Papa Gambino's — Restaurant in Bangor

TLDR: Expensive, bland flavor, building needs a deep clean, short wait, friendly staff - simply not like the past

We recently got a pizza from Papa Gambino’s (PG) on Hammond Street, but it wasn’t the first time visiting here. I haven’t eaten here in a few years, not because of the food, but due to not being in the area nearly as much as before. Therefore, we gave it a try. We haven’t tried the State Street location as of the posting of this review, but it’s unlikely that we will in the future. I am not sure whether they changed the recipe in recent years, but I recall the food being far less greasy, more flavorful, and more affordable.

Upon entering the location, it’s clear that it’s dated by the classic walk-in refrigerator door, blackened pizza ovens and stainless steel wall, and the cramped, unorganized layout of the location (card reader behind the counter and feet away from the register). They also replaced the few tables they had in the corner with a larger drink cooler and a deep freezer. However, the location is in need of a deep clean. I observed greasy cardboard boxes labeled and used for storing pizza pans, the front of the pizza ovens looked like someone attempted to scrape them clean and gave up, and the floors, walls, and mop boards behind the counter were discolored with dirt and grime, specifically around the eyewash station.

The staff were pleasant, dressed professionally, and were quick to serve us. PG has a large menu to choose from with many options that looked good. We settled on a simple 16 inch pepperoni pizza. I didn’t look at the price on the menu and got surprised when I paid $19.50. Compared to other local places, even ones with 18 inch large pies, this is one of the most expensive pizzas in the area. I understand the cost of everything has increased in recent years, and I don’t mind paying an extra dollar tor two to help a local business, but a simple pepperoni pizza for nearly $22 after tax felt like a stretch for what we had received. The wait time of approximately twelve minutes was extremely reasonable, though.

The pizza smelled good, the toppings were evenly distributed, and the crust ring was consistently sized all the way around. It had a considerable amount of grease on the top, which should be noted for those that do not like that. It was hot, and the cheese was stringy - we had our hopes up. Though, within the first few bites, the taste and ingredients were not enjoyable. It’s in the opinion of the author that the pizza was no better than a slice served up in a school cafeteria. I don’t doubt that the dough is fresh like PG promotes, but it simply tasted cheap. It was very similar in texture, consistency, and flavor to that of the store bought, dry mix dough packet we had used the week before. In fact, it tasted like the whole thing was made from ingredients you could pick up at a local grocery store. The sauce and cheese didn’t have any notable flavors, and I couldn’t pinpoint any seasoning or spices if they were present. It was bland. Eating it brought flashbacks of the stuff I ate at high school. For selling individual slices for $3 each, in comparison, I’d have to choose between here and a Circle K gas station.

Eating at restaurants and getting takeout is a desire we share to have food that we cannot easily replicate at home, more than it is out of convenience. While this pizza wasn’t bad, it was disappointing for a restaurant-grade establishment. For half the price and minus the pizza oven, we could have made the same pie. The staff were good and helpful, but at the end of the day, we go for the food. If PG did change the recipe within the last few years, they need to change back. If not, I’m sad to see it go downhill. It wasn’t like this before. This simply tasted cheap and depressing.

Best...

I've been going to Gambino's since my Loring AFB days in 1977. Usually, it's a good experience. Today was a bad experience. I called in my order. They really, really messed it up. I ordered a tuna sub, TUNA SUB, for my wife, with all the veggies. What my wife got was a tuna melt, no veggies. I ordered a Godfather sub, with no green peppers and I added black olives. My wife went in to pick up the order and when she came out I asked her why one of the sandwiches was in a Styrofoam container. She looked into the container and discovered it was not what she ordered. I sent her back in to get the order corrected. She was not offered a new sandwich. The employee put the veggies on the tuna melt (yuck). Cold veggies on a heated sub. I wanted to go in myself to get the order made right, even though I have to use crutches, but she didn't want me to make a fuss. She wasn't sure I had ordered the right sandwich . . but then, as we were discussing it, she remembered me saying to them she wanted all the veggies. The reason there were no veggies on the sandwich to begin with is that tuna melts don't usually get any veggies. Anyway, when we got home, I started to eat my sandwich and I realized my sandwich wasn't right either. No lettuce, double onions and so little tomato that I didn't think there was any on the sandwich at all. I've had orders messed up before and by other sandwich shops but when they messed it up, they made it right. Either the Hammond Street Gambino's is going downhill or they need to have a serious talk with their employees. Next time I'll go to...

Went to the State St location tonight ordered the same thing we ordered on 12/20/18 sans a bag of chips on the 20th! I realize that there is more cost associated with chips on the 20th we paid 19.55 tonight when my fiancé went to pick up the food plus the 3.99 bag of chips we were charged $34.44! When my fiancé questioned it she was treated with absolute rudeness and arrogance by the “Manager” Rob! When I called to dispute a female answered and said they were closed I told her I didn’t care wanted to speak to the manager! Rob got on the phone and had the same arrogance he showed my fiancé refused to give his last name and told me prices have increased since the 20th! He terminated my call as he obviously likes his power trip over women but cannot deal with a male confronting him! When the order did get home not only does a large sandwich cost almost 10.00 like 8.50 something they screwed up the order! Gave us three large sandwiches instead of one large and to small! I have been a loyal customer to Gambinos for years but no longer your prices and your lack of judgement in managers is unforgivable! Joe should return from retirement and fix the mess that has been made with his long time business! Want good food save yourself a lot of money and not have to deal with so called managers like ROB go...