Local Pizza Thread 2012 (Joe's, Pie, Tortoras, Venice) (Madison, Scottsboro: discount, reviews)

[JakeWilliams]

Originally Posted by Dirt Grinder

We went to one of the established pizza places three nights ago. I walked-up to the counter and waited five minutes while the person took an order over the phone. There were other employees doing nothing just behind this person.

The person asks me what I'd like and I begin my order... the phone rings. The person picks up the phone and proceeds to take the phone-in order, leaving me hanging.

We just left. None of the employees seemed to care and the person on the phone just watched as we walked out the door. I put that one on my list of restaurants that will never get my business.

It seems customer service doesn't matter much these days - I guess they're rolling in so much money they can afford to alienate customers.

Contact the GM or DM about it. If the company cares, you'll hear back from them and possibly be comped in some way. If they don't contact you back or you get the feeling that your complaint is a hassle to them you know that the attitude comes from the top.

[FCEddie]

Originally Posted by Dirt Grinder

We went to one of the established pizza places three nights ago. I walked-up to the counter and waited five minutes while the person took an order over the phone. There were other employees doing nothing just behind this person.

The person asks me what I'd like and I begin my order... the phone rings. The person picks up the phone and proceeds to take the phone-in order, leaving me hanging.

We just left. None of the employees seemed to care and the person on the phone just watched as we walked out the door. I put that one on my list of restaurants that will never get my business.

It seems customer service doesn't matter much these days - I guess they're rolling in so much money they can afford to alienate customers.

That's rough. I've been to a few places where it happens, usually with new staff or untrained staff that haven't learned the systems.

I don't mind waiting when someone is being trained, but at least acknowledge my presence and small talk with me till the other person can take my order.

[FCEddie]

Went to Stevi B's (thanks for free buffets facebook).

1) Place was packed!
2) salad - I got a salad as I'm trying to cut back a few lbs. Fresh as expected, good stuff.
3) Pizzas

crust - typical crust for the conveyor belt ovens. Not great, better than some, worse than others.

sauce - adequate. Most of these places are light on the garlic, and they don't use San Marzano tomatoes. So you can only expect so much.

Cheese - see above- garlic comments.

Toppings: Well that Loaded baked potato was pretty darn good. Pepperoni was solid. Cheese was dull. Sausage/Pepp pretty good.

Mouth feel: Scale of 1-10 - 6.5 for Loaded baked potato. Pepp/Sausage/Pepp - 5.5 - Cheese 4.

Dessert pizzas: I don't usually try these, but cheese cake intrigued me. It was much better than I expected.

Price - at free this was fantastic. At $6.89... wife and I can get more than enough with a trip to Venice for less money.

Great place to take your youth group, teams, etc. Need something quick as you are heading home out west, its fine.

Service: Placed was packed, took a bit of time to get through the line, but nearly everyone was only buying drinks, but signing the facebook list. Then the staff comes to your table, clearing plates, trays, getting you more food.

That's right - bringing you more food. They were so happy, friendly, and just seemed to love their job. That made it worthwhile. It wasn't like going to a fastfood place- every body working looked very happy, even though it was pretty crazy.

[BMW Dave]

Originally Posted by FCEddie

Went to Stevi B's (thanks for free buffets facebook).

1) Place was packed!
2) salad - I got a salad as I'm trying to cut back a few lbs. Fresh as expected, good stuff.
3) Pizzas

crust - typical crust for the conveyor belt ovens. Not great, better than some, worse than others.

sauce - adequate. Most of these places are light on the garlic, and they don't use San Marzano tomatoes. So you can only expect so much.

Cheese - see above- garlic comments.

Toppings: Well that Loaded baked potato was pretty darn good. Pepperoni was solid. Cheese was dull. Sausage/Pepp pretty good.

Mouth feel: Scale of 1-10 - 6.5 for Loaded baked potato. Pepp/Sausage/Pepp - 5.5 - Cheese 4.

Dessert pizzas: I don't usually try these, but cheese cake intrigued me. It was much better than I expected.

Price - at free this was fantastic. At $6.89... wife and I can get more than enough with a trip to Venice for less money.

Great place to take your youth group, teams, etc. Need something quick as you are heading home out west, its fine.

Service: Placed was packed, took a bit of time to get through the line, but nearly everyone was only buying drinks, but signing the facebook list. Then the staff comes to your table, clearing plates, trays, getting you more food.

That's right - bringing you more food. They were so happy, friendly, and just seemed to love their job. That made it worthwhile. It wasn't like going to a fastfood place- every body working looked very happy, even though it was pretty crazy.

Seeing as how it has been years since I went to a pizza buffet and since that was CiCi's, how would you compare the two?

[Zap Rowsdower]

Originally Posted by BMW Dave

Seeing as how it has been years since I went to a pizza buffet and since that was CiCi's, how would you compare the two?

Cici is garbage. If anything ask to compare it with something slightly better....pizza inn lol

[FCEddie]

Originally Posted by Zap Rowsdower

Cici is garbage. If anything ask to compare it with something slightly better....pizza inn lol

DIfferent classes.

Cici's is not close.

[BMW Dave]

Originally Posted by FCEddie

DIfferent classes.

Cici's is not close.

Ok, that's what I wanted to know, that is what I thought Stevie Bs was going to be.
Thank you for the clarification.

Now try Boots and we will be getting somewhere!

[FCEddie]

May have to wait till the week of the 22nd.

[MrBobo]

Originally Posted by Zap Rowsdower

Famous Joe's would appreciate your business and I think redstone has some rewards thing with them if you bank with redstone.

Famous Slow's? Has their service improved at all? The pizza is good but I haven't been back in well over a year, and won't even though it is just down the road, until I hear that things have turned around.

I've taken to just making my pizza from scratch at home, and am plenty happy with that! Rewarding, cheap, and delicious!

[bmrisko]

Originally Posted by MrBobo

Famous Slow's? Has their service improved at all? The pizza is good but I haven't been back in well over a year, and won't even though it is just down the road, until I hear that things have turned around.

I've taken to just making my pizza from scratch at home, and am plenty happy with that! Rewarding, cheap, and delicious!

The last two times we ate there were both carryout orders and both had issues. The first time they quoted me 20 minutes and I got there 30 minutes after ordering...they hadn't even started my pizza yet and I had to sit there and wait ~20 more minutes.

The second order both pizzas had wrong toppings that didn't match the menu description and instead of sitting there and waiting I said F* it, I'll just eat these. Joe is always there but it appears he doesn't have control over his employees. IMHO, It is not worth the frustration to go back.

We usually just end up making pizza at home as well. Sometimes we cheat and use the pre-made pizza dough balls from Publix, Kroger or Earthfare and they always turn out great, not to mention a heck of a lot cheaper!