We were excited to try this since it's rated #1 but ended up disappointed. We got there about 5 on a Friday evening. The hostess seemed annoyed at how busy they were. We waited 30 minutes for a table, no problem. Our waitress was extremely pleasant but we almost had to yell to talk to each other at our own table. This place is LOUD. The salad was just iceberg (with the parts most people throw away)& green olives. So we waited, hoping the pizza was better. It tasted ok but the sausage had wierd things I couldn't chew & had to spit out and it was extremely greasy, like dripping with grease! I don't understand the hype, we won't return. read more

This is the place we always come while we are to celebrate or to chill. We usually order veggie combo, house wine, and meatballs- those are the best to look for. We will definitely come as many as we can before leaving the school. read more

Great local restaurant with a busy crowd. The cheese ravioli was delicious. The dish came with a homemade meatball that was truly homemade. Finishing with the chocolate cannoli is a must! The service was great even with all of the tables occupied. read more

Rocco's Restaurant - Amazing cannoli!!! - Pizza Near Me - South Bend, Indiana

Lamest Italian restaurant I have ever been to.How this place ever got known, I'll never know. Pizza is lame, spagetti came out of a box, sauce was thin and runny. Obviously a place that has city connections, as I can't see the public so dumb as to keep it afloat by its food alone.Ah, football season. # times I have gone here, and each time the food was lame. Sorry guys, but I give you a bad review. Keep your regulars. read more

Best Pizza in all of South Bend!!! I promise you!! If you've never been then your first order should be a large pepperoni pizza, an order of meatballs, with the Julia salad! That cheese bread is good too! Okay, just order all of it! Yummmmmmm! read more

As far as South Bend pizza goes, this place is pretty good. Rocco's has a super friendly atmosphere and good pizza. I'm from the east coast, but Rocco's pizza is still overall pretty good. read more

Ehh, not impressed. Good pizza but the pasta dishes taste like they were frozen then reheated.

My husband and I went here a few months back when there was only one other couple in the restaurant. This other couple must have been friends of theirs because the servers took their sweet time approaching our table. They were just standing around chit-chatting and laughing, something that irks me GREATLY in a restaurant, especially when they make us wait 10 minutes before greeting us and no one else is there, besides "friends"! We should have walked out, but not many places are open late. As for the pizza, it wasn't all that great. It reminded me of the Gino's East pizza. *puke* read more

Another poster, in an otherwise praising assessment of Rocco's, said "its nothing special, but..." or something like that... and that's Rocco's in a nutshell for me. Nothing special. Nothing remarkable. Nothing that made me ever say "I need to go back there" I've eaten there a half dozen times over a decade and I never understood why some people do backflips over this pizza. It IS okay. It is as good as Bruno's, no doubt, but that's not saying much and still only makes it about the 3rd or 4th best pizza in town. And the pasta dishes are mediocre at best. To me they taste store-bought, frozen & re-heated. I understand that South Bend is one of those towns where everyone has their favorite pizzeria. Some people love this place, some love Bruno's, etc. because that's where they went when they were in school or where their parents' took them growing up or whatever. I appreciate the loyalty but I tend to believe that this is another of those places that have a fan base for reasons other than the quality of the food & service. Rocco's story is an amazing tale... no doubt. Google it while you eat a delicious slice from one of a few other higher-quality joints. read more

I have eaten pizza many times in Italy, New York and My "sweet home Chicago" and South Bend has them ALL beat with Roccos! The pizza the is fantastic and you shouldn't come to South Bend with out eating here. The homemade sausage is outstanding. Their sausage sandwich is a six inch long crusty sub roll with the sausage patty and grilled onion and peppers or sauce and chese... Great! The Italian Hoagy Deluxeis 12" long with think sliced italian cold cuts with chese toasted in the pizza oven, then topped with lettuce, tomato, green pepper, onion and douced with vinegar and oil. I eat at Roccos about 3-4 times a month. Pasta is good but the real start is the pizza and subs. *** AND OPEN UNTIL 1AM ON THE WEEKENDS and 11PM WEEK NIGHTS!! read more

Flash! Rocco's accepts credit cards!!! A change in policy, but no change in the quality and quantity of food. The place is being operated by the second generation and the third generation is in the kitchen preparing the food in the same manner as the first did. Very, very busy place. The accept no reservations on football weekends but generally open at the beginning of the third quarter or 5:00, whichever comes first. Julia's salad (Mama) is served family style according to how many diners are partaking. Dressing is the family's Italian. Unless you really like bread, select the regular (thin) crust for your pizza. All other items on the menu are nothing short of delectable, mama made, genuine Italian family food. By the way, Rocco (who passed on recently) introduced the first pizza in South Bend. read more

This is a place for those who are nostalgic for their days at ND, or some other distant, hazy time. I've been there a couple of times -- I've even ordered carry-out: it's just terrible pizza. If you've got a crowd of former classmates who want to eat and drink together, and you're not picky about your pizza, this may work. Otherwise, I can't imagine why you'd go. read more

Small and limited menu with bland tasting food. Attentive waitstaff in surroundings that are entirely forgettable.

