Uno Pizzeria & Grill

The smell hits you first - yeast and char from a morning's worth of fresh dough. Uno draws its identity from the original Pizzeria Uno in Chicago, and that heritage shows in the deep dish: the crust rises thick and buttery, the edges crisp from the pan. It's casual, loud when full, and designed for groups who want to share - pizza, wings, the Shrimp & Crab Dip that gets its own mentions in reviews.

South Portland's Uno sits near Maine Mall, positioned as a neighborhood gathering spot rather than a destination. The menu sprawls across three pizza styles (deep dish, thin crust, Detroit), plus pasta, burgers, salads, and a respectable craft beer list. It's the kind of place where kids' menus exist alongside a Valentine's Day prix-fixe deal, and where you can order a gluten-free pizza without fanfare. The crowd skews families and groups; the noise level reflects that.

The deep dish is made fresh every morning. Unlike frozen pizza-chain dough, Uno's kitchen starts fresh each day. The result is a crust with body and fermentation character - it tastes like bread, not cardboard. Reviewers consistently praise it, and the Numero Uno (sausage, pepperoni, onions, peppers, mushrooms) and Chicago Classic (extra sausage, extra cheese, extra tomatoes) anchor the menu.

Detroit-style pizza has found an audience. The square, crispy-edge Detroit style is newer to Uno's lineup but already resonates. It's cooked hotter, finished with cheese that crisps against the pan edge, and arrives airy inside. Motor City Works and Buffalo Chicken Roadster show the kitchen's range.

Shrimp & Crab Dip is a showstopper. Creamy, parmesan-heavy, baked and served with garlic baguette slices, it's the kind of shareable that justifies its $16.99 price. Multiple reviews name it specifically as a highlight.

Staff remember regulars. One reviewer noted having the same waitress multiple times, praised for proactive refills and genuine warmth. That consistency matters in a casual spot.

Vegan and gluten-free pizzas are real options, not afterthoughts. The menu includes vegan cheese and crust alternatives, and the kitchen takes cross-contamination seriously - one review noted a server honestly admitting an order error and offering to remake it rather than just swap toppings.

Uno's menu is built on three pizza foundations, each with distinct character. The deep dish is the flagship - Chicagoan, buttery, loaded. The thin crust skews lighter and faster. Detroit style is the new angle: square, crispy-edged, airy. Beyond pizza, the kitchen handles pasta and burgers competently, and shareables are well-executed. Portions are substantial; most tables will want to split.

Deep Dish Pizzas

• Numero Uno - Sausage, pepperoni, onions, peppers, mushrooms, chunky tomato sauce, mozzarella. The anchor.
• Chicago Classic - Extra sausage, extra cheese, extra tomatoes. Unapologetic, meat-forward.
• Four Cheese & Pesto - Mozzarella, feta, cheddar, romano, basil pesto, diced tomatoes. For cheese-first eaters.
• Farmer's Market - Basil pesto, caramelized onions, spinach, tomatoes, roasted eggplant, feta, mozzarella, romano. The vegetable anchor.

Thin Crust Pizzas

• Windy City Works - Onions, peppers, mushrooms, bacon, hamburger, pepperoni, sausage, three-cheese blend. A carnivore's statement.
• Margherita - Fresh mozzarella, basil, housemade sauce. Simplicity check.

Detroit-Style Pizzas

• Motor City Works - Premium pepperoni, sausage, green peppers, mushrooms, onions, aged white cheddar, mozzarella, Detroit sauce, romano.
• Buffalo Chicken Roadster - Crispy fried chicken in buffalo sauce, jalapeños, tomatoes, red onions, white cheddar, mozzarella, blue cheese dressing.
• Pepperoni & Gorgonzola with Mike's Hot Honey - Pepperoni, gorgonzola, white cheddar, mozzarella, hot honey drizzle.

Shareables

• Shrimp & Crab Dip - Creamy, baked, parmesan-topped, served with garlic baguette.
• Pizza Skins - Deep dish crust, mashed potatoes, bacon, cheddar, sour cream.

All pizzas can be ordered as vegan (vegan cheese, housemade dough) or gluten-free. Portions are built for sharing; a single deep dish feeds two comfortably.

