Pizza is solid and consistent. I often get togo and the pizza has always been hot and fresh. They are generous with their toppings which is nice. The wings are okay but seem a bit blander than I expected, however it is a pizza place so it is what it is. Overall a good place to grab a slice or a pie, especially if you are staying in. Sadly, I do not think they deliver, but that is just me being lazy
(4)
Trent G.
I ordered a white pizza with meatball and their spinach artichoke dip. As much flavor as you think those two would have.. it had none!!! No taste and both were somehow watery.. A big pizza delivery letdown :( gonna drive to Moon Pizza for my next craving. I will endorse their salads however! Those never let me down.
(1)
J J.
This place has great food but SHITTY service and attitudes , the guy at the door with the blonde hair is a pain in the ass and just drops your stuff on the table and walks off , or does he float ?
(1)
Carlos M.
Al's is always a pleasant environment, with a satisfactory meal. The chicken in my calzone however, seemed a bit soggy, so i don't know what's going on the, but the bacon made up for it because bacon is, well, bacon. Anyway, thanks Ed for a great experience as we celebrated yet another of my cranky ass, aging mother's birthday. Try to take the hot down a notch, my girlfriend couldn't keep her mouth shut about you through dinner.
(4)
Caitlyn F.
I've heard a lot about Al's since moving to Jacksonville last year, and I finally had a chance to stop by this weekend when my family came to town. After exploring the Five Points area, we stopped in to grab something to eat after smelling the food inside from the street. The atmosphere is edgy but comfortable, a perfect balance to fit in with the surrounding area. The large bar near the entrance is deceiving though - the restaurant only serves beer and wine, so don't expect to order a cocktail. This wasn't that big of a problem for my family since we love craft beer and they had local choices on tap. My family is pretty large, and our order was big to match, but the service was patient and quick. We started with the sampler appetizer, a table pleaser with fried mozzarella sticks, fried ravioli, fried zucchini and fresh bruschetta. Definitely worth ordering if you're rolling in to Al's with a big party to help tide you over until the main course comes in. For entrees, we ordered the stuffed shells, chicken parm, fettuccine alfredo, chicken tenders, margarita pizza and Caribbean chicken pizza. I would recommend all of them, and my family really enjoyed the meal. The portions were large, and we had leftovers for lunch the next day. Sadly there are no pictures to show the proof, as we started digging in as soon as the servers set the plates down. The pizza is what they're most known for, and it's definitely a solid choice with a thin, hand-tossed crust, fresh sauce and dozens of topping combinations to choose from. I think this would be a great date spot or place to take family for a quick meal. Just the pure, simple basics that are sure to please. Al's made a couple new fans, and we'll definitely be back.
(4)
Ken G.
Good food. I got the cheese ravioli and my niece got the fettuccine alfredo. Both were tasty, but not extraordinary. The side salad with red wine vinegrette was noteworthy. I started off by giving this place 5 stars, then I deducted stars and added stars. I deducted three stars for the following reasons: - 2 stars. Both of sets of silverware were dirty. My second set was dirtier than my first. The fork was actually syrupy sticky. My third set of silverware was still dirty, but I wiped off the stuff on the fork and ate with it anyway. Should have asked for plastic after my second dirty fork. - 1 star. For a place that specializes in Italian food...it was good, but obviously not made by a trained chef. I swear I've had that same red sauce at other Italian restaurants...almost like it was pre-made and directly out of a can. I added a star for the following reason: + 1 star. The side salad was amazing. The veggies were fresh and ripe and the size was satisfying. The red wine vinegrette was obviously prepared well in advance because the wine, vinegrette and oil had separated in the container. I just used my dirty fork to stir it up. Overall...a satisfying meal, but ask for plastic utensils.
(3)
Marty T.
Stopped in after the Riverside Beer Festival and had their white pizza and their Caribbean pizza. Crust was hand-tossed and very good. It was the perfect thickness and crunch and the ingredients were very fresh!
Admittedly, I haven't tried a lot of entrees (the cheese ravioli is really good) since I'm more of a pizza gal. And Al's Pizza is one of my faves. Thin, lots of cheese, not too crisp, not too soft. The side salad is nice, too, which sounds weird but a lot of Italian restaurants (mostly pizza places) give you a plate of iceberg, a quarter of a tomato and lame dressing. Baked ravioli appetizer is really good. Appetizer sampler is HUGE. My main complaint is that when I order a salad and a slice, I barely have time to eat the salad before the pizza comes out. I usually tell them to wait to put the pizza order in. And they they look at me like I'm crazy...
(4)
Carrie S.
I don't like this one as much as the one at the beach BUT the Italian pizza was DELICIOUS!!
(4)
Christina W.
Waited on the phone for ten minutes until the woman on the phone notified me that the delivery cut off was five minutes ago. I wish they were pleasant about it, but that was not the case. I wish I made a living at being a jerkstore.
