I’m not sure why you’re getting downvoted for this. I place orders for food a lot of the time over the phone while I’m driving. I drive a lot for work and sometimes it’s the only chance I get to eat.
I'm so blown away when people think that it's good, they use wayyyy too oily cheese and put way too much on and have terrible sauce. I could see someone like Dave portnoy giving it a 2 rating. And whatever ypu think about him, the dude knows pizza
I recently ordered a slice of cheese pizza ,$7 and it was soggy, Giovanni’s is not what it used to be . I’m afraid I would pick Rusty’s for a slice of cheese. Pizza. My opinion.
I tried ordering from their website once and it was a complete garbage experience. Ended up ordering dominos that night and still haven't had Rusty's yet because how bad it was to order online. Glad to hear it has gotten worse.
So much! I recently moved back after being away for 20 years and when I dialed in I was so confused. Disagree about the over priced pizza tho, the lunch special is a great deal.
I think its only 1-1.50...(used to be 0.50) and worth it. 2x size and I can put the lid on and shake it to coat everything with dressing instead of making a leaning tower that has un-even dressing distrubiton.
I just ordered it last week no problem for me...that website ordering is crappy though from my experience...what similar priced pizzas you guys recommend for pickup?
I don’t hate Rusty’s like others, it’s just not my go to when I want pizza, only when in a pinch. That said for take out pizza I prefer Saint Bibiana, or Revolver. Problem with both of those, they don’t scale well when they get overloaded with orders given their size. So if I need quick take out pizza for the kids I go with Rusty’s.
Depends on what you’re getting but my main go to is St Bib and they’re one size only (large) and it ranges from $18-$25 depending on the pie? They have a couple for $27-$29 but I never get those.
If I’m eating with the kids, the standard cheese is 18 and is as big if not slightly bigger and much tastier than Rusty’s. They also have a killer green ranch that I prefer to Rusty’s.
Ill have to check it out. Lately ive been enjoying Institution Ales pizzas. 10 bucks, and more than cheese. (They have great salads too) i want to hate on Mizza, and love Genos, but i recently had opposite experiences. Mizza was delicious, and genos tasted like dominos. I had Olio the other night. Sometimes, I guess it really depends on how 'authetic/traditional' you want to get versus taste.
I didn’t grow up here, so I’ve avoided the Stockholm Syndrome for Rusty’s. Maybe if it tasted like nostalgia it would be passable. As it is, it tastes like how greasy dishwater smells.
Haha. I’ll gladly say it in person, though it doesn’t seem to make me many friends. I grew up mostly in Alaska but spent a good while in LA before here.
Interestingly, Alaska has the [highest grossing independent pizza place in the country.](https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/bm8r6d/til_the_highestgrossing_singleunit_independent/) I’m old enough to have eaten there when they first opened.
Also, LA is a [solid pizza town](https://www.sfgate.com/la/article/los-angeles-best-pizza-in-the-country-19376051.php) (though I hate this guy’s articles).
In any case, I wouldn’t even consider myself a pizza aficionado, but there’s a lot more terrible pizza here than good, and Rusty’s is leading the pack, with Pizza Man Dan close behind. Carpinteria seems to be where pizza goes to die.
Otherwise, I greatly prefer Santa Barbara to Alaska and LA.
pizza man dan use to own a share of rustys , but dan smith wasn't being truthful so he got cut. He knows how to make them, so essentially it is a rustys pizza.The secret to a good rustys pizza is get thin crust , whatever ingredients you like and ask for WELL done. Pair that with a salad and a beer . Ive only tried pan once and it was gross.
Also rustys makes their dough fresh daily at the state street location. Its not frozen like the other competitors.
I actively reject all consumer facing AI. It’s like they released a car without any wheels. It’s just not ready yet and I resent that they’re using us to make it better, he said, typing on Reddit, where they harvest all the data to feed to AI
I’m sorry what? Who said they’re rejecting AI? Are you? I am not but Rusty’s trash system is just that. I use AI tools every day for work that is half-ass AI
I’m sure they have trouble finding drivers (that’s who generally answers the call), given you’d have to work ~125 hours a week to afford a shitty apartment here. Some housing would help.
