Papa's Pizza — Restaurant in Galveston

An Unexpected Moment of Grace at Papa’s — All Thanks to Ryan

It was the first week of Spring Break in Galveston, and Papa’s was on our radar for a quick bite. They’ve got dedicated parking (a huge plus on the island), so I backed into my spot, stepped out barefoot as I often do, and saw the sign on the door: “Shirt and shoes required” Fair enough. It's a health code thing. I threw my shoes on and headed inside.

When I walked in, there was a crowd...about 10-12 youth and 3 adults placing a large order at the counter. My wife had placed an online order ahead of time, so I just stood quietly behind the group, observing. That’s when I noticed him.

His name, I would learn later, is Ryan.

Now, for context...

I’m a business owner and ex military. I’ve worked in high-stress environments, and I deeply understand the ripple effect of crowds. Not just on sales and flow, but on human energy, both for customers and staff. Most people get frazzled. But Ryan? He was calm, collected, and present...the embodiment of grace under pressure.

He greeted everyone, even as more customers walked in behind me. He didn’t lose focus, didn’t rush, didn’t deflect. He welcomed each person genuinely, while still handling the main group at the counter.

Then something beautiful happened: a local UPS driver walked in. It was clear he was a regular. Without missing a beat, Ryan paused just long enough to hand the driver a cup for his drink, all while staying engaged with the group in front of him. That moment hit me. That was more than customer service...that was community. Respect. Acknowledgment. Flow.

Once the main crowd wrapped up, it was my turn. I told him I had a pickup order and gave my name. And here's where it gets personal.

My name...Yerahmeel...isn't exactly common. Most people stumble. But Ryan? He said it like it was already etched into his spirit. No hesitation. Just... “Yerahmeel?” Smooth. Respectful. I was genuinely stunned.

As he turned to grab my order, I felt it in my heart: this is the kind of moment most people miss because we’re all in a rush. But I wasn’t about to let it pass. I asked him, “Do you own this place?” And he said no.

That shocked me. The way he carried himself...the attentiveness, the focus, the radiant energy...it felt like he was the owner. Like someone who had built this place with his own hands. But no, he was just being who he was created to be.

And that’s exactly the point.

Ryan, you are seen. You are appreciated. Your energy was electric and grounded at the same time. You radiated kindness without effort, love without words, and service without ego.

This wasn’t just a pizza pickup. It was a moment of human connection in a world that desperately needs more of it.

To Papa’s: you’ve gained our business, not just for your food...but because of Ryan. Never overlook the power of the people you place at the frontlines.

To Ryan: thank you. You, sir, are very special. Keep shining.

Much...

Grab yourself a slice of Galveston Paradise at Papa’s Pizza!

My recent visit to Papa’s Pizza in Galveston was an absolute delight! From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with warm, friendly smiles and a lively atmosphere that truly captures the spirit of this beautiful island. These folks know how to work hard and have a good time while they do it. Of course, the pizza itself was the star of the show. We got the Gluten-Free Philly Cheese Steak Pizza.. The crust was perfectly crispy, the toppings were fresh and flavorful, and you could tell that high-quality ingredients are a priority. The Papa’s team made sure our order was correct and that we had all of the sauces and condiments we needed. But what truly made this experience exceptional was the outstanding service. I want to give a special shoutout to three amazing staff members who went above and beyond: Isabelle greeted me with such genuine enthusiasm and made me feel right at home. She helped me pay at the counter and was very kind and thorough. James gave me my pizza, and he had a few laughs about my order. The team thought that we had ordered a gluten-free Philly cheesesteak sandwich, which would be a pretty hilarious order at a pizza shop.Tony took our order over the phone and was exceptionally courteous. He made sure that our order went through even though we ordered really late. The combination of delicious pizza, a vibrant atmosphere, and exceptional service from Isabelle, James, and Tony makes Papa’s Pizza a must-visit in Galveston. I can’t wait to come back for another slice (or two!)...

The pizza was quite overpriced, I got one slice for just under $10 if you choose the combo you get a drink and a slice for around $8, strange. The pizza was better than average pizza house pizza but not actually good. But their method of delivering you the food is awful. Normally if you order a slice of pizza, the pizza should be ready in advance so they just need to heat it for a minute. That was in fact the case here (kind of), the pizza slices were precooked, but instead of putting the slice in the oven as soon as you order they give you a number on a screen telling you approximately how long before your order is ready, in my case they gave me 16 minutes (for one slice of cheese). So I watched carefully, at the point of time that my number came up no one had touched that slice of pizza yet. It it then reset the clock and added 3 more minutes, after those 3 minutes expired I mentioned something to the staff about the fact that I've been there for 20 minutes waiting for 1 slice. An apparent Manager then took a slice out of a clear plastic container and put it in the oven for a few seconds and give it to me. Slices should not be on the same ordering system as general orders that have to be completely prepared.

As I was watching the back I noticed that there were a few cheese pizzas sitting there fresh from the oven that were not being boxed they were for future slices instead of simply cutting a slice off of that they opened up a Tupperware container and pulled on it from how long...