(1)
Jerry B.
We always have the same thing here. Pizza and salad and we are always satisfied with the food. Server Sara was great today.
(4)
Celia A.
Food was awesome! But 65 degrees in here and freezing to death! Asked them to turn up the temp, no response! My food turned cold due to the air blowing on top of it!! not happy!!
(3)
Jacquelyn H.
I always enjoy outdoor seating and this was especially cute with the hightops tucked under the awnings The pizza was really good, not run of the mill average stuff that is everywhere.. And the nice beer selection was appreciated.
(4)
Jim L.
Good pizza slices for lunch and I sat outside. The slices had a thin crust. Easy fast hot lunch
(4)
Sean W.
I am by no means a pizza connoisseur. Sure, I come from an partly Italian family, I know my grandmother's secret meatball recipe, and I am a fan of lasagna, but pizza has never struck much of a positive chord with me. In fact, I'm so skeptical of gourmet pizza places, you would have never seen me at Al's if it hadn't been for my mother's birthday. From the outside, the parking is ample and the building looks sturdy and classy. Inside, the design is simplistic yet elegant with a modern flare. There's a long, full bar, booths, tables, and even an open kitchen. I cannot stress enough how clean the restaurant is as well as the coolness of the atmosphere. Service was prompt, even with our table of 6 made up of our boisterous Italian family fully-equipped with the gift of the gab and hand gestures so extravagant that a few taxi cabs may have accidentally stopped outside. Kaye was our waitress who handled us like a veteran wielding all the necessary tools - patience, knowledge, clarity, and a swift response time. She was so fast, you'd have thought that she moonlighted in emergency services in her off-time. She knew which items were fresh and those which were not. Thankfully, most of the menu was fresh and made in-house. I asked Kaye for her recommendations and she was quick to respond with her personal favorites, some of which I sampled happily. The mussels appetizer was quite large, well-priced, and by far THE BEST I have ever had served to me in any restaurant, in a beautiful sauce that I ate with a spoon when I ran out of bread! The calamari was light, crispy, and not rubbery what-so-ever, taking into consideration that squid does have some natural elasticity. Entrees were made up of a few custom pizzas, one Greek pizza, and stuffed shells Florentine. When the pizzas arrived, I was impressed by their appearance, but still skeptical. I sampled a few of the toppings separately and the flavor profiles were bold and fresh. All together, the pizzas were prepared beautifully and practically melted in your mouth with a beautiful crust that is both crisp and soft. Overall, I had a fantastic time, loved the food, and Kaye (the service) was phenomenal. And even though I'm not often in the mood for pizza, Al's has struck my sweet spot, featuring Italian classics side-by-side with artisan pizzas that taste wonderful. I will return, and I hope that if you're reading this, I'll have convinced you to stop by and have Kaye show you the way to a delightful dining experience.
(5)
Meredith H.
New to town and we love pizza. This pizza was soupy and you couldn't taste the sauce or cheese. Lacked all flavor. Probably not going back... $23 for a large pizza is a bit crazy especially when it's not good.
(2)
Cathy A.
Best service ever! Ashley is the greatest. We come here because of the $1.00 Wine Thursday's, coupons and mostly because of Ashley. She is the best! The Spicy Caribbean Chicken Pizza is the bomb! Ashley recommended it.
(5)
Paul L.
Yelp comes through again helping us find an Al's pizza within walking distance of our B&B - seriously, I WALKED there and it was merely 874 steps according to my pedometer. We wanted some take-out to enjoy in the comfort of our room AND to keep our pooch company. We decided on the lasagna and the pesto chicken penne. Both were quite tasty, but it's very hearty fare, that sits in your gut and sits and sits... As good as they were, they would have been perhaps just a nudge over 4 stars even in the inexpensive Italian food arena. What pushed it over the top were: 1) The UNBELIEVABLY fresh salad, of spring mix and all SORTS of other goodies - a salad that rivals the one that costs $15 at Seasons 52 I had a week later. OK - THAT one had chunks of sushi grade tuna in it, but THIS one - this one comes with the meal. The care they took even packing it was itself impressive, albeit a little guilt-inducing for this tree-hugger. The ranch dressing was quite pedestrian. 2) The great value: the 2 entrees were $11 and $12; they come with that salad, and a sub-sized loaf of garlic bread for EACH entree, with the bread alone being enough to sustain a small family for a blackout or two. My wife could not finish her dinner, even though she liked it very much. Foolish me, I did the Chinese "waste-not-want-not", and now it's turned into "waist that no one wants". The decor of the restaurant itself was very nice as well: super friendly staff, great vibes - an inviting place. We were really tempted to eat here more than once, but with such a short stay, that didn't work out. The success speaks for itself - this is a mini chain in the JAX area, and it was busy when I picked up my food. They don't offer anything that you'd describe as a gastronomical wonderment, but what they do, they do VERY well at an amazing price for what you get. Highly recommended.
