Crust Simply Italian Chandler

A dining experience that warms your heart and delights your taste buds I don’t usually post restaurant reviews unless there’s truly something special to share — and this is one of those times! My husband and I recently visited Crust Simply Italian in Chandler, and from the moment we walked through the door, we knew we were in for something extraordinary. The warm, inviting atmosphere immediately makes you feel at home. April, the Manager, greeted us with genuine kindness and enthusiasm — not just welcoming us, but also our fur baby, which absolutely melted my heart. That alone deserves a perfect 10 in my book! As we entered, the aroma of freshly baked pizza crust and simmering sauces filled the air — pure joy for the senses. The entire staff was friendly, attentive, and clearly passionate about what they do. You can truly taste the love and care in every dish. We wanted to sample a little of everything, so we ordered the Mussels, Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp, Eggplant Parmesan, and Meatballs. Yes, it was a feast — and every bite was packed with incredible flavor! The portions were generous, beautifully presented, and bursting with freshness. And of course, we couldn’t resist finishing with the Cannoli, which was the perfect sweet ending to a perfect meal.

Had an awesome meal here! The calzone was absolutely delicious, perfectly baked, full of flavor, and easily one of the best I’ve had. Our server was actually the new server in training, and she did a fantastic job! Super friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed. The restaurant itself was very clean and comfortable (maybe just a bit on the cold side), but the great food and service more than made up for it. You can tell the team really cares about their guests. Overall, a wonderful dining experience, I’ll definitely be back soon!

I recently visited Crust Simply Italian with one of my closest friends. He was craving some Italian food, and he suggested this place. I am glad that he told me about it, because it is some of the best pizza I have ever had. When I arrived, I was there a good thirty minutes before the scheduled time for my friend and me to meet. The server greeted me warmly and was always making sure I had everything I needed while I waited. I informed her it would be a little bit before my friend arrived, and I appreciate how patient she was with me while I waited, so bonus points for that. When my friend arrived, we were served some drinks, and I decided only to have water, even though their mocktails sounded delicious. Next time I visit, I will have to give their mocktails a shot. My friend suggested getting the Sweet Little ‘Roni pizza, and it was fantastic. I also liked how they split the pizza in half so my friend and I could have four slices each. The Sweet Little ‘Roni pizza was an excellent choice. I feel like honey is an underrated pizza topping. It can be delicious when it is with the right combinations. I also like the atmosphere. It feels like you are in Italy, and I like that they have a bar area where you can watch TV, even if there are no sports available. Crust Simply Italian is an excellent option for anyone looking for Italian food in Downtown Chandler. I will be back.

We enjoyed our dinner at Crust. Our server was processional and food was tasty. Parking is plentiful and it's nice to walk around downtown chandler after dinner.

This place is amazing! The people were super nice and the establishment was so fun! There is a nice area downstairs too called the ostrich that's worth checking out. The service was great and the food was delicious!

I love this place. The food is amazing, and drinks Arwen delicious. Beautiful setting in this location along with nice service, I am giving this location a thumb up. I will definitely a returned customer.

Came here for lunch, got a few appetizers, calamari, mozzarella en carrozza, and fries. Brittney recommended uncle louie and it was absolutely delicious. Everything was fresh, and the staff was amazing. Definitely will come again:)

Comfortable, relaxing, atmosphere great location extensive menu with tons of yummy options which can be a challenge because you want to get everything on the menu, but you can only get one thing which means you have to come back again and again so you can get the wonderful dish that may be someone with you got that looked fantastic and now you have to get it— attentive staff— nice people thank you‼️

Another 5star visit to Crust! We went on Saturday evening, and we waited about 20 minutes for a table for two. The hostess did inform us that the misters were dripping on the table and asked if we wanted to wait for another table. We were hungry, so we took that table. It was kind of annoying at first, but we put some napkins down where the two misters were dripping and it was fine. This was our first time ordering pasta at Crust! Other than their wine pairings dinner during covid in 2020 (you guys should do some in person now!!). I grew up in an Italian household, so I am a big critic when it comes to eating pasta at a restaurant - I know Crust is legit when it comes to authentic Italian, so I was curious to try some new stuff. I opted for the Spicy Rigatoni Sausage - I LOVED it and will definitely be ordering it again. The sauce was the perfect combination of creamy and spicy. My husband had Grandma's Pasta, and he loved all the meat that came with it. It didn't have quite enough sauce for me, but it was the perfect amount for my husband. We had good service, as always. And as I've said in the previous review, make sure you join the rewards program!

