Johnny Sortino's Pizza Parlor (79th & L) - CLOSED

[skinzfan23]

I always wanted to try it while living in Ralston, but never did and in the past years, I could never understand a pizza place closing at 5, so I never had a desire to go.

[OmahaRedWing]

Our go to order was hamburger pizza, garlic cheese bread, toasted ravioli, and onion rings. All were really really good.

[Cermak]

Used to go quite often, but I don’t think at all since Covid . To me the Pizza was similar to Big Fred’s.

[Omaha Cowboy]

As someone mentioned earlier, the writing was on the wall..

I mentioned in my last post on this thread, that I sometimes forget Sortino’s was even still around. That speaks volumes..

In the 80’s and 90’s I used to occasionally get Sortino’s pizza and their onion rings.. Was it good? It didn’t suck, lol. All kidding aside, it always landed in the solid to good category to me. In comparison, it’s better than Big Fred’s imo..but I’ve never been a fan of Big Fred’s pizza..

In the end, for nostalgia’s sake, I might grab a pizza or 2 from there before they close permanently next month…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[djc311]

As someone mentioned earlier, the writing was on the wall..

I mentioned in my last post on this thread, that I sometimes forget Sortino’s was even still around. That speaks volumes..

In the 80’s and 90’s I used to occasionally get Sortino’s pizza and their onion rings.. Was it good? It didn’t suck, lol. All kidding aside, it always landed in the solid to good category to me. In comparison, it’s better than Big Fred’s imo..but I’ve never been a fan of Big Fred’s pizza..

In the end, for nostalgia’s sake, I might grab a pizza or 2 from there before they close permanently next month…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

make sure you order it for pickup before 4pm... Grandma & Grandpa need to get to bed so they'll be closed!

[ChadJK]

Sortino's, Big Fred's, and Mama's are all cut from the same bolt of cloth. Very similar styles of pizza and known for their onion rings. Also, a lot of graying clientele.

[nativeomahan]

Sortino's, Big Fred's, and Mama's are all cut from the same bolt of cloth. Very similar styles of pizza and known for their onion rings. Also, a lot of graying clientele.

Bingo!

[djc311]

Sortino's, Big Fred's, and Mama's are all cut from the same bolt of cloth. Very similar styles of pizza and known for their onion rings. Also, a lot of graying clientele.

Surprised they ended up accepting credit cards - I know it wasn't immediate, that's for sure! (I remember going to the LaCasa on 84th and being told cash or check only)... I get it, didn't want to pay the man their 2-3%... but you'd be hard pressed to be able to keep the doors open at all if you tried opening a new business and didn't accept cards.

They probably wouldn't have lasted as long as they did if it wasn't for the blue hairs accepting the lack of card use. I'm sure there are several flip phones being answered in Sortino's as we speak.

[nativeomahan]

It’s probably been at least 10 years since I ate a meal at Sortino’s (it wasn’t my choice to eat there), and I didn’t enjoy my experience back then. If I were to come up with a list of five better Omaha pizza places, it would never have been close to making the cut. I actually prefer grocery store deli pizzas to pizza from places like Sortino’s, Mama’s and Big Fred’s.

[Omaha Cowboy]

As someone mentioned earlier, the writing was on the wall..

I mentioned in my last post on this thread, that I sometimes forget Sortino’s was even still around. That speaks volumes..

In the 80’s and 90’s I used to occasionally get Sortino’s pizza and their onion rings.. Was it good? It didn’t suck, lol. All kidding aside, it always landed in the solid to good category to me. In comparison, it’s better than Big Fred’s imo..but I’ve never been a fan of Big Fred’s pizza..

In the end, for nostalgia’s sake, I might grab a pizza or 2 from there before they close permanently next month…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

make sure you order it for pickup before 4pm... Grandma & Grandpa need to get to bed so they'll be closed!

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[damonhynes]

Per their Facebook page, the closing date is now the 24th.

[djc311]

Per their Facebook page, the closing date is now the 24th.

Surprised they even bothered having a FB page - ever. They wanted everyone to pay by cash or check for what seems like up until 2020.

[Greg S]

Per their Facebook page, the closing date is now the 24th.

Surprised they even bothered having a FB page - ever. They wanted everyone to pay by cash or check for what seems like up until 2020.

