Pizzaiolo's — Restaurant in Magnolia

Food quality saved me from making this a 2 star review

We visited for the first time last week and were really excited b/c we believe these small, local shops and eateries are the heart of a small town like Magnolia AND we want to keep that charm. So I went in with an open mind, and here’s my fair review:

Food was great and THAT is the primary reason we’ll go back again for a second try. The secondary reason we’ll give them another try is acknowledging the “human” in all of us, and knowing that every business has a “bad” night and shouldn’t be completely judged by one “not-go-great” experience (but based on other RECENT reviews, they have the same complaints - STAFF and overall inside ambience/appearance).

Now, for all the opportunities they can improve:

LEAVES all over floor - Apparently there’s an awkward connecting door RIGHT next to the buffet bar where staff/guests track in dry leaves from a patio…very problematic b/c it was a LOT of leaves and it was the first thing we saw when we walked in for the first time, AND she sat us RIGHT in front of them…it felt like we were sitting outside. And it took about 30 min before someone came and swept them back outside. Not a busy night at all either. Just lazy teens being teens with no supervision.

ROCKY TABLE - common problem, not a huge deal, but annoying b/c we almost spilled our drinks several times due to the table needing to be stabilized. Easy fix, but shouldn’t fall on a customer to have to crawl under there with a napkin to try to fix it.

INCOMPETENT WAITRESS - Our waitress got a $5 PITY tip b/c I just can’t walk out and leave NOTHING, just not how we do things. But she deserved nothing. Young girl who clearly couldn’t give less of a “damn” about customer service. She was one of those, “you’re bothering me by asking for napkins,” types. Didn’t ask hardly any questions to get our order correct, then it came out wrong & she really didn't care to try to correct it. Also, we had to ask her for everything! For example, “when will we get our appetizers?” “Can we get a refill?” “Can we have a couple more napkins?” “Can we have a to-go box?” “Can I order another drink?” “Can you check on our pizza, it's been a while?” Reminding her she forgot things…she was awful and just very careless. She just needs to be trained or something…

STAFF - We came in around maybe 7 or 8 pm. There were very few people in there. I can't speak about the staff behind the counters or cooks b/c I had not interactions with them, but the floor staff is one of the laziest I’ve seen. Teens mainly, just uncaring. Dragging brooms behind them like a sack of potatoes (pretending to sweep and ride the clock) while people were eating, in and out of the restroom (riding the clock), bad waitress… reminded me of that show, Bar Rescue!

My point - the food was solid - the QUALITY of the food and the QUALITY in the prep of the food was great (they nailed both, where many places only hit one). Very fresh breads, pizza was GREAT (took one to go), wings were terrifically prepared and seasoned and I’d order food again, but probably to-go, like so many others were doing.

To management, you need to correct several things in leadership and operations and do a staff rehaul to keep guests walking in if it’s going to be a “family/neighborhood” spot. I hope this review...

Placed order for three pizza’s 3:37pm saterday Oct 3rd Called at 4:04pm to ask that one pizza has pesto sauce that did not get added on when ordered. Put on hold was told they would do it. Order arrived to my home 5:10-5:15pm called at 5:22pm to state that the pesto was not added they told me i was wrong it got added it looked green! We pulled the pizza back and it did not have it nor did it taste good or like it had pesto it tasted of rotten olive oil. They also let me know since it was my fault and the pizza was DONE when i called the manager said they would not fix or give us a replacement!

They messed up one of my pizzas which I DID not complain about but it was is my notes the topping i wanted taken off! I called back latter to speak with the manager but the receptionist told me they were gone! She asked if there was something she could help with i said i did not complain about my messed up pizza but had just wanted one pizza fixed she told me the pizza was already done when i called the first time! I said i also want to know why our pizza sat for over an hour before we got it we live 5min from them i paid over $100 for pizza gave a $10 tip to my driver and only asked to fix one pizza! I was dissatisfied with my customer service my pizza wasn’t hot it looked as old as it was and we did not complain about that! I asked the receptionist to let the manager know but i want everyone to know, customer service is dead they were not very nice either time i have ever called to ask questions and not very helpful or compassionate in any of my needs they seemed hurried and like i was bothering them, it always took a few minutes to get answers! I truly wish i had not wasted over $100 again to support this local business. What a shame i really tried to like them and have spent over $500 on this business and the one time i ask for something they are unwilling to fix! Plus our pizza was sitting over an hour! $100 for old pizza!!!! Lesson learned!

Shame on your company you lost a...

UPDATE: The owner called today and has made an acceptable effort to make it right. I appreciate the call and the gesture. Hopefully his employees learned a lesson in good customer service. I'll give them a chance. #KeepingMagnoliaGreat

This was our second time to place a pick up order from Pizzaiolo's. We ordered online. I ordered the spaghetti and meatballs. It was cold and rainy outside and my husband went to pick it up. When he returned my spaghetti had no meatballs. I called to ask for help. I was told by the cashier that her receipt only said spaghetti. I asked if I could text or email her my receipt with meatballs. She told me she could not refund my money but could only give me a credit. I told her no. I wanted her to deliver me the correct food. Nope. She said because it was take out that couldn't happen. I had to then drive down to the restaurant where the manager was on the phone with the owner. She told me to talk to him. I refused. I'm cold, wet and no longer in my recliner and want my money back now. She blames the cashier. Cashier blames the online system. I finally get heard and the cashier hands me back my money. Unbelievable. This could have been resolved with a courtesy delivery because of an online glitch, instead of losing a customer. Don't waste your time going here. They have no...