The Original Papa Nicks Take Out — Restaurant in Mars Hill

We have been going to Nick’s a number of times for a while. Unfortunately, we have noticed a downturn in quality and service. Last week was the end for us.

The first issue we noticed was shortly after Helene. We were conscientiously supporting all local businesses as many were. We always liked Nick’s and don’t live too far away so we decided to grab a pizza. We picked up the pizza and the sauce- usually flavorful- was so bland we threw the pizza away when we got home and tried it. It was minor and thought someone either forgot all the ingredients or didn’t have them? With all going on it was unimportant.

We had several other times things were just fine and then we had a pizza we picked up that was half uncooked. We needed to cook it for about 20 min in the over to eat it. We were surprised again as things had been pretty good and consistent previously.

Last Friday we ordered a pizza to pick up. We did so online at 4:20 for a 5:30 pick up. We went into town early, but grabbed a beer at Mars Hill Theater Brewing Co.(Awesome btw!) and showed up an hour after our scheduled pick up at 6:30 up giving ample time on a busy Friday night. We had received email confirmation that the Pizza was done before we arrived.

When we showed up to the window no one could find our order and looked puzzled. They then asked if we placed the order online. We responded yes, as we usually do. Only then did they check the printer. The guy making the pizza ripped the order off and said tell them for 10 minutes. No apologies, no can we get you a coke, it’s raining why don’t you come inside, can we get you anything while you wait? Yes, really.

We waited outside with a beeper they gave us and 15 minutes later we went to the window again and the same guys said we’ll let you know when its ready. 15 minutes later. Yes, 1 ½ hours past the confirmed time. 7:01pm. Not a few minutes’ wait, which would have been no problem of course. 1 ½ hours after when the pizza was to be done. We waited outside for another 30 minutes in the rain after being informed it would only be a 10-minute wait. The beeper then finally went off.

When I asked the young man handing us the pizza to speak to someone politely- it wasn’t his fault, so I wasn’t going to explain the situation to him- he got a woman that came over to explain the printer jammed evidently. It printed immediately when they looked at it as we arrived. Meanwhile before she finished explaining, the guy making the pizza came in and said extremely rudely “what do you want me to do the printer jammed!” Really? Zero apology, zero concern for an hour and a half delay? He was frustrated I had the audacity to ask why?

I said, “I really appreciate the apology.” He then yells out the window “have a passive aggressive day!” Wow! Apparently, Papa Nick’s has all the business they need being the only pizza place in Mars Hill and having any remote sense of customer service is non-important.

I can easily forgive the other minor issues, but this one is unacceptable. We will go to Blue Mountain from now on as we have never once had any issue with them ever. They are superb and their pizza is substantially better as well. We are done with Nicks for good unless we see some type of change- perhaps a business sale. We work too hard for our income to give it to folks that plainly don’t care. Three Strikes and you’re out. We are done with Nick’s...

I eat here, religiously, once a year when I visit Asheville. Everything about this family-owned restaurant is perfect. It is a charming space in the charming small town of Mars Hill (a quick and well-worth-it drive from Asheville). Free parking along the street. The inside is welcoming, friendly and always crowded (the food is that good!). The service is always exemplary. I always go inside the restaurant for table service, but from what I understand, it is also a take-out place.

I always get the same thing, baked ziti. It is piping hot and delicious and a lot of food for a small price (I think it's around $12 - cheap in my thinking). It comes with a nice fresh green salad with delicious dressing (the 1,000 island is fantastic!) and a bowl of the BEST garlic rolls anywhere. I am a vegetarian, so I very much appreciate it that I can get it with plain red sauce (or a meat sauce for the meat-eaters). Last night, my friend had the salmon, which came on a bed of quinoa with a side of asparagus - he said it was great. Again, the price was reasonable (I think about $13). I laughed when I got the bill because it would have been about double that in Miami! (We pay $20 for the dish I got here for $12.)

I highly recommend this place and when I return, I really want to try the pizza - it looked so good on other people's table.

The friendliness of the owners, the clean place, the fantastic food, the reasonable prices will keep me coming back whenever I am anywhere...

Ordered online for one pizza and one Stromboli. Said it would be ready in 40 minutes at 5:11 p.m. I got there 5 minutes ahead of time, let them know I was there. Time came and went, at 5:41 I went to the pickup window and said my order was supposed to be ready 30 minutes earlier, and was there a problem? The employee got the completed order from the top of some shelf. I asked how long it had been there. She said "around" 10 minutes. I saw one guy get his to go order and turned in a pager. I wasn't offered one, and the employee said "oh, they never gave you one?". She was the one I spoke to when I got there! I'd even ordered 2 pieces of pie from her also. I asked why couldn't someone have let me know, since I was standing outside ( in the heat) by the pickup window? No answer, no apology, just a stupefied expression. I really wish employers would let their staff know a simple apology goes a long way. The food is good, but the experience ruined it.

Addendum: 8/20/23 Owners response of "Poor randy" should tell you all you need to know about how much Papa Nick's respects their local customers. Sounds like they don't care....