Papa Johns Pizza — Restaurant in City of Syracuse

Groan. I foolishly ordered a pizza because of that damned "better ingredients, better pizza" commercial. I'm too freakin' old to still be falling for such foolishness... but I'm also notoriously cheap and couldn't pass up what I THOUGHT was a good deal. You see, Papa John's was running an online special: 50% off all online orders. Wow! Surely there must be an innocent and legitimate reason for such a whopping discount. Spolier alert: the pizza is just terrible.

I ordered a pizza... and I am genuinely sorry. There's a DiGiorno commercial where the hip people talk about ordering an extra limp pizza. Based on experience, I'm convinced they ordered their pizza from Papa John's.

I've never had floppy pizza before. It's not fun. When I tried to lift a slice, it was limp and floppy (insert your own joke here) the ingredients just slid off. What the what?

Okay, maybe Papa John's was having an off day...it happens. Surely once customer service becomes aware of my dissatisfaction, they'll try to make things right, right? Wrong.

There is no way to contact the restaurant (unless you're old school and decide to telephone them) online. Papa John's has a generic online complaint form, which I filled out.

About two days later, I received a heartfelt email from store manager Kathy Tillapaugh. Kathy explained in that she took customer satisfaction very seriously and wanted to ensure my enjoyment. I was told to respond via email or telephone. I chose email because internet.

Fast forward 8-10 days. I've been ignored, despite sending TWO follow up emails​. Papa John's got my money and left me hanging (insert another inappropriate joke here). I'm unsatisfied, unhappy and broke.

TL;DR.

No, just no. The food (the bits that didn't fall off) is bland and their customer service is a farce​. Between the pathetic pizza and AWOL customer service, I've been forced question some of my life choices. Questions run through my mind like, why did I order a pizza when I have a kitchen full of food just waiting to be prepared? Why am I so inclined to take shortcuts in life (read: ordering pizza)? Questions that would have NEVER been asked if Papa John's had just given me a #+&! quality pizza!!

Boy...

I tend to be labeled by others as pretentious, picky, difficult to please, etc. That being said I have tried every small business and chain pizza place in Syracuse. This Papa Johns on James Street in the Eastwood area provides the best and most consistent pizza and quality of service, hands down. The staff is friendly, professional, and efficient to the point where I can order from the parking lot at Syracuse University and it's ready by the time I get there. Even if I've forgotten to eat for 40 hours, it's late at night, or my pain is so significant I can barely consider eating, I know I can order from here, pick it up quickly and know I will be well fed from a very kind group of people.

Things to know/consider: order ahead (using the app is incredibly easy), know that there is limited tall counter style seating, this is very much a takeaway centric location. They have bottled drinks. They do have slices but I have always ordered a full pizza so prices and details on that ¯(ツ)/¯ but they are always busy so the turnover is quick.

My only gripe to no fault of the owners/employees is the other customers and contract delivery drivers(UberEats, doordash, etc.) that park in the handicapped spots, as it can be legitimately difficult for me to get into the shop. That being said the staff has on more than one occasion run the food out to me which I sincerely appreciate.

I highly recommend this location for all your...

Unfortunately, masks were not always properly positioned, so I commented.

The prices/items on the paper menus were not correct/available. I was told several items were not available when all their food is made to order.

When the veggie calzone I ordered for $7.95 as shown on paper menu they provided, not only did the price ring up as $37.95 or so, but the cashier kept insisting the price was correct because that is what the computer showed. I was being billed an outrageous amount for each of the veggies included in the veggie calzone as if they were separate calzones, or some such nonsense. One of the other employees tried to help, but the register seemed to lock up. The other register had its own issues with overcharging. Eventually, after a very lengthy wait and my inquiring on progress, I received my food.

Granted, it was New Years Eve and business was booming, but each situation was inappropriate on their own with the combined fiascos and poor attitude for problems clearly the business's fault.

I patronize them as often as I can, and their food is good. That so many issues with their ordering occurred in one visit is discouraging. I hope the problems are fixed by now. The veggie calzone...