From Lane Ave this place looks more swanky than it really is. With the plush and radiant patio and its posh looking red umbrellas, and the classy font of its named anchored at the side it seems like a high-end bistro. The inside though reveals it more in the category of midlevel Italian eatery, the kind of place you stop before or after a high school sports game, with tables draped with checkered cloths, dark cherry wood, and wall junk of OSU sports sprinkled with a few caricature of (famous?) people. Dominating the place is a large bar that seem to attack groups of friends, family, and the like--a neighborhood hole across from the mall. I came here first last fall because I was yearning for food from the boot--or what passes in C-town town for it--and this was suggested. I ordered a Carsonie Chicken--a breast under marinara sauce over spaghetti alfredo. It came with bread and a Caesar salad. I was happy with the meal for the affordable price but it didn't blow me away. The chicken marinara suffices as a quick meal, the spaghetti is decent. The salad could use a bit more something. I didn't review it at that time since I got the impression this is more a pizza-calzone kind of place--which is in their name. I returned last weekend. This time I ordered a Calzone and selected pepperoni and sausage-- as they make them like their Pizza. It was very fresh and delicious. The crust was not too thick or thin. I really loved it. I will certainly come back to try the Stromboli when the urge arrises. Parking can be limited so you might have to park at the mall. The patio is wonderful. Good place to al fresco.
Ate there lastnight. Staff was nice food was good but manager allowed many children to run through out the restraunt as people tried to eat. Not what I was looking forward to while eating. Just FYI
(2)
Mollie F.
My kids and I love this place! The food and service is great. We love Mondays when Erica the balloon artist is there and the kids eat free!
(5)
Doug O.
Not bad. The strombolis are decent and the appetizers aren't bad. Nothing fancy. This is the type of Italian food I expect to find in a small town--it is basic and lacks subtlety and imagination, but it fills you up and tastes decent. In fact, my wife is excited to take her parents (who hail from a small town) there because it is probably one of the few places where her mom won't turn her nose up at the "city food." The thing I like to do here is come for Buckeyes games because no one else does so. While every sports bar is packed, you can come here and have the place to yourself.
(3)
Brandon Heights Yelper S.
Not bad. I like to get a stromboli now and then. Go with the original. But, be warned - it's kinda heavy. And, they serve them pretty big. The Italian fries (crispy, slightly sweet bread sticks) are really good. I wouldn't want to eat here too often, but good as an occasional option.
(3)
Greg K.
Went for a slightly late Sunday dinner. The service was great. Our cups were always full and they checked on us enough without hovering. We had the wings for an appetizer and they were the perfect classic wing although we ordered the hot and they could have used a little more heat. I went with the original Stromboli. It was good but not great, a little bland for me, I would try it again but add some more toppings. My fiance had the pasta rosa, again good but not great, although once we added some salt it was much better. The wings and the service were the highlights for us. We'll be back
(4)
Joe G.
Stopped by Carsonie's after a nearby Happy Hour. I just needed to order food to go, but I'm very glad I went to Carsonie's. I don't consider myself an expert on Stromboli, but I loved their chicken stromboli. It comes with grilled chicken, cheese, tomatoes, and banana peppers, (and red sauce on side). The banana peppers gave the entire dish the perfect amount of flavor. I can't say it's my favorite restaurant or even food in columbus, but my first experience definitely makes me want to go back sometime soon. The dining area seemed small, partly because of the large bar dropped in the middle of the restaurant. I ordered take out so I can't really comment on service, but the bartender was friendly.
(4)
Sabrina F.
Carsonie's is a great little family friendly pizza place on Lane.There is also a take out side right next door to the restaurant if you are in a hurry. The staff is incredibly friendly and very attentive. They have a well stocked bar in the middle that includes pineapple infusion, which I will try one day! I especially loved the trivial pursuit cards on each table, because what better way to wait for your 'za than to be entertained by testing your friends knowledge of random facts. The pizza we had was delicious and so cheesy, like cartoon cheesy, like in A Goofy Movie when they order pizza-that kind of delicious cheesy. I can't believe I referenced A Goofy Movie.
(5)
Brad R.
Pizza and Stromboli ate awesome! Appetizers are a bit pricey.
(5)
Carrie P.
Best. Italian. Hands down. The Italian fries were insane. The Mediterranean penne was so delish - the garlic /Olive oil /feta - outstanding. My sister got the baked ziti - ridic. So so good! And the roll served with the meal tasted like it was homemade. As my Italian sister in law said, "this place is legit." Enjoy!
(5)
Emma L.
I like this place a lot, but definitely have to be in the mood to go here. It is super crowded on weekend nights, and there's not really any room to wait around, even at the bar. But when the mood strikes... The stromboli is amazing - bf and I usually split a medium ($17) and have a few slices leftover. The side salads leave a bit to be desired, especially at around $6-$7 each. Starters are also kind of lacking, as I've had the mozzarella sticks and the garlic cheese bread, both 'meh'. But the stromboli - ohhh the stromboli! Whatever their crust is made of is absolutely delicious. It's salty, sweet, crunchy, chewy - literally above and beyond delicious. The toppings (fillings?) are always great (we usually get pepperoni, sausage and banana pepper) and the sauce, which is served on the side, is also delicious. Wine seems a bit overpriced when I can see its being poured from an $8 bottle. Beers on tap are pretty standard, usually with a seasonal thrown in. Service is pretty decent, the downfall being that it really does just take awhile to cook the strombolis. Be patient on that front - it is well worth it.
(4)
Mark K.
I used to drive by the one on Westerville Road all the time, and meant to stop but never did. Stumbled on this- with Yelp's help- and gave it a try. Sweetie and I went after the OSU game, and I thought it might be packed but it wasn't. Service was excellent. We had the calamari, which was great. She had pasta rosa, which was not very spicy but was very flavorful. I had baked ziti, which was darn good. Both entrees came with very good bread. I'll be back. Gotta try a stromboli!
(3)
John S.
It's right in the restaurants title as to what you should order....Stromboli! I am not an expert on Stromboli; but theirs is amazing! No matter which size you order, your Stromboli is served in the shape of a horseshoe with a generous portion of Marinara sauce for dipping. Absolutely wonderful! :) -Also; don't forget to pick up an order of the "Italian fries", they are fantastic!
(4)
Nate H.
Very quiet, almost pub-like atmosphere. Everything is finished in a dark, wood finish. The place is located away from the main craziness of campus and Grandview in a small plaza. I bought the original stromboli. It...was...AMAZING! Crispy on the outside, warm sausage and pepperoni goodness on the inside. I would stray away from this place for lunch, however. Because it is not a main fast-food chain they are minimally staffed. It also took about 30mins for my food to be delivered. Iced tea was very weak, too. Note: They do have a takeaway area annexed onto their main restaurant area. I should try this next time.
