Mamma Celeste's Gastropub & Pizzeria — Restaurant in Sparks

I heard the story of this place on the news and was happy to hear they were opening up in Sparks and wanted to give a new local business who had gone through a previous hardship a shot. I was in the mood for some pizza so my wife and I came in on Saturday at about 11:20. The first thing we were told was that pizza would not be available until noon, but we could order sandwiches or burgers until then (Strike 1). Our server, who was very nice, told us that the burgers were "really good," and I can always eat a good burger so I decided to order one to share with my wife. However, we wound up waiting about 50 minutes and 2 other tables who came in after we did got their food before us (Strike 2). When our burger finally arrived, it didn't have the correct topping I originally ordered, so I had to send it back (Strike 3). Luckily, I didn't have to wait another 50 minutes to get my burger back, but when I finally ate it, it was average at best. Also, the tater tots I ordered were so soaked in oil that I was only able to eat a couple before I started feeling quesy. It's as if they just scooped the tots straight out of the fryer onto the plate without letting the oil drain properly.

The only reason I'm giving 2 stars instead of 1 is that the employees were very nice and apologetic, they wound up not charging me for my burger due to the extremely long wait and mistake, and they gave me a coupon for a free pizza for a future visit. I understand they just opened and are probably still working out the kinks in their system. I would totally be willing to return in a few months after they have hopefully worked out the kinks and give them another chance, and maybe I can update my review.

Note - I am updating my review to 4 stars as I returned a couple weeks ago and finally got to try their pizza. It was a tad soggy/greasy in the middle, but otherwise it tasted really good. The folks who work there are super friendly also. I can't wait to try their Chicago pizza next! I just wish they weren't so far from where I live - otherwise, I'd...

Beware of the terrible customer service. The food is good if you get the right order.

This is my 3rd time here. First time terrible service. Second time came in waited almost 40 minutes to order. Apologies were accepted and food was good once we got it. Waited a bit to give it another try.Big mistake. Came in ordered, drinks came out wrong and server said sorry my mistake. Then food came out we ordered a kids quesadilla and received a regular quesadilla. Manager took it back and came back with the same quesadilla and said your server put in a regular quesadilla dropped the quesadilla back off. Server came and said she’d take the quesadilla back and have them remake the kids quesadilla. I said no he is starving and I asked for the manager. Kaitlyn came to the table and her customer service needs some attention. She literally did not apologize or offer any type of logical solution. She said either send it back and wait for a new one or pay full price. Or she would take 4 slices off the plate and charge for kids. I asked if she really thought throwing away the other four pieces were the solution? She said yes. I am completely at a loss of words how a business runs like this. Meantime she is arguing with me and our pizza is delivered to the table wrong. We ordered cheese pizza and got pepperoni. Well the hardest thing to believe happens. The manager walks away to read the ticket to see what kind of pizza we ordered!!!!! The server comes back and takes the pepperoni pizza off our table after it sat there for a bit and delivers it to another table. Unbelievable and unprofessional. 3 things completely wrong and still no apology. I asked for the owners name and I was told he does not give out his personal information. Well as a business owner myself I would want to know if my employees were treating my customers this way. The manager and our server stood over at the bar talking about our table and it was not professional. We will not be...

You know, I really tried to like this place. I really tried, we went there 2x and the food was good, the service was a little mediocre. My Mother-in-law wanted to get some food to go for Mother's Day.... So she tried to call and no one picked up the phone. So I decided to go down there and place the order. It took a few minutes to get the order in... I ordered a beer while I waited, tipped 20%, ordered a few pizzas, side of fries for my Son, and a salad and sat on the patio.

Saw a few families come and go, order, eat, then leave, and asked one of the servers to check on my order. They said they misplaced the ticket, but rest assured they were cooking it now.

I got there at 4:15, placed the order at 4:19, and by 5:30, I was sitting at the bar waiting. Asked to speak to the manager, he didn't come. Order was finally ready at 5:40... I saw what I thought was the Manager walking around and asked to speak with him. His name is Jim, he is the "owner", I told him how long I had been waiting, not expecting anything but an apology. He asked if I placed the order through Clover, I told him I did it here in person, he said that they prioritize Dine In Orders before To-Go.

I told him that I have really tried to make this place work, but I just have had terrible service, and he said, "Well if you go somewhere else we aren't worried about it. There is a Round Table down the street." I was shocked. I didn't even know what to say.

That is the worst service, I have ever experienced, I hope the employees find another place to work. If your owner doesn't care about customers, or reputation, they don't care about their employees.

After I got home to my family, we realized they forgot the fries for my son, thanks for that...

Have a nice day Jim, I hope you have a great day.

By the way, this is the first bad review I have ever written about a restaurant. I didn't think I would ever be this...