Russo's Kitchen + Bar — Restaurant in Zanesville

Stuck in yet another hotel, in another town for another assignment. Staying at the Wingate by Windham there in Zanesville, I asked the hotel clerk "Where can I get a GOOD pizza that is a mom 'n' pop shop?" She didn't have to think twice, and immediately popped off with "RUSSO'S!!"

Oh, yeah? Russo's, huh?

So, I stopped in after my day was through, and I was immediately surprised. The decor and floor-plan didn't scream "mom 'n' pop". It was crisp, clean, well planned, and if a corporate designer built it. I already knew what I wanted... "The Mobster". I place my order, and the girl grabs a hold of a wooden paddle, with dough already laid out, and proceeds to build my pizza "assembly line" style, and put into a rack, queued up for firing. A rather impressive wood oven is the focal point, dead center to the whole operation, where this guy took my pizza, and snapped it in.

Within minutes, the pizza was done... the temp display did in fact say "750" degrees. That guy who baked my pizza was none other than Vincent Russo, one of the owners. We chatted for a few minutes as my pizza was being boxed up, and I told him "after my first bite" I'll tell him what I thought... The dough... crispy on the outside, nice and tender inside.. didn't feel "weighty" at all in spite of its thickness. The sauce... nice and balanced, not too sweet, not too salty. Ample cheese that had a good string to it. The meatball was tender, had good consistency, but the mild flavor was a bit overshadowed by the pesto, which had a bold flavor. The onions added a nice layer of flavor, but there again, the pesto... Don't get me wrong, I LOVE pesto, I'll make a sammich out of it... I'm just looking at how the different flavors communicate with each other... My advice: If you order "The Mobster", ask them to go light on the pesto, you want it as an accent flavor, rather than a front flavor. The ricotta cheese smoothed everything over. Overall, it was a very pleasant pizza, and I would most definitely order it again if I'm ever in town again...

Good job, Vincent......

Russo’s Wood Fired is a terrific local treasure in Zanesville! Started by two brothers with strong ties to Sicilian cuisine, the customer experience and cooking style here make it a standout among other pizzas.

Diners can choose from one of Russo’s signature pizza creations or opt to do a “create your own”. With a generous selection of toppings and combinations, you will be able to direct your pizza chef to make a ‘za that is just to your liking. If a lighter meal is more suitable to your diet, they have some of the best artisan salads in town. Also available are some traditional pasta dishes and their version of the baked sandwich – the Foldwich. If you can’t imagine your pizza without a tall mug of suds, Russo’s has a selection of local craft beers for your palette.

The dining atmosphere is great! Ample seating and several displays will allow for you to watch the game with friends or have a nice cozy dinner with the family. All my experiences with the staff have been top-notch. Pizzas come to you eat-in, carry-out, or delivery via DoorDash.

Whether you are a resident or visiting the area, you need to make Russo’s your meal tonight! ...

The spaghetti with a large meatball was ok overall. The spag itself was fine but the meatball's texture was not meaty or tasty. It was not at all worth the $10. The tomato bisque was mediocre and was disappointing. However, the pizzas looked appealing. We will return to try them out and write a review again. Establishment was clean, staff friendly.

Came back week later for a second chance try. Pizzas ($10each) we ordered did not have enough sauce, veggies we had were bland, meats had very little flavor. Asked if jalapenos were hot, he says yes but was not at all. Penne pasta ($9) ordered for grandchild was forgotten, had to reorder and wait, our pizzas turned cold in the meantime. Not the best experience. Gave it 2 tries and will not be returning nor recommending to friends and family. Better prices and food quality at...