Joe Bologna’s
120 W Maxwell St, Lexington, KY, 40508
Joe Bologna’s Menu
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Appetizers
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Soups
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Salads
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Specialty Pizzas
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Dinners - Homemade Specialties
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Sides
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Dessert
Healthy Meal suggestions for Joe Bologna’s
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Appetizers
-
Soups
-
Salads
-
Specialty Pizzas
-
Dinners - Homemade Specialties
-
Sides
-
Dessert
Visit below restaurant in Lexington for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Lexington for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
120 W Maxwell St
Lexington, KY, 40508 - Phone (859) 252-4933
- Website https://www.joebolognas.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Pizza
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.
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Randy B.
We were nearby when we decided to get pizza - found that Joe B's was nearby and had good reviews. We were very happy with the service and food. Our server was Nathan - he was very friendly and did a great job. The restaurant is in what used to be a church, built in 1891. - cool decorations for a pizza place.
(5)Craig U.
This is definitely one of my favorite places for out-of-towners. It's something Lexington has that you just can't get anywhere else. If you go here, if you try anything, you must order a breadstick. Crispy and golden outside, soft enough to pull apart, and too big to entirely fit inside the silver plate it's served on (which, not to mention, is filled with melted garlic butter). Om nom. While the other entrees look tasty from what I've seen, I've always gravitated toward the pizzas. This past weekend we got two specialties... One small Mexican and one small Supreme. The Mexican definitely brought the heat, with some refried beans, spicy taco meat, onions, jalapeños, black olives, and Mexican cheese. So good. The Supreme definitely offered a variety of toppings I wasn't really expecting to go together (but did beautifully!). They really went with everything, from onions, pepperoni, sliced sausage, black olives, pineapple, banana peppers, and the kitchen sink. They offered to customize it, but I'm glad we didn't. Food aside (hard for me to say), I love the atmosphere of this restaurant. It's nestled in the heart of an old church, stained glasses windows, pulpit and all! And boy, do they turn out some good food. This place is a local institution that everyone should try at least once.
(5)Heather P.
I seriously had never been to Joe B's. I mean, I've had the pizza many times, but never had I gotten a chance to visit the one of a kind brick and mortar. It was apparently a former synagogue, which is apparently not the same as a church, like I'd heard that it was. The stained glass windows that still remain, give it a unique atmosphere. We started with the famous bread stick. It's not complimentary as one would think, but it was well worth the $2 price tag. It's a mix between a loaf and a stick. I assume it's hand kneaded, because of its odd shape. The salty melted butter that it sat in was phenomenal and obviously part of what the rave is about. My husband and daughter ordered the Supreme Sicilian pizza and I ordered the chef salad. The chef salad indicates that it comes with cucumber, peppers, olives and tomatoes, but if you don't like those, don't fret because there were only two of each and easy to pick off. To top off the chef salad, I got to choose an additional three items from a list that consists of mostly cheeses and proteins. I chose provolone cheese and it was actually slices of cheese, cut up into pieces, but it was tasty. I also chose turkey and mushrooms. My favorite part of the salad was the dressing that I chose. I noticed this dressing listed on the menu to accompany the spinach salad, and thought that hot bacon dressing sounded interesting, and it was. That was a first for me, hot dressing on a salad. Their pizza was less than hot, so the waitress took it back and ran it back through the warmer. They said it was then perfect, but by the time that they got it back, I was finished with my salad. Plus, because of sanitation reasons, I found it odd that they took touched food back into to kitchen. Maybe I'm just funny like that, because they didn't complain a bit, and the waitress acted like it was a common thing. I will say that it was loaded with toppings, but I'm not sure that it was worth the $20+ for a medium sized pizza. I will say that it's one of the few local, non franchise pizza places in Lexington... so if you love pizza and support local, give it a whirl.
(4)Amanda B.
I have been here twice and it is def a UK/Lexington pizza institute! You must eat here...period! The bread sticks are all the rave, I was not a fan but I did try it and it wasn't terrible just not something I care to eat. I had the lasagna and it was tasty! I took my family and ordered the Mexican pizza and it was wow wow wow good!!! So good!! Next time I will order thin crust however, the hand toss is a bit too much dough for me but still good!! My kids loved their food and the mozzarella sticks were yummy! My husband had the eggplant parmigiana sandwich and he loved it! It was a hit with our family. Cool setting also, almost feel like you can't talk that loud because well you are in a church lol! Cool spot for sure!!
(5)Sean M.
