The Hungry Italian (Dragon/Mickeys Pizza) — Restaurant in Oakville

A Regrettable Evening at The Hungry Italian: A Lesson in Lost Hospitality

It is with profound disappointment and a heavy heart that I share my recent experience at The Hungry Italian, a restaurant that promised authentic Italian cuisine but delivered an unforgettable affront to basic decency. My story, I hope, will serve as a poignant reminder that true hospitality extends far beyond the plate—and that no customer should endure the indignity I faced at the hands of the owner, Sandy.

My ordeal began with a simple phone call to place a takeout order. Sandy answered, her voice laced with irritation, as though my call was an unwelcome burden. Devoid of even a hint of warmth or professionalism, she brusquely informed me that dine-in orders required an in-person visit, leaving takeout as my only option. Though taken aback by her tone, I proceeded with the takeout order, trusting that the food might redeem the initial encounter.

Arriving at the restaurant 15 minutes early, I noticed a dining area filled with empty tables, quiet and inviting. With the pizza still in preparation, I made a modest request to the polite server: could we switch to dining in, given the ample seating and identical pricing for both options? The server, courteous and attentive, sought Sandy’s permission. What followed was a moment so disheartening it overshadowed any anticipation for the meal.

Sandy approached and, with a tone sharp enough to wound, declared that our takeout order prohibited us from dining in. Her words were not merely a refusal but a public rebuke, delivered as if I had begged for a free meal rather than paid $50 for a single pizza. The sting of her condescension was profound; I have rarely felt so belittled, as though my presence was an inconvenience rather than the foundation of her business. To be addressed with such disdain, in full view of staff and other patrons, was a humiliation that no customer should endure.

The pizza, I must admit, was skillfully prepared—a fleeting moment of quality in an otherwise deplorable experience. Yet no culinary excellence can excuse the absence of basic respect. Sandy’s behavior reflects a troubling pattern, echoed in numerous reviews that lament her dismissive and abrasive demeanor. It is disheartening to witness a business owner so disconnected from the essence of hospitality, particularly one who proudly claims to run a “Canadian-owned” establishment. True Canadian values—kindness, respect, and community—are nowhere to be found in her approach.

To those considering The Hungry Italian, I offer a sincere warning. The food may entice, but the risk of facing Sandy’s unwarranted hostility is too great. Her actions betray a fundamental misunderstanding of what it means to serve—not just food, but the people who sustain her livelihood. I will not return, and I urge others to seek establishments where customers are valued, not diminished. To Sandy, your $50 pizza cost you far more than my payment—it cost you my trust, my loyalty, and my voice. Hospitality begins with respect; it’s time to embrace that truth before more patrons walk away forever.

Edit/Addendum to Original Review:Sandy’s reply about my time at The Hungry Italian tries to twist the story, but it doesn’t hold up. She blames her “policy” and says I misunderstood her table offer, but that’s just an excuse. The real issue? Her rude tone made me feel small over a $50 pizza. We wanted to switch to dine-in—there were empty tables, the waiter confirmed it—because we had time to order drinks and appetizers, spending more money. Her harsh words pushed us away. This isn’t a personal grudge; it’s the truth. Look at the one-star reviews—too many people feel the same. I’m done here, and I’m someone who can afford better. Sandy, treat people right, it doesn't cost you anything and...

As an immigrant, you’re often forced to overlook subtle (and not-so-subtle) instances of discrimination. But my recent experience at this establishment demands to be called out.

My wife, our two young children (aged 2 and 5), and I visited this place known for being a family-friendly board game café. We picked up a game, and the kids—naturally excited—were engaged in play when a woman, later identified as the owner, abruptly walked over to my 2-year-old daughter, scolded her for standing on a sofa, and told her to be quiet. Not once did she acknowledge us, introduce herself, or approach the situation with basic courtesy or respect. She simply turned and walked back into the kitchen, leaving my daughter visibly shaken.

Later, I approached her calmly to explain that it would have been more appropriate to speak to the parents instead of confronting a toddler directly. Her response? Dismissive and condescending. She questioned why my daughter was standing in the first place, followed by a bizarre monologue about how her children never behaved that way and how she had traveled the world with them. The implication that our child’s behavior—age-appropriate and harmless—was somehow a reflection of our parenting was offensive, and her tone carried more than just judgment; it carried bias.

When I reiterated that she should address the parents in the future, she replied, “Next time I’ll come tell the parents that since you’re not doing your job, I’ll do it for you.” That kind of hostility and moral superiority has no place in a space that brands itself as welcoming to families and children.

Other patrons were active, yet none of them seemed to be a problem—only us. Only my family. Only my toddler who apparently was expected to act like an adult.

Her excuse? Safety. Yet our daughter was in the safest part of the sofa, tucked into a corner with no risk of falling. The safety concern was clearly a cover for something else.

We left the place deeply disappointed. Not just because of the incident, but because it revealed an undercurrent of prejudice and a complete lack of empathy. We were not welcomed. We were judged.

I rarely leave negative reviews, but I believe people should know what to expect before walking into a place like this with their family—especially if they don’t look like the...

After seeing the owner emotionally plea to local residents via social media a few weeks ago, I decided to try the Hungry Dragon out. After my experience, it is pretty evident why the owner had to resort to her video to attract customers to the restaurant.

We went to use their website to order online and they specifically state to not order a large, but to order two small pizzas instead because they don't have any take-out boxes. That is ridiculous. The mobile version of the site was slightly difficult to use. The system kept pushing our pick-up time forward for no logical reason (we selected well beyond the minimum 30 minutes).

When I went to pick it up, there was some confusion regarding the order. the decor inside the restaurant is very confusing. There is a bar, TVs with the Raptors pre-game on, garland and pinecones, a giant picture of a light green forest on the wall, on the other side of the walls was a beautifully hand written mantra that the family follows. The identity of this place is absolutely confusing. In an effort to be a little of everything, it seems like they aren't excellent at any one particular identity.

It seems like the kitchen area behind the scenes has some solid potential as the equipment looked very clean and new. I was hoping the food would be a redeeming factor in this, it was not. Pepperonis were stuck together, whole olives inside the pizza, the meat was cold and heated unevenly. The crust was good, about the equivalent as a Delissio Pizza for $5. Although filling, it lacked the quality behind the $47 price tag for the two small pizzas.

Overall, it was a confusing experience. It is easy to see why in April of 2022 the business said it was on the verge of bankruptcy. It seems like the business lacks dedication in a true identity and effort (based on their limited operating times). I truly would love to see them succeed and would love to try their pizza again in the future when they address these fairly...