Johnny’s Pizza

Johnny’s Pizza is pretty conveniently located in Sandy Hill — a popular student community. Since it’s so close to campus, if you’re in the neighborhood, passing by, or live in the area, it’s likely that you’ve seen Johnny’s before. The large sign at the front of the restaurant says «Johnny’s Pizza», but the smaller one beside it, facing the sidewalk, says «Johnny’s Pizza and Shawarma». Shawarma’s are on their menu, but they sell a lot more pizza and a bunch of other random dishes.
What I like about Johnny’s that that ever after a few years, they’re prices have only gone up about 50 cents or so, which makes it great for all those on a student budget. Their menu is split into classic and gourmet pizzas. Now, I’ve only ever stopped by for a slice, so I haven’t been able to try very many of their choices. They usually have a cheese, pepperoni, and combination pizzas for walk-​ins. I can’t really speak for any of their gourmet pizzas, but if you’re looking for just a regular cheese and pepperoni, their slices aren’t bad.

Given the choice, I’d pick Pavarazzi’s Gourmet Pizza next door.
This place doesn’t really know what it is. It should just stick to pizza but it seems to want to offer everything and it suffers as a result. For instance Johnny’s Pizza offers spring rolls, fish and chips, poutine, and an assortment of Asian dishes as well as the standard pie. The pizza itself is not bad, but it’s nothing special.
I ordered two slices because I thought it would be quick, like in New York where you order a slice and it’s in front of you in a matter of moments. Here, it took about 10 minutes to get me my slices… and it wasn’t even that busy. Also, I wanted to sit down but all the tables were taken and although I usually don’t mind, it turns out that one of the tables was occupied by one of the clerks doing a sudoku who didn’t offer up his seat when I was standing right next to him. I thought I was the customer… as a result I left the place with my slices and walked home, but if I was sitting I might have ordered more, so it’s his loss I guess.

My wife and I are continuing to scour Ottawa in the hopes of finding the best pizza deal. The next stop on our tour (pizza joint number 10, I believe) is Johnny’s on Laurier. Now Johnny’s is in the heart of the Ottawa University student ghetto. I first discovered this place in the early fall — not by running across the restaurant itself, but by seeing Johnny’s pizza boxes lying out on the boulevard outside a variety of student dorms and housing. So, by that evidence alone, it seems to be the place for ‘za for OU students. Anyhow, I walked in the other night to see what the fuss was all about. I discovered that Johnny’s is a pizza AND schwarma place — so I was already a little suspicious of their commitment to pizza. Can a restaurant do more than one thing good? The slice deal wasn’t really a deal — $ 4 (plus tax) for a slice and a pop and a bag of chips. I don’t understand why they have to throw in more crap. Can’t pizza places just lower the price for a slice? If I want chips, I’ll order chips! Anyhow, it is not gourmet pizza, but it is okay — doughy crust, okay sauce and the right about of cheese. But, perfect if you find yourself writing a term paper at midnight. The search continues…