Jimmy’s Grotto

I thought it was gonna be awesome! It seems like this place used to great. I knew when I seen the Help wanted sign-​all positions. It was gonna be trouble. So I placed my order at 1:35 pm. Then at 2:05 I got my hot pocket. Do your self a favor and go to Fazzolis

Grottos is a one of a kind family style place with a one of a kind ponza. Great atmosphere great food

Grew up eating these Ponzas since I was 4 years old! This is one of those staples places in Waukesha that you must go to when in the area.
The Ponzas never changed and has always been consistent in flavor since I remember.
Customer service is mediocre but who cares the food is great and cheap!

Jimmy’s grotto is the most liked lunch option and its requested quite often with the largest list when it happens on a Friday. It’s way too over the top to eat regularly, see my pictures but it is a calorie loaded thing of goodness.
Today was no different and it was a bigger than usual list after I threw it out there and like a pack of wild dogs they jumped all over it. I personally like the Ponza rotta because it’s different but I don’t get why my co workers go into a frenzy when I tell them this is this weeks lunch spot. There must be like a cult like following for this place.
Well let’s get in depth on what this Ponza rotta thing VS my previous review. Today I had the deluxe which was just under $ 9 and is a home wrecker of tasty goodness. This is like a Calzone but fried in oil but not assembled with a traditional pizza crust but with a sweet donut tasting wrapping holding in all the goodness, yah its unique.
My deluxe had tons of cheese, green peppers, onions, black olives, mushrooms, sausage and pepperoni wrapped in the sweet donut crust which is pretty tasty to say the least. The deluxe really worked well and the vegys had crunch crunch left in them and not mushy that mixed well with all the different textures and flavors.
I like the Ponza rotta and I can see its appeal from my co workers but I don’t understand the frenzy it causes at work.

Excellent panzaratti !!! Service was a bit slow but when the foods that good it’s understandable !!! I think I’ll take it to go next time as it was a bit crowded in the restaurant (sat 5pm). I’ll definitely be back. I hope the pizza is just as good !

Looking for fine dining? Cozy atmosphere? Service professionals? This is NOT your place!
BUT if you are looking for something very tasty and what I feel is a good value, this is for you.
Also, timing is everything. If you think you are going to walk in and order Ponza’s for four at 6:30 pm and not have a wait… you are not in touch with this establishment.
Been eating Jimmy’s since it was a walk up. Always what I expect and always tasty.
Keep it up Grotto!

One of the best places for pizza/​ponzas. My family always gets the pizza… but I have to go with a ponza. The ponza is like a calzone but with a softer, flakier crust. It’s always best to order ahead (it usually takes 30 mins on a slow day and an hour plus on a busy one). And trust me… eat it there… I know the atmosphere is nothing to write home about… but the food tastes so much better as fresh as possible! They also have the best onion rings ever… the batter is the great and unlike anything I’ve ever tasted. Don’t go there for the service or the atmosphere… the food is what makes this place the best :)

If you are in Waukesha, eating. Ponza is a complete must! Fried deliciousness that costs less than $ 5. MUST TRY!

They once had awesome Ponzas back in the day. There must have been a change in management or ownership. The quality has gone way down. Customer Service is non existent at this establishment. We used to order here weekly but haven’t been back in nearly a year.

Paper plates soaked with grease until they are transparent… ah…sweet memories of ponza pleasing goodness! Imagine a deep fried calzone with a flaky crust stuffed with cheese and you are on track.
My arteries clog just looking at the menu but you only live once so you have to try a ponza at least once in your lifetime. Everyone has their favorite topping so pretend you are ordering a pizza and stuff your ponza with those type of goodies.
Ambiance? Trust me there is none so don’t get your hopes up. A greasy ponza don’t need no stinkin’ ambiance just a paper plate and tons of napkins.
My tip is order ahead if you can do it. Unless you are a person who can rock a 90 minute lunch then order ahead.

I would totally give this place a 5 star for Comfort food and amazingnesz, Expecially the ponza rotta but whenever you want something delivered it takes over an hour. But it is worth the wait.

