Benjamin's Pizza Kitchen & Bar — Restaurant in Roanoke

I do not like Benjamin's and here's why.... I worked in bars/restaurants for a long time. I started in college and as a server and worked my way up to Bartender, Manager, Lead Trainer and then General Manager. I know how a well run establishment should look, smell, taste, feel, etc. The first thing that I dislike about Benjamin's in the atmosphere. They do not create an environment that makes me prefer to leave my house to go out to eat. Eating out should be an experience or why else wouldn't I just ordered a pizza from my living room couch? I took my whole family there and the place was empty. There was 1 person working the bar and maybe 2 people I could see in the kitchen/pizza making area. We were told to sit where we would like. The bartender also served as our waiter. She took our order and then literally disappeared....like into the back somewhere. She was gone so long that I could have walked over to the bar and poured my own drink! NO ONE was watching the front of house at all! I was shocked having been a previous manager! As I looked around, the only TV's were by the Bar Area and there was no music or anything on. The ambiance of the place felt "dead." It was silent in there. The TV's didn't even have sound playing. Again, why did we leave our couch for this? Eventually the bartender/server makes her way back out with our food. Then, she disappears again! Ok, so now the food. How was it? NOT GOOD! My mother, being from New York refused to continue eating her food. The pizza I ordered was gross, so I refused to eat any more of it, and my husband.....well he will eat anything so that's not saying much! Needless to say, I was really sad about all of this! It's a newer establishment in the area and I was looking forward to having a fun place to eat out close to home. The trainer/teacher in me wanted to help the owner find great staff and train them to have the best of customer service, NEVER leaving the front of house abandoned! This place has potential, but until things change, I will...

This was one of our new favorite places. We first tried this restaurant on a day date. It was during the soft opening, and we were the only customers there. We enjoyed our pizza and service. Since then, we have seen continuous issues with orders and disorder between the front and the bar. Tonight was the night we changed our minds on Benjamin's, though. I called in to order a large pizza: half pepperoni and light jalapenos/half chicken and spinach with Italian-style spices on it. When I arrived, I waited at the bar (it is awkward having to walk to the bar and try to get the attention of a bartender in order to pickup food (which comes from an area you walk right by on the way in and out). It was only then that I was informed they have no spinach. The bartender said they could do mushrooms or basil instead. I said no thanks, as the pizza had already been made (So I would have had to either wait for a new pizza or have the one that was already cooked have an extra topping thrown on???). The bartender then proceeded to charge me for a pizza made with four toppings. I pointed out to her that now we only have one topping on one half. She then charged me for three toppings. That also makes no sense. Why can I order a half meat-lovers/half margarita and be charged for the meat-lovers price (what we had the first time), then be charged for three toppings on a pizza that has two toppings on one half, and one topping on the other half (basically 1.5 toppings)? I might as well have ordered everything on the whole pizza to get my money's worth. Ridiculous. And finally, there was no italian seasoning or oregano/basil shaken on top, as I was told they have and ordered. In all, we will now be going back to Italian Bistro, whom we have had no issues with in the past 8 years. (Side note, the cook was very nice on our way out.)

Update 7/15/17: I have called multiple times on different days, and neither Bryan nor Lucious...

Well what a big disappointment for our first visit to a pizzaria we have passed by several times and finally decided to stop and try the pizza , beer and watch a little of the world series . Started out nice with introductions by Jennifer the Asst Manager and bartender . Drinks were served and a cold under cooked pizza was served to us . Toppings were fresh as they were crisp but the thin crust was limp and cool to the touch with the middle almost cold and not cooked . We ate 2 pieces and boxed the rest to take home . Staff were all advised but not too interested as Jennifer was hugging people at the bar and 4 letter words were flying from one customer as she joked with the staff . We were offered to have the pizza cooked longer but we declined .Hesitant to send food back into kitchen . We were asked by 4 different people about the pizza and we told all of them the same . Last staff member brought us desert and apologized . He was a gentleman and genuine . Bottom line we left sooner than we planned , food poorly prepared , staff was at the bar playing around and hugging guests while customers went without service . One star is too high for our experience but it is the lowest score possible . We will never go back and I predict this place bombs . Do not want anything from the owner as the damage is done . How in the hell can an owner not read these reviews and observe and change the crappy food and the horrible behavior and service . Chef Ramsey would have a heart...