Bellisario's Restaurant — Restaurant in McCandless

We knew the restaurant would be busy, but I did not plan on being "The Ignored Table" or "The Forgotten" table. First of all, we were seated at the entrance which at first wasn't awful. There is a short wall that divides the entrance/waiting area and the area where everyone is seated at tables. Unfortunately, the people who are waiting for a table were leaning over the short wall and looking at everyone's food, commenting on it, and generally being loud. A nice peaceful dinner turned into the opposite. The owners of the restaurant should make that wall taller and the people waiting to be seated should use manners and their "inside" voice. We were seated and then forgotten. The three groups who were given tables after me, received beverages and their food before my table. My table only had three people and an uncomplicated food order. After we placed our food order, I had a question, but the waitress had quickly left our table. I understand the restaurant is busy, but usually after taking a food order, the waitress or waiter asks if there are any questions (pertaining to food, the order, etc. or something similar). I did have a question about the daily specials, and why I saw a man with an alcoholic beverage, but that type of beverage wasn't mentioned to be available. One would think you could get the attention of an employee, but obviously, they were too busy to see my table. Eventually, someone inquired about our food or needing anything else, but by that time, it was too late to find out. We were almost finished and wanted the check. After receiving our salads, I realized I should've ordered something else. I counted 3 small, green, cut up lettuce leaves and the rest were the yellow, chunk core of the lettuce plant (yuck) and white lettuce leaves. On a positive note, the salad dressing was delicious and so were the two tomatoes. Once we received our dinner, I thought my party would be happy. I was happy with my dinner, but the other two weren't. The tomato sauce had no flavor and tasted like it had been sitting under a heat lamp for too long. The plates were hot, the edges of the food were cold, but the middle of the food was warmish to hot. I expected better service, and much better food from this establishment. As much as I want to give it a second chance, I doubt it will happen. I gave two stars because even though I enjoyed my dinner, but not the side salad, the other two in my group did not enjoy their food, the basket of bread would've been more enjoyable if it were warmed, but very happy the elderly drivers (I will be considered one soon) did not crash into or...

I really love the prices here. It's genuinely so cheap and filling, while being the same quality as some of the more expensive pizza and Italian restaurants in the area. Today, I tried their cheese calzone (large 18 inch) and a cannoli.

The calzone was only $12 for one of (if not the) biggest calzone in Pittsburgh. It's absolutely huge and about the same price as a small calzone in other places! It's served with a large container of sauce on the side. It's a decent quality sauce, not chunky but still good. Somewhat sweet too. The calzone is huge, but the down side to that is that it's easy for it to be too bread-y. And this calzone definitely has loads of bread/crust around it, which I'm not a huge fan of.

There is no sauce inside, which is a plus for me. Lots of cheese as well, both ricotta and mozzarella. Interestingly, this calzone has almost a buttery flavor to it, very good again! Some of the edges are a bit burnt or crispy, but it's not a big deal.

The cannoli was also surprisingly delicious. This might be the best cannoli I've had in the area, or even Pittsburgh as a whole. The filling is just so good. There's chocolate chips and smooth, sweet ricotta cheese. Then, the shell is crunchy and has chocolate ends. It's topped with more sweet ricotta filling on the side, some chocolate sauce, and a cherry. Only thing I didn't like about the dessert is the chocolate sauce, which tasted like Hershey's. Pretty good price for it, but not as cheap as other menu items. Note: their tiramisu is not made in house (I asked over the phone).

They get packed quickly and you may need to wait for a while. When I arrived, there were very few parking spots open (6:30 on Friday night, and they are open late). Long line waiting to be seated, too. But, once I found the pickup area, everything went smoothly and efficiently. I thought the workers were great.

All in all, Bellisario's is a new top calzone spot for me. These prices are just mind blowingly fantastic. Everything is darn cheap! And, this calzone and cannoli was delicious. Recommend both of them. Just know you will probably have to wait to be seated (a while) and the parking lot will...

Sadly I have to leave a bad review. I ordered takeout and before I even left the restaurant I opened the bag and notice the styrofoam was melted on the bottom from the hot foods that they took directly from the fryer and dumped into the container. You would think they would have learned from Covid, I can't be the only one that got the melted styrofoam! When I showed "the grumpy man" he literally ignored me and turned to leave. I then shouted after him to get a ranch dressing for the combo appetizer platter and he literally charged me another buck! I left bewildered and confused. When I got home to eat, I opened the melted styrofoam appetizers and they had given me 2 sauces which both of them ended up being cocktail sauce? Not sure what I was supposed to dip in cocktail sauce, I got onion rings, breaded cauliflower, breaded mushrooms, mozzarella sticks and breaded zucchini! What one goes with the cocktail sauce? I still don't know why he charged be another buck for the ranch (which ended up being terrible), Definitely came from a plastic restaurant tub! I was not happy with appetizers, they tasted frozen from the freezer! I do remember, and it has been a minute, that this place had the best mozzarella sticks! The food was mostly homemade and flavorful! Looks like some corners have been cut! If that old man is the owner, he shouldn't be allowed around customers, considering when he first walked out to the counter to me, he had an unlit cigarette hanging from his mouth! He was rude and inconsiderate. I also ordered an Italian hoagie, which was OK, nothing special! A little soggy on the bun, (I live about 10 minutes away). I was super sorry to see that your place had had a fire, but I will not ever eat or recommend this place to anyone! Its a shame you have to cut corners to make a buck, but my bucks will not ever see this place again! The Picture below is the bottom of the container, there was...