The Original Christo's — Restaurant in Sanford

On March 4th, we attempted to go as it WAS our favorite pizza place. Before leaving we doubled checked the website to make sure it would still be open by the time we made the 60 minute drive. It was 9:00pm and the website stated that the restaurant closed at 11pm. We arrived at about 10pm. The hours were on the door again stating that they closed at 11pm. We opened the door and walked in. We waited several minutes at the hostess stand for someone to greet us. This never happened. Some staff members were talking by the furthest dessert displays. The person who I was with, cleared his throat and politely said hello. After a few more minutes of waiting a female staff member came over and told us they were closed. The thing is, we could overhear them talking about whether we were going to be allowed takeout or just be told they were closed. She stated “Sooo, ummm yah we are closed…” In response I stated “But, your door and website both say you are open until 11pm.” The staff member then “No, we closed early…”. Not one to argue with those who handle my food, I replied “Oh, ok”. The person I was with did inquire though and the staff member implied they closed early because it had been slow. We found a fantastic spot to eat up the block and ate there instead. As we were returning to our car, about 90 minutes later now-we took out time because they had later hours posted- We passed The Original Christo’s and all the same employees were still there hanging out. They were laughing and having a grand time. Exact same employees that discussed in earshot closing early and turning us away instead of seating us or allowing us takeout.

This was a horrible experience. We love this pizza and frequently come here with our friends and family. Typically our party size is around 5-6 people. We will NEVER GO BACK now. We will no longer take our kids or grandparents there. We will no longer sneak out for just the two of us for date night. We will no longer do take out. WE ARE DONE WITH THIS PLACE. What occurred was rude and unprofessional on so many levels. And, in these times when the service industry has experienced some significant issues, it...

I was trying to figure out how this place got such high reviews when the last few times we've eaten there the food was nothing but poor quality. Then I realized most of the good ratings are over a year old. My husband and I ate pizza there a few months back and there was no cheese to be found on the top, what I mean is you had to really look for it. It also tasted like store-bought frozen pizza. So we went again today, and this time I figured that all I want is a Greek salad, you can't mess that up, well I was wrong. It was basically a spring mix of lettuce, and what looks like shredded mozzarella, just a little tiny bit to give it a look of white, but it was not feta cheese, and then they threw Italian dressing in there and called it Mediterranean dressing. I explained to the waitress that this is not a Greek salad and this is not Greek dressing. She was polite and said that they call it their Mediterranean dressing, folks my husband loves Italian dressing and even he said it was Italian dressing. Me, I hate it. So needless to say I didn't get my Greek salad even though that's what it was advertised as. What we have found is they are very skimpy on cheese on pizzas and cheese on salads, and we even found the red onions to be skimpy on the salad. We also have found because we have also tried other dishes, the Italian dishes with the red sauce is terrible, doesn't matter if you get it on a pizza or the lasagna, both times it was terrible, very bitter tasting. I wish I could give this place a good review because we love to go to downtown Sanford, and normally we love Greek food. But folks save your money and find another restaurant, this is not a review that is based on one visit to the place but three. Each time the food was equally bad, we just kept thinking it was just what we ordered. I will give them credit they did reimburse us for the salad. Not sure what's going on with this place but I know we won't be eating there again...three strikes and you're...

Being a NY’er from a Brooklyn based Italian family, I thought the food, especially and Italian dishes, were mediocre at best. I mean, it was warm, it wasn’t spoiled, but it was….. lacking in every way. My friend and I are foodies. We meet up often and try different restaurants. We had seen all of the rave reviews on Google and figured it would be worth a little drive to try this place. Guess we were wrong. I also thinks the owners, their friends and family must post a lot of reviews because this is not a 4 star or better restaurant. Trust me, I managed a few over 30 years.

Hey, it wasn’t bad……it was like a high school cafeteria ….it resembled dishes from somewhere else, just didn’t taste as good. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I see people like the place. But, there’s no “wow factor”. Really….. it’s weak dinner food, served by a rude and disrespectful staff. I won’t even approach that one. The wait staff was openly rude to others. I shudder thinking that’s normal practice there. Their Italian offerings would be great Italian did in North Dakota, maybe……. but this place wouldn’t make it 2 weeks in NYC area or the Island. It’s boring and lacking in many areas. Dumping cheese and sauce all over a meal doesn’t make it Italian……it only makes it covered in bland sauce and cheap greasy mozzarella cheese. Hint, the good stuff doesn’t drip oil. My buddies meal looked slightly better, but just because a dish presented fairly well, obviously doesn’t mean it tastes well.

Honestly, not worth going out of the way for. There are other options. Keep driving. Save yourself from a rude staff and a restaurant that would never make it anywhere else. Sad, I see it’s been open awhile….. would’ve...