I'd say this is the best pizza in GR. A bit pricey, and they need to make it less greasy. Otherwise pretty good.
(4)
Jeff B.
We were working downtown and came across this place and thought we would give it a try. We went in and the waitress asked how many and looked at an open table she then turned looking right through us at 4 men in business attire then asked us if we would mind sitting in overflow room next door. Being courteous we agreed. Then she seated the men at the empty table. This was the first time in my eating career that I felt like I was not appreciated at a restaurant. Then she comes back and says a table had opened up and seated us next to the 4 business men. WTW! The food was good but I will never be back and neither will the 2 people with me. It's a shame we were treated as 2nd class citizens. Rating for food only!! JBTN
(2)
Adam G.
Decided to hit this place for lunch the other day. I have heard lots of good things about it, so I had to try it for myself. My biggest complaint, the place was frigidly cold. It was cold inside to begin with, but I got sat next to the window and the draft made it even worse. Beyond that I had a personal pizza and it was good. I don't mean this in a bad way but, the crust was a bit dry and not so chewy, but not hard and crisp either. It was able to withstand it being held up with not much bend when holding it from the crust. The toppings were of a good quantity and so was the cheese. I'd go back for sure...when it warms up.
(4)
Suzanne S.
This is some of the best pizza in Grand Rapids. I love how tucked away it is; it feels like such a hidden gem. Interesting and different toppings, good crust. Still need to check out their Cuban dinners.
(5)
Kathy K.
Unbelievably good!! Great service, incredible food! Friday Cuban Dinner, kids pizza and a made to order salad! Yum!! Worth every penny and then some!
(5)
Rhonda D.
Best pizza in Grand Rapids in my opinion. Not to mention Cuban Friday. You won't regret getting the speciality Cuban sangria either...it is amazing. The place is decorated with old school pics of Frank Sinatra and plays all the crooner style music. Love it! My favorite meal: cheesy garlic bread, thin crust pepperoni, and a Cuban sangria. You will love them. Also check out their specials. Monday is 50% off pizza. they also have a neighborhood discount for us GR locals
(5)
David F.
This hidden gem is one of my favorite places to dine in downtown Grand Rapids! You literally have to go underground to get to the front door, which makes it a fun place to bring friends from out of town. The Friday night Cuban dinner is one of the most flavorful meals I have had and easily my favorite menu item, but be aware - it is only available on Fridays. They also have a great selection of sandwiches and pizza with a solid drink menu. The only downside is that things can get cramped in their tiny quarters, but staff are great and very accommodating to large groups. A solid choice for dining out before or after events downtown, but also a destination in itself.
(5)
Marie G.
Every time I'm in Grand Rapids, I have to stop at this quaint little restaurant. Ambiance, service, and food all 5 stars. Keep doing what you're doing, Big O's. Always a favorite!
(5)
Ashley M.
There are a handful of fantastic pizza places in GR, this is not one of them. I felt like giving somewhere new a chance and check out what this little downtown pizzeria had to offer but I was not impressed. To put it nicely, the service here is lacking. Big time. "Okay, I guess I'll be your server tonight" is perfect example of the apathetic, insincere attitude experienced here. The pizza was okay. Decent. Nothing to write home about, and nothing you can't get anywhere else. Four-cheese pizza was tasty because the cheese blend was good but the crust is typically tasteless and dry, pepperoni is on par with any chain pizza place. Underwhelming but not terrible. Forgettable for sure.
(2)
Joe B.
We had a couple pies delivered to our hotel. I was pleased with the quick delivery but I wasn't blown away by the food. We ordered a Margherita and the Big O along with an app order of fried plantain tostones with pico on top. The tostones were really dry and kind of an odd thing for a pizza place to have on menu but they do serve Cuban so I had to try them...I wouldn't again, at least not for delivery. The Margherita pizza was a thinner crust but I would definitely not call it a "thin crust" as listed on the menu. The Roma tomatoes were nice but I didn't get much fresh basil and the mozz was pretty standard. I like a margherita pizza to have a fresher type cheese or what's the point....otherwise it's just cheese pizza with tomatoes and basil sprinkled over it. The Big O has Italian sausage, peppadews and onions on it. Overall, not bad but the sausage reminded me of gyro meat...thinly sliced flaps instead of discs or crumbles of meat. It was a little odd. Maybe we ordered wrong but I just wasn't very impressed. I think I should've ordered a straight up pepperoni and a bread to get a better sense of their pie. Maybe their Cuban food is what they're better known for? I'd be willing to give them a second shot if I'm back in town.
