The Stubborn Brother Pizza Bar — Restaurant in Toledo

I am not sure where to start. I had high hopes for this place. Perhaps under another circumstance it could be better.

I was on my way back home and finally decide d to try this place. Opting for this over another place down the road.

Let's start with the online process. I got a number and called it. I couldn't get through. I went ahead and went through the online ordering process. I thought the 30 to 40 minute wait time for a thin pizza this time of day was ridiculous but maybe they were busy. I then ordered my pizza and upon check out it solicited 18, 20 or 22 percent tip or enter your amount. Which for pick up is kind of high. You would have to actually go out of your way to not tip the solicited amounts. Don't get me wrong I typically tip about 10 to 15 on carryout and 30 to 50 on dine in. However, when you are soliciting that type of percentage the workers need to be making sure quality control is good.

So I arrive to find they were not very busy. I walked in and my pizza was ready. Might I add about 5 or 10 minutes earlier than the minimum quoted time. So that was good. The waitress also promptly greeted me and grabbed my pizza.

I jump in my car and got about 2 minutes down the road. I decided to open and try it. There was a huge, probably 7 or more inches round burn through all pieces. I decided to try it right then. The pizza was so dried out and crunchy hard. I continued home and had my teenagers try it along with their friend. They all hated it and refused to eat. So quality control was garbage. Maybe a 2 out of 10.

Usually I tend to be more forgiving but that is when merited. In this particular case you solicit a high pick up tip percentage, quote too long of a time and know you messed the pizza up and with time to correct opted to send it out anyway. It is just not a good look at all. Just remake the pizza and be done with it. There was 0 excuse for the garbage that was sent out to me. Had I waited for the quoted time it would have been a rock. And it still would have been...

What more can you say about Stubborn Brother? It's probably the best NY-style pizza in the Toledo area, and definitely in the conversation for best pizza of any type in town. There might be 4 or 5 other joints in that conversation, but some of those are based on nostalgia (Inky's) or perhaps memories of when the pizza used to be better (I'm looking at you, Idiot).

How much does the NY-replicated water really elevate Stubborn Brother's dough? It's hard to say, but the rotating deck-style oven they use is close enough to a brick-oven that it yields similar results, so you get some of that same char and crispiness. The crust is crisp, but it's not overly crunchy like a cracker, either. Not necessarily the best leftover the next day, as the crust gets a little tougher and chewy, but it's still excellent pizza even cold.

Ordering a NY-style pizza with just cheese lets the simple yet blissful flavor of the sauce come through, yet adding those old-world-style pepperoni yields delicate crispy cups of meat and greasy goodness. Yeah, the pepperoni can be greasy, but aren't they all? That's when you fold your slice in half and let the crispy crust absorb that grease to create the perfect last couple of bites at the end of each slice.

The twice-baked garlic rolls are also on-point. It seems that they are made from the same rolls as the subs on the menu, obviously sliced in half, covered in cheese and garlic and baked again to perfection. Crispy, chewy, yet soft in the middle. My only complaint is that the dipping sauce was a little on the thin side, meaning the sauce doesn't stick as well when dunking, but the flavor is still there, and it's excellent.

My mouth is still healing from not being able to wait before slamming a few lava-hot slices, but I don't care. I'd do it all over again, and I will. I guess I'm a little stubborn...

Stubborn Brothers Pizza used to be a reliable spot for me, especially as a vegan with a need for dairy-free options. However, my recent experiences have been nothing short of disappointing and frustrating. The pizza quality has been incredibly inconsistent. I've received orders that were overcooked to the point of being burnt, and others that were soggy and unappetizing. My most recent visit was particularly egregious. I witnessed the cook carelessly prepare a pizza, burning it to a crisp before serving it to unsuspecting customers. The servers seemed oblivious to the poor quality of the food they were serving. As someone with a severe dairy allergy, I've had numerous instances where my orders have been contaminated with cheese, despite my specific requests. One such incident nearly resulted in a trip to the hospital. The staff's nonchalant attitude towards my concerns was both shocking and disrespectful. When I've complained about the quality of my food or the contamination of my order, the staff has been dismissive and unhelpful. They often try to brush off my concerns or blame me for the issues. In one instance, when I sent back a pizza that was burnt, the server returned it to me without any apology, claiming that it was "how they like it." Due to the consistent quality issues, the risk to my health, and the staff's dismissive attitude, I've had to stop going to Stubborn Brothers Pizza. I've heard similar complaints from friends and acquaintances, indicating a widespread problem. If you're considering visiting Stubborn Brothers Pizza, be aware of the potential risks and inconsistencies in the food quality, as well as the staff's dismissive attitude towards customer complaints. Unless you're willing to risk your dietary restrictions or enjoy burnt pizza, I would recommend exploring...