Saturday, October 28, 2006

CiCi's Pizza

There was an ad on cable television for this chain of restaurants. I quickly hit the Internet to find out where they were and discovered that this is a chain of over 600 restaurants primarily in the Southeastern United States. Looking on their locator map they are as far north in the east as Pennsylvania, and recently a restaurant opened in Chicago. Sadly, there is none near me, though there are several in areas that I travel through. I have not reviewed a restaurant that I have not eaten at, but I am going to tell you about what I have learned about this chain - and perhaps there is someone out there who has eaten at CiCi's Pizza who can post a comment and tell us all how it is.

Cici's Pizza is a pizza and pasta buffet. It is one of the cheapest buffet meals that I am aware of. The entire meal including pizza, pasta, salad, dessert, and soda is just $4.49. This seems to be the only price - lunch or dinner. There is no mention of a children's price. This is all you care to eat and there is a lot of variety.

They claim to have 16 different types of pizzas and "tons" of toppings. I am not sure what this means, but the implication is that you can add toppings to the pizzas that are on the buffet. The pizza's on the buffet are 12 inch pies cut into ten slices - it is all you want so the size does not really matter. There is pasta with two types of sauce - either marinara or alfredo. The claim is that the salad bar is "expansive". Desserts include chocolate and apple desserts and cinnamon rolls.

There are also take out pizzas which are larger, 15 inch pies. There is also dessert to go.

A pizza buffet is an interesting concept. Pizza Hut does a lunch buffet. It is not this cheap. The chain started in Texas in 1985, so the restaurant is long established. There are peel and win contests that make the price even cheaper and the website has a game page on which you play the games to win coupons and free meals. I would love to see one of these restaurants. If anyone has been to one please tell us about it!

There is a website which is posted at the side of the page. The website will tell you where the nearest restaurant is to you.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

There is on in Severna Park, MD and one in Rockville/Bethesda.

They are pretty good. But the main benefit is that they are cheap. I am not a pizza fan, but the variety is nice.

Anonymous said...

There are two in Fredericksburg VA. They are delicious. If you want a whole pizza, or a pizza with different topppings than what they offer - they make one for you. The desserts are pizza crust turned sweet (either covered in cinnamin or chocolate). The price is great. The pasta is good. The salad bar doesn't have much beyond the typical lettuce, tomatoes, carrots - but it's free with the meal so there aren't any complaints! The pizza is really good. And, it's cheap!

Anonymous said...

I wish there was a Cici's in The New York Region.

Writer said...

Me too. New Cici's article coming soon!

Anonymous said...

The buffet price does not include the drink for adults. Children 4-12 includes the drink. 3 and under are free, but you must purchase a drink for them. It's very family friendly and most include a small arcade and television with kid friendly programming with plenty of high chairs and booster seats. We have about 20 items in the salad bar. If you don't feel like taking the kids out, you can get a large one topping carryout for $4.99 (add a dollar for each additional topping). The pizza is not exceptional, but has a pretty tasty sauce and they don't skimp on the cheese. I definintely recommend for the price.

Anonymous said...

One advantage that CiCi's has over other pizza restaurants is that the crust is made fresh daily. Other places like Pizza Hut use frozen dough disks. And the employees are always very friendly and helpful. If you want more info, you can always visit the website: www.cicispizza.com

Anonymous said...

im a manager at cicis's pizza, the drink is an extra dollar and kids are 2.99 and 99 cent for the drink

and we can make any pizza you want made if you dont find one you like, and we even will make them from ingredients you bring from home if you dont think we have what you want

nglauer said...

I happened to stumble across this page recently and I wanted to share my feedback about CiCi's Pizza. I have been a General Manager with the Chain for over 3 years and absolutely love everything about our concept. At my store we play alternative Christian music for our patrons, and offer all the above mentioned foods. I try to speak for all of our stores by saying that we believe in a level of service that is unrivaled in our type of market. We make everything fresh daily, and do anything we can to provide excellent food at an insanely great price. We have moved our pricing some over the years, but we still offer the greatest value of any chain i've ever had the pleasure to eat at. If anyone is in the Marietta Ohio area stop by. We would love to have you as a guest and share the CiCi's experience with you. Given the chance I'm sure you'll be a CiCi's believer.

Anonymous said...

I have worked for CiCi's Pizza for the past 2 and a half years. I never want to leave. The managers and owners are amazing. Very friendly and helpful to the guests. We strive on being the best and appreciate smiling faces walking through the door. Even when we are slow we rotate the pizza selection and make sure the pizzas are fresh. I love all the guests that come through and look forward to seeing them. This job by far is the best I have ever had.