They aren't alone in that. Not sure why that's a big deal? Alpine Inn on recently started accepting cards. I don't think Dinker's does even now. Just a couple off the top of my head.

[omaha79]

I remember La Casa West was cash only until around 2020 as well. many dive bars around omaha are still cash only. Still more common than you'd imagine.

[djc311]

Per their Facebook page, the closing date is now the 24th.

Surprised they even bothered having a FB page - ever. They wanted everyone to pay by cash or check for what seems like up until 2020.

They aren't alone in that. Not sure why that's a big deal? Alpine Inn on recently started accepting cards. I don't think Dinker's does even now. Just a couple off the top of my head.

I'm 50 and I can deal with it, but it's not convenient. It's a sign of the times. Back when I could feed my household for under $50, carrying cash was more likely. I don't like carrying $100 bills (nor a bunch of twenties). Plus, a lot of these cash-only places won't accept $50 bills due to counterfeit issues. And I don't carry a checkbook with me (nor do most people anymore).

You can even ride a city bus with a card or take a taxi... Uber, Lyft, etc all require a card to even use them.

I don't think these places that you mentioned have to worry about global travelers coming into Omaha to fine dine; however, if someone is traveling across the country it's unlikely they'll bring stacks of cash (or a checkbook). I think I've written 5 checks in the last 12 months. Sure, my mom (who is 78) writes checks and has cash, but in another 20 years I would think they'll eventually have to adapt or they'll close (which is probably the most likely outcome).

Not taking a card is not the "norm", so if I left the house and happened to go into one of those places, I guess I'd be hosed. I know they're trying to save some expense; also, some of these places have onsite ATM's to pull cash, which pushes the cost on to the customer. At the same time, most of these places have increased their prices just like any other place that accepts the transaction fees.

The way it works is really kind of the opposite of how you would think it should work - for example, all the places you can probably think of are old, family-run, established places. Likely own their real estate, keeping expenses significantly lower than many chains or new-to-market leased restaurants. They don't buy new fixtures, continuously update their decor, etc. Therefore, logic would lean towards them being able to afford the small, additional expense and absorb that a bit easier than the bigger, west O restaurant paying $3000/month for a small bay.

I guess worst case scenario, give the customer the option and push the fee on to them (I'd probably want to know that's the case when I come into the place, though). If they want to save $3 on a $100 order, so be it.

[djc311]

I remember La Casa West was cash only until around 2020 as well. many dive bars around omaha are still cash only. Still more common than you'd imagine.

True - I as well. I was actually a little surprised their far west store opened and took cards from day one. However, if they didn't, they may not have lasted.

[Padre]

Per their Facebook page, the closing date is now the 24th.

Surprised they even bothered having a FB page - ever. They wanted everyone to pay by cash or check for what seems like up until 2020.

They aren't alone in that. Not sure why that's a big deal? Alpine Inn on recently started accepting cards. I don't think Dinker's does even now. Just a couple off the top of my head.

I'm 50 and I can deal with it, but it's not convenient. It's a sign of the times. Back when I could feed my household for under $50, carrying cash was more likely. I don't like carrying $100 bills (nor a bunch of twenties). Plus, a lot of these cash-only places won't accept $50 bills due to counterfeit issues. And I don't carry a checkbook with me (nor do most people anymore).

You can even ride a city bus with a card or take a taxi... Uber, Lyft, etc all require a card to even use them.

I don't think these places that you mentioned have to worry about global travelers coming into Omaha to fine dine; however, if someone is traveling across the country it's unlikely they'll bring stacks of cash (or a checkbook). I think I've written 5 checks in the last 12 months. Sure, my mom (who is 78) writes checks and has cash, but in another 20 years I would think they'll eventually have to adapt or they'll close (which is probably the most likely outcome).

Not taking a card is not the "norm", so if I left the house and happened to go into one of those places, I guess I'd be hosed. I know they're trying to save some expense; also, some of these places have onsite ATM's to pull cash, which pushes the cost on to the customer. At the same time, most of these places have increased their prices just like any other place that accepts the transaction fees.

The way it works is really kind of the opposite of how you would think it should work - for example, all the places you can probably think of are old, family-run, established places. Likely own their real estate, keeping expenses significantly lower than many chains or new-to-market leased restaurants. They don't buy new fixtures, continuously update their decor, etc. Therefore, logic would lean towards them being able to afford the small, additional expense and absorb that a bit easier than the bigger, west O restaurant paying $3000/month for a small bay.