I'm from NJ so I'm pretty picky about my Italian food. Crust was about as good as I've had so far in my 20+ years in AZ. There were too many delicious choices to pick from that put me in a dilemma on what to eat. I went with the Frutti di Mare and it was great, good ratio of pasta to seafood. Probably could have used a tad more pasta. We also got the fried mozzarella, lobster ravioli and a flatbread pizza which was pretty cool as it was in the shape of a tree (or that's what it looked like). Our server was great, made some good recommendations and was very attentive. Nothing bad to say about this place. My wife and I read some negative reviews earlier in the week about Crust. NONE OF WHICH did we observed. Just people being a little nitpicky. Can't please everyone but I would HIGHLY recommend Crust!!!

Gave this restaurant a try for the first time this weekend. My husband, son, daughter-in-law, and grandson went in for dinner. We went early, so there was no wait at all. One thing I noticed right away that I really loved is that they have a dog friendly patio. If I would've known, I would've brought my dogs! The restaurant is clean and very open. There's indoor and outdoor seating. I would say my only complaint about the seating is that if you get a booth style seat near the window, it's really low to the table. We managed, but that was just uncomfortable for my husband so we had to switch sides. The food was fantastic! We ordered the bruschetta appetizer and a chopped salad. The chopped salad could have been a meal itself, it was so big and tasted so good! I like that they put the dressing on and toss it for you. The bruschetta slices were bigger than I have ever seen and very tasty! I ordered the lobster ravioli for my meal and we forgot k take a picture of his Frutti di Mare but he said it was amazing! Might have had just a little more pasta in it but there was a good amount of seafood in it. The service was great! Our waiter was attentive and knowledgeable of the food.

I usually don't have much faith in a hotel restaurant but Crust changed my mind. What really set the tone was Mikayla's amazing service. She was so friendly, accommodating, and attentive throughout our dinner, including helping us move inside when the flies started to swarm us. We originally sat outside which to be honest, for a 100 degree day, was entirely delightful. The shaded patio and misters make it feel very comfortable. That was, of course, until the flies descended on us once our food came! I know they can't control this so I can't fault them lol but I definitely recommend sitting inside during the summer. As for the food, I got the truffle fries and warm arugula salad with added salmon. Both were delicious! The fries were crispy and delicious. The warm arugula salad was so tasty! I thought I would regret not getting a pizza but it was so delicious I didn't at all. Definitely a great place to meet friends or dine if you're staying at the hotel.

Awesome local Italian eatery nestled in the heart of downtown Chandler. Great selection of menu options in the menu. Options to customize. Great for vegetarians. Friendly and attentive service. Awesome happy hour menu with both drinks ($9-$13) and lots of appetizer options, about $4 less than regular price. Lots of free parking in the area but the are tons of cars parked downtown, even on a regular weekday afternoon, so you may end up doing some walking. If you're not able to find parking in the open lot directly across from Crust, or on the main road, there is a parking garage a couple of blocks down. You can call ahead to get specifics. Still a nice walk with tons of bars and restaurants in the area that you can stroll by on your walk over. They have a great happy hour with lots of options from 3-6 pm Monday-Friday. We got there at 5 ish o on a Wednesday and there was a good enough crowd that felt busy and happening without feeling crowded or having long waits for service. We were greeted by someone who appeared to be a manager and seated immediately. They accommodated our request for a booth. The booths are a long stretch of seating with tables close together, but it still seemed like we had our own space. Music was a great selection of oldies hits, the kind you want to jam with. Patrons varied in age and appeared classy. Loved the ambiance, lighting, and vibe. We ordered the fried mozzarella, new York rustica pizza, an espresso martini made creamy, and a luxudo black cherry mule. Though the mule was quite sweet both drinks were also strong and flavorful. The mozzarella corrozza was the highlight. Crispy, warm, and fresh in a bed of marinara. I even ordered extra marinara for even more flavor. Even split 2 ways it was pretty filling. The pizza was as it appears in the pics. I liked the thin crust of new york style but personally would have loved more cheese. (But I'm crazy about cheese so I'm biased). Great place overall! Definitely worth checking out. In previous visits I've had the veggie calzone which was delicious too!

