★ 3

The ponza rotta was honestly put together with little care and overstuffed. Staff also was unwilling to fix and issue with our online order.

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★ 5

Just as I had remembered it from visiting in my childhood. Quality of the food was fantastic. “Wisconsin” portion sizes and everything was made to order and hot and fresh! Will definitely be back. Kids loved the Ponza Rottas!!

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★ 5

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★ 1

Ordered Ponzarottas, which I had never had before. 30 minute wait, no problem. Ordered 2 Miller High lifes, which took 10 minutes to pour. They were warm and flat, took back and demanded a refund. Totally disliked the Ponza, way too much crust and tasted very bland. Most tables had not been cleaned, food spilled on them. Staff standing around in the back, seemed uninterested in making a good impression. First and last visit for sure!

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★ 5

Must try

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★ 4

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★ 4

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★ 3

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★ 5

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★ 5

I love the Chicken Bacon Calzone. It's delicious, and a filling meal on Its own for any one person. That, and you can tell just by walking through the door the food will be perfect.

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★ 5

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★ 5

Can never go wrong with a ponzarotta
Italian sausages are great also.

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★ 5

Amazing

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★ 5

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★ 5

Eating your first Ponza is one of the greatest experiences in human life.

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★ 2

So disappointed that I gave this place yet another chance! No more, wont go back. Tonight was the 4th time in a row that they got my order wrong. Tonight I ordered two pizzas with cheese, sausage, pepperoni, mushroom & green pepper... and they gave me sausage, green pepper, and pineapple? Seriously, they lost another customer.

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★ 5

Every once in a while I have to take the ride for the famous ponza..tried the taco one this time and ofc..loved it!

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

A staple in Waukesha. Some of the best pizza in south eastern Wisconsin. Don't forget a Ponzarotta, it's like a calzone but fried.

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★ 4

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Counter / self service. Love their Ponzas and green pepper rings, it's been a really long time!

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★ 3

Took 45 minutes to get our food

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★ 5

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★ 2

45 minute wait for a Ponza in the middle of a Saturday? There wasn't more than 3 people in the restaurant! Super disappointing to have driven so far.

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★ 5

My wife can't go to the Waukesha without stopping at Jimmy's

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★ 5

Yummy yummy, deluxe ponza rotta!
So good you have to try it!
It's a pizza wrapped in a pastry crust 😋
I picked up 2 of them, but it was definitely enough food for 4 people.
I'll be back!

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★ 4

Ordered a pizza and it was great. Tasty sauce and toppings. The chicken tenders were a little too greasy, but had quality chicken, so I appreciate that. Only 4 stars because someone in the kitchen was absolutely yelling at the other employees and that's just not a professional or mature way to handle a work situation. I hope he works on himself.

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★ 5

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★ 2

Back in the day the ponza rottas were incredible now they are just ordinary, don't know what changed but not worth going out of your way like they once were.

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★ 5

Grotto's has been a true gem for over 3 decades of my life. 35yrs ago it was my favorite pregnancy craving,, now I still enjoy them with my Grands! The years haven't changed the flavor or quality DELICIOUS every time! I've lived in 4 Wisconsin counties, and have planned day trips around a Ponza !😋 Thank you Grotto's!❤️

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★ 5

Our ponzas were excellent. We ordered fried ravioli...I can say i wasn't a fan of them. We picked food up to go and were out as we got there so hot and fresh.

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★ 5

Always a treat!!!

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★ 5

Ponza Ponza ponza ponza.... 😋 😋 😋

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★ 1

I'm sick of them being out of food snd not telling anyone. I'm also sick of ordering through doordash when looking to get Jimmy's grotto and they always mess up my order. Place is going downhill fast.

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★ 2

This review is strictly for the pizza and service. I may try it once more to try the ponza and see if it’s any better than the pizza. The crust on the pizza was odd, almost pastry like. We got the “thin crust” and it was just very strange. The toppings were also off. It was indeed a pepperoni pizza however it was spiced with other seasonings which again, very odd. I guess it didn’t meet my expectations for just wanting to pick up a to go pizza. Additionally, when we called to order I stated my order and when the girl repeated back my order it was completely incorrect as if she didn’t even hear a word I said. It was actually comical, I ordered a small pepperoni and a medium pepperoni and sausage and she stated back “so a small cheese and large pepperoni?”. I may give the ponza a try but the pizza never again.

