Empire Pizza House - Hartford

The pizza was good, but they got my order wrong. I ordered the Hawaiian pizza, but it didn’t have any bacon on it, which the app said it should. Additionally, I requested regular garlic bread, but they sent me garlic bread with cheese instead. Despite these issues, I would still be willing to eat the pizza again.

If you're in the mood for pizza, you'll likely be satisfied with what they serve. The recipe hasn't changed much since my childhood, and honestly, it doesn't need to. I consistently find the pizza delightful, whether I'm enjoying it with my family on a Saturday night or ordering for a large gathering. They offer a good selection of toppings, and the pizza strikes the perfect balance of tomato and cheese, with a crust that's just right. That said, I will mention that there can be some inconsistency from time to time. I attribute this to new cooks or the rush during busy periods. Occasionally, you might find there’s more sauce than cheese, the crust might be overcooked and too hard, or the pepperoni might be sparse. While I’ve noticed these issues over the years, they’re not frequent enough for me to ask for a refund, and they don't seriously shake my confidence in the restaurant. On the flip side, I have two major complaints. First, the other menu items aren't very appealing. I’ve tried the wings, burgers, salads, hot dogs, tenders, and so on, and I can’t say I’ve ever been satisfied with them. They often lack flavor, aren’t cooked properly, or the portion sizes are far too small for the price. For instance, every time I’ve ordered wings, they've been overcooked with way too much flour and hardly any sauce. The side of sauce provided is insufficient for the quantity you receive. My advice? Stick to the pizza and drinks and get the other items from somewhere else. My second major issue has been with the delivery drivers. Take my comments with a grain of salt, as it's been years since I ordered delivery; it's now more economical for me to pick up the food myself. If you opt for delivery, be prepared to wait 2-3 hours for your food, especially during busy weekend evenings. I’ve also experienced aggressive drivers and received food in poor condition, or in some cases, the driver didn’t deliver despite having my complete address. I’m not sure if Empire still employs those drivers, but it’s been a problem for me and others in the past. Overall, I love Empire and their pizza, and I hope they can enhance their food quality and options over time.

The food is good, but nothing extraordinary. My husband enjoys the pizza and the chicken parmesan grinder, while I prefer the roast beef grinder or the chicken wrap. The wings aren't my favorite at this place.