The Upper Crust

closed!

RIP Salem Upper Crust. You weren’t perfect but you were the best pizza this city had.

Nothing personal, i just really don’t like their pizza. The dough part actually tastes like a matzo cracker. It’s way too pricey for what it is.

Have to give at least 3 stars. I love this place. it may be a satellite, but the name gives thoughts of bespoke pizza and delicious toppin’s. I will say reheated slices haven’t been the tastiest, but a fresh pie just can’t be beat.

Ok, here’s the deal with Upper Crust. The pizza CAN be very tasty when it is done right and you order at the restaurant. However, forget about delivery. I’ve never had my order show up in the time promised (often waiting upwards of 90 minutes) and it is often also incorrect and because of the long delivery time, cold. I really do like their pizza when it’s made right (maybe ²⁄₃ of the time) but I’ve had it with the crap shoot. When it’s right, it’s good, but often it’s burnt, sparsely topped, or just not made as ordered. Frankly, their pizza is too expensive to continue to order and hope for the best. Allow me to relate my most recent experience, which is not entirely unusual, but this time was handled by the staff horribly.
I called and ordered a small pizza on wheat crust with a salad and was quoted a 45 minute delivery time by the woman who took my order. I called back after an hour and fifteen minutes to find out where it was and talked to the same woman who said the driver had left and would be at my house any minute. The driver showed up 15 minutes later, and already being 45 minutes late, couldn’t be bothered to come to the second floor where my apartment is.
While the toppings were correct, my pizza was made on the wrong crust. I called the restaurant and a young man answered the phone. I told him that not only was my pizza 45 minutes late, but it was not made on the crust I ordered. He asked what the ticket said, which is really irrelevant, because I don’t really have any control over what the ticket says, nor did I have a copy of it. He said he could send out another pizza. I remarked that I didn’t want to wait another 90 minutes and he said, «so, what are you just calling to complain?» I asked for the manager and he said he was the kitchen manager. I said no, I did not want another pizza, once again citing the very long delivery time, and that it was very frustrating to get the wrong pizza after so much time had passed. He did not offer to refund my money and was frankly quite rude. I told him I would not be returning to Upper Crust (and I will not be). He said «Thank you, god bless, have a nice day.» It was very clear he did not care that my pizza was late and wrong, and his barely feigned politeness was incredibly off-​putting.
The pizza being late and wrong is nothing new, but the «kitchen manager» clearly did not give two sh**ts and was not in the least bit successful at hiding his contempt behind polite words. That is a first. In the past, they’ve usually made some kind of effort to correct their mistakes. Many months back, they had a nasty habit of sending out salads that were browned and slimy in the middle. (That hasn’t happened recently.) But when it did, they were usually pretty quick in getting a replacement out, and very apologetic.
I actually have a $ 20 coupon from a past disaster that I didn’t have on me today. Not only will I never order from or visit Upper Crust again, but I will not even use the $ 20 coupon, because it’s just that much of a hassle. It’s unfortunate, because if they make the pizza right, it’s really good. But as I said before, it just costs too much to order and cross my fingers hoping it will be right.

Despite the name, this is a real low-​class joint. When we went there, tables were dirty and the lights were mostly off; we almost walked out, thinking they were closed (or closing) but the girl behind the counter (who was very nice) assured us they were open. We ordered the Slice of the Day (good if you’re not picky, but nothing special), a lasagna, and a salad.
We ordered dine in, not take out, but the salad came cafeteria style, in a cheap plastic container. It would have taken them maybe two seconds to plop the salad onto a plate and provide a presentation that shows they care about customers, but no. Water was self-​serve; they provide tiny plastic cups that guarantee repeat trips to the front counter to refill your cup.
We sat in the dark, miserably eating our halfway decent pizza and salad and waiting for our lasagna as an employee VERY LOUDLY took out the garbage, practically flipping the bag in our faces as we tried to ignore him.
The only saving grace for this place was that the lasagna was good. REALLY good. Certainly not good enough to warrant a return trip, mind you, but good enough so that we felt it wasn’t a total loss.

$ 80,000.00 Fine
failed to pay 11 kitchen employees overtime when they worked more than 40 hours a week
The company was ordered to pay more than$ 341,000 to 121 employees after a 2009 labor department investigation determined it failed to pay overtime hours to delivery drivers and hourly employees, such as cooks, counter help, and managers.

I was skeptical, but… now this is our go-​to place for pizza! We have tried all of the vegetarian selecions, and they never disappoint. There’s nothing like a large fresh pizza and a bottle of wine (which they have in-​house)
For people who like super-​thin crust and super-​fresh toppings, this place will not disappoint.
We always eat-​in or pick-​up our pizza, and so can’t comment on delivery, and we’ve never had a meat topping pizza.
What we like best: the fresh toppings and super-​thin crust.
What we don’t like: the price… but we (2 people) never finish a large pizza so somebody gets a nice lunch the next day :)
It’s worth it!

I don’t know why so many people hate on Upper Crust!
Pizza is crispy and delicious (but a little greasy). They have a few local brews on tap.
A slice and a beer for $ 6! Nice little saturday lunch!