(3)
Mona A.
One of a few places open in GR on Sunday evening. Friendly, clean, good service & good food.
(3)
Jeff W.
My dad and I tried to come here this past Friday after the griffin's game. The open sign was still lit so we thought we were ok. The hostess told us that they were closed for dining but we could order something for takeout. If you're closed for dining, why would you still show open? She was very rude to us. Why close at 10:30pm on a Friday night in the summertime after a Griffins game? That doesn't make any sense to me. We will be avoiding this place from now on.
(1)
Sarah Z.
We went on a Monday night. The place was very clean and the staff was very friendly. They had 1/2 price pizzas so the staff was hoping but we still got our food quickly. The kids loved looking in to see the pizza being made. The chef didn't mind and let the kids watch him toss the crust. I had a drink called the Big O and it was great. The food was wonderful. They had a basketball game on in the bar area and classic frank Sinatra playing on the speakers. The restroom was very clean. I would recommend this place for families, groups, or college aged kids looking for a fun place to hang out.
(5)
Eric G.
Bland pizza. I haven't had Big Os pizza in probably a few years and forgot what it was like so I tried it again because it happened to be convenient for a pick up on my way home. I Ordered a two topping pizza and asked for thin crust but got regular crust even though the order taker repeated thin crust back to me on the phone. That really wasn't a big deal. They employees were pleasant on the phone and in the store so maybe it was a goof in the kitchen but like I said, not a big deal. I added some fresh pineapple when I got home because I had it on hand and that was the best part. The pizza had hardly any cheese, very little of one of my toppings, the sauce was was just ok and the crust wasn't the usual good part at the end. I only did pick up so I can't comment on the other food but the pizza just wasn't good and that's sort of the most important part of a pizza restaurant. You just can't mess that up.
(1)
Conor D.
A friend introduced me to the Big O last week. This place is awesome. Best pizza in Grand Rapids.bice staff. Good beer selection. I'll be back.
(5)
Todd C.
Excellent pizza! Great variety of pizzas, subs, and other italian dishes. I definitely recommend The Big O's.
(5)
Lonisha C.
My boyfriend and I ordered delivery last night & our experience was kinda disappointing. I ordered the Seafood Spaghetti (which was decent), & he ordered the Tuna Provençal which was so salty we switched meals in fear of his blood pressure rising. I attempted to eat the Tuna meal, but It was just overwhelmingly too salty for me. Eventually, I ended up throwing the meal away after about 5 bites in. The cheesecake however was awesome! Maybe it was just a rough night for the cook?
(2)
Matt D.
My visit to Big O's Cafe was a positive one. My date and I opted out of the pizza for hot subs instead. I went with the Pizza Sub and she went with Midnight Club. They were both amazing. They weren't too big or too messy, just right. Each sub was served with a pickle and some potato chips...nothing fancy here. The restaurant is small and sports your typical pizzeria aesthetic, namely, red/white checkered tablecloths. The service was friendly, but a little slow. I had to actually run up to the bus boy station and grab more napkins for myself because our specific waitress never brought them. Overall, delicious meal. I can't wait to go back next time and try the 'za.
(4)
Matthew R.
The toppings are fresh and the sauce packed with flavor. Am i bias because they had meatballs and pulled pork on my pie? YES! After eating here every other meat pizza looks like a imitation.
(5)
Benjamin L. C.
Great prices, amazing food, great service. Intimate location. Had the Brando and Big Sky pizzas. Perfect place for a date, to meet up with friends or just stop in for a beer.
(5)
Ernie M.
Hidden in a lower level site off the beaten path, we found this place. The personal pizza and a chicken Caesar wrap hit the spot for lunch while we were walking around ARTPRIZE in Grand Rapids. Service by Sam was just right. I would not hesitate going here for lunch or dinner next time I'm in town.
(3)
Kellee K.
