Garbonzo's Pizza — Restaurant in New Plymouth

So back in 2009-2011, I went here for lunch pretty much every school day. It was epic, the food, the service, it was just amazing. I was gone for 6 years before I came back a couple of months ago, and I have to say I am super disappointed what the NP store has gone to. I went in today(Jan 26, 2019) for my lunch break. My wife called in an order at 11 a.m., and they said it would be done BY 1130. We went in at 1130. Exactly. I went and paid for my food, and after having my debit card tossed back at me, I went to sit down and wait. Why? because they haven't even started making the food yet! We got two sandwiches(which were thrown together haphazardly) and a lunch special. 10 minutes later, the little high school aged looking girl says "its gonna be another 5 minutes." 15 MINUTES later, we finally get our food. 45 MINUTES AFTER IT WAS ORIGINALLY ORDERED. I get that place can get busy, but there was not that many people in there for one, and for two, we called 45 MINUTES EARLIER for that fact alone. My point is that ever since I got back, I have gone probably 4 times and every.single.time The service has been slow and so bad I have been seconds from getting my money back and leaving. Today was the last straw for me. I will not return, I will not spend any of my money there and I will no longer tell others they should go there and try them out. This store has become an embarrassment to the brand and to the way things used to run all those years ago. I hope the owners see this, read this, and take action to restore their NP store back to being the epic, great service place I spent SO much money at way back when. Because at this point, I wouldn't even send people I hate to eat here.

Sincerely, Disappointed former super fan

UPDATE JULY 6, 2023 Haven't been in town since the last review of this place in 2019. Decided to try it out again and went in today after calling and order in ahead of time.

They renovated the store and it looks incredible. The service and the pizzas we got were also incredible. It really felt like I was a teenager again going to my favorite pizza place. It would seem they have returned to their former glory while also making some additions and improvements....

As a former lunch lady I had personally seen 2 health code violations when I went in to pick up my order. First, and kid came out from the back with gloves on, proceeded to wash his used gloves and went into the kitchen to continue making food. Second, another kid who was working in the kitchen and running the register was handling money and the computer with used gloves on. I paid cash. He handled my cash and with the same gloves went to the back and handled food. Do they not know what cross contamination is? I am a local in New Plymouth and we don't have very many food options, so to have this happen I will not be going back. I will drive to Fruitland to get...

Brought my family in ordered a pizza with 2 salad bars however what we got was 2 side salads apparently because I went back for a 2nd plate I was told by staff that you are only allowed 1 trip to the salad bar and that I needed to order the large salad to get the unlimited trips which is what I told them to give me. Next time you decide to ring someone up ring then up for what they asked for we never asked for a side salad. We come to get ice cream quite often but after this experience we will be taking our business the extra couple miles to Ontario or fruitland where they give you what you ask for. Side salad is different from the...