Joey's Original Pizza — Restaurant in Santa Rosa

The pizza takes a really long time. I spend a decade in the service industry and in pizza so I get it. but my last trip there was pretty upsetting...

Brought my wife in for the first time and we ordered at the counter, experience was weird but I didn't think much of it at the time. We were asking what the slices were and they kept having to go in the back and ask. It was weird but whatever.

We ordered 2 slices and told them we'd be downstairs at the bar. 45 minutes later they came down and said it wasn't "cooked to their standards so they are remaking it" I get it. You forgot about it, and it burned. It's happened to me too. So I said ok thats fine (expecting they would either rush me a new one in the next 15 - 20 min or throw in some breadsticks or something) The pizza came out ANOTHER 45 min later. So I'm pretty frustrated at this point since it's been so long, but turns out they omitted the meat topping. Normally I'd just let it go, but at this point I want my full moneys worth... So I went upstairs and asked if they could put the sausage on it I ordered, an HOUR AND A HALF AGO at this point. Instead of apologizing, the two employees just started gaslighting each other and arguing whose fault it is. The scene was so frustrating for everyone that a couple who was standing near the counter looking at the menu put it back and slipped out.

Again, I've worked service industry, I get it, things happen. but turning against each other at the front counter just isn't a good look... If you just throw in another slice or some breadsticks or SOMETHING when this happens I would have a totally different view...

We got delivery. I was really rooting for this local place especially since they have such a history here in Santa Rosa & so many good google reviews. It is a $25 min for delivery and we live 10 minutes south of the restaurant. There was a $6 delivery fee.

Service: We ordered delivery at 5pm, it took 90 minutes to get to our place. Not awful but not great timing and at one point we thought our order never went through to the restaurant. We called to ask about our order an hour after ordering. The person at the desk said the driver was on their way, and after thirty more minutes we called again, only for them to pick up the phone and then hang up. The driver arrived shortly after and apologized for being late which was very thoughtful and appreciated.

Food: We ordered cheese and Sam’s perfect pairing. The cheese was delicious and I wish we had ordered more! Sam’s pear pizza was interesting but too much flavor all at once. It probably would taste better in a sandwich over a pizza, but I am also sensitive to textures and the Gorgonzola/pear texture over each other wigged me out. We also ordered a small salad - highway robbery. It was tiny and not at all worth the cost ($7!). Finally, the lemonade is super bitter so be prepared! I couldn’t finish the lemonade because it was too bitter and I had no sugar to add to it, but it had a good lemon flavor and I would have loved it sweetened.

Overall: great classics, order for pickup if you’re ready to eat soon & don’t have a large order. When we interacted with employees it was...

Edit a few months later 5/20: I’ve added a couple photos. It looks like you guys are still dumping toppings on without any culinary care. Annnnnd, you actually gave me a sauce for mozzarella sticks- it’s just Ranch!! Who eats Ranch with mozzarella sticks?! Come on guys. Get your staff together. I lowered from 2 Star to 1.

Original: Man, I really like your pizza. For what we have around here, the flavor is great, it’s not greasy, the menu has a lot to offer, and your delivery times are reasonable. The other competitors just don’t match up. However, your execution is terrible. Missing main ingredients like the sauce for mozzarella sticks is a hard thing to shrug off (this happened 2-4-22) I frequent this establishment for take out or delivery often. Maybe every two weeks or so. Just about two or three weeks ago I had to call to explain having around 35 jalapeños on a pizza is inedible. I love spicy food, but there’s a line. It’s not the first time either. And when pineapple is added to the equation you should factor in the amount of liquid that creates a soggy crust. Tonight, the chicken in the pizza was dry. The pizza was just dry in general. And kind of large chucks that make the pizza itself messy. You’ll still have my business, just try to fix some issues. This can always be...