Hold the phone. You mean there is a restaurant that exists, in this universe, on this planet, that is a former Jewish temple converted into a kick ass Italian eatery? Well hot damn, this Irish Buddhist Catholic half brohemium-dudeoxide just found his personal culinary casa. Furthermore, "Shlomo". Looking over the menu while chomping on the giant breadstick with my lady I could not find anything that I didn't want to order. After a quick discussion we were well on our way to getting a pepperoni pizza with two house salads and a craft of wine. I'm not picky when it comes to eating pizza. It was pretty pretty pretty damn good, not to greasy and the crust was perfect (in relation to other similar pizza's I've facially inhaled). Sure, it is not the coolest looking pizza joint out there by any means, and though I did not get a chance to try any of the Italian offerings, I left full and pleased. I'm most certain we will be back to try more pizza's and other dishes. In conclusion, "Shlomo".
(4)Amy R.
I hit Joe B.'s last weekend and was happy to find it similar to the Joe B.'s of old. The food was just as good as it's ever been, including the breadstick which has been locally famous for years. I was disappointed that the potato soup wasn't on the menu this day and chose pizza instead. If you love potato soup, try Joe's. It's CRAZY good. The reason I didn't load Joe B.'s up on the stars was due to the waiter. Do you know that feeling you get when you get the last, stale cupcake? That's the way this guy left me feeling. He was no more at Joe B.'s than my dog was. He was flighty and forgetful and almost rude. I know that's not typical at Joe B.'s, so I'll be back. I will sit in a section other than that of this waiter, however.
(3)Kriss W.
I'm guessing one day my loved ones will find me face down in a bowl of garlic butter here. Love of pizza is subjective like many things in life, but I love this place. It is a Lexington classic. If you are I town give it a whirl. It is an experience and you might get the honor of talking to Joe!
(4)Brian S.
I have been gone for nearly 15 years. Returned to the area, went back, and noticed some considerable differences from years past. Mainly the crust. Breadsticks are what I remember but the crust falls way short of what I remembered. They do get good marks for decor but hopefully theres some better pizza in Lex.
(3)Brianna M.
Pros: food was good. Located in a Pretty, old church. Service was good & breadsticks are great! Cons: food was very expensive and was only good not outstanding. Pizza was just Okay. $18 for a plate of pasta, no thank you!
(3)Brian K.
My daughter was in from college last night so we took her to someplace she said she had never been. She picked Joe B's because I wanted pizza. My daughter had the Fettuccine Alfredo and her friend had the Lasagna. Both said the food was excellent. My wife and I had the 16" pizza. The taste was good but wasn't the best I've ever had. There were some issues. It was busy and took a while for a waitress to greet the table. We ordered the 16" pizza but the pizza that arrived was a 12". Waitress had never noticed until we ask about it. She made it right by giving us another 12" pizza. All things said, I will go back. Sometimes things happen.
(4)Mariann S.
We were riding further south, tired so price lined a room and then looked for food. Joe Bologna's sounded like fun. Oh. My. Goodness!! It was all you can eat spaghetti night and one serving was all I could eat! Great salad with homemade thousand island and a giant soft breadstick in its own little serving dish with garlic butter! Yum! I think we'll just have to stop here more often!
(5)Amanda F.
Great breadsticks and delicious pizza! Eat at the restaurant. Not only is the the atmosphere at the restaurant great but the food taste ten times better. If you do choose to do carry out don't order the pizza as it has a tendency to taste like boxed store bought pizza. Try the sausage pizza at the restaurant! It's sliced thin and the taste is better than any other traditional and Italian Sausage I have ever tasted.
(4)Doreen H.
This pizza place was just amazing. From the building to the food to the service. It is in an old church building in downtown Lexington. The pizza was amazing and don't forget to get the garlic breadstick.
(5)Joni F.
Service was great! Got a wonderfully fresh side salad with my breadstick...delish! We got the hand tossed pizza and the crust is the best I have ever had! The sauce is just enough and was excellent! Love the atmosphere and that it is close to campus...Go Big Blue!!!
(5)Matthew B.
Joe B's is delicious! I have eaten here countless times and each time I leave satisfied. The pizza and awesome breadstick are great quality and taste. Also, the spinach salad with hot bacon dressing are great. Please try this place for yourself.
(5)Amy W.
The atmosphere is the best part of this restaurant. You walk into a building that was once a synagogue and before that a church with stained glass, dark wood, and typical pizza place red booths. It's not an annoying hipster contrived look, it's a place that has character. It's a great place for a casual date or to hang out with friends and family. However, the bathrooms are in desperate need of a remodel. Yesterday I had the spaghetti with meat sauce lunch special. For $6.95 that included the pasta, one of their huge garlic breadsticks, and a small green salad-a great value for that price! The breadstick was thick, warm, and served in a metal tin with the garlic butter sauce underneath. This breadstick is what Joe Bologna's is famous for, and deservedly so. My salad looked on the brink of going bad, but still fresh enough to eat and the pasta was good.
(4)Michael C.
I've enjoyed everything from the traditional pizza, manicotti, lasagna to a cheeseburger here. Yes, they have a cheeseburger and fries. It is delicious. One of the best in town. No pretension, just goodness. However, traditional Americana-Italian is their specialty. You can't go wrong with their pizza, either thick or thin. However, the sausage is kinda oddly thin and flat, I don't enjoy it. The setting is cool, in a historic synagogue turned church. Go, experience and indulge.
