&pizza — Restaurant in Washington

UPDATE after a visit on the evening of October 12, 2018:

First of all, I must say I am a HUGE brand advocate of &pizza. I love their product, their stores, their culture, and their mission. They somehow have created a tasty brand that appeals to a wide range of people in this country. On top of that, they have a heart to give back to the community and treat their staff well. Because of this and a great in-store experience, I've rated multiple &pizzas 4-5 stars. This is my first 1-star rating of an &pizza location and it's after visiting the Eastern Market location multiple times. Here's why I downgraded them:

1. Service: Every time I go to this location, the majority of staff members treat me and a few others with constant disrespect. For example, tonight the gentleman in front of me was made fun of by a young woman and young man behind the counter. They rolled their eyes at him and spoke poorly about him behind his back. When it got to me and my wife, they ignored us for a good five minutes until begrudgingly taking our order. I chose my usual Farmer's Daughter order. As it went down the line, the same young woman looked at me rudely and asked what I wanted on it. I told her whatever comes on a Farmer's Daughter. She rolled her eyes and said, "Sir, I don't remember what's on a Farmer's Daughter. Tell me what you want on it." Shocked, I looked up at the menu and read the ingredients listed. In addition, I was never asked if I wanted white or wheat. I noticed these workers treated the same type of people with such disrespect and those who were more like them, they were okay with. That's just mean, rude, and the antithesis of good customer service. There's that and then the fact that they are just soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo slow at this location every single time I enter.

2. Food: I LOVE &pizza's pizza, but not at this location. Every time I come here, the pizza is not as hot as at other locations, the ingredients not as fresh, and the quality not as high. Somehow they manage to make a mediocre pizza not worth eating.

3. Space: It's small with an odd, cramped seating layout. It's often loud, creating an unenjoyable dining experience.

I still love &pizza, but I will never come back to this location. Avoid it like the plague.

For the time it took this location to open, I had low hopes for my favorite DC fast casual brand, but once again, they exceeded my expectations. This location is one block from the Eastern Market Metro in Barracks Row and they make great use of the space. There are several long tables and two areas to sit near the window.

As always, they maintain the DC urban chic look and design, which works well in this neighborhood. You can create your own pizza, but I always opt for their Farmer's Daughter with the eggs sunny side up. The pizza sauce has a little kick to it (just a little so don't worry) and it will bring you back again and again. Seriously, I crave the Farmer's Daughter at least once a week.

Also, try their iced tea. I used to work for an iced tea company and can say this tea is quality and it tastes good and is just a tad sweet.

You just cannot go wrong with &pizza and...

Every Friday is pizza night for my family. I have been to this location 3x's and I should have followed my gut the first time! The first time my pizza was made wrong and the young lady told me it was not and I was looking at the pizza and pointed out all of the items missing per what I ordered. I complained to corporate and they fixed the mistake by giving me a free pizza. Okay, cool! I will go so I can use my free pizza and get 4 others, like I do every week. This time I did not order online. I went in. The staff was nothing short of mean and rushed the entire line, not just me. STRIKE 2. I decided this time I would try to go on a less busy day, during the week and a less busy time, well before lunch, 1130. I ordered a Maverick and I guess the guy wanted to save the toppings for himself because I have never seen a pizza made so skimpy. I brought it to his attention. He rolled his eyes and proceeded to bake it anyway. I told the cashier and THANK the PIZZA gods for him. He only charged me for one of the two pizzas I ordered, apologized and pulled the guy to the side. I will not be back to this location, but I have hope for them if they keep him around. I am mad I cannot recall his name. I will go back only to say thank you again to him! HE is the ONLY reason they got 2 stars! This location's staff needs to be re-trained in...

Food is really good, service is terrible. I've ordered in the past online, come at 30 minutes after placing the order only to watch them make the pizza after I got there and told them my order with no apology.

But during the pandemic, I am disappointed that there is no information online on the options for picking up food with the least amount of contact. Also, one month into the COVID lockdown, I ordered online and went to pick up my food. There were several people huddled around the door person trying to get their orders. Basically, we had to walk up and stand face to face with someone to pick up an order and also have the risk of other strangers huddled up next to you.

I've also text the main number today trying to get information on how to pick up food without contact, their answer was it depends on the location. Why in the world would it depend if it's a chain? Get it together &Pizza, we should have the option of safety. You're a chain not a mom & pop shop. It's no longer rocket science we've been going through a pandemic three months now, you sound have this...