZA! We were a group of 5 people and just went straight for the good stuff....we ordered four pizzas - the Margherita, the Spicy Lamb Meatballs, the Spring Onion, and drumroll....the Soft Egg Pizza!

The headlines: four pizzas for five of us (was a plenty, but if with 5 hungry men, you might want to get some apps as well). The crust on all were just amazing. Just what you would expect and want...and more. the Margherita was straight up good. Nothing fancy or original. Just tasty. the Spicy Lamb was fantastic for meat lovers. And the spice was perfect - just right. The Spring onion, another unique offering on the menu. Good secondary option tot he Margherita if you are a non-meat eater And the Soft Egg. Ill spend some time here. Pizza + mushroom + easy over egg + arugula + parmesean....like who even thought of that??? Well guess what? Pizzeria Toro did...and we should all be thankful! Not sure if this is my go to for dinner...but I went for a lunch on Sunday, and I could not think of a better way of making pizza feel like brunch! As you pull the slices, the warm yellow yolk oozes out, so it can be a little messy...and thats okay. After getting down to the crust, take that soft yummy bread and dip it in the yolk and enjoy....slice after slice. Thank me later!

So while no reservation capability has kept me away in the past, that will no longer be a limiting...