Merivale Pizza — Restaurant in Ottawa

I have praised these guys as the best pizza in Ottawa for years. I was introduced to their pizza through a good friend. Yesterday I ordered on line through their web site - first time. These guys have a two for one special Sun-Mon-Tues yet when I arrived to pick up my pizza they only had one made. I asked where the second pizza was and the employee told me the customer has to ask for the second pizza if they want two for one!!! I asked him, "Isn't it a special?? If it is an advertised special then the customer should automatically get two pizzas - they shouldn't have to ask!!" The employee argued with me that you have to ask for it. So I said, "Fine, I would like the second pizza." The employee then responds, "I can't do that for you now because you didn't initially ask and the first pizza is loaded." I said "WHAT?!?!?" He said, "the first pizza is loaded with ingredients so I can't make the second pizza." So really, this chap's position was, it isn't really 2 for 1. You order two, but we split the toppings across the two pizzas - RIP OFF. Finally, I said to this guy, "How in the heck am I supposed to request 2 for 1 when I order on line??? There certainly isn't any checkbox or button to select and request the ADVERTISED 2 for 1!!!!!! Again, if it is advertised, shouldn't the special be assumed and the customer gets it?? Complete B.S. I worked in the service industry for years... in fact I made pizzas for 5 years as a young adult. This is not how you do business. Especially when you run the risk of losing a customer and failing to see the customer's point of view. I didn't think my request was unreasonable. Any other time I ordered from Merivale by picking up the phone and calling, I never had to ask for 2 for 1. It was just given!!! CAUSE IT IS THE SPECIAL!!!!! This story this employee gave me was pathetic and his demeanor was worse. He basically refused to dialogue about the issue and pushed me off. In this day of competition, word of mouth and social media reviews you would think common sense would prevail. Alas, as much as I love their pizza, I am done with them. I even called the Owner/manager and explained my situation hoping he would be more understanding. I was still left with a sour taste in my mouth. He explained the 2 for 1 special is not offered on line because he doesn't want customers ordering 2 for 1 on specific days through the web site. I suggested he have his web developer edit the site and limit the option to the days he has the special advertised - I suggested this in a cordial manner so this guy could avoid future problems such as mine. He explained he doesn't want that - ok fine! But that circles back to ordering on line from these guys isn't the way to go and for convenience sake of a 2 for 1. I guess one is left to pick up the phone. I was further soured when the owner said he couldn't change the web site "JUST for ME" - lol. That isn't what I was suggesting and what a terrible demeanor to take with a customer. It was one of the moments where.... if you are thinking it ... don't say it. He blew it. Sigh... again, as good as the pizza is, I am big on customer service. They suck in that capacity. ...

Last night, craving a hearty pizza feast, my kids and I decided to indulge in some takeout from Merivale Pizza. What ensued was nothing short of a culinary delight that left our taste buds dancing and our heart's content.

Upon entering the restaurant to pick up our order, we were greeted by a warm ambiance and the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked pizzas. The atmosphere was inviting, with clean and well-lit surroundings, setting the stage for an enjoyable experience, even for takeout.

We opted for two large pizzas to satisfy our cravings - one adorned with an array of vibrant veggies and the other boasting succulent chicken pieces. From the first bite, it was evident that we were in for a treat.

The pizzas were nothing short of sensational. Each slice was a perfect marriage of flavors, with the right amount of cheese, veggies, and chicken distributed generously across the golden crust. The vegetables were fresh and bursting with natural sweetness, while the chicken was tender and seasoned to perfection.

What truly stood out was the impeccable balance of ingredients. Every component complemented the other, creating a harmonious symphony of taste with each bite. It was evident that careful attention was paid to every detail, ensuring that every aspect of the pizza was executed flawlessly.

And let's not forget about their homemade garlic sauce! It was a delectable addition that elevated the entire dining experience. Creamy, garlicky, and with just the right amount of tanginess, it paired perfectly with the pizzas and left us craving for more.

Moreover, the service at Merivale Pizza was top-notch, even for takeout. The staff were friendly, attentive, and efficient, ensuring that our order was ready promptly and accurately. Their genuine warmth and hospitality added an extra layer of enjoyment to our meal.

In conclusion, Merivale Pizza exceeded all expectations and left an indelible impression on us. If I could give it more than five stars, I would do so without hesitation. I wholeheartedly recommend this establishment to anyone in search of mouthwatering pizzas, whether dining in or enjoying takeout. It's a culinary gem that deserves to be celebrated...

My family and I have been ordering here since I've been a teenager, almost as long as they have been open. I really do enjoy their pizza. The main reason my score isn't perfect is due to inconsistency in not just the product, but also the orders on occasion (which is the main reason I'm doing a google review for the first time). There are times you'll order from Merivale Pizza and you'll get exactly what you ask for and it will be cooked perfectly, and then there are some times you'll order where it seems like the pizza may have been in the oven for a minute or so too long.

When the pizza is cooked perfectly it's great, hands down my preferred pizza place on Merivale. The problem is that for as long as I've ordered from here, it's never been 100% consistent with the quality of the pizza and over the very recent years, some of my orders have actually been mistakes (not many, but definitely more than a few), I'm doing this review because today I received another mistake (and yet I still wanted to give them at least 4 stars because I do love their pizza). They are good at resolving mistakes and in my experience, they have offered to send a completely new pizza to remedy a mistake, or offer credit towards my next order but it would be great if my orders were always guaranteed to be great quality and correct when I order them.

TL;DR: The pizza is amazing, when it's cooked right. I'll always order here when I want something with good portion and good quality, but that quality isn't...