Balistreri’s Italian American Ristorante
812 N 68th St, Milwaukee, WI, 53213
Balistreri’s Italian American Ristorante Menu
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Address :
812 N 68th St
Milwaukee, WI, 53213 - Phone (414) 475-1414
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Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Greg B.
I encourage you to hear me through as I make my way into this review. Yes. Five stars. I come from a big family that grew up in West Milwaukee. There were nine of us, and we used to all sit at the dinner table and get caught up with everything that was going on in our lives. Most of us have moved away, but when we return to Milwaukee for one reason or another, we enjoy the cozy Italian restaurant nestled deep in a residential neighborhood in Wauwatosa. It truly has the best pizza in the world. It's Milwaukee pizza. Characteristics include a thin crust, spicy sauce, terrific mozzarella, mushrooms, onions, and sausage. This would be my last dinner on Earth if I had a choice. Every time we get together, we have such great conversations here. Inside is like the Italian restaurants in New York City. Very authentic and not tacky. You feel like you're in Italy. Love this place. You need to check this place out. Love it!
(5)Rachel F.
This old-school joint is no-frills, family-owned, and a bit stuck in time. Sign me up for all of the above! And dat crust, doe. Gimmegimmegimme. Cracker-thin, it's probably my favorite crust in the cit-aaaay. (The 'za on the whole is pretty great, too.) Large pizzas are economical; we've all seen that thing on the internet about that, right? Balistreri's large is LARGE, just FYI. We had food for the whole weekend after ordering a large on Friday night. Solid, no-frills Italian eats/'za in 'Tosa. Get thee, posthaste!
(4)Jalaine M.
We had a large party, and the wait staff was wonderful while we waited for the last two to show. The place just got better from there. Kept up with water on the table. The Eggplant fries were the best
(5)Chad C.
Cute lil pizza place you got here, Balistreri's. I stopped in to grab some carry-out 'za - and they were most accomodating. I arrived early, but the pizza was ready pretty much exactly when they said it would be. The most special moment of the trip was when I asked for some parm. This parm looked legit, man. It was in a clear little baggy. DO YOU THINK THEY GRATED IT THEMSELVES IN THE BACK? I am so intrigued by that parm. Oh, you want to know if the pizza was good. Yes, it was. It was delicious and very, very thin. So thin, that my only beef with this place is that it was $25 for a large pizza that I ate half of very easily and wasn't even uncomfortably full. For a $25 large, I don't think I should be able to move afterward. Maybe I need to look within at my own portion-control-problems. One other thing of note - we ordered half/half and they put one of the toppings on the entire pizza. In their defense, I didn't say anything because we were home already... so they may have "made it right", but I never gave them the chance.
(4)Matthew A.
It goes without saying they have extremely good and famous thin crust pizza. This busy restaurant features appetizers that are similarly good. I noticed they really go all out on the Christmas decorations which adds to the experience in this season. The whole restaurant is small and there is nowhere to wait to be seated indoors. The tables are very close to one another making for a cozy environment. The wait staff are responsive and effective. Still, there was a significant delay before the waiter talked to us after being seated. I was still impressed with the service overall aside from that. This is a great place to go as a family or couple for some of the best thin crust pizza anywhere.
(4)Peter C.
I've been here a few times with the girlfriend's family. Her dad is a pizza aficionado when it comes to the classic sausage, mushroom, and onion. Over the last few years I come here a few times each year with him. The pizza comes out on a giant cookie tray that is the perfect thickness of thin crust. The sauce is what really makes the pizza - that is what I've always thought - and this place nails it. The sausage is flavorful and really a highlight on the pizza. The salads and antipastos are all great. Parking is on the street yet there is plenty of spots to be had. This place gets packed so make sure you get there before the crowd comes. If you've never been here, come here right away. That reminds me, I need to come here, it has been a little too long.
(4)Jennifer T.
I personally love their pizza! I have to admit I've never eaten anything else here besides pizza and garlic bread so I can't comment on their other food. Pizza is delicious and we usually get good service here. The only negatives are that it's a little pricey so we don't go much, and they get packed on Friday and Saturday nights so expect to wait a LONG time for a table, which are very close together. Also there is limited parking.
(4)Brett K.
My family and I went to Balistreri's on a cold winter night. This family run business obviously trains their people very well. The service could not have been more friendly and professional. The pizza we had was huge, with a delicious, crusty crust and the pepperoni was fantastic. It was obvious that the restaurant was full of locals. This tells you a lot about the quality and the fact that they have a lot of repeat business. I highly recommend this restaurant especially for the family.
(5)Dorothy H.
Never disappointed!! The decor isn't modern by no means. It's compact & quaint. Yet warm & welcoming. I ALWAYS get the Pepperoni special, Italian salad & garlic bread. The large pizza can eassssssily feed a large family of 5. It is by far thee best pizza around. Service is always impeccable. One of my favorite eateries.
(5)Steve B.
First time here after knowing of the place for decades. We stopped here last night because or other choices had no parking. I drove by here and the spot by the front door was open. I'd normally give it a three star. It's good, but I suspect as with many pizza places there becomes a cult following and also pizza tastes vary. The experience was fun. We walk in the door and was surprised to be right in the dining room. The check in desk was a few tables back. The restaurant is actually two old time store fronts connected together. Nothing fancy or new here but in a way the crowed conditions were fun as all the people seemed to be having a great time. Pity the waitresses. They can't move or turn around without bumping into someone either at a table or negotiating to the restrooms or the waiting room in the back. So we ordered the Pepperoni Special. It has pepperoni, sausage, olives, mushrooms, onion and of course cheese. The crust is thin. The pizza is among the best that I've had with the notable exception of the sausage not as flavorable as our benchmark, Ned's Pizza. Hold the flaming please! I talked about cult followings and I've be a Ned's fan since the 60's. We also had the antipasto salad. It was unusual that there was an extra charge per person beyond a single person. I don't know if they make it larger or to cover the cost of the added plates. No matter, it was loaded with the usual antipasto items but was unusual in that half the plate was lined with pepperoni and had American cheese under it. American yellow slimy fake cheese in an Italian restaurant?? I would have expected mozzarella and provolone. Half was mozzarella but still! We ended up paying a bit more than we do for the comparable meal at one of the Mama Mia's or Neds or Marty's. However, the atmosphere was unique and rather fun. I can see why they have a loyal following.
