For full disclosure, I know one of the owners of Ben Yehuda Cafe & Pizzeria. The owners are good, decent, honest people doing what they can to make a living by serving an under served pizza eating population -the Kosher Pizza Eaters of Montgomery County Maryland.
The above said, my review is honest. No matter the reason, if I don't write fair and unbiased reviews, my impact and value as a trusted review is nil. My commitment to myself is to be honest with all my reviews.
As always, my review is based on my experience (Wednesday April 13, 2017 at around 7:15 PM) and based on the what I had to eat (two slices of cheese pizza).
I want to break this review into several categories:
Location
Environment
Cleanliness
Staff
Menu
Food
To fully understand how I landed on my rating I think it's only fair (since I know one of the owners) that I fully disclose how I reached my overall rating.
Location - the location is outstanding for a Kosher Pizzeria. The Jewish population in the area is large, the need obvious. They did a wonderful job of finding a location in an area of need. The shopping center that Ben Yehuda is in has other shops that serve the community, yet also offers a lovely park area and is welcoming to everyone passing by regardless of faith.
Environment - I didn't know what to expect. The sign has one look and feel while the actual establishment has an old NY pizzeria feel; I'd guess about 14 tables, each with 4 - 8 chairs (I think that is about right, I didn't count). Like old style pizzerias the menu is over the counter. You order at the counter, sit and wait while the pizza (and other items) are made fresh. They do offer single slice servings that are kept warm in a pizza warmer, not unlike what you would see any place that sells single slices. When I was there they had only cheese pizza slices at the ready. All in all I liked the look and feel, very understated, minimal decorations (I don't recall any), red and white colors. Simple, tasteful.
Cleanliness - I am a clean freak, Dirty places or places look dirty or feel dirty or give off an air of "not clean enough" drives me nuts. It's my belief that if you serve people, serve food, you have an obligation to keep every table, every chair, every counter spic and span. There is NO EXCUSE EVER for not keeping your place clean (napkin holders full, chairs pushed in, table tops and counter tops clean, floors swept.) As important, bathrooms MUST Be spot less. People are dirty and hygiene seems to optional for too many. I don't want to touch other people's goo, ever. (Being a single dad, I really hated cold and flu season, runny noses ... EWWW.)
The eating area was clean, enough, not to give me the Willies. The bathroom, well, I had issues. Simple things - co-ed bathrooms, great concept but that also means locks that have to be touched, doors handles that have to be touched and, with no urinals, the opportunity for misses and messes is just WAY to high. As the bathrooms are one seaters, there is no getting around the fact the bathrooms are just not going to feel clean. I would have avoided going, but you do what you gotta do where you gotta do it when you gotta do it.
They need to get auto facets, auto toilets, push doors and hand towels (air dyers don't work), seat liners would also be of value. They should also consider a different trash can as I don't feel the one used in the bathroom I was in is practical (very big, poor location).
Would I nix going here because of the bathroom? No, but I would bring my own hand sanitizer and perhaps a few paper towel (or at least grab a few napkins from the table)
Staff - As many of you that have read other reviews, I have an extensive background in customer service and hospitality. (My company, Verho Communications, gave out it's first service award for outstanding service in 2017). I am all about service. The young woman at the counter was very friendly, nice smile, positive greeting. The listening skills were a bit lacking, but in the end, it was a very pleasant interaction.
Menu - they have a large menu that includes items of the non-pizza variety. I didn't spend a lot of time looking at it, but as long as you are not searching for meat (meatballs are made of soy) I think you will find an item or 5 that you will enjoy.
Prices - Gotta say that I do know that Kosher is going to add a bit of a cost. I don't know how much, but I am assuming at least 2%. Also, since they are a rare pizzeria with a defined customer base (Although VERY WELCOMING TO ALL) they do have the opportunity to increase their prices, perhaps another 3-5%. I though the prices for their pizza (personal on up) seemed fair. $7 for two slices of cheese pizza was a bit much; when I can get whole pizzas at 7-11 and Little Ceasars for $5, comparison does them no favors. Is $7 out of line? No, just pushing the high end of a slice of pizza.
Food - (running out of space) the food was fine, perhaps not fresh as I had pre made. read more