(3)
Joe E.
Woo-hoo! I cannot say how thrilled I was when I saw another reviewer mention Rappalo's! I have been looking for YEARS for another place that offered stromboli as good as Rapplo's. I had to try the place out for myself. I dragged a friend out with me and we went searching up Lane Ave for this place. Eureka! It's located to the side of the ol' Lane Avenue Shopping Center. And I was NOT disappointed! Just like Rappolo's. Loved, loved it! Said something to the waitress about Rappolo's and she looked at us quizzically. Definitely going back for the stromboli! Service was spot on. Reasonable price. And the stromboli came out much faster than expected. They have a separate doorway for take-out. Pizza's that I saw coming out of the kitchen looked good, but hey! I was there for the stromboli! Pizza has a thick style crust. Toppings seemed a little skimply, but looked good, too. Definitely going back!!! My long stromboli search is OVER! Thank you Carsonie's!
(5)
Nijole T.
We came here again with my parents and had to wait awhile for a table since we went on a saturday evening. Off to a bad start since my parents are pretty impatient but I assured them it was worth the wait and my dad loves stromboli and calzone. Finally we got a booth which is a pretty tight sqeeze for 5 people but we were hungry so we took it. We got a large pizza, salad and stromboli to share. Luckily they loved it as much as we did and the evening turned out nice. The service is great even if they are always packed and each item is cooked to perfection. They never rush it and don't take out of the oven until it is absolutly perfect and that is worth the wait. Pricewise it is also a bit on the high end but again I think totally worth it. It's not Pizza Hut and I'll gladly pay a bit more for that!
(5)
Zack R.
We went there on a Friday after the wait at the nearby Rusty Bucket was deemed clinically-insane (as was the hosting staff, yikes!) We were able to sidle up to two bar stools immediately in this warm and cozy eatery which, based on the logo, I assume is a chain. Is it a chain? I don't know. Seems like a chain. Albeit a good chain. I think. Obivously we'd never been there or really noticed it, or any other Carsonie's (if there are others). But we were immediately greeted by the friendly bar staff who got us some cold draft beers immediately. It appeared that we'd be the only people in the place not getting the strombolie, as it was literally on every table and in front of every bar patron in the place. Seriously. I just didn't want it. We went with an order of lasagna, and a sausage sandwich with peppers and onions. Clearly everything was freshly made with top quality ingredients, even the roll I got with my lasagna (something you don't normally see with a chain - it is a chain, right?). And the portion sizes are perfect. So often you go into places like this and they come out with a plate that could feed a small island nation. Needless to say, we left happy, and we'll be back. And we'll probably get the strombolie.
(4)
Troy S.
A Groupon staple so I finally made my way here. $20 for a large Stromboli without the Groupon would have irritated me but I had a groupon so I can't complain to much about price. Their Italian French Fried were delicious and helped fill the stomach during the 40 minute wait for the Stromboli. They clearly warn the customer on the menu that it will take awhile for quality so i have no issue with 40 minutes for a Stromboli. Their Stromboli was a little overcooked for my taste as the dough is crispy and doesn't have any chewiness to it. It was good but not quite my style of stromboli. The large is good for 3 people and works with an appetizer if you have 4 people. We had enough for supper that night. We went at lunch so we had no wait as I hear the evening can be packed. The service was excellent. I would return with a discount on the price but I wouldn't go here if I had to pay the whole price. I know it is a UA staple as I have friends who grew up in the area and they love this place.
(3)
Zach M.
I've only gotten carry out, but the space seems ok - nice patio. Pizza is better than average, but not spectacular. Stromboli is good, but too much of niche product for me to actively seek out. Pizza is a little thick, a little more cheesy than typical fare. Good for a change up, but not good enough to be the go to joint.
(3)
Pra R.
I went there because of Groupon. Frist time having Strombi, I have to say...love it more than Pizza. I went there twice in that week. I wonder why it is horse shoe shape-like. The cons is "Parking" too small and limited.
(4)
Alana H.
I was REALLY apprehensive in coming here after reading the reviews. I felt like every single one of them was incredibly negative. But unfortunately I had a Groupon and it was close to expiration, so we went. We walked in and I expected a HUGE wait [thanks, reviews]. It was Friday at around 7pm. The place was dead. Listen people, it was DEAD. So I don't know what everyone was talking about. That and the people working were extremely nice. So I don't know what people are saying about the rudeness of staff or whatever. We chose to sat outside, and our waitress was prompt and polite. It started drizzling so we came inside, and she was completely accommodating to us moving. Some people stayed outside but we felt like being indoors with the drizzle. Anyway... We ordered the italian stick things. They tasted like dessert funnel cakes with cheese and sauce. They were yummy! I thought they could have used more sauce, but I didn't ask for any extra and that's my own fault; I'm sure they would have given me more. Note: Someone on here said their sauce was tasteless. I completely disagree! I thought their sauce was flavorful and perfect for the sticks. For our entree we split an original stromboli. It was tasty! I'm not a huge stromboli person; I definitely prefer pizza, but since this was the speciality of Carsonie's we decided to try it. Didn't displease! All-in-all I'm giving this place 3 stars. Because I likely won't be back, it just isn't my food niche. But if you like stromboli it is definitely worth the trip and is reasonably priced.
(3)
Liz M.
We went for the Stromboli and it was darn good. The bored high school age hostess took us to our table in the bucca di beppo/applebees decorated restaurant. It was nicer than I expected, but a little corny. Trivia Pursuit cards were there for our brain teasing pleasure. Bonus. They have a full bar and about 5 beers on tap. Service was friendly and just attentive enough. We ordered the 'mozzarella and marinara" described as fresh mozz cubes and pan fried, we found it to be standard cheese sticks, properly deep fried with a boring bland sauce. Wedding soup was enjoyed by our friend who mentioned the pastina was well beyond al dente, but hey, it's soup. Stromboli was excellent. Well stuffed and rolled, buttery and crispy outside, tender inside. It comes in 3 flavors. I'm not sure you can customize them although the menu mentions they're made to order and to allow 20 minutes for them. It came with more bland, blah sauce, that I recommend avoiding since it ruins the great taste of the Stromboli. Our friend added salt, parm, and red pepper to his sauce, but I'm not sure it helped all that much. I had the meatball sub with parm fries, both really good. The tender flavorful meatballs and banana peppers over shadowed their bland as paste tomato sauce. The bread was toasted and pressed. The fries were fried perfect and tasted great with lots of parm. Ketchup was a welcomed flavor from their marinara. I can't see myself frequenting this place, but if you crave Stromboli, you must try theirs. Just get it to go so you can warm up a jar of proper marinara at home.
(3)
Brigid N.
