Carolina's Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Garden Grove

Today I was in your restaurant picking up two quantity orders from the two good to go out. I was given one, but I showed the cashier that it was two quantities that I was picking up. The manager came in to see the show the proof of my receipt, but he aggressively wanted to see my app, no problem. I had to call out and ask him why he was coming at me so aggressively so rude so anger so hostile like I’m stealing from him, I told him you’re acting like I’m stealing from you and he said he wanted to make sure that the second order did not get picked up. I placed in one order so that does that tell you he’s already accusing me of stealing it, he gets mad and he even shout at me saying that he wasn’t hostile, he makes a gesture in the middle of the pick up area and between the ice refrigerators with the cold drinks holding back a gesture like he was going to hit me or at least restraining himself from doing something he was going to regret I hope you check out the cameras that’s proof you can see it in there. he does say in a hostile tone that he did not come at me like that, but if he does, he apologizes but still walked off very angry. The cashier girl just smiled course my way, and as he walks by, he’s angered and says what kind of a bullying her.Definitely made another customer feel awkward because that manager caused a scene in front of his staff, and even his staff was smiling about the situation. Tell me he must bully his staff a lot for someone to actually be able to stand up and ask why is he acting like this? I understand management is a stressful job, but I did nothing more than pick up my food or at least trying to. I didn’t go into the restaurant looking for confrontation or a hostile manager wanting to hit me and like I said you can check the cameras as well as to see if there is a corporate number and I can provide proof of him on the phone because I have it recorded saying this is the corporate place, and the managers will take care of it. There’s nobody higher than the managers and I have that in recording and I can provide that documentation which I know that’s a lie like that does not deserve management especially if you’re gonna hit one of your customers is my fault I ordered from good too go app or is it my fault that I was just wearing a plain T-shirt with some cotton shorts that I go in the store just to pick up food that I was being misjudged treated differently, but I was definitely not dressed like some transient but that’s how they made me feel not the staff manager and like I said, I have it invoice recording and I can provide the phone number and time I called and him saying that there’s nobody higher than the managers was somebody with that mentality and acting like that I truly do believe that there’s nobody bigger than him that’s what he thinks . definitely want you to be aware of who you have working for you because if you act this way towards me, it’s gonna happen again and have seen him be rude with the staff because they had to make dishes from scratch so I spent time in there and I seen how you treat them all. although he’s in a management position, he doesn’t have the right to treat his staff like that as I was in there I was counting my blessings. I don’t work in the place like that. I asked please for an investigation and for me to be contact if I’m no longer contacted within a week I will post the conversation over the phone saying no one higher than the managers and a picture of your storefront and put it on social media that leaves me no choice but to do that, if I am not contacted . I asked for you to please investigate this and check the cameras. Nobody should feel that they’re gonna be endangered or assaulted by an employee management and any type of restaurant that’s disgusting that’s inhumane wrong and any business allowing that should be shut down. please contact me if you need any more additional information or front to front with this manager I will have a sit down, face-to-face with corporate and this manager with no problem because I have no...

