Carmelo's Wood Fired Pizza — Restaurant in Melbourne

UPDATE

Just when I thought this business had finally grown some 'b@%$s (I think you know the word lol)...they delete their response to my review. Probably a wise move as it was extremely unprofessional.

Thanks for the apology...but its a bit hard to send you a picture of burnt pizzas now after being so long. You claim to have a good memory of what I apparently ordered...but can't remember what condition the pizzas left your premises...hmmm. You missed the point. I have absolutely no issues with your price rise...the last thing I want to see is another business fold in the area. I do have a problem when prices go up...and quality goes down. Pepperoni? Proves my point about you being distracted...not even close to what I ordered. No need to tell me not to come back...thought my review was pretty obvious that wouldn't happen. Not a good look for people reading this review though when you say that. Would be more professional to take the criticism and learn from it. You may as well stick up a big sign 'If you don't like my pizza's you're not welcome '

REVIEW....

I've been coming here for years...supported them through covid19 etc...and for a while...they really lifted their game. Unfortunately...after leaving positive reviews in the past...that's all gone out the window. So my latest visit...despite paying for 2 pizzas ...and paying extra for extra toppings...I received 2 x burnt pizzas without the extra toppings I paid for. Then it suddenly dawned on me...every time I go in there, there seems to be a new 'attractive ' female assistant helping the young male owner but he's more focused trying to chat up up the new girl...rather than paying attention and making / cooking the pizza's correctly.

Luckily in East Brunswick...we're spoilt for choice with a number of other quality establishments.

My advice to the business owner...Keep work and play separate....and as you mature in business...learn how to reply politely to the negative reviews you get (and actually act)...rather than take the easy way out and just reply to...

Carmelo's Wood Fired Pizza was, hands down, one of the worst dining experiences I’ve ever had. First off, the atmosphere was nothing like what you'd expect from a "wood-fired" pizza joint—it felt more like a dimly lit cafeteria. The service was laughably slow, and I wish I could say it was worth the wait, but the pizza that finally arrived was a disaster.

The crust was somehow both burnt and soggy, like they had no idea how to use their own wood-fired oven. The sauce was flavorless, almost like they just spread canned tomatoes on top. And don’t even get me started on the toppings—I ordered a Margherita, and they skimped on the basil so much I could barely find any. The mozzarella was rubbery, and everything tasted off, like it had been sitting out too long before they served it.

On top of that, the server seemed annoyed when we asked for drink refills, and it felt like we were being rushed out, even though the place was half-empty. For what they charge, I expected much more. Honestly, I would have been happier with a frozen pizza from the grocery store. Avoid Carmelo's if you actually...

We have been having Carmelo's Pizza about monthly for a couple of years now and tonight was the last time. It has gone from good local pizza to hopeless service and bad food. Delivery was 1 hour and 35 minutes, when we booked it said 55 minutes. We rang at 1.05h and were told 15 minutes and that the reason was "it's busy" twenty minutes later no pizza and i was told the delivery boy left ages ago and should have been there. Delivery boy said he had just left and then proceeded to yell at me Let me say that again the delivery boy yelled at me for him being thirty minutes late. Rang to complain and was told that they were busy and the behavior was ok, but I could have a free garlic bread next order. Both garlic and lamb pizza's were cold on delivery The lamb pizza was way under "topped" The Seafood Basket was also cold, had soggy chips, the calamari was so tough I couldn't eat it and the fish tasted...