Romanos Pizza

Last time we went this place was closed for renovation and new ownership. Wahh! That was at the beginning of this month so I am unsure when they will be opened. We’ll see.

Romanos is a place in the neighborhood you wonder how it survives! There is never anyone in there and they barely have any pizza made! Their pizza is Good! The Regular and the Spinach Pizza is amazing!
I was always nervous to try the food because I always wondered how it would be since I do not see the inventory moving. I am sad to say I am extremely disappointed! My husband got a Chicken Cutlet sandwich and the chicken was old, dry and tasteless! The tortellina alla pana was sooo salty I was unable to even eat it! And the small amount that I did eat. got me soo sick, it was like I had food poisoning! It literally tasted like the top of the salt shaker fell into the dish. I called the owner to tell him about me not being able to consume the food! My husband even said… «It tastes like a mistake» I was even more disappointed by Peter (the owner) his response to me. He had no interest at all in making me a happy customer! He told me it was not his problem! For an owner to have that mentality is a disgrace! Now I know why Romanos will not be in Howard Beach much longer! They have no love or zest for the business and when you are in the Restaurant Industry you have to please you customers! It is ashame because they do have potential! But the owner Peter, even when you go in there is so depressed all the time it feels uncomfortable! Im done giving Romanos a try!

I am rating Romanos 5 stars for the food that I actually always order from them. And it’s not exactly for their pizza, which they do have a very good regular slice and an excellent spinach slice. I’m not a fan tho of the over thick sicilians slices. Too bready? (is that a word??)… It’s their entrees I’m talking about. They have a cook in the back that is no joke when it comes to cooking Italian food.
They are the lesser known of the five pizza joints in the area as their famous Howard Beach pizza competitiors accross the street get all the buzz, but these guys at Romanos can get it done! And their nice guys too.
The main pasta dish that they make better then any known place in the tri state area is Tortellini Alla Panna. A tortellini pasta dish with a expertly seasoned cream sauce, tasty sliced mushrooms and pancetta (or proscuitto depending on what they have. either way delicious) that blows anyone elses away. I cannot resist to order this dish anytime I order from these guys. I suggest you try the same.
There other dishes that are tops would be the Rigatoni Alla Vodka, Chicken Rosina (Spinach, Mozzarella in White Wine Sauce), Chicken Milanese, Baked Gnocchi, Great Calamari. I really am always happy with anything I order from them.
Place is comfortable to sit down and eat too. They have the usual Godfather poster sized pics up (although I think they are Romanian) with the warm colors and the large flat screen makes for the right atmosphere. Never too crowded as the pizza business in the neighborhood is split between a whopping five pizza places. I don’t complain because the guys are great and they will adjust anything you need on an order to make you happy.
A good tip to use is, if you are ordering an entrée that comes with a side of pasta, just ask to change the regular sauce to Alla Vodka. You pay a $ 1 or so extra but it makes for an entirely extra dish that’s delicious.
Prices are decent to comparably speaking so if you are having a night at home with some family these guys are a top choice.