Best stromboli I have EVER had! The large is enough to feed a horse, but we always get it and take the rest home. Salads are good, cheesesticks are good, breadsticks are good, service is good. The only negatives I can think of is it takes a while to get the stromboli (well worth it though), and the hotesses are about 14 years old and usually have no clue what they're doing. This is a must eat!!
(5)
Kathryn S.
Carsonie's is fairly close to my house, so I got suckered into buying a Groupon. After all the rave reviews about how the food was worth the wait/horrible service, I guess my expectations were a little high. The stromboli is good, but nothing special. It's just some dough with average ingredients. Even though the strombolis are large, it still seems a little pricey to me. It's like pizza, but in a roll. And it's more expensive than pizza, for a smaller quantity of food. I have a hard time wrapping my mind around that. The service was unremarkable the few times I visited. I made sure to go early, to avoid a long wait for a table. The wait for stromboli to cook is a little long, but if you're prepared for that fact, it's not too bad. Order a salad to stave off the hunger. After a few trips to Carsonie's, I honestly like their salads and appetizers much better than the stromboli. The Italian Fries (fried strips of dough, served with marinara) are tasty. The real stand-out at Carsonie's is their Chopped Salad, which is topped with roasted red peppers, salami, and ham. If there's one item that would keep me coming back to Carsonie's, it's the Chopped Salad. Side note: Although you might think that take-out is a good way to avoid the hassle of long waits, you might be mistaken. Carsonie's has a separate, side location for their take-out. It's usually operated by some inattentive teenage girls. Don't expect stellar service there either.
(3)
Courtney Q.
Not as impressive as I'd hoped; the stromboli was just "good enough." But that I ate it all anyway should mean it was "A-OK;" right? There was a good amount of cheese in the thing, but having read the other Yelp reviews for Carsonie's, I was really expecting to be overwhelmed. And I just wasn't. But I did like my table in particular because it faced the TV airing ESPN (however much ESPN had been rough on the Buckeyes, haha, although things should be easier now that Urban Meyer's our coach ... :-D).
(3)
Nick C.
I usually come here to meet friends after work and we like it so much we keep coming back. It is exactly the type of place UA has needed for a long time. The bartenders are friendly and knowledgeable and add to the experience. Lately I've been getting the flat bread pizza which it doesn't seem to promote but I like it best. Salads are great too. On nice weather days, the patio is a bonus. If you're in UA and hungry, I'd recommend it.
(5)
Michelle F.
Really good stromboli. We tried both an original stromboli and a chicken stromboli. My friend is a ranch addict, and I have to say, based on his suggestion, the chicken stomboli dipped in ranch was the highlight of the meal. It was a weeknight and not too crowded, so service was really good. They had a small beer and wine selection and they were out of several of the items on the menu. Definitely more of a dinner place than happy hour locale.
(3)
Elizabeth B.
Food was great as was the service. Got to watch the Cincinnati Reds play while I ate an awesome stromboli, just make sure if you are in a hurry you order ahead.
(5)
Cindi P.
Carsonies has always had great food and great service. Tonight was not the normal we are used to. Orders were wrong, over 30 minutes to get our salads, soup was another 15 minutes. Pizza takes 30-40 minutes as it states on the menu but its bad when your pizzas and Stromboli comes out and you have to wait another 15 minutes only to receive cold pasta. 8 people in our party tonight and most said they won't come back. Owner did come out and discount our meal which we all appreciated.
(2)
Ashley P.
I'm a big fan of stromboli and I haven't found many places around Columbus that make it well. Carsonie's is one of those places. I love the giant rings of stromboli that you get, depending on what size you order. You can order one of their standard options or create your own. I love mine with pepperoni, bacon and ham. Their candied walnut and cranberry salad is also delicious. I like to split it and the stromboli for a very filling meal. The dining area is small, so depending on where you sit you're likely to be right up against another table, especially when it's colder and the patio is closed. Service is so-so. I suggest if you live close to just call ahead for takeout. It will go much quicker.
(4)
Peter D.
The interior is very clean and classy, until you pile on all of the sports novelty items and turn it into another chach sports bar. The bar area takes up a majority of the dining room so I assume they are trying to split between kitchen and alcohol fueled crowds. I also got an ear full of some football game I didn't care about because the tv's are way too loud in there. All of the staff was super nice and easily the best part of the experience. Great servers. Food wait was way to long given how few people were there. The wedding soup tasted like it was out of a campbells soup can, and over priced. Italian fries are deep fried bread sticks which are ok, but the sauce is great. Meatball sub had good meatballs and good sauce, the bread looks like it was off the shelf bland kroger hoagie bread. It ruined the sandwich. As for the Stromboli, I wasn't impressed and would give it an OK. For great Stromboli check out Don Gino's at broad and norton. It was dry, flavorless, and over priced. Yet another example the fact Columbus can't do Italian.
(2)
Lu B.
My first visit, this week, was amazing. The staff is exceptional! The "I'm happy to help you in any way" was geniune from everyone. I have to agree that the stromboli is fabulous. Fresh, plentiful and bursting at the seams with ingredients! Pleasantly surprised at the variety.
(4)
Megan M.
The Italian fries are so yummy, and the Stromboli is delicious! Bread, meat and cheese- what's not to love!
(4)
Jeffrey D.
Good pizza. Reasonable prices. Service can't really handle the crowds.
(4)
Abe L.
I Loved this place ! The stromboli is the best that I have had. I really liked the decor, a lot of the owner's personal memorabilia collection. It was a great experience and looks to have a cool patio. I will be back often !
(5)
Zoey B.
I can't believe no one has reviewed this place yet!! SO GOOD!! Moved to Columbus back in October 2009. Found this place within the first couple weeks and fell in love. Tried their house special, an Original Stromboli which is essentially a variation on the calzone. Their dough is absolutely fantastic. The bit salty flavor adds zest to the innards of the dish (in my case: sauce, cheese, sausage and pepperoni). Also had their Italian Wedding Soup to start with and it was also really good; possibly one of the best I've had. Lemonade was good too. :) So far I've tasted: Lasagna- Cheesy, hearty and delicious Chicken Carsonie- Wasn't too impressed. They forgot to put sauce on my pasta but made up for that by comp-ing my drink. Spaghetti and Meatballs- Meatballs were huge! Generous portion and very satisfying. Ravioli- Yum! Italian Fries- Very interesting! Never had anything like it before and must say they were quite addicting.... Customer service was phenomenal. Very friendly wait-staff. Knew the menu well, had great recommendations and lingered just long enough to be friendly but not annoying. Cool feature: They have Trivial Pursuit cards at each table which provides for fun conversation prior to eating. :) Oh! And we ordered a Stromboli to go one night to save for later. It heat up really nicely and was still SO yummy!
(4)
Seth D.
