Bearno's on Bardstown...Family?

My kids begged me to go there for lunch Sunday. It was a great day to sit outside, but daughter #2 had bad allergies, so we went indoors at 1 pm. Guess what? There were already smokers at the bar! LOL...the smokers just pollute the entire place. We ate outside sneezing while stuff off the trees fell in our drinks. There were 2 women chain smoking outside, but the wind was away from us and it was okay. What was NOT okay is that their "Spaghetti with mushrooms" was just plain spaghetti, sauce and a whole pile of canned mushrooms. YUK. How hard is it to flash saute a few fresh mushrooms, come ON! The server was by herself and did a good job. The cheese bread was good, but the canned mushrooms are a def no-no, IMO>

For some reason every time I go to that location they kill whatever we order with more mushrooms than anyone would ever want to look at, let alone eat.

Bearno's has a reputation it doesn't deserve in this town. Their ingredients leave a lot to be desired. Anyone know of a pizza place using fresh spinach or mushrooms in the pizza?

God I miss Chicago and
Lou Malnati's
!

I've had several Tony Boomboz pizzas with fresh mushrooms and spinach.

He doesn't do a Chicago style pizza, but the Portobello Bello has fresh mushrooms and fresh spinach. D'Sienna is another good choice with fresh spinach. I've not had a bad pie from them yet and now that they deliver Graeters they are the complete solution for dinner.

Menu below:

http://www.tonyboombozz.com/menu.asp?m=1

HTH-Doug

Bearno's has a reputation it doesn't deserve in this town. Their ingredients leave a lot to be desired. Anyone know of a pizza place using fresh spinach or mushrooms in the pizza?

God I miss Chicago and
Lou Malnati's
!

wow, I would consider it a family spot because of the amount of kids parties we have there and the fact that people cannot wait 'til Kid's karaoke returns this summer. As far as the smoking is concerned, we could have this arguement forever, but just to let you guys know I do have several regs that come in early both Sat and Sun for beers and they smoke. Just because I allow smoking at the bar Does Not make it Kid Un-friendly! As for the mushrooms you will get no arguement from me. They are bland and canned. Our founder was more concerned with consistency than freshness. I hate our 'shrooms and would love to see fresh products at my highland store, but it will take time. As for our reputation, Bearno's has been open for 30 years and has earned respect from the community. Please do not come back and smoother our zas with substandard mushrooms. I (Michael Beckmann) am at Bearno's in the Highlands 6 days a week. If you are not happy with any part of your experience, SEE ME!

Its not hard to find good pizza in this town, Matthew. Boombozz on Hurtsbourne and Steve-O's in Buckner have excellent pies. Go.

[Robin Garr]

Its not hard to find good pizza in this town, Matthew. Boombozz on Hurtsbourne and Steve-O's in Buckner have excellent pies. Go.

Agreed on both counts, but there are so MANY great pizza places! Don't forget Fast Break in Crestwood and Fat Tony's in Plainview if you're talking about the East End ...

Wick's is down the street, technically on Baxter. They have a better reputation for really good pizza, in my estimation.

Its not hard to find good pizza in this town, Matthew.

Well my husband would disagree with you there. BUT if you like thin, NY style - Luigi's on Main is about the best this town has to offer.

Chicago style pizza casserole Windy City Pizza? I've never been but hear good things about it and they are GREAT local business citizens with all of the $$ they give to charities as well.

I'll chime in for Za's, Clifton's, and Impellizzeri's, in addition to those already mentioned.

I will say, however, that we had such an inedible pie and terrible experience at Wick's that we've sworn not to go back. I simply can't see the appeal. Yet I know others who love it.

To each his own -- and thank goodness for pizza variety!

[Robin Garr]

I simply can't see the appeal. Yet I know others who love it.

My take on Wick's, which I've expressed both in reviews and conversation and have found consistent over the years, is that it's a well-made pizza apparently designed for the teen-aged palate: Good quality but simple, bland, no weird or spicy flavors, anchovies not available.

Boombozz and Steve-O's are not the end by any means. The exhaustive list can be filled in very well by others and I think Scott has the definitive pizza buffet at Fast Break Pizza in Crestwood.

I'm gonna chime in on Wicks too. Again, too salty. I'm drinking water by the gallon the next day. I just don't get the appeal of the place.

Didn't mean to bash the food, just the canned shrooms! I think it's worth changing in that dish. I remember in the early 70's when Bearno's was in Hikes Point in a tiny shotgun place. My brother knew the policeman who owned it and he used to go in the kitchen and make subs and hoagies for them. That was before he went to chef school, but I swear he improved their subs!

As far as the kids/smoke thing...I don't think it's good for anyone to have to walk through it. However, come July 1, we won't have to worry about that. We will be back!

I've had Wick's, Boombazzs, Bearnos, Spinellis and Za's with Za's being the top pie so far...
Looking forward to trying some of the other suggested shops.
Thanks everyone!