We searched Yelp high and low to find a good, non-chain restaurant to go to while spending a night in G.I. We came across this place with everyone saying it was the best pizza they ever had. First off this place is called Wave Pizza and Bonzai Beach Club. There are two entries in Yelp, but they are one in the same. Let me start off by saying the pizza is AWESOME! They have a ton of funky toppings and configurations, but toppings are toppings. What really matters is crust! The pies are baked in a brick oven with a stone floor. The dough seems very Neapolitan like but without the pronounced thick outer crust (cornice). It is definitely hand tossed but thin all the way out to the edge. There is a certain amount of leoparding on the bottom but the top is nicely browned. The outside is nice and crisp while the interior although thin still keeps a nice soft texture. It is a truly well made pizza. The breadsticks are made with the same dough and definitely worth having. What kind of pizza did we order? Who cares!?? Just order whatever strikes your fancy. I'd eat just about anything you put on that crust. They are clearly trying to go for a dumpy beach bar, casual theme and they nailed it. If someone called the place a dive, they would be right. Our waitress gave us great service and the rest of the staff seemed equally as friendly. If you are in Grand Island, definitely give this place a try.
(5)
Wade C.
This place has the best pizza I've ever eaten in my life. Period. Try the Salt Creek, or Lover's Point. Your life will be changed forever. Enough said.
(5)
Samuel G.
The pizza and service is very good. The pizza has a unique, thin crust, and the menu has lots of different toppings choices.
(4)
Nikki B.
I am in Grand Island for a few days each year for work. This is one of my favorite places to eat in GI. Really delicious pizza, cold beer, and a cool atmosphere.
(4)
G S.
Brought my husband to Wave's for the fist time last week and he loved it. When we left the restaurant, he said "now I have to re-arrange my top 10 pizza list". Looks like Wave's came in at #3. We live in the city with many pizza joints. Wave's coming in at #3 in a small town is huge. I am a big fan of the "slider" pizza and the staff was fantastic.
(5)
michael m.
good pizza , not great . good variety . people nice , good beer selection and wings . i'd recommend it . thin crust and not greasy at all .
(4)
Anita D.
An unusual place to find in Nebraska. Very casual bar atmosphere. Cold and crispy salads served with a flare. Incredible 3sausage pizza that we took 'to go' back to our KOA campsite. Single ladies room, had to wait in line.
(4)
Luke B.
Just so you don't waste your time here, this place no longer exists. I tried to stop in here on my cross country trip and this was the only place that was "open" so when I get to the address I find nothing but an empty lot.
(1)
Brad S.
It was OK. Good flat bread type of pizza a breadsticks. I was expecting it to be a little better based on the Yelp reviews so maybe that is the reason for a 3 star rating instead of a 4. I really enjoyed the cheese bread sticks and that it was a different, more local type of environment. The service was sub-par but not sure if they are really trying to hit it out of the park or if that is just how things go in Grand Island, hard to tell.
(3)
Justin G.
Sadly, my Son chose to visit Wave Pizza for his family birthday dinner tonight. Let me preface my comments by saying it was what looked like a pretty busy Saturday night, and that MAY have impacted the quality of the food/service. We ordered 2 pizzas and a "Kelly Slater" turkey sandwich. 20 minutes later, our waitress returns with a menu, and informs me that they are out of turkey. Probably shouldn't take 20 minutes to figure that out, but whatever. I'm debating a salad or the meatball sandwich when our waitress returns. She starts off by recommending the chef salad...without turkey, of course. I then ask how the meatball sandwich is only to learn she's never tried it. But she does inform me that the meatballs are "large." I take a chance and order it. A few minutes later, the pizzas arrive, with assurances that my sandwich will be here ASAP. About 5 minutes later, a sandwich does in fact arrive. Looking at my plate, I see what looks like a panini. Bread? check. Sauce? check. Cheese? check. Meatballs? None in sight. There IS a layer of ground meat in chunk form....In a former life, it may very well have been a meatball. But I suspect that this is the same stuff they use for the beef topping on the pizza. So what I've been served is closer, visually, to a calzone. And ultimately, the best I can say it that it was edible. On to the pizzas: My 13 year old daughter liked the pizza. But, let's face it, this is a kid who would exist off of chicken nuggets, hot dogs, and pizza if allowed to do so. The other 3 members of the family gave it 1 to 2 stars saying the toppings weren't bad, but the crust was thin and soggy in the middle. Total bill? $58. I've eaten hamburgers in Las Vegas that cost more. But in Grand Island, where the average wage is around $12 per hour, would your average person be willing to trade 5 hours of work for such a mediocre meal? The answer is a resounding "No." I'll not be returning.
