Rico's Pizza Gulfgate — Restaurant in Florida

4 years ago I was very disappointed in a sub I ordered from Rico's--- although I got a good response from the owner at the time, I never went back. This year we decided to try the pizza since our neighbor recommended it strongly.

I'm so glad we gave it a try--- the pizza and the entire operation of the business is great!! Maybe things have changed greatly in the management in the past 4 years--- maybe it is a better experience at night---- maybe they just make great pizza... but I heartily recommend it and am glad we gave it another try. I may even try a sub one of these visits--- that would be nice if the subs are good too!!! OLDER REVIEW BELOW--- Short review-- overpriced, took too long to make-inattentive staff. Bottom line--- will not return. Recommendation to owner--- give the afternoon staff closer supervision. Recommendation to customers--- be prepared to wait and wait and wait some more... especially if they're not busy! Back story, since it seems that the owner actually reads reviews and cares. I ordered a ham, cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion sub... I was surprised at the price $12.26 but paid cash and asked that the waitress ask the cook to scoop out some of the bread--- she said no problem. I walked to the front where 2 customers who had to-go orders in bags were watching a TV show. The pizza cook was talking about the program with the customers. After they left, there were no other customers and nothing apparently cooking... not even my sandwich. 15 minutes had passed since I ordered. Finally I saw the pizza cook start what seemed to be my sandwich. It went together pretty quickly once he got to it. He even managed to take a cell call in between. He bagged and handed it to me without a word. The to go person was wiping tables down and didn't look up as I was leaving. Clearly I had interrupted their afternoon down time. When I got the sandwich home, the bread had not been scooped out and there was no lettuce. Too bad, the ingredients I was able to get were good-- but not worth the aggravation or frankly the price! All this detail for the owner who says he cares--- I can't imagine was...

My sister and I visited Rico's Pizzeria in Gulf Gate this weekend and let me start out by saying that I would get a pap smear at a free clinic in Los Angeles before ever going back. This place is a cesspool. The second you walk in you feel like you need a tetanus shot. When we arrive at Rico's on a Saturday at 1pm (lunchtime), we were half-greeted by a girl who was holding a phone to her ear and zoning out into space like she was in the middle of an intense heroin nod. A middle aged man who had clearly given up on life told us to have a seat wherever we wanted. The place was completely empty and the pizza under the hot lamp looked like it had been sitting there since World War II. Flies buzzed around it, but even they didn't want to land on the "pepperoni". There was a horrible smell. Oh it was SO BAD. If I had to describe the smell of Ricos I would have to say it was almost like urine mixed with the cheapest hotel room in Las Vegas mixed with crazy cat ladies bed. My sister ordered Coke in a can, the server brought back a can of Coke that was warped on the bottom and could not stand upright on its own. He set it down on the table and it immediately toppled over on its side. Instead of getting a new can he walked away. So rude! He just pretended like nothing happened! I was beginning to realize he hated Rico's as much as we did. When he came back, we politely asked for a can that could actually stand upright.. he scoffed and returned with a different one. He set the new can down on the table and my mouth filled with a little vomit. The top of this soda can was covered in dust and dirt and tiny black dots that had to have been feces. Maybe human feces? But probably mice. But maybe humans. He handed my sister a napkin and said "You're gonna want to wipe that down." At that point I faked a phone call and we left. Only eat at Rico's Pizzeria if you want to get food poisoning or...

Probably the first review I’ve ever typed a review - 4th time giving this a a go around.. and I’m done. Food is typically great, especially the cheesecake when it isn’t frozen….the service? -10. First order was delivery(2miles) and it took over two hours for a single person order with an outrageous delivery fee and a great tip pre paid... 2nd time was a pickup and was quoted 1hr, I get there on time, waited an extra 15 min(not bad)yet they give me different items for other people’s delivery orders! While also leaving out a portion of our order (resulted in a total of three trips to the store and they wanted the other food back?!!?!). The third time giving it a try was a pickup as well when I actually met and spoke with the owner(nice guy).. I was simply picking up cheesecake because it is absolutely amazing… was given 2 out of 4 wrong slices, plus they were frozen!!!

Last trip(today), I did an online pickup for one pizza, one salad, and 4 cheesecakes slices and so pay at store.. I show up on time and wait an additional 30-45 min for my food. When going to get the cheesecakes and salad they are all confused because they do not have any of the selectees flavors, yet charged me in person before hand.. they try to exchange with other cheesecakes which they run around for 3 minutes to tell me they only have 2 instead of 4.

While waiting for all of this to be sorted a waitress tried to give me an additional order thinking it was mine… And the cashier couldn’t figure out how to do a refund which resulted in having to get the manager. I simply said void the entire transaction(due to my large tip for a to go) and left them with no tip at the end. None deserved. Owner needs to get this tiny place with good food under control and quit worrying about 3rd party delivery or someone paying with a credit card over cash. Ridiculous and sad to...