This place is a hole-in-the-wall. However, these kinds of places can pleasantly surprise you. We went as a family to this place after walking around downtown GR. You go down the stairs of a questionable looking building, but inside its got the feel of a downtown pizza parlor, bar on the side, stage in the front. A band waited in the front to play. (Turned out to be an older band that my dad liked.. who knew??) We waited for a long time for our order: the 4-cheese pizza (gouda, feta, parm, mozzarella) and the deadhead (combo of tomato, artichoke, and basil). I'm not a big fan of feta cheese, but the guys really enjoyed it on the thick crust. Me, being a fan of margarita pizza, really savored the deadhead, which had generous helpings of veggies on a thin crust. We devoured two 16" pizzas that night. Bottom line: Enjoyable. Service took a while, but cool and quirky atmosphere that served decent pizza. Give it a try! Mind over matter, food over mind.
(4)
Karen C.
We tried the pizza first as take out. Love the pizza! Quality toppings and awesome hand-tossed crust! We were so impressed with the pizza that we came back a week later to dine-in and try the pasta. Seriously SO good! I had the asparagus and Italian sausage gnocchi with a white cream sauce. Best white sauce I have had. Ever. Also loved the small town welcoming feel of this little joint. Nice craft beer selection on tap and we had great service for a Friday night!!! We are already planning to come back!! Love it!!!
(5)
Karla W.
Take the kids or stop in with friends for a drink at the bar. Love the Frank playing in the background! Nice variety of local brews for a small place. Friendly service and great pizza! The owner is often on hand to say hi and make you feel like family.
(5)
MArtyPaul A.
Best pizza in all of Grand Rapids. Love the "deadhead" pizza with the pesto. We come here at least six times a year. The location is right across from the art museum and parking is sometimes a challenge but I have never had to park more than a block and a half away. We have been a customer for over 12 years from when it was a gem on the west side. Sorry to see it move downtown but it was a great move. Also like the Friday night Cuban special. May bueno!
(5)
Caryn S.
I have wanted to Try Big O's forever and when I finally got there last weekend I was not disappointed! I took the family of 4 for lunch before heading to a local museum. We had a coupon for buy one, get one free specialty pizza so we stuck with that. We ordered a deluxe and a four cheese for the picky kids. Both were really great and served fresh and piping hot. The feta on the 4 cheese was unusual and a nice touch. Our server was attentive and friendly enough. My husband liked the draft beer selection (yay for Perrin!!). I hear they have live music on the weekends too, so I'll definitely be back to check that out along with the rest of the menu, much of which looked crazy delish.
(4)
Amy M.
I have eaten at Big O's a few times for lunch. They have a lunch pizza special that is a pretty good deal and the pizza is decent. I had garlic on mine and I was hoping for larger pieces of roasted garlic but that seems difficult for me to find! I have also tried the calzone - that was HUGE and very good, It always becomes 2 meals for me. It takes a little longer than other items to make so if you are in a hurry I suggest calling ahead to order it. I also like the chicken sub. Pretty tasty. A friend tried the shrimp linguine said it was not very good, and would not order it again. Something about the flavor was a little off for her. Other friends have also tried the chicken pesto & meatball subs and said they were very good as well. Overall their food is good and the service has been really good each time I have been there. If you are downtown you should give it a go!
(3)
B L.
Always great food and service when we go to Big O's. Staff is always friendly and helpful and have never had a bad meal//experience there. Just wish the Garlic Knots when come back instead of the garlic bread that's been coming with the meals lately. It's a nice hidden place right behind the GRAM. You won't be disappointed!
(4)
Courtney J.
This place was terrific. Great service and I had what I think was the best calzone I've ever had!
(5)
Bobby B.
My wife and I love Big O's, We finally bring our grown up kids and their families to Grand Rapids and take them to Big O's. We always try to find a place that is not chains. and little more reflect a town. Good pizza very friendly wait staff. Will go back next time in G.R.
(5)
Andrew L.