(4)T H.
Arrived on Sunday morning about 11:45. Had great service by Nikki. My wife didn't want me to order onions on my pizza and Nikki really went above trying to take care of me. Never had a low drink and food was cooked perfect to order. The only negative is how dirty the place is. It needs a full cleaning from top to bottom. Dust on picture frames very greasy tables. A simple coat of paint would make all the difference in the world. 1980's photos and bland Decor can be tolerated but dirty floors when your food is so good is due to bad managers.
(5)Anne W.
hands-down this is one of the , if not THE, best pizza/italian restaurants in Lexington. I have been coming to Joe B's forever. It is a staple! They have amazing garlic breadsticks ( could eat them all day) and the pizza is always outstanding. I like their pepperoni and sausage pizza. My friends had the Buffalo Chicken pizza and it was delicious! I can't wait to go back the next time I am in Lexington!
(5)M R.
I have been eating here since it opened at the church and it has been a family staple. I love the location, the place itself, and most importantly the food. However, this is more of a 3.5 star review bumped up for sentimental reasons. I will say it has gone slightly downhill lately and there are rooms for huge improvement. The service has been somewhat poor every time I have gone for the past couple years, which is disappointing. The place looks a little shoddy. Also, please switch over to coke products and expand the tap selection! I want a beer with my pizza. I still love the food though, so that will be what keeps me coming back. I recommend the Sicilian pizza, breadsticks, and fried banana peppers.
(4)Mikey M.
Joe Bologna's is an absolutely fantastic restaurant! Quick service, great food, and BREADSTICKS! Wow, the breadsticks are FANTASTIC! The potato soup is also fantastic, and the spaghetti was absolutely marvelous! Not badly priced at all, a very neat environment being housed in an old church, and a 'must go' if you are in the area. Definitely one of my favorite restaurants, and even though an hour and a half away, I'll be going again SOON!
(5)Diane R.
Food was decent. Bread stick was doughy, underbaked but still had a crispy taste on thec outside and decent flavor. Pizza was descent. Salty and greasy but atill descent. Service was ok.
(3)Thomas B.
Very good give it a try. The deep dish are so good!
(4)Billy N.
Best pizza in KY. Order the Sicilian style (deep dish). My go to is the Hawaii specialty. Gotta get the breadstick too (get the garlic butter & marinara). Sunday night they have all you can eat spaghetti w/breadstick & salad all for $8.95. Best marinara you will ever have!
(5)Gwen O.
Had the pizza for the first time ever and it was delish! The service wasn't the greatest and had to ask for refills. But the food was good. We brought my parents here for their anniversary and it was their first time here. They've lived here all their life and had never been. They said it was yummy!
(5)Rob B.
Joe Bologna's (pronounced Bo-low-ynah) Italian Pizzeria and Restaurant has been a Lexington dining scene institution since 1973. It's where the locals eat--including UK college students and staff, downtown business folks, neighborhood faithful, and anyone who wants consistently good pizza, pasta, and even a burger that you will only find at Joe Bologna's. Often overlooked, Joe Bologna's Italian Hamburger is one of my favorite items on the menu. The menu says 1/3 lb. but it normally arrives seemingly larger than that. Served with French Fries and lightly spiced with Italian seasoning and topped with lettuce, tomato, red onion, and mayo, it's certain to satisfy most any appetite. Cheese is optional and I normally go with cheddar. Another one of my favorites on the menu is the Italian Link Sausage Sub. There are several other sandwiches to choose from and no matter which one you choose, you can't go wrong. In addition to the extensive menu, you simply can't visit Joe Bologna's without ordering one of his legendary breadsticks with garlic butter (or Marinara if you must). Ask anyone in Lexington about Joe Bologna's and the first thing they will tell you is, 'Try the breadsticks!' It's one massive breadstick served in a tray of garlic butter. It's enough for two but you won't want to share. If there's any downside to Joe Bologna's it's the dessert pricing. Most desserts on the menu are now priced at about $6. That is simply too much. And I am not singling Joe Bologna's out. Most all Lexington restaurants seem to be pricing their desserts in this range and it is unreasonable, all things considered. I am hopeful that consumers will simply revolt and stop ordering desserts which will force the prices to go lower. Supply and demand at its finest. Beyond that, Joe Bologna's is so popular that you may have a considerable wait for a table at lunch and most definitely before UK home basketball games. But many will attest, it's worth the wait.
(4)Jeremiah A.
Do you want pizza? Do you want breadsticks? Do you want Pizza Hut? Then you're gonna be alone for the rest of your life because you didn't have the sense to try this place.
(5)Megan M.
