TOMATO JOE’S NEW YORK PIZZERIA — Restaurant in Florida

This is one review that is very difficult to write.

When I first began working in Tampa (Town & Country) I did a web search for Pizza, and found Tomato Joe's. After reading the reviews, which seemed good, I decided to try them myself.

I ordered a pepperoni pizza to be delivered to my office, in a corporate center about 10-minutes away from the pizzeria. The pizza was delivered promptly, and was nice & hot, and very delicious.

Now we come to today, about two weeks since I first ordered from them. I was trying to get some extra time in, and not go out for lunch, in order to get a jump on the weekend traffic in Tampa (it's Friday.)

So, I decided to get another delivery from Tomato Joe's. I even circulated a couple of their menus among my colleagues, in case anyone wanted to get-in on my delivery order. Fortunately, as it turns out, there were no takers.

At about noon I phoned the pizzeria and placed my order for a large 1/2 pepperoni pizza. I gave them my credit card#, my office phone & extension, and was told that the pie would be delivered in about 45 minutes.

The 45 -minutes came & went, but beings that it was Friday I figured that was understandable - they seemed pretty busy when I had phoned.

After a while I went outside to see if the delivery person was around - possibly looking for the office entrance or something. No sign of them.

Returning to my office, I took a very brief call from my girlfriend and then went back out to look for the delivery person. I saw a younger guy, with a pizza bag, walking OUT the front door for the building!

So I ran down the steps (I'm on the 2nd floor) and out to the parking lot and caught him just as he was backing out of the spot.

He told me that he had "called and called" my phone and that I'd never answered. I told him that I'd been there all along. He accused me of providing the WRONG EXTENSION. I asked him how long he'd been there and he said "about 15 minutes" (a lie, because I'd gone out and looked for him.)

I then refused delivery of what was now surely a cold pizza.

At that point, this kid got very rude and snotty with me, calling me "Stupid" (in front of several of my coworkers) and yelling at me to "try giving the right extension next time!"

He needn't worry about that, because there will not be a "Next Time".

If someone like that worked for me and represented the public face of my restaurant, I'd fire him so fast that it would send him back in time. That said, I have fired "Tomato Joe's".

BTW - some of the people who witnessed the behavior of TJ's delivery juggernaut were also among the people that I'd circulated menus to earlier. It's doubtful that they will be ordering from there any time...

Hidden Gem - Delicious Dining

Nestled within a quaint shopping plaza lies a culinary treasure awaiting your discovery! At first glance, you might mistake it for just another pizza shop you'd typically find in a shopping center. Oh, how delightfully wrong you'd be! This charming eatery is where flavors dance and aromas serenade, beckoning the food lover in you to indulge.

As you step inside, you're welcomed into a haven of scrumptiousness that's bound to shatter your expectations. I had the pleasure of feasting on a gyro and a Greek salad, and let me tell you, it was a gastronomic journey of epic proportions! The gyro was crafted to perfection, and the Greek salad was a whirlwind of freshness and zest. The cherry on top was the homemade potato salad, an unexpected but utterly delightful addition that elevated the meal to a realm of its own.

But the magic doesn't stop at the plate. The cleanliness of the place shines, reflecting the meticulous care and passion that goes into every aspect here. The management exudes warmth and professionalism, ensuring your dining experience is nothing short of exceptional.

So, why not make your next meal an adventure? Venture into this marvelous hideaway and let your taste buds revel in the deliciousness it offers. Your culinary quest for excellence will be rewarded, and I promise, you'll find yourself returning for more! Come, relish the delectable fare and celebrate the joy of fine food in a cozy,...

I waited to place a review until we had ordered there several times, and tried more than 1-2 items on the menu (judging an entire restaurant on 1-2 items seems ridiculous to me). So far we have ordered various stromboli, fried mushrooms, philly sandwich, chicken tenders, calamari, breadsticks & fries. The stromboli are so good that I can't get my son or SO to order ANYthing else (like a pizza or calzone). I'm partial to the sandwich due to the meat:bread ratio - it's way higher in the sandwich, despite how delicious the stromboli are. The tenders/mushrooms/fries were very good (I'm assuming the fries are good - my son inhaled them - pretty sure I never saw chewing). The calamari was a bit overcooked each time. It's a tricky item to get perfectly done, so it's on par with other places I've tried in Tampa. The food has always been on-time, and sometimes so hot I couldn't touch it (this is a GOOD thing). The breadsticks have been voted as the #1 breadsticks in my house - outdoing Pizza Hut, Gourmet Pizza, Dominos, and several other places. We've dined in as well & the people there were always very nice & super helpful. This is our "go to" place now. The prices on the stromboli SEEM high, until you see just how much food you get. It's always 2 meals worth here. UPDATE: Over 1 year later & everything above still...