Colarusso's

[Mike_by_Cedar]

Originally Posted by Mr Yuk

From what I have heard, this coal-fired pizza is different from the other Colarusso's. I think its more of a round NY-style pizza.

I agree, though, I like Colarusso's....at least I like it when ordered without onions. They lay on the onions pretty thick. The location in Wilkes-Barre is always very good about ordering their pizza with no onions....the last time I was at Colarusso's in Jessup, they gave me attitude about ordering with no onions and wouldn't do it.

That's disappointing to hear about the service in Jessup. They used to be great and I'm sure it isn't hard to leave something off the order. I myself prefer the no onion approach.

[DowntownHarrisburg]

Originally Posted by jimazee

The mood is very informal and there were lots of families with kids (it IS a pizza place, after all). The kitchen and pizza oven are visible at the rear of the space.

I was a little concerned about this when we first went. From the website, it looks a little upscale. At first glance it seems like a quiet, formal, trendy place. But the customers come from all walks of life. It's very welcoming to everyone, whether you just finished reviewing a seven-figure contract or just finished your 16-hour swing shift at the factory. I would have no problem walking in there in jeans and a t-shirt.

In fact, late last summer I took a group up to visit an abandoned railroad tunnel under I-81 and the Lackawanna coal mine tour (highly recommended, BTW - first one I've been on where you actually rode down a slope). Between the mountain-climbing and mine-touring, we were pretty ragged by the time we went for lunch. Not a word was said about our rowdy group of 9.

Again, I can't recommend this place enough. It's on our "must see" every time we're back in the area.

[Moosicman]

Here is the breakdown of Colarusso restaurants.

Avoca- Original Colarusso's. (Owned by the grandparents still)

Clark Summit- (Run by the son of Avoca owners) Same menu as Avoca.

Jessup- (Owned by a cousin of original Colarusso's) Different menu and pizza.

Taylor- (Run by Clarks Summit owners son) Same menu as Avoca/ more of a takeout joint.

Dunmore- (Run by another son of Clarks Summit owner) Same menu as Avoca.

Dickson City- No affliation with the local Colarusso family.

[auntieannie68]

Originally Posted by Mike_by_Cedar

Is the Colarusso's in Dickson new? I didn't even know it existed.

Owned by others or not, I do like the Avoca one (although one girl was a raging ***** last time I was there). I used to live by the location in Jessup so that was a staple in my diet. I'll check out the Dickson one sooner or later.

i have mentioned her in my post---as my family have been involved in other nepa restaurants---the quality of the product depends on the chef doing the cooking that day,the orfering and storing of the food and the general mood of the place--in some places if the kitchen and or wait staff are having bad days,it's reflected in the product--thus my dissatisfaction with avoca

[sheena12]

Originally Posted by jimazee

For the record, there are quite a few places named Collarusso's. I know of Dickson City, Clarks Summit, Taylor, Jessup, Avoca to name some. There are probably others in NEPA. It is my understanding many (all?) are owned and run by different people who are related. Besides the family name and an Italian based menu, some restaurants have nothing else in common. They have different pizza and menus and should be considered totally different restaurants, not a small local chain.

Those who know more can clarify this, I just want visitors or newbees to NEPA to not confuse them with each other.

So which is the "REAL" Collaruso's? The one people all rave about? Which is the first?

[theatergypsy]

Originally Posted by Moosicman

Here is the breakdown of Colarusso restaurants.

Avoca- Original Colarusso's. (Owned by the grandparents still)

Clark Summit- (Run by the son of Avoca owners) Same menu as Avoca.

Jessup- (Owned by a cousin of original Colarusso's) Different menu and pizza.

Taylor- (Run by Clarks Summit owners son) Same menu as Avoca/ more of a takeout joint.

Dunmore- (Run by another son of Clarks Summit owner) Same menu as Avoca.

Dickson City- No affliation with the local Colarusso family.

A couple of years ago, one of my sons and his boys took me for pizza to Colarusso's on Spring St (Rte 309) in Wilkes-Barre. I don't know the relationship to the original Avoca Colarusso's or even if it's still there. I'm not a pizza aficionado so I can't tell you how this compares to the other Colarusso's.

[bradykp]

Originally Posted by jimazee

For the record, there are quite a few places named Collarusso's. I know of Dickson City, Clarks Summit, Taylor, Jessup, Avoca to name some. There are probably others in NEPA. It is my understanding many (all?) are owned and run by different people who are related. Besides the family name and an Italian based menu, some restaurants have nothing else in common. They have different pizza and menus and should be considered totally different restaurants, not a small local chain.

Those who know more can clarify this, I just want visitors or newbees to NEPA to not confuse them with each other.

it's all the same family. Michael is used to work at his parents' restuarant in Jessup, and the Dickson City location is his own venture. He graduated high school with my wife, and I wish nothing but the best for him. I love the Jessup restaurant. The Clarks Summit location is nice as well, but Jessup is my favorite!

[bradykp]

Originally Posted by Moosicman

Here is the breakdown of Colarusso restaurants.

Avoca- Original Colarusso's. (Owned by the grandparents still)

Clark Summit- (Run by the son of Avoca owners) Same menu as Avoca.

Jessup- (Owned by a cousin of original Colarusso's) Different menu and pizza.

Taylor- (Run by Clarks Summit owners son) Same menu as Avoca/ more of a takeout joint.

Dunmore- (Run by another son of Clarks Summit owner) Same menu as Avoca.

Dickson City- No affliation with the local Colarusso family.

Dickson most certainly is the same family. Michael Colarusso opened it.

[Moosicman]

Originally Posted by bradykp

Dickson most certainly is the same family. Michael Colarusso opened it.

I was under the impression it wasn't. O well still not owned by the Colarusso's that own a majority of the shops.