I was underwhelmed at the experience mainly because our waitress was old and lifeless. The food was fine - it just seems like this place was good back in the day and just are in a lull currently
(3)Brooke M.
I LOVE, LOVE their breadsticks!
(4)Clara H.
One of my favorite restaurants in Lexington, hands down. The chef and spinach salads are fantastic. They offer a wide selection of pizzas including: buffalo chicken and a veggie pizza. However, the breadsticks are my absolute favorite. Literally a foot long with homemade garlic butter and marinara, yum!
(5)Alan M.
So sad I first tried joe b's at original location in 1973, today we had breadsticks and thin 4 cheese pizza with pepperoni WOW HAD to be the greasiest pizza I have ever seen I think with little exaggerating there was enough oil to do an oil change for a motorcycle. Overall slow service and whole place seems to be tired and old, and with goodfellas and mellow mushroom within walking distance I am not sure how long this pizza place will stay in business .
(2)Laura R.
Not worth the time or effort. Pizza was not very tasty, crust chewie and way over priced for what you get. Desserts were fair, cannoli and carrot cake was eatable but nothing to make us go back for a second try. Disappointed again in the choices of food and restaurants in the Lexington area.
(2)Anastasia U.
LOVED LOVED LOVED this local bar/restaurent. Bar tender made up the gluten free menu because his mom found out she was allergic, he did an awesome job! I ordered the capicola and swiss with no bun both times I went (yes we went the day we left Lex, I had too). The capicola had so much flavor and was beyond delicious! Jason got a gluten free pizza the first time-good flavor-could have used a different crust (you all know I dont like Udi's-tastes like cardboard)...the second time he also got the capicola without bread. The vibe inside is some what sports bar but also italian family. They seat a large number of people. Its an interesting set up inside the actual restuarant. Prices were fair for the qaulity of food. Will go back! UPDATE: I believe this place used to be a church-hence the interesting set up inside...
(5)Jennifer W.
I absolutely love Joe B's. The setting in the old church is just magical and gives it such character. The food is to die for. Their staff is always really friend. Their breadsticks are about as long as your arm! I love taking people who are visiting to this place...it more often than not becomes somewhere they always want to go when they visit. If you're in Lexington - check it out!
(5)Ann L.
First off, how cool to have lunch at church. Loved the stained glass windows, pews by the front doors, and the garlic butter dish that looked like an offering bowl. From the name, you would think it's full of deli sandwiches like bologna...not...it's pizza 'n stuff. From all the reviews I guessed the bread sticks would be top pick...and they were. LOVED them. Should have stopped at that point. Then I would have left satisfied. I decided to get the Eggplant Parmesan. It wasn't very good to me. I took a few bites and decided to order something else. The server just looked at it, but never made a comment. Never asked if we liked anything. Seemed to ignore the big pink elephant in the room. So then I ordered a tossed salad. It came full of all the hearts of lettuce and turning brown. Figured we better just stop and leave. The screaming baby next to us probably didn't help. I love babies, but 15 minutes of baby needs something was a little much. The prices are reasonable. The parking was easy. The bread sticks were awesome.
(2)Jared S.
Can't go wrong with the Lasagne and a Garlic Bread Stick. Adds to the cool factor that it is in a old church.
(5)Jon M.
Pizza church...where to begin. When I lived in Lexington, I drove by this place so many times, wondering what it actually was. Because there was no way a church had that many cars in the lot on a Friday night. So when I learned it was an old church turned into a pizza place, my cholesterol count raised itself on it's own, simply out of sheer excitement. Not kidding. So a co-worker and I came here. The breadsticks were underwhelming and it's easy to see why they have to serve it in a tray of oil. On their own they aren't good and the oil doesn't help. The pizza was okay. Not bad. Not great, either. Just okay. Which is a huge letdown considering that Lexington has surprisingly good pizza. Scratch that, Kentucky as a whole has some damn good pizza. Be proud of that, Bluegrass State. Just don't consider pizza church to be part of that goodness. Go for the ambiance. Maybe have a salad, instead.
(2)Tanya S.
Good food, cheap prices, good service. Will return 8 I'm ever in this area again. Directly across from hospital where I worked. I never would've thought to change a church into a restaurant.
(5)David H.
A must visit place in Lexington! Where else will you get excellent pizza in a former synagogue? The square pizza is very tasty with a little bit of spice in the sauce but isn't too greasy. You HAVE to try a "garlic breadstick" which is more like a breadstick the size of a footlong sandwich roll dipped in garlic butter and served in more garlic butter. Go here for excellent food, friendly service, and a building you won't find at any other pizza place.
(5)Christiaan T.
Get the garlic bread sticks, then go someplace else to eat. building is an old church, thats cool. garlic bread sticks are great. pizza was ok at best. eggplant was gross salad was brown and old waitress did not even ask how everything was. even after pushing full plates away. I wont be back.
(2)Justin W.