(1)
A L.
My favorite pizza! Service can be a bit dicey, but it's a laid back place. Worth the wait.
(5)
Gregg S.
Pizza is very good. Atmosphere seems to always be smokey from the pizza ovens. Service on my last visit was sloooooow. Anytime I'm visiting GI I'm going to stop by and order a pizza.
(4)
Krisha B.
Definitely a go to place if you are looking for delicious pizza and a laid back atmosphere. I am a regular at the Wave and I like all of their pizzas. The Santa Fe Slider is a must try! They have a pretty good juke box, an ok beer selection with good prices, have TVs if you want to watch a game and nice patio seating in the front or back. The only reason I am not giving it 5 stars is due to the pizza oven smoke that is occasionally noticeable.
(4)
Kandi A.
Was passing through town on my move cross country and decided to stop for some eats. Me and my friend found this place. It's a bit of a dive but I'm into that. The pizza is delicious and really fresh. Which was surprising considering I just moved from Boston. Stop in on your way through and you won't be disappointed. I also bet this place is a ton of fun at night.
(4)
Rob B.
Ok. This was an EXCELLENT pizza! Went with a friend who had found it on Yelp, and wanted to give it a try. First: nice and warm in there! It was 18 degrees outside so the oven's heat was great! The oven is right by the door, and that's pretty cool to see. The place has an Island/Surfing theme. Your pizzas--Boogie Board (individual) or Longboard (Family) sized. We did boogies, and they were plenty for a hungry person. Plus, I got to try two pizzas that way! I got "The Wedge". What I like about this place is that their specialties are very different from the old "Pepperoni and Mushroom" that I usually get. Of course if you're a traditionalist, you can choose from a wide variety of build your own toppings. But a lot of the pizzas they offer are very unique. The Wedge has a Cajun sauce, marinated shrimp, and andouille sausage. What a fantastic combination! The flatbread-style crust made it tasty, and the four REAL cheeses brought it all together so perfectly. Had to wash things down with a pair of a local brew called "Honker Ale" or something. Good stuff! The atmosphere was friendly, there were lots o families there, a good selection o beer, pool, foosball, video games, football on TV--can't beat it. Give it a try--it's a great pizza, and a nice place to be!
(4)
Pamela C.
Fun atmosphere with an amazing pizza. The crust is chewy with a nice crispy outside. The cheese was thick and meat was fresh. ...... Unfortunately, the thicker pizza was a little floppy but that'll happen. Downside. ... sticky tables and the food was slow.
(4)
George D.
Ok, this place is simply.... FANTASTIC. I am in town for business and found some reviews online about Wave Pizza. I immediately decided to give it a try. I prefer the "local fare" over chains any day. Disclaimer: I live in the northeast for 15+ years and have had access to some of the best pizza - North End in Boston, NYC, Federal Hill in Providence and various places throughout New England. Let me say this plain and clear... Wave Pizza rivals any pizza I have had anywhere. I ordered the Margherita. The secret is definitely in the homemade crust and the mozzarella. EXCELLENT! I also ordered the wings - hot. Pretty good but not as good as the pizza. I sat at the bar and got very good service from the bartender. The staff did seem more chatty with each other than the customers but that was okay... it was kind of amusing to listen to. As to beverage, they had a local Brown Ale on special. Third Stone Brown - Empyrean Brewing Company. Being from the Carolinas, I had never had this beer. I hope I can find it locally back home. Quite good. I was so impressed with Wave Pizza for dinner last night, that I took my local customer their today. He is from the area and lived here his whole life but had never been to Wave Pizza. He ordered the "Vegetable Hater's Pie" and loved it. He will be back! Today, I got the Greg Noll Chicken Sandwich. It was also fantastic. Juicy chicken, tasty chees and WONDERFUL homemade bread. Waffle fries were okay. I would suggest they switch to a hand cut fry. I think it would better complement the quality of their food as opposed a waffle fry that comes across as a fast food item. Highest recommendation. You must go there if you are in the Grand Island area.
(5)
Andy B.
This is a very popular spot in GI. We always go local and tried to get in Friday night due to Yelp reviews but left due to a 30 minute wait at 6pm. Came back on Saturday 11/9/2013 for lunch and stayed. Service was great, the pizza was average but the facility smelled like rancid grease to the point that it was unappetizing. They need to close for a month and do a deep-cleaning, if that's possible. Assuming the smell was an anomaly, this truly is what passes for great pizza in a small Midwestern town, but it is truly average. Even in Lincoln, Nebraska's capital, this place would not survive. They have craft beer on tap, a plus. The food quality is marginally better than fast food pizza chains so if you want an upgrade from a pizza hut, stop here. BTW, on Friday night when we couldn't get in at Wave, we went to the Sin City Grill. That's my top pick for the 'go local' option in the GI downtown.
