Rafael's Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Fayetteville

UPDATE: I went back with a friend just recently who was treating me to dinner, the guy didn't listen to the order and only got mine and of course, I had to eat it when we did not get my friends who was paying for it. Once more the food was okay but not as good as it once was.

I received my food order but we had to wait an extra 30 to 40 minutes for his food. Place was not clean. Also it seems like they increase their prices but they didn't increase their service.

Very disappointed. I would start looking for other places to eat. The other thing they are not as friendly as they used to be, they kind of look at you like they are not happy working there. The attitude was totally different and uncomfortable. A few of the tables were not clean and had items left by previous diners beer bottles, plates, glasses.

I don't know what happened to the place but it was not like this back even last year. But the whole attitude has changed and the service has changed. I think it's about time this place might start thinking about going out of business and maybe a new place replacing it.

Also they could use a whole total makeover as far as the restaurant goes it's starting to look old and dirty definitely needs remodeling. It went from being sort of a really nice place, like a celebrity, into a worn out old has been once was. I hope they take this very seriously and save the place.

I would recommend closing the place down for at least a week or two, retraining your staff and doing a deep clean on the whole place maybe some redecorating, paint the walls a new fresh inviting bright pleasant color, new curtains and blinds, replace the òld ugly tile floors and give a new atmosphere.

Refreshing and getting a better attitude for the place bringing it back to what it once was.

Otherwise shutting it down and giving it up.

Because the attitude and over all is "We are tired. We feel uncared about, over worked, under paid and just don't care because we just need the money." They are trying but the attitude effort isn't there.

They do the job because they have to not because they want to or feel appreciated. So it is being reflected in the food, service, and overall care about the business. ORIGINAL REVIEW:

This place used to be awesome and fantastic but it's going down hill fast.

I order food to go, they made me wait over 45 minutes longer than normal cooking time. Then screwed the order up and made it dine in when on the receipt it said "to go."

They acted like they weren't going to give me my complete order as well leaving out my cheesecake.

Also again no napkins, straws, utensils, sauces. For over $20-'$30 you expect better service.

By the time they package it to go 15 more minutes slowly taking their time it was cold and lost taste was not pleasant.

Also it was not cheap it cost me over what I really wanted to spend. I don't understand why they are still getting crowded other people besides me were getting upset with mistakes being made. And I have had friends say the same things after I had this experience.

Really bad service and mistakes they don't even offer to compensate you for them when you waited over 60 minutes total and your food is cold or has been sitting because they messed up.

They act like you are the inconvenience when you weren't the one who messed the order up or made the mistake. Not saying oh we messed this up here we will do this to fix the situation.

It's oh here's your food who cares if you waited longer than you should have and it was not served correctly and now it's cold and...

George Catanera, the owner, has the WORST customer service I have ever experienced with restaurant management. They got two orders mixed up and gave me someone else’s food. I drove the 20 minutes home only to realize it was the wrong thing. I wasn’t driving 20 minutes BACK to their restaurant in order to make up for their mistake. Instead, silly me, I thought I would call them and they would make it right. No, instead, George was very rude to me and offered me 10% off my next order…WHAT!?? I had to scrape spinach off someone else’s chicken just so my kids could have some dinner. One just wound up eating bread sticks because that was all that was included in the order that he would eat. George rudely informed me that because we kept the food and didn’t drive 20 minutes back to them to correct THEIR mistake that half back was the “best” he could do. I’ve worked in restaurant management before and I know how this is typically handled. Usually you are credited for the meal because it was THEIR MISTAKE. Instead, I’m out $40 for food we hardly touched. I have eaten here for years and never had to deal with their management before. Needless to say, after this experience, we WILL NOT be back to Rafael’s and will advise anyone I talk with to avoid them as well!! I told them to keep their half off…wasn’t worth having to deal with a rude...

I had a birthday coupon for a complimentary meal, but it still incurred an additional $8 expense beyond my desired expenditure. I was prepared to purchase a beverage and cheesecake. But that price is a little much.

I opted for the Gyro Plate and cheesecake(over priced for size of slice). Upon opening the box, I was dismayed to discover a disorganized arrangement of excessive toppings, including lettuce, uncut peppers, whole black olives and a messy tiny pita with a meager amount of meat. It appeared that the abundance of toppings was intended to compensate for the scarcity of meat.

Unfortunately, the cheesecake lacked flavor. I am extremely disappointed, having experienced issues with this establishment in the past.

I decided to give them another opportunity due to the coupon, but this experience was unsuccessful. I will not be placing any future orders with them, and I do not intend to return.

The overwhelmingly positive reviews seem suspect, likely authored by acquaintances or employees. A closer examination reveals a preponderance of complaints over positive feedback.

While the service was improved from previous visits, the attitude, although slightly more welcoming, remained somewhat inhospitable.

The establishment did appear cleaner than on previous occasions, but a comprehensive renovation is...