The room is casual and loud - exactly what you'd expect from a pizza-and-groups restaurant near a mall. Booths line the walls; the bar occupies a visible corner. Decor is minimal: wood trim, neon, sports on screens. Dress code is casual; families with kids and date-night couples both fit without friction.

The noise level climbs when the room fills, especially on weekends. One reviewer flagged "energetic" ambient energy, which tracks: this is not a quiet date-night destination. If you want less volume, aim for an early or late seating on a weeknight. The bar area has its own character and draws a different crowd.

Lunch & Dinner: Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–10:00 pm; Fri–Sat 11:00 am–11:00 pm

Closed: Never (open every day)

OpenTable reservations exist but come with caveats. One reviewer arrived with a reservation and was told the location doesn't honor them - the site accepted the booking, but the restaurant didn't follow through. Walk-ins are available, especially on off-peak weeknights. For groups larger than 6 or on weekend evenings, calling ahead (207-780-8667) to confirm availability is safer than relying on OpenTable alone. Casual drop-ins work fine most times, though expect waits during peak dinner hours (6–8 pm).

"I have had this waitress several times and she's awesome! She pays excellent attention to you, refills your drink before you even ask, polite and personable. Always smiling!"

• PeggyB, Greater Boston · 5★

"Wonderful Staff, appreciate the atmosphere at the Bar."

• Pinebox6, Greater Boston · 5★

"Shrimp & Crab Dip, Shrimp Scampi, Korean BBQ Glazed Salmon, Tiramisu."

• Valentine's Day Menu reviewers · 5★ (aggregate)

"Our waiter was kind but seemed busy and made quite a few mistakes. My husband ordered a cauliflower crust pizza and received a gluten-free pizza crust instead. The waiter laughed it off that he got confused and didn't offer to have it remade."

• Kristen, Orlando · 1★

The reviews show inconsistency. Strong service encounters coexist with order mistakes and, in rare instances, serious operational lapses (one reviewer reported a choking incident and felt the staff was unprepared). Most visits land in the solid-casual-dining range: friendly staff, competent food, occasional hiccups. The reservation system has documented failures; this is worth noting if planning a larger group.

South Portland's Uno anchors near the Maine Mall, about 10 minutes south of downtown Portland by car. The neighborhood is suburban and car-centric, retail-focused, with plenty of parking lot walking but limited foot traffic appeal.

• From Portland downtown: 10 minutes by car via I-295 south.
• From Midcoast restaurants (Brunswick, Damariscotta): 25–35 minutes via I-295.
• Parking: Public lot, abundant and free.
• Nearby walks: Maine Mall itself; limited neighborhood pedestrian appeal, so plan to drive.
• Day-trip fit: Uno works as a casual lunch or early dinner stop en route to the coast or a mall afternoon, not as a destination in itself.

Do I need a reservation? Reservations can be made via OpenTable, but the restaurant's track record of honoring them is spotty. Call ahead (207-780-8667) to confirm, especially for groups of 6+. Walk-ins are usually accommodated on weeknights.

Is this kid-friendly? Yes. A dedicated kids' menu includes pizzas, pasta, burgers, and sides at $5.99–$6.99. The casual atmosphere and high noise level suit families.

What about gluten-free and vegan options? Gluten-free pizzas (cheese, pepperoni, veggie) are available at the same price as regular. Vegan cheese and crust options exist too. One reviewer praised the kitchen's honesty about cross-contamination risks.

Can I get a booth or table for a group? Booths and large tables are available. The space accommodates groups well; the tagline "Good for groups" reflects this. Call ahead for guaranteed seating if your party is 8+.

Is there a private dining space? The menu references family-sized portions and party platters, suggesting flexibility for groups, but the JSON doesn't detail a separate private room. Ask when calling.

What's the parking situation? Free public lot. Abundant parking; no hassle.

How far is this from the coast? Uno is about 20–30 minutes from Cape Elizabeth, 25 minutes from downtown Portland, and 30–40 minutes from the Midcoast (Brunswick, Damariscotta). It's a suburban hub, not a coastal destination.

What's the dress code? Casual. Jeans and t-shirts are standard; no dress-up required or expected.