Anonymous said...

I just dined at the CiCi's Pizza in Wheaton, IL. WOW. It was fantastic! I travel quite a bit and will always seek out CiCi's. THEY ROCK!

Anonymous said...

Family enviroment .... I was at the cookeville tn store and I seen the manger named ben and some empolyee kissing outside I do not know if that is your idea of a family enviroment. but I did not think that mangers could date or see empolyees

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Family enviroment .... I was at the cookeville tn store and I seen the manger named ben and some empolyee kissing outside I do not know if that is your idea of a family enviroment. but I did not think that mangers could date or see empolyees

10:05 PM, February 06, 2008
Sounds like "anonymous" has an issue. Or they would leave their name.

Carol Frome said...

I've eaten at Cici's on Blackstock Road near Spartanburg SC. My one criticism is that it looks swhabby. Needs new ceiling tiles and a general sprucing up. That said, it gets a thumbs up from me, anyway. And I'm picky.

Cici's has the only pizza in the area, as far as I'm concerned. The selection is very good, and it's true that they'll make you something that isn't out on the board already. Most important, it tastes good! The crust is good, and so is the sauce.

Service: I'm impressed. I came in looking puzzled, I know, because I had never before been there. The person at the front register greeted me and asked me if this was my first time at Cici's.

I said yes, and she showed me how to proceed. I didn't care about the extra dollar for the soda because I always order water, anyway. But here's the part that really impressed me: as I was looking over the buffet, I noticed that the same woman quietly pulled one of the workers aside for a moment. I could just make out her saying something about that woman (me)being new. She was making sure my questions were answered and that I got what I wanted. That's good service. I went back again, and will continue to go there. Do need to spruce the place up, though!

Anonymous said...

Cici's is amazing! It is cheap but the drinks are a rip off in comparison with the price of the buffet. The one that I go to has 2 different salads, and lots of pizzas. The best pizza is the MACARONI PIZZA! That is the main reason I go. The desserts are good, too. The brownies, apple pizza, and cinnamon rolls are spectacular. Basically if you haven't been there--you don't know what you're missing. And it's a bargain for your buck! :D

Writer said...

Cici's has now moved as far north as Pennsylvania. Keep reading for a new Cici's article coming soon!

Anonymous said...

I wish they would open some locations in Southern California, but I understand that costs are too high here to support the concept and remain profitable. I wouldn't have a problem with them charging as much as $5.99 for the same menu.

Anonymous said...

I've gone to CC's with my four children for years, and it is our favorite eat out. The only compaint I have is how much I overeat there. It's a huge meal for so little...cheaper than I could do at home almost. I enjoy the salads and the pizza and if you're a water drinker you save even more, but the softdrinks and tea are unlimited buffet too, so drinks are also a bargain. Great Service

Anonymous said...

Ci Ci's is great but the price point brings out the cheapest of the cheap. I mean these people are so cheap they share on their drinks so they can save, and the buffet is only 4.99.

Writer said...

One probably could not get away with sharing drinks in any other buffet, but the set up of Cici's is such that people could get away with it. It should not be done, but with the economy as it is, people are trying to save even a dollar or two.

Anonymous said...

That is true Robert, however the theft is part of what will drive up the price.

Writer said...

You are absolutely correct.

Not at CiCi's -
More and more I am seeing people at buffets wrapping food up and taking it out. Unfortunately the employees are not so vigilant as to catch it.

One guy was so bold he wrapped the equivalent of an entire fried chicken up in napkins and carried it out. This is stealing and many buffets will deal with it that way and call the police if the perpetrator will not pay for another meal.

Anonymous said...

Yes, even at CiCi's. People steal everyday, they lie about the age of their children, they sneek in without paying, they say they are not hungry or just ate so they don't purchase a buffet then they eat like a stuck pig. They share buffets and drinks, and yes they fill their purses and bags of pizza to take out. They fill their clear water glasses with soda, then claim they could not "find" the water! It effects the price, it is driving it up. We all have to pay when others are dishonest. And the low price of CiCi's Pizza seems to bring out some of the worst.

Anonymous said...

Well I live in Philadelphia, and we see commercials all day long for CiCi's but the closest on is in Lancaster and that's about a 1.5 hour drive!
I don't get it all these restaurants advertise all this good looking food and its no where near....example: Sonic!
I just hope they open one up soon!

Writer said...

There is a newly opened Cici's a little bit closer to you living in Philadelphia. It is just outside of (and slightly east of) Allentown.

Cici's has been advertising for several years in areas that they have no stores in, i.e. NY. They have been gradually moving north and east since those ads have appeared.