Giorgios — Restaurant in Town of Smithtown

I don't normally post things like this, but I wanted to share a recent experience involving two local restaurants, one being Giorgio's. A little backstory.... A couple of weeks ago my mother unexpectedly was hospitalized and passed away. It was heart wrenching, as I am sure many of you can understand or imagine and threw my world upside down. My son's 7th birthday was just this week and I had lost sight of putting together something for him in light of what happened and Easter coming. At the last moment, last Saturday we decided to take some of his cousins bowling and to dinner. In total with adults and kids, about 15 people. We were going to Smithtown Lanes to bowl and then dinner. They were great as always. There isn't as much fanfare there, but they are always kind and it's clean. I called Mannino's in Smithtown, where we have been several times before, that morning and the man who answered was so rude to me I was surprised. In short, he told me that on a Saturday night at 5pm he couldn't take a reservation for a table like that of mixed kids and adults as he would be losing money on the table, but we could "come in and spread out in the booths if there are seats in the pizza part and order whatever". I was so taken aback by it I actually asked him to please repeat or clarify and he said again, no, we won't take you and "waste" that space. To be clear, we asked for nothing special except dinner and for as many adults as kids. I hung up feeling deflated and sad. Not just for how I allowed him to speak to me, but that people would have that attitude about customers. Based on reviews I read in here and online, I called Giorgio's in Nesconset, although I had never been there. A young man answered the phone, I posed the same question about a reservation and he was so kind and friendly. Said it would be no problem, we were welcome to bring a cake they would cut, and they would have our table ready. What a different response and feeling. I had to call twice to change the time and number of diners, and each time they were nice and accommodating about it. We went and everything was set up, which took up half their dining room seats, and they were pleasant and happy to see us. The food was excellent and surpassed my expectations and the server was friendly, funny and right on point. I observed the same warm and friendly service given to the rest of the patrons, dining room and pizza part alike. The young man who answered the call originally we met and he couldn't have been more than 19 or so, and so kind. He came out to sing Happy Birthday to my son too, at least iy spunded like him :) The experience was great, when we left everyone waved and wished us a Happy Easter. They made life long customers of us. It is further for us to travel then several nearby restaurants, but I would rather travel for great food and kindness. In the end it turned out to be a great day for my son, and us. And I learned something about a local place I will never visit again and found a new place to call a favorite. I am sorry for the length of this, and it was just my experience, but sometimes one experience can change your perception of a person or place forever. Thank you Giorgio's, we will...

I came here to pick up wings for lunch and went to pay with my usual debit card that I use for every transaction. The man who claims himself to be the owner was at the register and tried swiping my card. Unexpectedly, their card reader was not properly reading my card. He had surprisingly insulted me in front of every customer in the establishment by telling me that the bank said it was rejected and I should go to my bank. I asked him to swipe it again, and he refused stating that his card reader stated, "do not honor." I politely asked him to punch in the card number and again, he refused.

Is this how you take care of your customers?

Instead of blatantly expressing a customer's business, you could have asked for a different card or source of payment in privacy. I was majorly inconvenienced that I was forced to go to the local 7/11 to get cash from the ATM. I then returned back to the restaurant and presented him with cash from the same debit card I tried to use prior.

I told the owner that there may be something wrong with his card reader and that I felt insulted that he embarrassed a consistent-paying customer. I expressed that should he act in such a manner again, that he would lose me as a customer. He told me not to threaten him that way and refuses to be spoken to in that manner. His approach should have been different, but instead acted immature and disrespectful to the needs of his customer.

As an individual in the restaurant industry, I never put my customers financial situation in open air. Rather, I discuss the issue in private. In this case, the owner refused to do his job by not acting like a professional and politely asking for another source of payment or typed the card number in. I have never had an issue with my card at any other establishment other than this one.

As a result of inconvenience, my wings are now cold and soggy; my lunch ruined. He never tried to remedy the situation. He only set the precedent for his employees that it is acceptable for them to speak to his paying customers in any derogatory manner while providing sub-standard cuisine. So, I ask again...

Is this how you take care of...

Not the place to go. I've been to Gino's and Little Vincent's but today coming from the Smithtown area I noticed Giogio's. The staff was pleasant and engaging. I ordered a eggplant slice and a regular. The regular slice was poorly made as the slice broke in half as I folded it. The dough was not cooked enough so the slice stretched out and plopped onto the plate. 1.5 out of 10. Sad! The eggplant slice was probably old as it did not fold at all but broke like old bread. Another 1.5 out of 10. I didn't mention it to the staff , the young lady at the counter was pleasant and probably has little to do with the quality. Prior to leaving, while heading to the restroom my phone rang. Since I view it as rude to stand in the middle of the counter area I answered the call(from a client) and stepped through the threshold into the sit down dining area. While addressing the call a male staff member came over without a greeting and mentioned that the area was closed. Pointedly rude and quick. I continued towards the restroom and completed the call. I engage daily in a high customer service arena so I was a bit taken back by this interaction. Prior to leaving asked who the male staff member was. While asking the same person walked over. I asked him if he was a manager or owner. He confirmed himself to be Steve the owner. He mentioned that the area I was in had many items out and about. There was no open food or obvious items to contaminate. I guess as a clean shaven 64 yo male I must have looked as though I would steal the silver ware?? Steve should be more concerned as to the poorly cooked products he serves and a lack of freshness than new customers finding comfort. That was my first and certainly my last stop at Giorgio's. My children, grandchildren and extended family live in this area and have been advised to steer clear. Save yourself from a poor performing pizza place and don't go here. Gino's is the spot and is a few hundred feet away. Steve 0...