Crispelli’s Bakery & Pizzeria - Berkley — Restaurant in Berkley

Please read the edit at the bottom of this review.

Our party of seven called ahead and we were assured they had a table for us. We arrived, hungry for tasty food. There were hi-top tables, but we couldn’t sit at those because our son is in a wheelchair. Within view were a set of 2 tables right next to one another that would seat four each. Despite the tables being completely open, we were told we couldn’t sit there; that even if we divided into two parties they wouldn’t seat us; that we couldn’t be seated anywhere else. Immediately after we were turned away, sure enough, a party of four and a party of two were seated at those tables.

It was as if they didn’t want us there. I’ve never experienced discrimination against wheelchair dependent like this people before. I suppose there’s a first time for everything….

When we approached the manager about this obviously ridiculous situation. He was dumbfounded and assured us that this was a mistake and was not intentional. It’s hard to understand how that could be given the scenario, but he never apologized. He didn’t say he was sorry, and didn’t offer to even investigate further.

I’m sure these aren’t bad people, but their actions befuddle me. Our night was disrupted (we had a great dinner elsewhere), but the bad taste lingers. The feeling of helplessness and a vague sense of embarrassment and shame at our condition will always be associated in our minds with Crispellis.

Shame on you, Crispelli’s. It’s hard being a teenager in a wheelchair and you just made it harder for no reason. Hopefully you can use this as a learning opportunity and do better for others who come after us.

EDIT (11/05/2022): A member of Crispelli’s management reached out to us on the phone and we had a very nice and thorough discussion. They were apologetic and listened with care and concern about our experience. We discussed and confirmed that, while we knew there was no active intent to discriminate against my son, the situation instead was likely an outgrowth of a lack of perspective, understanding, and confusion by the hostess. Crispelli’s is planning on addressing accessibility issues with its staff and reiterated its commitment to making sure everyone - regardless of ability - is able to enjoy their food and atmosphere. All in all, while the situation remains regretful, we appreciate Crispelli’s initiative in reaching out to us, their sincere desire to listen, and their appreciation of our perception of this event. Issues involving accessibility and awareness of accessibility needs are difficult for everyone involved, especially when people are not familiar with the challenges posed by a wheelchair. We appreciate Crispelli’s sincerity and authentic desire to address these issues...

First let me preface this by saying I don't typically do reviews but I am feeling compelled.. I have ordered and dined in here religiously over the years many times twice a week! We have always loved their food and the pies, so much so I fact that I don't mind paying a premium for door dash to enjoy a pie and my 15 year old daughter has medical conditions that require heavy doses of medications that suppress her appetite as a side effect but I can always count on her eating the meatballs when we stop in or door dash Crispellis. I might add that the things we usually order, steak bites, meatballs, cheese pie all have traveled well for door dash or carry out to our house as we are about 5 maybe 7 miles from the restaurant... Fast forward to last night I have some buddies over for the ufc fights everybody says they're hungry. I said oh man Ill order a couple pies. Order is in no problem, I watch the updates, takes 30-40 minutes from when dasher arrives at the restaurant to head to us, seemed a little long but hey it's the weekend, fight night can only assume they are quite busy. 10 maybe 15 minutes pies arrive..everyone swarms the kitchen counter at the same time..I've talked these pies up quite a bit. The pies, well they were atrocious. How can this be?!! No guys seriously I get these pies all the time I don't know what to even say. Cheese pie, the entire top of the pie little beyond well done with hard cheese like leather or like fruit roll up texture could have ripped all the cheese off in one sheet, even more perplexing the bottom of the pie was very chewy not that crisp I've become so accustomed to and then the pepperoni pie was pretty much the same it looked like it sat under a heat lamp for an hour. We literally could have gotten 5 dollar hot and ready's and they would have been better, I know that sounds harsh but I am by no means exaggerating. I was a bit embarrassed and admittedly ticked off. Yeah everyone has a bad day here and there I'd say if I've had 100 pies I'd never had this experience, maybe they were slammed but 2 pies on door dash with a modest tip was little over $50. It's still bothering me as I go through my day today so I decide 'll call the restaurant, there could be some explanation I don't know new guy on the oven or they were just rushing. Perhaps they'll offer to compensate somehow for such an out of character experience. Nope. The manager just listened to my concerns and displeasure and didn't offer to do a __ thing about it. Nice, I feel valued as a loyal customer now. Safe to say that I won't be returning...

I met up with my friend and her fiancee. He had wanted to try it. He had never been here. I have been to other locations before, and I am a frequent flyer at Bread by Crispelli’s. I love that place. My buddy lives across the street from it, so I get coffee and pastries quite often.

When we walked in the door, it wasn't evident what we were supposed to do. We stood there for a few minutes when a young lady came up and greeted us. It was a lovely night. We wanted to sit outside. She explained to us once we were seated that we needed to go up and stand in line to order and that we needed to fill out the covid tracking sheet. So we decide what we want and walk back up to get inline but again, confusing do we stop at the cash register? We stood there for a few minutes when a young lady came up to take our order. I found it odd that she told us they were only serving beer and wine because of covid! I found that odd what does that even mean? So I guess the theme here is fast food style you order your food, give them your table number and pay for your food, and then they bring it out.

My friends ordered beer cheese bread and two different style pizzas. I ordered a Detroit Deep Dish Pizza. It took quite a bit to bring out the cheese bread, and then a few minutes later, they brought out the pizzas. The cheese bread was delicious; however, my Detroit-style pizza was at best at room temperature at best. My friend had to go up and ask where their beer was. They brought it out to them and stated that someone accidentally deleted the ticket.

I do realize that restaurants are struggling to hire people and are running short-staffed. It is crazy time we are living in. I do have to say the guys working the oven thanked us for the business, so...