Zamboni’s Pizza

Highly disappointed. The menu was described incorrectly and the staff was grumpy.

We love Zamboni’s! Went there for the first time a month ago. When my family ordered take-​out a month later, they remembered us. Good pizza, great service? Yes, please!

Friendly folks and a cozy atmosphere can not make up for what is truly uninspired, almost flavorless pizza. I have truly had better pizza from the frozen aisle at Cub. I had wanted to come in and try this place for a while, but my pizza-​loving gut always led me to that big place across the street that has a name starting with a «C.» Well, the «C» place had one of their peak-​level lines at an off-​peak time (much to my chagrin) and I thought, «Well, let us give Zamboni’s a try.» BIG mistake. This would be like being on the way to see STAR WARS in IMAX 3-​D and then at the last minute saying to oneself, «Hey, let’s watch it on YouTube streamed onto a black and white TV from 1974 instead.» No amount of shaking of the complimentary Parmesan and red pepper flakes could make this pizza even begin to resemble anything adequate. There was ketchup on the table… I almost considered using it. I think the sauce was made from someone buying a bottle of low-​sodium tomato juice and boiling it down… if you have friends who are on a garlic, oregano, salt and pepper-​free diet, this might be a great place to take them. Or maybe you could take a friend who is one of those Gluten Free Freaks… trust me, they will not feel left out… they will not be missing anything. I should have gotten pizza-​flavored Pringles instead.
Two stars due to the charming ladies that work here. ZERO stars for the pizza.

Excellent Pizza place. Staff was extremely friendly and helpful! It’s a smaller establishment, but totally worth it! MUCH better than waiting in line for hours. Prices are even better! In my opinion they should be charging more because of the great quality of food they are serving.

Definitely one of the best Pizza places in St. Paul, but don’t sleep on some of the other menu items either because they put on a great gyro for only 6 bucks! While they have many tasty options for pizza my favorite is the bbq chicken with roasted onions and cilantro on top, with my second favorite being the Greek (it has cucumber sauce!). The inside of the restaurant has some space in back to chill, check out the game and grab a draft or two, all while enjoying some quality food.

GET THE FARMERS MARKET PIZZA. Secret menu item. So good, veggies, spices, cheeze, and crispy crust with olive oil. Nuff said!

Everything here is great! I’ve had the gyro, burgers, and chicken bacon sandwich. The tots and onion rings are super tasty! The owners are very nice and truly appreciate your business, well done and I’ll be back!

We were disappointed since this pizza place had over 4 stars! It could have been a bad day, but the staff’s habits don’t indicate that.
When our lemonade glass was almost empty the server grabbed a pitcher from a table that had just left with several kids and used the remaining lemonade in the pitcher to refill our glasses. Yikes!!! How do we know what was done to that lemonade with the kids!!! Then we were provided plates for our pizza. When the pizza arrived we told the server that we didn’t need plates. She placed our two plate in the clean stack for the next unknowing customer! Ewwwww!!!
Pizza was less than good. Ranked up there with the worst we experienced.
Ending on a good note the cheesy bread was very good. This place could be good, but the staff needs a food course refresher in cleanliness.

I never Unilocal so the fact that this is getting posted is a testament to this place.
I’m reviewing for 2 reasons:
1. The staff is just the best. So kind and welcoming. Great atmosphere.
2. The freaking cheeseburger. If you remember what a hamburger taste like from back in the day when your parents or grandparents would pull fresh burgers off the grill, and you yearn for that flavor. GO GET A BURGER HERE. It’s like eating a burger in the 90s when that smokey fresh taste was the goal.
You will not regret that $ 10

so good.
we had the foo fighter and the rosemary.
and both were so right on.
delicious. remarkable. yum.

Went here with my wife after a Foo Fighters show at Xcel Energy Center. Even though it was packed, the staff were eager to answer questions about their menu. I recommend the garlic bomb with a Grain Belt!

