Papa's Italian Restaurant North — Restaurant in Colorado Springs

First time (and last time) visiting.

I was excited to give a new to us local business a try, since we love supporting local. Unfortunately, our experience was unpleasant.

The dining area is very small, with tables close together, and barely enough room to make it to the counter to order. We were told to sit at a table and were given menus. We were told that the individual would be back to take our order. We watched over six new parties come and place their orders including others who were going to be dining in. I finally had to go to the counter to place our order. I told the individual that I thought that they would be coming to take our order and the response was, "Yeah, We usually try to but we're really busy." There was no apology and nonsense of that individual wanting to help us.

I received my food about 20 minutes after we had ordered it. My husband's order, which was much simpler than mine, did not come out. When I asked about it I was told, "I'll check on it." After watching the individual bring out food for multiple other people and never once come back to tell us the status of my husband's food, and after 10 minutes had passed, I went up to the counter to ask the status and was told it was being made. Another 10 minutes later, after I had eaten my food, My husband's food was brought out. I asked if our orders had not been put in together even though they were ordered together and I was told, "Correct." And when I asked why, I was told, "We are busy and it was forgotten." That individual then left. Again no apology. My husband only received part of his order and never received the rest of it.

The service was awful, the food was just okay. The setup of this location seems like it is intended for pickup and delivery and in no way is it intended to be a dine-in restaurant. If we had received an apologetic response from either of the individuals that helped us, that would have gone a long way. I don't appreciate the way that we were treated and it wasn't worth the money. I...

To begin with, my experience immediately through the doors was poor. Tables were dirty, bussed but not wiped properly. Chairs were just not straight and organized. There is nothing happening in the restraunt and im the only guest. There seems to be no effort to get the restraunt in order. Therefore, I can't give grace for the dirty tables.

When I went to the cashier, and this was my first time in, he asked what I would like to order. I'm confused since I haven't seen a menu, or was not handed one or even welcomed. I then search upwards, as if there was a menu on the wall or hanging ( there is not,) then look for a menu, which are all behind the counter! After my confusion, I'm handed a menu. Honestly, the length to write this is absurd, but it's so simple to just give your guests a menu. The menu is at least 40 plus items, and with the nature of a walk-up order establishment, I feel rushed. The menu is not made well and it's too complicated, so I asked, "Do you do pizza by the slice?" Cashier responds with only on the weeks days. By the way, the young man with long black hair seems to have no interest in any sense of hospitality.

I order a calizone, which takes like a typical dine in restruant time (15 minutes). But the quality is not good. Honestly, old chicago has better marinara sauce and that bar is low. The only thing that made my experince better was an older gentleman in the kitchen that finished up my order and he asked me how my food was. To be honest it's not bad food, but what makes this so unappealing is the environment and customer service. Walls are barren, music is playing from a singular speaker, there is a large mural of the sorts which is the only decoration. I just doesn't make me feel welcomed.

Cliff notes, cashier was very unpleasant. There is no streamlined way to order food, since it's a walk up cashier environment the menu should be simple. Food should be quick. No customer service minus one gentleman, which...

BLUF: above average pizza and calzone (Marcos level) but very unorganized

1st time visiting, walked in and did not know if it was self seating or not. Stood in line at the counter to figure that out, and the lady in front of me had a takeout order missing an item. Grabbed a couple menus from the counter and sat down at a table we had to clean off ourselves. Dine in wasn’t busy at all, unsure about take out.

Placed order (supreme calzone, some kind of chicken bacon artichoke pizza and garlic bites) and went to get iced tea. Nothing but clear water coming out of the unsweetened tea.

Ok, to this point, not really bothered.

Party next to us with kids had already ordered before us…our order came out before theirs. Cut into my calzone to find it was the wrong order…talked to the family with the kids and it was their order. The garlic bites had no garlic or garlic flavor—just baked bread really with marinara on the side. Very disappointed.

My order was put back in and came out quickly but the folks next to us STILL didn’t have everything

Then a large party came in and I guess the manager/owner (?) knew them and greeted them. He didn’t say a word to us…figured if they screwed up our order and the family’s next to us, he would’ve apologized.

Take it for what it’s worth, maybe a bad night or maybe not. I will say the gent that brought our food out was apologetic and attentive, could tell he cared and was trying. Might give them one more chance, but 1st impression...