(2)
Jenn C.
Have you ever tried to find a place to eat lunch in the middle of Nebraska on a Sunday? Let me tell you - it's not easy. It seems like they really roll up the sidewalks - there were only a few options in Kearny - and those were FLOODED with people also lacking options for Sunday brunch. My choices were to spend time waiting in line for a really awful looking buffet at a ridiculously overpriced Chinese restaurant or go get fast food. Not really good vegan options. So, I got on the road and kept going east - Grand Island seemed like a good spot to stop but finding open restaurants on a Sunday was a tough one here, too. On the outside, the restaurant looked bright and inviting - very surfer themed. I placed my order and went outside with a beer to at least enjoy the nice weather. When my food came - I was pretty disappointed. The waffle fries weren't really worth finishing nor writing about. The pizza - good lord. I cannot remember the name of the pizza I ordered but it promised "caramelized onions" - I had a big fat wet pile of barely warmed up onions on my pizza - they were about 10 minutes away from caramelized. Apparently, according to the waitress, the "chef" (at a pizza joint? someone thinks he's a chef??) - puts the sliced onions in the oven or something - til they just soften - and calls that caramelized. She shrugged and said that it was something other customers had mentioned before, and not her idea of caramelized but - there you have it. The crust of my pizza was also nothing to write home about - it was a thin crust with little flavor and more like a cracker or matzo than pizza. Similar to bad pizzas I had in Mexico City but nowhere since. I really have to get better about eating apples and crackers in stead of spending my time and money on dodgy propositions like surfer themed pizza 2000 miles away from the ocean!
(2)
Mary M.
I'd have given it 5 stars for the Salt Creek (not sure if that's the right name) pizza. Fabulous. Reminded me of a good authentic NY pizzeria style, which is not the same as New York Style... don't confuse the two. The crust was delicious, and the balance of sauce and cheese perfect. We did say lightly sauced though. However, we also built our own with Italian Sausage and Pepperoni. It was awful. Worse than Papa Johns... though if you're a fan of doughy undercooked pizza with way too much cheese, you might like it. So 3 stars for total inconsistency. Sorry.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Divey Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : 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.
Jeremy S.
We searched Yelp high and low to find a good, non-chain restaurant to go to while spending a night in G.I. We came across this place with everyone saying it was the best pizza they ever had. First off this place is called Wave Pizza and Bonzai Beach Club. There are two entries in Yelp, but they are one in the same. Let me start off by saying the pizza is AWESOME! They have a ton of funky toppings and configurations, but toppings are toppings. What really matters is crust! The pies are baked in a brick oven with a stone floor. The dough seems very Neapolitan like but without the pronounced thick outer crust (cornice). It is definitely hand tossed but thin all the way out to the edge. There is a certain amount of leoparding on the bottom but the top is nicely browned. The outside is nice and crisp while the interior although thin still keeps a nice soft texture. It is a truly well made pizza. The breadsticks are made with the same dough and definitely worth having. What kind of pizza did we order? Who cares!?? Just order whatever strikes your fancy. I'd eat just about anything you put on that crust. They are clearly trying to go for a dumpy beach bar, casual theme and they nailed it. If someone called the place a dive, they would be right. Our waitress gave us great service and the rest of the staff seemed equally as friendly. If you are in Grand Island, definitely give this place a try.
(5)Wade C.
This place has the best pizza I've ever eaten in my life. Period. Try the Salt Creek, or Lover's Point. Your life will be changed forever. Enough said.
(5)Samuel G.
The pizza and service is very good. The pizza has a unique, thin crust, and the menu has lots of different toppings choices.
(4)Nikki B.
I am in Grand Island for a few days each year for work. This is one of my favorite places to eat in GI. Really delicious pizza, cold beer, and a cool atmosphere.
(4)G S.
Brought my husband to Wave's for the fist time last week and he loved it. When we left the restaurant, he said "now I have to re-arrange my top 10 pizza list". Looks like Wave's came in at #3. We live in the city with many pizza joints. Wave's coming in at #3 in a small town is huge. I am a big fan of the "slider" pizza and the staff was fantastic.
(5)michael m.
good pizza , not great . good variety . people nice , good beer selection and wings . i'd recommend it . thin crust and not greasy at all .
(4)Anita D.
An unusual place to find in Nebraska. Very casual bar atmosphere. Cold and crispy salads served with a flare. Incredible 3sausage pizza that we took 'to go' back to our KOA campsite. Single ladies room, had to wait in line.