(4)Kate D.
This is the thin crust pizza I crave! I wish I didn't live two states away. Once we saw someones pictures on here we knew we had to try it. The app's we had were good to. But back to this pizza. The sauce is light, but has enough flavor. The pizza doesn't end up to greasy, and the round edges are ever so crispy. Between my dad, my husband and I we were fighting over the last crust piece! I don't know about the rest of their food. We had a soup to, and it tasted as if it was homemade and delicious. We did not try any italian entrees, but they looked good around us. But really the pizza was awesome. I am a fan of chicago thick style pizza, but sometimes you just want a thin crispy pizza, and this was it! My mouth is still watering writing about this. Until next time...
(5)Mallory S.
We came for late dinner on a Sunday night and ordered the veggie pizza and fried eggplant. The eggplant was good, but not great. The marinersa sauce that came with it was delicious. The pizza crust and sauce are delicious. Unfortunately the toppings included canned mushrooms and the tomatoes were green. Perhaps a meat pizza would have been better? Also the service was pretty inattentive. Definitely overpriced. I've had similar pizza for half the price.
(3)Jessica O.
Balistreri's is great. I was looking for a place with good food, and a kid-friendly casual atmosphere. My two-and-a-half year old has recently decided that he LOVES restaurants, so we're always on the lookout for a fun new place that we can go together. The place was FULL of kids, and the ambience is full of loud, cheerful chatter, so my little guy could holler and bounce around to his heart's content without disrupting the other patrons. We scored the awesome booth by the entrance, and decided that we were going to absolutely destroy the menu. Because if you're going to review a place, you have to try EVERYTHING. We started off with the bruschetta and the cheese sticks. Both awesome. the bruschetta comes three to an order, served on garlic bread, with delicious, balsalmic drenched tomatoes. The fried mozzerella is definitely fresh, and fried to crispy golden perfection. The salads that came with our dinner orders were pretty standard - next time I might opt for one of the big family salads that sounded more interesting. The french onion soup is also pretty standard - but covered in that same super-fresh cheese. Then we ordered a small pizza, because everyone raved about it, so we had to try it. Balistreri's REALLY knows their stuff when it comes to pizza. There will be many carry-out orders in our future. I am a Chicago girl, and I love my thick crust, stuffed, baked pizzas, but when it comes to thin crust, this is now my go-to. It is SUPER crispy, super thin, and loaded with delicious toppings. The sausage in particular are big and flavorful, not those ground beef leftovers that come from cheaper chains. Dinner was hit and miss. My veal parm was AWESOME - enough thickness to it that you really got the flavor of the meat. My husbands cioppino was also awesome, lots of flavor and spice. My brother's chicken pomodoro was a big miss, though. It was supposed to come with a sauce made from white wine, basil, garlic, and tomato, but it really tasted like nothing. Remarkably like nothing. It is entirely possible that the sauce we forgotten...We probably should have told our waitress, but she was slammed, so we decided not to make a big deal out of it. My husband and I's portions were huge, and I gave my brother some of my sauce and made the best of it. Dessert was another slam dunk. I had a really difficult time parting with any of my tiramisu, but it was worth it for bites of my brother's Simma's cheesecake and my husband's cannoli. In the future, it will probably be a salad-pizza-dessert spot for us, as many have said, but the entrees are (for the most part) worth a shot!
(4)David Z.
We haven't yet had pizza here, but we often stop for a meatball sandwich (my wife) and pasta and a salad for me. It's a great neighborhood place, there are always some specials, and the ambiance is charming and "Milwaukee ethnic." They typically offer Simma's cheesecake (from the bakery across the street). Parking is a big problem here (as in "none"), so on a Friday night prepare to park a couple blocks away and to wait a half hour after registering. Milwaukee is filled with these neighborhood bars and restaurants, and this is one of the most popular.
(4)Melissa D.
Fantastic pizza. The best. Thin crust. Really nothing more to say about the pizza. It's great. I've been here many times. Chicken parm was also a great dish. Huge portion. I've also had a stuffed baked pasta dish which was excellent.
(5)Rich H.
I rarely write reviews but after last night's experience I was compelled to do so. From the moment I walked in I knew I was in for a lousy dinner and even worse service. Of all the available tables we were given the one right in front of the door...it was about 5 degrees outside. Then was the server, she was pleasant to my wife but apparently I did something wrong and was never even spoken to after ordering my food. I was completely ignored! The beer was room temperature, the food was as well. My "Sicilian steak" was garbage that I wouldn't feed to my dog- stringy and almost impossible to cut. I looked around to see what others are eating and we were the only ones not eating pizza...now I see why. This place is unbelievably overrated and overpriced- and this was my birthday dinner. I guess I should have just gone to Fillipo's, a real Italian restaurant.
(1)Joelle S.
Nice thin crust. We got the sausage, mushroom & onion pizza--usually a go-to favorite for me, but I couldn't get over the canned mushrooms, which always feel rubbery to me. I really didn't expect that from such a fancy looking place. Oh well. Still tasted good.
(3)Lynnette L.
one of the few places to get eggplant parm, I'm a repeat customer. I also recommend their pizza.
(4)Allyson H.
This place was pretty underwhelming. Not sure what all the hype is about. Maybe I was just uncomfortable from being so cold that I couldn't take my parka off because they sat us in front of the door. The pizza they brought out was a glorified grease sponge. Floppy and undercooked and in general disgusting. Left hungry because I couldn't really eat what was put in front of me. Won't be back any time soon or ever.
(2)Kerry M.
