July 30th, 2007 By Jenna Walker
Downtown Review: Turoni’s Pizzery & Brewery
Turoni’s Pizzery & Brewery is probably one of Evansville’s top local pizzerias. There are two locations in Evansville-on Weinbach Avenue and downtown on Main Street. Honestly, I’m not a big pizza fan, but Turoni’s definitely makes the cut for me every Sunday night with my family.
The interior of both locations is almost homey — old fashioned wall paper, wooden booths, old lamps, and old pictures and news on the walls. These are definitely casual restaurants, suited perfectly for a family, but frequented by adult friends most often. But don’t let that throw you off, absolutely anyone will fit in and is welcomed.
I’m not much of a drinker, but one of my dining partners swears by Vinny’s Light Lager being one of the best beers in town. Turoni’s brews its own beers in the restaurant, which gives them a unique Evansville flavor. If you want to boring, though, they have the same generic beers that you’ll find at other restaurants.
I have never gotten anything but pizza there. While you can order hot sandwiches, soups, and salads, I have always thought that pizza is the way to go, especially here, especially tasting and smelling it. However if you are not feeling pizza, you can choose between things such as the stromboli, homemade chili, or brewmaster’s burger. Never having these, but knowing the quality of Turoni’s, I am positive that all must be delicious.
Tonight we had the House Special which like all their pizza is always on a nice thin crispy crust with toppings going nearly to the edge. This of course is one of the “basic” pizzas-you know, with the vegetables and meats on it. However, when my dad orders carry out for himself, he always gets the Ironman pizza, and my brother likes the BBQ Chicken pizza. One of the more interesting pizzas, but acclaimed as delicious by my cousin, is the Mexican pizza that replaces tomato sauce with salsa and includes cheese, ground beef, black beans, and jalapenos.
No matter where you are in Evansville, there is a Turoni’s close to you, so I ask you to go! Delicious pizza, good beer and a good and friendly service. Make sure you order the Garlic Cheese Toast or Grilled Cheez-eze while you wait for your pizza!
Turoni’s is located at 408 N Main Street, Evansville, IN 47711. (812) 424-9873. | 4 N Weinbach Ave., Evansville, IN. (812) 477-7500. Mon-Thurs 11AM -11PM, Fri 11AM - 12AM,Sat 12PM -12AM, Sun 4PM -11AM.
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SUPERBANANABOMB
July 30, 2007 @ 11:28AM
Turoni’s is good, but not as good as it’s cracked up to be, IMO.
First of all, I HATE thin crust pizza. I like pan or deep dish. I’ve eaten there many times and while the food quality isn’t bad by any means, it’s not amazing, either. I prefer the Weinbach location to the Main St. one. Seems to have a cooler atmosphere.
Also, being named Vinnie myself, I hate the fact that such a CRAPPY beer shares my name. Vinny’s light lager sucks! It tastes like any other regular crappy light domestic beer. There is nothing special about it at all. The only homebrewed beers that Turoni’s serves that are worth a damn are the Uptown Brown Rye and the Blue-Eyed Moose IPA. And the Rudolph Christmas seasonal is decent.
All in all, I feel like Turoni’s is overrated. It’s not a bad restaurant by any means, but ever since I moved here I have noticed how people swear by that place and honestly I’m not impressed. I’ve had some really good pizza in my day and they fall short of the mark.
I think Roca Bar’s pizza kills the competition around here.
Just my 2 pennies.
jp
July 30, 2007 @ 01:35PM
re: review: only home.brews on tap! & sorry but, no u can’t order deepdish.
re: re: i’ve noticed that superbananabomb tends to have a nasty attitude.
jim
July 30, 2007 @ 02:17PM
I would bet that in a blind taste test you couldn’t differentiate Turoni’s from Roca Bar or Una or Deerhead.
This is not a challenge or anything…just, none of those pizzas have anything that makes them unique.
Cindy
July 30, 2007 @ 02:17PM
This is the VERY first time I’ve ever found a negative review of anything at Turoni’s. If SO many think it’s awesome…….It must be pretty good. When someone reviews a restaurant, naturally we are getting their opinion. I think what stands out in my mind is that EVERYONE I know that has gone to Turoni’s………agrees it’s “the place” to go for pizza and general atmosphere. It has been an Evansville favorite for years. But everyone IS entitled to an opinion. Can’t help if “superbananabomb“‘s opinion is different than the majority. This said…I’ve never been to the Roca Bar. I’ll have to give it a try and form my own opinion about that establishment. I suspect it will be good too. For some it’s just a matter of taste. I appreciate the review on Turoni’s and glad to get even a mini-review on Roca.
