Goodfella's Pizzeria — Restaurant in Florida

I'm very disappointed with how my party was treated last night.

My party of about 15 with children arrived at the restaurant last night at about 9:00 PM to get a table. We've been here before, the service has always been exceptional -- last night was not.

After arriving, the hostess greeted us, gave us menus, informed us that the kitchen would stop taking orders at 9:30 and had us look over what we might want when we'd be seated. She assured us that our orders would be taken once we had a table.

About 20 minutes passed and we were still standing by the front door waiting to be seated. One of my party members called for a manager and asked if we were going to be seated or not since there were tables available; yet no one had seated us. The person who answered him (unknown if they were a manager) had the staff set up tables for us, and we were seated.

We waited for about another 10-15 minutes (by then it was past 9:30) without someone to wait our table, when one of my party members asked a manager from the kitchen if there was any intention to have someone wait for our table since the 9:30 cutoff had gone and passed after sitting and waiting for a waiter for an extended period of time. While my party member was talking to the manager, a waiter came out of the back end of the restaurant and began taking orders.

After having ordered, not even five minutes passed and someone from the staff asked a member of our party if one of us had cursed and yelled at the hostess. Of course, my party member said no. Regardless, the staff member (it is unknown if they were a manager) told us that the hostess was having a panic attack in the back of the restaurant, crying and saying that "someone from the large party had yelled and cursed at her", and due to that we would not be served and that we must leave the restaurant.

It was very surprising. There were some members of our party who were exasperated, and one specifically who escalated quickly -- retorting at the staff member, clarifying that despite waiting for a long time for both the table and a waiter, not one of us had been disrespectful or caused a scene, nor had been rude with any of the staff members. We began exiting the restaurant.

On our way out, one of our party members asked for a manager. None came out, instead one of the kitchen staff came out and began reprimanding my party member and our party as a whole for supposedly having accosted and maligned the hostess. Hungry, exhausted and without options, we left the restaurant.

I assume none of the staff had checked the cameras, nor asked one of the other parties present in the restaurant if this accusation was true. From a managerial standpoint, I understand taking the side of the employee, especially having worked in the restaurant and retail industry previously which can be quite caustic in regards to the customer service aspect. Dispensing with that however, there was a lack of willingness to cooperate and seek information first before making a decision. I am very disappointed in how my party was treated last night. We will likely not return to this restaurant...

Went to Goodfellas today, after recieving a recommendation from a friend, and boy must I say that I will never come to this establishment ever again. I ordered a medium plain pizza and was told that it would be ready in fifteen minutes. I walked out and hung out in the parking lot for fifteen minutes awaiting my pizza. I walked in and sat down awaiting to be called up. After waiting for an additional fifteen minutes, I walked up to the counter to ask what the status was on my medium pie. The lady behind the register began to look around the kitchen for the pizza which she couldn't find. She couldn't find it because they did not make it. Another employee approached me and said, "hey it'll be awhile do you want a drink?" Are you kidding me? It'll be a while? How about some sort of apology or some type of acknowledgement that you guys messed up. I declined and politely asked for a refund. I told the employee that I've been waiting for about thirty would have to wait another fifteen minutes. The response I get, " thirrrrtyy minutes?" In a sarcastic tone. I took my money back and walked out. I cannot attest to the quality of food at Goodfellas but I can say that if it's anything like their poor customer service than I wouldn't suggest eating here.

Update. My wife places a call to complain about the poor service the following day. Manager was kind and told us to come in at any time and that they would make the experience up to me. During the course of the conversation, I was able to discover that my interaction at the restaurant was with the manager who claimed that I left before he could have remedied the situation for me. Which is completely bogus!!! As soon as I asked for a refund, the manager did not hesitate to dig into the register and retrieve my money. At no time did he extend any form of remorse for the inconvenience. From there I ask, what is a reasonable waiting time to remedy a situation? Is it right then and there or when I call back to make a complaint? Heck if I didnt complain, this issue would of swept under the rug. For the foregoing reasons an apology will not be accepted and I stand firm on never stepping foot in this establishment again and I advise others who actually want to feel like a valued customer when spending their hard-earned money to do...

I have been to Goodfella's pizza dozens of times when I used to live in the Orlando area almost 30 years ago, while attending the University of Central Florida and pursuing my Master's Degree. Having grown up in New York City and Long Island New York, I have been to some of the best pizzerias in town. A friend of mine told me about Goodfella's and that it truly was real authentic New York Style pizza. I was very skeptical at first, but after going there and trying their pizza, I was convinced. Goodfella's pizza is as close to New York Style pizza as you will find in Orlando. I don't know how they do it, but their pizza is absolutely and positively the best New York Style pizza that I have ever had while living in the Orlando area. The thin-style crust is perfect. The sauce is perfect and the Italian sausage that they put on their pizza is equally delicious and tasty. Their pepperoni pizza is as good as any of their other pizzas, too. In fact, it seems as though all of their Italian food is made with real, authentic Italian ingredients. Their garlic bread is phenomenal and easy to get "hooked" on, too. The customer service and front counter people are also very nice, friendly and courteous at all times. The dining area is comfortable and very family friendly. So, if you are ever in the Orlando/East Orlando area near the University of Central Florida, do yourself and your family a huge favor and check out Goodfella's Pizza. I promise you that you will be very happy and glad that...