Cool place in a great location. Got the Sicilian cut pizza. The small more than filled me up. Sweet waitress too. I'll probably go back when in town next.
(3)Matthew L.
Lunch during the week. Got there around 2:30 so it was pretty empty. Service was friendly but a little slow and inattentive. Ordered the lunch special--Italian pasta salad, $5. Relatively small portion of corkscrew pasta with lots of veggies (pizza toppings). Dressing was pretty bland. Would have been nice if there was some protein. Coworker ordered a chef salad that looked pretty decent. Another ordered a bowl of soup, a bread stick and a 6" pizza. All looked pretty average. Maybe I should have tried a pizza. Aside from the somewhat cool setting, I wasn't overly impressed.
(3)Julia N.
I have been going to Joe B's since I was a kid, so I am sure the peppering of nostalgia makes the food taste extra delicious to me. I appreciate the fact that this place is not some cookie cutter restaurant chain and has been a local institution for years. The wait staff is consistent and friendly, although I have never known them to be quick with a refill. I have never had a bad meal, but I pretty much stick to garlic breadsticks and meatball pizza. My sister loves the spinach salad. The prices are reasonable, the atmosphere is comfortable, and the location is unique.
(4)Nathan W.
Next time you go to church imagine if it was a pizza place. Because that's exactly what happened here! The building's very nice and the stained glass windows are a nice touch. You have to get the breadsticks.
(3)M C.
A Lexington tradition, so they say. Well, sorry, but I was raised in central Kentucky and this isn't a tradition for me. The pizza was satisfactory for the price--a small Sicilian dish pepperoni pizza. The ingredients weren't the freshest I've had. Well, okay, I take that back, the sauce was pretty good. But, I've had overall pizza just as good from Papa Murphy's. The breadsticks and garlic butter? Really?! Take foam with melted Save-A-Lot butter and you get the same effect. The worst of each I've ever had. Decor was decent. It felt like a locally-run early 1990s Applebee's or O'Charley's. So, comfortable but not fancy. This isn't a complaint, just an observation. Service was friendly enough and food was brought out fast enough after ordering. However, the restaurant was at 80% capacity and it still took my group 7-8 minutes before we could even submit our orders. I don't remember any refills, either, just eat then pay the check. Parking was decent behind the restaurant, but it was 28 degrees outside. Meh.
(2)Jarrod W.
The 6 who were fired because of the owners political posturing. They are real people, unlike your fear of a law that hadn't gone into effect. I have been there more times than I can count, but after what the owner said to our congressmen and this community, and his decision to play around with peoples well being I will never be back and I hope you go out of business soon. Goodfellas is a way better deal and better pizza anyhow, or pazzos, or even papa johns for that matter.
(1)Jesse R.
Overpriced awfulness served up by a team of unhelpful staff. I'd avoid this place like the plague. The pizza resembles that of a poorly ran pizza hut with asinine prices. Spend your cash at Bella Note or something.
(2)S W.
No wait, good service, nice enough place, plenty of TVs to watch. The toss salad was good with the house dressing. The pizza however, was OK. We ordered a pan style, Hawaiian pizza. Nothing to love or rave about. Yawn. 3 stars it is.
(3)Mike D.
Took my wife to lunch on saturday. Food was okay, service was a bit insulting. We asked if the lunch menu was in effect and told that only the pasta dishes were honored. My son try to order a lunch pasta and was told it was only Mon through Fri. When my wife reminded the waitress that she told us we could order the lunch pasta's she said that was only for seniors. My wife is 50 years old and was there for Mother's Day but I guess to the staff everyone over 40 is a senior. My wife didn't receive an apology and ended up paying to be insulted and eat average food. Save yourself the headache and go the extra half block to Mellow Mushroom.
(2)Lee P.
Has a wonderful ambiance. It still has stained glass windows and much of the original interior structure. The best fresh baked garlic butter bread sticks you'll ever taste. The pizza, pasta and sandwiches are all great, but you'll go back again and again for those bread sticks. It is usually crowded and parking is tough.
(4)Joseph O.
This is pretty much my favorite Italian place. The food is delicious (some dishes are a tad greasy, but that goes with this style of food). The breadsticks are almost a meal unto themselves, the spinach salads are a great start to a meal, and if their cream of potato soup is the soup of the day you're in for a treat. As for entrees, the star is the deep-dish pizza but the pasta is pretty good too. The atmosphere is good, with the stained glass from the church and synagogue that used to occupy the building giving it a unique flavor.
(5)Matt L.
