I knew that a barbecue place existed on the very same spot as this establishment does, however I did not know a new one took its place. Out of curiosity's sake, I went inside and it indeed continues to live up to its predecessor's identity.
Brand: 4/5
Gourmet Pizza rests on Wall Township in between Perusa Peruvian Cuisine and Roadhouse Diner. I would discover later on that it remained the same establishment as Smokehouse Grille, just under a new brand. I did feel disappointed that they removed the pig mascot. Nonetheless, I like the new brand, since I can see so much potential within what they can offer. The solid red color works for the brand, and the font of sign makes what you are coming there for abundantly clear. I did like remodeling of the floor and the interior. I could tell that they tried to revamp the interior to resemble an Italian ristorante, while also retaining its own identity with the outdoor tables.
Website: 4/5
It has a pretty good design thus far, especially with the festive font and the bright colors. I managed to get access to the menu items through their Slice menu. So far, only a few menu items have images. You will find it easy to navigate the website.
Wait Time: 5/5
I did not have to wait a while for my order to come.
Ambiance: 4/5
Normally, I get nervous walking unplanned into a new establishment and it did happen to me, however, as I acclimated into the ambiance, I started to feel at ease. It especially helped that the establishment remained the same as before. The classic rock that played throughout the interior definitely gave it a warm, inviting presence. Inside, you will find a few tables with a bar section, while outside you will find plenty of tables with shades. I'm not sure if the bar section works, and the fences around the tables did not reach high enough to block out the wind. The menu items do fit the Italian eatery theme, but only at a minimum.
Food: 5/5
I ordered a slice of pepperoni pizza and a chicken sandwich with a garlic, buttered bread, with a Poppi soda with the Shirley Temple flavor. Given the choice between marinara and taco sauce, I chose the taco sauce. I did think the chicken felt underwhelming, though it did complement the garlic, buttered bread and the taco sauce well. The sandwich did hold together well throughout the time I ate it. The pepperoni on the pizza slice had the right amount of crisp, along with the thin crust, along with the spicy taste. The form stayed intact, from the crust to the cheese. Despite their reheated status, I would say that they had decent forms and tastes, and matched the quality of the time it took to reheat them. I got to enjoy a tasty course which satisfied me on a Saturday. The food does fit this new brand well, and you know what to expect once you frequent the website.
Service: 5/5
The friendly staff accommodated me, from my entrance to ordering to any mishaps, which made a good first impression.
Cost: 4/5
Taking into account every aspect of Gourmet Slice, I would say that I do think that the food and the service are among the highest aspects of this establishment. I would like to consider ordering different menu items in the future, especially if they come up with new signature dishes. I would have gotten the pizza slice and chicken sandwich at the same price anywhere else, so nothing more to comment on.
My main issue is that the only way to get to Gourmet Slice is through a roundabout and immediately upon entering the new lane. As such, it gets easy to miss. It would be more difficult to miss if it had a more distinguished identity. There are no shortage of Italian eateries throughout Monmouth County, and Gourmet Slice would need to have a more notable presence in Wall Township to attract customers. The gradient, red-and-purple pizza logo on their Slice menu definitely represents what Gourmet Slice could become in the community, and I would hope to see it more often. Other recommendations include focusing more on the exterior aesthetics to attract more customers along a busy roundabout, and to include more signature dishes.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
I might consider it a pretty decent eatery to go to as a second or third choice to treat myself. I do think that Gourmet Slice needs to figure itself out as an eatery. Nonetheless, you will have a pleasant experience going there, as I did.
Recommend To...
Anyone looking for a break from everything. Just like Smokehouse Grille, it remains the perfect spot to unwind and hang out, especially outside. read more