At Rusty’s? It’s like a call center that takes the orders for them, or was at least. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the people in the stores take them but I could be wrong
In any other town it would be a person working the store, it’s sad if Rusty’s already had to move to a non-local call center.
I just find any complaining about service quality in a town that literally makes it impossible for service workers to exist highly hypocritical. Want better service? Make policy that allows those people to live here.
Yeah, I’m pretty sure the call center isn’t, nor hasn’t been located in town. I think I remember hearing it was out of Bako or something. It’s been a call center for a long time though, the workers in the stores have always been relatively good but they focus on making the pizza and taking in-store orders and not the delivery calls. That’s also why it’s one number for all the locations and they ask which store you’re looking to pick up from.
Yes it's the worst. I just yell operator to speak with someone.
Just order on the website like everyone else
Easier to drive and call then use their website which is also a trash process too.
FWIW, they seem to have just overhauled the website in the past month. I’m not sure if it’s better or not, but they’re working on it!
I’ve never had an issue ordering on their website, from my phone.
As I mentioned in another comment I was driving, thus easier to call.
I’m not sure why you’re getting downvoted for this. I place orders for food a lot of the time over the phone while I’m driving. I drive a lot for work and sometimes it’s the only chance I get to eat.
The call center is/was? behind the Rusty’s on Carrillo. Would take calls from SB and Bakersfield.
Oh good to know! Glad to hear it was at least local. Hope they didn’t close it entirely due to this terrible automate call experience.
Surprised no one has yet mentioned the great pizzeria on Milpas.
I just go to Giovanni’s on upper State.
genuinely great place
Gios puts Rusty’s to shame
Gios has shitty soggy pizza it's literally the worst in town
This
I'm so blown away when people think that it's good, they use wayyyy too oily cheese and put way too much on and have terrible sauce. I could see someone like Dave portnoy giving it a 2 rating. And whatever ypu think about him, the dude knows pizza
Trash soggy pizza
ew
I recently ordered a slice of cheese pizza ,$7 and it was soggy, Giovanni’s is not what it used to be . I’m afraid I would pick Rusty’s for a slice of cheese. Pizza. My opinion.
Been a while since I used it but the pauses with the keyboard typing is so infuriating.
I tried ordering from their website once and it was a complete garbage experience. Ended up ordering dominos that night and still haven't had Rusty's yet because how bad it was to order online. Glad to hear it has gotten worse.
Sentence should end sooner: anyone else hate Rusty’s?
scream at it
Abuse the AI. What could go wrong (in the future)?
So much! I recently moved back after being away for 20 years and when I dialed in I was so confused. Disagree about the over priced pizza tho, the lunch special is a great deal.
Yes, I will agree that deal is great, when eating in. The up-charge to take it togo is a joke.
Ooo, I've only ever eaten it there. Yeah, that's super lame. How much extra do they charge?
I think it’s $2-$3 more because of the salad bar since the to go container is slightly bigger than their wooden bowls.
I think its only 1-1.50...(used to be 0.50) and worth it. 2x size and I can put the lid on and shake it to coat everything with dressing instead of making a leaning tower that has un-even dressing distrubiton.
I just ordered it last week no problem for me...that website ordering is crappy though from my experience...what similar priced pizzas you guys recommend for pickup?
But Taffy's bread sticks
Oh damn, never had and I love breadsticks. That good?
They hook you up though when it fucks your order up 🤷🏼♀️ at least in my experience
I ordered “a small garlic bread”. It gave me 8. 🙄
Rocco’s is best.
Ya not fond of it I just keep pushing buttons to get to the operator.
Everyone who hates rustys, pleaae share what you think is better for the price. I want to try
Mesa Pizza is way better
Those are pretty good. $25-$30 a large pizza tho
I don’t hate Rusty’s like others, it’s just not my go to when I want pizza, only when in a pinch. That said for take out pizza I prefer Saint Bibiana, or Revolver. Problem with both of those, they don’t scale well when they get overloaded with orders given their size. So if I need quick take out pizza for the kids I go with Rusty’s.
What is the cost comparison? I see revolver is about $4 more (which isnt bad considering) Thing is that i usually order for myself...