I happened into this subterranean gem on a Saturday afternoon with my band mates killing time between a late night performing in nearby Grand Haven and a pending show at the B.O.B. that night. We were starving and a little bit hungover. We seated ourselves and were greeted promptly by a friendly, energetic server. After seeing one of their steaming hot pizza pass by on it's way to another table, it became instantly apparent that pizza was the direction we too would go for our long overdue lunch. We ordered the deluxe. (pepperoni, sausage, green peppers, onion, and mushrooms) Big O's offers more exotic and imaginative pizza options, but we decided to go with a classic. After slurping down a couple of very well-mixed fountain Cokes, which our attentive server kept in supply, our pizza arrived at the table. It was a thing of beauty! If it tasted as good as it looked, we were in for one hell of a lunch. Well, we were not disappointed! The crust was thin and crispy, but not at all wimpy or unsatisfying. It was plenty sturdy enough to support the bounty of toppings that decorated it. The flavor was bold and tangy and clearly the result of fresh ingredients and a skilled kitchen staff. Truly a delightful and delicious treat on a cold Michigan afternoon. I will never pass through Grand Rapids and not have a pizza at Big O's
(5)
Mike K.
Great Pizza. Service is slow. Nice to also have a beer.
(4)
Terri H.
Awesome reward after some skate time at Rosa Park! Love the pizza here.
(4)
Dallas K.
Good, not great pizza. There is no such thing as bad pizza in my book. Ours had an excellent dough/crust (we had a hand-tossed), fresh toppings, was well-cooked, and served piping hot (it helped we got there minutes before they closed, no doubt they wanted out!). Our service was prompt and courteous, but they were out of half of their limited selection of tap beer. The sauce, though homemade, was overpoweringly rife with raw garlic (I love garlic, but only in moderation) and the cheese could have been a bit more caramelized. All in all, I would grab some again--it would probably have been stellar if I had this on the way back from the bar instead of on the way out. Despite its imperfections, I would eat here again. A medium was a good way to stuff ourselves for 2 moderately hungry guys.
(3)
Beer M.
Good pizza with tons of toppings. Cool little place. Good Cuban food. Midnight sandwich is a popular one for carnivores.
(4)
holly s.
I love going down into Big O's. The dishes and pizzas are both delicious and tasty! I've gone there for lunch/dinner with just a few people, to bringing my whole (quite large) family for both a graduation party and engagement party- all the times very accommodating with great food each time. It's a cute little place that's easy to miss, but stop by, I think it's a jewel.
(5)
Fritz G.
Fabulous little spot right downtown, at the corner of Ottawa and Monroe Center. Right underneath VanHoeks shoes. They have pretty much everything you'd expect from a casual Italian place but in addition to the standards they've got a huge variety of specialty pizzas. Some of which are a bit out there, and most of which I've tried. Some are so-so, some are fab, but thats personal taste. They also have a Cuban sub and a Cuban dinner on the menu. I understand that the dinners are Friday night only, but very popular - I haven't been there for that. Lunch is always very fast, and they deliver. Handy, since I work around the corner.
(4)
Jen S.
I really want to write two reviews - one for the food/service on every other visit and another for the service I experienced on my last visit. This is one of my favorite places to eat. While our server provided decent, friendly service before and during our meal and was prompt with dropping off the check she was anything but about actually cashing out. She blatantly ignored the cash on the check exchange for twenty minutes (no exaggeration). She would glance over at the readied cash on the bill and then walk away. All I could assume was that she hoped I would give up and just leave her the 40% tip. Finally I chased her down to the bar area and asked for change. Still obviously hoping for a larger than deserved tip she gave me fives and tens back. My bill was only $22 which would usually net a $5 tip, however after waiting for so long and the lack of appropriate change incited my ire enough to dig out the few singles I had and leave her what came close to 13%. Her rude attempt at snagging a 40% tip ended up netting her less than average. All in all I would usually give Big O's 5 stars, but this last one was frustrating.
(2)
Jodi W.
Happening into this joint on Monroe Center & Ottawa for Valentine's Day dinner was a pleasant surprise. Surrounded by checkered tablecloths, in an intimate location, an accordian player was serenading the guests and taking requests while little horse-drawn carriages clopped along outside. It was an unexpected and surprisingly romantic spot. The service was beyond SLOW, but the atmosphere and the pizza were enough to probably bring us back. I'm removing 1 whole star because of the salad dressing. Ditch the plastic single-serving packets that you have to "tear here" to open and squeeze to serve. Save those for your take-out diners and step it up a bit - go to Costco and buy a jug-o-dressing, and serve it in those wee little stainless steel cups. It will be cheaper, more environmentally friendly, and it looks SO much better! Anyplace with tablecloths, prime rib and Chianti should not have those things as part of the meal.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes 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 : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
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Pizza
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Mark G.
