By Jeanni Ritchie
My mom and I were out running errands when we decided to stop by Rotolo’s for a quick lunch.
I’d stopped in once before, during my short-lived quest to write an article entitled “24 Trivia Nights in ‘24.”
(First of all, I made it through 3 trivia nights before discovering unless it was about the Friends tv show, I was not the team asset I thought I’d be. For Rotolo’s trivia night, I discovered I’d apparently managed to arrive on the wrong night altogether. Um… here’s your sign?!)
Nonetheless, I stopped this time solely to enjoy the food. And I absolutely did!
Mom ordered a slice of cheese pizza—she refuses to join me on my Sam-I-Am journey to try new things—and I had a meatball sub. It was humongous, and try as I may to eat it with my hands, I had to use my knife and fork instead. It was delicious!
We both ate the fries from my plate, dipping them both in ketchup and Lucy’s Red Gravy. Containers like this line the restaurant, bearing the names of the owners’ children and grandchildren. They didn’t just open a restaurant, they opened up their lives to their customers.
The family atmosphere continued in the camaraderie with the nearby diners—we visited with our new neighbor Jacob while we dined—and on the walls where stories about Rotolo’s success, as well as commitment to the community lined the walls.
We didn’t just have lunch—we had an experience.
Rotolo’s offers far more than traditional pizza. Their menu ranges from specialty craft pizzas and Detroit-style options to burgers, sandwiches, wraps, pasta dishes, wings, salads, and shareables. Families will appreciate the kid-friendly atmosphere, complete with a kids menu and specials like Kids Night on Mondays at participating locations.
If you’re feeling adventurous, there are unique menu creations like the Cajun Boil Pizza, featuring Cajun Alfredo sauce, shrimp, corn, garlic, mushrooms, and red onions, as well as dessert offerings like the Dubai chocolate dessert calzone. For those—ahem, Mom—who prefer the classics, you’ll find plenty of familiar favorites too.
Sometimes the best meals aren’t just about what’s on the plate. They’re about the people around the table and the stories hanging on the walls.
Rotolo’s Craft & Crust is located at 112 Versailles Boulevard, Suite A in Alexandria. The restaurant is open Sunday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