OMG!! This place was amazing! The pizza is delicious!! The staff was so friendly!! Definitely go back if in town again!!!
(5)Erin R.
Been here twice now and sat outside both times. Pizza is good if you like thin crust. The toppings are fresh and homemade. The service is nice and they even let us move tables when we needed to without any problem. The only thing is that today it took a really long time to get our pizzas - probably 45 minutes after the salads. Luckily it was a nice day and the patio is fun!
(4)O. L.
Best Pizza I eat for a long time. Have had a Peperone Special and a "Spicy Hawaiian Style". Tasty...!!!!
(5)Alex P.
Went here with my mother today and had an amazing pizza as usual. Service was okay, server was a little mediocre but the pizza always makes up for it. This place is very small and crammed and there's limited space to move around but like I said the pizza is awesome!
(4)Hana C.
Came to Balistreri's on a busy Friday night for the first time. We got seated immediately. The restaurant has a diner/divey feel that I just love. The tables seem a little crowded but it goes with the charm of the place. We ordered the fried clams, which are awesome with a cocktail dipping sauce, and a large pizza. The two of us had no idea how large the pizza was actually going to be. The waitress made a joke about how we were getting the value pack... then the pizza came out and I understood what she meant. We couldn't even finish half of it! A family of 8 next to us got the same size pizza and we felt really ridiculous. Good thing that the pizza is delicious! It's got a really thin crust that manages to stay crisp. Now we have leftover pizza to be eaten for the next week, so things turned out to be awesome. Another tip, great place to bring a large, casual party if you don't want to dish out a ton of money and still have some good pizza and appetizers. The service was great. Waitress was friendly and despite how busy it was, managed to check on us a few times and refilled our drinks when they went dry. Overall, an awesome experience. We definitely learned our lesson though. When sharing between two, opt for the medium size pizza and never the large.
(5)Leigh A.
I stopped going here after I was diagnosed with celiac. On Sunday, I found out they now have gluten-free food items. I am not sure how long they had had gluten-free options, but I am thrilled. I got an anchovy heaven gluten-free pizza. The crust was fantastic. It was so good, I almost thought it was regular crust. I heated some up in the oven today and it was better than yesterday. I will be frequenting here more often. I also think I might buy some par bake pizza to make it home when I feel like it. I highly recommend balistreri's to anyone.
(5)Ben S.
Everytime we come to Balistraris, we always have phenomenal food. last night we stopped for a special occasion and hoped to see our favorite server Ryan. Ryan wasn't working, however Gigi was, and she made it a great evening just as Ryan would have. For someone who is battling with using readers and forgot to bring them Gigi stepped up and brought not only readers but the best as a server. Aside from that, the food was fantastic, as always, plentiful as always, and left me with leftovers which will extend how much we enjoyed our meal for at least another day. Balistreri's is midway between downtown Milwaukee and Brookfield and yet it is so worth the drive if you want and phenomenal food and great service!
(5)Connor N.
Balistreri's is a place of legend in my family. My parents ate there throughout their dating days and their wedding cake came from the bakery across the street. The pizza at Balistreri's is simply amazing. When ordering a pie from this great eatery, you can expect a thin crispy crust, with generous amounts of toppings. Classic sausage and pepperoni is my go-to pie and it always lives up to my expectations. The place has a great mom and pop feel to it and the service has always been excellent. If you're in the area looking for pizza, you really can't go wrong with Balistreri's!
(5)Chopper C.
Pizza was fine but the experience left lots to be desired. Got the feeling our server was at the end of a shift and ready to be done interacting with customers. Her forced-friendly attitude prompted us to shy away from asking questions or requesting any additional service. Many of the other employees spent the evening just standing around, talking. Space is limited when the place is packed. Unfortunately, that meant being seated 6 inches from the table next to us and enduring a political rant from the mongoloid eating over our shoulder. To say the least, Balistreri's is not the place for a quiet pizza dinner. Pizza, again, was fine. Extra charge for fresh mushrooms? Ok, I guess (why is this even an option?). Plenty of other places with pizza just as good but without the grumbling, tired feel of dinner at a nursing home. If you're over age 55, generally pessimistic, in failing health, and not particularly concerned about the food you're eating: then Balistreri's is for you.
(2)Andrea S.
Best Italian food period. The pizza is beyond amazing and all the other goodies and great as well. The staff is always friendly and make you feel welcome. The prices are also very good. My favorite place to go!!
(5)Nicole F.
Balistreri's..... I used to love you. So much. Then you hired that idiot front man/manager/whatever-he-thinks-he-is. I've seen other reviews specific to this guy on here. Jim, please get rid of him. Your pizza is to die for, but my husband has banned this place until he's gone. Until then, we will visit Mario, but not with the same frequency as this location.
(1)Geoffrey R.
Great pizza!!! Great Service!!! You just have to get there at the times or you will have a long wait.
(4)Doug Y.
We stopped in after the car show on a Saturday about 1 pm. Matt was our waiter and he was busy. We had a slight wait but the food and service was over the top. We had our grandson and he had ravioli. I had egg plant Parmesan and my lady friend had pizza. All was 1st class and the pizza was best we could remember. Wine and drink prices moderate. We had a great time and loved the sweets shop next door on our exit. We will be returning soon.
(5)Kat K.
Overrated. Pizza with a floppy thin crust covered with grease. I could do better at home.
(2)Maria S.
This place is one of those old kitschy places you just pray is open forever. They have italian decor and brewer party decorations everywhere. They serve their table sized large pizzas on a large baking sheet. The pizza has delicious cracker thin crust, maybe even thinner than any I have ever had. All of the ingredients were tasty. I loved every bite. The service was quick and friendly too. A very cozy, family business feel. We had the tiramisu for dessert and I didn't get to ask if they made it in house, but it was awesome. I would definitely recommend this place.
(5)Jeffery S.
