Knock Out Pizza — Restaurant in Hesperia

ORIGINAL REVIEW: I've ordered delivery from this place a couple times, and it was solid enough, but I then had the misfortune of trying take out, and I was pretty disgusted by what I saw. The short version is that I tried to call to order pizza and couldn't, so I walked into the store for takeout, and immediately became concerned by a blatant lack of sanitation. It's worth mentioning this was during COVID-19 conditions, so maybe your mileage will vary if they're actually hosting people inside for dine-in, but the following was my experience.

I tried calling ahead and got no answer. Fine, I thought to myself. They might be busy, it is 6 PM on a Saturday. But then I get there, walk in to order pizza, and there's no bell or any indicator for them to know I came in, and none of the three staff I saw were checking for any guests in the minute I was there at the desk.

I was about to call out for them when I saw that none of them had their masks over their face. (A legally required COVID-19 health concern, just as washing your hands before going to prepare food is a necessary guideline for a restaurant. No matter what your opinion on masks is, the following would still explain why I would worry about it.)

Only one younger person was making the pizza, and the older female who seemed to be in charge had her mask down so she could smoke a cigarette. Right next to where they prepare food. That's a red flag if I've ever seen one, that made me immediately regret driving there.

A younger guy with dyed hair who supposedly would be preparing ingredients was checking his iPhone the whole time I was there, probably since his boss was too busy smoking to notice as much.

I was there at around 6PM on a Saturday, so I can't imagine that it was just a slow day for them, but it's possible. I walked out before I placed any order, it was pretty obvious there may be health hazards beyond what I saw. If they couldn't even be bothered to wear a mask or listen for their phone, I can't imagine there's much attention to detail when it comes to other basic health guidelines and the like.

You know the shame of it? The pizza's not bad, if you like a lot of cheese. If I could have actually ordered my food from them in time, and expected a solid baseline of sanitary preparation, I wouldn't have left. But now I know where it comes from and can't un-see that cigarette smoke being blown in the direction of food by someone who can't be bothered to keep a mask on to keep others from getting sick. So if you're at all concerned about sanitation and health, I wouldn't order from here.

EDIT 8.10.20: I read the reply from the owner, and I respect that maybe just because there was literally no other customer there when I was there doesn't mean it was slow, but they were standing around chatting while only one prepped pizza, so that was my observation.

But two people were standing by where the food was prepped, no more than 8 feet from the desk, and the older woman was within at least 2-3 feet of the pizza, facing it. and neither of them had masks over their face. The kid checking his phone didn't have a mask over his face. All three of their masks were on the necks.

As for the cigarette-thing, perhaps it wasn't a cigarette and it wasn't smoke that was coming from her mouth and being blown out as I watched, just some other vapor, but I've never seen a vitamin vaporizer. That's the whole reason masks are a thing, either way, I don't want anyone blowing particulates over my food, I don't want someone's spit in my mouth any more than I want ash...

Tbh im not a pizza person... But when i am i order here.

Pizza is amazing here!! The cheese (when hot) is SO good and stretches so far, yum! The sauce is so tasty. The toppings just delicious. Ive learn that if i want to eat their pizza at its most yummiest i have to either eat it there or pick it up there...

Ive ordered from there about 6-7 times.

First 3 were for delivery. Never doing that again. By the time they delivered our food, it was warm...Cheese doesnt stretch... The toppings(pepperoni) looked greasy... Kinda lost the hype to eat it. But when you spend at least $30 for dinner, you eat it. The lasagna was still good. It was really warm. Imo even in this condition it was better than Dominos.

Last 3 times we ate from there was for pick up. On the drive home my fam and i would start eating. My goodness its so good. All you hear in the car for 10 mins is "Mmmm" "Yum" "Oh my god" and occasionally "I drop sauce on me, its hot, ouch ouch, omg its worth it".

The lady cashier is friendly. The lady who answers the phone is also friendly( might be same person). The guy who answered the phone the last time i ordered responded with "idk" a lot. But, after about a good 3-5 mins my order was finally placed.

Now if only the customers were as nice as the cashier. (Maybe in another...

Pizza is very good. Inside décor may be considered lacking, however, it accentuates a 90s theme; so pretty cool (if you're into it). Service is exceptional, as the staff is helpful, and can make a good pizza.

Unfortunately, this is were it all stops. Location's safety is very bad...unsafe bad. The people that roam the area can be considered to have "questionable" motives. Locale, does not have safety cameras (only inside). My vehicle was seriously vandalized at this location and no way of catching the perpetrator(s) without security devices. Not the first time (as other shops claimed). The building owners do not "believe" in customer safety as it is not their problem; as a source claimed. And don't worry about the police showing up...they'll eventually take their standard 2+ hours to tend to your needs, as they're very busy sorting through all of the shootings and stabbings in this area.

Despite having a "knock-out" product and service, be ready to be vandalized, mugged, and/or (if you're lucky) stabbed or shot in these premises. A relocation of this business is...