Babe's Pizza — Restaurant in Florida

We recently revisited Babes Pizza after a while, remembering how it used to be packed with no parking available. This time, it was surprisingly empty. Upon arrival, we weren't greeted and waited about 5 minutes for menus. The server and cooks seemed more interested in hanging out up front and in the back rather than serving us, despite there being only two parties in the restaurant.

When we ordered, everything came out at different times. The fries arrived when we were ready to leave because "the fryer got turned off," but it seemed more like they were just too busy fooling around and forgot about our sides. Understandable, but the fries and wings were hard as a rock with no flavor, spaghetti was watery and the meatballs were dry & hard, overall the food was either over or undercooked or not prepped well. Our sodas needed refills, which we had to ask for because the server didn't notice our empty cups, again I can understand. When he finally took the cups, he grabbed them in a way that his fingers were inside the cups and touching the straws—not food safe at all.

The tables were dirty, the silverware wasn't fully cleaned, and the pizza stand on our table was greasy with fingerprints. We ended up moving it to the empty table beside us. The last time we visited (years ago), the place was packed, and the food and service were great. This time, halfway through our meal, there were only three tables taken, and it seemed the other tables were getting much better service than ours, for no reason that I can understand. This is unacceptable, considering we are all paying customers, had this particular point not happened, I probably wouldn’t have written a review.

I have managed pizzerias for years & usually understand if a place is having a rough day, but rough days don't happen when business is slow, and workers are playing rather than working. I'd recommend the owners touch base with all the staff, including the managers, but issues like this typically boils down to owners (seems they have new owners) who should focus more on service and quality than just cashing a check, or so it seems.

Visit:...

We've been going to Babe's since the early 90's. Tonight was our second visit since the new ownership took over. It did not go well.

First, the interior has been updated but it's very ugly now. And way too bright. Kind of took away from the 'pizza joint' feel off the place. NBD though, we were there for the pizza not the scenery.

We ordered a cheese double decker. Then a few minutes later the table behind us ordered a double decker with some toppings. That table started getting antsy about how long the pizza was taking to cook so they questioned the waitress about it.

Here's where things went south. The waitress brought their pizza out first. NBD, we aren't impatient people. The problem is she brought them our pizza. After a few bites they brought it to the waitress' attention. She came up with some story about their system updating and not working - an obvious and clumsy fabrication.

She then immediately went to the cook staff and told them she needed a cheese double decker ASAP. Obviously a new pizza for us. So we waited another 25-30 minutes for our pizza. The problem, again, is that she came to us and lied again. As if we hadn't heard everything that was going on.

So, I called her on it. I advised her it would be no big deal if she just told the truth. Everyone makes mistakes and it's easier to accept them when they're admitted to. She stood firm with her flimsy story, umming and ahhhimg her way through the explanation.

When we finally got the pizza it was delicious. Maybe slightly different than I remembered but still delivered that Babe's experience.

Lesson learned? Don't eat at Babe's unless you...

I’ve been eating pizza from Babe’s since I was a kid growing up in South Tampa. Although the owners have changed, the food hasn’t.

I stopped in earlier today to pick up my take out order .. double decker & antipasto salad. The restaurant was open for less than an hour so I was the only customer in the restaurant at the time.

The owner took time to chat with me while I waited on my pizza to come out of the oven. She recognized my name even though my last three orders were placed through DoorDash. She was happy to put a face with my order. The owners like to know their repeat customers just as the previous owners did as well.

A lot of work has gone into updating the place since the new owners bought Babe’s. Although I had no problem with the way it used to look, it definitely looks nicer.

The pizza is just as good as it’s been my whole life. Tonight I tried something new .. the double decker Babe’s special but I had sausage added. I usually get double decker sausage & pepperoni which I love, but the Babe’s special is my new go to favorite.

If you are looking for pizza (not a chain brand) give Babe’s a try. The double decker is a must.

I definitely DONT RECOMMEND ordering Chicago style pizza because you’ll no doubt be disappointed like the last guy since Babe’s has never offered Chicago style pizza in the 30+ years I’ve been enjoying pizza from here.

The salad was also great. I look forward to my next order, and I’ll be picking it up in person again because I enjoyed the friendly conversation as I awaited my order earlier...