(5)
Mandie M.
I've been a fan of Al's since the first time that I lived in Jacksonville. Growing up in New England (and especially Western Connecticut), Italian food is a big deal. There are so many Italian restaurants to pick from depending on your mood. Al's is like a melding of all of those places into one and transplanted to Florida. Al's has a wonderful assortment of American-Italian food from the appetizers to the entrees. Whether you want calamari or cheese sticks, pizza or pasta, calzones or grinders, this restaurant can fulfill any mood . Prices are affordable for lunch and for dinner. For only $4.99, you can get a perfect lunch size portion of a selection of Al's pastas and pizza by the slice is just $1.99 during lunch as well. Just make sure that when you order dessert that you leave a tip and take the cannoli.
(4)
Rodney B.
If you're craving a pizza pie in the Riverside area, Al's is a safe bet for consistency and quality. The atmosphere is relaxed, the staff is friendly and attentive, and prices are very reasonable. I had the stuffed shells for lunch with a slice of cheese pizza and the total ended up being 10 bucks with tip. The only thing I didn't enjoy about my visit was the booth I sat at was really compact. It resulted in akward knee touching action with my fellow co-worker who sat across from me.
(3)
Krissy T.
The Caribbean pizza is the absolute best! It's spicy and has chicken on it. Wish there was an Al's in Virginia.
(4)
Liz C.
Love the Thursday drink specials! Usually the service is really good. The pizza is always awesome. They have become a bit generic as far as their other dishes. I tried the lunch order of chicken Marsala and it was simply a fried chicken party with Marsala sauce. Not good! Pretty lazy too. Make some grilled chicken.
(4)
HangTight M.
I went to this restaurant on a DoubleTake Offer coupon and my experience was good. The girl who took my order accepted the coupon right away, without hassle. I'm not giving this restaurant a 5 simply because of how packed and out of order it was when we walked in the lobby area. There was no hostess readily available when we got in, so we stood at the packed front door waiting for someone to come along with tons of other people pouring in. By the time we put our name on the list for a table people that walked in after us put their names on the list first, causing us to wait longer.. uhhh not happening. Instead, we used our quick seating tip, which was to just sit at the bar and be served right away. We ordered the Meatlovers pizza, which was good but TOO SALTY. We also ordered the fried chicken salad which was good and they split it for two so that was cool. The drinks were priced good as well $4 for a Bud and $5 for Merlot (half glass) Overall, the experience was despite chaos and our food was still good enough to go back, we just wish our food wasn't so salty and we could have sat at a table.
(3)
Deepan M.
Al's Pizza is a great deal for lunch. You can buy a pasta dish for $5 or pizza by the slice for $2. The ingredients are fresh and it is quite obvious in the taste of the food. The food is not oily or greasy, which is the way I like my pasta and pizza. Everyone has their preference for Italian food, but Al's is great bargain!
(4)
Dana R.
I'm a huge fan of this place, for sure! I would consider Al's the best pizza in downtown Jax. I kind of figured that Florida would have great Italian food with all the transplanted people from the New England area, and I was not disappointed! I had the veggie thin crust pizza, and it was to-die-for. The veggies weren't overcooked, the crust was nice and crisp, and the seasoning was delightful. One of my co-workers had the salmon, which looked amazing. Another co-worker had the penne with a primavera sauce, and that was delicious. The restaurant itself was very ambient, well laid out, and beautifully lit. The bathrooms were very spacious and squeaky clean! Only bad thing... they don't deliver... but I'm holding my breath that one day they will because I'd be all over that! :) I'm in Jax frequently for work and I always make it a point to stop in at Al's.
(4)
Michael C.
Decent lunch prices. Service was atrocious and my chicken parm tasted slightly freezer burnt. It gets 2 stars only because of how tasty the salads are.
(2)
Rodney M.
There are but a few times when the culmination of taste, decor & service create a perfect storm of unadulterated eating out pleasure! This is not 1 of those times but it's pretty good. LOL! The location is awesome and the decor and setting has that new place look and feel. I was greeted promptly and seated, though the table was dirty but the server noticed and cleaned it off. I ordered 2 pizza slices (a meat - Pepperoni, Italian sausage, beef, ham, crispy bacon and extra cheese & a deluxe -Pepperoni, ground beef, sausage, green peppers, mushrooms, red onions, and extra cheese) and 2 Yuengling drafts which was enough to fill a 6 ft 215 lb dude, being me. :0 The pizza was good, hot & fresh with a slightly crisp crust....see my pic...they speak a thousand words. I did notice it took a while to get my food & the place had only about 4 tables (less than 20% of the restaurant capacity by my estimate) of patrons. Just makes me wonder how long it would take had they been busy. Anyway the service was good as I was engaged/approached by at least 3 workers while there....multiple engagement speaks to trained personnel in the art & importance of customer service. This was my very 1st time but I foresee returning in the not-too-distant future. My original plan was to go to Renna's Pizza in River City which I did only to find they're out of business. :( Glad I had Al's as a backup plan.
