Sal's Authentic NY Pizza - Queen St — Restaurant in Waitematā

Based off of three experiences only one was good.

First, I went in to get some slices. There were no pepperoni cupped slices available. Yet, there was a friendly man there that said that they make any pizza no matter what. Only thing is that yiu have to wait about 15 minutes, no big deal. I decide to come back later, it’s only about 5pm at this time and they close around midnight (i believe) so when I come back I’m sure they will have the slices that I want.

Same day I come back maybe 9pm. The same man is there. Also, there’s no slices of any pizza that I want. Again, the man tells me that they can make any pizza I want (even though I’m ordering slices). He makes two different pizza for me without any hesitation. On this day, the service and pizza was 5 star.

Now the horrible experiences (the next day and day after).

For context, I’ve worked in many restaurants and understand that it can be a pain to cook something that may not be purchased. However, if the it’s your job to do it, then it’s your duty.

The day after my first experience, I go back maybe around 6pm. Two men are there. I asked them if they can make three of the same slices for me. The man at the counter says “no, if you want a slice, it has to be what’s already out.” I tell him that I came in twice yesterday, and another man told me that you (Sal’s staff) can make any slice if asked cause it’s their job. The guy again just says they can’t.

No need to argue, so I just leave. I’m not gonna buy a slice that has been sitting out for who knows how long. Second, it’s 6pm, I’m sure the cupped pepperoni will be bought if you make it. There’s two workers and they are not doing anything.

Next day, I come back at about 2:30pm (my hotel is near the restaurant). One of the same workers from the day before is there. I go to the counter, he doesn’t see me. He’s sitting in a chair looking at his phone. I literally stand there for about 5-10 seconds before I say “excuse me”. I ask if he has a slice of the cupped pepperoni. He tells me no, this is all we have. He says if I want a slice, I can only choose what’s out there. So I just leave.

My final thought is, the workers that chose not to make the slice is just lazy. Given the context of time and popularity of the pizza, there’s no reason not to make it. The money doesn’t come out of their pocket, so my only reasoning for them not making the pizza is because they simply didn’t want to. With that being said, if you’re too lazy to do your job, why would I spend my money on pizza that you made earlier, which probably isn’t any good? There’s many of other pizza shops around Auckland.

Sal’s manager of this restaurant should look into this, as it is sure to negatively affect their...

My god… we ordered on Friday night. First of all, why is there only two workers on a Friday night? Secondly, we waited 50-55 minutes for 1 pizza, mozzarella sticks and 350g wings. We were quoted 25 minutes. I checked in at the 45 minute mark asking what’s going on and he was surprised I had waited that long. Turns out my pizza had just been sitting there waiting for pick up (even though I had been sitting at the table right in front of him the whole time) and same with my sides. Once I finally received everything after waiting another 5-10 minutes (cause he was trying to figure out what was mine). I finally got my items. I took them all home and they were cold from just sitting there (I live 5 minutes down the road so I know transporting them home isn’t what cooled them down). It was cold cause it had just been sitting there without me being told it was ready!

Note: I get Fridays are busy but when I arrived, I was the only one in the store and no one arrived for another 5 minutes after my order was taken.

$75 for a 55 minute wait with an impatient 4 year old and the end result...

If you're going to Sal's, this is the one to go to. They consistently deliver the best pizza the Sal's brand has to offer. Plus the garlic knots are cooked to perfection here. Other stores will cook the knots too little, and they'll be overly chewy, almost raw-tasting.

Not Sal's Queen Street. Here they come out looking like a work of art, and they taste the same, too.

The guy making the pizzas—I don't know his name—he was there when I first came to Auckland in 2017, to be with the love of my life, finally. He's still there now, making the best pizzas Sal's has likely ever produced, as I prepare to leave New Zealand, the love of my life no longer wanting anything to do with me.

I don't want to go. I'll miss everything about this country, including your magic with the...