Luciano’s Pizza

The problem for Luciano’s is that there is a lot of competition when it comes to Pizza parlours on the Bristol Road, as such it can be hard to stand out from the crowd. I have to say that my favourite is Pizza Land and as a result Luciano’s is only ever a secondary consideration when I am trying to order a doughy delight. I wouldn’t say this place was a poor pizza parlour but Birmingham certainly has better. However, the prices are reasonable and the staff are friendly so it’s definitely not all bad news, but the main factor — the pizza’s themselves, just failed to tickle my taste buds.

This is a popular pizza place in Selly Oak and it is not too bad at all. When working late one night during the summer, some colleagues and I decided to satisfy our hunger pangs by ordering a few pizzas from here. I ordered a pizza with shrimp and chicken toppings with extra jalapeño peppers. I love a bit of spice. Ordering was simple and the prices were fairly cheap. However, upon delivery, I found the pizza to be smaller than I thought and it looked a little too thin. It was quite tasty and very spicy, but it was nothing incredible. I would say it is bog-​standard student grub, great for when you have had one too many drinks and great as greasy hangover food too. Although, if you are looking for something more, then this may not be the perfect pizza place for you. A standard takeaway pizza place.

Lucianos is one of several takeaway pizza places scattered throughout Selly Oak and is arguably the most popular with students. A close friend would often pop in on the way home from the pub to grab a pizza for himself and his girlfriend, and after picking up the odd charitable slice from these guys, I found the pizza to be pretty alright. About a week ago however, I decided to get a pizza for myself following a grotty mild-​hangover day with some course buddies: I would always advise phoning ahead with pizza places as the wait in an empty takeaway place can be excruciating (especially if you’re starving and are desperate for some grease)
Lucianos were not at all generous with the toppings to the point of my pizza being more like tomatoey dough with the intermittent piece of meat which was nothing special either. I didn’t enjoy my pizza at all, but struggled through it with nothing else left in the fridge and determined to enjoy my investment. Alas, the next morning I felt like death and it appeared the pizza didn’t like me any more than I had liked it. Having to roll over and go back to sleep until the tummy-​ache subsided, I regretted not taking the five minute walk up to Pizza Pepper or Big John’s instead (half the price, twice as nice).
Sorry Lucianos, I did really want to like you, but I sincerely doubt that I shall be buying any more of your pizza anytime soon.