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Without Papers Pizza
Category: Restaurants Pizza Pizza
1216 9th Aveune SoutheastUpstairs
Calgary, AB T2G 0T1
(403) 457-1154
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 11 pm
Sun 4 pm - 9 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
35 reviews for Without Papers Pizza
Review Highlights
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"The Baby Doll pizza was absolutely amazing, and not too..." In 3 reviews -
"...bar we ordered the house marinated olives and a bottle of..." In 2 reviews -
"Great place to try if you're stopping by Inglewood." In 8 reviews
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35 reviews in English
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Review from Janna L.
5/5/2012
Had heard of this place, good things but had never been until tonight!
We were not really in the mood for pizza (weird I know!) but we had to cross this place off our list of eateries and we were in Inglewood so.. up the stairs we went. I think we got the last table for 2. The place was packed. And loud. Not a great first date place esp. with the Red Hot Chili Peppers blaring, concert show on the wall. I was told that in the daytime, the restaurant plays movies on the wall without sound and at night, they play live concert footage.
Observations:
This place is HOT, oven-like.
The place is dark and has a cozy feel to it and it you ever had a hair in your food, it is so dim in here you would likely never notice it. (k, ew)
The place was packed full of 30 somethings, great crowd, fantastic buzz. Not a kid in sight.
GREAT service despite the fact that the place is very busy.
Super location in Inglewood.
Beer or wine ONLY. No mixed drinks here. Pretty straight forward place.
The bathrooms were clean and I have never before seen unisex bathrooms with a bowl of tampons for the taking!
TIP - if you are very hungry, order a salad or other appy. It took an hour for our 2 pizzas to come out as my hubby noted there was only 1 pizza oven and we had to wait in line. I could not see from my angle so not sure about that and we did not ask. I love that the pizzas are made to order and you can watch the guys throw the pizza dough in the air, open kitchen concept.
Ordered: The Hawaiian 5-0 and the Garden (veggie).
Quite satisfied with our food, be prepared to pay $17-22 dollars for a pizza. The people next to us were smart. They split a salad that looked so fresh and deelish and then they shared a pizza. I guess we wanted to try 2 different flavours, excited to try this place out.
It is intimate though, you will hear the people's convo next to you as there is no low talking here - one must be heard over the tunes blaring.
I ordered the tomato sauce to dip my pizza in, it tasted sour, maybe I am used to sweeter sauces. I wish they had had hot sauce to offer, fresh ground pepper or even cheese to grate on top of the pizzas.
Just under $80 for 2 people with 2 pizzas and 2 drinks each. NOT a cheap place to eat but would come back in a heartbeat. Perhaps for lunch next time. -
Review from Jenn D.
5/16/2012 2 Check-ins Here
When I was first introduced to this place, I was blown away. I thought it was just sooo adorable. The pizza I had on the first night was really great, the server was awesome, and I loved the black and white movies on the walls!
I rounded up all my girls to come back on Friday night to share my new found hideaway and I have to say, we were all disapointed. Ther server just seemed annoyed with us the entire night. We had a bottle of wine, a few appy's, and 3 pizzas (amoung 4 girls), so I'm not sure why she was giving us so much attitude. Our pizzas were pretty sloppy this time around and I was send home leaving like a dog with its tail between its legs.
I did recommend this place to a coworker even still a few weeks ago and she came back with the same negative feedback, so unfortunately, I can't give this place my best review, even though I really want to.
What bothers me the most is the kids at this place. On a Friday night, it almost felt like we were dinning at a day care. Not my style. If I wanted kids and pizza, I'd go to Famoso. For upscale pizza and wine, I'll stick with UNA! -
Review from Kelly Z.
4/27/2012
"It's worth the wait," a woman next to me at the bar said. I wasn't sure if she was talking to me or more saying that to herself to ease her hungry stomach.
We did wait a while (about 40 minutes) for a table on a busy Saturday afternoon (no reservations here, lunchtime groups are the exception) but it WAS worth it. Perhaps our wait was eased by a free sampler Baby Doll pizza at the bar, but I really do think WOP Pizza is great.
Starting with an order of meatballs, our group was not amazed by them. They were a little dense and had not been simmered in the sauce they were served in, so were even a little dry, and not juicy or flavourful. I'd give these a pass next time.
The pizzas came out a little while after, but not before we downed a few Grizzly Paw soda floats that were creamy and well balanced. We drank these while talking and watching classic rock concerts projected onto the walls. I'd recommend the classic root beer or an orange for a creamsicle vibe while you watch Jagger and Bowie do their thing.