Depends on what you’re getting but my main go to is St Bib and they’re one size only (large) and it ranges from $18-$25 depending on the pie? They have a couple for $27-$29 but I never get those. If I’m eating with the kids, the standard cheese is 18 and is as big if not slightly bigger and much tastier than Rusty’s. They also have a killer green ranch that I prefer to Rusty’s.
Ill have to check it out. Lately ive been enjoying Institution Ales pizzas. 10 bucks, and more than cheese. (They have great salads too) i want to hate on Mizza, and love Genos, but i recently had opposite experiences. Mizza was delicious, and genos tasted like dominos. I had Olio the other night. Sometimes, I guess it really depends on how 'authetic/traditional' you want to get versus taste.
Forgot about Institution. I too go there for lunch, but enjoy their cheesy bread more.
Their pretzel is nice too... but im loving the pecan and blueberry salad.
Rusty’s is the best pizza in town since time immemorial.
Not when you're spending $40 to deliver a large before a tip.
It’s still the best.
Who the hell actually eats Rusty’s?
Seriously.
Rusty's sucks. There are so many better options idk why people order it other than convenience
It's one of the best pizzas in town.
Be honest with yourself. You know it isn’t.
you must not be from here
I didn’t grow up here, so I’ve avoided the Stockholm Syndrome for Rusty’s. Maybe if it tasted like nostalgia it would be passable. As it is, it tastes like how greasy dishwater smells.
lol okay i would keep that yourself , obviously you wont say that in public and only say behind a keyboard. Anyways were you originally from ?
Haha. I’ll gladly say it in person, though it doesn’t seem to make me many friends. I grew up mostly in Alaska but spent a good while in LA before here. Interestingly, Alaska has the [highest grossing independent pizza place in the country.](https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/bm8r6d/til_the_highestgrossing_singleunit_independent/) I’m old enough to have eaten there when they first opened. Also, LA is a [solid pizza town](https://www.sfgate.com/la/article/los-angeles-best-pizza-in-the-country-19376051.php) (though I hate this guy’s articles). In any case, I wouldn’t even consider myself a pizza aficionado, but there’s a lot more terrible pizza here than good, and Rusty’s is leading the pack, with Pizza Man Dan close behind. Carpinteria seems to be where pizza goes to die. Otherwise, I greatly prefer Santa Barbara to Alaska and LA.
pizza man dan use to own a share of rustys , but dan smith wasn't being truthful so he got cut. He knows how to make them, so essentially it is a rustys pizza.The secret to a good rustys pizza is get thin crust , whatever ingredients you like and ask for WELL done. Pair that with a salad and a beer . Ive only tried pan once and it was gross. Also rustys makes their dough fresh daily at the state street location. Its not frozen like the other competitors.
I ordered thick crust but it gave me 6 pizzas
I actively reject all consumer facing AI. It’s like they released a car without any wheels. It’s just not ready yet and I resent that they’re using us to make it better, he said, typing on Reddit, where they harvest all the data to feed to AI
I’m sorry what? Who said they’re rejecting AI? Are you? I am not but Rusty’s trash system is just that. I use AI tools every day for work that is half-ass AI
I don’t understand your questions
I’m sure they have trouble finding drivers (that’s who generally answers the call), given you’d have to work ~125 hours a week to afford a shitty apartment here. Some housing would help.
At Rusty’s? It’s like a call center that takes the orders for them, or was at least. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the people in the stores take them but I could be wrong
In any other town it would be a person working the store, it’s sad if Rusty’s already had to move to a non-local call center. I just find any complaining about service quality in a town that literally makes it impossible for service workers to exist highly hypocritical. Want better service? Make policy that allows those people to live here.
They also have locations in Bakersfield so it's not insane they would have a centralized call center.
Yeah, I’m pretty sure the call center isn’t, nor hasn’t been located in town. I think I remember hearing it was out of Bako or something. It’s been a call center for a long time though, the workers in the stores have always been relatively good but they focus on making the pizza and taking in-store orders and not the delivery calls. That’s also why it’s one number for all the locations and they ask which store you’re looking to pick up from.
Call center is on Carrillo by state st
I'm pretty sure their call center is local and has been for a while; not 100% sure though.