Great stromboli! Stopped in for an early supper after hearing my friend rave about it for the past year. It was pretty slow at 4:30, so the service was great! I was a little surprised by the "Italian fries" which are just deep fried breadsticks. I was expecting something like funnel cake fries, but man they give you a huge plate of deep fried breadsticks! Great stuff and the marinara is really good too. The Stromboli is pretty good sized for the price and was awesome. After maxing out my 5 ingredients that come with it I was a little concerned about it being over run, but they obviously know what they're doing! I loved how they cut it and brushed it with butter too! Not sure how often I'll be in this area, but I would love to come back!
(4)
Leah K.
I don't understand why people are so in love with this place. I've been to both locations, and they're both horrible. First, it took them 45 minutes to seat us, then once we were seated, our server didn't take our drink order until 20 minutes later. We were ready to order immediately, and she told us to hold on and would take our order once she brought our drinks. All we ordered was a stromboli to split between the two of us. She brought out the wrong order, and when the right order came, it was still bland. Nothing about this place sets it apart from other "pizza/pub" joints. They have piss poor service, and food, so I won't be going back.
(1)
Emilie S.
Carsonie's is my favorite place for Stromboli. I get the original which has cheese, pep and sausage. When I'm with friends, we'll get the large and share it. The large is easily enough for 3 people, probably 4. I love the marinara dipping sauce! It also goes great with the garlic cheese bread! Considering this place is NOT a chain, the layout is very well thought out, the decor is fitting, and elements within are well branded (menus, table tents etc). The owner is very friendly. And Carsonie's supports the local community. Love you guys! Keep it up!
(5)
Jane L.
The first thing that I would like to say is that they have literally THE best stromboli here. They are very fresh, including the dough, cheese and whatever you choose to fill them with. The list of fillings goes from different kinds of meat and cheese, to banana peppers and fresh veggies. You can also order their pre-picked combinations of winning flavors. I have a few minor complaints otherwise. Definitely make a reservation, otherwise you will be standing in the little, crowded restaurant for a while. Also, be prepared to wait for your stromboli, because perfection does take some time. I have been to this restaurant a few times, and have been too blown away by their stromboli to try something else, but the menu does look delectable. So make a reservation, get an appetizer and enjoy the stromboli!
(4)
Kyle J.
Not too shabby. Went here with my co-workers for lunch on a recommendation. It was very slow so we got a great big table right next to the window. It has a traditional Italian Kitchen feel right down the red checked table cloths I had a chopped salad while my guys had Stromboli. All were complimented. The cheesy garlic bread was quite tasty as well. They have a huge parking lot right next door which shares with the Lane Ave shopping center. More of a funny note than anything, our waitress reminded us all of the Kristin Wigg's Penelope character from SNL. I'd go here again if someone offered, but probably wouldn't offer it up as a suggestion.
(3)
lynaya e.
This is pretty much as chain-esque as it gets. Spaghetti appeared/tasted like it was thawed and slapped on a plate. My dining pal had the stromboli which was okay but not worth the price. I was really hoping this place would be great since it's close to work but no go - spend your $15 somewhere much more tasty.
(2)
Anthony M.
Yes yes yes. You must get the Stromboli!! I was in heaven. Growing up I used to go to Rappalo's growing up. When it closed down we were looking long and hard for some good Stromboli. AND we found it !!! Yum yum yum!
(5)
Jeremy J.
I had an Italian Stallion which was fantastic mostly because of the dressing on it. The other person I was with had a veggy sub which was also fantastic. The Parmesan fries are great, event to go. I'll update the review once I go back more times. *****UPDATE***** The pizza is average at best. It tasted generic and boring. I still haven't tried the Italian food, but I probably won't. The subs are great, but I was expecting more. I do like the atmosphere of the place, so it still gets 4 stars, but the pizza was a big disappointment.
(4)
Jordan B.
LOVE the strombolis, the crust is thick and crunchy, be sure to ask for extra dipping sauce. For some reason, you get one cup of marinara regardless if you order a S, M, or LG stromboli. Huh? The pizzas are not great. The salads are fresh and the patio is a good size for a UA hangout. The dining room is always packed and there is no room for families with kids to wait 30 minutes for a table. I recommend either carryout from the separate entrance or the patio.
(3)
Kara K.
The BF & I went in on Friday night hoping for some dinner. We arrived to find a packed room, a 30-40 minute wait, and no place to stand while waiting. If we had been given pagers or something, we absolutely would have stayed & would have just shopped around on Lane. If we hadn't had a Groupon though, we probably would not have returned. We returned an hour later to find the restaurant substantially more clear. We were seated after about 5 minutes & sat down with our menus. We found ourselves wondering what "deluxe" meant under the pizza options. We asked our waitress & learned that a deluxe pizza is one with EIGHT or more toppings, but really 3 or more since that was more economically feasible. Perhaps taking the meaning of "deluxe" too seriously, the BF ordered a pizza with 6 toppings. I stuck with the lasagna. The lasagna reminded me a lot of a dish my great aunt used to make. However, it was too cheesy. I couldn't even see the lasagna under all the cheese. The bread on the side was delicious though. Good, but not great. Seems more like a restaurant for families with young kids or those over the age of 60, not really a good place for a date.
(3)
Kelly R.
Great restaurant! I went here looking for a great piece of pizza and found an amazing restaurant. Awesome environment. The bar staff is amazing! However, on a downside we saw a mouse crawl up the wall outside on the patio. We told the waiter, but it seemed like he really didn't care and said that "It's outside".
(4)
Becky D.
Very disappointing pizza. Way too much cheese and slightly undercooked. I'd rather have frozen, honestly. Still on my quest for the best pizza in Columbus.
(2)
Leah W.
The service is good. I just can not get over how sweet the dough is, even my child commented on the dough being too sweet.
(2)
S E.
this place does not know italian .we started off with gigi's antipasti platter the mozzarella was nasty not flavor the artichokes tasted like water everything was small on the platter .the pizza was old tasting and it made some of the people in my party feel sick. i will not be back !!
(1)
Patricia K.
This review is on Carsonie's pizza. I feel sort of bad giving it 3 stars, because it seems like a nice family place, but as a review of my food to my preference: their pizza was WAYYY too cheesy. Like crazy cheese overload. Some people may prefer this, and if you do, I'm sure you will love Carsonie's. But me personally, I'm not a fan of too much cheese on my pizza. We got regular crust..not sure if they do a thin crust here. I am also giving it 3 stars on the fact that I would go here again if somebody wanted to go, but I would for sure try something else on their menu. Keep in mind they do have a diverse menu here of Italian food. I can't say I would ever suggest it, but I would go if other wanted to.
(3)
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Address :1725 W Lane Ave
Upper Arlington, OH, 43221
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Ryan S.
