Maybe it was the heatwave.. or maybe I was just off for a late dinner before bedtime…read more
But this is the story of the "Root beer army" (so to speak).
Pironne's is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, so I was kinda expecting... I dunno... something extra when I walked in the door (I think I'm going to have to find a dinner companion for these jaunts, just to go with so people don't look at me like I'm weird (which yes, I'm taking a point off for).
Walked in and the sign warned me they're short-handed, so I expect a little time between stuff. Anyway, I'm by myself and the kid at the wait station kinda makes it known (Just "One"? Okay.) You could tell he didn't want to be there that night, but honestly, I'm not sure anyone did (as it was still roasting outside and this place is cooled by fans about 15 feet in the air... it was hot and stuffy inside (despite it being a non-busy night). Come on guys, I know we're wanting to be an Italian restaurant, but it's still America: Air conditioning please!
Waitress is quick over to the table. No sweet tea in the restaurant, unsweet only (And this foodie is having a sad day at this restaurant to start.).
Okay, Root beer it is.. (She quickly brings one over and so I ask her (as I do EVERY restaurant), what do you recommend?
"Pizza is our specialty."
I get that... but which pizza? You've only got 5 on the menu and a do-it-yourself pizza. it shouldn't be that hard to have a favorite. But that's all I get out of her.
Okay, well, just for that. I'll start with the appetizer sampler.
Fortunately, this was a quick serve, because remember I mentioned a heat wave? Root Beer one... gone! (remember the heat wave?) Unfortunately it takes a little while for Sampler plates, so by the time the plate arrives.. Root beer two.. gone.. but at least the other waitress is there for the save.. Perfect timing!
So, they give me two plates (two, again! Sheesh. I'm by myself for this excursion!) for the appetizer (can i say, Mushrooms should NEVER look this small when they're deep fried!), it's called "BATTER UP!" and two different sauces (marinara and then tomato/meat sauce), even though I'm here solo. (See what I mean about a dining companion, even restaurants don't know what to do for solo men).
Now amidst all my complainy-ing to myself... I gotta say the sampler's not bad and the Tomato/meat sauce is pretty darn good (made everything on the sampler plate better than just "breaded Italian food" (so I'm giving a HAPPY point here).
But the heat wave still going on, but at least a different waitress sees I'm needing Root Beer #3! But now we have to take a point away.
I'm still working through the appetizers but I set them to the side "AWAY" from the main floor.. so if you have to get over them you have to go through my eating, when introductory staff guy comes over and starts to pick up one of the bowls I've still got sauce in and food on my plate. (Do you really want me out THAT Bad?), but I was nice and motioned to him not yet.. so i didn't make him feel too bad, I think (I can be a nice old man at times :P)..
And the waitress is back to take my order and Root Beer #4, and we'll do a "pizza" and since she didn't pick, Supreme. At this time I would point out all their specialty pizzas were about the same price (by size) and "DIY" came out to like $2 more if you added the same number of toppings.
SO we're watching the root beer slowly disappear again. cause this was the step that took a while (getting the pizza), but here's where I'm going to be nice, because this pizza was... actually good. Not sure if it was the sausage or what, but it did salvage the meal.
Oh and there was a rootbeer #5 somewhere during the Pizza eating time, that I kinda of lost track of. So on to the report card!
Food: 3/5 (again, whatever meat on the pizza was used and the appetizer meat/tomato sauce saved it from being ordinary)
Cost:; Again, probably more than i was expecting, but this time i will say it was due in part to higher than expected pricing for pizzas.
Again if it had been with a friend, splitting costs, not so bad, but for a dinner of 1.. Little more expensive than i'd hoped.
Service: Even though the kid obviously didn't want to be there and the staff was stretched thin, so mot the best night of service (2/5)
Ambience: This is the United States, lack of a/c kinda just ruined most of the evening IMO (and the single runs of luck I'm having).. 2/5)
But hey I probably my root-beer quota for the day.. so no winners/no losers this time around.
So in my esteemed morale of the story:
Make sure you're with a friend to split the costs, and in the end, a solid pizza that isn't enough to take the restaurant to 4*, but a decent 3-star
Oh yeah and remember if you're going in the heatwave.. dress cool! (or you might be in that beverage-drinking army!)