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★ 5

The ponza’s are amazing and so is the Italian sausage sandwich. I’ve stopped here every time visiting the Waukesha / Oconomowoc area for 10+ years. It’s a must try kind of place.. nothing else like it. AC and soda / water machine was out the last two visits so that’s the ONLY reason I took one star off the atmosphere. Everything they serve here is worth buying.

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★ 3

Came at a recommendation. Ordered a ponza. Needed alot more cheese and sauce. It lack the pizza spice in what sauce it had. The lady at the counter taking orders what very rude and snappy to an elderly man in front of me ordering. Need to treat your customers with a little more politeness. Overall, I won't be back.

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★ 5

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★ 5

This place is a staple so many hood choices

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★ 1

This place has gone so done hill since the grandparents have passed!!

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★ 5

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★ 5

The service is always high school or college kids left unsupervised. The atmosphere is 1980s? And I love it. It wouldn't be Jimmy's Grotto without the whole experience, and this is an experience. Get one or two bites into your ponza and you'll understand what I mean. Order ahead of time. I keep forgetting to do that and wait like 20 minutes in the grotto. Also eat it there or eat it close. Ponzas are best fresh.

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★ 4

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★ 5

PONZAS

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★ 5

Food is great...when you get the right order. Stopped tonight, half the order was correct...very disappointed. Not the 1st time, 50/50 is best you can hope for.

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★ 5

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★ 5

Great food and great history

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★ 4

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★ 5

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★ 5

Love this place, can't go wrong with the pizza ponza there. I can't speak for anything else. I've only had a delicious 😋 pizza ponza

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★ 5

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★ 3

The fries are amazing. The fish had literally 0 flavor whatsoever and was overcooked. They gave me the wrong cheese curds…but if I could have handled the spice (I’m a wimp) they would have been a 10/10.

I’m not counting them out, I just won’t get the fish again. I’m sure they have other food that is amazing

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★ 1

Had to wait over 30 minutes after the scheduled pickup time for food to be ready, they said they were just waiting on jalapeño poppers. Then when the food was ready, they didn’t tell us and by the time we got our food, everything was cold. Horrible service and staff. Also the restaurant was sweltering hot. Will not be returning.

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★ 3

OK pizza. Not enough sauce. But if you're on a budget, stop in.

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★ 5

Great food!

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★ 5

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★ 4

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★ 4

Takes a while for them to cook the food, but they are very good.

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★ 5

Amazing, delicious and yummy!! Absolutely awesome!

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★ 4

The ponzarotta is absolutely delicious! Their pizza is very good too!!

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★ 5

The ponzas are the best!

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★ 1

Beware of ordering from here thru doordash. Received the wrong ponza. Loaded with Canadian bacon. Can't eat. Called and restaurant said they couldn't do anything. Contacted doordash they wouldn't reorder. Sitting here with a $2.46 credit for a ponza i threw in the garbage. The sealed bag had right order ticket on it but wrong food inside. Was not door dasher error.

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★ 1

Love eating cold food when they forget 1/2 my order for my entire family. Specially asked if it was all there, was told yes and get home missing 4 items. Now when I get home the rest of my food is cold. Lesson learned ordering from here. Lived in Waukesha for 30 years this place has gone down hill.

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★ 5

A MUST!!! Ponzzarattas are to die for! Fresh homemade sauce and fresh toppings you pick for inside. Been coming here since the mid 80’s and every person I have introduced to Jimmys goes back! Hands down a MUST HAVE!

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★ 5

I’ve been enjoying Jimmy’s Grotto since the 80s when Ron Meinholz introduced me to their magnificent fare. I’m over a thousand miles away now, but you better believe I eat at Jimmy’s every time we’re in town. This last time I met up with dear friends and we played a few hands of cards after supper because that’s the great kind of meeting place Jimmy’s Grotto is. Their Calzones are my absolute favorite. If you order one you gotta eat it correctly. Bite off one tip, flip the calzone around and start eating from the other end - that gives the grease an outlet.
If you’ve never been, you must try Jimmy’s Grotto. The only think they could possibly make this place any better would be if I walked in & the Bo Deans were there.🙃
I’m already planning our next visit. Y 🇮🇹 M! Love you, Jimmy’s Grotto!

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★ 5

I grew up eating Jimmy's Grotto; back when it was just a food stand without seating. The food is just as good now. I wish they would expand to more stores, particularly in the Marshfield or Black River Falls area where I now live. I try to stop for ponzarotta, Italian beef or Italian sausage when I visit Waukesha. Still a fan after 60+ years.