From Lane Ave this place looks more swanky than it really is. With the plush and radiant patio and its posh looking red umbrellas, and the classy font of its named anchored at the side it seems like a high-end bistro. The inside though reveals it more in the category of midlevel Italian eatery, the kind of place you stop before or after a high school sports game, with tables draped with checkered cloths, dark cherry wood, and wall junk of OSU sports sprinkled with a few caricature of (famous?) people. Dominating the place is a large bar that seem to attack groups of friends, family, and the like--a neighborhood hole across from the mall. I came here first last fall because I was yearning for food from the boot--or what passes in C-town town for it--and this was suggested. I ordered a Carsonie Chicken--a breast under marinara sauce over spaghetti alfredo. It came with bread and a Caesar salad. I was happy with the meal for the affordable price but it didn't blow me away. The chicken marinara suffices as a quick meal, the spaghetti is decent. The salad could use a bit more something. I didn't review it at that time since I got the impression this is more a pizza-calzone kind of place--which is in their name. I returned last weekend. This time I ordered a Calzone and selected pepperoni and sausage-- as they make them like their Pizza. It was very fresh and delicious. The crust was not too thick or thin. I really loved it. I will certainly come back to try the Stromboli when the urge arrises. Parking can be limited so you might have to park at the mall. The patio is wonderful. Good place to al fresco.
(4)Angela U.
We liked it. We'll be back. Nothing fancy, just good food for reasonable prices and plenty of seating. We started with an order of Mozzarella and Marinara, described on the menu as "Fresh chunks of mozzarella coated with Italian bread crumbs and pan fried, served with zesty marinara." It was the highlight of the meal for me. I had the lasagna for my entrée, which was good. I ate every bite of it - which is actually one of the things I liked best about it: It wasn't some crazy-huge portion like some Italian restaurants serve. That said, I don't plan on ordering it here again. My husband had a calzone, which he absolutely loved. I was kind of jealous. It looked REALLY good. I'll be trying that, or their pizza, next time.
(3)Steve S.
Ate there lastnight. Staff was nice food was good but manager allowed many children to run through out the restraunt as people tried to eat. Not what I was looking forward to while eating. Just FYI
(2)Mollie F.
My kids and I love this place! The food and service is great. We love Mondays when Erica the balloon artist is there and the kids eat free!
(5)Doug O.
Not bad. The strombolis are decent and the appetizers aren't bad. Nothing fancy. This is the type of Italian food I expect to find in a small town--it is basic and lacks subtlety and imagination, but it fills you up and tastes decent. In fact, my wife is excited to take her parents (who hail from a small town) there because it is probably one of the few places where her mom won't turn her nose up at the "city food." The thing I like to do here is come for Buckeyes games because no one else does so. While every sports bar is packed, you can come here and have the place to yourself.
(3)Brandon Heights Yelper S.
Not bad. I like to get a stromboli now and then. Go with the original. But, be warned - it's kinda heavy. And, they serve them pretty big. The Italian fries (crispy, slightly sweet bread sticks) are really good. I wouldn't want to eat here too often, but good as an occasional option.
(3)Greg K.
Went for a slightly late Sunday dinner. The service was great. Our cups were always full and they checked on us enough without hovering. We had the wings for an appetizer and they were the perfect classic wing although we ordered the hot and they could have used a little more heat. I went with the original Stromboli. It was good but not great, a little bland for me, I would try it again but add some more toppings. My fiance had the pasta rosa, again good but not great, although once we added some salt it was much better. The wings and the service were the highlights for us. We'll be back
(4)Joe G.
Stopped by Carsonie's after a nearby Happy Hour. I just needed to order food to go, but I'm very glad I went to Carsonie's. I don't consider myself an expert on Stromboli, but I loved their chicken stromboli. It comes with grilled chicken, cheese, tomatoes, and banana peppers, (and red sauce on side). The banana peppers gave the entire dish the perfect amount of flavor. I can't say it's my favorite restaurant or even food in columbus, but my first experience definitely makes me want to go back sometime soon. The dining area seemed small, partly because of the large bar dropped in the middle of the restaurant. I ordered take out so I can't really comment on service, but the bartender was friendly.
(4)Sabrina F.
Carsonie's is a great little family friendly pizza place on Lane.There is also a take out side right next door to the restaurant if you are in a hurry. The staff is incredibly friendly and very attentive. They have a well stocked bar in the middle that includes pineapple infusion, which I will try one day! I especially loved the trivial pursuit cards on each table, because what better way to wait for your 'za than to be entertained by testing your friends knowledge of random facts. The pizza we had was delicious and so cheesy, like cartoon cheesy, like in A Goofy Movie when they order pizza-that kind of delicious cheesy. I can't believe I referenced A Goofy Movie.
(5)Brad R.
Pizza and Stromboli ate awesome! Appetizers are a bit pricey.
(5)Carrie P.
Best. Italian. Hands down. The Italian fries were insane. The Mediterranean penne was so delish - the garlic /Olive oil /feta - outstanding. My sister got the baked ziti - ridic. So so good! And the roll served with the meal tasted like it was homemade. As my Italian sister in law said, "this place is legit." Enjoy!
(5)Emma L.
I like this place a lot, but definitely have to be in the mood to go here. It is super crowded on weekend nights, and there's not really any room to wait around, even at the bar. But when the mood strikes... The stromboli is amazing - bf and I usually split a medium ($17) and have a few slices leftover. The side salads leave a bit to be desired, especially at around $6-$7 each. Starters are also kind of lacking, as I've had the mozzarella sticks and the garlic cheese bread, both 'meh'. But the stromboli - ohhh the stromboli! Whatever their crust is made of is absolutely delicious. It's salty, sweet, crunchy, chewy - literally above and beyond delicious. The toppings (fillings?) are always great (we usually get pepperoni, sausage and banana pepper) and the sauce, which is served on the side, is also delicious. Wine seems a bit overpriced when I can see its being poured from an $8 bottle. Beers on tap are pretty standard, usually with a seasonal thrown in. Service is pretty decent, the downfall being that it really does just take awhile to cook the strombolis. Be patient on that front - it is well worth it.
(4)Mark K.
I used to drive by the one on Westerville Road all the time, and meant to stop but never did. Stumbled on this- with Yelp's help- and gave it a try. Sweetie and I went after the OSU game, and I thought it might be packed but it wasn't. Service was excellent. We had the calamari, which was great. She had pasta rosa, which was not very spicy but was very flavorful. I had baked ziti, which was darn good. Both entrees came with very good bread. I'll be back. Gotta try a stromboli!
(3)John S.
It's right in the restaurants title as to what you should order....Stromboli! I am not an expert on Stromboli; but theirs is amazing! No matter which size you order, your Stromboli is served in the shape of a horseshoe with a generous portion of Marinara sauce for dipping. Absolutely wonderful! :) -Also; don't forget to pick up an order of the "Italian fries", they are fantastic!
(4)Nate H.
