Giuseppe's On 28th — Restaurant in Phoenix

EDITED: UNFORTUNATELY THIS PLACE HAS GONE DOWNHILL. 5 STARS CHANGED TO 2 STAR. I originally rated this place 5 stars but service last time we went was horrible so I'm editing my review and dropping it to 2 star. Sad too because this was our Italian place that we even drove over an hour to get to after we moved. We told everyone how great this place was. I made a reservation and arrived on time. You would think with a reservation you'd be seated right at the time you reserved a table for but 20 minutes later we were still standing outside. They had 3 other couples waiting outside with us. All of us had reservations for the same time. We asked to be seated at our regular table but were jokingly told tough luck. So 20 minutes goes by and they seat us outside. Right as we're being seated they seat one of the other couples at the table we had just asked for. The table was kind of imporrant to my wife since we had our first date at that table years ago and had many more dates at that table. Staff was rude and abrupt and it was like a different restaurant. So sad this happened, now we have to find a new Italian place to go to and I certainly won't be recommending this place any more. 50 minutes after our reservation time and we still have no food. No menu needed we knew what we wanted so none of that time was spent perusing the menu. The 2nd star was only given because of the food. Decided to leave my old review below so you can see what a contrast there is: Found this place through the PBS show called Check Please Arizona. Service was great and the food was fantastic! My wife and I ordered the eggplant parmigiana, the bolognase ragu and the special which was butternut squash risotto. The butternut squash risotto was good and it was made the right way and let me stress this point it was simply not to MY liking, MY personal preference, but when they saw I had everything else but it boxed up they asked why and when I told them the owner took it off the bill despite my insistence that it was fine. The owner thinks ahead, great service! The owner recommended the butternut squash ravioli so we got that to go and it was very good. The eggplant parmigiana was our favorite though it is awesome and dish that will have us coming back over and over. The creme brulee was the best I've ever had and was a perfect finish to the diner. We drove from south Gilbert and it was worth the drive....

This weeks health report, maricopa County Health Department:

“Giuseppes Italian Kitchen, 2824 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix

Employees washed hands for less than 5 seconds. Proper handwashing procedure is to rinse hands with warm water, scrub with soap for 10-15 seconds, rinse with warm water, dry with new single-use paper towel and turn off handles with paper towel to prevent re-contamination of hands. Entire process should take approximately 20 seconds for full and proper handwashing to prevent spread of pathogens. Employees washed hands for full 20 seconds at time of inspection. Employee came from outside back door of kitchen through two doors with bare hands. Employee then put on gloves and started to work on customer order at cookline. Hands must be washed when coming from outside the establishment, through doors, and whenever contamination could occur to prevent spread of pathogens. Employee washed hands prior to continuing food prep at time of inspection. Employee was actively washing dishes at three-compartment sink at time of inspection. Employee stated that chlorine was used as sanitizer. Chlorine concentration was less than 25 ppm, water temperature was at 99F. Employee added more chlorine to bring the level to 50 ppm. Chlorine concentration must be between 50-100 ppm for proper and full sanitation. Container of bleach and container of dishwashing detergent were sitting on prep table next to oven, open tray of bread, and toaster. A fire extinguisher was stored on a shelf above same prep table. Employee moved chemicals to storage below three-compartment sink. Toxic and potentially hazardous materials must be stored in a way to prevent contamination of food, equipment, utensils, and food...

We had family in town from the East coast with a little one in tow. I called the day before to make a reservation for 12. I confirmed they take reservations and that they would be able to seat 12 on a Friday night. They said that wouldn't be a problem, and asked if we would be comfortable with the patio. I said that was fine. The day of they called 3 times to confirm our reservation, make sure it was still on and to confirm we were still comfortable with the patio. Each time I confirmed the reservation and that we were happy with the patio. Then we get there that night and they say the wait is "45 minutes" I said we had a reservation and they said the wait is still "45 minutes". I asked to speak with the manager and they took me to the owner, I said "Hi, I'm here for my 6:30pm reservation." He very rudely said as I told your family it's a 45 minute wait. I then asked why he took my reservation if he couldn't accommodate us? He again rudely said "It's busy on a Friday night and a bunch of people showed up, what do you want me to do?" He kept trying to argue with me, was EXTREMELY rude and never once apologized. We couldn't wait the 45 minutes, 6:30pm was already a very late reservation for a little one from the East Coast, so we couldn't push it another 45 minutes, which is why we had a reservation! I know now how small the restaurant is, he should have just told me from the beginning they couldn't accommodate us. Most people won't be going here with big parties, but I would still not support this restaurant because of their horrible service, and really...