As a pizza fan from the East Coast - rather HUGE, New York Style pizza fan from the East Coast - I have been on the search for a local favorite for some time. I read the post on Rotelli's and will need to try that one. But this is my observation of what is available to me. I live within 2 miles of the "usual suspects" (Dominos, Papa John's, Pizza Hut, Little Caesar's). Yes, I've tried them all for the convenience usually and am usually always somewhat disappointed. The ranking of these would go Papa John's, Pizza Hut, Dominos, and way, way down on the list, Little Caesar's (I've had better frozen pizza, okay?). Well, there also happens to be a Louie's in my neighborhood, but frankly they have a little bit of an attitude. Before you walk in they have signs everywhere (on the door, on the wall, at the counter) complaining how expensive credit card processing is and begging you to pay by cash. Okay, what world are they in? I can't remember the last time I bought a pizza with cash! Haven't they seen the Visa debit card ads? Cash is too slow and inconvenient!
But I ramble... The real reason I haven't listed Louie's on any list of pizza options is because they have a serious customer service upheaval. Instead of "the customer is always right", it's "We don't care that we gave you the wrong pizza, that's your fault for not checking the box!". I won't patronize any place that makes a mistake and then blames it on the customer. They don't deserve to be in this cut-throat business with that attitude! And they certainly don't deserve my hard earned cash! I'd much rather see a Boriello's pizza place in that location anyway! (Papa John's on the other hand, prepared the wrong pizza for me, apologized profusely, offered me a free soda while I waited for the right pizza, and then gave me a coupon for a free pizza. I left happy with them, happy with my pizza and I will most definitely go back - Louie's, that's how you do customer service!!)
And now to my final thoughts on local pizza...Boriello's pizza on Barnes is some of the best local pizza I've found. It looks good, smells good, and believe it or not it is true to the New York style form. Large slices of the right dough, sauce, cheese and toppings - the kind you have to fold in half to eat. It wasn't soggy or limp, but perfectly baked. I commend them and can only hope one will move in closer to the northwest side of town! Thanks for what you do!
I am open to any suggestions on local New York pizza and if you know others for me to try, please clue me in!! Ciao...
