Rino's Pizza — Restaurant in Jacksonville

I only review a place when I am impressed. Positive reviews. But, sometimes it happens that you get incredibly disappointed that at this day and age, a business that in its core is dependent on customer service and great product (good food). So, since I understand that feeling “very disappointed” is an emotional reaction, I gave myself time for emotions to flatten . Two nights ago I placed an order, small pizza and order of calamari. Many minutes later a guy calls me and tells me “we don’t have calamari, you’re refunded $8 and order coming soon” .... wait a second, could you offer something else instead? Maybe ask me to up the size of my small pizza since two people expected to have a nice dinner? No, order is already done, no ifs or buts, no adds or changes. Really? You totally changed my order, well at least it was changed enough. Now, my order for pizza and calamari was scheduled for 9:45pm one and a half hour in advance, since we were returning from the beach. Guess what? The order was on its way (our little pizza with extra pineapples :) was at our door at 8:55. Yes, knock knock, and just like that our pizza was gone. They totally missed the simple instructions for scheduled delivery. Guys, people schedule at certain time for a REASON! But mistakes happen. I talk to the driver, he was nice and apologized, however, management (the place) knew what happened and refused to answer my call for the rest of the night. Needless to say, I didn’t get refund, my dinner was gone, I paid for it, and couldn’t do anything about it, since we were leaving Jax that following morning. Terrible, horrendous way to conduct business in America my fellow immigrants. Shame on you. I don’t care about $18, it is a shame and sin to take money you did not rightfully earn. I am very disappointed and won’t recommend you, but won’t wish anything bad to your business. May God make your business successful and much better...

The reviews I make are right from the heart and I call them as I see them.  When a restaurant owner is rude to you I make a point to ensure people know about the location and what to expect.  I called the restaurant to find out if there was inside seating for dining and was told that there was only delivery or takeout due to the corona virus.  My wife and I went to the restaurant and placed an order with the owner (who was the only person there) for chicken cacciatore and chicken piccata and noticed there was seating inside the restaurant and decided to walk around the plaza while we waited for the dinners to be cooked.  We were wondering why the owner was not wearing a face mask or gloves while preparing our dinner.  While walking around to some of the other places in the plaza we passed a few other dinner places which were open for dining in and one had a sign in the window for 50% capacity for seating so I knew what the owner of Rinos restaurant was telling me was a lie.  After picking up the dinners and bringing them back to the place we were staying at we both said that there was hardly any chicken but plenty of pasta.  I called and told him about it and he stated that was all anyone gets.  I requested a refund and told him I would return the meal or he can make us new meals.  He got really rude at this point and said he would not make new meals or give us a refund and hung up the phone.  I called back several times but he would not answer the phone.  Since I was leaving town early the next morning I did not have time to wait until he opened to see...

This is the second time in one week we have eaten here for lunch. It's a small average place to dine in. A couple of things really makes this place stand out IMO is (1) the friendliness of the staff. Even the owners (or it seems to be the owners) are very tentative and friendly. Making damn sure everything is to your liking. And (2) the food. My lunch meat lasagna was hot and fantastic, my wife's said her Alfredo cheese tortellini was buttery and great and my brother said his veggie lasagna is one of the best plates he's ever had. Then there's the dessert. Hot powdered sugar dough drizzled in strawberry and/or chocolate sauce. AWESOME!! I partly don't want to post this because word will get around and I might not be able to get in on my future visits (my own little "hole in the wall"). But that would be selfish and this place deserves to be known and survive for a long, long time. Keep up the quality food and fantastic...