For 46 years, this Italian market and deli has been making waves in Cleveland Park (and Washington, D.C.). Here's why you should visit:1) Food: There's a deli in the back that sells Italian subs for under $10 and slices of pizza for $2.50. In an expensive city, it's hard to find a less expensive meal. I ordered a slice of pepperoni pizza. It's thin crusted, but good!2) Market: They sell all kinds of Italian products from hard-to-get sodas to wines to homemade pasta to all kinds of frozen lasagnas. Cured meats and soccer balls hang from the ceiling.3) Service: Candidly, it's not friendly and at time abrasive, but it's part of the experience.If you love Italy, wander to Cleveland Park's Vace.
Ordered an Italian sub and it was the bomb. Huge sub, and reasonably priced too. The sub and a slice of pizza was just $9.50 total.
Best pizza slice north of U st. Their slices are perfectly crunchy and only a couple of bucks. Best lunch in the neighborhood.
Heard this place was good and they were right! I called & ordered an Italian sub and walked to pick it up, carry out only. Opened the door and the gorgeous aroma hit me. This tiny place was filled with goodies, go to their website. The pizza slices on the counter window look delightful. I couldn't wait to eat! My huge sub was waiting for me and I saw they had just made fresh beef empinadas, so I grabbed one of those, too. Sub & empinada are Delicioso! I WILL try the pizza next.
Vace’s is a Cleveland Park standards for locals; since I moved away I make sure I stop each time in town. Think italian deli and grocery and you’ve got it - no dine in. Over 40 years Vace has perfected what they do. Pizza is delicious and can be ordered to go by the slice or whole pie. My favorite is the white onion - all white, no red sauce. Their subs are divine too. They make loads of Italian favorites for sale in the freezer case, which are good to have on hand. And of course their selection of deli meats and cheeses is vast. Groceries range from polenta to Pellegrino, and prices are fair. Stop for lunch to go as you head to the zoo!
I like pizza and this is some of the best pizza around. it is authentic. you're not going to like it if you like extra cheesy corporate pizza. this is a very honest Italian New York style pie. I particularly like the red pizza with onions.
Ordered one slice of white onion and one slice of plain. The white onion had just been pulled out of the oven and it was seriously the best slice of pizza I’ve ever had. The plain was underwhelming due to the ambiguity of the freshness, but was okay nonetheless. Ladies behind the counter seemed annoyed by the presence of customers, BUT WHO CARES! The fresh slices are killer and a great value compared to the hipster pizza joints!
So Vace is amazing. Just prepare yourself that most everyone who works there probably will be a little rude/mean to you. The quality of food, from the pizza to the meat and cheese is fantastic. However, the closer it is to closing (even near an hour), has a direct correlation to how friendly the staff may be to you. Just be prepared, that's all I'm saying :)
Vace's pizzas and other offerings are consistently excellent however their ordering/carry-out service is not. The staff use an informal system to write down orders on large pieces of paper and verbally communicate with the kitchen. There is no electronic ordering system. In my experience, they routinely mix up or lose orders and give entirely inaccurate estimates for wait times. Twice in two weeks, I arrived at the time they had told me my pies would be ready and was told I needed to wait an additional 15 to 30 minutes. In both instances, I had calibrated the order so that I could collect the pizzas en route to collecting my child from preschool. In the first instance I cancelled the order and left. The second time I ordered 1.5 hours ahead of time, arrived on time, was asked to pay and was informed 5min later that my pies had not been put in the oven and I needed to wait due to an ordering mixup. I then had to rush to collect my son and return to collect my order during Friday rush hour, which was extremely stressful. On both occasions the staff made no effort to compensate me for my inconvenience and their errors. I've seen no improvement in their systems, or service consistency in the 10 years I've patronized the business. The pies are sufficiently good that I will grudgingly continue to buy from them, but the service is infuriating and so easy to fix. I'll happily come back and amend this review if improvements are evident.
My family discovered Vace in 1994 ( when we moved to Cleveland Park). Right away we fell in love with it. The onion pizza is truly the best in DC! We moved to Boston 15 years ago. Every time we visit DC area we visit Vace . What is truly amazing - everything tastes exactly the same! On our recent trip ( that was just a few weeks ago) we followed the tradition. We also bought 4 frozen lasagnas and brought it with us to Boston. My wife cooked it tonight - we had an amazing meal that brougt some many wonderful memories . Until next time, dear Vace!