Rafael's Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Soddy-Daisy

We love Rafael's! I love their salads and spaghetti. Never had an issue until tonight. Everyone is usually so friendly and helpful. The only reason I'm writing this is to let everyone know to get their receipts.

I called and a lady took my order. It was simple. A small caesar salad with ranch and a spaghetti with marinara sauce. She said 20 minutes. My husband went to pick it up. He called me livid. He said he went in and told the lady the name, she said you can pay for it now but give it about 4 minutes. My husband paid for it, opted for no receipt bc we never have issues and said he was gonna walk outside and be right back in in about 5 minutes or so. My husband walked back in, she said "do you have an order?" He told her yes, gave her the name. He said she acted like she had amnesia and hadn't ever seen him and didn't know what he was talking about. She went back to the back and continued to help other customers. He asked about the order again. Eventually he got the food but not without having to try and convince her she just saw him when he paid for the food and that he wasn't some weird food thief.

Idk what was going on tonight but just in case you ever have to wait for your food, go ahead and grab...

Never again. We used to love eating here but both the food and customer service has totally gone downhill. We thought maybe we caught them on a bad night, but sadly, it seems Raphael’s is not what it used to be. We ordered takeout from here a few weeks ago. When we got our food home, half of the spaghetti and meatballs had spilled out all over the bag. What was left looked and tasted like something you would get at a school cafeteria. The lasagna, not much better. Tonight, we thought we’d give them another try and ordered several sandwiches, including a gyro wrap. The order they gave us was totally wrong. We did get the gyro but it wasn’t worth eating. When we called about getting the wrong order, the young man that took the order was defensive and unhelpful. Just too young and inexperienced to offer good customer service. After asking for a manager, I was put on a long hold and was ultimately told by the same young man that I would have to bring the food back to the restaurant to prove the order was wrong. Then and only then would they be able to remake the order.

Thanks for nothing, Raphael’s! So glad we wasted $30+ on you....

If you haven’t tried Rafael’s Italian Restaurant yet, you’re seriously missing out. From the moment you step inside, you're welcomed with the comforting aroma of fresh-baked crust and sizzling toppings—it’s the kind of place that immediately feels like a local favorite. I ordered my go-to favorite, the Meat Lover’s Pizza, and let me tell you—it did not disappoint. The crust was perfectly crisp on the outside, soft in the center, and loaded with just the right amount of savory meats. Every bite was a flavor bomb—melty cheese, zesty sauce, and all the pepperoni, sausage, and bacon you could dream of. Pure pizza bliss! The staff was friendly and attentive, and the dining area had a warm, inviting vibe that made the whole experience even better. Whether you're dining in or grabbing a pizza to go, Rafael’s is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic flavor and unbeatable quality. Highly recommend to all pizza lovers—especially if you’re as obsessed with meat lovers as I am! 🍕🔥

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