Very quiet, almost pub-like atmosphere. Everything is finished in a dark, wood finish. The place is located away from the main craziness of campus and Grandview in a small plaza. I bought the original stromboli. It...was...AMAZING! Crispy on the outside, warm sausage and pepperoni goodness on the inside. I would stray away from this place for lunch, however. Because it is not a main fast-food chain they are minimally staffed. It also took about 30mins for my food to be delivered. Iced tea was very weak, too. Note: They do have a takeaway area annexed onto their main restaurant area. I should try this next time.
(3)Joe E.
Woo-hoo! I cannot say how thrilled I was when I saw another reviewer mention Rappalo's! I have been looking for YEARS for another place that offered stromboli as good as Rapplo's. I had to try the place out for myself. I dragged a friend out with me and we went searching up Lane Ave for this place. Eureka! It's located to the side of the ol' Lane Avenue Shopping Center. And I was NOT disappointed! Just like Rappolo's. Loved, loved it! Said something to the waitress about Rappolo's and she looked at us quizzically. Definitely going back for the stromboli! Service was spot on. Reasonable price. And the stromboli came out much faster than expected. They have a separate doorway for take-out. Pizza's that I saw coming out of the kitchen looked good, but hey! I was there for the stromboli! Pizza has a thick style crust. Toppings seemed a little skimply, but looked good, too. Definitely going back!!! My long stromboli search is OVER! Thank you Carsonie's!
(5)Nijole T.
We came here again with my parents and had to wait awhile for a table since we went on a saturday evening. Off to a bad start since my parents are pretty impatient but I assured them it was worth the wait and my dad loves stromboli and calzone. Finally we got a booth which is a pretty tight sqeeze for 5 people but we were hungry so we took it. We got a large pizza, salad and stromboli to share. Luckily they loved it as much as we did and the evening turned out nice. The service is great even if they are always packed and each item is cooked to perfection. They never rush it and don't take out of the oven until it is absolutly perfect and that is worth the wait. Pricewise it is also a bit on the high end but again I think totally worth it. It's not Pizza Hut and I'll gladly pay a bit more for that!
(5)Zack R.
We went there on a Friday after the wait at the nearby Rusty Bucket was deemed clinically-insane (as was the hosting staff, yikes!) We were able to sidle up to two bar stools immediately in this warm and cozy eatery which, based on the logo, I assume is a chain. Is it a chain? I don't know. Seems like a chain. Albeit a good chain. I think. Obivously we'd never been there or really noticed it, or any other Carsonie's (if there are others). But we were immediately greeted by the friendly bar staff who got us some cold draft beers immediately. It appeared that we'd be the only people in the place not getting the strombolie, as it was literally on every table and in front of every bar patron in the place. Seriously. I just didn't want it. We went with an order of lasagna, and a sausage sandwich with peppers and onions. Clearly everything was freshly made with top quality ingredients, even the roll I got with my lasagna (something you don't normally see with a chain - it is a chain, right?). And the portion sizes are perfect. So often you go into places like this and they come out with a plate that could feed a small island nation. Needless to say, we left happy, and we'll be back. And we'll probably get the strombolie.
(4)Troy S.
A Groupon staple so I finally made my way here. $20 for a large Stromboli without the Groupon would have irritated me but I had a groupon so I can't complain to much about price. Their Italian French Fried were delicious and helped fill the stomach during the 40 minute wait for the Stromboli. They clearly warn the customer on the menu that it will take awhile for quality so i have no issue with 40 minutes for a Stromboli. Their Stromboli was a little overcooked for my taste as the dough is crispy and doesn't have any chewiness to it. It was good but not quite my style of stromboli. The large is good for 3 people and works with an appetizer if you have 4 people. We had enough for supper that night. We went at lunch so we had no wait as I hear the evening can be packed. The service was excellent. I would return with a discount on the price but I wouldn't go here if I had to pay the whole price. I know it is a UA staple as I have friends who grew up in the area and they love this place.
(3)Zach M.
I've only gotten carry out, but the space seems ok - nice patio. Pizza is better than average, but not spectacular. Stromboli is good, but too much of niche product for me to actively seek out. Pizza is a little thick, a little more cheesy than typical fare. Good for a change up, but not good enough to be the go to joint.
(3)Pra R.
I went there because of Groupon. Frist time having Strombi, I have to say...love it more than Pizza. I went there twice in that week. I wonder why it is horse shoe shape-like. The cons is "Parking" too small and limited.
(4)Alana H.
I was REALLY apprehensive in coming here after reading the reviews. I felt like every single one of them was incredibly negative. But unfortunately I had a Groupon and it was close to expiration, so we went. We walked in and I expected a HUGE wait [thanks, reviews]. It was Friday at around 7pm. The place was dead. Listen people, it was DEAD. So I don't know what everyone was talking about. That and the people working were extremely nice. So I don't know what people are saying about the rudeness of staff or whatever. We chose to sat outside, and our waitress was prompt and polite. It started drizzling so we came inside, and she was completely accommodating to us moving. Some people stayed outside but we felt like being indoors with the drizzle. Anyway... We ordered the italian stick things. They tasted like dessert funnel cakes with cheese and sauce. They were yummy! I thought they could have used more sauce, but I didn't ask for any extra and that's my own fault; I'm sure they would have given me more. Note: Someone on here said their sauce was tasteless. I completely disagree! I thought their sauce was flavorful and perfect for the sticks. For our entree we split an original stromboli. It was tasty! I'm not a huge stromboli person; I definitely prefer pizza, but since this was the speciality of Carsonie's we decided to try it. Didn't displease! All-in-all I'm giving this place 3 stars. Because I likely won't be back, it just isn't my food niche. But if you like stromboli it is definitely worth the trip and is reasonably priced.
(3)Liz M.
We went for the Stromboli and it was darn good. The bored high school age hostess took us to our table in the bucca di beppo/applebees decorated restaurant. It was nicer than I expected, but a little corny. Trivia Pursuit cards were there for our brain teasing pleasure. Bonus. They have a full bar and about 5 beers on tap. Service was friendly and just attentive enough. We ordered the 'mozzarella and marinara" described as fresh mozz cubes and pan fried, we found it to be standard cheese sticks, properly deep fried with a boring bland sauce. Wedding soup was enjoyed by our friend who mentioned the pastina was well beyond al dente, but hey, it's soup. Stromboli was excellent. Well stuffed and rolled, buttery and crispy outside, tender inside. It comes in 3 flavors. I'm not sure you can customize them although the menu mentions they're made to order and to allow 20 minutes for them. It came with more bland, blah sauce, that I recommend avoiding since it ruins the great taste of the Stromboli. Our friend added salt, parm, and red pepper to his sauce, but I'm not sure it helped all that much. I had the meatball sub with parm fries, both really good. The tender flavorful meatballs and banana peppers over shadowed their bland as paste tomato sauce. The bread was toasted and pressed. The fries were fried perfect and tasted great with lots of parm. Ketchup was a welcomed flavor from their marinara. I can't see myself frequenting this place, but if you crave Stromboli, you must try theirs. Just get it to go so you can warm up a jar of proper marinara at home.