I'd say this is the best pizza in GR. A bit pricey, and they need to make it less greasy. Otherwise pretty good.
(4)Jeff B.
We were working downtown and came across this place and thought we would give it a try. We went in and the waitress asked how many and looked at an open table she then turned looking right through us at 4 men in business attire then asked us if we would mind sitting in overflow room next door. Being courteous we agreed. Then she seated the men at the empty table. This was the first time in my eating career that I felt like I was not appreciated at a restaurant. Then she comes back and says a table had opened up and seated us next to the 4 business men. WTW! The food was good but I will never be back and neither will the 2 people with me. It's a shame we were treated as 2nd class citizens. Rating for food only!! JBTN
(2)Adam G.
Decided to hit this place for lunch the other day. I have heard lots of good things about it, so I had to try it for myself. My biggest complaint, the place was frigidly cold. It was cold inside to begin with, but I got sat next to the window and the draft made it even worse. Beyond that I had a personal pizza and it was good. I don't mean this in a bad way but, the crust was a bit dry and not so chewy, but not hard and crisp either. It was able to withstand it being held up with not much bend when holding it from the crust. The toppings were of a good quantity and so was the cheese. I'd go back for sure...when it warms up.
(4)Suzanne S.
This is some of the best pizza in Grand Rapids. I love how tucked away it is; it feels like such a hidden gem. Interesting and different toppings, good crust. Still need to check out their Cuban dinners.
(5)Kathy K.
Unbelievably good!! Great service, incredible food! Friday Cuban Dinner, kids pizza and a made to order salad! Yum!! Worth every penny and then some!
(5)Rhonda D.
Best pizza in Grand Rapids in my opinion. Not to mention Cuban Friday. You won't regret getting the speciality Cuban sangria either...it is amazing. The place is decorated with old school pics of Frank Sinatra and plays all the crooner style music. Love it! My favorite meal: cheesy garlic bread, thin crust pepperoni, and a Cuban sangria. You will love them. Also check out their specials. Monday is 50% off pizza. they also have a neighborhood discount for us GR locals
(5)David F.
This hidden gem is one of my favorite places to dine in downtown Grand Rapids! You literally have to go underground to get to the front door, which makes it a fun place to bring friends from out of town. The Friday night Cuban dinner is one of the most flavorful meals I have had and easily my favorite menu item, but be aware - it is only available on Fridays. They also have a great selection of sandwiches and pizza with a solid drink menu. The only downside is that things can get cramped in their tiny quarters, but staff are great and very accommodating to large groups. A solid choice for dining out before or after events downtown, but also a destination in itself.
(5)Marie G.
Every time I'm in Grand Rapids, I have to stop at this quaint little restaurant. Ambiance, service, and food all 5 stars. Keep doing what you're doing, Big O's. Always a favorite!
(5)Ashley M.
There are a handful of fantastic pizza places in GR, this is not one of them. I felt like giving somewhere new a chance and check out what this little downtown pizzeria had to offer but I was not impressed. To put it nicely, the service here is lacking. Big time. "Okay, I guess I'll be your server tonight" is perfect example of the apathetic, insincere attitude experienced here. The pizza was okay. Decent. Nothing to write home about, and nothing you can't get anywhere else. Four-cheese pizza was tasty because the cheese blend was good but the crust is typically tasteless and dry, pepperoni is on par with any chain pizza place. Underwhelming but not terrible. Forgettable for sure.
(2)Joe B.
We had a couple pies delivered to our hotel. I was pleased with the quick delivery but I wasn't blown away by the food. We ordered a Margherita and the Big O along with an app order of fried plantain tostones with pico on top. The tostones were really dry and kind of an odd thing for a pizza place to have on menu but they do serve Cuban so I had to try them...I wouldn't again, at least not for delivery. The Margherita pizza was a thinner crust but I would definitely not call it a "thin crust" as listed on the menu. The Roma tomatoes were nice but I didn't get much fresh basil and the mozz was pretty standard. I like a margherita pizza to have a fresher type cheese or what's the point....otherwise it's just cheese pizza with tomatoes and basil sprinkled over it. The Big O has Italian sausage, peppadews and onions on it. Overall, not bad but the sausage reminded me of gyro meat...thinly sliced flaps instead of discs or crumbles of meat. It was a little odd. Maybe we ordered wrong but I just wasn't very impressed. I think I should've ordered a straight up pepperoni and a bread to get a better sense of their pie. Maybe their Cuban food is what they're better known for? I'd be willing to give them a second shot if I'm back in town.
