Mr Gatti's Pizza — Restaurant in Baton Rouge

I'm normally not a buffet person, but decided to give this place a try. WRONG DECISION!

I called them ahead of time to ensure that the establishment isn't typically busy at the time that my table would have arrived. I was informed that they're usually empty and that the buffet would be opening in twenty or thirty minutes. This lined up perfectly with our arrival. In the beginning things were fairly good (the restaurant was pretty empty and clean, the food was being placed on the buffet, the food was fresh). Things took a drastic and disgusting turn for the worse when two other parties entered.

One family came in and were absolutely DISGUSTING. The man was blowing and picking his nose, the other adults were scratching their hair, noses, and feet. All of them went to the buffet DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF MANAGEMENT AND STAFF and began to grab food with their bare unwashed, unsanitized hands. They were even picking their noses AT THE BUFFET and still grabbing food with their BARE HANDS. They all were touching multiple items that were still left on the trays for customers to eat.🤮 At one point, they even took their dirty plates to the buffet and placed it next to the food trays. The rules clearly say to get a new plate each visit.

If that were not enough, another barbaric patron walked up and did the SAME THING. This other man touched THREE different trays of food with his bare hands in front of the same management and staff members. He too left soiled food items on the trays for other customers to eat.

What kind of godforsaken establishment has MANAGEMENT AND STAFF watching this type of disgusting barbaric behavior occur directly in front of them and does NOTHING?! The food wasn't removed, and the spatulas they accidentally touched and the salad dressing bottles they touched remained on the buffet. They all made MULTIPLE trips to the buffet doing these disgusting things and the employees said NOTHING. I immediately lost my appetite, informed my table that I was ready to leave, and that I would NEVER return. I honestly wanted to throw up at the sight of such disgusting, uncouth behavior and blatant disregard by management. If this could easily be seen by multiple patrons and management ignored it, I'm scared to think about the things they ignore that the public doesn't see.

The only employees that were great during this horrid experience was the young man whose first day of work it was. He did an amazing job of keeping the tables clean and constantly checked on our table. There was a young man that clocked in right before we left who was sure to wash his hands, wear gloves, and was very kind...

Good Gatti's location. Friendly staff, clean interior, and good food. I'm really impressed with their salad bar. I had a heaping plate of veggies with some of their honey mustard and mac n cheese. It was surprisingly delicious. I ate it all. Their boiled eggs, crumbled, went so well with it. The thick chunks of cucumber had such great crisp and flavor. The broccoli florets were fresh and properly prepared. The salad was just a bagged mix but it did the job! I really enjoyed the honey mustard, it was smooth and not too sweet.

The pizza really depends on your taste. Sweeter sauce. Pretty good crust. The same pizza can come out in different versions with heavier servings of sauce, thicker crust, etc. I enjoy the sausage pizza and the jalapeno pepperoni pizza the most. Even the standard cheese pizza has thick cheese on it that is satisfying. The cheese sticks are pretty nice, but I prefer to have their other offerings. In addition, there's other archetypal pizzas like buffalo chicken, macaroni pizza, chicken and white sauce, etc. If you don't like a pizza you can always make a request. This is important, as during the slow times the pizza offered will not be fresh out of the oven. Which makes sense because it'd just be a waste. So be aware.

Their soda machine makes good drinks and it's definitely a quality coke that comes from it. There's also some tea neighboring it as well. Dessert pizza has a pretty narrow offering. There's the classic cinnamon sticks. Which are tasty and crunchy. Can't go wrong. There's a vanilla pudding pizza which is also pretty good. But the star of the show is the smores pizza. Oh man. The toasted marshmellow with the chocolate sauce on the crust. It's great. It always goes first.

Plenty of napkins, utensils, and plates. Staff also make sure the tables are clear pretty often. I think the tables are a wee bit close. But maybe that's me. The booths don't really give me a lot of sitting room. If I was heavier I'm not sure I could get out of a few of them! There's two televisions which cover a decent bit of the dining area and it's on sports. There's an arcade, too, and it seems like a great spot for the kids. Bathrooms are pretty clean and I haven't had an issue with them.

Overall, a good place to stuff your face with food. I think you should go during the busier hours. But most options are a good value and...

Mr. Gatti’s Pizza - Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Mr. Gatti’s Pizza on Essen Lane is a nostalgic gem that’s made a triumphant return to Baton Rouge. Under new management, it has become a go-to spot for family fun and fantastic pizza. Whether you’re dining in, ordering to go, or stopping by for delivery like I recently did, Mr. Gatti’s delivers quality and crave-worthy food every time.

Their buffet is the ultimate highlight, offering a wide variety of pizzas to suit any taste. From classic favorites to unique combinations, there’s something for everyone. Don’t forget the dessert pizzas and cheese bread—they’re not to be missed! While I didn’t eat during my recent visit, I was impressed by the lively, welcoming atmosphere. Families with kids were enjoying themselves, with parents helping little ones pick out their slices. It’s the perfect spot for a fun, casual outing.

What’s even more telling about Mr. Gatti’s popularity is its loyal customer base. I was delivering a pizza to a customer in Prairieville, a neighboring town, and it was clear they went out of their way to satisfy a craving for Mr. Gatti’s over closer options. The pizza traveled exceptionally well, thanks to my insulated bag, and I’m sure it arrived just as fresh and delicious as it left the restaurant.

The space itself is large, with ample seating and plenty of parking. There’s even overflow parking available nearby, though it rarely seems necessary. Accessibility is also a plus, as the location is wheelchair-friendly.

Mr. Gatti’s has stood the test of time, and it’s clear why. The pizza is just as good—if not better—than I remember from my childhood. If you’re in Baton Rouge, make it a point to stop by Mr. Gatti’s Pizza on Essen Lane. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a first-time visitor, you won’t be disappointed.

10/10, highly recommend. I’ll definitely...