Three pizzas for four very hungry adults sated us and then some. We all had personal favourites, with the winner for weirdest, yet still delicious going to the jalapeno and "grilled" pineapple (grilled seems to mean canned?) laden Hawaiian 5-0. Crowd pleaser was the spicy Hutch (named after or by a girl who worked at sister restaurant Sugo, apparently) and Picci pulling up the rear as the classic.
Service was friendly, if a bit disjointed at times. Our dipping sauce came out several minutes before the pizzas did, and had cooled by the time the pies hit the table. But the server saw the mistake one of her coworkers had made and replaced it right away.
So how different can a new pizza joint be? Turns out not THAT different, but it's the attention to detail that keeps the place full. And in Without Papers' case, it's consistently delicious crust, fresh toppings and friendly service at a good price point.
Advice to those dining - pay your bill and move on so we can all enjoy the awesome pizzas at this joint! -
Review from Stacy A.
4/19/2012
Without Papers is a casual pizza place in Inglewood. I found it a bit tricky to find, because it doesn't have a big flashy storefront or sign. Instead, you'll find their logo above a set of stairs leading up to the second floor restaurant.
We sat by the window, so it was fun to look down on the Inglewood street vibe while enjoying our pizza. The restaurant is much larger than Una, and as a result there are many more tables. On a weeknight, we found it very easy to get a table immediately. I've heard that the lunch rush can be quite busy, but they are now accepting lunch reso's to make it a bit easier.
We ordered the Prosecutor, and the Hog Wild. Both were awesome, and I particularly enjoyed the crust. The crust is thin and crunchy in the center, yet still has a thicker rim with a bit of a bite. Delicious! My only minor complaint would be that the arugula on the Prosecutor was cooked, and I was expecting it to be added after cooking, which I think would have added a nice fresh touch. But really? That's pretty minor - and a personal preference!
We had great service. It will be interesting to see if they can make their service more consistent, because I see that some other reviewers have docked a star or two due to sub-par service. Based on my experience, I will be back for sure. -
Review from Tze T.
4/27/2012
I would like to open with the fact that I am not a pizza person. Pizza is never my first choice of food to have for any meal. So when Without Papers opened in the space which Nectar Deserts used to be in, I was slightly curious but didn't really have any interest in visiting it.
For those who are not part of the Twittersphere, Without Papers has a deal every Monday to Thursday where their pizzas are half price between 9pm and 10pm (dine-in only). Considering I find the prices here a little steep, I thought that would be a great time to try the place if I ever did. Finally after months of 'it's kinda late now and I want to go to bed soon', the timing was finally right for my partner and I to meet with Without Papers.
My first impression was that the place was largely unchanged from it's Nectar days. We were seated at the exact same table that we sat at our exclusive visit to Nectar before it shut it's doors. There are two projectors showing videos on both side walls (a RHCP concert while we were there). It was mildly lit which sets a pretty good atmosphere for a romantic evening (although candles on the table would have added to that).
I got a Parma and my partner got a Hog Wild. The pizza's were a good size (too big for me to finish), thin crust and mine was delicious! The tomato sauce with the prosciutto and arugula was really awesome. The best part for me was the crust. I usually leave the crust but this was tasty and crunchy, not too bready and really yummy. I didn't enjoy my partner's Hog Wild as much as it was quite greasy but he enjoyed it. I finished my meal with a decaf coffee which hit the spot and was really smooth. We had the leftover pizza a day after and it was still delicious although the crust was obviously less crunchy.
Truthfully we will not visit this place and pay full price but if you are okay with the price point and looking for a delicious amazing pizza place to go to I highly recommend Without Papers. As a non-pizza person, I am really happy that I tried it....and it might just be my favourite pizza place in Calgary. :) -
Review from Clara A.
2/28/2012
The only reason for me giving this place three stars is because I'm not this high end. I'm a simple person who likes simple food, therefore give me your average Hawaiian or meat lovers pizza from whatever low end pizza place and I'm happy. I wouldn't say the pizza was bad per say, I guess I'm just too used to having my pizza loaded with your usual toppings.
So location: pretty decent, parking can be a bit difficult and you might have to pay but not bad all around, and they have a sign right above the stairs that leads to the place so at least you won't walk into the wrong store.
