California Pizza Kitchen at Lenox — Restaurant in Atlanta

Let me start by saying , my favorite place I travel 25 miles even though there is the same restaurant 15 miles from my house but I preferred to come to this place because of the location And the set up.... I have been thinking about writing a review for a long time I am not a type of person that likes to go online and write reviews but I’ve given a lot of thought due to the simple fact it is my favorite restaurant and I would like to keep coming back Like I said my favorite place to eat , the location is very convenient but the Service is awful and it keeps getting worse! I’m not going to write a whole book but will describe my last visit this past Sunday which has been the worst service so far and I’ve been there many many times . My wife and I usually order pizza my favorite is chicken chipotle comes with lime sauce but I’d like to add Ranchito sauce on the side So as many times as I’ve been there and ordered pizza with my favorite sauce I never get the sauce have to wait additional 10 minutes to get the sauce this is one little example every single time So last Sunday we get seated the waitress comes over and asks my wife what she would like to drink , writes down drinks walks away never asked me what I like to drink comes back with my wife’s drinks. I Asked can I order drinks she said I thought you didn’t want anything because you didn’t say anything ... I said no big deal let me get drinks ,the waitress comes back ask my wife what she would like to order asked my daughter starts walking away I said ma’am can I order something she rolled her eyes and said ,I was asking you guys would like to order ?but never made an eye contact and asked me what would you like to order ? So I started following waitress because something didn’t seem right , as I watched her move around the restaurant she was scratching her head rubbing her nose ,counting money and never washes her hands Eventually she comes back brings three plates, has her thumb on top of my plates , places it on the table with greasy thumbprints right on top of the plate... And she was holding my daughter’s water cup with her pointing finger inside the cup, Make a long story short she brings pizza Same situation fingers inside the plate! So I started looking around I’ve noticed that this is a training issue of that restaurant , other waitress waiters are doing the same thing Carrying plates with their fingers inside peoples , going back to the register counting money not washing their hands and going back to serve food. We almost walked out and I would still pay for the food and walk out but I didn’t because of my daughter she was hungry ... I’m really thinking to start visiting place by my house and not going back to the same location because of these issues ,eventually someone will get sick because of the poor hygiene and the service of those waitresses...

We visited California Pizza Kitchen at Lennox (Atlanta) on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, after our Stretching Class and returning Johnson & Murphy pants and other shopping. I am not sure if it was our workout attire (leggings for me, shorts for my hubby), or if the waiter simply had an attitude. We placed an order for drinks (margaritas for hubby, mocktail for me) and asked for a few minutes to decide on meal. We both ordered a bowl of soup and hubby ordered salad w chicken. I was not sure what I wanted for an entree and said I might add one later. Waiter said bartender was busy, so it might take a moment on drinks. Our soups come out, which we eat. Husband's salad comes out. Waiter never offered bread, neither water. Husband is more than half way through his salad and waiter finally comes by to ask if we received our drinks (duh, do you see any drink glasses on our table?); we respond with "no, we have not received our drinks". Even after asking about drinks, waiter did not have the courtesy to ask whether we would like water. Meanwhile he has visited the woman sitting at the table next to us several times with water, bread, chatting several times -perhaps a regular customer (as if that should matter in regards to the service he offered us as first time visitors at this CPK location). He finally brought our drinks out, at the point that my husband is 2/3rds finished with his salad. Of course, after realizing how shabby this server was, I'd already determined that I would not be ordering an entree. I am one who always tips 20% (or more in case of exceptional service) and debated for a moment on whether to offer only 15%, but being fully aware of the stereotype around POC and tipping, I gave the Waiter a full 20% tip on the meal. With that said, 1) we sill never visit this CPK location again; and 2) I hope the manager of this location has a talk w this Waiter about proper treatment of customers (no matter what they are wearing - had he recognized my husband, he would probably have treated us differently - or whether you are having a good day or not). I have frequented several CPK over the years and was a regular customer at their Pentagon City location when I worked in DC, but I have never received such shoddy service as we received...

Date & Time: September 2025, around 7:30 P

Arrival & Atmosphere

Despite arriving just 30 minutes before closing, the team at CPK welcomed me with genuine warmth. The host and waiter didn’t flinch at the time or make me feel rushed. Instead, they created a relaxed, inviting environment, although I still ordered to go.

Rating: 5/5

Service Experience From the moment I walked in, the staff made me feel seen and valued. Their tone was gracious, their pacing unhurried, and their demeanor refreshingly professional. It’s rare to find a team that balances efficiency with emotional intelligence this well. Rating: 5/5

Food Ordered

• Wedge Salad — Crisp, chilled, and well-balanced • Salmon Piccata — Light, flavorful, and plated with finesse • Butter Cake w/ Häagen-Dazs Scoop

Around $50 total!

Each dish delivered on flavor, presentation, and consistency. The butter cake continues to reign supreme! warm, rich, and perfectly paired with the ice cream. Rating: 5/5 — Quality, consistency, and indulgence all hit the mark.

Brand Promise & Emotional Impact CPK continues to prioritize quality and customer care in a way that feels personal. That sense of “home” is what keeps me coming back. Rating: 5/5

Looking forward to returning. This location has earned a spot on my go-to list for reliable service and elevated casual dining. Rating: 5/5

TLDR California Pizza Kitchen delivered a flawless experience even under time constraints. From warm service to consistently excellent food, this visit reaffirmed why it’s a staple in my dining rotation. Highly recommended for anyone seeking comfort, quality, and care—all...