Orléans Food Spot Review - Louis' Pizza Express

Some weeks ago, we asked our newsletter readers what the best pizza in Orléans was, and lo’ and behold, Louis’ Pizza Express crushed the competition with 28% of respondents saying it was their favourite, nearly double the 2nd best voted pizza joint. Given that we had yet to visit Louis’ Pizza Express, it was high time we dropped in for a bite.

There's something comforting about a local pizza joint that has stood the test of time. Louis’ Pizza Express has been serving the Orléans community for over 40 years - (at a different location on Forest Valley Dr.), and with a track record like that, it's clear they're doing something right. Specializing in homemade pizza, pasta, subs, and more, with fresh dough made daily, this neighbourhood staple continues to draw in families and pizza lovers from across the east end of Ottawa.

Louis’ Pizza Express is currently located at 2520 St. Joseph Blvd in Orléans, and for locals, the address may ring a bell for a different reason. This is the same physical space that was once home to the beloved Kozy Nest, a breakfast and brunch restaurant that was a fixture in the community for 25 years before closing its doors. It's a bittersweet bit of local history, and while many mourned the loss of the Kozy Nest, it's nice to see the space carrying on as another community-rooted eatery. Louis’ Pizza Express has made the spot their own, and the familiar St. Joseph Blvd address makes it easy to find whether you're a longtime Orléans resident or just passing through.

Unfortunately, when I came into the restaurant there was only one other customer at the time which made my presence rather conspicuous. When on a review mission of any given Orléans food spot, I try to go during times when I won’t stick out like a sore thumb or draw unwanted attention to myself as I snap photos of the location and the food. This way I can be sure that the food and service are typical of the average customer’s experience.

This time however, I’m fairly certain that I was spotted as a reviewer or someone who was going to post about this restaurant. That said, the service was top-notch! Attentive, but not annoying, and my pizza came out in a timely manner, straight out of the oven.

The menu at Louis’ Pizza Express is exactly what you'd hope for from a classic neighbourhood pizzeria: hearty, unpretentious, and full of crowd-pleasing options. Pizza is naturally the star of the show, with a generous selection of toppings and combinations to suit just about every preference. Beyond pizza, they offer pastas, subs, sandwiches, salads, and desserts (their coconut cream pie is apparently to die for), making it a solid choice even if not everyone in your group is in a mood for pizza. Everything is made fresh, with dough prepared in-house daily, a detail that makes a real difference in the final product.

For my visit, I ordered a small pepperoni and mushroom pizza, and it made quite an impression. The first thing I noticed was the thickness of it. I wasn't expecting something quite so substantial; it was almost deep dish in its heft, which was a surprise and will be a delight for those who like a big, doughy bite. The crust had clearly been made fresh and had a satisfying crispiness and chew to it. And while my preferred pizza style is Neapolitan, I do on occasion enjoy a thicker pizza.

The toppings were generous, the pepperoni had a nice kick and the mushrooms were well-distributed throughout while the plentiful multi-type-cheese was melted to golden perfection. My one minor note would be that the pizza sauce leaned on the runnier side, which made things a little messy to eat, but the flavour of the sauce itself was great, tangy and well-seasoned.

All things considered, it was a very tasty experience and great value for what you get.

🍕 Mushroom & Pepperoni Pizza - 4.2 out of 5

⭐️ 4.4 stars out of 5

Louis’ Pizza Express is the kind of local gem that Orléans should be proud of. With over four decades of feeding the community, they're obviously doing something right (considering the polling I previously mentioned) and keeping customers happy and coming back. The food is seemingly made with care, the portions are generous, and the atmosphere is that of a welcoming neighbourhood spot. Settling into the former home of the Kozy Nest, they carry on a tradition of local, community-focused dining on St. Joseph Blvd, just with a lot more pizza involved.

Whether you're stopping in for a quick lunch or ordering a family dinner, Louis’ Pizza Express is well worth your time and your appetite. Just maybe grab some extra napkins for that sauce.