Setting: The area is pretty cramped. I would say this is a place that's for a party between 2-4, if you are with more friends then I wish you luck trying to find two tables together, otherwise sit at the booth that's by the kitchen (which is open so entertain yourself watching dough fly int the air) or around the stair bannister. The general vibe to the place is cool, low lighting, a video player where they silently play movies or live music, and I've got to give them huge props for playing Queen when we walked in.
Pizza: It's all the same size, which I believe is a small. Like I said, the pizza isn't my style, but I do give them 5 stars for uniqueness. -
Review from Kenny M.
Wow! I have been to some pizza places in my day let tell you! We all have haven't we??.... But without papers in one of the best pizza places I have ever been to in my 28 years on this planet! Our meal was literally perfect, not one small squabble or defect in the food. Perfect, it's a rare thing to find let me tell you!
I came here with here with my good pal and fellow yelper Andy D who is a true pizza connoisseur and boy oh boy were we ever pleased!
We started with the shaved fennel salad, it had procuitto and also cooked pear a little cheese. It was perfect , super high quality and very fresh and well presented. It was perfectly dressed, everything on the plate was delicious. Then on to the main event....
We ordered three pizzas, the margarita the shroom pizza and hog wild! Welcome to flavour city! All three pizza were so on point. They really go the extra mile and I can tell that whoever came up with their menu is some kind of food alchemist! the seasoning on every pizza was so perfect it was uncanny! The Hog wild pizza was the winner overall though! And get this it has broccoli rabb on it which makes it even better!!
These guys REALLY know what they are doing and I will be back let me tell you!! A must try restaurant in Calgary for sure!!! WOP come check it out!! -
Review from Kate B.
1/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
Stopped in here for dinner with a friend during the week. We both loved the atmosphere of this resto - the windows that face out onto the street are gorgeous.
Our server was really nice and got us a table right away. We ordered a few glasses of wine and also had the margherita pizza to share. The wine was lovely and the pizza was quite nice as well. We both really liked the crust, and it was thin but sturdy enough not to flop when I picked up a slice. I had a bit of an issue with the pizza in that it wasn't seasoned properly. Both myself and my friend mentioned this - we could have used a little salt.
We also had a chocolate cake with chocolate cream cheese icing to finish off the meal. I really like that this wasn't super sweet. It wasn't anything to rave about but it was decent.
The things I like the most about this place are the space and the atmosphere. I would like to come back here for a few drinks and maybe some apps with friends. The movies are a unique touch..and if nothing else gave us something to talk about. This could come in handy on a first date if you ran out of stuff to talk about - just sayin.Listed in: The Pizza Tapes
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Review from Joel K.
12/9/2011
I never really expected to eat a great meal at a restaurant named after a racial slur. Luckily I had no idea what "Without Papers" stood for and thus my expectations were not biased when I dropped by this little pizza place yesterday night.
But first - let me say that I am seriously impressed by how well the city has revitalized the Inglewood area. It used to be a place I wouldn't ever set foot after dark, but now it's quite, to use a word that makes me feel like a 50 year old woman, "quaint". Well done, Calgary.
I climbed the stairs with lady in tow and we were greeted at the top with a man who had a radiant face that shone like a kiebler elf. He quickly got us hooked up with a table and we had no sooner sat down than a waitress stopped by to see if she could get us some drinks.
So far, so good. They didn't have the Maple Cream Granville that I had my heart set on, but I opted for a Pumphouse Blueberry Ale instead. Drinks are a touch expensive here ($6 for the pumphouse, a shocking $15 for a Rogue Dead Guy Ale) - but they come cold and the selection is eclectic.
My lady friend and I ordered the Hutch and the Hawaiian 5-0. They came hot, fresh, perfect crusts and a great amount of toppings. Thoroughly enjoyable. The Hawaiian 5-0 was a favorite with roast pineapples, jalapenos, ham and cheese.
It's a bit like me - sort of sweet, but with a spicy edge. I like a pizza I can relate to.
As we both repeated our "bite-chew-sweat-dab" eating routine, I immediately was reminded of competitor Famosa. On the whole, I've got to say that I like Without Papers just a little bit more - but I've had strong experiences at both.
While we were there they played old Christmas specials, The Life Aquatic and the beginning of the hockey game on their wall projectors. I appreciated the variety - catering simultaneously to hipsters, sports fans and seniors.
My experience here was A+ and I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for a new place to try.Listed in: Date Nights that Don't Suck
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Review from Starsia E.
