Penelope Pizza — Restaurant in Tucson

Terrible customer service and disappointing food. Won’t be back.

I had one of the worst dining experiences at Penelope’s recently and felt compelled to share. I was planning to meet friends for dinner, but beforehand, I wanted to pick up food for my sick mother. I called ahead to place a to-go order, only to be told they couldn’t take phone orders because their ovens were "too full." That was the first red flag.

When I arrived, I was greeted by a hostess who informed guests there was a 25-minute wait. I asked if I could put my name down early since I’d be coming back shortly to dine with friends. Her answer? A flat-out no. Not even a conversation—just dismissive.

I went to the bar to place the takeout order (10-layer meatball lasagna), and thankfully the blonde bartender was the only pleasant person I interacted with. I waited around 20 minutes in a cramped space with nowhere to stand comfortably, picked up the food, dropped it off to my mom, and returned for dinner.

When I got back, two groups arrived right after me. The same hostess took our names and—despite me being there first—put me last on the list. When I questioned her, she said another woman had been there before and was "getting her family." I reminded her that I had been there earlier and had already tried to get on the list, but again, no acknowledgment.

While waiting, I got a text from my mom saying the lasagna was awful: barely any meat, thin layers of pasta and cheese, no sauce and the pasta was undercooked and hard. I mentioned this to the hostess as she was seating me (so she’d know the to-go food was poor), and her response? “You can tell your server.” No apology, no concern—just attitude and a brush-off. $25 dollars spent for food that was thrown away.

At that point, I was done. I texted my friends, and we all agreed to take our dinner plans elsewhere. None of us had been to Penelope’s before, and we were excited to try it, but this experience left a bad taste in every possible way.

If this is the person you have representing your business—rude, disinterested, dressed unprofessionally (dark hair, midriff exposed, exercise pants)—then it’s no surprise customers are walking away unimpressed. I certainly won’t be returning anytime soon, and my friends aren’t in any rush either. We had told others we were trying this place out, and now we’ll be sure to let them know just how...

Penelope Pizza, located at 800 N. Kolb Rd in Tucson, offers a delightful blend of hipster and upscale ambiance. The interior design strikes a balance between trendy and sophisticated, creating a welcoming atmosphere for diners. 

The waitstaff embody a distinctive Austin/Tucson flair, with some sporting handlebar mustaches that add to the restaurant’s unique character. Their approach to service is collaborative; rather than being assigned specific tables, they assist wherever needed to ensure customer satisfaction. This team is exceptionally knowledgeable about the menu, providing detailed insights into textures and flavor profiles, enhancing the dining experience. Their friendliness and enthusiasm are evident, making guests feel right at home.

During happy hour, the menu is both appealing and affordable. The house red blend is served at an ideal temperature, slightly below room temp, highlighting its rich flavors. The meatball appetizer is perfectly portioned for two, featuring a delectable sauce that complements the meatballs’ robust flavor.

The Margherita pizza stands out as a highlight. Having sampled pizzas from various locales during my travels, I can confidently say this ranks among the best. The crust achieves an impeccable balance of chewiness, tear, and airiness, complemented by a perfect char. The cheese is wonderfully melty with an inviting pull. However, the presentation could benefit from the addition of fresh basil leaves and thin tomato slices to enhance its visual appeal, aligning it with its outstanding flavor.

One minor critique is the music volume, which was slightly elevated, making table conversations a bit challenging. Nonetheless, the pistachio cannolis are a must-try, epitomizing dessert perfection. The pricing is reasonable, falling within a comfortable midrange, and the IPA beer selection is commendable.

In summary, Penelope Pizza offers a memorable dining experience with its unique ambiance, attentive staff, and exceptional cuisine. It’s a standout addition to Tucson’s...

Arrived at this place 15min before opening and there was already a crowd in the 100 degree heat, a good sign of a good place.

They opened the doors at 2:59pm and I sat at the bar. The place has a very nice atmosphere, very bright and pristine looking.

I ordered a chicken parmigiana and asked if the pasta was made fresh to order and al dente. The bartender seemed nice but I got the feeling he was just yesing me.

When my food arrived, the presentation was top notch, pasta rolled tight on top of a chicken cutlet sprinkled hard cheese and a green leaf on top.

The breading on the chicken was a beautiful color, the chicken was moist and cooked very well. The sauce was very very flavorful and I appreciated the garlic notes. I give high praise for their sauce.

However, unfortunately my pasta wasn’t fresh to order and it was not al dente, it was overcooked and laying around before served to me - the telling sign amongst others is it was not hot, it was barely warm. The surprising thing here is I usually hate mushy laying around pasta, but despite this major fundamental flaw that is hard to come back from, the pasta was actually surprisingly pretty flavorful. A lot of places here in Tucson serve bland pasta, the spaghetti at Penelope’s is definitely well seasoned with the correct flavors. What annoys me is if this place actually served fresh out the pot pasta, ide probably be saying it’s the best in town. But I’m frustrated I can’t say that, if someone from management reads this please make fresh pasta!

As for the bartender, again he seemed nice, but he never once asked me how my food was and I left without telling him.

I did not try the pizza, but I am hoping to next time I get a chance to drop by.

Being a New York City transplant - I recommend the chicken parm here, but if you really love your pasta like me, you will...