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★ 5

Very good ponza rotta! The wait time for our food to come out of the kitchen for dine in was a little long, around 40 minutes but the food was so good that it didn't really matter!

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★ 1

If you enjoy grease and no flavor this dump is for you! Jimmy's should be ashamed for poor quality. Yuck!!!!!!!

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★ 5

We were in for a visit from cloorado had to stop and have our ponzas b4 we flew out. Yummy as we remembered it 😋

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★ 4

I love a good ponza and grab one whenever I'm in the area!

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★ 5

Get the calzone. Best dough I've ever had

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★ 5

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★ 5

Great joint to eat, and the peeps are cool.

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★ 2

Ordered a ponza today. 5-20-25. Cheese sausage mushroom pepperoni extra sauce. Was told it Be ready in one half hour. I arrived exactly in one half hour. No extra sauce cold and soggy. I was so looking forward to this and now it's just blah. Majorly bummed. My breaded mushrooms were also cold. Grottos will you make this better. It was ordered under amanda h.

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★ 5

My whole family love's their food. My dad grew up with the Grotto's!!!!

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★ 2

First time trying this restaurant. Spend over $68, both pizzas were done incorrectly ( not the right crust), items missing in the other pizza , no requested sauce for the 4 orders of apps, . Will not be returning

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★ 5

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★ 5

Five stars💯

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★ 1

Certainly not like the old Jimmy’s that I remember. Place was dirty, service was poor and sausages were burned (I mean black). We waited for 40 minutes and had to ask where our order was! They had no clue that we were still waiting and no clue what we ordered! This is the second time we’ve been here under the new owner and it’s gone downhill. We won’t be back.

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★ 5

This place is great it has fantastic food

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★ 5

The ponzas are a staple of the establishment. People drive 30 minutes on lunch to get one, myself included. Delicious every time. same exact experience

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★ 5

Excellent food good the best breaded green peppers deep fried I had the deluxe ponza rotta so much Italian sausage in it and everything else the best I ever had

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★ 5

Gotta get a Ponza!

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★ 4

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 1

Pre ordered via phone call. Was given a proper wait time. After I show i I’m told my order was messed up and I need to wait. I proceeded to wait almost 40 min before I received my order. To then get home and be unsatisfied as the bbq sandwich doesn’t taste like bbq and the spaghetti was very bland and tasteless. Over all experience was pretty irritating

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★ 1

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★ 4

Only complaint is that the soda machine was out of CO2.

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★ 5

I googled places to eat while I was visiting Milwaukee for work. I happened to be in Waukesha at the time. Jimmy's Grotto popped up. I went into the nursing home I was delivering to and asked the lady if she had eaten there. She told me to try a Ponza. I was already sold. Hands down one of the best things I've ever eaten!!! This place is top notch! Pricing is great too!!

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★ 4

Ponzas are delicious!!! Medium pizza fixings in pastry dough and deep fried, what's not to Love.

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★ 1

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★ 5

Was in at lunch time. Greeted at the door, ordered. Got food was made to order. Tasted great and was plenty did not leave hungry.

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★ 5

Ponza that takes 2nd to no one and under $10 that's a big win for a big meal!

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★ 5

Guess who's back
Back again
Guess who's back guess who's back na na na
Peperroni, sausage and black olive ponza rota
NUFF SAID!!!

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★ 5

Ponzas are the best!

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★ 5

Love those ponzas

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★ 5

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★ 5

This is such a cute hole in the wall!! The workers here are all awesome and nice. We got the whole place to ourselves and the kids enjoyed every second. This is all of these picky eaters new favorite pizza…… that says all ya need to know! THANK YOU GROTTOOO!!!

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★ 5

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★ 5

This place is a widely known Wisconsin local favorite.

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★ 5

The most iconic original eat out place in Waukesha. A must visit for our out of town friends and a easy night out meal with my favorite lady.

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★ 5

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★ 5

Love food all

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★ 5

Been going here for many years. Love their Ponzas. Update. I went on 3-8-2025. It was the worst Ponza I ever had. Over cooked, and it tasted like it was cooked in very old oil. I will still keep going, hoping it's a one time thing.

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★ 5

Delicious, nostalgic, one of a kind. Reminds me of my childhood in Wisconsin. My grandmother used to take me there every chance she got! My mom took my children and it’s my turn to take my grandkids! She would get an Italian sausage and pepper rings and I would get a sausage ponza. Chicago is definitely missing out, I’ve been here for almost 20 years and haven’t found anything comparable. Yes, I said it!!! Thank you for the good food and great memories.

