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flipstah
02-27-2010, 06:25 PM
From the pizza thread (http://forums.beyond.ca/showthread.php?s=&threadid=291979&perpage=20&postid=3256895)


Originally posted by nonlinear

in all seriousness, though, I would really, really like to see a nice review with photos on the pizza there. flipstah, you should consider that next time you get pie there. you know, nice pics of the pizza and stuff.

Ask and you shall receive. :)

Rio Pizza
5401 Temple Drive Northeast, Calgary, AB T1Y 3R7
(403) 293-9401‎


Ambiance/Atmosphere: 4/10
When you enter the pizzeria, it's very drab and you can see that appearances is merely an afterthought; dull gray paint, a big sign where their menu is printed, and random motivation posters. The waiting chairs looked like they came from an 80's setting of a DMV (if you're a UofC student, think those old ST rooms with the avocado chairs. Yeah, those chairs.)
But I didn't come there to check out the wallpaper (or the lack of it.) I want a pizza.

Food: 8/10

By far, the best pizza I've ever had. Ever. I LOVE thin crust pizza and their take on it is the best I've ever had. Their menu however, is small to keep costs down:

- Three House Specials: Rio (The fully loaded equivalent), Vegetarian, and Combo (It's like a lite-version of the Rio, but with shrimp.)
- Your own custom pizza
- Lasagna
... And that's about it.

You can choose from thin, regular crust, or wheat crust. The awesome deal is that a 2nd pizza of equal size (lesser value) is only $2.99!

The familia wanted the Rio and Combo with anchovies on both. For this review, we got the biggest size (14inch) and as requested, PICTURES!:

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n205/dj_flipster/IMG_0641.jpg

The Combo is the left one while the Rio is the right one.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n205/dj_flipster/IMG_0642.jpg

My brother's fat ass couldn't wait till I finish taking pictures, so here's his hand on a Rio.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n205/dj_flipster/IMG_0643.jpg

Mmm... Schrimp.

The pizza was cooked to perfection and the crust had the joyous sound of a perfect crunch. I'll let the pictures talk for themselves but satisfaction exists all over that pie.

Service: 7/10

As always, we're greeted with kidness and our order was promptly created but it took 20 minutes to cook, so I twiddled my thumbs and tried to be motivated by the posters.

I failed to succeed on my mission.

Price: 8/10

Our bill came to ~$30 with a $2 2L Coke. The Rio costs at ~$24-25 range and is the most expensive one there and it also had an extra topping of anchovies so not a bad deal.

Overall: 6.75/10

The place loses marks on atmosphere but food-wise, it's great and WAY better than the chains that over cheaper deals (Pizza 73 = explosive diarrhea. Don't ask.)

Rio Pizza also has a special place in my heart as it was the first Canadian pizza I've ever had. To this day, they're still kickin' so they must be doing something right.

Enjoy!

nonlinear
02-27-2010, 08:00 PM
hey flipstah, thanks for the review dude! the crust does look really nice and thin. can you tell me what the quality of the meat is like, and if they use real cheese or not? (in the pictures the cheese looks like Processed Cheese Food to me). Just curious since pretty much every place i know that has high-quality pies (sandro's, il centro, matador, tom's, pizza bob's, gondola) charges $25-$30 for a single large pizza.

also flip, have you ever tried Gondola Incomparable Pizza? they make Midwest-style thin crust, which you should check out if you've never had before.

Alterac
02-27-2010, 08:20 PM
I love this place also, you can get a whole wheat thick crust too :D

Along with Feta.

I usually get 2x 14" pizza's for $28 (deleivery is $3)

- Pineapple + Feta
- Shrimp + Mushroom

They can also mix in hotsauce for free :D

Menu Front:
http://www.pyroelectric.net/uploads/riopizza/Menu Front.JPG

Menu Back:
http://www.pyroelectric.net/uploads/riopizza/Menu Back.JPG

Cost for 2x 12" Pizza's Deleivered:
http://www.pyroelectric.net/uploads/riopizza/TwoPizzaBill.JPG

flipstah
02-28-2010, 01:09 AM
Ill be honest with you. I'm not a cheese connoisseur so I can't tell the difference. The meat seems to be top notch but the shrimp is probably of the frozen variety. So tiny!

Ill try Gondola but after my detox workout from the Olympics. Damn hockey and pubs are ruining my weight-loss goal lol


Originally posted by nonlinear
hey flipstah, thanks for the review dude! the crust does look really nice and thin. can you tell me what the quality of the meat is like, and if they use real cheese or not? (in the pictures the cheese looks like Processed Cheese Food to me). Just curious since pretty much every place i know that has high-quality pies (sandro's, il centro, matador, tom's, pizza bob's, gondola) charges $25-$30 for a single large pizza.

also flip, have you ever tried Gondola Incomparable Pizza? they make Midwest-style thin crust, which you should check out if you've never had before.

Boomph
02-28-2010, 09:33 PM
The 2nd pizza at the Centre Street location is only $0.99! We have been ordering from them for years now, and the crispy thin crust is a family favorite of ours!