Rico's Pizzeria — Restaurant in Sarasota

SUB PAR PIIZA THAT WAS LATE, WE WERE GIVEN FOOD WE DIDNT ORDER AND CHARGED, AND THEN I WAS LIED TO AND STOLEN FROM BY A DELIVERY GUY- We were in the area from just an hour or so away staying for a few days. We ordered Vegan pizza and a few deserts. The delivery was approximately 30 mins later than they said would be. I was happily understanding, and happy to hear a local business was doing well. That's when things went down hill. The driver told me they didn't have one of the deserts we ordered so they just threw in 2 of one kind. There was no call asking what we would like to do. It was assumed. But, we were charged for that desert.... oooook? Then the delivery gives me a reciept and it has no charges or total on it. (It does say Jhoel B was our server.) They knew we would be paying cash. The total he gave me was well over $50. So I paid him and tipped him well. I'm my mind it's not his fault not for everything that's happened so far. After tip, I paid $60 for a pizza and 3 deserts(??!) Then the pizza was sub par and barely warm. The deserts, were very good. Then I decided to call and ask what my total was for my bill. Turns out it the total was actually $37. I was told I was speaking with the manager who told me she would address this and refund my money. She never bothered to call me back and nothing was done to make it right. I don't appreciate the entire experience and especially being stolen from. That was quite the first time customer experience and how I was repaid for patience, understanding, and tipping well. Seems to me there are other folks out there, especially right now, that are much more mature and honest that wouldn't tarnish the reputation of the business and that could use the job. I won't be back nor would I...

Anytime you ask who has the best pizza in town you're sure to get a lot of opinions and maybe even start an argument. As an unofficial Pizza expert who actually never misses an opportunity to critically sample pizza from different places, I can honestly say that the Rico's on Bay Street by Sunset Chevy is still the King for Jersey style pizza and Jersey atmosphere and attitude. If you're looking for linen napkins folded into swans, salad forks that are always properly placed or snotty French waiters this ain't your place. This is a neighborhood corner Jersey pizza spot the regular locals would go to for a "hot slice & a cold one". If you want fancy look elsewhere, if you want the best damned pizza in Sarasota this is your place. They have often won "Best of Sarasota" award so it's not hype. They make their sausage fresh so make sure you add sausage as a topping. The antipasta salad is also the best one in town. Also the fried baby squid are fresh and excellent even if you don't like squid. Not the cheapest pizza in town, but the quality matches the price. I always leave this place feeling better than when I went in. Two thumbs up.

Update: I have been going to Rico's for years, but quality isn't like it used to be. They have started skimping on pizza toppings. Now it's like a Wal-Mart frozen pizza. Tea/Sodas are $3.50 all prices are higher. I know prices are bad everywhere, but Rico's prices are too high for me now. I get a better pizza and food now from Hungry Howie's for less money. Rico's pizza just doesn't satisfy like it used to. I take no pleasure in saying it. Expect to pay about $40 per person now for...

I was absolutely PO'd tonight. I went on line and pulled up the menu at the Bay Road store. 366-8988. I ordered "the works." I was told 20 - 25 minutes. I arrived in 20 minutes. When I told them I was there to pick up my order, I was told they did not have an order from me. I was asked if I called one of the other stores. I told the woman that I called her store. She told me that I must have called another store. I asked her if the 366-8988 was the phone number for her store. She said "yes," but insisted I did not call there. She then tried to prove me wrong by calling 2 other Rico's shops, but they said they had no order from me. By the way, I did tell them to go ahead and make the pizza for me. I asked to speak with the manager and she said, "I am the manager." I have never been treated as poorly by any business as I was tonight. Along with her negative attitude, came the final blow. The website showed a price for my pizza at $18.00. With tax, the total should have been $19.26. The bill she presented totaled $20.87. I inquired about the total and she showed me the store menu that listed the price at $19.50. I asked why the difference and she responded that pricing is "subject to change." I told her that if they had the time to have a new menu printed up, then they should have had enough time to change their website pricing. She just shrugged her shoulders as if to say,"I don't care. By the way, they don't deserve even the one star I had to click so I...