Joe Bologna's has haunted my memory for 20 years. When my parents would take me to visit family in Lexington, they would often order Joe Bologna's, which had pizza different than anything I'd ever had. So, when I'd grown up, I'd knew I'd have to exorcise those memories by trying the pizza again. My memories told me that the place was an old place of worship, and that the decor wasn't exactly the most chic. But the pizza was presumably the best in town, since my uncle wouldn't really settle for less. So, since I've had the opportunity to visit, I've been able to review what my childhood memories told me. First, the decor really as cheesy as I remembered. I can understand the fun environment, so I'm not criticizing. The pizza, on the other hand, wasn't the end-all be-all I remembered. The Sicilian pizzas had great crusts, and the toppings were top-notch, but there wasn't much sauce, and there could have been more cheese. That my opinion. My wife thought it was outstanding. However, there's one wild card which really sends my renewed memories of Joe's into the stratosphere: they made these unbelievable bread sticks. Not only are they big, but they also bring them to you in a pool of melted butter with garlic. The bread is outstanding, and the butter it swims in makes the greatest ever. If you're looking for a transcendent experience, JB's can't do it, but if you want a fun little environment with pizza and other Italian food, you'll have a good time.
(3)Natalie R.
I love this restaurant! The atmosphere is very quaint as many reviews mention it is an old church. A great variety of Italian food: pizza, pasta, subs. We often get fried banana peppers for an appetizer. The breadsticks are the best: huge, warm, soft and the garlic butter is superb! Enjoy taking out of town guests here for a very fulfilling meal.
(5)Megan C.
This place is pure nostalgia for me. I grew up in Lexington and special occasions as a kid took us to Joe B's. I always thought it was so cool that this once-synagogue was now a pizza restaurant. When I was in college at UK we would walk over for pizza sometimes as well. On a recent visit to Lex I stopped in for lunch and was reminded of their yummy pizza and garlic bread sticks. I think that they're incredibly reasonably priced for lunch, and much more expedient than they are for dinner. I've also sampled a couple of their salads and a pasta dish or two. Service for dinner can be very, very slow, but I enjoy the food and the atmosphere so it's definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.
(3)Becky M.
Joe Balogna's is a delightful Italian restaurant near UKy in a building that was once a church, then a synagogue. The beautiful stain glass windows add to the ambiance of the place. The food is very good, and the wait staff helpful and attentive.
(5)Nate P.
Food quality of this place is going down. My wife discovered this place a few years back and we loved going to this place for the giant breadsticks, zucchini parmigiana and pizza. But lately the food quality is going down. Breadsticks are coming cold, salad not fresh etc. This week zucchini parmigiana was fried in burnt oil leaving zucchini uncooked inside and making me wake up in the middle of night with dry sore throat. We told the waiter about the uncooked zucchini but no response. I am now leary about this place now!
(1)Zach J.
Joe B's is awesome! One of my favorite places to dine in Lexington. The lunch prices are pretty reasonable for a sit down restaurant. You definitely have to try the fresh bread sticks and their marinara sauce.
(5)Chris P.
Pretty fun joint. I love the fact that it used to be a church and the booths are still like that. The stained glass windows are awesome too. Such a cool feel. The food however, is just ok. It's stuff out of a can and frozen this and that. No biggie... It's cheap and a cool place to bring some kids or something. Not a bad place at all. No fancy wine lists or frills here... Parking is terrible btw. The service was ok and the servers could clean up a little and polish up their acts about being so non-chalant. The eggplant parm was my favorite that I tried off of the table. I'd go back if someone said they wanted to go there.... I'd want a drink or two at the alter bar though. haha
(3)Linda R.
Totally agree with Stuart The pizza here has beeVery good for many years. I went to the hole in the wall small location years ago while in grad school and every time I visit I try to make it by here And to the guy from minnesota....lighten up ... These guys found a reuse for a lovely building that was abandoned....good for them. Come back with a different attitude and I bet the pizza tastes better. :)
(5)Todd C.
Local favorite with the giant garlic breadstick!
(4)Jeff R.
My family made me go there. And, in the end, it's what I expected. The crowds there mean that there is really nothing wrong with Joe Bologna's. It is basic heavy sauce Italian style. The pizza dough is the same as the garlic bread they put out. The salads are basic. Servers are friendly. I'm sure you will enjoy it, and really, there is no reason not to for what it's doing. It's just not my thing.
(2)Michelle H.
So yummy, good food. Highly recommend pasta dishes Decor is okay, very casual
(4)Johnny A.
Very plain, run of the mill Italian food that just doesn't stand out at all. At least it wasn't bad, but anyways, the novelty is in the fact that it's located inside a converted church/synagogue, which looks impressive and cool from the outside. The inside of the restaurant wasn't as impressive. Overall, it was an ok experience, but I was not impressed at all.
(2)Steve B.
Had the thin crust veggie pizza last night and it was extraordinary! Loaded with veggies and the crust was perfect. Definitely gonna make it one of my go-to places.
(5)Andrea B.
I would take anyone who wants good pizza and good pasta here. I love the Hawaiian pizza, and they have lots of choices. The pasta is very good as well. Re the pizza, 2 or 3 people can easily be satisfied with a medium. The atmosphere is casual and relaxing, and you sit in old church/synagogue with beautiful stained glass windows. And, the portions are large so you'll likely have leftovers to take home and enjoy.
