Good pizzerias possess the following qualities: a good atmosphere, welcoming staff, easy access, and, most importantly, tasty pizza.
The atmosphere of Poppa Rollo’s is one-of-a-kind. Customers are greeted by a glass trophy case filled with artifacts pertaining to Baylor University. These are also strung along the walls. The floors are wooden and worn, conveying a comfortable, lived-in atmosphere. The pizza parlor is furnished with vintage booths splashed in Baylor-green paint and jukeboxes. Several large-screen televisions are placed around the dining area, playing black and white cartoons. These features give the parlor a retro feeling; eating here is like taking a step back into the past.
The wait staff of Poppa Rollo’s holds a friendly, familial attitude. This surprised me on my first trip here. My server sparked up a conversation about my visit to Waco, showing her interest in making me feel welcome. Employees are more focused on the customers than they are on making a profit.
Poppa Rollo’s atmosphere is lessened by its ease of access. Coming to Poppa Rollo’s guarantees spending a decent amount of time sitting in the waiting room. This delay cannot be amended through calling ahead either as Poppa Rollo’s does not accept reservations. As a result, the waiting area gets very cramped.
The patience exhausted in the wait to be seated is rewarded in the pizzas. Poppa Rollo’s makes pizza with light crust and heaps of cheese. The options for toppings are endless; everyone can find a pizza that they like here. Pizzas come in a variety of sizes too. Poppa Rollo’s also offers a number of specialty pizzas. My favorite of the original creations is the “Taco Pie Pizza.” This pizza is covered in gooey mozzarella cheese accompanied by taco spices, sausages, shredded lettuce, cheddar cheese, and diced tomatoes. I was pleased not only with the taste, but with the originality of the pizza. Such a pizza cannot be found anywhere else. Poppa Rollo’s offers more specialty pizzas like Spinach Alfredo, Pop’s Four Cheese, and the Gourmet Vegetarian. These pizzas epitomize the essence of Poppa Rollo’s: delicious and original.
Poppa Rollo’s is not simply a restaurant, but a dining experience. The atmosphere, the staff, and the food are inviting. Poppa Rollo’s, however, is very inconvenient in its wait to be seated. This disadvantage is counteracted by the quality of food and service. Overall, a meal at Poppa Rollo’s is one to be treasured.