(4)
Cheryl S.
We came here for celebration and the food was absolutely wonderful. The ambience was great the dessert was great and the price was very reasonable.
(5)
Tyler R.
I've been coming to Al's on occasion for years and have really enjoyed their pizza. It is among the best in Jacksonville.
(5)
Lindsey P.
I really wanted to like this place. Came in on a slow night, well before closing and waited 15 minutes for our server to greet us. Made eye contact with several servers, bartender and host, but no one ever came by our booth. When we were finally greeted, our server was someone who walked by us several times - awkward! He never smiled and never apologized for the delay. It was all down hill after this. Food was subpar (tasted frozen - probably from Sysco). If you're interested in pizza save yourself a less than pleasurable experience and head to Moon River, V's or Mellow (if you you're looking for a chain).
(2)
Jim R.
My son in law brought in a tray of lasagna and some kind of breadsticks. Both were very tasty. The entree was done to perfection and had a wonderful sauce. I would have this again in a flash! We are from Poughkeepsie, NY and the CIA is in the next town so most all of the local restaurants are quite a bit above average. This lasagna would definitely hold its own back home!
(2)
Julie A.
Many many many many years ago, I went to New Orleans with Chris Brown -- I mean the crazy ex. (My mind was in Disturbia!) He got me into beignets. At least he did something right. I had a craving for beignets with yesterday being Fat Tuesday. I'm very impressed with Al's Pizza. They serve really good food for affordable lunch prices (about $5 on average) from 11am to 4pm everday. I came here yesterday with my coworkers. They offer pizza and pasta dishes. They also have a few subs and wraps. And plenty of salads, as well. I ordered Florentine Stuffed Shells ($4.99) static.px.yelp.com/bphot… with Zeppoli's (Al's Pizza's version of beignets) for dessert ($4.39) static.px.yelp.com/bphot… , in honor of Fat Tuesday, of course. I had the option of adding a salad for $2.89, but decided to save tummy for the dessert. The main dish was excellent. At first I was afraid, seeing it drowning in the mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce. On the contrary, I was pleasantly surprised. All the ingredients were fresh, with ultra stretchy cheese, juicy tomatoes, and sprinkling of tasty parsley. Inside was extra creamy and rich ricotta cheese with parsley mixed in. Drooollll..... The zeppoli's were perfect. Soft and warm inside, lightly crispy outside, covered with powdered sugar outside. Lightly sweet, and with a side of raspberry sauce for dipping. Insider tip, they have bottomless drinks here if you get coke or sprite. Root beer, however, does not qualify. With the above average quality of food, the affordable prices, this is a great spot to check out if you are in the Riverside/5 Points area.
(5)
K L.
I had the fried chicken salad it was so good. Andrew had the antipasto salad and he loved it although he did swap the olive oil for Italian dressing we also shared the chicken bacon ranch flatbread appetizer and it was the best thing we had!!!! But everything was very good even the service :)
(4)
John S.
Today, I ate at Al's Pizza located between Park Street and Riverside Avenue in the Riverside neighborhood of Jacksonville. To be honest, my main motivation for going to Al's was not the pizza. After walking around the few blocks surrounding Al's and drinking lots of water throughout the day, I desperately needed a spot to rest, if know what I mean. My wife and I sat in the big booths that made my six-foot-two-inch frame feel like I was sitting at a modern table in Alice's world of wonderland. My wife looked so cute and a little silly sitting in these booths. We started out with a couple of simple, fresh garlic pretzels. Priced at a little over a buck fifty each, these appetizers were a perfect way to curb the hunger that grew after seeing all the hot, fresh pizzas being served all around me. Speaking of service, I was impressed by the team work that the waiting staff showed. I feel like we had like three waitresses. One took our order and brought us drinks. One brought us our food, and another took our dishes away. They were not as personable as some places I've been to, but so far it's been the most efficient staff I've encountered here in Jacksonville. When our main course arrived, we were ready to eat. I ordered the barbeque chicken calzone, and my wife had the margarita pizza. Both were so delicious, made with the freshest ingredients. Both of these items to me are common, but in no way were they plain. I think the magic in these dishes were the use of fresh herbs. To me, that's what made the food at Al's Pizza a step above the rest. With our bill coming in under 30 dollars, Al's was an affordable stop with delicious food in a wonderful place.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Robert H.
Pizza is solid and consistent. I often get togo and the pizza has always been hot and fresh. They are generous with their toppings which is nice. The wings are okay but seem a bit blander than I expected, however it is a pizza place so it is what it is. Overall a good place to grab a slice or a pie, especially if you are staying in. Sadly, I do not think they deliver, but that is just me being lazy
(4)Trent G.
