Mr Gatti's Pizza — Restaurant in Clarksville

I was told today that new owners took over about a year ago... well, are the old ones still available? I worked at a very successful Gattiland in Eastern KY for 4 years throughout high school and college. I was mortified today. We walked in today, and no one said hello. We went to a table, and I went back to order, I was told à la carte is not an option now per the new owners. Instead, make a request for the buffet, and the staff would let us know. We were two adults with two infants who drove from east Louisville because this Mr. Gatti's had reliable quality like we had in Ashland, KY. I guess this is our last time. I asked for a thin crust combo [pepperoni and sausage]. The woman looked at me like I had two heads. I also asked for fresh cheesesticks. The ones on the bar were old. After years of working at Gattiland, I know what the product should look like. This is why we preferred ordering our own pizza to be fresh and not touched by other patrons. I've never seen a Mr. Gatti's that doesn't allow you to order pizza, unless it's a Gattiland or GattiTown. They were selling pizza to go. If the worker called my name, I don't know. I went up and there was a combination pizza, no thin crust. It was placed directly on the bar and mostly gone. The other stores I've been to waited for the person who made the request before placing the rest on the bar. Especially if they used a smaller pan size. The salad bar was a nightmare. Several ingredients were out of stock. The new owner removed banana peppers for pepperoncini, and one pitiful pepper floated in a juice on the bar. While both seem to cost the same from restaurant suppliers. Banana peppers would go further on a bar. A serving is about a quarter cup vs 3 pepperoncini. I can't imagine putting a quarter cup on a salad or plate for pizza, but I can imagine 3 pepperoncini. That's just bad business, but it's their food cost. Our owner would never have done it. If the item was expensive it stayed on the pizza line and people requested it for their salad, and they got a portion. The owner I worked for was very intentional about training and tried to get me to stick with him, a very nice guy. I can't be 100% sure, but I'm fairly certain drink cups were sitting out right side up as you enter. I don't know that county's or Indiana's rule, but we had to have cups upside down to ensure they were clean from dirt or debris. The ranch was not the flavor profile that I recall. I had to season it with salt and pepper. Lastly, the overall cleanliness was mediocre. The exterior of the restaurant smells like urine. This might not be their fault, but the owner I worked for would be hiring pressure washing. The men's room had no way to change an infant. Are people changing babies inside the dining room? I'm sure it happens. I think this should be mandatory for every business, especially dining locations to have a functioning fold out changing table to avoid dirty diapers on a table.

I hate to be so specific and complain. I didn't ask for a manager or the new owner. It's just sad to see a business and brand that brings me nostalgia that will be run into the ground like the Louisville locations. If the new owner reads this, please reach out to a successful franchise owner. I'm not sure if the same two guys own the one in Ashland but one of them owned a Mr. Gatti's in that area too. Pikeville, KY is ran well but it's a large concept arcade type. Morehead, KY is owned by a former manager I worked for, Dana Brown. She's great. I hate to complain and not try to offer a solution. Gattiland helped put me through college. I want our area to have a...

I pretty much stopped going to the Clarksville, IN Gatti’s because the place is NOT a pleasure to visit.

Mr. Gatti’s has been one of my favorite pizza places since I was a kid, and this remains true of other Gatti’s shops.

But not — and when I say not, I mean most especially NOT the store in Clarksville. When I’ve complained in the past the owners are always apologetic; but the service and food simply don’t improve.

There have been “up” periods in a business where ups and downs could reasonably be expected. As a thinking human being, I get that. I really do. But the Clarksville Gatti’s has exhibited the occasional blip of Up in an otherwise good-as-dead flatline of shockingly poor quality.

So why would I risk it at all, one might wonder. In tonight’s case, my wife was coming home through Clarksville and I decided to risk it.

My order was for carry-out, a large pie with several toppings. Because a pie of this thickness can result in undercooked dough, I usually request additional cooking time.

And boy, did I get it!

The crust was burned absolutely black around the edges and on the entire bottom. The top wasn’t burned, but it was so “well done” that it dried out miserably. Much of the meat was in such a dried state that I am forced to use the term “meat” quite loosely. More of a linguistic placeholder than anything:

[𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐁𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞]

I went ahead and took a bite while writing this… sort of like a self-inflicted dare. That — and further business with the Clarksville Gatti’s — aren’t mistakes I’ll be making again.

I don’t have to give up Gatti’s entirely. Thankfully there’s still the Brandenburg, KY Gatti’s. While there’s the occasional miss with them, they generally do a great job and run a clean, tight ship. But Clarksville…?

Yeah, that chapter of my...

As a 42-year-old, Mr. Gatti’s is a place I’ve frequented for years. It is also a place that has never changed. Ever. From the carpet, paint, tables, and chairs, to the smell, it’s never changed. This consistency in atmosphere can evoke nostalgia for longtime patrons like myself. However, what has changed is the pricing, which has reached a point where the quality and the price no longer match.

I remain loyal to the brand because I have always loved the pizza and the joy of being able to eat as much as I want, eagerly waiting for the freshest pizza to pop up. Despite this, the particular location I visit is in desperate need of an update. The interior feels dated, and the limited pizza options on the buffet can be disappointing. While they will make a pizza to your liking if you ask, it’s not quite the same as having a variety of fresh pizzas readily available.

Customer service at this location is so-so. They are often out of straws, forks, or low on food items, which detracts from the overall experience. This used to be a great place to go with the family to eat cheaply and get pretty decent pizza. Now, with the increased prices, the lack of upgrades stands out even more starkly.

I feel strongly that if Mr. Gatti’s is going to raise its prices, it needs to invest in upgrading its facilities and improving its service. The brand has a loyal customer base that appreciates the nostalgic value and the concept of an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet, but the current state of this location falls short of what patrons deserve for the price they are paying. With some much-needed updates and attention to service, Mr. Gatti’s could easily reclaim its status as a cherished family dining...