Just stopped by The Crust for a quick lunch after checking into our hotel and had a great experience! The service was fast and friendly, really making us feel welcome. I ordered the Caesar salad with chicken, which was very tasty. My only wish is that the chicken had been served warm instead of cold. Overall, a lovely spot for a quick bite!

I love the outdoor seating. The misters were out of control by the booth so we sat at a high top table. We would have been soaked and my hair would have been a mess had we sat in a booth. The pizza was delicious. We had the uncle Louis. The service was great. This is my second time here and just as happy this time with my experience. I'll be back.

Dined 7/14/24: -Came on a Friday evening for a friends bday and we're quickly sat. Portions were generous (the Stromboli & the garlic knots were huge-good problems.lol). Calamari was crispy & tender on the inside. Server was attentive and food was flavorful. Would return again!

Came here for lunch today and sat outside. They have wonderful seating options in the nice weather. I got the chicken pesto bowl. It came with tons of good vegetables and the sauce was so yummy. Would love to come back again and try their pizza!

I can't tell you how many times we have simply passed by this place. Sad but true. Was surprised to learn they've been there since 2015. On this occasion i opted to meet up here instead of one the usual spots we would hit in the area. It's sorta open air dining. Patio along sidewalk and bar isn't far beyond patio dining area. There are tables inside. Joined family at a the bar and had somewhat of a pleasure seeing the Lions were playing. Cocktail options looked very promising, and our bartender was ready to mix up whatever we had in mind, well beyond the cocktail menu offerings. I ordered probably the best salad on my visit here. A mix of romaine, topped with Artichoke Hearts, black Olives, cheese slices, salami, pepperoni, red bell peppers, and sun dried tomatoes. Order along with garlic knots that were topped with fresh garlic and served with a wonderfully aromatic marinara sauce. I honestly wasn't very hungry so most of that salad came home. Service was great. My cocktail was perfection. We were more than happy to have the bartender basically all to ourself. Timely, efficient, offering suggestions because he must've picked up we were here for the first time. Overall a really nice experience... ...well, except for the game. I'm confident we will be back again soon.

I wanted to like this more than we did because the reviews were captivating and the location is nestled in the well-lit lively part of downtown Chandler. While I'm a pizza snob, I try to be as fair as possible with any reviews and have multiple people try things to get a varied assessment. The general consensus was that the pizza had very little flavor, was simply not memorable. The calzone was full of cheese but wasn't melted and sorta chewy as if it had sat awhile or wasn't cooked enough, fries were unsalted and cooked a bit too long and the bruschetta was burnt. The Alfredo was the tastiest and I'd give that 3.5-4 stars, but would be better without the hidden onions and additional veggies. The rolls were fluffy and flavorful. The fried mozzarella didn't travel well as takeaway but I'd imagine if presented hot and at the restaurant it would have been a lot better. All in all this wasn't a favorite, but I'm glad they are doing well and suited for others.

We highly enjoyed our first time at Crust in Gilbert. Atmosphere is fun and lively! Food is excellent, and service is on point. Our server, Kourtland was amazing! Super attentive with excellent customer service, and fantastic recommendations. We will be back! Thanks Crust Crew!!

Very cool modern Italian place! Dishes are fresh, portions are generous and the quality and taste are outstanding! Service was excellent! Indoor or outdoor seating! Great bar area and definitely a great vibe! Got the penne alla vodka with grilled chicken, fettuccine Alfredo with grilled chicken and shrimp angel hair pomodoro. Excellent! Will definitely be back!

Can't think of anything I've eaten, here, that I didn't love. Service is great, and food is incredible. First place we take our Illinois visitors, when they show up. Great job, Mike.