Cindy
July 30, 2007 @ 03:03PM
Okay…after re-reading my post I realize I should have said that the “Itsevansville” review IS good and seems accurate when you consider how most other people feel about the place. It’s the “superbananabomb” post that I considered a “negative” review. Thought I should clarify that. Okay….guess that’s about my 1/2 cents worth.
Jesse
July 30, 2007 @ 03:16PM
Turoni’s is truly great thin crust pizza. By saying that you don’t like thin crust pizza, which is what they are famous for, you kind of eliminate your self from that part of the conversation. And you are right Vinny’s Light Lager does taste a lot like any other light domestic beer - so if you don’t like those then there again, it would be hard to judge, it is unfortunate they used your name for it. The Black Light Lager is really good - you should try that. I agree the Roca Bar is great in its own right as well.
braindeadly
July 30, 2007 @ 04:21PM
Evansville does have its share of local pizzerias: Turoni’s at both locations, Roca Bar and it’s satellite locations, Rounders, Una Pizza, The Slice by UE etc… Can someone tell me why there isn’t one of those cool local pizza joints near USI? Or for that matter, any locally owned businesses that have a lot of character near USI? All major Campuses I can think of have those cool local businesses around.
braindeadly
July 30, 2007 @ 04:24PM
BTW, if there are any grammar geeks out there I know the correct word above is “its” not “it’s”. Not that anybody really cares…
Jerry
July 31, 2007 @ 07:35AM
Apparently there are a lot of of different tastes in pizza. Personally I like Turoni’s the best (house special with xtra sausage), but I also enjoy a deep dish Chicago style (where can I get one these days). Personally I think all of the good pizza joints on the area have a pie of their own. Knob Hill has a good pizza, but it is nothing like Turoni’s. I like Kipplee’s pizza if I am in the mood for that “taste”. My middle son swears by “The Slice” (something with ranch dressing). Heck I think the pizza you buy at Sam’s and cook yourself is pretty darn good. As far as brews go, I enjoy the Vinnie’s at Turoni’s but that is because I enjoy lighter lager opposed to the heavier or darker brews.
Debra
July 31, 2007 @ 09:31AM
Turoni’s house special……..mmmmmm!!!
SUPERBANANABOMB
August 01, 2007 @ 02:54PM
I’m not a fan of thin crust pizza and I think light beer is for sissies who can’t handle how beer is SUPPOSED to taste. (I’m only kidding… sorta.) I know everyone has their own thing, and that’s why I dropped my opinion. I don’t think Turoni’s is bad by any means. I just don’t think it’s awesome, either. I like stout beers and deep dish pizza. Bring on the carbs!
re: just because I don’t agree with popular opinion doesn’t mean I have a “nasty attitude” :P
Oh and in a blind taste test, I would most definitely be able to tell the difference between Roca Bar and Turoni’s.
Infinion0
August 03, 2007 @ 12:50PM
@braindeadly,
It’s unfortunate that USI doens’t have some nice places around it. However, the reason that is true should be pretty obvious, it’s ‘still’ in the middle of no where. As if being anywhere in Evansville wasn’t bad enough, USI is WAY out there. Sure, there’s some okay places on the west side, but mostly chain stuff. I went to UE, and yes, it was nice to be able to walk to the slice or turoni’s for pizza and beer. But keep in mind, beyond that, there’s no where. It was nice to be able to frequent Turoni’s between classes, in the evening, and weekends. My wallet hated me for being addicted to their Buffalo chicken and Honey Blonde ale.
Will
August 06, 2007 @ 11:34AM
Thincrust rules…
hillyardfarm
August 08, 2007 @ 09:53PM
Go there ASAP while they still have the seasonal beer “Wit’s Up.” Served with an orange slice. Best beer I’ve ever had.
laura randall
March 11, 2008 @ 11:19PM
actually, turonis does have a deep dish pizza, but only in select sizes