(5)Greta K.
I went for a family lunch a few weeks ago, and it was seriously the first time I'd been to the restaurant in ten years or so. My mom and I split the eggplant sandwich, and it was definitely big enough for two people. What a great sandwich! Even though I didn't try it, my cousins ordered an everything pizza, and it looked really cheesy, meaty, and scrumptious. On a side note, it's kind of cool that it's in an old church/synagogue (yes, it was both). I'm always happy when old buildings are renovated, rather than demolished.
(4)Sean G.
What a Great place!!!!!! I was by myself so I sat at the bar. The bartender took great care of me. I ordered a salad, pizza and a bread stick. I was chatting with the bartender and a waitress that was doing silverware prep for tomorrow. One thing leads to another and Joe came over and introduced himself. What a great guy. He began by telling me that everything is homemade in house. 80 gallons of marinara, 60 gallons of meat sauce per week, all made fresh. Amazing!!!! Before I knew it, Joe brought me a small sample of the spaghetti with both the marinara and the meat sauce. The bartender and the waitress also told me that Joe is great to work for. The pizza was one of the best I have had in a long time. So if you are passing through town such as me, or live here and have never made it to Joe's. Go and have a pizza, or some pasta. Oh yea, don't forget to have a breadstick as its part of the experience. Glad I cancelled my reservation at Portofino for the down home meal at Joe's.
(5)Tony S.
I ate at Joe B's as a college student in the 1970s when UK tuition cost less than $500 a year. And the veggie lasagna, a breadstick, and an iced tea was less than $5.00. It was delicious. I moved away for 30 some years, and now I go back once in a while now that I live in KY again. The same meal is about $15.00. Not bad! Oh - UK costs about $9,000 in-state nowadays. Glad I'm old :-)
(4)Amber R.
Everything about this place is delicious. The breadsticks are amazing and the pizza is good as well. I believe Joe Bologna's is my favorite pizza joint in Lexington.
(4)Daniel C.
We've been eating here every Thursday night with a bunch of friends. It's always great! Tonight I had 1/2 Italian sub (hot). I had a cup of chili with it. AWESOME.
(5)Landon C.
My favorite pizza place in Lexington (so far...)! In an old church, which is a nice atmosphere. Even church pews for some of the seats. Every pizza I have had here is great and I usually have some to take home (for a pretty decent price). I can't say I have any complaints.
(5)Christyn K.
I've always been a fan of Joey B's. Whether I am in need of a nice family-esk place to take visitors in Lexington, or a place to watch the game and drink a beer, Joey B's always delivers. The menu is substantial and well priced. Creating you own pizza combination is always fun, especially when combined with their crazy long bread sticks that arrive in a plate of melted butter (YES!). Skip their salads and go for a sandwich or even their soup (several years ago I asked if they had vegetarian soup and the waitress FOUND some for me and then didn't charge me for it since it wasn't on the menu! Incredible!) Joey B's also gets stars for a good sized parking lot and an AWESOME interior: an old Church! I recommend sitting on the 2nd floor (old Balcony) for a 360 degree view of the place, and it's TV's! Thanks, Joey B's, for being part of UNIQUE Lexington and for always being a strong presence in our community!
(4)Camille G.
The pizza place in the old church is definitely worth a visit in Lexington. Good enough pizza and garlic bread, ok service. Fun place to go with friends - but watch your timing: Friday and Saturday nights can have you waiting outside for a good hour - and the food isn't THAT good.
(3)Dan M.
I love this pizza place! The service is good. The atmosphere is a little loud but not a disturbance at all. The food is not at all pricy in my opinion. The best part of all is their breadsticks. They're unbelievable! A must have when you go. The set up is great too, built in an old church. Just a really good restaurant in downtown Lex.
(5)Arvin B.
Place is great. Pizza is great and the garlic bread (dipped in the garlic sauce) is great. The only problem I had with it is the pizza and garlic bread always seem to go right through me ( always had to go to the bathroom after I ate). No idea why. Still a good place nevertheless.
(4)Lisa S.
Always try to go to Joe bologna's whenever we are in town or passing thru. Wish we could go more often! Service is always friendly and quick. Food is amazing from the giant breadsticks w garlic butter and marinara sauce to fantabulous pizza and pastas. Highly recommend!!
(5)Serenity N.
No, it's not the best food in town, but it is good and consistent. If I had to pick a place that does everything good but not much great, it would be Joe B's. I do love the atmosphere and always come away happy I chose it. Get the thin crust!
(3)Steven H.