Literally the only reason this review has two stars is because of the chicken gyro I had, it was absolutely amazing! Now the pizza on the other hand was the complete opposite, zero stars if I had to rate this alone. The pizza was disgusting, when I say NO flavor, I mean, NO flavor, my husband hated it. It’s really hard to make a pizza without any flavor, at least the cheese gives it some flavor but not even the cheese tasted like anything, just all bad! They need to be ashamed of themselves for making and selling that mess, it’s mostly sauce and cardboard crust! PLEASE don’t waste your time or money thinking you’re gonna get a great tasting pizza from here, unless you’re used to flavorless pizza, smh… just sad!

I can’t speak highly enough of this place. Their thin crust is crispy and perfectly cooked every time.
The online ordering is a great convenience for such a modest looking place.
The sandwiches are impressive too.

Reminds me of an English Pub but the pizza is excellent. I had two slices of their special of the day which you can still get at 5pm when I was there.

I get down with fancy pizza, but it’s not something that I ever crave. White truffle? Shiitake mushrooms? Caviar? I just don’t think they should be on a pizza. Like Kris H (my former childhood neighbor) and Kim K.
I like my zas a little dressed down, with really great cheese and a savory sauce slapped onto a thin crust. I like the original, simple (American) pizza. Maybe that’s why I dig the original Rocky movie that had scenes shot on a handheld. Or how I think the first Power Rangers series was the best before it got hella crazy with all dem suffixes. Or why I believe Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt was hotter than any album that followed it. The first, the original, is always the best, IMO.
Zamboni’s is that dressed down pizza that isn’t overly complicated. It’s really unfortunate, too, that I haven’t had a chance to watch our beloved Minnesota Wild kick the snot out of an opponent at the Xcel Energy Center this year, and then celebrate with a victory slice there. I did have the chance to stop by the other day to try a couple, though. My review:
I. FOOD
*Sausage with Rosemary: This white cheese/​sauce (Alfredo?), I swear, made my fingers snap and eyes roll into the back of my head. Was it the perfect amount? Yes. Did it stay on as I ripped it like a savage hippo eating, err, what hippos eat piece-​by-​piece with my mouth? Yes. Do I want to put this stuff on every American dish I have in the future? Absolutely.
Aside from this gooey sexiness, I also dug the hearty sausage, crisp slices of red pepper, and beautifully pungent rosemary. Can this aroma be my cologne?
I’ve had some of their other pizzas, but I have to admit that I don’t remember because I drank too much beer at some festival in Saint Paul. They were good, from what I remember. (Not very helpful, I know.)
II. SERVICE
Super friendly, laid-​back, and cool. I dig them, as well as their tattoos.
III. ATMOSPHERE/​DÉCOR
A hot dog shaped sports bar-​like pizza joint, that’s not overwhelmingly bro-​y; however, it might be different crowd when there’s something at the Xcel Energy Center. #iliketousehyphens #doyounoticehowiusehashtagsincorrectly
IV. PRICES
Might want to look online for the specifics, but just know it’s about $ 5 for two slices. $ 19 for a 14 inch pie, I think.
V. OVERALL
If you like dressed-​down pizza with big flavors, then Zamboni’s might be for you! Ugh, I wish this place was closer to my apartment…

Who doesn’t want to dine at a place with a name like this?!?
After visiting Xcel for the Blues/​Wild game, we wanted to grab a bite to eat before taking the light rail back to our hotel out at the airport. Thanks to Unilocal,we had heard about Zamboni’s and were eager to try it — and it is only a few steps away from the arena.
One word — delicious!
Its is nestled in a strip area of stores and other restaurants and is a narrow piece of property with tables lining up along the walls and a few bigger ones in the back. Hockey memorabilia is all over. You order where they make their food and they bring it to you. They have all sorts of beverages and their menu was quite diverse.
After talking a few minutes with the man who took our order, we decided to get the cheese garlic bread and the Meat Lovers pizza, easily shared with leftovers for 2. There is a tv or 2 to keep you entertained but the patrons are just as nice.
Trust me, this is a must-​have stop if you’re ever in St. Paul.