Many moons ago, Milwaukee used to be my home and one of the things I remember about this burg is I've always considered the city extremely under rated so far as eating goes. Seems like the only thing people think of when they think of Milwaukee is Brats, Kraut and Beer. Milwaukee has some of the best local Italian places around and this is one of them. Now I only came to this place for one thing, their famous thin crust pizza. They delivered back then, they still deliver today. Restaurant definitely has a local flair to it as it is located on a busy neighborhood intersection which they share with a flour shop, a shoe store and some other small mom and pop businesses. Inside of the restaurant is old school with tin ceilings, cramped interior and kitschky decor. I had a "The Works" pizza and it is as fine a thin crust pizza as you'll get, crisp thin crust, just enough cheese and sauce and great tasting sausage. Only nick they get from me is they used canned mushrooms...oh well, no ones perfect. For one night at least, I was able to re live a fond memory.
(5)Kelly B.
I was told by a couple people to swing through Balistreri's. I just moved to the area and I drive past it enough that I felt I had to give in. Two of us went around 6:00 on a Friday, and were seated right away. The server was right on us the second we sat down. We had to explain we were newbies - and she changed her tune. She explained sizes and the typical popular food items. We obviously opted for pizza - the reason we came! We were hungry, but not starving and were hoping for some leftovers. The junior is less than 12" so we went with the medium. This ended up being the perfect size. We got the works - it had green pepper, onion, black olives, pepperoni and mushrooms. I am allergic to mushrooms, *which we told our server* so we substitued pineapple instead. The crust is extremely thin - so we got the "thick" crust, where they literally put two thins on top of each other. It still was very very thin, but in my opinion it was easier to pick up. Unfortunately the cook was not very careful and there were a few mushrooms on the pizza - I ended up having an allergic reaction during dinner. We took the rest home. I should note that the entire night there was a line at the take out window. My guest said the leftovers the next day were comparable to the night before, which is a sign of something done right.
(4)James D.
If you are over 60 you may love this pizza! Cheap, uninspired toppings, bland undeveloped crust. Oh well.
(1)Charles B.
I had lunch here the Saturday after Thanksgiving 2013. I had a craving for mostaccioli and meatballs. This was our first Thanksgiving ever without an Italian pasta dish. We went very traditional this year because we always have pasta and antipasti at Christmas. Balistreri's was where I'd get my pasta fix. I had a half order of Mostaccioli and Meatballs with a special request for al dente pasta. The pasta was spot on. The sauce was rich and the meatball flavorful. I scooped up all the extra sauce with fresh bread from Sciortino's Bakery on Brady. Needless to say...it was a good Saturday afternoon.
(4)James B.
I'm not Italian. My people are not Italian. My people come from a country shaped like a potato, not like a boot. The girl isn't Italian either. Her people are a tropical people. I still love red sauce though, okay? And pizza. And seafood. And garlic. That said, this is not my favorite Italian place in town, much less my favorite Italian place ever. We stopped in for dinner last night (Saturday) and scored an immediate seat right by the door. Props to this place for having a blasting heater right around the door. It was freezing outside and we were toasty warm all night, even with steady take-out traffic coming in and out. We started with fried mushrooms, which the girl adores, and garlic bread. Mushrooms were way good, I thought, and I usually don't really like them. The batter was seasoned well so they tasted like more than soggy fungus. The garlic bread interior was good, but I think they use sesame-seed bread so the crust was a not really to my liking. She had a pizza for dinner, which they are apparently famous for. I don't really care for thin-crust pizza so my opinion is probably invalid, but I thought it was merely okay. She seemed to enjoy it and she just ate the other half for breakfast, so it couldn't have been bad. I had the ciopinno, which was again just okay. I don't know, I guess my expectations were just a bit high. Ciopinno is one of my favorite things in the world and I got excited by the description which included prawns. I was thinking big huge guys, maybe with the head on and everything like you would get at a good seafood restaurant. Unfortunately prawns in this context apparently means tiny little curled up seafood salad shrimp. It was disappointing, especially since the clams and mussels and fish were plentiful and pretty good. The broth was good, probably just their standard marinara w/ a bunch of seafood stock. I liked it, it just wasn't up to par even w/ other ciopinno I've had in Milwaukee which is hardly a seafood mecca. Overall the food was mediocre. Service was good, I think our servers name was Irene and she did a fine job. The restaurant itself is "classic red-sauce Italian" in that it's kind of cramped, kind of dated, kind of dingy, but that is what you should expect. Also, maybe I'm cheap but I think this probably closer to a $$$ place than a $$ place. Small pizzas are almost twenty dollars and most decent entrees are 15-20. I paid $60 for dinner for two w/out any alcohol and I realize that isn't real expensive, but it isn't exactly $$ either. Maybe I just have different standards.
(3)Sadie T.
Old school family style Italian place. Usually there is a wait. The pizza is delicious. The fried eggplant is incredible. The dining area is quite cramped and somewhat uncomfortable. Lots of nick-knacks. The noise from the other patrons in the small space makes it difficult to hear. Also wish they had larger water glasses. Service has always been fine. Not a very personal experience, but attentive enough and efficient. Everything is priced to be appropriate for the area and a family style restaurant.
(4)Tracy S.
One of the best pizzas if not the best in the Greater Milwaukee Area. I love this place's ultra thin crust. My husband and I always go there attempting at first to order something else on the menu but after 5 minutes we always go back to ordering a large pizza (so we have plenty to take home), lets face it... you don't go to a steak house and order a salad for dinner just like you don't go to a pizza place and order a burger. If you like a thin pizza you will love this pizza, sauce is good... I've heard the mushroom leave a bit to be desired but the pepperoni and sausage are excellent. The seating is a bit cramped and the inside could likely stand to be redecorated but it's old school and they focus on the pizza and quite frankly that's ok with me. As my husband and I are big pizza fans this comes as the best we've had in the area. Also as a bonus the chocolate shop next door is open curiously the same hours as the restaurant and we never leave without getting a tasty treat from there as well. And if you happen to be there early enough they are also located right across the street from Simma's bakery who's cheesecake and other bakery can't be beat. Definately a treat for your tastebuds on all fronts.
