The Corner - Pizza and Alehouse — Restaurant in Mason City

I wanted to dine at this restaurant a few times before leaving my thoughts.

-The ordering process. Everything is ordered online, then your food is brought out by a runner. There were no wait staff, yet we were prompted to tip. There were no options to customize our pizza. We had to ask the bartender to ask the kitchen if they could.

-Price. The price is high for the area considering there are not a lot of toppings compared to pizza elsewhere - the prices are New York City prices, not Mason City prices. The salad bar isn't worth what they're asking at all. When ordering a pie, you should get a discount on a plate of salad like you can at other restaurants.

-The pizza. It's tasty and as close to New York style pizza as you'll find in the area, so there's that.

-The setting. The Corner seems to be trying to be a sit down establishment while operating like an "order at the window" place. It doesn't jive, for me. I do like the vibe of the restaurant itself, but the seats are really uncomfortable, and the place is freezing (there are garage doors in the front, and i's drafty even with them closed. I had to wear my coat while eating). I did like the information provided in the women's bathroom about letting the bartender know if you felt unsafe with your date and you wanted them to call a cab for you, and I liked how there was a board where people could grab a pre-paid slip for a slice if they couldn't afford one....

I would love to give this place an overall higher rating because the pizza is good.

Twice we have got up and left because we could not get served. Once when my wife and I just stopped by for drinks and apparently the lady bartender felt walking down to the south end of the bar was too much effort, or she didn't want to leave the "Cheers" gang at the other end of the bar whom she was socializing with. The other time was with a group of 6 and we were going to eat and order some "adult beverages" before going on the downtown sculpture tour. The guy working (after going up to the bar to order) told us we needed to order using our phones. This place needs to realize that not everybody has a smart phone, and even if you are able to use your phone, not every mixed drink you may want is on the "online" menu. I guess we could have all gotten up and ordered pizzas at the window (can you?) for food, but what about the drinks? Ended up leaving without ordering anything and this experience left a very negative impression with members of our group who are still talking about this poor experience months later. Sadly it was my suggestion to stop there.

Basically, the only way I found I can eat there is just to get a slice and a pop at the window...

Ordered a pizza dor carryout. It was supposed to be an 18 inch thin crust. The pizza was 15 inches, cut horribly- like some giant slices, some slits barely the thickness of my thumb, crooked and not even cut through! Pickup waa a nightmare. Was completely ignored, sat at the bar, ignored more, then a member of the kitchen staff came out so for their attention and told them I was waiting for a pickup order. Was told it would be a little longer, no biggie... ordered a drink. Finally the bartender came back, still no acknowledgement until he saw the drink then proceeded to get into an altercation in front of us and other customers to the point everyone was uncomfortable. Then the bartender couldn't figure out how to put the drink on the bill with the pizza. He was noticeably and vocally upset. When quite a while had gone by and he still couldn't figure it out- informed us rudely "drink is just on the house, it's easier that way. Enjoy" and gave a dirty look- cuz it's the customers fault right? Finally order was ready. Paid (including the $3 pick up fee) and tipped 25% since felt bad about being the "cause" of a confrontation.... so for almost $50 we got a 15 inch uncut pizza that's now cold. Horrible experience and would...