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★ 5

We usually order take out but there are always diners in the restaurant. Always great food.

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★ 5

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★ 5

Try the Deluxe Ponza Rotta!

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★ 5

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★ 4

Ponza Rottas giant Pizza puffs are great a local favorite

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★ 4

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★ 5

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★ 5

I love you.

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Grew up on Ponzarottas in Waukesha at Jimmy's gorotto.. willing to drive extra hours to dine there. Worth it every time!!

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★ 4

A Waukesha icon. Not the classiest location, but if you've never had a Ponza Rotta then you haven't truly lived. A deliciously deep-fried pizza folded in half and sealed prior to deep frying

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★ 5

Been going here since I was a kid, food is 10/10, always.

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★ 1

Been here a few times but will not be coming back. Met some friends for dinner. Our food came out after everyone else was done eating and both ponzas were wrong. One of my friend's ponza had raw cheese and another diner got the wrong ponza too. No apologies or care to the situation. Got a refund for mine and had my bfs remade but had to wait 20 more min. Just really disappointed.

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★ 5

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★ 4

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★ 5

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★ 3

Other people I know love this place. To me it's just ok.

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★ 1

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★ 5

I have loved this place since I was a kid. I moved away for over ten years and currently moved back. Am so happy they are still amazing.

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★ 4

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★ 5

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★ 3

We came in for lunch. Place was really cold inside. We ordered a deluxe pizza with no onions and breaded mushrooms. The woman who placed our order was nice. Pizza was under done, and the sausage slices they use instead of Italian sausage were really weird, and didn't taste like anything also found bits of onions on the pizza. Breaded mushrooms were good but again under done.

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★ 4

Great food excellent pricing

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★ 4

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★ 3

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★ 5

Ponzas are amazing

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★ 4

Their Ponza Rottos are incredible and they're HUGE!
If you like garlic bread, the garlic cheese curds are also amazing.
PEAK!

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 3

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★ 5

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★ 4

Used to eat ponzas all the time as a student at Carroll back in the 80s. Visiting from out of state and had to stop. Ponzas are just as tasty as I remember!

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★ 5

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★ 5

Waukesha Classic. You go for the food and the food only. Inside dining area is usually dirty but still gives a classic vibe.

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Grottos has always been the best. We will continue to always come here

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★ 3

My ponza looked amazing, but unfortunately it tasted like fish. They must have fried the fish in the same oil as the ponza, very disappointed.

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★ 5

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★ 5

Love the ponzas!

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★ 5

This is a Waukesha staple. If you've never been there it's a must try. The menu has more options than the famous ponza rotta. Just know if you get pepperoni to ask for half as it's really greasy, unless that's what you like!!! Can order ahead for pick up as well or dine in.

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★ 3

This place is a staple in the community but definitely has a consistency issue. Sometimes it’s awesome sometimes it’s not…. Sometimes you get 100% of a pizza sometimes you get 75% pizza 25% crust. Pictures say it all. The parts with toppings are great but your left looking for the rest. On top of that it’s not at all unusual to wait quite a while for the food beyond their expected time.

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★ 1

I don’t usually write reviews, especially bad ones. I live in Milwaukee and had to go to Waukesha for an errand googled restaurants in the area and decided to go to this place. I’ve never been there before. You order your food at the counter. I asked the woman if she had recommendations. I ordered a deep fried calzone, side, salad, and iced tea, which was brisk in a can. After ordering at the counter, I paid for my meal and was asked if I wanted to tip. I did… not sure why I’m tipping. They could’ve at least brought my food to the table. They did not. My salad came in a plastic container. It consisted of iceberg lettuce, some croutons, cucumber and cherry tomato. Nothing else. When my deep fried calzone arrived. It was on a paper plate kinda look like a dirty diaper. I cut into it expecting some sauce there was very little. I asked for some marinara and was given it cold and another plastic container. The sauce was not very flavorful. In my opinion. I only ate about half of my entrée.

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★ 5

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★ 3

Called ahead an hour ahead of time. Got there and told me it would be another 20 min for my food.

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★ 4

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★ 2

See photo. The order was for 3 cheese/sausage ponza's. Do you see any sausage? Not one of them had it. Called and the manager verified my order, then was told policy is to issue half credit. HALF CREDIT?!? C'mon man! Plain wrong. A mistake was made and the business refuses to be accountable for it. I've visited them pretty regularly for more than a decade. This is the end of my patronage.