(5)Darien G.
INCREDIBLE disappointment for this repeat visitor who tried again over the Thanksgiving weekend. There were several large open tables (seating for 6+), and we got there around 5:05 PM and they refused to seat us without a long wait of "around 40 minutes". The only explanation I got was "we already have some bigger parties". I realize it gets busy over the holiday weekend, but the younger man taking the names was unable to provide a better explanation than that, and I repeat, his response was "we already have some bigger parties". I clarified that they do not take reservations, and then pointed to the open table for 6 and suggested we could crowd into that table or take the table open for 8. Nobody else was on the list ahead of us either. All he would tell me was "it might be 40 minutes" which was just a laughable thing to say when you have (oh, I don't know) OPEN SPACE??? At least tell us service might be a bit slow, but you'll do your best and let us order some drinks while we wait. Or perhaps explain a bit better to me, the confused customer-to-be, as to why you have open seats that you won't give us - I suspect they were worried about waitress availability or kitchen availability... I fail to see how that would have been a bad thing to compromise on? If this was somehow a misunderstanding, I'd really like to hear from management, as I've had people contact me before based on reviews... However, I also think this place has enough business and probably doesn't pay any attention to sites like Yelp (dangerous to assume you'll always be so flush with customers). I'd be shocked if they do contact me, because the way the young man working Saturday evening acted, they didn't care for my business. And as it stands right now, I don't think they'll ever get it again, which is sad because I do like the pizza. Not that anybody is hanging on my reviews, but if they do contact me I promise to update the review.
(1)Mike W.
Best pizza in USA Awesome stuff from experienced traveler The crust is amazing could lighten up on the mushrooms just a bit
(5)Kenyatta Y.
My companion ordered a large pizza with everything but anchovies and it was great. The toppings were excellent, sauces, crust and the all important day old pizza test. In all of these areas Balistreri's Italian-American Ristorante scored high marks. I'm interested in trying some of their other dishes but this was a wonderful introduction.
(4)Hank M.
Very busy little place but the food is amazing! They have something for all budgets and tastes. Cuisine is very authentic. Thin crust pizza looked amazing so I will be sure to order that next time. Got a chicken pram sandwich that was just the right size and tasted great! Very family oriented.
(5)Erica K.
Even though I live only minutes from this place, and I love pizza, I hadn't been here in years and didn't remember much about it. Came here on Saturday night looking for a pizza with 2 others. Surprisingly, we were able to be seated right away although the place was pretty packed. There is no bar, but there is a pretty good selection of beer and wines. The decor is traditional, family owned pizza place style. Think warm colors, fake plants, stuffed animals (only a few) and a lot of tables pretty close together. I like the kitschy, comfortable, family atmosphere even though it's unlike places I typically go. As for the food, I can only comment on 2 items. First, we ordered a half order of the fried eggplant. Amazing. They look like french fries, but are so light, airy and delicious that I could have eaten the entire basket. We also ordered a large Works pizza. When they say large, they mean it. Even with 2 guys as my companions, we had plenty of leftovers. The crust is cracker thin and is nice and crispy. The toppings are generous and fresh. Overall, very satisfied with everything. Oh, and the staff is very friendly as well. It did take awhile to get our food, but not only was it packed there was also a steady stream of people coming in for carry out orders, so totally understandable.
(4)Annette K.
Tried take out. Guy on phone was nice to me, and, in person at pick up window. So that's a bonus. Pizza crust was good, so were the toppings. Lasagna sauce is too sour. Trying out the pizza is worth it-----I did, once, but I don't think I'll be back again.
(2)Steve S.
We love the flat plan, thin crust pizza, excellent salads and beer or lambrusco.
(4)Kelsey P.
Ordered a pizza from here once - not bad, not great. Heads up that they use canned mushrooms. I like them so it was fine with me but other people at my table didn't appreciate it.
(3)Joanna T.
There is a line of people outside for a reason - the pizza is really good. I am a cracker crust person, so Balistreri's is my kind of place. I prefer to eat in as it can be a bit greasy by the time you get a takeout pie home. I am less of a fan of the pastas, I find them a bit bland and over sauced. We generally have good service, and the atmosphere is definitely family friendly. Pretty much anyone would feel comfortable here, it's a neighborhood-y place. Bonus - the first time we came here (many years ago) we had a Dustin Diamond AKA Screech sighting. So you know it's a classy joint.
(4)Michael M.
You don't want Morgan as your server. We waited 50 min for our pizza and were promised it in 4 more min. Waited 10 and left without pizza.
(1)Nancy R.
Thin crust pizza! This is my favorite Italian Restaurant in Milwaukee. The service, atmosphere, and food are all the best. It is a small family-oriented place on 68th street in Wauwatosa. Well worth the drive from where ever you live in town.
(5)Ron T.
Another visit to hallowed ground upon my recent visit back to Milwaukee. This restaurant on N 68th is absolutely the best pizza on earth and egg plant strips that melt in your mouth. I brought my future fiancee to Milwaukee to sample the best city and the best cuisine. She now is a convert to the disciples of Balistreri's on N68th. Again you made my trip an absolute pleasure. Thank you
(5)Brian E.