Visiting from out of town f little getaway This restaurant is a hidden gem! Not hard to find but in the middle of campus housing. Great customer service, food was great! Pizza crust was crisp and definitely homemade. Garlic cheese bread , marinara sauce for the bread was great! Happy family after long day ! read more

Love this place! We go here for pizza every time we are in S Bend. Pizza is great and the people here love their customers.

I like Rocco's. I lived in Italy for 3 years and still go back regularly, so I know Italian food pretty well. The pizza is the best around and would highly recommend it. In fact, besides the gnocchi (which are top-notch) it's about all I have had. They have a pretty good selection of wines, but there's no real reason to go beyond the house wines, which are all very good. I especially like this place because it stays open late (by South Bend standards) and has a friendly staff and owner. The service is great and the manager always likes to chat with his customers after a good meal. Support a family-run restaurant in South Bend and enjoy some great Italian-American food. read more

Roccos is a classic, old style, neighborhood, pizza and Italian joint, always bustling with a high energy level, that reeks of tradition, and history - connecting students, families, and locals in a casual comforting setting. The vibe is unmistakable, and captivating. Nothing gourmet, hip, or trendy. Pizza's are the highlight, and Julia's salad- a heaping bowl of lettuce, pepperoni, pepperoncinis, green Sicilian olives, tomatoes, piled high with shredded mozzarella and homemade Italian dressing - is a must have to start the meal. Rocco's is uniquely and historically part of the fabric of the Notre Dame community, - it truly is South Bend's other tradition !... Five stars - and a must visit read more

Always a favorite. Linda and Warren make me feel like I am family every time we go in. I have a hard time passing up the pizza... But, the lasagna on weekend nights is to die for. The spaghetti with aglio and olio (add mushrooms) is an amazing plate of pasta. And, the baked mastacolli just makes me happy. read more

When I lived in South Bend, IN. My friends and I would head over to Rocco's several times per month. Its usually VERY busy because its really great pizza. Its very thin and its not heavy---a very good sauce, all of this makes the perfect pizza. I've lived in Los Angeles for several years and I have yet to find anything local that is as good as Rocco's. I'd recommend going with a group, order up a large pie and maybe a bowl full of pasta and a salad to split. The business is family owned, so make sure to give your regards to the owners. read more

If you're not into fancy, but you love good pizza, head for Rocco's but get there early...and bring cash. No credit cards accepted. The pizzas are tasty with a rich sauce, fresh ingredients and the perfect crust...with a cold beer and a great tossed salad served family style...if you wish. This place shouts "Family!" and the families line up along the tables with those red plastic glasses for pop or iced tea. I go with a friend who has been going to Rocco's since college days at Ball State. We drive from Dallas (albeit not too often!). Texas has good pizza; but this ranks with the best of 'em...Campisi's in Dallas! My friend says it's the best pizza in South Bend since Guisseppe's closed...and Rocco's has more than pizza, too. read more

They have the best cheese pizza ever! (I'm not even a fan of just cheese pizza- I like lots of flavors so a supreme or at least pepperoni. However my daughter wanted to split a cheese pizza so we did.... the flavors of the sauce and cheese were amazingly flavorful! We definitely will go back when we come to visit our daughter at college! Yummy!! read more

I have been to Rocco's a few times when I fly in for ND games. If you want the full Notre Dame experience, you have to go here. The food is great, and the atmosphere is awesome. The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars is due to the long wait (over an hour) and the size of the restaurant. It's small, but that helps with the family atmosphere. read more

Best pizza in town. I'm from the East Coast and very particular about my pizza (no deep dish, please), and this place meets all of my expectations. Friendly service, excellent food. read more

This is the best pizza and pasta place in South Bend. Warm, family feel every time and the food is always fantastic. Rocco's is almost always crowded so expect a bit of a wait but it is most certainly worth it. Kind of fun ordering a 32oz bottle of beer to go along with their amazing pizza. It is very much a Notre Dame student and alumni spot especially during football season. read more