Calgary, AB
I was looking for a new place to order pizza from and found this place on yelp. They don't deliver on Sundays so keep that in mind when deciding about your dinner. The restaurant is owned by the same people who own Sugo but it's more of a casual environment.
The atmosphere is warm, open, lively and friendly. The kitchen is open so that you can watch your food as it is prepared. The kitchen staff all seem very dedicated to their jobs. They have a wine list and make floats for the non alcoholics in your crowd. They use grizzly paw soda to make the floats which is made in Canmore. The beer list is very original with beers like Crabbies Ginger Beer and Rogue Dead Guy Ale. I noticed on their menu they have a dessert section which includes a banana split and a homemade chocolate cake. When was the last time you had a banana split? I watched while I waited as they made the poached pear dessert pizza and it looked amazing.
When I arrived to pick up my order it was about to come out of the oven, which is perfect for me because it was hot and fresh. I had a question about my pizza and the waitress wasn't sure but one of the cooks heard me asking and answered my question with ease. The place was maybe not quite half full. I'd say that's pretty good for 8pm Sunday night.
The manager/owner? noticed I was waiting to pay and helped me out. I had a interesting conversation with him about restaurants and how owners feel about yelp. He was a honest and open person about the subject which I appreciate.
The food was pretty good. Colin's pizza 'Hutch' was spicy and he said his crust was nice ( he's not great with words).
I had the 'Prosecutor' with some dipping tomato sauce. I loved the flavors. My crust was a perfect amount of crispy and browned. We shared the meatball appy which was not bad but not super either. They were a little bland and tasted like any other meatball. They were however nice, soft and not over cooked.
In general I would say this restaurant is worth going to on a regular basis. I can't wait to try some more of the pizzas. -
Review from Brad C.
I've been wanting to get out to Without Papers for a long time now, and finally made it there last night. My initial reaction was "Wow!" When I left, I thought "Wow!"
Without Papers (or "WOP") occupies the upper floor of a unit along 9 Avenue SE in Calgary's historic Inglewood neighbourhood, just east of the Hose and Hound, and west of the Ironwood Cafe. Being a pizzaria on the upper floor, it is rather warm. This is particularly noticeable when the weather outside is cool, as it has been lately. It also makes it quite enjoyable to go back downstairs afterwards into the nice, cool air.
The restaurant itself is an open concept, including the kitchen. I was dining alone, so chose to sit at the bar where I could watch all the action in the kitchen. Bar-style seating is also available around the stair well, while group seating is available around the perimeter of the room. The music is not so loud that you would have to shout at your friends, colleagues, or family. One very nice touch is the absence of televisions! Instead, old black-and-white films are projected onto each of two large walls, above the heads of dining patrons. (I got the impression, though, that Flames games are shown when televised. I'm not surprised at this, but it is a bit of a turn-off for me personally.)
The menu is rather simple, with some very tasty options available. I opted for the Hutch, which is a variety of spicy Italian sausage, and enjoyed every single bite. As I was eating and watching the kitchen action, I got a few laughs as the pie maker punched some holes in the dough. I also learned a bit about making a good pizza dough.
Overall I am very impressed with this place. Friendly, prompt service, friendly (and attractive) kitchen staff, and delicious food make for a great experience. No TV, appropriate music levels, and a nice, comfortable atmosphere makes it a fantastic experience. Nice work, guys! -
Review from Erin S.
11/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
I dream of pizza - particularly their mushroom pizza!
Seriously! I know that mushroom pizza does not sound exciting. In fact, it took me a couple of visits before I opted for it. Now, it is all I ever want there! (Even though I adore several of their pies.) It is really that good. Flavourful to say the least - not necessarily what you would expect from a pile of mushrooms.
The service is always prompt & quick, but I have never felt rushed. It is fun to hang out for a bit and watch whatever it is they are projecting on the wall at that time. The open kitchen also allows for plenty of visual fulfillment as well.
The space is cozy (despite the high ceilings!) I think it's the narrow staircase up that sets the tone. Check out the pizza oven in the open kitchen. It's pretty cool. -
Review from Carrie P.
WOP, is a racial slur for Italo-Canadians, which is a short form for Without Papers.
Italo-Canadians use the word 'wop' among themselves as a playful putdown. They are a bit edgy about non-Italians employing the term, as it is generally held to be a racist slur. Here's another opinion and controversy around this slang. Source: http://www.billcasselm...