If you haven't been here you are missing out. This is awesome pizza. Really good thin crust although a bit on the greasy side but whatever.... it's pizza. If you do go here make sure to get the fried egg plant strips with your meal. It just goes so well with the pizza. Make sure to soak those pieces in lemon juice. It's addictive. I don't know if this is still the case but there have been Friday's when we couldn't order fried eggplant as they were using the deep fryer solely for fish. Something to keep in mind. This is an awesome large sized thin crust pizza that comes with your standard pizzeria toppings. Nothing fancy here and to be honest it's not really needed. What they are doing, they are doing right. Another thing possibly worth mentioning is the seating is a bit packed. When you walk through the front door you'll immediately find yourself navigating through tables. The hostesses are located closer towards the back where you would pick up your orders. This is the next minor gripe. If there are multiple people picking up To Go orders then it immediately builds congestion in that small area. It's also a bit awkward wading through the dining area to get there. In all honesty they should take a little time to redesign how everything is set up. There is a backdoor and perhaps something could be done to do pickups there? I know it would involve a bit of work but it would keep things flowing better. Inside the restaurant you notice some basic decor. Nothing stands out really and it definitely seats plenty of people. I've come at all different times and have never had a problem being seated. While there are other food options on the menu most people I know including myself usually get the pizza. In the Tosa area I can't think of a better option. I am all ears if anyone has suggestions but Balistreri's is doing it right!
(4)Brian M.
mmmm Balistreri's... Every neighborhood has it's favorite local pizza joint; In Tosa we have Balestreri's. It's so much more than just pizza though, it is a full menued (is that a real word) Italian family restaurant. It's the kind of place we would have thought was classy when we were kids. It's been around for ever and has never lost its charm. It's the kind of place you can bring your grandparents or your favorite aunt and they would be impressed the with wicker-wrapped Chianti bottle candle holders. For the dozens of times I have ever been here, I have only had the pizza. It's my favorite style: super thin crust and super greasy. I know it's not good for me. Anything that tasty never is. I must admit that once my wife and I absolutely destroyed a large cheese and sausage. The menu says that it is intended to serve 6-10 people. Nope, not in this case. It only took the two of us. We must have just finished watching Super Troopers.. don't remember for sure. Balistreri's is absolutely slamming on the weekends, even Sunday night. Tons of families. They also do an awesome carryout business, although I wish the customers didn't have to come in to the restaurant and stand around in the middle of the dinning room to wait for their order. In summer, most people wait outside to be called on the speakers. Their beer and wine list is about what you would expect at a old-school Italian family restaurant. Nothing too extraordinary. At least you will always find a decent Lakefront product or an acceptable Eco Domoni Pino (yep, that's about as good as it gets...) or a half decent Chianti to compliment your entree. The service has always been friendly and fast. Never any complaints. Don't forget about the little parking lot in the back of the restaurant. It's accessible from Wells St.
(4)Justin K.
Visited this Wauwatosa icon for the first time yesterday, and will say that I'm definitely up for a return trip. The ambiance is very old school & Italian feel, with plenty of quaint artwork & olive oil/chianti bottles strategically placed. I visited here on a recommendation from a Tosa resident, who claimed that Balistreri's has the best thin crust pizza period. A group of friends (8) came for Sunday afternoon lunch. Pizza can either be spectacular, really good, blah, mediocre, or CiCi's. I'm a huge fan of Chicago style deep dish, so that slightly tempers my review of the pizza here. But that said, Balistreri's really does have a stellar pie. One of the best thin crusts I've even, and the toppings were neither skimped on nor overloaded. Flavor & presentation get high marks, along with the ambiance of the restaurant. Our server was cheerful, prompt & endured our loud group in good humor. Overall, a great experience, and one I hope to repeat soon.
(4)R And A S.
Balistreri's did it right. I hate to turn my back on Zaffiro's but the sizing of the large is right on point with my expectations here. Huge thin crust fans right here and this stuff was grade A. The sauce wasn't too pasty or too sweet, but was made to perfection. If it weren't for the meatball sandwich at Zaffiro's I'd put Balistreri's on top for sure. We'll have to try some different items on the menu next time, but if they're anything like the pizza we will definitely be back. After reading some other reviews I think pick-up is the way to go.
(5)Brian P.
I was here recently with a group on a Saturday night. We knew there would be a wait, so a few of us got there early and put our names in. We were told an hour, and that is how long it took. The place was busy, and our waitress was very nice. We were there simply for pizza and drink. We ordered a pitcher of Spotted Cow, and a few people wanted wine. The first wine they ordered was sold out. In my mind, this is a big no-no. You shouldn't be out of a certain wine on any night, especially a Saturday. We ordered two of the large pizzas. The first was a pepperoni and mushroom. This was more for me, because the other one had a bunch of toppings which included olives which I can't stand. As for the pizza, it was just alright. As other people have said, it is very thin crust, which is fine. But I didn't really think there was as much flavor as there should have been. And the pieces were small. We had a party of seven, and were told that two pizzas would be more than enough. It was enough, but barely.
(3)Ryan T.
BEST PIZZA IN THE WORLD!!!!! (the eggplant fries were good, too). When we order Balisteri's, our pizza always comes out just how we wanted it and even better tasting than we remembered. It is well worth whatever you do to to get it. I recommend Balisteri's to anyone who is looking for a life-changing experience.
(5)Dennis K.
Our mistake was not following every other customer's lead and ordering pizza. Their mistake is having items on the menu other than pizza, if that is all they are capable of preparing. We had an $18 breaded steak which was burnt and a $15 chicken dish with fettuccine and diced tomatoes that at best could be said to have an odd flavor. The salad was good, and the sauce on the pasta was fine and likely the same kind they use on their pizza. I would have considered coming back to try the pizza but don't want to give them any more business after such a poor experience.
(1)Rosanna H.
First trip to MKE and very happy to have stopped in here for pizza. Our waiter John was excellent and the atmosphere of the place made you feel right at home.
(5)Rebecca T.
My absolute favorite place for pizza!! Fantastic, thin crust with tasty sauce and the sausage is to die for! My family always gets the everything but the kitchen sink pizza and it its heaven!! I've never heard a table get so quiet before!! And you can't beat the atmosphere.
(5)John S.
Get your thin crust pizza here.
(4)Lauren D.
Hands down, my favorite pizza place in the area. And this is coming from someone who eats A LOT of pizza :) Thin crust so amazing that you can just get cheese and it's amazing. Don't eat here without getting the eggplant! **NOTE: Eggplant is not available on Fridays due to needing fryer space for fish.