(3)Brigid N.
Best stromboli I have EVER had! The large is enough to feed a horse, but we always get it and take the rest home. Salads are good, cheesesticks are good, breadsticks are good, service is good. The only negatives I can think of is it takes a while to get the stromboli (well worth it though), and the hotesses are about 14 years old and usually have no clue what they're doing. This is a must eat!!
(5)Kathryn S.
Carsonie's is fairly close to my house, so I got suckered into buying a Groupon. After all the rave reviews about how the food was worth the wait/horrible service, I guess my expectations were a little high. The stromboli is good, but nothing special. It's just some dough with average ingredients. Even though the strombolis are large, it still seems a little pricey to me. It's like pizza, but in a roll. And it's more expensive than pizza, for a smaller quantity of food. I have a hard time wrapping my mind around that. The service was unremarkable the few times I visited. I made sure to go early, to avoid a long wait for a table. The wait for stromboli to cook is a little long, but if you're prepared for that fact, it's not too bad. Order a salad to stave off the hunger. After a few trips to Carsonie's, I honestly like their salads and appetizers much better than the stromboli. The Italian Fries (fried strips of dough, served with marinara) are tasty. The real stand-out at Carsonie's is their Chopped Salad, which is topped with roasted red peppers, salami, and ham. If there's one item that would keep me coming back to Carsonie's, it's the Chopped Salad. Side note: Although you might think that take-out is a good way to avoid the hassle of long waits, you might be mistaken. Carsonie's has a separate, side location for their take-out. It's usually operated by some inattentive teenage girls. Don't expect stellar service there either.
(3)Courtney Q.
Not as impressive as I'd hoped; the stromboli was just "good enough." But that I ate it all anyway should mean it was "A-OK;" right? There was a good amount of cheese in the thing, but having read the other Yelp reviews for Carsonie's, I was really expecting to be overwhelmed. And I just wasn't. But I did like my table in particular because it faced the TV airing ESPN (however much ESPN had been rough on the Buckeyes, haha, although things should be easier now that Urban Meyer's our coach ... :-D).
(3)Nick C.
I usually come here to meet friends after work and we like it so much we keep coming back. It is exactly the type of place UA has needed for a long time. The bartenders are friendly and knowledgeable and add to the experience. Lately I've been getting the flat bread pizza which it doesn't seem to promote but I like it best. Salads are great too. On nice weather days, the patio is a bonus. If you're in UA and hungry, I'd recommend it.
(5)Michelle F.
Really good stromboli. We tried both an original stromboli and a chicken stromboli. My friend is a ranch addict, and I have to say, based on his suggestion, the chicken stomboli dipped in ranch was the highlight of the meal. It was a weeknight and not too crowded, so service was really good. They had a small beer and wine selection and they were out of several of the items on the menu. Definitely more of a dinner place than happy hour locale.
(3)Elizabeth B.
Food was great as was the service. Got to watch the Cincinnati Reds play while I ate an awesome stromboli, just make sure if you are in a hurry you order ahead.
(5)Cindi P.
Carsonies has always had great food and great service. Tonight was not the normal we are used to. Orders were wrong, over 30 minutes to get our salads, soup was another 15 minutes. Pizza takes 30-40 minutes as it states on the menu but its bad when your pizzas and Stromboli comes out and you have to wait another 15 minutes only to receive cold pasta. 8 people in our party tonight and most said they won't come back. Owner did come out and discount our meal which we all appreciated.
(2)Ashley P.
I'm a big fan of stromboli and I haven't found many places around Columbus that make it well. Carsonie's is one of those places. I love the giant rings of stromboli that you get, depending on what size you order. You can order one of their standard options or create your own. I love mine with pepperoni, bacon and ham. Their candied walnut and cranberry salad is also delicious. I like to split it and the stromboli for a very filling meal. The dining area is small, so depending on where you sit you're likely to be right up against another table, especially when it's colder and the patio is closed. Service is so-so. I suggest if you live close to just call ahead for takeout. It will go much quicker.
(4)Peter D.
The interior is very clean and classy, until you pile on all of the sports novelty items and turn it into another chach sports bar. The bar area takes up a majority of the dining room so I assume they are trying to split between kitchen and alcohol fueled crowds. I also got an ear full of some football game I didn't care about because the tv's are way too loud in there. All of the staff was super nice and easily the best part of the experience. Great servers. Food wait was way to long given how few people were there. The wedding soup tasted like it was out of a campbells soup can, and over priced. Italian fries are deep fried bread sticks which are ok, but the sauce is great. Meatball sub had good meatballs and good sauce, the bread looks like it was off the shelf bland kroger hoagie bread. It ruined the sandwich. As for the Stromboli, I wasn't impressed and would give it an OK. For great Stromboli check out Don Gino's at broad and norton. It was dry, flavorless, and over priced. Yet another example the fact Columbus can't do Italian.
(2)Lu B.
My first visit, this week, was amazing. The staff is exceptional! The "I'm happy to help you in any way" was geniune from everyone. I have to agree that the stromboli is fabulous. Fresh, plentiful and bursting at the seams with ingredients! Pleasantly surprised at the variety.
(4)Megan M.
The Italian fries are so yummy, and the Stromboli is delicious! Bread, meat and cheese- what's not to love!
(4)Jeffrey D.
Good pizza. Reasonable prices. Service can't really handle the crowds.
(4)Abe L.
I Loved this place ! The stromboli is the best that I have had. I really liked the decor, a lot of the owner's personal memorabilia collection. It was a great experience and looks to have a cool patio. I will be back often !
(5)Zoey B.
I can't believe no one has reviewed this place yet!! SO GOOD!! Moved to Columbus back in October 2009. Found this place within the first couple weeks and fell in love. Tried their house special, an Original Stromboli which is essentially a variation on the calzone. Their dough is absolutely fantastic. The bit salty flavor adds zest to the innards of the dish (in my case: sauce, cheese, sausage and pepperoni). Also had their Italian Wedding Soup to start with and it was also really good; possibly one of the best I've had. Lemonade was good too. :) So far I've tasted: Lasagna- Cheesy, hearty and delicious Chicken Carsonie- Wasn't too impressed. They forgot to put sauce on my pasta but made up for that by comp-ing my drink. Spaghetti and Meatballs- Meatballs were huge! Generous portion and very satisfying. Ravioli- Yum! Italian Fries- Very interesting! Never had anything like it before and must say they were quite addicting.... Customer service was phenomenal. Very friendly wait-staff. Knew the menu well, had great recommendations and lingered just long enough to be friendly but not annoying. Cool feature: They have Trivial Pursuit cards at each table which provides for fun conversation prior to eating. :) Oh! And we ordered a Stromboli to go one night to save for later. It heat up really nicely and was still SO yummy!
