Pino's Pizza & Restaurant — Restaurant in Woodbridge Township

TLDR: High prices, Inconsistent food, staff seems annoyed by their customers. The bruschetta is good, other that that don't waste your time or cash.

Welp, this place lost our business tonight. We order Pinos A LOT, I'll even post my call log to show you.

Tonight, someone named Mercedes took my delivery order over the phone. She started off somewhat helpful as I had a gift certificate that she told me was 'a pain' to enter, but she would 'do it anyway' because she was 'a patient girl today'. I appreciated that since she did try 3 times and eventually got it to go through, but .. If its a pain for the employees then the restaurant shouldnt partake in the Yiftee program, as it was one of the businesses listed that we could use it at.

We ordered 2 entrees. One was an entree that we have ordered at LEAST a half a dozen times before, number "380" under Entrees, called "chicken and sausage scarpariello" .. On their menu it states "served with spaghetti, angel hair, ziti, or linguini" ... and my boyfriend orders it with ziti. Tonight she didnt ask what kind of pasta, so I figured she was looking at our order history. My mistake. When our entrees were delivered my boyfriend said "I dont think its the good cook tonight" .. you see, Pinos has zero consistency with their food. Wednesday is usually "the good cook" and we arent sure what other nights "the good cook" is there, sometimes we get lucky, sometimes not. I asked him why he didnt think it was "the good cook" and he said "the container is only half full" ... when he got a better look once the lid was off he said "oh, they forgot the pasta" ... when I called to ask Pinos why they left the pasta out Mercedes told me "I'm the one who took your order, I'm a manager here and when you told me you wanted angel hair with it I told you it doesnt come with pasta" to which I replied "um, no, I said to give me angel hair with my eggplant rollatini entree, which I received" she says "well I also waitress here, it doesnt come with pasta" I said "ok, but look at our order history, it came with pasta every single time, it even says it comes with pasta on your menu" and she said "I can see that you received pasta with it in the past, and every person who took your order before me has done it wrong, and I'll have to tell my boss its also wrong on the menu" ... so since EVERY person took our order wrong, they must not train their employees well.

She sounded annoyed as she offered "we can come back to bring you pasta this one time for your inconvenience" but my boyfriend declined because he was already mostly through eating his half of a container of food they brought.

I'm not gonna lie, I dont like to cook every day, and this was our go-to spot even though its not the same since they moved to the new location. They used to be decent when they were in the strip mall, but now they think they're a fancy restaurant. Its like putting lipstick on a pig, its still a pig. I think we just got used to the inconsistencies and high prices. We never eat their disgusting garlic bread and I try to remember to ask for "regular bread" .. but even that usually tastes old.

(They do have very good bruschetta on garlic toast, that might be the only consistant food I get from there.)

Anyway, we'll just find a new 'go-to' spot, our money is good anywhere, and we were long overdue for a new...

Vegans and lactose intolerant folks alike: definitely be careful.

First two times ordering the vegan chicken parm from their specified vegan menu went awesome- perfectly toasted bread, well melted vegan cheese, and overall it’s a great sandwich!! A couple months have passed and I’m in town again, so I ordered another. Immediately realized it was dairy mozzarella before biting into it (dairy cheese pulls are unmistakable haha). Called to let them know and was told that if you want vegan cheese you have to specify that. I did not run into this problem the first two times, as it’s listed on the vegan menu. Moreover it is not proper food safety if one knowingly labels something as vegan when it isn’t/still needs adjusting to be made so. So either way something is off there. We mentioned this on the phone because it’s concerning to be mislead especially when it has to do with allergy information. The woman who spoke to us was not friendly whatsoever. Made it seem like our fault for not specifying when it was never necessary to do that previously (plus the menu item does say vegan mozz), and hung up quick and silently after we thanked her for placing a new order for us. Everyone has bad days for sure, but we’ve been coming to this location and their last location for over 10 years now (my parents for over 20 years) and we have yet to have a mildly polite interaction with this woman. This is not new (each one of my family members, on separate occasions, have experienced rudeness from her), but it’s still very frustrating as we are always genuinely very polite/respectful to servers. They do a hard job, and we truly don’t like to make it harder for anyone. But food safety, transparency, and kindness are important things in a business like this. And I hate to say it because we love this restaurant and the folks who work there, but I’m sure there are plenty non-regulars who have been deterred from coming back because of one person’s unwelcoming/seemingly bothered behavior. I gave 4 stars anyway because again we’ve been regulars and really enjoy it here!! But I felt this review needed to be made before someone has an allergy-related issue due to misleading...

Title: Exceptional Service at Pinos Pizzeria: Mercedes Shines as a Waitress

Nestled in the heart of town, Pinos Pizzeria promises a delightful dining experience, and Mercedes, one of their dedicated waitresses, truly elevates the visit with her exceptional service.

From the moment you enter, Mercedes greets you with a warm smile that sets the tone for the evening. Her attentiveness is unmatched; she effortlessly balances multiple tables while ensuring each guest feels welcomed and attended to. Whether you're a regular or a first-time visitor, Mercedes approaches every interaction with genuine enthusiasm, making personalized recommendations and catering to individual preferences with ease.

Her knowledge of the menu is extensive, offering insightful descriptions of each dish and providing helpful suggestions based on your tastes. Mercedes ensures that orders are promptly taken and delivered, maintaining a seamless flow throughout the meal. Even during busy times, she remains composed and efficient, never allowing the quality of service to waver.

Mercedes's professionalism extends beyond efficiency; she exudes a passion for hospitality that enriches the dining experience. Her friendly demeanor creates a comfortable atmosphere where guests feel valued and appreciated. She anticipates needs before they arise, ensuring that beverages are refilled promptly and checking in at appropriate intervals without intruding on conversations.

Moreover, Mercedes exhibits a remarkable ability to handle any situation gracefully. Whether accommodating special requests or swiftly resolving issues, her calm demeanor and problem-solving skills are commendable. She embodies the essence of excellent customer service, leaving a lasting impression that compels guests to return.

In conclusion, Mercedes at Pinos Pizzeria exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding waitress. Her dedication, professionalism, and genuine warmth elevate the dining experience, making every visit a memorable one. Whether you're craving delicious pizza or seeking exceptional service, Mercedes ensures that your time at Pinos Pizzeria is nothing short...