(5)Scott L.
Great thin crust pizza. We did carry out and had to drag the pizza through a freezing rain, but was still good. A large serves about 4 people. Planning on going back sometime to dine in to experience the pizza at its freshest. Beyond pizza, they also have a full Italian menu. Recommended.
(4)Wanda M.
Re thin crust pizza: Ate the entire damn thing...we went in saying we were not too hungry. Yikes
(4)Jennifer P.
This was my first visit. Overall, the experience was okay. The pizza, however, was not okay. The beer was reasonably priced. We were able to get a pitcher of Spotted Cow for about $10. We also ordered bread and a salad, which was good. The pepperoni, salami and cheese that came in the salad was also plus. After eating such a fresh and tasty salad, I had assumed that the pizza was going to be good too and so we decided to get a large. Who doesn't want leftovers? We ordered a large, veggie pizza. As soon as the pizza was put on the table, I could tell that the mushrooms AND the olives had come from a can. The canned vegetables were also so plentiful that we could not reasonably pick them off. The crust, cheese, tomato sauce were not able to cover up the metallic and briny taste of the toppings. We even covered it in crushed red pepper and Parmesan, to no avail. Please, do NOT go here if you want a vegetable pizza! The End
(2)Rob B.
Great place if you like thin crust pizza. Crust is terrific and hand made. Have never really had a bad pizza from here. The sausage has great flavor. Good balance of toppings - seems loaded but even with the thin crust it is not soggy. The fried eggplant (not available on Friday nights due to fish fry) is really good too. Good, simple fresh Italian garlic bread. Salad with the house Italian dressing is worth trying if not in the mood for pizza. They do have full menu, but we stick to the pizza for the most part. If we are looking for Italian food, we go to the other Balistreri's location on Bluemound. The decor is very dated and the place is really small - but I think that is part of the charm. Beer and wine available. Sprecher and Spotted Cow on tap. Parking can be an issue, but there is a lot behind the building that you enter off of Wells Street and street parking on Wells too so we have always been able to find a spot.
(4)Maria P.
I have eaten at this restaurant for many years and I keep going back. I moved to Chicago 8 years ago and this place is one of the places I return to a couple times a year when I get the opportunity. The pizza is what they are known for. It's thin crust, covered with ingredients, and delicious. They also have excellent fried eggplant, but on Friday nights they don't serve that until after 11 as they have a fish fry on Friday nights. This place is small and that's part of the charm. It's rare that you don't have to wait for a table, and the waiting area is limited but there are benches outside to sit on as well.
(4)Jessica M.
One of the top 5 pizzas I've ever had in my life. Really, really good thin crust. The only thing that could have made it even more fabulous would be fresh mushrooms instead of canned. I'm a mushroom gal. The tiny cut bites are fun! It's really cramped inside and expect a wait.
(4)David M.
The pizza and fried eggplant strips easily make Balistreri's my all-time favorite restaurant anywhere. The sauce, the crust, the toppings, the overall mix - are amazing - I wish I could get anything close to that here in Del Mar, CA. Heck, I'd drive up to L.A. or Orange County if there was something close to it. Oh, and my mother also absolutely loves the octopus salad, but that is not my thing - but I guess they're spectacular too if you dig the octopus salad thing. True Story #1: I've flown on an airplane out of Milwaukee (twice) with a Balistreri's Pizza in tow. This was during the late 80's and early 90's, so it may not be possible now --- but you get the point. True Story #2: Spent 2 years in Chicago in the early 2000's, and regularly made the 80 mile drive to Balistreri's either solo or with friends. 160 miles round-trip for pizza and eggplant requires some motivation. Yeah, motivation was not a problem. True Story #3: my little brother and I have turned on an ever-growing number of people to Balistreri's. Everyone we've recommended Balistreri's gives us huge ups for the tip. True Story #4: my little brother and his buddy Pete were traveling cross-country, and my little bro' convinced Pete to go out of their way (2 and a half hours each way, so 5 hours total). Pete begrudgingly agreed, kind of kicking and screaming. But during the dining experience and long afterwards, Pete couldn't stop raving about it to my little bro', and thanked him profusely. Epic on a biblical scale. If you're close by, or even if you have a drive --- try it. Bring buddies, a date or fly solo. It rocks!
(5)Anna D.
This could very well be the best pizza in town. The Hawaiian pizza (pineapple and Canadian bacon) is awesome. The crust is light and crispy. We have never had a bad pizza here. Recently we ordered several half-baked pizzas to carry-out because we were having a group in. The instructions were to cook at 500 degrees for 5-6 minutes each -- they turned out perfect! Tasted almost as good as if we were in the restaurant!
(5)Vinnie M.
Great experience! Bring your family or bring a date. The food is top not h and the atmosphere is festive.
(5)Jen Y.
Pretty good pizza... the usual greasy cheese nothing real exciting, usual old school ingredients, thin crust type pizza. Salads are good w/traditional Italian dressing (I hate going to an Italian restaurant and being asked what kind of dressing I want, french? What? Italian please!). Bread is good and thick. Portions are big, prices are reasonable. Good for when you have that greasy pizza craving. They also have sandwiches and pasta. I tried the cheese ravoli, it's ok frozen variety. Not bad but not outstanding.
(3)M M.
Have been going here since 2005. Best thin crust pizza in Milwaukee and only Spacca Napoli in the Chicago-area rivals it. We always say we'll go here sometime and get something OTHER THAN the pizza, but once we walk in, it's hopeless. If you like homemade (read: NOT frozen) thin crust, this IS the place. P.S. Sonny's in San Clemente, CA is comparable, if you're in Orange County and need a pizza fix. Update: 1/10/2014: Ok, decreasing Balistreris to 4 stars because we've found two new ones that we like even better (in the NW Chicagoland area: Slyce (thanks Yelpsters!) and Artistic Cuisine - Argentine restaurant in Palatine with EXCELLENT pizza (thin crust, fresh ingredients), friendly, helpful service).
