Johnny Brusco's opens today...

OK, for all you "I can't eat there it is a chain" folks, Johnny Brusco's opens today at Norton Commons. I went for a "Friends and Family" event last night and can say with conviction that this pizza compares very favorably to aTony Boombazz. (Isn't Tony Boombazz considered a chain now?) They have several unique topping combinations for you non-traditionalists like chicken and ranch, steak and cheese or a Greek Pizza that will probably make your breath wreak with banana peppers, red onions and black olives (along with a little garlic), but is tasty nonetheless.

They offer a ton of other items outside of pizza for those that like sandwiches or wings and have a bar and several TV's for the game.

Bottom line, get off your "oh my gosh its a chain and I will die before I eat there" mentality and give them a try. In my own honest opinion, it was VERY good.

(full disclosure, I am the brother in law of one of the owners, which has NOTHING to do with this post or my critique)

Their pizza is great. I do hope people will give them a try and that they will stay in business. They are certainly no Applebee's or Pizza Hut.

Anyone else try this yet ? Crowded ? We're toying with the idea of going on Tuesday.

Saw a picture of their calzone on Facebook and it looked amazing.
Have not had a calzone in KY ever, or forever, and looking forward to one!

Saw a picture of their calzone on Facebook and it looked amazing.
Have not had a calzone in KY ever, or forever, and looking forward to one!

Actually Puccini Smile in the Shelbyville road plaza has a very good one! The chicken Ba-da-bing is the one I get!

[Robin Garr]

Saw a picture of their calzone on Facebook and it looked amazing.
Have not had a calzone in KY ever, or forever, and looking forward to one!

Actually Puccini Smile in the Shelbyville road plaza has a very good one! The chicken Ba-da-bing is the one I get!

Frascelli's has them. Boombozz has them. Doesn't Cafe LouLou have them? Windy City? Seems to me they aren't exactly rare. I wouldn't try to rrank them, though. I'll generally go to the pizza rather than the calzone. Eat a lot of calzones, pretty soon you'll be shaped like a calzone.

Saw a picture of their calzone on Facebook and it looked amazing.
Have not had a calzone in KY ever, or forever, and looking forward to one!

Actually Puccini Smile in the Shelbyville road plaza has a very good one! The chicken Ba-da-bing is the one I get!

Frascelli's has them. Boombozz has them. Doesn't Cafe LouLou have them? Windy City? Seems to me they aren't exactly rare. I wouldn't try to rrank them, though. I'll generally go to the pizza rather than the calzone. Eat a lot of calzones, pretty soon you'll be shaped like a calzone.

I can vouch for the Cafe Lou Lou calzone. They are excellent.

There is an unfortunate recent trend where they are building the marinara sauce into it. I don't think it works, and ask them to put it on the side the way it is supposed to be. They apparently don't have an issue doing that, as long as you ask first. So, with that little stipulation, it's back to being "da bomb" in my book.

When I was a kid, Clifton had my favorite calzone, now it's Za's (fresh mushroom vs. canned tipped the scale over a decade ago). There's as much of a calzone shortage in Louisville as there is a pizza pie (tongue in cheek).

I can vouch for the Cafe Lou Lou calzone. They are excellent.

I immediately thought of Lou Lou's calzone as well. The crust is done very well. But Robin's right - they must be enjoyed in moderation. These babies are huge - you would not want to take on their shape.

Tons of places have calzones around here...


Clifton's (HUGE), Lou Lou's, are the first to come to mind.

Although my favorite, surprisingly, is the one at Tuscany. Thing is awesome.

BBC St. Matthews had a really good one a few years ago. They still made one for Mike after they took it off the menu, but haven't had one since.
Cafe Lou Lou decided to divide a calzone when we sat at the bar and ordered it and something else. Didn't care for the result.
He tries one wherever he goes, so I'll have to mention some of these other places.
We live near Norton Common's so we'll try this place. They opened just in time for Homearama.

I'm more dismayed at people who dont know the difference between a stromboli and a calzone rather than sauce being in them. a calzone in half moon shaped, a stromboli is oblong.

I'm more dismayed at people who dont know the difference between a stromboli and a calzone rather than sauce being in them. a calzone in half moon shaped, a stromboli is oblong.

Many calzones are actually a semicircle instead of half moon shaped!

[Robin Garr]

Many calzones are actually a semicircle instead of half moon shaped!

And the difference is ... ?

Many calzones are actually a semicircle instead of half moon shaped!

And the difference is ... ?

Well Duh...The Half Moon shaped has craters and the semi-circle doesn't.