(3)Mona A.
One of a few places open in GR on Sunday evening. Friendly, clean, good service & good food.
(3)Jeff W.
My dad and I tried to come here this past Friday after the griffin's game. The open sign was still lit so we thought we were ok. The hostess told us that they were closed for dining but we could order something for takeout. If you're closed for dining, why would you still show open? She was very rude to us. Why close at 10:30pm on a Friday night in the summertime after a Griffins game? That doesn't make any sense to me. We will be avoiding this place from now on.
(1)Sarah Z.
We went on a Monday night. The place was very clean and the staff was very friendly. They had 1/2 price pizzas so the staff was hoping but we still got our food quickly. The kids loved looking in to see the pizza being made. The chef didn't mind and let the kids watch him toss the crust. I had a drink called the Big O and it was great. The food was wonderful. They had a basketball game on in the bar area and classic frank Sinatra playing on the speakers. The restroom was very clean. I would recommend this place for families, groups, or college aged kids looking for a fun place to hang out.
(5)Eric G.
Bland pizza. I haven't had Big Os pizza in probably a few years and forgot what it was like so I tried it again because it happened to be convenient for a pick up on my way home. I Ordered a two topping pizza and asked for thin crust but got regular crust even though the order taker repeated thin crust back to me on the phone. That really wasn't a big deal. They employees were pleasant on the phone and in the store so maybe it was a goof in the kitchen but like I said, not a big deal. I added some fresh pineapple when I got home because I had it on hand and that was the best part. The pizza had hardly any cheese, very little of one of my toppings, the sauce was was just ok and the crust wasn't the usual good part at the end. I only did pick up so I can't comment on the other food but the pizza just wasn't good and that's sort of the most important part of a pizza restaurant. You just can't mess that up.
(1)Conor D.
A friend introduced me to the Big O last week. This place is awesome. Best pizza in Grand Rapids.bice staff. Good beer selection. I'll be back.
(5)Todd C.
Excellent pizza! Great variety of pizzas, subs, and other italian dishes. I definitely recommend The Big O's.
(5)Lonisha C.
My boyfriend and I ordered delivery last night & our experience was kinda disappointing. I ordered the Seafood Spaghetti (which was decent), & he ordered the Tuna Provençal which was so salty we switched meals in fear of his blood pressure rising. I attempted to eat the Tuna meal, but It was just overwhelmingly too salty for me. Eventually, I ended up throwing the meal away after about 5 bites in. The cheesecake however was awesome! Maybe it was just a rough night for the cook?
(2)Matt D.
My visit to Big O's Cafe was a positive one. My date and I opted out of the pizza for hot subs instead. I went with the Pizza Sub and she went with Midnight Club. They were both amazing. They weren't too big or too messy, just right. Each sub was served with a pickle and some potato chips...nothing fancy here. The restaurant is small and sports your typical pizzeria aesthetic, namely, red/white checkered tablecloths. The service was friendly, but a little slow. I had to actually run up to the bus boy station and grab more napkins for myself because our specific waitress never brought them. Overall, delicious meal. I can't wait to go back next time and try the 'za.
(4)Matthew R.
The toppings are fresh and the sauce packed with flavor. Am i bias because they had meatballs and pulled pork on my pie? YES! After eating here every other meat pizza looks like a imitation.
(5)Benjamin L. C.
Great prices, amazing food, great service. Intimate location. Had the Brando and Big Sky pizzas. Perfect place for a date, to meet up with friends or just stop in for a beer.
(5)Ernie M.
Hidden in a lower level site off the beaten path, we found this place. The personal pizza and a chicken Caesar wrap hit the spot for lunch while we were walking around ARTPRIZE in Grand Rapids. Service by Sam was just right. I would not hesitate going here for lunch or dinner next time I'm in town.
(3)Kellee K.