Driving through South Bend, stopped at Rocco's for a late night bite. The pizza was great...13 inch for $13. My wife had the meatballs with home made sauce. Very quaint and great food for a reasonable price. The only down side is the interior was pretty tight so large groups may have difficulty being seated comfortably. Definitely a must-try. read more

This restaurant used to be good, years ago when it was run by Rocco. Food quality has changed since then. If you want GOOD pizza there are many other places to go. read more

Who doesn't love Rocco's? There is a reason this place has stayed in business for 50+ years while dozens of other pizza places have come and gone. The pizza is excellent. But don't stop there. There other food is great. I don't think they have a menu item that hasn't stood the test of time. I wish they had more locations! read more

Rocco's is perhaps the only redeeming thing left in all of South Bend. I've been coming here religiously since seventh grade, and since that fateful day, Rocco's has been my image of The Perfect Restaurant. Come at 9 or after to avoid weekend crowds and eat with the regulars. Get a Julia's salad and dip your pizza in the amazing Italian dressing. Spaghetti and meatballs and garlic bread is also great. They give you gratis cheesecake or canoli on your birthday. Better food AND prices than rivals Sunny Italy and Bruno's. Most amazingly, they are open till 11 on weekdays and 1am on weekends, and like any quality Italian joint, are closed Sunday and Monday. You will almost certainly hear "Hound Dog," "Mambo No. 5," "If It Makes You Happy," "Genie in A Bottle," or "That's Amore" on the jukebox. Bet on it. read more

Simply the best - since 1951, a local legend. Had the spaghetti & meatballs last night, maybe a pizza tonight.

Been looking for a great home style Italian place since moving to South Bend and we found it. Jenny was great with her recommendations. The linguine with white clam sauce was what I would expect my grandmother to make. Will be back read more

Stopped in here with family before the Notre Dame Northwestern football game. Ordered the salad bowl and the pizza. Salad had way too much cheese and two little lettuce and too much dressing I did not really enjoy. The pizza was good no little different from traditional pizzas lot more sauce and a lot less cheese. Liked the basil and the freshness of it and the thin crust, but wasn't enamored. Definitely need to get here early on the weekends though as the place was absolutely packed when we were trying to leave. Good local pizzeria that definitely survives on lots of Notre Dame students who have come here through the ages. read more

Best pizza in South Bend hands down. Great atmosphere and a very nice neighborhood restaurant. Try the pizza with garlic.

Although I barely could walk when I left (because I was so full and satisfied)....it was phenomenal! The cheese tortellini was fantastic! Some of the best tortellini I've ever had (and this is coming from someone who eats a lot of tortellini)! On top of that, there was wonderful service and loved the family-owned, old-fashioned vibes. read more

Food: Basic Pizza and pasta. I tried it based on yelp review. The food was decent but not great. Atmosphere: Retro-1950's. This place is a historic establishment and has a family feel to it. Expect a wait on food as it is family run. read more

The absolute best Italian food in town, hands down! The pizza is absolutely delicious I've never found one that quite compares. We also usually get the Julia's Salad which is the perfect start for really anything you get from the menu. The staff is friendly. It is a bit small and usually busy on Friday and Saturday nights, so you might need to wait for a table for a bit for a table. Definitely worth the wait. read more

Gotta love Rocco's. The place eerily makes me think its a mafioso place with its CASH-ONLY ( read: tax evasion) policy, but then i remember I'm in south bend IN. The pizza is so freaking good. I usually load up my pizza with crushed pepper and parmesan cheese, but i never do this at rocco's, for fear of masking the true taste of the pizza. I believe South bend pizzerias have achieved the optimal cheese/sauce/bread ratio. Maybe its because its so cold there they have time to focus on what really mattes: good pizza. Warning: THIS PLACE GETS CROWDED! So prepare for a long wait (30-40 mins) before you sit down. read more

A really solid pizza joint. I would make it point to come here once a month during my MBA. Pies always come out with a nice crispy bottom and they use really fresh toppings. I lived in Chicago and love a good deep dish but this place does a normal pie really, really well. I try to eat here anytime I'm in the area for a game or for work. read more

Smells so good when you walk in the door. Yummy pizza. Why haven't I been here before? Loved the family feel of Rooco's and they didn't hurry us out the door when we were one of the last tables. My side salad was tasty, but had a bit too much dressing for my tastes. read more

Have not been here since I graduated in 1989. Always too crowded on game days. Got here on a Thursday this trip and it was great. Great sauce and perfectly browned crust on our pizza. read more

ND football weekend? This is a tradition for me. Coming from a family where my Mother is Italian, it's rare to never I will eat the nonsense people claim to be Italian. This place, however, is the real deal! Food is absolutely fantastic. read more