JOHN'S RESTAURANT & PIZZERIA, Rockford - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews

Is this an Italian restaurant?

Yes

No

Unsure

Details

Manage this business?

CUISINES

Italian, Pizza

Special Diets

Vegetarian Friendly

Meals

Lunch, Dinner

FEATURES

Delivery, Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service

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4.0

48 reviews

Excellent

27

Very good

11

Average

6

Poor

1

Terrible

3

Lisolina

6 contributions

Delicious pizza

Nov 2022 • family

We wanted to try something different so we ordered the Pasta Pizza and John's Salad for delivery. We especially enjoyed the homemade meatballs in the pizza - they were delicious. Loved the artichokes on the salad too.

Written November 5, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Slimpickens56

Phoenix76 contributions

Disappointment

Oct 2021 • family

I was a regular customer at John's in the 1970's at the old location. I moved away and haven't been back in 42 years. I thought of I ever decide to go back to Rockford In getting a pizza at John's. I missed it that much. I finally went back to Rockford and went for the sole purpose of going to John's for a pizza I had missed for 42 years. I boasted to family on how great the pizza was and they'll love it. Unfortunately that was not the case. We ordered four pizza's and three of them had very little flavor and the crust was tasteless. The sausage had good flavor, but that's where it ended. The waitress was great and my granddaughter loved her lasagna. At least one of the ten of us was impressed. I'm not sure if it was an off night or what, but this was not the pizza I went out of my way for every Friday night in the 70's to savor.

Written October 24, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Randy P.

Cherry Valley114 contributions

Good food and excellent service

Aug 2022 • none

My wife, oldest son and I ate here Friday evening. We all had salads which were small but good. My son had the baked french onion soup which was good but kind of small. They have three different thicknesses of crust on their pizza thin, pan and stuffed. Stuffed takes 30-40 minutes to cook so we ordered the pan. It was just OK. Not much flavor and the crust was a little too thick for my liking. My son ordered the Chicken Parm and he said it was delicious. The service was OUTSTANDING. Would definitely eat here again just would get the thin crust.

Written August 3, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ravin35

Rockford2 contributions

Don't waste your money.

Mar 2022 • none

My husband called and asked if they still had curbside. He talked to a woman we learned name was Marie. Very nice lady she said they didn't but it wouldn't be a problem. For my husband to just call when he got there. So I ordered online. A woman called to say they didn't have curbside. She was so put out and I mean she was just so put out over it. I would say on the side of being rude. My husband tells her we called and asked and what we were told.To show how little professionalism they have, the woman says Marie told them they could to some guy who was saying something in the background. Instead of going oh ok and dealing with it when they got off the phone. But basically, it was they could but no guarantee; hopefully, there would be someone to bring it out. I told my husband just to go in. If they wanted to act so badly about it. So he does the woman he had talked to originally was so apologetic and he said he felt badly for.. It would have been one thing if the food was good. But the pizza was undercooked, and the spaghetti I paid $3 extra for meat sauce, which was maybe 3 tablespoons of meat sauce on top of the noodles . I'm glad I had jarred sauce; otherwise, I would basically have had plain noodles. Oh and the $2 processing fee I guess , just place the order. Never again. They are definitely not what they used to be. $45.00 for a thin crust 2 topping pizza and a spaghetti and garlic bread, oh yeah lets not forgot those 3 tablespoons of meat sauce that were a dollar each.

Written March 20, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Diana2104

Rockford10 contributions

BEST ITALIAN!

Jul 2021 • none

We've been customers for almost 50 years and will continue to be! We've had company parties here, reunions, and even a family wedding. You cannot beat the family atmosphere and attention to you and your meal. Keep up the great work and we'll be customers for hopefully another 50 years!

Written July 15, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BartlettDan

Bartlett1006 contributions

Best Italian Food

Feb 2023 • business

My wife is Italian and a very good cook. I don’t go out for Italian food much because of that. In this case, I’m glad I did. I had Cheese Ravioli w/Meatballs. By far, the best I’ve ever had. The meatballs were tender and very flavorful. I will be back!

Written February 1, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cece

Rockford5 contributions

Good place to celebrate

Jun 2023 • couples

We celebrated our anniversary here . Excellent food . They are known for their lasagna. My husband said it was delicious. I had a salad with grilled chicken with their homemade blue cheese dressing . Very good .