I went to Without Papers Pizza in Inglewood last night, and of course, had to ask why a pizza place was called Without Papers. Well. I got my answer. In case any of you were wondering, that was the answer I received.
I met my friend Heather there at 5:30 on a Tuesday night and it was quite busy. We were able to get a seat, but by 6:00 p.m. it was packed.
We ordered the warm olives as an appetizer, and they were fantastic! I am a huge olive fan to begin with, so a mixed tray of olives made my heart sing. This was admittedly the first time I had olives warm, and my opinion is that it is a very nice touch.
For dinner, Heather and I each got a beet salad, with arugula and goat cheese. I liked the flavor of the beet salad, but I honestly found it a bit salty. Heather, who LOVES salt, found it perfect!
The pizza we chose was the Baby Doll, which is Roasted free-range chicken, eggplant, artichoke hearts, cherry tomatoes, goat cheese and tomato sauce. Since we chose such a low fat option, plus a gluten free crust, it wasn't the yummiest pizza I ever ate. However, it was really good, considering there was no mozza and no gluten. The crust was extremely thin, and almost crispy, and the toppings were all healthy, yummy options. I was admittedly getting a bit of plate envy from the folks on either side of me, ordering a cheezier option. When I hit my weight loss goal, I may need to come back and celebrate!
What impressed me about this restaurant was the vibe. It has that hip, trendy feel, and I am also thankful that I went to a pizza place and did not have to resort to salad due to my diet restrictions. I was able to participate with a healthier option and not feel like I was totally cheating myself. -
Review from Jenna S.
Balzac, AB
9/21/2011
We walked into Without Papers and were directed to sit wherever there was space. It took a little while for the waitress to come ask us what we wanted to drink. That was fine.
But we had a question about the menu, because my companion is gluten free and dairy free. The waitress never came back for our order, she just passed by and said she had ordered the pizza we had questions about? Um... thanks? But we need it gluten free. And we want something more to eat. I then ordered the Margarita pizza.
The food was tasty, but our waitress forgot to bring cheese to our table. She brought the bill before we were done. They kept interrupting us to ask if we were done. Um...No! It wasn't like there were people waiting for tables on a Tuesday night. Then she kept coming by with the credit card machine. What the hell woman??
I think she either sensed we were annoyed or our joking about wanting something more led her to bring us free liquor. Fine, but UNA and Double Zero are both better. -
Review from Adrian B.
Calgary, AB
8/22/2011
The food was good and reasonably priced. The fact that they offer a reasonably priced corkage option of $15 per bottle is a draw. The main issue here is with the service. We had great engagement from the server initially and then things began to fall apart. We selected The Hutch pizza which is chock full of spicy italian meats so having a glass of cold water would have been huge.
Also, we sat beside a window and had the window shade pulled down a bit. this was not due to the light but from the intense heat / greenhouse effect. Well, one of the wait staff decided that she was in charge and without asking, pulled the blinds right up. We viewed that as quite rude and someone with a bit of decency would have asked if that was ok. Bathrooms were small and one was out of order causing a queue.
I prefer the pizza crust at Pulcinella and Double 00 more and would probably choose one of those before revisiting Without Papers. That being said, it does have a ton of potential and if they are able to address their service issues, they will be in business for a long time. -
Review from Jennifer B.
Calgary, AB
3/19/2012
A few girlfriends and I decided on a last-minute meal at this pizza place on Saturday night. It was busy when we got there, but we were greeted promptly by a server who quickly cleared a table for us. We didn't have a reservation(I don't think they accept them anyways), so it was nice that we were seated right away. We ordered a salad, the cheese and meat plate appetizer, and a mushroom pizza to share. The meal started off a bit rocky due to one of us finding a stray piece of plastic in our salad. Our waitress was quick to apologize and brought us a new salad which she took off the final bill at the end of the night as well, even though we never asked her to. The cheese and assorted meat plate was the perfect size and the bread and spread that accompanied it was delicious. I was really impressed with th quality of the items on the plate. Finally, our pizza was fantastic! A perfect crust with great toppings made this pizza worthwhile. If you love mushrooms as much as I do, you won't be disappointed. Overall, the meal was great and made better by the service we received. The only thing I didn't really like were the strange video clips that were projected on the walls during our meal. They seemed to be really out of place and distracted us from our nice meal. Some of the clips took away from the nice ambiance of the place, but maybe I just didn't understand them. I would definitely recommend this place to my friends in the future.
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Review from CHERIE C.
