Romano's Pizzeria

This is our favorite Italian restaurant in the Denver area. We've been there many times to dine in and we've done countless carryouts. The two reasons I'm writing a new review is because I realized I cautiously gave them four stars after the first visit, not knowing if they could consistently deliver great Italian meals time after time. They can. The other reason I'm writing the follow-on review is because I want to warn people about ordering the large calzone. I ordered one last night and it's as big as a twin bed! Unless you haven't eaten in weeks or you're not trying to end world hunger in a single meal, order the small one! You've been warned.

I really don't like leaving bad reviews, especially for a family-run joint like this; but I'm being brutally honest here so maybe someone else who appreciates good Italian food doesn't get duped by the surprising amount of rave reviews this place has.Service: We were out of luck with other places. We called ahead here and got on the call ahead list. Cool. I called when we were a few min out to see where we were timing-wise, as we had a sleeping baby in the car (ticking time bomb--iykyk). She told me 3-5 min. Great. I was in there 3 min later. Same woman now told me we had about 20-25 to go now that I've checked in. What kind of a system is this?!? Never heard of something so absurd. Would have totally gone elsewhere. We stuck around because there were so many people waiting (usually a great sign) and because a few of them said something like, "stick around if you can, because it's that delicious." Never have I been steered so very wrong... Twilight Zone worthy! The server was fine.Ambiance: It looks and feels like a cramped mediocre restaurant out of the 80s or early 90s. But, I've been to enough hole in the wall places to know that sometimes the appearance doesn't mean the food isn't incredible. Alas, not the case here. Food: This is one of the worst meals I've eaten in my entire adult life. We were told our pizza would take 25 min and we were hungry, so I ordered a side salad as an app to accompany the bread that was offered and never came (everyone else had bread around us). What greeted me was a little more than a handful of chopped iceberg lettuce as white and flat as the small white plate it came on with 1 tomato slice, 1 olive, and a sprinkling of shredded mozzarella. Hindsight is 20/20, but this should have indicated what was to come...The eggplant parm was mostly cheese and sauce, and it was evident neither were of good quality. I dug for some eggplant at one point, and it really didn't taste like anything. The mushrooms it came with on top also didn't taste like anything. We got a side of homemade spaghetti to go with the eggplant parm. That was the least worst thing, but the "homemade" noodles didn't wow us, and the sauce (like the eggplant parm sauce) was sugary and just not good.The "Margherita" pizza we ordered w added mushrooms wasn't a Margherita pizza at all. It was a cheese pizza with diced tomatoes and mushrooms. The most confusing thing is that this place boasts "brick oven pizza." They may technically have a brick oven, but I was today years old when I learned that that doesn't mean it's brick oven pizza in style. The crust legit reminded me of Chucky Cheese crust as a kid. It was offensive in taste and I'm pretty dumbfounded at the whole thing--that's how bad it was.I'm honestly in disbelief that this place has such rave reviews. Like, to each their own, of course, but... if you are a lover of good Italian food, please consider going elsewhere.

I went here all the time as a child and it was so special to bring my husband here to live out my childhood memories!Food:We went a bit overboard and had a ton leftover because it's soo far away and we wanted to try it all.(1) Half Eggplant Parmesan / Half Spaghetti: Comes with the choice of meatballs, Italian sausage, or mushrooms. We got the meatballs. Two large ones. They were definitely good but in my opinion, could use more breadcrumbs to be fully "melt in your mouth". But, they were meaty and not overcooked! The eggplant was cooked perfectly and the fresh mozzarella on top made it cheesy perfection. The pasta was an unnecessary add, I would have been just as satisfied with just the eggplant parmesan. All the ingredients would have been the same as the eggplant parmesan besides the pasta. We chose penne (you can choose from a few different options) but just get the eggplant by itself next time.(2) Bruschetta antipasto: super fresh and delicious! We got the half order which was three crostinis and was perfect.(3) The entree comes with a salad or soup. We got the salad and the Italian dressing was delicious.(4) Small white pizza, add Italian sausage: super yummy. The crust is almost filo dough-y and the white pizza sauce was super flavorful and garlic-y.(5) $28 bottle of wine!! Can't beat it. I also have fairly high standards for wine and it was pretty good.(6) Fudgey chocolate cake: really good. The frosting was fudge-y and the cake was moist in most but not all places. Still really good though.Service is quick! They are used to churning people through here, but they were also respectful when we wanted to digest before a dessert.Ambience: think grandmas house in the 60s. Nothing changed lol. Perfectly cozy and homey.

I love the classic atmosphere here! It was decorated really cutely for the holidays too. My penne Rosa was fantastic, so creamy and great flavor. However, others in my group did not like what they ordered quite as much. The salad and soup weren't anything unusual, but I'd come back for the penne rosa!

I have come to your restaurant many times over the years, because your Fettuccine Alfredo is Usually Delicious. I came in this afternoon and ordered the Fettuccini Alfredo with Chicken and Broccoli. There is hardly any sauce in the meal, which makes it rather flavorless and dry. I am so disappointed, since it is my favorite meal of yours The Garlic Cheese Bread is Delicious.

Love everything about this place. Old style Italian food with great tasting red sauce. My wife can never decide between the lasagna or the eggplant parmigiana so she gets both. Meatballs are fantastic. My chicken parmigiana was good not great. Their bread is mediocre. Great waitstaff. Love the ambiance as well. Still have to try the pizza.

Friendly service and authentic Italian cuisine like I image a Nona would make! They have lunch special that include salad and bread. We had the spaghetti and eggplant parm- both delish! Ambiance is casual and comfy and this is for sure a locals joint!Free garlic bread if you check in on Yelp! Woot!

Went to Romanos for the first time last night, and I really enjoyed the 80's vibe in this restaurant. The food was meh! The service was good and their stuff was very friendly.. Maybe I'll give it another shot. Overall good service.

This place is an old-school Mom and Pop shop that the kids took over and you will love itAnd the real Parmesan, which was amazing we had a group of sex, and everybody raved about their own dish.Got cheesecake for dessert. It absolutely melted in your mouth.

I'm late to the Romano family but not anymore. Stellar service and incredible food. I'm gobsmacked. What a gem.