Starvin Marvin Pizzeria & Grille — Restaurant in Maryland

We went in on Saturday December 7th for the first time and ordered the Chicken Alfredo Pizza foe $23.95 and then got a Pepperoni and Mushroom pie for the $8.99 special. After about 42 mins we still didn't have our pizza's yet everyone who had come in after us had been served including take out orders such as ours. I went up and inquired only to be told they had a problem with the dough for our Pizza's and had to remake them, yet they said nothing to us to let us know we would have to wait longer until I approached them and inquired about our order that is when the girl told us and said sorry but they never even offered anything not so much as a soft drink for our inconvenience . It took about another 15 - 20 mins we got the order and went home. We ate the Chicken Alfredo Pizza and within a few hrs we were both sick vomiting and Diarrhea for the next 3 days and everything coming out of our bodies for the first 2 smelt like rancid garlic. On the 4th day when we finally felt better I tried one piece of the pepperoni and Mushroom Pizza to see if it was okay and it was and we didn't get sick. We decided to give Starvin Marvin another chance so I called them on Friday December 12, 2019 and ordered 2 pizza"s the pepperoni and cheese and the Mighty Meat. At that time I told them what happened with the Chicken Alfredo Pizza and asked if they could give us an order of the funnel cake Bites for free. The owner came on and wanted to know why we didn't contact them the next day. I explained it is pretty hard to call when you are sitting on the toilet with a bucket in front of you being sick for 3 days. he comped us the funnel bites. But then told us $2 for delivery when their menu says FREE Delivery on orders of $12 or more. they didn't care said it was a type O (yet they are legally responsible to adhere to what their menu says or have the menu's changed. Anyway we had to pay the 2 bucks and the pepperoni Pizza we got for the $8.99 was good the Mighty Meat Pzza we paid $23.85 for had less meat on it than the pepperoni pizza and the Funnel cake Bites were like rubber and not etible. I called the next day just as the owner had said why did't you call the next day. The owner got on didn't care was rude and very arrogant and said sorry nothing I can do and hung up!! I made a video of the Funnel cake bites and am including it in the review. Any Business owner who doesn't care about their customers or the quality of the food or product they are providing and has an attitude of OH WELL Nothing I can do should think twice about owning a business they have no idea how to run. I will NEVER GO BACK AGAIN and as far as the owner goes he is Lucky I wasn't a Food Critic coming in to check out their establishment, quality of food and service as that review if in the newspapers would have done serious damage to his business. For some reason the video of the funnel bites didn't upload I am sorry about that but it is saved to my phone and computer. I just contacted them told the owner what I posted and he said "I have been in business for 35 yrs so it doesn't matter what you say or write. I then asked him if he thought his business was untouchable because of that and that he couldn't be closed down. His response was YES and then he hung up. Wow he doesn't care that the quality of his food is horrible or that people get sick from it. Maybe he will when...

To be honest, I don't even know how the food was or anything else. All I know is that a woman first answered the phone; she gave no greeting, just said "Hold." Literally, 1 word. I said alright, which she didn't hear, and then said to me "Well can you hold?" Um, I said yes and I'm aware that she simply didn't hear me, but it hardly warranted that response. Then another person enters the call, and it's a male voice. He say "Hello," in a far less than pleasant tone. I responded accordingly asking hi how are you, to which he responded in an extremely mean tone, "Busy, what do you want?"

.......... really? I'm a first time customer and that's what I get?

So, I stated I needed a delivery. It's snowing in Frederick today, and what this a-hole on the other end of the phone doesn't realize that I'm stranded and I'm a commuter. That's right, I fell victim to the snow and forgot my lunch, my car was not operating, I'm stuck in my office and I was hungry. Very hungry. When I asked for a delivery, this guy actually scoffed at me. He audibly scoffed! Don't get me wrong, I understand from his view point, but one thing I understand more than that is customer service as I've spent 10+ years in that very same industry. At that point I wanted to scream. I had the morning from hell, wanted 1 thing to make it better, and here this douche is to ruin it. So, he lost his sale.

To make it even better, turns out this guy was the manager. Really? George was his name I believe? And yes, he is operating the phones with assuming it's OK to talk to a stranger in such a manner. Well, Georgie, it's not. Not in your role especially. When I called back to express this, he basically told me "I did nothing wrong and I don't have time to listen to my own mistake." I can't believe I'm actually saying this, but I'm going to have to get lunch from Papa Johns over something local and probably better because good ol' George decided to be that much of an ass that I couldn't bear giving him my business.

In conclusion, avoid George. I've worked in restaurants busier than what this place can imagine. Never ONCE is it alright to let your stress show in such an abrasive way to a customer. Better yet, you really shouldn't be like to any stranger. Good job, Starvin' Marvin', I'd say you selected some cream of the crop personalities for...

A lot of these negative reviews are from people who have never worked a day in the service industry. I’ve known the family for almost 20 years, I’ve experienced the food since they opened in 2009, and I’ve even been employed here. The Foundas family is incredible people. They’re hard working and they all have a huge heart. For the people who complain in the comments about one bad experience, get a clue. The men and women who work here spend 70+ hours of their week trying to run this place. They struggle to find good help and often rely on family to keep their business up to their standard. The food is delicious, the service is good except for when you get on George’s bad side lol, and they are almost always slammed. Just be a respectful customer and they will take great care of you. Everything isn’t going to be perfect every time. That goes for everywhere. If you’re a difficult customer who wants everything on the side or something to be specialized, just know that no one in the industry likes you and you should eat at home. Foundas family, I love you and will always value you as people and as a great restaurant. I hope when you guys finally retire, the next owners can do half as good of running this place as you do.

Sincerely, A customer who appreciates all your hard work and the incredible food...