Toronto, ON
2/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Super yummy pizza - definitely the best in the city! I was recently gone from Calgary for 6 months and literally dreamed about their Margherita pizza. I've been back 4 weeks and have already eaten it 3 times ....ok, ok, so I have a slight addiction ....!
Try it and you'll see what I mean. The wood oven thin crust, topped with rich, hearty tomato sauce, underneath the just enough, but not a flat blanket of mozzarella cheese, and my fave part: the plentiful, fresh basil that is the crowning glory. I'd write more, but I gotta go get me my #4!!! -
Review from laura r.
7/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
OMG, I was just re-reading the menu to prepare my review and I noticed they have free local delivery! Love this place even more!!! Delivery from Without Papers would be perfect for a night where you want yummy pizza but don't want to leave the couch :)
It has been a while since I've been to UNA, so I can't put together a good comparison, but I think Without Papers is as good as it gets! I am a big fan of the thin crust napoletana style pizzas. I'm not sure if WP is certified authentic napoletana, but frankly, I don't care. I like the variety of pizza toppings, lots of wine selection, and they serve grizzly paw sodas!
I went with three friends on a Saturday evening. We showed up around 6:30 and had to wait about 20 minutes for a 4 person table. No biggie, we were seated at the bar while we waited. From the bar we ordered the house marinated olives and a bottle of wine. Olives were a great snack. They are served warm, and there were 4 or 5 different types of olives and some pickled garlic. Once we sat down, I split the Parma pizza with a friend. It had prosciutto, parmesan, arugula, bocconcini and tomato sauce. It was amazing.
My only regret was eating a snack before going to the restaurant. I would have loved to try more pizzas. Next time I'm going to try the Hawaiian 5-0 pizza. Jalapeños? Bring it on!! I might even treat myself to a Grizzly Paw ice cream float! -
Review from Robyn B.
Calgary, AB
8/3/2011 6 Check-ins Here
Without Papers is a welcome addition to the Napoli-style pizza purveyors in YYC. In fact, I think it's easily the best in town.
Not unlike it's (under-rated!) relative restaurant, Sugo, Without Papers has excellent quality food, a sophisticated yet casual atmosphere, and a refreshing lack of pretentions.
The Hutch pizza is my favourite. There's a review here that calls it bland, but I would suggest people try it for themselves. It's probably their spiciest pizza so if you consider it bland, let me know and I'll have to turn in my spice-tolerating credentials. Does bland mean awesome now? I don't understand.
WOP has been consistently full on weekends since opening, but the turnover is quick so you shouldn't have to wait long. They typically have take-out orders ready in 15-20 minutes.
They have great pizza, beer/wine, and consistently friendly servers. I hope it stays in the neighbourhood for a long, long time. -
Review from Sarah T.
8/2/2011
The first time i went, the food was very good. My gf and I shared a Baby Doll pizza, and two appetizers; the warmed olives and the pear/fennel salad. The olives were a great mix of flavours, and the salad was fine as well. The Baby Doll pizza was absolutely amazing, and not too heavy. The crust, to me, is slightly chewy, which I prefer, and not too thick.
The second time I went, we did the same, shared a Hutch pizza - very bland, and the crust was burned on half of the pizza. We shared the pork and beef meatballs. When the server came out she remarked 'lucky you, extra meatballs', but when we tasted them they were just ones that had been leftovers or didn't turn out well, because i found them dry and not very flavourful. The bococcini and tomatoe salad was SO SMALL. I mean like one bite each - and we were charged $12. That was very disappointing, as the one bite each we got was tasty..
Now, on to the service. Both times I entered the restaurant, my friends and I were greeted in a friendly manner, and asked if we wanted drinks while we waited. So far so good...then we get to the table...
Both times I have had the same server. She was one of the rudest I have had in a long time. So much so that the girls eating next to us - the second time I went - asked us if we noticed that the server was as awful to us as she was to them. In fact, she said under her breath when the server left, 'excuse me for trying to eat at your restaurant and trying to drink teh alcohol on your menu' (This lady tried to order 4 types of liquor and was told each time they were out). We all discussed how she was abrupt, in a rush and never came back to check on us. I don't know what her problem is, but she should not be in customer service.
I think I'll be going to Double Zero then back to Una first before I even consider this place again. -
Review from Merry K.
I have been wanting to visit Without Papers for a while and today at lunch I finally got the chance. We sat at a bright and sunny table right by the window. This is a GREAT place for people watching!