Love it. Super consistent establishment. I appreciate knowing what to expect when I dine here. Gazpacho (seasonal) is Dee-Lish! Like the chilled salad plates. My daughter & I enjoy sharing the breadstick. You can customize the pie any way you like. They will roll the crust as thin as you like. Is it the best pizza I ever ate? No but it's a traditional old school kind of place, in a fantastic old church, digging it.
(4)Jeff J.
Joe Bologna's remains a tradition in Lexington. For over 30 years it has been serving thousands of UK students, visitors, and locals its famous breadsticks and Italian food. On any given weekend, you can sometimes find there is an hour wait. I rate the food as average to a bit above average. Over the years I have tried a good number of their dishes. Skip the clumpy Alfredo for sure. In my opinion, the following are the best dishes at Joe's: Their famous breadsticks are unusual and tasty. They are basically a long yeast roll in the shape of a baguette. You can order them in a tray of garlic butter (the usual), dry, or with marinara sauce (the best version in my opinion). The spaghetti with meat sauce is also quite good with a slight sweetness to it. The capicola ham and cheese sandwich is yummy but greasy. The club sandwich rates among the best in town. The grilled chicken primavera or version with olives and feta is strongly-flavored (LOTS of garlic) but tasty. While many people never try their desserts, Joe's homemade ...it is actually made by Joe Bologna himself...carrot cake is the best or at least among the best in central Kentucky. Their ricotta cheese pie is unique and delicious...ask for it heated a bit with chocolate shavings on top. The restaurant occupies a former synagogue and thus is quite architecturally unique. Joe's laidback servers are consistently good and friendly. The restaurant does a thriving business with regulars and people who return to relive college memories. While I think there are better pizza (Mellow Mushroom and Broadway Pizza) and Italian restaurants (high end places like Portofinos and Bellinis) in Lexington, many are chains. If you want a unique, local place with some color and friendly service, check out Joe Bologna's and their bread sticks, spaghetti with meat sauce, and carrot cake.
(4)Daniel L.
Average pizza. Below average pasta dishes. Great breadsticks all brought to you by mediocre servers. This place really needs new management that puts the customer first. I won't eat here anymore.
(2)Nichole D.
Awesome place to take the family! Minimal wait, great seating. Awesome breadsticks!
(4)Sarah M.
I like their breadsticks, their homemade salad dressing, the lasagna, and the reasonable prices. I remembered eating here as a kid (OK I remember the big pool of butter and breadstick) and was surprised to learn I still enjoyed it as an adult. That says something - they're still here and still doing things the same way. And they are still packing in a lot of customers! it is busy so go early if you want a parking spot.
(4)Krissy R.
I wasn't impressed with the food here. I ended up here because a lot of other restaurants were closed on Sunday and chose this place over a barbecue place close by because it was very noisy. I ordered a hamburger and my husband ordered a pizza because it seemed to be their main attraction. The burger was dry, the bun seemed stale, and I had to keep waving the server down for drink refills. After I ate the burger I wished I hadn't. My husbands' pizza tasted greasy and pre-made...almost like it was previously frozen and thawed. It actually reminded me of pizza at the bowling alley or skating rink I used to get as a kid. I won't be going back here ever again.
(1)John S.
Great place...really great pizza. Atmosphere is vibrant and alive.
(4)dean f.
I've never been that impressed with Joe B's. Everyone freaks out over the breadsticks, but it's just an overgrown pizza crust sitting in a pool of melted butter. they might as well just serve a syringe with it so you can inject the butter right into your vein. mmmm, butter vein... as far as everything else goes...i couldn't tell ya a damn thing about it, because i dont even remember it. i guess that says it all: its not memorable. if you want good pizza, i'd suggest Pazzos.
(2)Doug R.
Situated in an old converted Presbyterian church/Jewish synagogue (as per their menu and website) the place is architecturally unique for a restaurant. It was related to me that the breadsticks are to die for when we visited, and while they were good, I have had better ones elsewhere (Impellizzeri's in Louisville comes to mind for one). The pizza is great there tho and the service was top-notch, but the noise was ear-splitting the evening we were there (UK football game Saturday). If you can get there while it is quiet, definitely "Eat at Joe's!" Longer review on my blog at ourserendip.com/WPBlog/?…
(4)Steven K.
Vastly overrated food, but nice enough space (though can be noisy).
(2)Ross M.
It seems to be some sort of UK tradition or something, but I don't get it. I always seemed to end up there with big groups celebrating something or other. I never once went here by choice. It's probably the last place pizza in my book and I don't understand what's so great about the big dry bread stick dipped in melted garlic butter either. Chain pizza beats this place any day.
(2)pedro s.
I agree with Adam A. I must rebut these other negative reviews which are unwarranted. And I will confirm that it IS a converted synagogue.
(4)Bayard C.
This restaurant has been around forever in Lexington. It has moved several times but has been in its present location for at least 10 years or more. The food is excellent and the bread sticks are to die for. It is still one of the best places to go after a UK game for some good food and friendship.
(4)