I've been meaning to write this review for some time now.
It's average for a reason.
STAFF:
Generally friendly, helpful and young, but let's not kid ourselves - this is SEATTLE on the WEST COAST. You can be as clear and specific and repeat yourself, and they will still mess up orders on a regular basis, get visibly annoyed although still attempting to seem pleasant and they generally don't go the extra mile. That goes for almost every service job in the area, but still. They are pretty good with kids and larger parties.
DELIVERY:
They have a good online system, but I find it's still better to call if you have any special requests. The program online has some issues where it's tough to relay exactly what you want. If they mess up, they usually make up for it in an adequate manner, so definitely call back if you are not pleased. The plastic parmesan packets are questionable.
LOCATIONS:
They seem to be in most every neighborhood.
PARKING:
Usually decent and available.
INTERIOR:
First, the ambiance: These pizzerias are not fancy, kind of dark and not especially well maintained.
REST ROOMS:
OK - not awful.
KID-FRIENDLY:
Very. Be prepared for noisy chaos. They are on the ball about kids, for the most part. They even offer a less spiced/herbed sauce for kids. Please keep your kids from running around, though. It's a pet peeve of mine as I've been in food/beverage service, and there's nothing more annoying or dangerous at a restaurant.
BEVERAGES:
Standards, good beer and a few wines plus they claim cocktails (!) - haven't had those, though, and some good non-alky choices like Paradise Iced tea and Kemper's soda as well as the usual crap sodas. I could be wrong, but the ice and water are NOT filtered.
AND...the PIZZA:
CRUST:
Well, if you like a super fluffy, chewy soft crust that gets tough kind of fast and doesn't hold up well the next day, then maybe you'll like that. I prefer a crispier crust with some olive oil and flavor.
SAUCE:
Sometimes, they use too much sauce, but the standard red is bland, especially if they keep the herbs and spices out as they do for the kid's version (you have to ask for that) . They do sprinkle oregano on top of many of the pizzas, and it's fairly strongly flavored, if you like that. The alfredo or garlic sauces are better. The pesto is OK and the others are pretty good (thai peanut/buffalo, etc.)
CHEESE:
Not the best. Not very flavorful. Probably not aged and seems like low-fat, which isn't great on a pizza.
TOPPINGS:
They can be very skimpy - always ask for double if you like a topping, and even then, with the extra effort and expense, you'll be hard-pressed to get what you expect. They do have some great add-ons, though, like broccoli, cherry bomb peppers, bacon, flavored chicken, arugula, cilantro, chevre.
OVERALL:
They DO NOT COOK THEIR PIZZAS LONG ENOUGH. Ask for "well done'" and it will still be white as most of North Seattle. Flavor comes from a deep golden bake, and it's almost completely missing here. However, some of the pizzas are better than others. Some of the more tolerable ones (to me) have been:
White Album with lots of broccoli
Pepperoni with pineapple
Tree Hugger
Cherry Bomb (sub chicken)
Buffalo Soldier
The pizzas are expensive for what you get.
DESSERT
Ben and Jerry's - the company sold out long ago, so the ingredients are crap and the add-ins are sparse. As most things in the US lately, the ice cream is a sad hollow shell of its former self. I almost understand the nostalgia hippies tend to wallow in... read more