Since there were two of us we decided to get two different pizzas and share. We got the Baby Doll Pizza (roasted chicken, goat cheese, artichoke hearts, eggplant & tomatoes) and the Hawaiian 5-0 (ham, grilled pineapple & jalapenos). I much preferred the baby doll pizza. The goat cheese made it amazing. I will definitely get it again. The Hawaiian 5-0 was good but a bit underdone.
Without Papers features Grizzly Paw sodas from Canmore. We had a float which made the visit even better! -
Review from Erik F.
Calgary, AB
4/11/2011
To get straight to the point, I think this is the best pizza in Calgary. I'm a fan of Una, Il Centro, Nick's, Famoso, Pulcinella and Hop in Brew. Without Papers does many of the things those places do well, and also excels in areas where other places miss the mark.
Everything about this place was great. It's on the second floor of a building in Inglewood and a seat by the window provides a nice view of street below. The atmosphere inside was very cool. It almost has a speakeasy feel to it. There are high ceilings, exposed brick and silent movies playing on two walls. The staff was very attentive and helpful. Our server recommended items to try on this and future visits and she even brought samples of wines we wanted to try, without charge and without us even asking for it.
We started out with beef and pork meatballs and a salad with romaine, wild boar pancetta, candied pecans and gorgonzola dressing. They were both very good. The meatballs were flavorful and tender and came with red sauce and shaved parmesan. We ordered The Replacement pizza: Prosciutto cotta, mozzarella, fresh basil, tomato sauce. It was fantastic. The sauce immediately jumped out as a star. The ingredients were perfectly balanced and the crust was thin and crispy. The table next to us tried a few other pies and they all looked great.
It's only been open six weeks but word of mouth is already starting to spread. I expect this place to be jammed in the coming days and weeks. I can't wait to go back and try more things. Very highly recommended. -
Review from Trace F.
Calgary, AB
4/20/2011
Without Papers hands down has the best pizza eating atmosphere in Calgary. The fact that it is on one of the trendiest little streets in Calgary is an added bonus. I almost couldn't find it considering nothing in Calgary is on the second level. The trick is heading up the narrow staircase beside the restaurant Sugo and welcomed you are! Awesome open space with majority of seating banquette style around the perimeter of the restaurant. They have old movies playing projection style on opposite walls.. finally a place without a hockey game blaring.
I enjoyed the shroom with truffle oil pizza, potato salad, and GET THIS a ginger beer float for dessert. Delightful. Can't wait to go back with a large group of friends. -
Review from Maria H.
Calgary, AB
5/19/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Loved it! Living in Inglewood is great, really unique shops and food, this is the new spot to go to, good ambiance to go with friends. Service is great too.
I tried the Hawaiian 5 -0 and it was pretty yummy... will have to go back to try other options... and salads! -
Review from Christina G.
Calgary, AB
6/28/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Oh sooo good! Love the upstairs atmosphere and the food is delicious. Great place to try if you're stopping by Inglewood!
So far I've had the Garden Calzone and Garden Pizza - both delicious, no meat and amazing taste. The others I was with tried a number of other pizzas and between us we've had all of the Calzones - must say every single thing was delicious. Not sure that this will help you decide what to have, but I would encourage you to try a number of things! -
Review from Lizz H.
Calgary, AB
6/29/2011
I've been here twice now and I have to say that the relatively uncomplicated menu, the relaxed atmosphere and the food make this spot a fine place to go. The pizza is all baked wonderfully in a tin-man inspired oven, and features some lovely authentically inspired ingredients. This was a fabulous place to bring our vegetarian friends as well, as their veggie pizzas are superb (I ended up having their mushroom pizza the last time we went).
If you are looking for a very traditional, minimally processed and very fresh pizza, and equivalently relaxed surroundings - Without Papers is fab. (And if you are looking for parking, there is a city lot just one 1/2 block away - seems to always be parking there!) -
Review from S W.
Calgary, AB
11/3/2011
I have been here with friends a few times and have tried almost all of the pizzas on the menu. There wasn't one that I didn't like.
The service is alright. I was disappointed that on the last two occasions I was here we didn't get fresh basil, cheese & pepper flakes, which takes the delicious pizza over the top.
I do have a few friends that don't really care for the selection of movies that are projected on the walls, but I don't mind it at all. It's much preferable to the blaring music that you find in so many other places. -
Review from disaster m.
Calgary, AB
3/7/2011
I stopped into this sure-to be-neighbourhood-gem last week.