I ordered a white pizza with meatball and their spinach artichoke dip. As much flavor as you think those two would have.. it had none!!! No taste and both were somehow watery.. A big pizza delivery letdown :( gonna drive to Moon Pizza for my next craving. I will endorse their salads however! Those never let me down.
(1)J J.
This place has great food but SHITTY service and attitudes , the guy at the door with the blonde hair is a pain in the ass and just drops your stuff on the table and walks off , or does he float ?
(1)Carlos M.
Al's is always a pleasant environment, with a satisfactory meal. The chicken in my calzone however, seemed a bit soggy, so i don't know what's going on the, but the bacon made up for it because bacon is, well, bacon. Anyway, thanks Ed for a great experience as we celebrated yet another of my cranky ass, aging mother's birthday. Try to take the hot down a notch, my girlfriend couldn't keep her mouth shut about you through dinner.
(4)Caitlyn F.
I've heard a lot about Al's since moving to Jacksonville last year, and I finally had a chance to stop by this weekend when my family came to town. After exploring the Five Points area, we stopped in to grab something to eat after smelling the food inside from the street. The atmosphere is edgy but comfortable, a perfect balance to fit in with the surrounding area. The large bar near the entrance is deceiving though - the restaurant only serves beer and wine, so don't expect to order a cocktail. This wasn't that big of a problem for my family since we love craft beer and they had local choices on tap. My family is pretty large, and our order was big to match, but the service was patient and quick. We started with the sampler appetizer, a table pleaser with fried mozzarella sticks, fried ravioli, fried zucchini and fresh bruschetta. Definitely worth ordering if you're rolling in to Al's with a big party to help tide you over until the main course comes in. For entrees, we ordered the stuffed shells, chicken parm, fettuccine alfredo, chicken tenders, margarita pizza and Caribbean chicken pizza. I would recommend all of them, and my family really enjoyed the meal. The portions were large, and we had leftovers for lunch the next day. Sadly there are no pictures to show the proof, as we started digging in as soon as the servers set the plates down. The pizza is what they're most known for, and it's definitely a solid choice with a thin, hand-tossed crust, fresh sauce and dozens of topping combinations to choose from. I think this would be a great date spot or place to take family for a quick meal. Just the pure, simple basics that are sure to please. Al's made a couple new fans, and we'll definitely be back.
(4)Ken G.
Good food. I got the cheese ravioli and my niece got the fettuccine alfredo. Both were tasty, but not extraordinary. The side salad with red wine vinegrette was noteworthy. I started off by giving this place 5 stars, then I deducted stars and added stars. I deducted three stars for the following reasons: - 2 stars. Both of sets of silverware were dirty. My second set was dirtier than my first. The fork was actually syrupy sticky. My third set of silverware was still dirty, but I wiped off the stuff on the fork and ate with it anyway. Should have asked for plastic after my second dirty fork. - 1 star. For a place that specializes in Italian food...it was good, but obviously not made by a trained chef. I swear I've had that same red sauce at other Italian restaurants...almost like it was pre-made and directly out of a can. I added a star for the following reason: + 1 star. The side salad was amazing. The veggies were fresh and ripe and the size was satisfying. The red wine vinegrette was obviously prepared well in advance because the wine, vinegrette and oil had separated in the container. I just used my dirty fork to stir it up. Overall...a satisfying meal, but ask for plastic utensils.
(3)Marty T.
Stopped in after the Riverside Beer Festival and had their white pizza and their Caribbean pizza. Crust was hand-tossed and very good. It was the perfect thickness and crunch and the ingredients were very fresh!
(4)George T.
I dropped in on a whim never heard anything about this place before. But the ambience looked inviting so I thought I'd check it out. Ordered the eggplant Parmesan entrée and was extremely disappointed. The tomato sauce tasted like it came directly out of the canyon was no attempt to spice it up for flavor it at all. Extremely bland! I could not even eat it and ended up exchanging it for a Greek pizza, which looked good but totally and NATO all precooked ingredients except for some small slivers of red onion. There was nothing fresh about this pie, meaning no fresh vegetables.! I took a few bites and ended up giving it to my neighbors and promptly got my check and told them I would never return! This place is not really Italian even though they are a so called pizza joint, there are so much better Italian places all around this neighborhood save your money and your time!
(1)Kerry S.
Admittedly, I haven't tried a lot of entrees (the cheese ravioli is really good) since I'm more of a pizza gal. And Al's Pizza is one of my faves. Thin, lots of cheese, not too crisp, not too soft. The side salad is nice, too, which sounds weird but a lot of Italian restaurants (mostly pizza places) give you a plate of iceberg, a quarter of a tomato and lame dressing. Baked ravioli appetizer is really good. Appetizer sampler is HUGE. My main complaint is that when I order a salad and a slice, I barely have time to eat the salad before the pizza comes out. I usually tell them to wait to put the pizza order in. And they they look at me like I'm crazy...