I guess worst case scenario, give the customer the option and push the fee on to them (I'd probably want to know that's the case when I come into the place, though). If they want to save $3 on a $100 order, so be it.

You can’t blame all price increases on higher credit card fees, food costs have gone up as well. And I have seen restaurants that offer a lower price if you pay cash, Hacienda Real for one.

[Brad]

I think places not taking cards goes back to when you had to have expensive equipment and a service with a bank. In 2025 there are so many options for taking credit cards where you need little to no equipment and what you do need is very affordable.

I have a PayPal card reader. It was $80 to purchase, My business account is $30 a month, and they take 2.29% per transaction, which is like $1.45 for a $50 order. I can accept all credit cards, venmo, Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.

Raise you Pizza price $2 and start taking cards.

[djc311]

Per their Facebook page, the closing date is now the 24th.

Surprised they even bothered having a FB page - ever. They wanted everyone to pay by cash or check for what seems like up until 2020.

They aren't alone in that. Not sure why that's a big deal? Alpine Inn on recently started accepting cards. I don't think Dinker's does even now. Just a couple off the top of my head.

I'm 50 and I can deal with it, but it's not convenient. It's a sign of the times. Back when I could feed my household for under $50, carrying cash was more likely. I don't like carrying $100 bills (nor a bunch of twenties). Plus, a lot of these cash-only places won't accept $50 bills due to counterfeit issues. And I don't carry a checkbook with me (nor do most people anymore).

You can even ride a city bus with a card or take a taxi... Uber, Lyft, etc all require a card to even use them.

I don't think these places that you mentioned have to worry about global travelers coming into Omaha to fine dine; however, if someone is traveling across the country it's unlikely they'll bring stacks of cash (or a checkbook). I think I've written 5 checks in the last 12 months. Sure, my mom (who is 78) writes checks and has cash, but in another 20 years I would think they'll eventually have to adapt or they'll close (which is probably the most likely outcome).

Not taking a card is not the "norm", so if I left the house and happened to go into one of those places, I guess I'd be hosed. I know they're trying to save some expense; also, some of these places have onsite ATM's to pull cash, which pushes the cost on to the customer. At the same time, most of these places have increased their prices just like any other place that accepts the transaction fees.

The way it works is really kind of the opposite of how you would think it should work - for example, all the places you can probably think of are old, family-run, established places. Likely own their real estate, keeping expenses significantly lower than many chains or new-to-market leased restaurants. They don't buy new fixtures, continuously update their decor, etc. Therefore, logic would lean towards them being able to afford the small, additional expense and absorb that a bit easier than the bigger, west O restaurant paying $3000/month for a small bay.

I guess worst case scenario, give the customer the option and push the fee on to them (I'd probably want to know that's the case when I come into the place, though). If they want to save $3 on a $100 order, so be it.

You can’t blame all price increases on higher credit card fees, food costs have gone up as well. And I have seen restaurants that offer a lower price if you pay cash, Hacienda Real for one.

I may have misspoke - I didn't mean to imply the credit card fees keep increasing and prevent them from wanting to accept them. Actually, card processing fees have either stayed stagnate or have decreased over time. And like Brad just said, you could take a card off a swipe reader from Square for almost no cost for the hardware.

I think if they don't take cards simply because they don't want to eat the cost, I feel it's a fairly minor expense compared to the rest of the business' overhead. At this point in time taking a card should be almost as relatable as having to pay for electricity, water and taxes.

[BN1]

There are many incentives to try to be a cash only business. I believe the primary one is cheating on your taxes.

[Big E]

There are many incentives to try to be a cash only business. I believe the primary one is cheating on your taxes.

Bing-|expletive|'-O.

[Greg S]

Per their Facebook page, the closing date is now the 24th.

Surprised they even bothered having a FB page - ever. They wanted everyone to pay by cash or check for what seems like up until 2020.

They aren't alone in that. Not sure why that's a big deal? Alpine Inn on recently started accepting cards. I don't think Dinker's does even now. Just a couple off the top of my head.