I have been eating at Jimmy’s Grotto since I was a kids (I’m in my 40’s). Today is the first time it was not mouth watering delicious. I don’t know what they changed (besides the paper plates) but they should revert… and fast. It was still good but a shocking step down from where it was. Disappointing enough that I won’t be in the foreseeable future.

I should really set aside an hour to write a good review about this place, but somethings just can not wait. This place is known for a deep fried super size pizza pocket called a «Ponza.» You eat these when you’re drunk or when you just don’t give a sh*t. You crave this, and you must have 1 every 6 months minimum. Warning: you will accomplish nothing after you eat this. If you eat this sober you’ll want to off yourself you’ll be in such a food coma. You’ll feel like everything you ever knew was a lie and you don’t care. Make no mistake this is all feelings you’ll feel with a smile. Just do it, try it, everyone is doing it. You’ll like it.

I tell everyone new to town that this is the place to go for the best food Waukesha has to offer. The ponzarotta is like nothing else I have every eaten and the reason to go there for sure, but if you are willing to venture out there other food also is very good. My second favorite thing there is their combo.

Ordered a hot dog for my son and it looked like they microwaved it until it was a shriveled mess. The fries weren’t done. Ponza was a greasy mess that lacked any sauce. The interior was hot and unkept. The bathrooms reaked and there was water dripping from the ceiling and directly into a booth table. This place was mediocre at best.

This would be a 1 star restaurant but because of the unique Ponza Rotta I gave it a 2.
Let’s talk.
The good!: The Ponza Rotta is a cheap (5.50) for a one topping beast. Similar to a calzone but a softer crust. Something you just to need to have to understand. The entire menu is reasonable prices but other than the Ponza the food is nothing to write home about.
The bad:
The carry out time is nearly 30minutes but longer when you actually go pick it up. With teenagers for cheap employees there’s no customer service or smiles. A place I never tip at. This is no place to take the family or date for dine in. Booths and chairs are uncomfortable with lack of service and horrible décor.
The ugly:
My friend and I actually got sick from eating a Ponza Rotta once. Bad cheese we think :(Food poisoning is a little difficult to get over.

Deep fried deliciousness that delivers late. How can you go wrong?
Great prices. Reasonable delivery charge. Nice drivers. Tasty food. They certainly don’t skimp on the filling.
I got the taco ponds and hubby got sausage and cheese. Personally I preferred my husband’s, but the taco one was tasty too.
We will be back!

This is a hit or miss type of place. The calzone is really the only thing I would order from here, and usually customer service sucks. The restaurant looks like it’s had better days. They are in need of an uplifting renovation.

STAY AWAY.
This place has apparently skated by on past success (the restaurant proudly displays their «Best Milwaukee-​Area Pizza 1985» plaque).
My girlfriend and I decided on this local establishment on word-​of-​mouth reputation. Upon arrival, we were poorly greeted by the primarily high school age staff. After ordering their «specialty» Ponza (a deep fried calzone), we sat down to one of many filthy table settings. Our table in the back left corner actually had a huge chunk taken out of it. The nearby garbage cans were overflowing with trash and had used plates and cups stacked on top of the garbage cans… Not off to a good start.
We finally receive our food, and one cut into the deep fried pizza concoction, grease and oil pour onto our paper plates. There was a severe absence of sauce. The toppings in mine (sausage and cheese) were like sliced bratwurst. I like brats as much as any Wisconsinite, but not on my pizza. My girlfriend got a pepperoni one, also oily and greasy galore. It was as if whoever made hers put in a four inch stack of pepperoni without bothering to separate the slices. One forkful revealed the entire stack.
We enjoy occasional bar food, and dives. However, it wasn’t simply the service that brought us down– the cleanliness alone (or lack thereof) should be enough to close this place down for good… But when it comes to their food? Somehow even more disappointing. If only I could dish out a zero star review.

I’m gunna keep it short and sweet, if you don’t like deep fried bread, meat, and cheese, I don’t wanna be your friend.
This is the best place in Waukesha for the well known Ponza that oozes melted cheese and is about the size of your face. Don’t attempt to eat two.