This place is a hole-in-the-wall. However, these kinds of places can pleasantly surprise you. We went as a family to this place after walking around downtown GR. You go down the stairs of a questionable looking building, but inside its got the feel of a downtown pizza parlor, bar on the side, stage in the front. A band waited in the front to play. (Turned out to be an older band that my dad liked.. who knew??) We waited for a long time for our order: the 4-cheese pizza (gouda, feta, parm, mozzarella) and the deadhead (combo of tomato, artichoke, and basil). I'm not a big fan of feta cheese, but the guys really enjoyed it on the thick crust. Me, being a fan of margarita pizza, really savored the deadhead, which had generous helpings of veggies on a thin crust. We devoured two 16" pizzas that night. Bottom line: Enjoyable. Service took a while, but cool and quirky atmosphere that served decent pizza. Give it a try! Mind over matter, food over mind.
(4)Karen C.
We tried the pizza first as take out. Love the pizza! Quality toppings and awesome hand-tossed crust! We were so impressed with the pizza that we came back a week later to dine-in and try the pasta. Seriously SO good! I had the asparagus and Italian sausage gnocchi with a white cream sauce. Best white sauce I have had. Ever. Also loved the small town welcoming feel of this little joint. Nice craft beer selection on tap and we had great service for a Friday night!!! We are already planning to come back!! Love it!!!
(5)Karla W.
Take the kids or stop in with friends for a drink at the bar. Love the Frank playing in the background! Nice variety of local brews for a small place. Friendly service and great pizza! The owner is often on hand to say hi and make you feel like family.
(5)MArtyPaul A.
Best pizza in all of Grand Rapids. Love the "deadhead" pizza with the pesto. We come here at least six times a year. The location is right across from the art museum and parking is sometimes a challenge but I have never had to park more than a block and a half away. We have been a customer for over 12 years from when it was a gem on the west side. Sorry to see it move downtown but it was a great move. Also like the Friday night Cuban special. May bueno!
(5)Caryn S.
I have wanted to Try Big O's forever and when I finally got there last weekend I was not disappointed! I took the family of 4 for lunch before heading to a local museum. We had a coupon for buy one, get one free specialty pizza so we stuck with that. We ordered a deluxe and a four cheese for the picky kids. Both were really great and served fresh and piping hot. The feta on the 4 cheese was unusual and a nice touch. Our server was attentive and friendly enough. My husband liked the draft beer selection (yay for Perrin!!). I hear they have live music on the weekends too, so I'll definitely be back to check that out along with the rest of the menu, much of which looked crazy delish.
(4)Amy M.
I have eaten at Big O's a few times for lunch. They have a lunch pizza special that is a pretty good deal and the pizza is decent. I had garlic on mine and I was hoping for larger pieces of roasted garlic but that seems difficult for me to find! I have also tried the calzone - that was HUGE and very good, It always becomes 2 meals for me. It takes a little longer than other items to make so if you are in a hurry I suggest calling ahead to order it. I also like the chicken sub. Pretty tasty. A friend tried the shrimp linguine said it was not very good, and would not order it again. Something about the flavor was a little off for her. Other friends have also tried the chicken pesto & meatball subs and said they were very good as well. Overall their food is good and the service has been really good each time I have been there. If you are downtown you should give it a go!
(3)B L.
Always great food and service when we go to Big O's. Staff is always friendly and helpful and have never had a bad meal//experience there. Just wish the Garlic Knots when come back instead of the garlic bread that's been coming with the meals lately. It's a nice hidden place right behind the GRAM. You won't be disappointed!
(4)Courtney J.
This place was terrific. Great service and I had what I think was the best calzone I've ever had!
(5)Bobby B.
My wife and I love Big O's, We finally bring our grown up kids and their families to Grand Rapids and take them to Big O's. We always try to find a place that is not chains. and little more reflect a town. Good pizza very friendly wait staff. Will go back next time in G.R.
(5)Andrew L.
