Gino's Real New York Pizza at Carolina Forest — Restaurant in South Carolina

• FYI - this review is DEFINITELY for the Carolina Forest location, off of Carolina Forest Blvd. - NOT to be confused with the Gino's at Forestbrook Village on Belle Terre Boulevard *

We just moved here five weeks ago from Northern NJ, and I am SO HAPPY that I found Gino's! To be fair, I have not tried any of the other places that people have mentioned in their posts, but since being fortunate enough to accidently find this GEM (I was at another merchant in the shopping center, and just walked in to grab two slices to go), I feel no reason to go anyplace else! On that fortunate day, I was in awe looking at the pizzas in the window. I finally decided on a cheese slice, and a slice of Sicilian (also just cheese) for myself and my boyfriend to "mix and match" so we could each try both types. Both varieties were DELICIOUS!!! The Neapolitan crust was phenomenal (see below), and the Sicilian pizza was the perfect concoction of a crispy crunchy bottom, light-as-air "proofed to perfection" and cooked perfectly dough, covered in the perfect balance of low-acidity sauce and delicious (obviously REAL DAIRY!) cheese*. With each bite I took, I felt as if I was transported back home, sitting in my parents' dining room, celebrating some birthday or other with local pizza, homemade salad and ice cream cake (our family's "go-to" celebration meal!) *I have seen other people post that it is a cheese blend, though I am not certain, and I always mean to ask but keep forgetting! We have also ordered delivery twice, and SO FAR, SO GREAT! We have had HUGE (as in "Big-as-the-plate Jersey Shore Boardwalk" HUGE!) delicious, thin- and tender- crusted, nicely topped pizza, both spinach and pepperoni pinwheels, and a chicken parmesan dinner - which was a large portion of tender, lightly breaded, not-oily-tasting chicken breast, served with spaghetti, salad, and bread (actually, a couple of garlic knots, which was a nice surprise!). The one time I ordered carry-out, I inadvertently called THE OTHER location, an experience I prefer never to think about again... So, the bottom line is that THIS PLACE ROCKS!!! From the employees who were working that first day I accidentally (and THANKFULLY!) walked in for a couple of slices to take out, to the girls who have answered the phone when I have called in my orders, to the quality of the food, to Tom (the delivery driver who remembered me from the first time that I ordered; who is efficient, friendly, and has had a genuine smile on his face both times he has been here to deliver our piping hot, delicious food!), EVERYONE that I have interacted with at this Gino's location has been SUPERB!

• Kudos to this location for delivering the whole she-bang, and treating their customers like we matter. I will be calling again in a couple of weeks... * ~...

If you are looking for REAL New York Pizza or delicious Italian food this is the place. After a long day of moving my family and I were done for the day with no energy left to cook. So I had everyone look at the menu that was available on Google. It definitely needed a revamp so I have provided a better picture. The only thing missing on their menu are the multitude of dessert options which I will be trying on my next go round. I wish they had their options listed on the menu, but if your calling in your order ahead of time, just don’t forget to ask. I have also provided a picture of all the dessert and salad display below. I decided to go and order in person to give myself a chance to get better pictures for my review, since this is the 3rd or 4th time I’ve been here and every time has been amazing. Last time, I had their lunch special 2 pizza slices (from their pizza display, shown below) and a drink. They’re setup inside is so clean with a good atmosphere and friendly customer service. As I walked up to the counter I was greeted right away, and the lady at the register was very accommodating. I gave her my order which I also took pictures of all the plates below except the spaghetti and meatballs plate which was for my 7 year old. While I getting everyone’s meals out, he was so excited about how BIG and tasty the meatballs were in his spaghetti he dug in and ate half the dish before I could get a picture. Each of the noodle dinners comes with a side salad. We ordered the Lasagna, Stuffed Shells (which come with Marinara sauce), and Spaghetti & Meatballs. My mom loves the Margarita Pizza slice, and also ordered a slice of the Sicilian (but was so full she hasn’t tried it yet, so I will update my review as soon as soon as she lets me know, but it looked awesome). The pizza crust flavor is amazing. I know there are some places that have “New York Pizza” but when you get it it feels like your eating cardboard. I’m here to tell you... this is the best Pizza crust. It has flavor with a crispy outside and soft inside. I chose to try their Calzone and added my 5 favorite toppings which I ate over 2 meals, lunch and dinner. The last picture I took was of the hot sub my nephew order, a small Italian sub. It came with all the fixings and when I say small that’s just what they call it. The sub in the picture below is only showing half the sandwich so you can see it with the inside ingredients. He said he would be ordering it again. I can definitely say this will be our family pizza spot from here on out until we get a chance to visit...

Our family orders from them weekly, sometimes several times a week, for the last 5 years. We do delivery, we do pick up, we've walked in. Tonight, January 29th, an older lady answered to take our order. When she repeated back the order, it was wrong. When I repeated the order she proceeded (with an attitude) to say, that's what I said. First, that is no way to speak to a customer. I run a sales/service department and would NEVER take that tone or say that to a guest. Secondly, it's not what she said. She said, the other half cheese. (The other half was pepperoni) she had such a beligerant attitude I got upset and hung up to cool down. When I called back to speak with a manager, she picked up the phone with no greeting, and instantly put me hold. I then called from a other phone, she answered, I asked to speak with a manager. She informed me she was the manager. When I asked to speak with the owner , she went on to tell me that she wasn't rude and we ended up in a full blown argument. (Something I was trying to avoid happening a second time which is why I asked for management) To the owner of Gino's, your management staff should be trained on how to speak to customers and they should be taught the value of a customer since customers are how you make money and how they get paid. Management should also be taught that they are representing your business and if a guest is upset and asks for your information, they should provide it, not proceed to further argue with a guest. I am fully disgusted that in my attempts to order a pizza, I was given any attitude from the person on the other end of the phone and I am disappointed that my attempts to inform management of my experience resulted in an arguement. I can't erase the last 5 years of giving you my business but at least we have a new option across the street moving forward. Here we come Michael's and too bad for Gino's who needs to retrain their...