(4)Carrie S.
I don't like this one as much as the one at the beach BUT the Italian pizza was DELICIOUS!!
(4)Christina W.
Waited on the phone for ten minutes until the woman on the phone notified me that the delivery cut off was five minutes ago. I wish they were pleasant about it, but that was not the case. I wish I made a living at being a jerkstore.
(1)Jerry B.
We always have the same thing here. Pizza and salad and we are always satisfied with the food. Server Sara was great today.
(4)Celia A.
Food was awesome! But 65 degrees in here and freezing to death! Asked them to turn up the temp, no response! My food turned cold due to the air blowing on top of it!! not happy!!
(3)Jacquelyn H.
I always enjoy outdoor seating and this was especially cute with the hightops tucked under the awnings The pizza was really good, not run of the mill average stuff that is everywhere.. And the nice beer selection was appreciated.
(4)Jim L.
Good pizza slices for lunch and I sat outside. The slices had a thin crust. Easy fast hot lunch
(4)Sean W.
I am by no means a pizza connoisseur. Sure, I come from an partly Italian family, I know my grandmother's secret meatball recipe, and I am a fan of lasagna, but pizza has never struck much of a positive chord with me. In fact, I'm so skeptical of gourmet pizza places, you would have never seen me at Al's if it hadn't been for my mother's birthday. From the outside, the parking is ample and the building looks sturdy and classy. Inside, the design is simplistic yet elegant with a modern flare. There's a long, full bar, booths, tables, and even an open kitchen. I cannot stress enough how clean the restaurant is as well as the coolness of the atmosphere. Service was prompt, even with our table of 6 made up of our boisterous Italian family fully-equipped with the gift of the gab and hand gestures so extravagant that a few taxi cabs may have accidentally stopped outside. Kaye was our waitress who handled us like a veteran wielding all the necessary tools - patience, knowledge, clarity, and a swift response time. She was so fast, you'd have thought that she moonlighted in emergency services in her off-time. She knew which items were fresh and those which were not. Thankfully, most of the menu was fresh and made in-house. I asked Kaye for her recommendations and she was quick to respond with her personal favorites, some of which I sampled happily. The mussels appetizer was quite large, well-priced, and by far THE BEST I have ever had served to me in any restaurant, in a beautiful sauce that I ate with a spoon when I ran out of bread! The calamari was light, crispy, and not rubbery what-so-ever, taking into consideration that squid does have some natural elasticity. Entrees were made up of a few custom pizzas, one Greek pizza, and stuffed shells Florentine. When the pizzas arrived, I was impressed by their appearance, but still skeptical. I sampled a few of the toppings separately and the flavor profiles were bold and fresh. All together, the pizzas were prepared beautifully and practically melted in your mouth with a beautiful crust that is both crisp and soft. Overall, I had a fantastic time, loved the food, and Kaye (the service) was phenomenal. And even though I'm not often in the mood for pizza, Al's has struck my sweet spot, featuring Italian classics side-by-side with artisan pizzas that taste wonderful. I will return, and I hope that if you're reading this, I'll have convinced you to stop by and have Kaye show you the way to a delightful dining experience.
(5)Meredith H.
New to town and we love pizza. This pizza was soupy and you couldn't taste the sauce or cheese. Lacked all flavor. Probably not going back... $23 for a large pizza is a bit crazy especially when it's not good.
(2)Cathy A.
Best service ever! Ashley is the greatest. We come here because of the $1.00 Wine Thursday's, coupons and mostly because of Ashley. She is the best! The Spicy Caribbean Chicken Pizza is the bomb! Ashley recommended it.
(5)Paul L.
Yelp comes through again helping us find an Al's pizza within walking distance of our B&B - seriously, I WALKED there and it was merely 874 steps according to my pedometer. We wanted some take-out to enjoy in the comfort of our room AND to keep our pooch company. We decided on the lasagna and the pesto chicken penne. Both were quite tasty, but it's very hearty fare, that sits in your gut and sits and sits... As good as they were, they would have been perhaps just a nudge over 4 stars even in the inexpensive Italian food arena. What pushed it over the top were: 1) The UNBELIEVABLY fresh salad, of spring mix and all SORTS of other goodies - a salad that rivals the one that costs $15 at Seasons 52 I had a week later. OK - THAT one had chunks of sushi grade tuna in it, but THIS one - this one comes with the meal. The care they took even packing it was itself impressive, albeit a little guilt-inducing for this tree-hugger. The ranch dressing was quite pedestrian. 2) The great value: the 2 entrees were $11 and $12; they come with that salad, and a sub-sized loaf of garlic bread for EACH entree, with the bread alone being enough to sustain a small family for a blackout or two. My wife could not finish her dinner, even though she liked it very much. Foolish me, I did the Chinese "waste-not-want-not", and now it's turned into "waist that no one wants". The decor of the restaurant itself was very nice as well: super friendly staff, great vibes - an inviting place. We were really tempted to eat here more than once, but with such a short stay, that didn't work out. The success speaks for itself - this is a mini chain in the JAX area, and it was busy when I picked up my food. They don't offer anything that you'd describe as a gastronomical wonderment, but what they do, they do VERY well at an amazing price for what you get. Highly recommended.