I happened into this subterranean gem on a Saturday afternoon with my band mates killing time between a late night performing in nearby Grand Haven and a pending show at the B.O.B. that night. We were starving and a little bit hungover. We seated ourselves and were greeted promptly by a friendly, energetic server. After seeing one of their steaming hot pizza pass by on it's way to another table, it became instantly apparent that pizza was the direction we too would go for our long overdue lunch. We ordered the deluxe. (pepperoni, sausage, green peppers, onion, and mushrooms) Big O's offers more exotic and imaginative pizza options, but we decided to go with a classic. After slurping down a couple of very well-mixed fountain Cokes, which our attentive server kept in supply, our pizza arrived at the table. It was a thing of beauty! If it tasted as good as it looked, we were in for one hell of a lunch. Well, we were not disappointed! The crust was thin and crispy, but not at all wimpy or unsatisfying. It was plenty sturdy enough to support the bounty of toppings that decorated it. The flavor was bold and tangy and clearly the result of fresh ingredients and a skilled kitchen staff. Truly a delightful and delicious treat on a cold Michigan afternoon. I will never pass through Grand Rapids and not have a pizza at Big O's
(5)Mike K.
Great Pizza. Service is slow. Nice to also have a beer.
(4)Terri H.
Awesome reward after some skate time at Rosa Park! Love the pizza here.
(4)Dallas K.
Good, not great pizza. There is no such thing as bad pizza in my book. Ours had an excellent dough/crust (we had a hand-tossed), fresh toppings, was well-cooked, and served piping hot (it helped we got there minutes before they closed, no doubt they wanted out!). Our service was prompt and courteous, but they were out of half of their limited selection of tap beer. The sauce, though homemade, was overpoweringly rife with raw garlic (I love garlic, but only in moderation) and the cheese could have been a bit more caramelized. All in all, I would grab some again--it would probably have been stellar if I had this on the way back from the bar instead of on the way out. Despite its imperfections, I would eat here again. A medium was a good way to stuff ourselves for 2 moderately hungry guys.
(3)Beer M.
Good pizza with tons of toppings. Cool little place. Good Cuban food. Midnight sandwich is a popular one for carnivores.
(4)holly s.
I love going down into Big O's. The dishes and pizzas are both delicious and tasty! I've gone there for lunch/dinner with just a few people, to bringing my whole (quite large) family for both a graduation party and engagement party- all the times very accommodating with great food each time. It's a cute little place that's easy to miss, but stop by, I think it's a jewel.
(5)Fritz G.
Fabulous little spot right downtown, at the corner of Ottawa and Monroe Center. Right underneath VanHoeks shoes. They have pretty much everything you'd expect from a casual Italian place but in addition to the standards they've got a huge variety of specialty pizzas. Some of which are a bit out there, and most of which I've tried. Some are so-so, some are fab, but thats personal taste. They also have a Cuban sub and a Cuban dinner on the menu. I understand that the dinners are Friday night only, but very popular - I haven't been there for that. Lunch is always very fast, and they deliver. Handy, since I work around the corner.
(4)Jen S.
I really want to write two reviews - one for the food/service on every other visit and another for the service I experienced on my last visit. This is one of my favorite places to eat. While our server provided decent, friendly service before and during our meal and was prompt with dropping off the check she was anything but about actually cashing out. She blatantly ignored the cash on the check exchange for twenty minutes (no exaggeration). She would glance over at the readied cash on the bill and then walk away. All I could assume was that she hoped I would give up and just leave her the 40% tip. Finally I chased her down to the bar area and asked for change. Still obviously hoping for a larger than deserved tip she gave me fives and tens back. My bill was only $22 which would usually net a $5 tip, however after waiting for so long and the lack of appropriate change incited my ire enough to dig out the few singles I had and leave her what came close to 13%. Her rude attempt at snagging a 40% tip ended up netting her less than average. All in all I would usually give Big O's 5 stars, but this last one was frustrating.
(2)Jodi W.
Happening into this joint on Monroe Center & Ottawa for Valentine's Day dinner was a pleasant surprise. Surrounded by checkered tablecloths, in an intimate location, an accordian player was serenading the guests and taking requests while little horse-drawn carriages clopped along outside. It was an unexpected and surprisingly romantic spot. The service was beyond SLOW, but the atmosphere and the pizza were enough to probably bring us back. I'm removing 1 whole star because of the salad dressing. Ditch the plastic single-serving packets that you have to "tear here" to open and squeeze to serve. Save those for your take-out diners and step it up a bit - go to Costco and buy a jug-o-dressing, and serve it in those wee little stainless steel cups. It will be cheaper, more environmentally friendly, and it looks SO much better! Anyplace with tablecloths, prime rib and Chianti should not have those things as part of the meal.
(3)