Love the dog friendly patio to start with. Great outdoor patio...inside was extremely loud. And the play list of music is classic with fun and familiar songs! I'm giving a three star review and here's why: There were three of us and our dishes were delivered individually. The tables have no salt & pepper on them and there was no offering of parmesan cheese to top off the dishes. Their red sauce is spicy, both on the pasta, the pizza, and the eggplant. I'm glad I had the Linguini and Clams because it would have been way to spicy for me! Dishes come with a roll, which is plain with no seasoning or butter. We started with a Cesar salad, which was good and fresh. We added some extra lemon just to boost the taste. The best dish was the Gluten Free Pizza...that crust is die for! It was buttery and light and had a great, soft texture. It is a thicker crust but tender and just a stand-alone flavor for sure. I could have done without the balsamic drizzle, but again it is a personal preference. The pizza was well received by all of us! The eggplant was good but because it doesn't come with pasta, wife ordered a side of it...what came was a bowl with pasta and the red sauce and a roll. Lots of melted cheese and was well enjoyed. The Linguini and Clams was good. Not the best I've ever had but it was good and I ate every bite! The clams were little and tender and loved having them served in the shell. It is a bit oily, had a good puddle at the bottom of the bowl. I didn't ask for it but some parm would have added to it. Our server, Chris, was great and attentive and we talked with April, the manager. She actually helped with the dessert because we ordered both the Chocolate & Peanut Butter Cake, gluten free, and a slice of the Nutella cheesecake. Both we gooey and yummy and sweet and just a delicious way to end the meal. Overall a nice experience, thanks to everyone!

What a great night to sit outside and enjoy great company and food! The heaters were in and the patio was a buzz. Very enjoyable! Our waitress was very friendly and helpful! We had the Sicilian pizza, the cheese rustic and pasta. All were delicious the pizza crust had a nice bite the rustic pizza itself did taste like it could use a bit of salt. I've never salted pizza but felt like that is what it needed. The same was said by my daughter about her pasta dish. Still a fun spot!

My husband and I grabbed dinner and loved the ambience. Great indoor/outdoor dining and the service was spot on. I ordered the chicken Paillard and my husband ordered the chicken marsala. The food came out promptly, my chicken was warm but not hot, my husbands chicken was hot. Not that my dish was made Wrong, but for me it had too much balsamic vinegar. My husbands chicken marsala was much better though it did lack some seasoning. The portions are more than ample, I feel we could have split the entree. I will go back and try the pizza!

We have tried espresso martinis all over the valley, Crust is hands down the best. I really need to know their secret! Ask for Alena!

I finally had the chance to visit Crust, the Italian restaurant in downtown Chandler that I've been wanting to try for ages, and it didn't disappoint! My friend and I arrived right as the lunch menu was ending and the happy hour menu was starting, so we got to enjoy the best of both worlds with some great deals.The calamari at Crust was absolutely incredible, hands down the best I've had from any restaurant. The margarita pizza was another standout dish, with just the right balance of flavors and a perfect crust. However, the truffle fries, while tasty, leaned more towards parmesan fries than true truffle flavor. The chicken parm sandwich was decent but didn't quite reach the same level as the other dishes we tried.We opted to sit on the patio, which was beautiful, especially with the perfect weather we had that day. Our waitress was fantastic, attentive, and friendly, and our food came out surprisingly fast despite the restaurant being busy during the transition between menus.Overall, Crust is definitely worth a visit for its delicious food, lovely ambiance, and excellent service.

The spicy garlic knots are amazing and have tried their pizzas too. Cute spot and great night ambiance when it's not 110 degrees out my husband and I like to sit on the patio.

Crust offers excellent food, deserving four stars for consistently superb experiences. We're especially fond of the Sicilian thick crust pizza, which is both filling and delightful, resembling a 'brick' in size. Despite its $28 price tag, the pizza's homemade, freshly baked quality justifies the cost. The salads are generously portioned, and the pasta dishes appear substantial, though we haven't tried them as the pizza is the main attraction here. The service is generally efficient, but it lacks promptness at times. On our last visit, we faced a noticeable delay, possibly due to a server error or kitchen issue. This inconsistency leads us to rate it four stars, as it doesn't match the seamlessness of other dining experiences. The pizza is large enough to satisfy four bread enthusiasts, but be aware that the sauce and pepperoni are on the spicier side.