Written July 7, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

beverly

1 contribution

Pizza

May 2022 • family

Are pizza was a little dry there was not enough sauce but it tasted okay just okay however delivery was $5 and the delivery person acted as if I lived miles and miles away I literally is a little over 5 miles away from the restaurant that's not that far he acted as if he was put out and expected more of a tip I gave him $2 with a $5 delivery fee that 7 Bucks I don't have that kind of money and he gets at least half of that I used to deliver pizzas and I got that delivery charge when I delivered pizzas that was part of my pay plus they paid me a paycheck so I probably won't be ordering from John's pizza ever again because I wasn't thrilled with the food or the delivery

Written May 11, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

No Name

Chicago7 contributions

TRASH

Mar 2022 • family

I just threw my $74.22 along with the food in the trash. WASTED. I ordered a thin crust X-Large pizza, fettuccine alfredo and lasagne. DISGUSTING. The pizza is by far one of the worst pizzas I have had in Rockford. My entire family of 4 hated the pizza, ate one bite and was done. I love pizza and being from Chicago have had the best. The crust was chewy and the cheese not melted but solid. Gross. The fettuccine was a bland, creamy, garlic mess with no seasoning (salt and pepper) and did not have parm. The lasagne was horrible. It was basic noodle, cheese, and ground beef and was bland with no seasoning. I never had such a basic and bland lasagne. The worst of the dish was the tomato sauce. It was unbearably sweet that it tasted like pure sugar my family scrapped it off. The side of soup was minestrone and revolting. It tasted like watered down tomatoes and the vegetables were mushy. It didn’t even have pasta! The other side was the side salad and I have never seen a more pathetic side salad in my life (picture for reference) with store brand salad dressing packets not even homemade Italian dressing. They also included two crackers and two sides of bread but no butter and with the pizza they don’t give you parmesan packets or crushed red peppers like literally every Italian restaurant. The restaurant just screams cheep and fast food, not sit down dinning. Even before I was disgusted with the food I got home with the order because it was carry out( granted I should of checked the order before I left) but IT IS NOT my responsibly to make sure my simple order is correct, it’s the restaurants. THE RESTAURANT FORGOT THE CHEESECAKE and I live 30 MINUTES away from Rockford. I honestly wanted to bring my food back and get a refund because the amount of money I spent on the food and having to toss and reorder from another restaurant is ridiculous. I was so beyond annoyed and hungry at this point. I drove back to the restaurant to get my cheesecake and picked up my new order for dinner from Old Chicago and was beyond comparison to this restaurant. Do. Not. Eat. Here. The positive reviews are from long time loyal customers of the owner and not accurate reviews. I’ve included pictures for evidence.

Written March 18, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

EmmyQ

Mexico City26 contributions

Great place,bar none!

Feb 2020 • none

Great food,great service.Homemade by Maria lasagne and meatballs. Love it! Nevr dissapoints!They´ll sing happy bithday and bring a cake!Lovely place!

Written December 9, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kat234-12

95 contributions

best Italian

Dec 2018 • none

I don't know why this is rated 39th in Rockford, they have the best pizza. Family owned and they are all in the restaurant greeting you. Everything thing I have eaten here was excellent. Last year my daughter had a surprise , the dad of the family came in the room that was reserved and greeted her and said Happy Birthday.

Written October 26, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

NorthStarGuide

Chicago11 contributions

Best Pizza in Rockford

Feb 2019 • family

First, this is a 2nd generation family restaurant with great staff and owners. Joe is amazing and always warm and accommodating to make our visits the best. Their pizza is always top notch and delicious. We even make our own pizza at times with our love of pesto sauce and chicken.

Written March 6, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Joe G

Rockford28 contributions

Family dinner

Jan 2019 • family

Great service and great food! My son and I had pizza, and it was very good. My wife had baked cod with de jonge topping, and she loved it. We will definitely be going back.

Written January 26, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

acordonnier

2 contributions

Same as I remember, again!

Nov 2018 • family

I've been eating John's pizza since I can remember. I left Rockford in 1999 and every time I come back to visit, I HAVE to stop and get an XL John's Special Everything with the works. Including anchovies? Yes. Including shrimp? Yes. From Colorado to the East Coast, I'd still take John's over anything else I've tasted out there. It is still the best pizza I've found. There have been times I've stopped to pick up a pizza before I even stopped to see anyone in my family. We stopped in last night and were not disappointed yet again. The pizza is the same as I remember. Delicious! And I have now introduced my son to anchovies and shrimp on a pizza. Another great thing about John's? It could be 2 years or more in between visits. No matter how long it is, John and Joe remember me and make a point to ask about my family. If you love pizza, want great food, great atmosphere and great people, go to John's!

Written November 10, 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bob J

Rockford61 contributions

Long time favorite

Jun 2018 • family

John has been providing Excellent food for many years. Great to enjoy a good meal with family recently. Very attentive staff. You will enjoy

Written June 27, 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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