Years ago, this place had the best 7-layer large pizza around for $10.99! Then it went to $11 and then $12, so I called to see if it went up to $13.99! It didn't, so I tried to order one over the phone. I knew the girl had to be new because when I asked about the special she asked ME was it "For here or to go!" I told her, the $12.99, 7-layer joint is ONLY to go! So I try to order and she tells me I can do uber-eats or door dash to order and I tell her I want to order over the phone and pick it up myself. She said I couldn't! So I hang up and drive there and order in person! The total is $14.13--- but the girl has no coin change so I let her keep the 12¢ from my quarter! That is when it all went LEFT! The girl who took my order then went on break! When I saw that I knew nothing good was going to come my way. So she leaves and turns expediting over to the girl whose voice I recognize from the phone call. She asks what name my order is under . . . I tell her X --- I always use that name when I order anything because it is so unusual. And also all females who I tell that to spell it EX . . . like an old lover!? So as I'm waiting, the take out area starts filling up! So now a bald-headed male worker asks what my order is under; I give the same answer! Then 5 minutes later, he tells another woman he is off and he leaves. So this new woman he tells, is a shorter black-haired woman who seems like the boss. How do I know, because 5 minutes later, one of the cooks tells her he needs a break, so the lady goes back in the kitchen and takes his spot. So now the Expediting is left to the girl from the phone. So as other orders come and go, she sees that I am still there, yet says nothing! Anyway, 35 minutes later, the original order taking girls comes back from break late (isn't 30 minutes for lunch, not 35!?) So she comes back and sees me and doesn't say ANYTHING! So before she makes it past me, I stop her and tell her I want my money back! She then notices me and talks to the phone girl and then gets my pie out of the top of the warmer where I saw the original cook who went on break 15 minutes ago put it! But here is the MAJOR problem! If the cook would say the name on the order, I would say "It's Mine!" But Carolina's doesn't do that! The orders are not on a ticket fastened on a carousel to spin! No, they are on a small screen where the expeditor has to scan two to three screens to see the numerous orders of here and to-go orders! WHAT A MESS! Anyway, my original girl pulls the pie out and says I'm sorry, and attempts to give me the now, not piping hot fresh pie! I say I want my money back! So she has to go tell the lady boss who is in the kitchen to give me my money back! So what the boss lady should do is say, "Sir, here is a salad and some bread sticks because we messed up!" I would have been appeased and took the extras and left. But Boss Lady FAILED BOMBASTICALLY and didn't do that! Then when she went to give me my money back, she didn't have change to give me the 12 cent back! I told her I gave original girl the quarter, so just give me the quarter back ! She did and I left! What a friggin mess and a waste of my time! But I had to stand my ground! I did and went and got a hot and ready PIZZA, PIZZA from Lil Cs for half the price...

!!Warning!! Long review

I was shocked to see this restaurant has a 4-star rating (as of the time I’m writing this) after having such a disappointing experience. After some research, I learned the quality here has been steadily declining.

I recently discovered an app called “Too Good to Go,” which offers discounted meals from restaurants to help reduce waste and encourage people to try new places. It’s a great concept, right?

The offer from this restaurant was a Family Tray Premium Surprise Bag - $13 (regular value $39). According to the app, the bag typically contains enough food to feed 4-6 people, likely pasta and a side, with the possibility of a dessert or appetizer.

The app clearly stated: “If you have questions about allergens or specific ingredients, please ask the store.” So, I called to confirm that the food wouldn’t contain pork, as neither I nor my family eat it. Seemed simple enough, right?

Unfortunately, I was met with rudeness from Rico, the manager. When I asked if the meal could avoid containing pork, he aggressively told me, “It’s a surprise bag; we don’t accept customization!” I wasn’t asking for customization, just trying to ensure the food fit my dietary restrictions. Even after explaining, Rico repeated the same answer, like he was reading from a script. What kind of customer service is that? I couldn’t help but wonder, if I had a severe allergy, would they also dismiss that?

After pushing further, Rico finally told me that “99% of the time the food doesn’t have pork,” so I reluctantly placed the order, hoping for the best. Big mistake.

When I arrived to pick up my order, the manager greeted me with zero enthusiasm. After I showed him my confirmation, he coldly instructed me to press “confirm pickup” on my phone and disappeared into the back. He returned with a pre-packaged bag, handed it to me without making eye contact, and said, “Have a good day,” before walking away.

Curious about what was in the meal, I asked him. He turned around, visibly irritated, rolled his eyes, and mumbled something about “spaghetti & &#$*?.” I had to ask twice more to understand him, and even then, it felt like pulling teeth. Exhausted by the poor interaction, I just took the bag and left.

Looking back, I regret not standing my ground about his unprofessional behavior. It felt disrespectful and borderline discriminatory, especially considering my dietary request alleging with a specific religion(s). While I don’t like to jump to conclusions, his behavior towards me after mentioning I don’t eat pork gave off a dismissive and hostile vibe, which could easily be perceived as discriminatory.

After reading other reviews, it seems this manager treats Too Good to Go users with the same dismissive attitude, as if we don’t deserve basic customer service. No smile, no utensils, and a meal that consisted of plain marinara spaghetti and a tiny dessert — no meat, no salad, nothing premium.

With so many complaints about this specific manager, it’s baffling that the restaurant still keeps him employed. This restaurant’s decline makes a lot more sense now. If you’re thinking about visiting, I’d recommend steering clear — especially if you’re ordering through...