Denly Gardens Old World Pizza — Restaurant in Weymouth

8.1 WOW ONE BITE EVERYONE KNOWS THE RULES

..Denly Gardens Old World Pizza is a beloved, long-standing pizzeria located at 25 Lake St E, Weymouth, MA 02189. Established in 1933, it’s a South Shore institution known for its thin-crust pizza and nostalgic, old-school Italian-American vibe. Here’s a comprehensive look at what makes Denly Gardens special, based on available information and reviews.

Overview Location: 25 Lake St E, Weymouth, MA 02189 Contact: (781) 335-9882, pizza@denlygardens.com Website: denlygardens.com Payment: Cash only (no credit cards, so come prepared) Operating Since: 1933, making it one of the oldest pizzerias in the area Ambiance: A step back in time with a cozy, neighborhood feel. Reviews describe it as a "hidden gem" with a retro atmosphere, complete with classic music and a welcoming, family-like vibe. The owner, often referred to as "Dickie," is known to chat with customers, adding to the homey experience. Menu and Food Highlights Denly Gardens specializes in thin-crust pizza, which is the star of the show, but they also offer other Italian-American dishes. Key highlights include:

Pizza: Style: Ultra-thin crust, often described as so thin "you can read a newspaper through it." It’s greasy, floppy, and packed with flavor, with a distinctive taste that sets it apart. Toppings: Classic options like cheese, basil/tomato, and various meats. A large 3-topping pizza is around $20, offering great value. Gluten-Free Options: They offer gluten-free pizza and pasta, which have received positive feedback from the celiac community for taste and safety, though the facility is not dedicated gluten-free, so cross-contamination is a risk. Reviews praise the gluten-free crust for being delicious, unlike some lackluster alternatives. Ratings: Pizza reviews on One Bite (onebite.app) range from 7.8 to 8.7, with some calling it a "godfather pizza legend" for its unique flavor and crispiness when eaten fresh. However, the crust can get soggy in takeout boxes, slightly lowering scores for structure. Notable Review: Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy reviewed Denly Gardens in January 2024, highlighting its classic appeal. Other Menu Items: Appetizers: Buffalo chicken tenders (fresh, hearty, not overly spicy) and Portabella Mushroom Ravioli with a fresh stewed tomato sauce are standout dishes. Salads: The Caprese salad has mixed reviews—some received dried tomatoes instead of fresh slices, missing basil. Bread and Meatballs: Fresh bread is described as some of the best, and meatballs are a hit. Colossal Shrimp: Noted as a highlight for seafood lovers.

Service: Excellent, friendly, and fast, with a staff that makes you feel like a regular. The owner’s personal touch adds to the charm. Takeout is popular, with a high volume of orders indicating strong local loyalty. Atmosphere: The interior is described as a nostalgic throwback, though some reviews note sticky tables and dated decor, which may not appeal to everyone. It’s a place where locals feel at home, but newcomers might feel slightly out of place initially. Parking: Limited parking lot space; street parking is an option. Crowd: Busy, especially for takeout, reflecting its popularity. It’s a local favorite, with some customers ordering weekly. Reviews...

Unfortunately I was hoping I had a one-off bad experience, but based on other recent reviews it just looks like the quality of this place has declined to its current low. First, no parking available anywhere. After driving around several times on a very small and tight residential road, I finally parked a ways down the street and finally entered the restaurant. There is no sense of direction in the tiny cramped “restaurant” that was visibly busy, understaffed and very delayed. When I finally got to the front of the line, I was finally informed that it was a cash only business… something that should probably be posted on the website and door or informed over the phone when placing my take-out order, but wasn’t. I withdrew money from the ATM to jump back in line and finally got my food. When I arrived home the experience was no better. The chicken broccoli Alfredo was lacking any flavor, had an Alfredo sauce that was so thick it felt more like a paste, and the entire pasta on the bottom of the tray didn’t even have Alfredo sauce on it and instead was full of condensation water. To say that I will never order there again or recommend it to anyone else is an understatement… there are “diamonds in the rough” or “holes in the wall” to die for places, but this is NOT one of them. There are other American/Italian options around and unfortunately my hunt for a decent pasta and pizza place will have...

Parking is a small lot across the street that quickly fills up. The restaurant itself is cold, cramped, and uncomfortable, which also gets very loud when it's at max capacity (about 10 tables and a bar). The service at max capacity, in addition to supporting takeout orders, is abysmal. The man who sat us gave us our drinks and never appeared again, instead sending a nice and apologetic lady over to help us 30 minutes later. We sat down at 6:45 and got our food at 8. The pizza, which is well-known in the area as being some of the best, was extremely greasy, almost to the point of being soggy and did not taste great. The pasta was chewy noodles in tomato water with overcooked sausage on the side. Overall, it was not worth the visit, and the food was not worth waiting over an hour for. A suggestion to the business: if you are busy and having difficulty keeping service quality, cut off takeout orders and focus on the customers that took their time to visit your location to experience your food...