Papa Joe's — Restaurant in Cuyahoga Falls

I chose Papa Joes to celebrate my partner’s 50th birthday over the weekend and my experience was way below my expectations. I had hosted a similar event in the past and was hoping to have that same experience. I’ll begin with the reservation: I originally made the reservation about a month and a half ago for the Primavera Room only to be told 3 hours before the event that it was switched out for a larger group (who made their reservation after mine was solid) to the Tuscany room which is NOT private, and I wanted that element because this was a surprise event. But I adjusted for the sake of time and requested to have the $75 room fee discounted or waived.l by text to Kim. No response! In fact, it was charged to my friend’s bill after I paid it to a waitress separately in cash.

During the event, neither of the event planners (Kim and/or Donna) checked in to see how our service was going thus far, however, MaryAnn and the other wait staff were AMAZING. Now onto the general manager…while planning for the event I told Donna/Kim that I would have a cake for the event from a local bakery which was fine. There would a fee unless we allowed Papa Joes to serve ice cream…and the fees appeared on the bill. No problem, I figured I could work his out with someone. So, I was introduced to a woman who came up to me saying “Ok, what seems to be the problem..?”, which threw me off guard as to the rudeness and tone. I asked if she was either Donna or Kim, she said “I am the general manager” I asked for her name, she said it didn’t matter…so, I explained the cake fee(s) and she scoffed and went on to explain about how the staff is paid etc., and how the fee was miscommunicated. You have to be a special type of person to look a paying customer in the face and say “YOU KNOW BY ME WAIVING THIS I AM GOING TO GET CHEWED OUT TOMORROW!!!!” As if it is a personal inconvenience for her to make right of a wrong situation. She took care of the fee and went into the party room to disconnect the Bluetooth while I still had guests and made comments to the staff about the party lasting longer than expected. No “Thank you for your business”, an apology for the mishap. Between the 30+ guests and myself spending over $1500.00…this entire experience was like a bomb that kept exploding over and over again. I found out her name is Toni and “wow” is all I have to say. Better fit for a position at Olive Garden than with an upscale restaurant with...

After living in this area my entire life, and driving past this place over and over again, we decided to give it a try.

I went with a tall glass of San Pellegrino which our lovely server Jen poured for me into a glass with two limes. I love the small touches like that. Cutlery was also nice and heavy, which came wrapped in a heavy cloth napkin which I always appreciate.

For an appetizer we ordered the fresh bread brushed with olive oil. I don't know what I was expecting, maybe your every day Italian bread, maybe something a little unique. What I got when I peeled back that cloth was an entire loaf of beautifully crusty, her bed bread that has been sliced for us to tear apart. We enjoyed the bread so much, especially since our server brought us a bowl of their famous White French salad dressing to dip it in. (Please do this, you will not be disappointed)

For our entrees I chose the classic Chicken Parm while my fiance went with the Chicken Francese. Both of our chickens were beautifully tender and seasoned perfectly. Mine was topped with fresh marinara and cheese, while my fiance's chicken was bright with lemon flavor that was balanced wonderfully with the butter sauce. Everything we enjoyed had a homemade flavor to it which many Italian restaurants fail to deliver on. This chicken wasn't froze and microwaved, it was made as if you made it at home.

Our server never rushed us out when we were finished . Even though we were the last ones in the dining area, she stopped to talk with us for 15ish minutes about our dogs and our cats and just generally made us feel very welcomed.

Overall I'm incredibly impressed. The food was outstanding, the prices are perfect for the portion, the atmosphere is welcoming and modern without losing it's charm of a 90 year old restaurant. We are kicking ourselves for not coming in sooner, but we will for sure be...

On the evening of Saturday, December 8, 2018, I had made a reservation for 10 people in the VIP room at Papa Joe’s. This is a private room with a large round table. We have come here and reserved this room for several years for our Christmas party. I made the reservation a year in advance, reconfirmed the reservation in September, and again the day before our arrival.

We arrived on time and were told that the group currently occupying the VIP room were no where ready to leave since THEY had arrived late, and WE would have to be seated elsewhere in the restaurant. We ended up not having a private room, nor did we have a seating arrangement where we could talk to everyone in our group easily.

We were told by the young man at the check in entrance that we would be comped drinks and appetizers. Mary Ann, who seated us, gave us a bottle of champagne to share between 10 people! Then she said she couldn’t give us any drinks since she gave us 1 bottle of champagne. Really? She did give us a nice variety of appetizers.

One other time we had to wait a short time for a group to leave so we could be seated in the VIP room, but tonight’s experience was completely inexcusable! The group who arrived late should have had to forfeit the VIP room, or been told they needed to be finished before 6pm. THEY should have been seated elsewhere in the restaurant, not us! We had our reservation for a year, we were on time, yet WE were inconvenienced due to another group’s inconsideration. I have emailed the restaurant twice and have never heard anything from them. Needless to say, this was not handled well at all! We were very, very disappointed in Papa Joe’s. So, don’t count on your reservation being honored at...