(5)Mandie M.
I've been a fan of Al's since the first time that I lived in Jacksonville. Growing up in New England (and especially Western Connecticut), Italian food is a big deal. There are so many Italian restaurants to pick from depending on your mood. Al's is like a melding of all of those places into one and transplanted to Florida. Al's has a wonderful assortment of American-Italian food from the appetizers to the entrees. Whether you want calamari or cheese sticks, pizza or pasta, calzones or grinders, this restaurant can fulfill any mood . Prices are affordable for lunch and for dinner. For only $4.99, you can get a perfect lunch size portion of a selection of Al's pastas and pizza by the slice is just $1.99 during lunch as well. Just make sure that when you order dessert that you leave a tip and take the cannoli.
(4)Rodney B.
If you're craving a pizza pie in the Riverside area, Al's is a safe bet for consistency and quality. The atmosphere is relaxed, the staff is friendly and attentive, and prices are very reasonable. I had the stuffed shells for lunch with a slice of cheese pizza and the total ended up being 10 bucks with tip. The only thing I didn't enjoy about my visit was the booth I sat at was really compact. It resulted in akward knee touching action with my fellow co-worker who sat across from me.
(3)Krissy T.
The Caribbean pizza is the absolute best! It's spicy and has chicken on it. Wish there was an Al's in Virginia.
(4)Liz C.
Love the Thursday drink specials! Usually the service is really good. The pizza is always awesome. They have become a bit generic as far as their other dishes. I tried the lunch order of chicken Marsala and it was simply a fried chicken party with Marsala sauce. Not good! Pretty lazy too. Make some grilled chicken.
(4)HangTight M.
I went to this restaurant on a DoubleTake Offer coupon and my experience was good. The girl who took my order accepted the coupon right away, without hassle. I'm not giving this restaurant a 5 simply because of how packed and out of order it was when we walked in the lobby area. There was no hostess readily available when we got in, so we stood at the packed front door waiting for someone to come along with tons of other people pouring in. By the time we put our name on the list for a table people that walked in after us put their names on the list first, causing us to wait longer.. uhhh not happening. Instead, we used our quick seating tip, which was to just sit at the bar and be served right away. We ordered the Meatlovers pizza, which was good but TOO SALTY. We also ordered the fried chicken salad which was good and they split it for two so that was cool. The drinks were priced good as well $4 for a Bud and $5 for Merlot (half glass) Overall, the experience was despite chaos and our food was still good enough to go back, we just wish our food wasn't so salty and we could have sat at a table.
(3)Deepan M.
Al's Pizza is a great deal for lunch. You can buy a pasta dish for $5 or pizza by the slice for $2. The ingredients are fresh and it is quite obvious in the taste of the food. The food is not oily or greasy, which is the way I like my pasta and pizza. Everyone has their preference for Italian food, but Al's is great bargain!
(4)Dana R.
I'm a huge fan of this place, for sure! I would consider Al's the best pizza in downtown Jax. I kind of figured that Florida would have great Italian food with all the transplanted people from the New England area, and I was not disappointed! I had the veggie thin crust pizza, and it was to-die-for. The veggies weren't overcooked, the crust was nice and crisp, and the seasoning was delightful. One of my co-workers had the salmon, which looked amazing. Another co-worker had the penne with a primavera sauce, and that was delicious. The restaurant itself was very ambient, well laid out, and beautifully lit. The bathrooms were very spacious and squeaky clean! Only bad thing... they don't deliver... but I'm holding my breath that one day they will because I'd be all over that! :) I'm in Jax frequently for work and I always make it a point to stop in at Al's.
(4)Michael C.
Decent lunch prices. Service was atrocious and my chicken parm tasted slightly freezer burnt. It gets 2 stars only because of how tasty the salads are.
(2)Rodney M.
There are but a few times when the culmination of taste, decor & service create a perfect storm of unadulterated eating out pleasure! This is not 1 of those times but it's pretty good. LOL! The location is awesome and the decor and setting has that new place look and feel. I was greeted promptly and seated, though the table was dirty but the server noticed and cleaned it off. I ordered 2 pizza slices (a meat - Pepperoni, Italian sausage, beef, ham, crispy bacon and extra cheese & a deluxe -Pepperoni, ground beef, sausage, green peppers, mushrooms, red onions, and extra cheese) and 2 Yuengling drafts which was enough to fill a 6 ft 215 lb dude, being me. :0 The pizza was good, hot & fresh with a slightly crisp crust....see my pic...they speak a thousand words. I did notice it took a while to get my food & the place had only about 4 tables (less than 20% of the restaurant capacity by my estimate) of patrons. Just makes me wonder how long it would take had they been busy. Anyway the service was good as I was engaged/approached by at least 3 workers while there....multiple engagement speaks to trained personnel in the art & importance of customer service. This was my very 1st time but I foresee returning in the not-too-distant future. My original plan was to go to Renna's Pizza in River City which I did only to find they're out of business. :( Glad I had Al's as a backup plan.