Excellent service and one of my favorite calzones in the valley. Drinks refilled quickly and vibe and atmosphere was perfect. Can't wait to go back.

Just want to add some more thoughts. Chris is the best server in the restaurant industry. You must ask for Chris as he's the most friendly, helpful, and energetic server you will ever meet. Also the Chicken Francese was fantastic but also gets overwhelming at times. It was nice to also have a slice of pizza in the middle so highly recommend splitting the pasta with someone else.

I made a reservation for a bachelorette party I was organizing and that process was super easy! When we got there, the table was ready. The staff was alright, they did not come around to help us as much as I would have wanted (I drink a lot of water), but they were busy. I had the pizza with ricotta, mozzarella, and honey which was great! I liked the vibe, although I would probably try another pizza place before I went back because it's more expensive.

The food, service, and atmosphere were all excellent. The prices are extremely affordable for the high quality of all aspects that were delivered! Looking forward to coming back and trying more delicious menu items!

Great service, we did not have reservations but was able to sit at the bar. Full menu and probably best service since there were 3 bartenders and very attentive. We had a couple drinks the Meat and cheese board app along with dinner and dessert. Was a great night with great food and service. Recommend Crust for anything Italian food in the area!

Garlic knots?! Yes please. These are some of the best knots in town. I also love their pizza. Don't sleep in the warm arugula salad. It is amazing and one of my favorite salads in the area. Crust is a great spot for a date or even a casual night with family.

Great space and absolutely phenomenal pizza! Most everybody gets the toppings right but they struggle with proportions on toppings (i may be a food/pizza snob). And almost everybody struggles with consistent crust. These folks have it buttoned down on all fronts. And, service is spot on. Kudos to the owner, management team, and staff. You guys have the right culture, sevice and food product. My understanding is the pizza recipe/crust is an incredibly old family recipe. It is fabulous. The other food options were flowing in fast yet well prepared order. And, they were clearly appreciated. Great casual yet quality restaurant. If i lived here, the servers would know me by name. Its that good.

Overall great experience. Food was really good! We started w the spicy garlic knots YUM! Spicy though and this js a Gonzalez family. Then we shared the uncle Louie pizza, lobster rav, and spicy vodka pasta. My honey thought the lobster rav was a little too lobster/seafood forward. My MIL liked the spicy vodka pasta! I personally thought it could've had more flavor! Overall everything was REALLY good despite different flavor palates!

food is just okay, unfortunately service is worse. Have tried Crist a few times and based on the inconsistencies I don't think i'll be back.

Zoie provide excellent service and made our night so seamless and fun! She has amazing customer service and we will be coming back because of her, plus the food was great too!

Great food. Big portions and friendly prompt service. I would definitely come back on my carb days lol

Food was excellent!! Ambiance was very nice and comfortable. Our waitress was great. First time my hubby visited this establishment. We will be back!!

I'm stingy with my five star reviews but Crust is worth the parking chaos of a downtown Chandler visit! We've now been twice, with excellent service and food both times. The meatballs are quite possibly the best I've ever tasted, same with the garlic knots! Don't waste time on the strawberry & shrimp Caprese...it's fresh but a bit blah. Other favorites from this crew: bacon wrapped shrimp, chicken Parmesan and the spicy Rigatoni. We've yet to try the pizza so another trip is in order!

Best Margherita Pizza Ever! Crust was cooked to perfection! Chewy & crispy, not soggy at all, like some other pizzas I've had. Great price too for size of pizza! Service was quick too, so that's a huge plus. We decided to dine outside, because inside was busy. Also fyi if you sit outside the misters outside definitely mist!

Mike(server) and April(Manager) were amazing! Great service and great food! I appreciate the staff for not judging me for all the food I ate

My girlfriend and I ordered the penne alla Scottsdale and the warm arugula salad to go. The salad came with the wrong dressing and the stems of the arugula weren't cut like normal. My penne alla Scottsdale had very little sauce which made it dry. I had to add my own sauce from home to fix it. My girlfriend and I have been to the Scottsdale location numerous times and have had better experiences with the quality of food.