(4)Kelly P.
I have gone to Balistreri's on a few occasions over the past month. Every time I have visited whether it was for a pick up or dining, I have been impressed. They have a classic and traditional italian meals ranging from various pastas to pizza. I am a HUGE fan of the pizza because it is very flavorful but not with garlic which can overpower the ingredients. Please go check it out when you are in the Tosa area and ask for Rose as your server.
(4)Kevin B.
We took a group of 7 for dinner at 530 to avoid the crowded waiting area. We stood in the middle of the restaurant and waited for half an hour for our table. I don't like the size of the place, it's a rinky-dink set-up with virtually no waiting area. Unless in summer, you wait outside. As usual, the food was good, we ordered the Italian salad, large pepperoni and sausage pizza with garlic bread. We will go back. I prefer take-out.
(3)Chris P.
My wife & I finished up a wonderful day's visit to Milwaukee eating pizza at Balisteri's, which was already almost full at 6pm on a very chilly Sunday evening (I suspect it would be even busier and involving a wait on a Fri or Sat night). We were seated quickly, and though waiting a good 15-20 minutes for our pizza, it was well worth the wait. Meanwhile it was exciting to watch all the huge pizzas being delivered to other tables as I sipped my beer, and there was a happy 'pizza buzz' going on in there. Wait staff were really great, and we loved the pizza. The 'Large' thin crust was really enough for at least four people, if not 5 or 6. Strongly recommended. Lovely pizza, lovely staff, lovely atmosphere, lovely evening.
(5)Kari H.
This was my first time here. I have to say I'm not one for pizza. But I let you know this place is assume. They have everything you can't get from other pizza places. They have the Best of bottle of wines to Beers to Dinners, Desert. You will fall in Love this is Top Notch service besides the food is Excellent.By the way I now like pizza. Lol
(5)Steve B.
Every time I"m in Milwaukee, I prioritize a stop at Balistreri's for some thin crust pizza. Best pizza in town period. Dinner is always crowded as people know about this place. Thin crust, great cheese, pepperoni has just the right spice. Outstanding food, very reasonably priced. Rest assured, I'll be back.
(5)Emily T.
Great pizza - thin crust is super thin. They also have cheap, good wine. It is a no frills place, but has great food.
(5)Scott H.
Best pizza in Milwaukee in my opinion. I am here as often as I can be and I am never disappointed. Make sure you get the half pitcher if your going to have two beers. You will not find better in Milwaukee.
(5)G P.
I can honestly say this is my favorite Italian restaurant and you haven't had anything quite like it anywhere else. Down to the feel of the place and its history, you cannot beat it. I have yet to find a dish I do not like and it is fairly priced. Great place to have a meal with friends. Both locations are of equal measure to me. Here's to many years to come.
(5)Confucius J.
It's an excellent example of the ultra-thin and yet somehow not greasy pizza that is the counterbalance to the deep dish pizza down in Chicago. I like both kinds, and my first visit to Balistreri's last weekend did not disappoint at all. I like Zaffiro's a little better, but Balistreri's location is so much more convenient when I'm staying out in Brookfield. Two minor complaints: the service was ditzy, but I'll chalk that up to a very young waitress on a Sunday night, and the place was freezing cold. I had a fantastic sausage and onion pizza, and my cousin ordered the eggplant parmesan. He was surprised that they no longer serve the veal Parmesan, but it seems like they're trying to get those kind of patrons to go to the more upscale Bluemound Inn location. At a place like this, I'm not expecting fancy. My cousin's salad was a basic iceberg one, I know not to bother with green peppers on my pizza. And I don't care. I'll definitely be back at some point when work takes me through Milwaukee.
(4)Phil L.
Growing up off of Bluemound in the 60's & 70's my family started ordering takeout pizzas from Balistreri's. Needless to say I've eaten many squares of pizza from here and I love it. Inside gives you a warm Mom & Pop feeling. I hope to be visiting them for many years to come!
(5)William T.
The pizza was pretty good, but I come from a pizza town so it didn't knock my socks off. When I am in the area, it will be one of the places I think to go to.
(3)Thomas N.
over rated
(2)Jerry P.
Best thin crust pizza on planet earth bar none. That is coming from someone who lives in New York and has had his share of outstanding slices all over NYC. Big sheets of pizza, oozing with grease, heaps of cheese, and great toppings. I recommend the fried egg plant strips to prime up your arteries before the Pizza comes. Had my first Balistreri's pizza in 1980 and have been returning every chance I can ever since. Thank goodness nothing has changed - same long wait, same decor, and same outstanding pizza.
(5)Joe G.
Aside from the parking mess, Balistreri's is an enjoyable restaurant with a great atmosphere, very good service, reasonable prices, and one of the best pizzas around. Their other menu items are also excellent, but if you go here, be sure to try the pizza. Their selection of high quality toppings makes any pizza yummy, and the crust is fantastic.
(5)julia r.
balisteri's has taken on mythical proportions in my family lore. memories of yummy pizza that is, gleefully now the memories serve, thin crust! in a square!... even your foodie cousins in chicago love it (!!!). while the portions certainly are still big, sadly, years of refining my pizza palette left me feeling like the pizza tastes, well, a bit square. the crust is a good version of thin, but the cheese and "the special" toppings left something to be desired. also the house chianti tasted like sweetened grapejuice. and yet, i still think the ambiance of the place is quaint and cozy, and the spaghetti i spied looked picture perfect. perhaps if one's expectations aren't riding on decades of overblown memories, the experience will be all the better. bonus points for providing an excuse to visit the chocolate shop next door.
(4)toby h.
I guess Balistreri's is too busy to give good customer service these days. The manager is a jerk. Told us it was our fault for calling ahead to ask that a restaurant.com coupon was good at ANY of their locations. Last time I check Mr. Jerk Manager, money in the left pocket is as good as money in the right.
(1)Amy S.
We had the pizza and it was delish!
(4)