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★ 4

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★ 5

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★ 3

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★ 5

A great place to meet up with friends for some amazing food!

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★ 1

I don't know what changed this year, but I have gotten takeout from Jimmy's Grotto twice within the last two months and they completely screwed up my order both times. I have friends who went there last month as well, on a different day, and their order got screwed up as well. The sauce also tasted like cheap canned sauce and they were extremely stingy with the cheese. I'm not sure what changed, but I won't be going back anytime soon. Such a shame to see a landmark Waukesha business end up like this.

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★ 5

Love the food here.

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★ 5

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★ 5

Suuuuuuper yummy!

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★ 4

Great food here. My understanding is that this is a local "staple". The atmosphere is mostly early 50 cafeteria but staff were pleasant and order came quickly enough. Don't skip out on a visit.

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★ 5

Finally got to try one of Wisconsin's legends and it did not disappoint. I had sausage, mushroom and onion panza rotta....it was huge and so delicious. Will return to try the Philly steak.

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★ 5

Great pizza but dining room was really cold.

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★ 1

WHY DID YOU CHANGE THE SAUSAGE AFTER 80 YEARS!??? My family came here religiously for the mouth watering iconic Italian sausage sandwich for 50 years! I came in the other day and ordered one and couldn't believe what I was eating. I asked the manager what happened did you change the recipe? He said no just the sausage brand. I said huge mistake. It now tastes like blah bland yuk. So sad seeing a historic landmark known for its salivating deliciousness go so downhill. PLEASE CHANGE BACK!

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★ 5

Been eating here for awhile now, and the ponzas are awesome! Love eating. People are very friendly and service is good as well.

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★ 5

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★ 5

We have always loved Jimmy's Grotto. Their ponza rotta's are the best. We ordered online, and it was ready at the time we asked. Thanks for a great meal.

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★ 5

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★ 5

Delicious food

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★ 5

Nice place just to eat , no big deal it's like friends and family you can talk to people at other tables...

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★ 5

Was passing through Waukesha so decided to stop and pick up some food. I ordered 2 Italian beef sandwiches with green peppers and mozzarella cheese. I placed my to go order at the counter. The cashier was efficient and pleasant. The sandwiches were prepared perfectly and tasted so good. I only wish they would install a bench so people could wait for their order. Don't think you could improve on the quality, cost, taste or portion size. Those were all perfect IMO.

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★ 4

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★ 5

Excellent, we will order again

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★ 5

Pongo are 5h3 greatest

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★ 4

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★ 5

I have not been here for many years but always remembered the special Ponza Rotta so I stopped back for a lunch treat. I was NOT disappointed!! The size is HUGE! The Taste is HUGE! The price for the deluxe is stupid cheap. The place is clean and kept up to great standards.
Many memories fade but Jimmy's is a classic and should be added to the star list of local restaurants.

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★ 4

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★ 5

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★ 5

Was back in town for the first day in a very long time. Stopped got my ponza just as amazing as always. Little bit of a wait time but well worth it just call ahead. Still a great value for the price. Cant wait to be back in town to get another one.

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★ 5

Quaint family pizza place. Good food. Friendly staff.

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★ 5

We moved to Texas, so I haven't had a Ponzarotta in 15 years. It was EXACTLY the same! Simply awesome !

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★ 5

Good food, big portions. I drive 40mins a few times a month for JG since I found it

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★ 5

Authentic PONZA ROTTA! Super Delicious. Must try if you’re in the area. Definitely worth the wait. My family is always pleased with how fresh and mouth watering the Ponza always is! You won’t be disappointed.

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★ 5

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★ 5

Good food love there ponzarata. Kinda like big pizza puff. Highly recommend

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★ 5

Good god I love me a ponzeratta from jimmy's

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★ 5

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★ 5

I asked if they could make a cheeseburger 🍔 pizza 🍕 and they did!!!! Wasn't on their menu but omg!!! It's Phenomenal!!!!!! Best cheeseburger pizza I have ever had!!!
Toppings
• Hamburger meat
• Onion
• Cheddar Cheese and mozzarella
• Mayo
• Ketchup
• Pickles
• Lettuce
• Tomato
So so soooooo good should be put on their menu thank you so much for the delicious 😋 😊 food!!!

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★ 5

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★ 4

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★ 5

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★ 5

As good as 40 years ago. 80 years in business.

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★ 4

Ponza Rotta with sausage mushroom onion. Excellent cheese bread.

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★ 5

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