(4)Seth D.
Great stromboli! Stopped in for an early supper after hearing my friend rave about it for the past year. It was pretty slow at 4:30, so the service was great! I was a little surprised by the "Italian fries" which are just deep fried breadsticks. I was expecting something like funnel cake fries, but man they give you a huge plate of deep fried breadsticks! Great stuff and the marinara is really good too. The Stromboli is pretty good sized for the price and was awesome. After maxing out my 5 ingredients that come with it I was a little concerned about it being over run, but they obviously know what they're doing! I loved how they cut it and brushed it with butter too! Not sure how often I'll be in this area, but I would love to come back!
(4)Leah K.
I don't understand why people are so in love with this place. I've been to both locations, and they're both horrible. First, it took them 45 minutes to seat us, then once we were seated, our server didn't take our drink order until 20 minutes later. We were ready to order immediately, and she told us to hold on and would take our order once she brought our drinks. All we ordered was a stromboli to split between the two of us. She brought out the wrong order, and when the right order came, it was still bland. Nothing about this place sets it apart from other "pizza/pub" joints. They have piss poor service, and food, so I won't be going back.
(1)Emilie S.
Carsonie's is my favorite place for Stromboli. I get the original which has cheese, pep and sausage. When I'm with friends, we'll get the large and share it. The large is easily enough for 3 people, probably 4. I love the marinara dipping sauce! It also goes great with the garlic cheese bread! Considering this place is NOT a chain, the layout is very well thought out, the decor is fitting, and elements within are well branded (menus, table tents etc). The owner is very friendly. And Carsonie's supports the local community. Love you guys! Keep it up!
(5)Jane L.
The first thing that I would like to say is that they have literally THE best stromboli here. They are very fresh, including the dough, cheese and whatever you choose to fill them with. The list of fillings goes from different kinds of meat and cheese, to banana peppers and fresh veggies. You can also order their pre-picked combinations of winning flavors. I have a few minor complaints otherwise. Definitely make a reservation, otherwise you will be standing in the little, crowded restaurant for a while. Also, be prepared to wait for your stromboli, because perfection does take some time. I have been to this restaurant a few times, and have been too blown away by their stromboli to try something else, but the menu does look delectable. So make a reservation, get an appetizer and enjoy the stromboli!
(4)Kyle J.
Not too shabby. Went here with my co-workers for lunch on a recommendation. It was very slow so we got a great big table right next to the window. It has a traditional Italian Kitchen feel right down the red checked table cloths I had a chopped salad while my guys had Stromboli. All were complimented. The cheesy garlic bread was quite tasty as well. They have a huge parking lot right next door which shares with the Lane Ave shopping center. More of a funny note than anything, our waitress reminded us all of the Kristin Wigg's Penelope character from SNL. I'd go here again if someone offered, but probably wouldn't offer it up as a suggestion.
(3)lynaya e.
This is pretty much as chain-esque as it gets. Spaghetti appeared/tasted like it was thawed and slapped on a plate. My dining pal had the stromboli which was okay but not worth the price. I was really hoping this place would be great since it's close to work but no go - spend your $15 somewhere much more tasty.
(2)Anthony M.
Yes yes yes. You must get the Stromboli!! I was in heaven. Growing up I used to go to Rappalo's growing up. When it closed down we were looking long and hard for some good Stromboli. AND we found it !!! Yum yum yum!
(5)Jeremy J.
I had an Italian Stallion which was fantastic mostly because of the dressing on it. The other person I was with had a veggy sub which was also fantastic. The Parmesan fries are great, event to go. I'll update the review once I go back more times. *****UPDATE***** The pizza is average at best. It tasted generic and boring. I still haven't tried the Italian food, but I probably won't. The subs are great, but I was expecting more. I do like the atmosphere of the place, so it still gets 4 stars, but the pizza was a big disappointment.
(4)Jordan B.
LOVE the strombolis, the crust is thick and crunchy, be sure to ask for extra dipping sauce. For some reason, you get one cup of marinara regardless if you order a S, M, or LG stromboli. Huh? The pizzas are not great. The salads are fresh and the patio is a good size for a UA hangout. The dining room is always packed and there is no room for families with kids to wait 30 minutes for a table. I recommend either carryout from the separate entrance or the patio.
(3)Kara K.
The BF & I went in on Friday night hoping for some dinner. We arrived to find a packed room, a 30-40 minute wait, and no place to stand while waiting. If we had been given pagers or something, we absolutely would have stayed & would have just shopped around on Lane. If we hadn't had a Groupon though, we probably would not have returned. We returned an hour later to find the restaurant substantially more clear. We were seated after about 5 minutes & sat down with our menus. We found ourselves wondering what "deluxe" meant under the pizza options. We asked our waitress & learned that a deluxe pizza is one with EIGHT or more toppings, but really 3 or more since that was more economically feasible. Perhaps taking the meaning of "deluxe" too seriously, the BF ordered a pizza with 6 toppings. I stuck with the lasagna. The lasagna reminded me a lot of a dish my great aunt used to make. However, it was too cheesy. I couldn't even see the lasagna under all the cheese. The bread on the side was delicious though. Good, but not great. Seems more like a restaurant for families with young kids or those over the age of 60, not really a good place for a date.
(3)Kelly R.
Great restaurant! I went here looking for a great piece of pizza and found an amazing restaurant. Awesome environment. The bar staff is amazing! However, on a downside we saw a mouse crawl up the wall outside on the patio. We told the waiter, but it seemed like he really didn't care and said that "It's outside".
(4)Becky D.
Very disappointing pizza. Way too much cheese and slightly undercooked. I'd rather have frozen, honestly. Still on my quest for the best pizza in Columbus.
(2)Leah W.
The service is good. I just can not get over how sweet the dough is, even my child commented on the dough being too sweet.
(2)S E.
this place does not know italian .we started off with gigi's antipasti platter the mozzarella was nasty not flavor the artichokes tasted like water everything was small on the platter .the pizza was old tasting and it made some of the people in my party feel sick. i will not be back !!
(1)Patricia K.
This review is on Carsonie's pizza. I feel sort of bad giving it 3 stars, because it seems like a nice family place, but as a review of my food to my preference: their pizza was WAYYY too cheesy. Like crazy cheese overload. Some people may prefer this, and if you do, I'm sure you will love Carsonie's. But me personally, I'm not a fan of too much cheese on my pizza. We got regular crust..not sure if they do a thin crust here. I am also giving it 3 stars on the fact that I would go here again if somebody wanted to go, but I would for sure try something else on their menu. Keep in mind they do have a diverse menu here of Italian food. I can't say I would ever suggest it, but I would go if other wanted to.
(3)