Grimaldi's Pizzeria — Restaurant in Palm Beach Gardens

As someone who grew up in the region where Grimaldi's began and would originally grow in NY and NJ, before they grew so large, I am infinitely familiar, and find of, with this style of pie. That's why it gives me such pain to review this location so poorly.

I can only base my review on this one experience, so let that be said up front. Also, I picked up the pie "to go" from their carry-out window,so this has nothing to do with the experience of dining in. That said, let's go!

My wife and I ordered Grimaldi's 18-inch "The Don" pizza - one of their specialty pies topped with sausage, pepperoni and meatballs. Upon taking the box in hand, it felt a bit light but I didn't think that much of it at the time. I also didn't really think about how I could feel it sliding around in the box.

My real disappointment was when I got home and opened it. While it generally looked fine, it just looked kind of anemic. At best, it was barely 16-inches across and for $27 I guess I kind of expected more!? More pizza. More toppings. Just more. Frankly, since it was a late dinner for the two of us after a busy day, we just had the pizza to eat (no salad) and we both managed to eat the entire pie fairly quickly. I mean, it was tasty, I just thought it was a stingy portion given the cost.

Look, given all the transplants from the tri-state region here in Palm Beach County, there are a lot of great mom and pop and other high end pizza chains from where you can buy your pie. Frankly, the competition here is stiff as it is in NY or NJ. Given my experience here at the PBG Grimaldi's, I'd have to be talked into returning. The flavor and quality was good, but the value was disappointing, if not insulting. Oh,...

We didn’t get the opportunity to eat here as we left after being made uncomfortable by what we can only assume was a manager.

Food smelled good and the host and staff were polite and kind. However as we were shown to our table in the mid afternoon today, it turned out the table hadn’t been cleaned yet. No big deal, staff was on it immediately to clear and clean for us but that left us awkwardly standing nearby attempting to not be in the way, which, turns out we were. A manager (older guy, button down shirt) comes through carrying a chair. Doesn’t say a word, just stares at us. I apologize and say we are waiting for the table as we attempt to move out of his way but have no clue where he’s going. He says nothing to us. Finally, we move down the aisle a bit and he tucks the chair into the empty table we were previously standing by. Still doesn’t say anything to us but starts chastising the hostess from where she is standing nearby waiting to give us menus once we’re able to sit. Mind you, this all took less than 1-2 minutes, nothing to chastise anyone about and certainly nothing to be rude to us about.

Ultimately the atmosphere was ruined for us and we decided to leave before opening the menus. After we left, the couple who had been dining next to where we sat briefly found us outside and told us we were right to walk out as that guy was rude.

So not rating on food or staff (they were great) but management needs some...

I ordered the 16'' Pesto pizza to-go. I was told on the phone that it would be 25 minutes. Immediately after finishing the conversation I set a timer for 25 min. Exactly at the 25 minute mark I'm at the pickup window asking for my pizza. The man inside pulls my pizza from a warming oven and it's apparent that it's been sitting there... for a looong time. The box is kind of soggy and damp when I grab it and lukewarm at best. Then I pay for the pizza and the receipts come put into one of those black faux leather credit card/receipt holders that servers use and a pen is given. Naturally there is a line for tip on the receipt. Now granted, the pen may be for signing, but the whole thing felt like they were feeling entitled to a tip- when I was the one picking up the pizza and wasn't receiving wait service. It felt pushy and needy to me. Now back to the lukewarm pizza. The pesto on the pizza tasted canned/old or something-- I'm positive it wasn't freshly made from basil that week. The cheese was cold and rubbery and the dough was cold and soggy. Had it been a $10 pizza I would have shrugged it off and choked it up to "you get what you pay for", but it was a $20 pizza, so I expected a bit more. Note to owner: PLEASE, if you say 25 minutes, let the pizza still be somewhat edible at the 25 minute mark. Mine felt like it was sitting in the soggy warming drawer for at least 15 minutes. Also hot pizza is preferable. Use...