I'm 50 and I can deal with it, but it's not convenient. It's a sign of the times. Back when I could feed my household for under $50, carrying cash was more likely. I don't like carrying $100 bills (nor a bunch of twenties). Plus, a lot of these cash-only places won't accept $50 bills due to counterfeit issues. And I don't carry a checkbook with me (nor do most people anymore).

You can even ride a city bus with a card or take a taxi... Uber, Lyft, etc all require a card to even use them.

I don't think these places that you mentioned have to worry about global travelers coming into Omaha to fine dine; however, if someone is traveling across the country it's unlikely they'll bring stacks of cash (or a checkbook). I think I've written 5 checks in the last 12 months. Sure, my mom (who is 78) writes checks and has cash, but in another 20 years I would think they'll eventually have to adapt or they'll close (which is probably the most likely outcome).

Not taking a card is not the "norm", so if I left the house and happened to go into one of those places, I guess I'd be hosed. I know they're trying to save some expense; also, some of these places have onsite ATM's to pull cash, which pushes the cost on to the customer. At the same time, most of these places have increased their prices just like any other place that accepts the transaction fees.

The way it works is really kind of the opposite of how you would think it should work - for example, all the places you can probably think of are old, family-run, established places. Likely own their real estate, keeping expenses significantly lower than many chains or new-to-market leased restaurants. They don't buy new fixtures, continuously update their decor, etc. Therefore, logic would lean towards them being able to afford the small, additional expense and absorb that a bit easier than the bigger, west O restaurant paying $3000/month for a small bay.

I guess worst case scenario, give the customer the option and push the fee on to them (I'd probably want to know that's the case when I come into the place, though). If they want to save $3 on a $100 order, so be it.

I wasn't saying at all it was the "norm" but was pointing out that Sortino's isn't some sort of unicorn or an island to themselves for not taking cards. I believe it's becoming more common now for businesses to add a fee if they take cards. Seems to have really started with bars and restaurants but is now spreading. Here's a recent article I saw talking about gas stations doing it:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/number-w ... 00929.html

[TheSeventhBrat]

Per their Facebook page, the closing date is now the 24th.

I got off work early yesterday and was going to stop in for a final pizza and order of onion rings but the line was out the door and cars were parked on the frontage road. I went to Runza instead.

[omaha79]

I know this has mostly turned into a thread of cards vs. non-cards, but it's one of the most frustrating parts of modern society. trying to figure out who takes what and who requires what.

It used to be that, yes, you knew some places wouldn't take card and would plan accordingly. I always had cash with me. Then 2020 rolled around and we were told money was unhygienic. And, companies found that they lost money by taking cash because of miscounting change or theft. So, now you go to a stadium and it's totally card only, but then you go a business down the street and it's cash only....or, card is allowed and they want 3-5% as a credit card feel. But, don't show you both amounts should you pay with cash to know what amount to tip off of. I almost see that as somewhat predatory as you are then tipping on a higher amount. I'll do the math on principal.

[ChadJK]

Any brick-n-mortar business that is still cash only in 2025 I assume is evading taxes.

[djc311]

Per their Facebook page, the closing date is now the 24th.

I got off work early yesterday and was going to stop in for a final pizza and order of onion rings but the line was out the door and cars were parked on the frontage road. I went to Runza instead.

Sortino's was NOT worth that (IMO).

[bbinks]

Any brick-n-mortar business that is still cash only in 2025 I assume is evading taxes.

I'd put cash tips in the same taxation strategy.

[Greg S]

It seems that more and more restaurants that accept credit cards (not chains though) are adding surcharges to the total.

[OverlookedFarm]

Per their Facebook page, the closing date is now the 24th.

I got off work early yesterday and was going to stop in for a final pizza and order of onion rings but the line was out the door and cars were parked on the frontage road. I went to Runza instead.

I made this exact same maneuver last Thursday. However, they closed early.

Good news is, I was drinking Saturday night and doing the Auction Mill thing......

[TheSeventhBrat]

Per their Facebook page, the closing date is now the 24th.

I got off work early yesterday and was going to stop in for a final pizza and order of onion rings but the line was out the door and cars were parked on the frontage road. I went to Runza instead.

Sortino's was NOT worth that (IMO).

Their onion rings were some of the best. I can find better pizza, but I'll miss those rings.

[ChadJK]

Their onion rings were some of the best. I can find better pizza, but I'll miss those rings.

I feel like Mama's and Big Fred's serve pretty much the same onion rings.