Aurelio's Pizza of Crown Point — Restaurant in Ross Township

My family and I have been frequent customers of this Aurelio's location, which we've always found to be one of the cleanest and most updated in the area. Today, however, was an extremely disappointing experience. When we arrived, the restaurant was mostly empty except for a few customers finishing up. We placed our drink, appetizer, and pizza order. While we were waiting for the appetizer we noticed the place getting busier as more families came in. We were waiting over 30 minutes for our appetizer while watching others who arrived after us receive their food, we started wondering what was going on. We searched for our server, and my fiancée noticed him off to the side on his phone. When we asked about our appetizer, he admitted he forgot to put in our order but said he would take it off the bill if it didn’t come out quickly.

A little over five minutes later, the appetizer finally arrived, but we noticed a family who came in after us was already served their pizza. When we asked the server if he had forgotten our pizza order as well, his only response was, 'I’m trying…,' which didn’t really explain much. In total, we waited close to an hour for our pizza. During this time, we considered speaking to a manager and canceling the order, but decided to wait until we finished and discuss it when paying.

At the register, I asked to speak to a manager, and the gentleman behind the counter claimed he was the manager. I explained the situation, and his response was that the mistake was entirely on the server and there was nothing he could do about it. I expressed frustration that it was their employee’s distraction that led to the issue, and he showed no concern for our experience. The server came over and tried to remove the appetizer from the bill, but the 'manager' snapped at him, saying he needed to call the boss for approval. After a few minutes, he angrily returned and took a mere $4 off our $50 bill.

I told him we would not be returning, to which he coldly responded, 'That’s up to you.' As I returned to the table to gather my family, I overheard the 'manager' talking loudly to the kitchen staff, claiming there was no way we waited an hour and that if it were him, he would’ve spoken up sooner. I called him back to the counter and confronted him, offering to prove the time we arrived using Google’s timeline feature. When I asked why he was calling customers liars, he refused to give his name and walked away.

We’ve been loyal customers of Aurelio's across Chicagoland and Indiana for years, but after this experience, never again. Mistakes happen, but all that was required was basic courtesy and customer service. Instead, we were met with insults and poor management. They should be ashamed of themselves for how they handled...

June 16, 2025 -Derrick

All I can say is--wow. From the moment I walked in, I was impressed. The food is absolutely amazing, and the staff are some of the friendliest people I've encountered at any restaurant. Everyone, from the cooks in the back to the people working the front counter, was warm, welcoming, and clearly took pride in what they do. Let's talk about the pizza--because that alone is worth the trip. I ordered a half pepperoni, half sausage pizza, and it was perfection. The crust was the perfect balance of crispy and chewy, with just the right amount of char to give it that authentic, wood-fired flavor. The sauce tasted fresh and homemade, with just a hint of sweetness and spice. The cheese was gooey and rich, perfectly melted over generous toppings. Both the pepperoni and sausage were high quality and packed with flavor. You could tell that nothing here came from a can or was just thrown together. Everything was thoughtfully prepared and delicious. But what really stood out beyond the incredible food was the service. The workers here go above and beyond to make every guest feel valued. It wasn't just a smile and a "hi"--they actually take time to talk with you, make sure your order is right, and ask how your meal is going. It feels like they genuinely care that you have a great experience, which is something you don't see often anymore. The place itself has a cozy, inviting vibe. It's clean, comfortable, and family-friendly. You can tell it's a spot where locals love to gather, and for good reason. There's a real sense of community here. Whether you're grabbing a quick bite or settling in for a meal with friends and family, it feels like you're part of something special. I also noticed how well the staff worked together. There was clear communication and teamwork happening behind the scenes, which probably explains why everything ran so smoothly. Orders were coming out fast, but never rushed. Everyone was smiling, chatting, and enjoying themselves. That kind of positive energy makes a huge difference--it's contagious, and it made the whole meal even more enjoyable. In short, if you're looking for a place with great food, amazing service, and a truly friendly atmosphere, this is it. I'm already planning my next visit. I'll definitely be trying more menu items, but that half pepperoni, half sausage pizza will be hard to beat....

To make a long story short, there were a group of 11 retired gentlemen that went to the CP Aurelios for dinner. There was a mix up when 2 of the men received their baskets with the onion rings and fries. They brought it to the attention of the waitress and all she said was just switch baskets and walked away. The guys, stunned by the response and attitude went ahead and switched. Doing so the one sandwich was incorrect so he brought that to her attention when she came back. She argued with him and told him he ordered that even though we all said he had not. She said he could have the sandwich he wanted but he would be paying for both. Asking to speak to a manager was not the way to go because she was one of them and the other was just as rude. He canceled his order. They then would not help with letting each person know what they owed. They were told to figure out what they owed, add tax and add the tip. She was pushing someone that was still eating to pay his part so she could cash out the receipt. He was eating. Then she told him someone owes me 80.00 . He explained what he owed and said if you didn't get the tip or tax from the others that was not his fault. The police were called. Needless to say, had they helped with what people owed as was asked and not tried to make someone pay for something they did not order, this would not have happened. An email was sent to owner, 2 gentlemen stopped at another Aurelios to find out their policy and was told the register could have helped figure out what each owed and they don't make people pay for something they did not order. She took one if their names and number to call one of them back and it has been over a week and no response. Corporate did call me and they were great. They were shocked because that is not their policy or the way they treat customers. The reason we did not get a call back is because the same owner owns both restaurants. It's a shame because we will never go back again. If we were treated this way, I am sure others are or will be because they are allowed to get away with it. Customer Service is important to...