Our pizza from Upper Crust was great — but for $ 22? I’m not so sure about that. I’m sure I’ll go again as they serve interesting combinations that offer something different from the other pizza shops. But if you’re looking for a simple pizza, save your money and head somewhere else.

I love the one on Charles St.
Why can’t this one get it together?
Its not worth the expensive pizza, if it isn’t the best…
sorry. I was soooo exicited when it opened, and I’ve tried over the years hoping it would settle into the groove. but it hasn’t…

I went to Upper Crust in Salem last night. Waited at least 30 minutes (on a Monday night) for the pizza. Everyone seated around us seemed to be getting their food quickly, and my friend and I sat and waited for quite a while.
Once we got the pizza, I realized why it took so long. It was completely burnt. The whole bottom and crust was black. Also, we got broccoli as the topping and there was barely any on the pizza. The pieces that were there were tiny. Not at all what I expected for a $ 15 small pizza.
I had also ordered a small pizza to take home for my boyfriend and that barely had any toppings on it.
I do appreciate the brick-​oven, homemade approach and I know that Upper Crust is well-​known for having good pizza. But, after last night’s experience, I’ll never order from them again.
Sticking with Cabot St. Pizza in Beverly from now on :)

Not worth the price nor the time I spent picking out the chunks of tomato from my slice of cheese. I should have read the reviews here first before going to The Upper Crust because I am not a tomato sauce lover to begin with and chunky sauce just sends me over the edge.
I consider myself a pizza-​expert and this was just «meh.» It wasn’t horrible but I’ve had better for less money.
plus, uh, maybe you should actually pay your employees? maybe?

I guess I’m just not a thin-​crust pizza guy. I just got finished trying 4 different slices of their pizza and my jaw is sore from chewing and my lips are raw from the hard crust rubbing against it.
while the taste is pretty good, I find it far too chewy and hard to really enjoy.
Also, the Pizza simply aren’t a good value either. There’s better Pizza in Salem, for sure. Damatas, Engine House, Euro Pizza, etc…
I’m going to take some Tylenol now to see if I can reduce the pain in my jaw before my birthday dinner tonight. OW.

I have enjoyed the Upper Crust in Brookline and the Newbury Street locales. I have even had a decent pie out of the Salem spot, but on a whim I took my daughter to eat there… big old mistake… the place was filthy .no one was clearing tables. the Gal taking orders was on the cell phone with her friend the whole time we were there and the two dudes making pizzas were yacking as there was no business to attend too… except for all the dirty, filthy tables!
If you want a really good thin crust pizza… go to Joe’s in Beverly on the corner of Rantoul and Cabot! It is usually only open in the evenings.

Pie tins on the ceiling, art on the walls, this place is very cute. The pizza crust is thin and perfectly crispy – even if you put, like, 8 toppings on your pie, like we did. ;-)
Compared to the Upper Crust locations I’ve visited in Boston, this one in Salem has a ton more seating space inside. If you have a big group with you and time it right, you could probably just push some tables together.
The bathrooms are in a hallway behind the restaurant, which is a slight pain, as they seem to be shared with another nearby business establishment – I suspect Gulu Gulu.

Over — f-​ing –priced!!!
$ 20 for a pizza!!! In Salem? This is a working-man’s town. A slice of pizza should NEVER be over $ 2. Under ANY circumstances.
The pizza is, at best, alright, but not for the price. For those prices, I want a massage, drinks and a ride home!!!
Two Thumbs DOWN!!! Plus, it isn’t owned by local people. A business in Salem should be owned by people who, well, live in /​around Salem.

Really, what’s the big deal?
I had my first Upper Crust pizza this week and need to know what all the fuss is about. If I’m paying over $ 20 bucks for a pizza it better curl my toes when I bite into it. There was no curl, not even a twitch. It wasn’t a bad pizza by any means just not a $ 20 dollar pizza.
So really, what’s the big deal?

I must admit this is damn good pizza. I had the Harvard Street version. Tomatoes, mozzarella, garlic and basil. Delicious. Ingredients were very fresh. This is thin crust pizza which I love. Good variety of cold beers and wine.
Now the bad news.
Prices — Very pricey. Large specialty pizzas ranging from $ 17-​$ 21. Lobster pizza is $ 25. A large cheese is $ 15. Probably not your regular go to pizza joint unless you’re an heir to the family fortune or selling swamp land as vacation homes in Arkansas.
Salad dressing — Ken’s packaged salad dressing?! Come on.
Setting — Inside is very cafeteria like. Not a place you want to linger. The tables outside are more pleasant.
Staff — friendly and helpful during my visit.

I give this place 2 stars because of the prices. I think that they think they are selling something other than pizza. It’s ok pizza, however its still just PIZZA!
$ 20 for a large pie is just crazy. They charge it cause people, for whatever reason,. pay it. Do you realize the huge profit margin here? Folks… its only PIZZA!!! Seriously, its worth it to just go to Engine House a few blocks away. There a little slow over there but they sell a great pie at half the price with a beer! Or go to Gulu next door or something. The oil companies and Upper Crust are trying to rob America… one slice at a time!