Two words: Garlic Bomb.
The Zamboni’s people have a station at my workplace cafeteria, so I usually grab some of their food once or twice a week there, but I stopped into their regular brick and mortar for the first time tonight before the Wild game.
One of the co-​owners told me their garlic bomb/​fork and knife sandwiches were even better here since they’re hot off the grill. She wasn’t joking. I had the chicken sandwich, and it’s a toss up between that and the beef for which I like more.
The food was ready quickly, and everyone working there is friendly and personable. Might have to wait a little bit to get an open table since it’s pretty limited seating, but it’s definitely worth the short wait…

«It’s going to be OK.
‘Cept for the food.
The food is going to be AWESOME.»
It smells like delicious grilled steak as soon as you walk in the door, only a short distance from the Xcel Energy Center, home of the Minnesota Wild hockey team. Get it? Zamboni? Hockey?
I shared an awesome gyro sandwich with my husband. Flaky pita bread, thick yogurt, cucumber, onion, tomato and tender cubed lamb. Even the fries were wonderfully crispy and flavorful. Our brother got a slice of cheese pizza.
It’s a skinny slice of a building. Packed with happy diners. Hockey trading cards decorated the bar. Behind the bar was a lady that we took to be the owner, friendly and chatting with the customers.
Unfortunately, we only had time for a quick lunch. When we left, I told her, «I want to stay here a lot longer!»
I wish I could go back and have another Gyro. The gyro of my dreams!

Baked Ravioli and Marinara
French Fries — Best i’ve ever had in my life
Veggie Gyro
All these I have tried. So delicious, and affordable. This isn’t the most atmospheric so I wouldn’t necessarily bring a date but great for very casual, or pickup.

Normally, I wouldn’t review a restaurant I’ve never actually been inside of but I think I’ve had their pizza enough times to be well-​versed.
Jenny and I have spent many romantic, warm evenings at home shoveling pizza down our gullets so fast our stomachs got third degree burns from the molten cheese.
We’re really just a couple of fatties with high metabolisms, people.
Anyway, the first time I found myself ordering delivery here I just wanted to try something different. Rocco’s has lost its luster, I can’t stand Domino’s/Pizza Hut and we could never agree on any of the other scattered places we’ve gone.
The first thing that caught my eye was the fact that they only do thin crust pizzas (of which I’m not typically a fan).
Jenny 1 — Sam 0
I shrugged it off and proceeded to the toppings.
Much to my surprise, I saw items like fresh garlic, roasted (–and– raw) onions and fresh herbs (basil, cilantro, rosemary and thyme). I clicked on the garlic option faster than she could protest. There’s something to be said about controlling the mouse.
Jenny 1 — Sam 1
Ultimately, we ended up ordering a 14″ garlic, roasted onion and basil pizza.
Upon clicking through the final stages, we were brought to and end screen that told us the pizza would be there between 45 minutes to 1 ½ hours.
… We both lost that round.
Jenny 1 — Sam 1
But, to our pleasant surprise, they vastly overshot the time and the pizza arrived hot and ready in 25 minutes. This has been a common theme and one I’ve come not to mind; preparing yourself to first world starve for an hour and a half makes the pizza taste so much sweeter when it comes in 30 minutes.
Onto the taste.
This has truly been the first thin crust pizza that hasn’t disappointed me. It’s not cracker thin and doesn’t have that crunchiness to it I was dreading but instead has a great chew and texture.
The sauce is usually the place where Jenny and I clash the hardest: she likes copious amounts and I could go completely without it; she likes hers herby and a touch sweet while I prefer herby and salty. It’s a struggle, ya’ll.
This sauce made both of us happy in terms of taste and quantity. It’s got an herbaceous zip with a keen balance of salty sweetness and I’ll readily admit to loving it.
The cheese quantity was spot-​on (not enough to kill me before the big 3 – 0 and not lacking to make me raid the fridge for extra) and the toppings were excellent.
FINAL SCORE:
Jenny 2 — Sam 2
Since then, we’ve gotten delivery on four different occasions and I can attest to it being delicious when you’re:
— Indulging in libations
— Sober
— Something that rhymes with ‘coned’ (it was our 52 year old neighbor’s fault)
— Sober and first world starving
Stay tuned for more exciting scenarios under which this pizza rocks.