(4)Cheryl S.
We came here for celebration and the food was absolutely wonderful. The ambience was great the dessert was great and the price was very reasonable.
(5)Tyler R.
I've been coming to Al's on occasion for years and have really enjoyed their pizza. It is among the best in Jacksonville.
(5)Lindsey P.
I really wanted to like this place. Came in on a slow night, well before closing and waited 15 minutes for our server to greet us. Made eye contact with several servers, bartender and host, but no one ever came by our booth. When we were finally greeted, our server was someone who walked by us several times - awkward! He never smiled and never apologized for the delay. It was all down hill after this. Food was subpar (tasted frozen - probably from Sysco). If you're interested in pizza save yourself a less than pleasurable experience and head to Moon River, V's or Mellow (if you you're looking for a chain).
(2)Jim R.
My son in law brought in a tray of lasagna and some kind of breadsticks. Both were very tasty. The entree was done to perfection and had a wonderful sauce. I would have this again in a flash! We are from Poughkeepsie, NY and the CIA is in the next town so most all of the local restaurants are quite a bit above average. This lasagna would definitely hold its own back home!
(2)Julie A.
Many many many many years ago, I went to New Orleans with Chris Brown -- I mean the crazy ex. (My mind was in Disturbia!) He got me into beignets. At least he did something right. I had a craving for beignets with yesterday being Fat Tuesday. I'm very impressed with Al's Pizza. They serve really good food for affordable lunch prices (about $5 on average) from 11am to 4pm everday. I came here yesterday with my coworkers. They offer pizza and pasta dishes. They also have a few subs and wraps. And plenty of salads, as well. I ordered Florentine Stuffed Shells ($4.99) static.px.yelp.com/bphot… with Zeppoli's (Al's Pizza's version of beignets) for dessert ($4.39) static.px.yelp.com/bphot… , in honor of Fat Tuesday, of course. I had the option of adding a salad for $2.89, but decided to save tummy for the dessert. The main dish was excellent. At first I was afraid, seeing it drowning in the mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce. On the contrary, I was pleasantly surprised. All the ingredients were fresh, with ultra stretchy cheese, juicy tomatoes, and sprinkling of tasty parsley. Inside was extra creamy and rich ricotta cheese with parsley mixed in. Drooollll..... The zeppoli's were perfect. Soft and warm inside, lightly crispy outside, covered with powdered sugar outside. Lightly sweet, and with a side of raspberry sauce for dipping. Insider tip, they have bottomless drinks here if you get coke or sprite. Root beer, however, does not qualify. With the above average quality of food, the affordable prices, this is a great spot to check out if you are in the Riverside/5 Points area.
(5)K L.
I had the fried chicken salad it was so good. Andrew had the antipasto salad and he loved it although he did swap the olive oil for Italian dressing we also shared the chicken bacon ranch flatbread appetizer and it was the best thing we had!!!! But everything was very good even the service :)
(4)John S.
Today, I ate at Al's Pizza located between Park Street and Riverside Avenue in the Riverside neighborhood of Jacksonville. To be honest, my main motivation for going to Al's was not the pizza. After walking around the few blocks surrounding Al's and drinking lots of water throughout the day, I desperately needed a spot to rest, if know what I mean. My wife and I sat in the big booths that made my six-foot-two-inch frame feel like I was sitting at a modern table in Alice's world of wonderland. My wife looked so cute and a little silly sitting in these booths. We started out with a couple of simple, fresh garlic pretzels. Priced at a little over a buck fifty each, these appetizers were a perfect way to curb the hunger that grew after seeing all the hot, fresh pizzas being served all around me. Speaking of service, I was impressed by the team work that the waiting staff showed. I feel like we had like three waitresses. One took our order and brought us drinks. One brought us our food, and another took our dishes away. They were not as personable as some places I've been to, but so far it's been the most efficient staff I've encountered here in Jacksonville. When our main course arrived, we were ready to eat. I ordered the barbeque chicken calzone, and my wife had the margarita pizza. Both were so delicious, made with the freshest ingredients. Both of these items to me are common, but in no way were they plain. I think the magic in these dishes were the use of fresh herbs. To me, that's what made the food at Al's Pizza a step above the rest. With our bill coming in under 30 dollars, Al's was an affordable stop with delicious food in a wonderful place.
(4)