(4)Luke B.
Just so you don't waste your time here, this place no longer exists. I tried to stop in here on my cross country trip and this was the only place that was "open" so when I get to the address I find nothing but an empty lot.
(1)Brad S.
It was OK. Good flat bread type of pizza a breadsticks. I was expecting it to be a little better based on the Yelp reviews so maybe that is the reason for a 3 star rating instead of a 4. I really enjoyed the cheese bread sticks and that it was a different, more local type of environment. The service was sub-par but not sure if they are really trying to hit it out of the park or if that is just how things go in Grand Island, hard to tell.
(3)Justin G.
Sadly, my Son chose to visit Wave Pizza for his family birthday dinner tonight. Let me preface my comments by saying it was what looked like a pretty busy Saturday night, and that MAY have impacted the quality of the food/service. We ordered 2 pizzas and a "Kelly Slater" turkey sandwich. 20 minutes later, our waitress returns with a menu, and informs me that they are out of turkey. Probably shouldn't take 20 minutes to figure that out, but whatever. I'm debating a salad or the meatball sandwich when our waitress returns. She starts off by recommending the chef salad...without turkey, of course. I then ask how the meatball sandwich is only to learn she's never tried it. But she does inform me that the meatballs are "large." I take a chance and order it. A few minutes later, the pizzas arrive, with assurances that my sandwich will be here ASAP. About 5 minutes later, a sandwich does in fact arrive. Looking at my plate, I see what looks like a panini. Bread? check. Sauce? check. Cheese? check. Meatballs? None in sight. There IS a layer of ground meat in chunk form....In a former life, it may very well have been a meatball. But I suspect that this is the same stuff they use for the beef topping on the pizza. So what I've been served is closer, visually, to a calzone. And ultimately, the best I can say it that it was edible. On to the pizzas: My 13 year old daughter liked the pizza. But, let's face it, this is a kid who would exist off of chicken nuggets, hot dogs, and pizza if allowed to do so. The other 3 members of the family gave it 1 to 2 stars saying the toppings weren't bad, but the crust was thin and soggy in the middle. Total bill? $58. I've eaten hamburgers in Las Vegas that cost more. But in Grand Island, where the average wage is around $12 per hour, would your average person be willing to trade 5 hours of work for such a mediocre meal? The answer is a resounding "No." I'll not be returning.
(1)A L.
My favorite pizza! Service can be a bit dicey, but it's a laid back place. Worth the wait.
(5)Gregg S.
Pizza is very good. Atmosphere seems to always be smokey from the pizza ovens. Service on my last visit was sloooooow. Anytime I'm visiting GI I'm going to stop by and order a pizza.
(4)Krisha B.
Definitely a go to place if you are looking for delicious pizza and a laid back atmosphere. I am a regular at the Wave and I like all of their pizzas. The Santa Fe Slider is a must try! They have a pretty good juke box, an ok beer selection with good prices, have TVs if you want to watch a game and nice patio seating in the front or back. The only reason I am not giving it 5 stars is due to the pizza oven smoke that is occasionally noticeable.
(4)Kandi A.
Was passing through town on my move cross country and decided to stop for some eats. Me and my friend found this place. It's a bit of a dive but I'm into that. The pizza is delicious and really fresh. Which was surprising considering I just moved from Boston. Stop in on your way through and you won't be disappointed. I also bet this place is a ton of fun at night.
(4)Rob B.
Ok. This was an EXCELLENT pizza! Went with a friend who had found it on Yelp, and wanted to give it a try. First: nice and warm in there! It was 18 degrees outside so the oven's heat was great! The oven is right by the door, and that's pretty cool to see. The place has an Island/Surfing theme. Your pizzas--Boogie Board (individual) or Longboard (Family) sized. We did boogies, and they were plenty for a hungry person. Plus, I got to try two pizzas that way! I got "The Wedge". What I like about this place is that their specialties are very different from the old "Pepperoni and Mushroom" that I usually get. Of course if you're a traditionalist, you can choose from a wide variety of build your own toppings. But a lot of the pizzas they offer are very unique. The Wedge has a Cajun sauce, marinated shrimp, and andouille sausage. What a fantastic combination! The flatbread-style crust made it tasty, and the four REAL cheeses brought it all together so perfectly. Had to wash things down with a pair of a local brew called "Honker Ale" or something. Good stuff! The atmosphere was friendly, there were lots o families there, a good selection o beer, pool, foosball, video games, football on TV--can't beat it. Give it a try--it's a great pizza, and a nice place to be!
(4)Pamela C.