Both Chandler & Gilbert locations are great! We prefer Gilbert a bit more for easier access.

We went to Crust about a month ago based on a friend's recommendation and we were very pleased. Great food, wonderful service and atmosphere, and we're so glad we tried it out.

Service is always top-notch. Quality of food is amazing! Pasta Pomodoro, calzones, pizza are my favorites.

Service is great, food and drinks are great, but they play music way too loud! I go to a restaurant with people to converse, socialize and enjoy their company. If I wanted loud music, I'd go to a night club. I'm dancing and chatting, not dancing. Turn the music down and Crust is 5 stars for sure.

My first experience with Crust was amazing. The next was poor. The third they redeemed themselves The last two were consistently bad, the last being truly terrible.

We sat outside on patio. They have semi private booths with hedge that separates each booth. You can hear, but not stare at each other. Jenna S was our server. She is a 5 star server. Awesome personality on point with our drinks and food. I would probably give them 4 stars, but we did not have dinner, only appetizers which were very good on their own. We were surprised by their $6 for 6 Oz of wine. We ordered a higher end red that was very good and better savings than buying the bottle. Special only ran till 6PM, and not sure if it is a happy hour thing or a special promo This is a low key, quieter experience than the beer bars and other offering within walking distance. Was a nice change.

My friend and I came upon Crust early in the evening, we hit Happy Hour and got the last table outside. We were able to get food (frim the regular menu) for Happy Hour prices. We asked for both the salad and pizza to come out at the same time. Probably not a good choice. Though our was good, it came out cold. The sauce has a bit of sweet taste and the crust is nice and thin. We had never had a Caesar with meatballs, but it was good, two large meatballs cut in half. It could have used just a tad bit more dressing. The server was very nice. She did explain that she was still training, so any mistakes were forgiven. Overall, nice meal, great ambiance.

Yummy!!! Best lasagna around. Service is good. Nice patio and dog friendly. Other dishes I tried were also very good.

Simply delicious! My aunt and I stopped by to order takeout. We sat at the bar while we waited for the food. The bartender was very friendly and helpful. My aunt ordered a dirty martini and I an espresso martini. Both drinks were excellent. We ordered the following for dinner: Nicky's Burrata $29 Warm Arugula $13.5 The food came out fast. I was still working on my martini when it brought to us. The pizza was amazing! Nicky's burrata came is a white pizza with pesto, sausage, caramelized onions, and pickled fresnos. Great combination of flavors and the crust was soft and perfectly chewy. The warm arugula salad came with wild mushrooms, goat cheese, cannellini beans, croutons and white balsamic vinaigrette. Fantastic salad. Fun fact: their speakeasy, The Ostrich is located just downstairs!

The food was good with large portions. Really enjoyed the tortellini. Service did a great job. If I'm back in Chandlet, I will definitely dine here again.

Yes, yes, yes! I am a fan and so glad my little girl wanted fettuccine Alfredo. I'm not much for pastas, I know sad especially being Italian but I will make an exception for a nice manicotti or mom's squid and octopus spaghetti. Had a little daddy daughter date here, and from start to finish, I was pleasantly surprised. Bruschetta board was awesome, the salad that I had was phenomenal, and my all-time favorite pie would be Sicilian and they knocked it out of the park. The crust was crispy, cooked perfectly. The dough was light & airy. The toppings were spot on. I cannot wait to go back and get me another piece of this Italian dream. Hopefully, next time I can shove down a cannoli, but I was ridiculously full already.

He had the chicken Marsala and I had the chicken Parmesan they were both delicious we paired it with the Barfi Tuscan Rose. The manager April came and asked us how everything was and her interaction was genuine, oh we can't forget Taylor our waitress was very nice as well Crust Simply Italian Simply Amazing!!!

I've eaten here a few times and really enjoy their style of Italian dishes. My go to is the eggplant Parmesan. The meatballs are really tasty. Drinks are spot on. Of the handful of good Italian restaurants we have had in Chandler over the many years I've lived here, this is a good place on my list. I would take any guest here for a meal.