Strong's Brick Oven Pizzeria — Restaurant in Lawrenceburg Township

If you like having the police called to remove you because you complain about poor service and rude treatment from the general manager (Bret) then you should eat at here. My wife and child gave this place a second chance after poor service a previous time we were there. Bad decision. We got the same server and had the same problem; lack of attention and immediately running off after throwing food on the table that was incorrect. My wife wanted a salad but with some assorted pizza toppings on it. Our server asked if we needed more time and we agreed. We were confused when the server returned, threw a house salad on the table, and then abruptly left before we could even speak. She was gone long enough that I had to ask a different server for help. I explained the problem and she said she would get help. A male server, who we later discovered was the general manager, came to serve us. He took our order and corrected the problem. I again was confused when our original server brought our food and asked if we needed anything more. A few seconds after, the male server returned and said he would be right back to check on us. Wrong... we were mostly finished with our meal and my child's drink was gone. No server in sight. I turned in my seat toward the kitchen and waited for several minutes. No server. I got up and walked the entire dining room looking for someone to get a drink refill for my child. I did not see a server anywhere. I then went around to the bar area and asked for help from the bartender. She was apologetic and quickly refilled the cup of sprite I handed her. I thanked her for her service. She asked who our server was but I did not know his name. I explained to her that this was second visit with same problems and that I likely would not be returning. I thought I was done but an even bigger problem was coming. Just after I returned to my seat, the male server came over in a huff. He reeked of cigarette smoke. He was angry and rude in claiming that he had only left us for one minute. Obviously disagreed and he became more angry. He then said we would not be charged for anything, he hoped that we would come back but "if not there was nothing he could do about it"(?????) and then stormed off. This was not damage control he attempted, he was angry and made sure I and other nearby patrons knew it. I was even more stunned when he returned again moments later, passed my by, then began to ask my wife if there was anything she wanted. I stopped him and said I wanted him to leave our table. He replied and said "no, you can't talk to me like that because I am the general manager here and am making you leave. I said we would not leave until we were finished. He indicated he would call the police and have us removed. We finished the last of what we had and tried to pay the bartender for the food as to "do the right thing" since we ate it. Sure enough, two police cars pull up in front. The police came to our table, told us to quickly get our things, and that we had to leave. WTH!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just wanted to take my family out for pizza on a Saturday night. And all of this in front of my six year old son. Hopefully Strong's Sugar Shack across the street doesn't treat their customers the same way. What business owner would have employees like this???? I plan to stay far far away from any Strong's business...

**UPDATE: After receiving the feedback from the restaurant below, I felt compelled to return to my review to clarify some of the things which were mentioned. The restaurant's response left me feeling as if they were suggestioning my review was not forthright. They are incorrect.

Yes, I reviewed your restaurant on Thanksgiving because that was the day Google asked for my review. Thank you for being sure to note you were closed. I visited your restaurant on Saturday November 21, mid afternoon.

We didn't speak to a manager at the time, but to be honest, we didn't see any staff beyond 2 servers and a hostess. We were hungry and TRYING not to make a fuss.

It was our first time at your location and before the response of management, I was willing to give it a second try. Now, I think I'll pass.

Additionally, I've now reduced my review from 3 stars to 2.

Constructive criticism is important to any successful business. Accepting responsibility for an off day would have been a better approach than deflection.

Service was less than stellar; inattentive, no refills, and appetizer came out AFTER the entree. Then the appetizer was incorrect in addition to late. The calzone was just not tasty. I don't know any other way to say it. However, the...

We were in Cincinnati to sit in the stands of The Great American Ball Park and watch our favorite club play The Reds. Our favorite club was crushed. We needed a place to lick our wounds. Enter Strong’s Brick Oven Pizzeria in Lawrenceburg, Indiana!! Just what the doctor ordered.

As we drove through the cute downtown area of Lawrenceburg, we couldn’t miss the people mulling around and all the parked cars in front of Strong’s. We took the bait and were extremely pleased that we did. First and foremost, our server and engineering student at Purdue Elise, was terrific. Great personality and very attentive without being overly attentive, if you know what I mean. The menu is focused on gourmet specialty pizzas and has a good selection of appetizers, salads, a three (3) heroes, and desserts. Beer selection was excellent. We had a plate of wings, salad and their specialty pizza of the month, the Caprese. Superb crust, perfect balance of toppings, and was delicious.

Again, Elise was terrific. The food was delicious. The highlight of the evening, however, was being able to chat with Betty-Jo. She is a prominent member of the Strong family and filled with information about the origins of the pizzeria and Lawrenceburg. I hope she is there when...