I LOVED The HANDCRAFTED traditional and new world pizza complemented by (I am happy to see) - a great selection of affordable wines and beers.
The place was busy with a good vibe
Food - superb
Try the meatball appetizer - YUM -
Review from Wendy P.
I love it. Love love love it. You wouldn't think this spot would be nearly as awesome as it is just by walking by it. Even coming up the stairs, I didn't know I'd be walking into such a spacious room-high ceilings, wooden floor, great lighting. It has the feel of a classy lounge, I'd want to hang out here on a Friday night for some drinks with my friends.
The menu is simple, a handful of plates to share, a few kinds of pizza, and a small but carefully chosen drink list. My friend and I shared a potato salad and house-marinated olives as starters (photo: http://www.yelp.ca/biz...). Check out the attached pic. The potato salad was warm and delicious on a bed of greens. The olives, oh my, I didn't know olives could be that big. They were almost sweet. I think I did most of the eating of the olive plate. We also shared the Hutch pizza (spicy cacciatore salami, spicy calabrese salami, pepperonata, mozzarella, bocconcini, tomato sauce). I could taste the spice, but thankfully, it wasn't enough to set my mouth on fire. For dessert, we split a bowl full of homemade strawberry ice cream and a piece of chocolate cake (photo: http://www.yelp.ca/biz...). Let me take a moment to wipe the drool from my chin as I relive dessert.
After all of that, we couldn't help but ask after the name. Why is it called Without Papers? The gist of the story is that the owners spent some time in Italy and when they came to Calgary, they decided to open an Italian pizza place. Now, many Italian pizzerias follow a specific recipe, right down to the types of tomatoes, spices, veggies, meats, etc. that are used to make their pizza. The pies at Without Papers, however, don't necessarily follow a methodology, they are made... without papers so to speak. And made quite well at that I might add. -
Review from Irene V.
Calgary, AB
6/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Everyone who misses Italy, like I do, will have a piece of it in Without Papers. And for those who hasn't visited Italy yet - try and you will want to visit the country that inspired such a mastepiece! I also loved the potato salad and olives. But my friend had a Six Bean salad as an appetizer and that's what I am ordering next time. Every dish is flavourful and fresh!
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Review from Tim S.
Stumbled upon this place in Inglewood. Definitely a new favorite if I'm craving pizza. Great atmosphere and really good pizza.
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Review from Cathy D.
Calgary, AB
3/7/2011
We went to WOP 3 days into it's opening and were fairly impressed. The pizza is well done and I echo the review on the meatball appetizer - very nice, but I think that the app menu overall could be a bit more inventive. I'm not sure if I am a fan of the movies being shown on the walls, but it didn't detract from my experience. I'm not a huge fan of high top tables and WOP is all high top. Again, not a deal breaker. Inglewood absoutely needed (needs) more places like this so WOP is a welcome addition. Looking forward to a bit more inspiration on the apps but otherwise, a winner.
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Review from Starkie S.
Calgary, AB
5/27/2011
So, I am all immobile right now due to a lower body injury and desired to attend this venue. I e-mailed and asked about a reservation and this is the response that I received from no one less than the owner:
"We unfortunately do not take reservations but that being said you can still come down and be assured of a table. My suggestion would be to not come down between 6 and 8 pm to avoid any lineups."
Jesse Johnson
Proprietor
Without Papers Pizza
While I am temporarily handicapped this dude pops this response...is this place hyped because its 'new'? Hmmm. If you are limited mobility be aware that you will be shunned to "off hours" according to Jesse - the owner.
Pucinella takes reservs in Kensington AND they have been around for years with great service during the 12+ times I have been there. -
Review from Laurie M.
Calgary, AB
10/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
We tried this restaurant based on the Dinner with Julie blog. We went for take out. It was fast (10 minutes) for two pizzas and a salad. Pizzas were tasty, salad as good. My hubby thought the salad was too salty, but I though it was pretty good (Beet Salad). Excellent quality ingredients that remind me of Italy. Both kids enjoyed the four cheese pizza. We will return and may even try to eat in.
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Review from s c.
Calgary, AB
5/31/2011
hurray, real pizza in inglewood!
hmm, i dunno if it tops il centro, but it is fantastic - with a nice open kitchen, so you can watch the pizza oven.
recommend ordering the warm olives to start, and they make the wild boar prosciutto in house.
i alo enjoy the quirk of the movie selection projected onto the walls: ranging from tim burton to disney to fellini.
