Rosati's Pizza — Restaurant in Knoxville

I was excited hearing about a Chicago style deep dish in Knoxville, I might have had too high an expectation going in. I called an hour ahead because I know they take a while. I scheduled it for an hour after calling leaving me plenty of time to shop for groceries ( I was told 30 minutes to make). I arrived 5 minutes early and paid when greeted by the counter man. I continued to wait for another 15 minutes watching 4 more orders go out, and a couple were hand delivered to the next door beer place. After returning from the delivery, they asked me what order I was waiting for, they said Charles? I said nope, and knew I was in for a disappointment. They apologized and said my pizza, which they didn't even know which one two seconds before, said got stuck in the oven and would be 3 more minutes. After waiting five I asked how much longer as I have groceries cooking in my car. The counter man explained it had only been his third day and proceeded to ask in the back. At that point the woman and man in the back began to give me looks out the small window in between the counter and the kitchen. I clearly heard the man who was making the deliveries say about 3 more minutes. I then said i wasn't going to wait that long and asked about getting my money back. The counter man reiterated he hadn't been there long and didn't know how to do that. At that point the delivery man in the back said he was pulling it out now and he just had to cut it. I was suspicious that it had finished cooking or not because he just told the other guy 3 more minutes. I did get an I'm sorry that it took so long. Fast forward, got home opened the box and the top was very wet. The bottom was hot. We pulled a couple of slices, the crust was half cooked and raw in the middle and the cheese was a solid mass, but wasn't hot. Very disappointed, would not recommend, unless you are drinking a couple doors down, then you are a priority. I really expected too much for a nearly $30 pizza. I would have called to talk to someone, but clearly, when I was there no one seemed interested in my satisfaction then, I would doubt they would be concerned over a phone conversation, and, to be frank, they wouldn't be able to fix the problem enough for me to walk through their...

Price gouging at it's finest - $28 for a simple 2-topping 16" thin crust pizza? Really guys? That's nearly highway robbery as it is, and the toppings were barely even on there at all.

It then got worse when I asked if they had any parmesan cheese and was told that they "sprinkle some on when we make your pizza, if you want more, it will be an additional charge".

Let me get this straight, I just paid almost $30 for a nearly plain-jane pizza that should have run about $15-18 (which likely cost them about $3-5 total to actually make including labor), and now you're going to charge me an additional fee for some parmesan cheese? Really?

I was super excited to go here, as I moved down to Knoxville from the Chicagoland area where there are Rosati's locations around the suburbs. The quality here is just not the same. They may use the same base recipe, and even the same supplier for the locations up near Chicago, but the quality is certainly lacking in comparison. Worse yet, the prices up near Chicago are high, but not this bad. I really miss their mozerella sticks, but at $8 for an order of basically a breaded and fried cheese stick, I'll pass.

Between the lack-luster service, the mediocre quality, and the insane price gouging... I'm sorry to say that I won't be back. I think the only real reason this location has managed to stay open as well as get away with charging these insane prices is likely because of the Casual Pint being next door. I'm sure there are plenty of people who don't mind paying those prices when they're inebriated, but....for the general public, nope.... I could go out and get a decent quality Filet Mignon or even a much higher quality brick oven pizza for what a basic pizza costs here. Was a truly disappointing experience, especially after being so excited to finally find a taste of home around here. I'll stick with one of the other many pizza joints around here in the future. I've been to countless other places that have much better pizza, for less money, and guess what..they don't charge me to add a sprinkle of parmesan cheese or...

Chicago deep dish pizza was good. Hard to find around Knoxville. Chunky rustic sauce with pieces of tomato and mushroom. Lots of gooey cheese, good crispy crust. Very thick pizza and unlike local or traditional pan pizza, this has a crust ratio and thickness you'd expect from a Chicago deep dish. Almost like a pie crust. Both me and my wife really enjoyed it.

The interior wasn't much to speak about. A handful of very small tables and chairs squashed into almost an after thought of a space. It's as if dining in is a secondary option that is accommodated. The counter, entrance, employee hallway to the kitchen and other tables are in very close proximity to you.

Customer service was subpar. Some of it was because there was only one person working so they were in the kitchen most of the time. Three different sets of customers arrived while we were there. All had to wait over a minute at the counter before he came out from the back. He wasn't very friendly at all, but took orders well and was quick about it.

Comparitively, prices were a little high for the deep dish, but the quality was good so it was worth it for us. Prices were also a little confusing. Most of the prices had changed and were updated with little colored stickers with hand written prices over the old price. Not very professional. Also while we weren't there for the lunch combo, between what I saw online and on the onsite menu and the chalk board, I think there were three different prices. Also only one refill on fountain drinks. Not any plates, forks or napkins were offered while eating in until I went to the counter and asked after he dropped off a boxed pizza at our table. All this makes it seem like they are cutting financial corners at the expense of the customer experience.

All this said, still four stars. The pizza was good. I'd definitely eat it again. I'd just pick it...