Fun atmosphere with an amazing pizza. The crust is chewy with a nice crispy outside. The cheese was thick and meat was fresh. ...... Unfortunately, the thicker pizza was a little floppy but that'll happen. Downside. ... sticky tables and the food was slow.
(4)George D.
Ok, this place is simply.... FANTASTIC. I am in town for business and found some reviews online about Wave Pizza. I immediately decided to give it a try. I prefer the "local fare" over chains any day. Disclaimer: I live in the northeast for 15+ years and have had access to some of the best pizza - North End in Boston, NYC, Federal Hill in Providence and various places throughout New England. Let me say this plain and clear... Wave Pizza rivals any pizza I have had anywhere. I ordered the Margherita. The secret is definitely in the homemade crust and the mozzarella. EXCELLENT! I also ordered the wings - hot. Pretty good but not as good as the pizza. I sat at the bar and got very good service from the bartender. The staff did seem more chatty with each other than the customers but that was okay... it was kind of amusing to listen to. As to beverage, they had a local Brown Ale on special. Third Stone Brown - Empyrean Brewing Company. Being from the Carolinas, I had never had this beer. I hope I can find it locally back home. Quite good. I was so impressed with Wave Pizza for dinner last night, that I took my local customer their today. He is from the area and lived here his whole life but had never been to Wave Pizza. He ordered the "Vegetable Hater's Pie" and loved it. He will be back! Today, I got the Greg Noll Chicken Sandwich. It was also fantastic. Juicy chicken, tasty chees and WONDERFUL homemade bread. Waffle fries were okay. I would suggest they switch to a hand cut fry. I think it would better complement the quality of their food as opposed a waffle fry that comes across as a fast food item. Highest recommendation. You must go there if you are in the Grand Island area.
(5)Andy B.
This is a very popular spot in GI. We always go local and tried to get in Friday night due to Yelp reviews but left due to a 30 minute wait at 6pm. Came back on Saturday 11/9/2013 for lunch and stayed. Service was great, the pizza was average but the facility smelled like rancid grease to the point that it was unappetizing. They need to close for a month and do a deep-cleaning, if that's possible. Assuming the smell was an anomaly, this truly is what passes for great pizza in a small Midwestern town, but it is truly average. Even in Lincoln, Nebraska's capital, this place would not survive. They have craft beer on tap, a plus. The food quality is marginally better than fast food pizza chains so if you want an upgrade from a pizza hut, stop here. BTW, on Friday night when we couldn't get in at Wave, we went to the Sin City Grill. That's my top pick for the 'go local' option in the GI downtown.
(2)Jenn C.
Have you ever tried to find a place to eat lunch in the middle of Nebraska on a Sunday? Let me tell you - it's not easy. It seems like they really roll up the sidewalks - there were only a few options in Kearny - and those were FLOODED with people also lacking options for Sunday brunch. My choices were to spend time waiting in line for a really awful looking buffet at a ridiculously overpriced Chinese restaurant or go get fast food. Not really good vegan options. So, I got on the road and kept going east - Grand Island seemed like a good spot to stop but finding open restaurants on a Sunday was a tough one here, too. On the outside, the restaurant looked bright and inviting - very surfer themed. I placed my order and went outside with a beer to at least enjoy the nice weather. When my food came - I was pretty disappointed. The waffle fries weren't really worth finishing nor writing about. The pizza - good lord. I cannot remember the name of the pizza I ordered but it promised "caramelized onions" - I had a big fat wet pile of barely warmed up onions on my pizza - they were about 10 minutes away from caramelized. Apparently, according to the waitress, the "chef" (at a pizza joint? someone thinks he's a chef??) - puts the sliced onions in the oven or something - til they just soften - and calls that caramelized. She shrugged and said that it was something other customers had mentioned before, and not her idea of caramelized but - there you have it. The crust of my pizza was also nothing to write home about - it was a thin crust with little flavor and more like a cracker or matzo than pizza. Similar to bad pizzas I had in Mexico City but nowhere since. I really have to get better about eating apples and crackers in stead of spending my time and money on dodgy propositions like surfer themed pizza 2000 miles away from the ocean!
(2)Mary M.
I'd have given it 5 stars for the Salt Creek (not sure if that's the right name) pizza. Fabulous. Reminded me of a good authentic NY pizzeria style, which is not the same as New York Style... don't confuse the two. The crust was delicious, and the balance of sauce and cheese perfect. We did say lightly sauced though. However, we also built our own with Italian Sausage and Pepperoni. It was awful. Worse than Papa Johns... though if you're a fan of doughy undercooked pizza with way too much cheese, you might like it. So 3 stars for total inconsistency. Sorry.
(3)