Cici’s Pizza in Cherry Hill: Strike 1 | Mondo Zero

Photo courtesy of: twitter.com/keithallen1.

By Mark Correa, Courier-Post Staff, via Mondo Zero blog.

I decided to give the new Cici’s Pizza in Cherry Hill a try today. I’m always looking for a new place to add to the lunch rotation. But Cici’s got a big, fat strike against them almost immediately.

They had some pizza-shaped mascot out front waving people in, along with another employee holding a Cici’s sign. Alright, good enthusiasm.

So I park, walk in the front door and get two “Hi, welcome to Cici’s.” More enthusiasm, nice.

But then … “We’re holding the line right now to restock the pizzas. We should be able to serve you in about 10 minutes.”

What? It’s 12:15 and you ran out of pizza? The place was far from full and two employees are out trying to get more people to enter the store instead of cooking pizzas?

I can understand a sudden rush creating a shortage … but the pizza buffet looked absolutely devoid of pizza. How can you completely run out of (apparently) everything barely 15 minutes into lunch hour? And a pizza takes about 10 minutes to cook — so does that mean you just figured out that you don’t have any pizza and you’re just getting around to cooking now that there is nothing left?

So, as I said, strike 1. I’ll give Cici’s another chance … but I’m glad the Chipotle in the same little plaza (up Haddonfield Road from Wegman’s before you get to Cherry Hill Mall) is also open for business. Got a nice three-pack of tacos: carnitas, barbacoa and chicken. Very tasty.

Cici’s is going to have to work pretty hard to land customers with this quality competitor on the same block.

via Cici’s Pizza in Cherry Hill: Strike 1 | Mondo Zero.

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12 Responses to “Cici’s Pizza in Cherry Hill: Strike 1 | Mondo Zero”

John Q. Smith on December 15th, 2009

I can not believe that you are still employed by the Courier-Post after this post. Is this a new store?? If so before posting negative things talk to the owner so he can improve on his vaults. In these economic times when someone is opening restaurants creating jobs and helping the community you should be encouraging positivity not negativity and never compare one restaurant to another that’s bad business on your part. It’s very obvious you know nothing about CiCi’s before posting DO YOUR HOMEWORK FIRST!! I was there and had a great experience!! very friendly people and full and fresh buffet.

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Julia Hays on December 15th, 2009

Thanks for your comment, John. This post reflected one person’s opinion of their personal experience at the new pizza shop. I encourage you to join InJersey and contribute any restaurant reviews that you may have as well. We’d love to hear more about your favorite, and least favorite, places to grab a bite in the township.

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Dustin Cushman on December 15th, 2009

I have heard from so many people that Cici’s has some pretty bad pizza, but now after John Q Public’s rave review, I’ll have to go out and try myself.

Also first impressions are important, and frankly I think we all know one bad experience in a restaurant can turn us all off (especially if it’s our first impression!). And we have big mouths and aren’t afraid to tell all our friends

BTW John Q, anyone can register and contribute to this blog, it’s just that very few people bother to do so.

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RamboS on December 17th, 2009

This place most likely won’t make it, the pizza is downright terrible.

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Dustin Cushman on December 17th, 2009

I went there. The service was friendly, and they did have pizzas out. However the variety wasn’t that great (they were putting more of other kinds while I was there).

The fresh pizza wasn’t terrible, but wasn’t good. I’ve had worse delivery, but I’ve had better frozen.

The pizza that clearly had been sitting there (not sure how long) was like eating a brick.

For the cost, if you have a family that likes to eat a lot, it’s probably a good value. However I don’t think I’ll find myself racing there again. Maybe if they were at the mall or someplace easy to access while shopping I’d consider, but I wouldn’t go out of my way just to stop there for food (but would for Chipotle next store, so that does say something!)

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Julia Hays on December 17th, 2009

I haven’t tried Cici’s yet. I used to be a pizza fanatic, but I feel like I just can’t find a decent slice in South Jersey anymore. It’s very disheartening. My favorite place is at the Deptford Mall. Does anyone have an opinion of where I can find the perfect slice around here?

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- frank on February 12th, 2010
  
  julia,
  it depends on how far you are willing to travel.
  Kate & als in colombus mart is incredible. I am also a fan of nickyB’s thats more local. the forno grille on church rd is also a great place for pizza!! happy eating!
  
  Reply
Dustin Cushman on December 17th, 2009

My favorite was Apollo on Rt 70, but they closed down Then another place opened up in the region (I forget the name, I’m sure I have a menu for them still). Even though they had paper thin crust, which normally I don’t go for, their pizza was amazing! Yeah they closed down too

It seems if you aren’t Dominoes or Papa John’s, or in a Mall, you won’t last too long lol. (Okay there are some around me that have been here as long as I have, but I am not a fan of them at all!)

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Lill on February 12th, 2010

My daughters went to Cici’s in North Carolina and have been raving about this place–so finally one was opened here in Cherry Hill- they were so excited and wanted to take me to this pizza buffet. Oh boy never again– the majority of the pizza had pepperoni on them, and everything tasted the same. No variety – I could have purchased a whole pie at my local Pizzaria for the same money that tasted better. The best thing I had was the salad– The brownies were undercooked. I wont go back there.

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CSFurious on February 15th, 2010

CiCi’s is for families on a budget. Additionally, in New Jersey, there are a lot of “Mom & Pop” pizzerias. The pizza at CiCi’s is never going to compare to that authentic pizza. However, if you want a place where you can take your family out for salad, pizza, soda & dessert at an affordable price, CiCi’s is good choice in the current economy where every dollar counts (especially in South Jersey).

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regina on February 27th, 2010

Have to try this one. I have found the other cici’s down south to be a great place to take the kids. No, the pizza is not what we in Jersey are used to but it won’t kill you. It is basically an all-you-can-eat pizza bar with a variety of pizzas. The slices are small so you can taste every one (and I do). They have salad, pasta, soup and dessert available too for the same price. For about $6.00 it is not bad at all!. Great family place.

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keithallen1 on March 12th, 2010

In the future I’d appreciate just a quick hello if you’re going to use one of my posted photos. I understand that they become the property of the internet, but it’s nice to know that its out there!

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Dec200914

1:50 pm

Julia Hays

12

Business, Courier-Post, Food

CiCi's Pizza, Food, lunch, Mondo Zero blog, restaurant

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