BEWARE of Chicago Pizza!!!

[thekillingwax]

I don't agree with it and I don't like it but I can see why they're doing it. It's not going to win them any business but then again, their crappy food isn't worth a second try anyway. I went to the one on Philips and Baymeadows once and the best compliment that I can give it is that it was in fact a pizza.

[Timkin]

That is probably why theres an Al's Pizza straight across the street from it, that is thriving... and delivers a good product!  Consistent and reasonably-priced.

[Coolyfett]

people who go out to eat n complain Always amaze me....just make ur own grub

[Timkin]

people who go out to eat n complain Always amaze me....just make ur own grub

Cooly .... you would not say that if you tried my culinary skills ..  Trust me, its in my best interest to eat out.

[RockStar]

As I stated before, all of CP ills are because of bad management.

Ah.  you must be an employee then?

Are you? Then your opinions carry the same weight.

I'll take RockStar's opinion...my viewpoints have been discounted many times because "I've never operated a business downtown"....well RockStar is doing just that!

Rockstar owns a bar, not the same thing, incidentally.  And unless Rockstar has some inside knowledge of the accounting practices of Chicago Pizza, which is the actual issue here, then no amount of experience backs up his remarks on the management of a fellow local business owner.

Similarly with your opinion, TUFSU.  Why not just sit this one out, you certainly were quick to ask that a word sounding like your own name be taken off the boards yesterday? It seems mighty hypocritical to not show the same care for someone else's business reputation.

Well, incidentally, if YOU have some inside knowledge of their accounting practices let US know, because otherwise you're just opining as well. And quite frankly, if you want to discuss my resume and experience, please come by and talk to me face to face because I'm pretty damn qualified to talk about management. I've run restaurants. No business I've ever run has closed. I keep businesses open. End of conversation.

More importantly, my previous post and my follow up posts have simply stated that the issues that confound them have been created by management, fostered by management and exacerbated by management. I don't blame the FOH staff for the problems. My opinions of how they run their business are my opinions. I think I'm free to post them here. Please re-read and get it.

Quit thinking you're always the expert witness. Some of us know what we're talking about.

hugs and kisses,
~j.

[CS Foltz]

I don't know about "Chicago Pizza" but do know about "Bono's Barbque".............grandkids wanted to get take out (Turkey Cheese Fries of all things) bottom of the menu was a disclaimer stating "18% Gratuity" would be added to orders over $50 Dollars". Not sure if that is for most establishments or not since I do not eat out due to significant others food allergies, but it would seem reasonable to assume!

[danno]

That is probably why theres an Al's Pizza straight across the street from it, that is thriving... and delivers a good product!  Consistent and reasonably-priced.

Al's does a geat pizza, but I can tell you about many times where service has been extremely lacking.  It has gotten to the point where we only do take out now.  Alas, that is another thread.  I have been to Chicago Pizza only twice and both times the service was very poor.

[thekillingwax]

people who go out to to buy consumer electronics  n complain Always amaze me....just make ur own tv

That doesn't make much sense now does it? I want product/service, I pay for product/service, I expect reasonable rendition of product/service. I didn't complain there, even left a decent tip but I won't return. One thing I will say, when I ate there (this was back before Al's opened), they had the "no free refills" thing out there so it's not just a landing issue.

I remember back in highschool I had a classmate whose parents owned a little chinese restaurant and we were talking about cheapskates and no free refills and he said that for the longest time his parents had paid refills but he said for them it was more of a cultural thing because I guess soft drinks were viewed as a premium beverage like beer and for the first few years they still served individual cans (which I still see in some places today- I think Tuptim is like this) but still wanted to charge for refills even after they had a fountain installed.  It doesn't bother me anymore though, I always order unsweet tea or water.

[Jaxson]

That is probably why theres an Al's Pizza straight across the street from it, that is thriving... and delivers a good product!  Consistent and reasonably-priced.

Al's does a geat pizza, but I can tell you about many times where service has been extremely lacking.  It has gotten to the point where we only do take out now.  Alas, that is another thread.  I have been to Chicago Pizza only twice and both times the service was very poor.

There is a conundrum with establishments that have great reputations.  A friend of mine referred to it was 'Tower Records Syndrome.'  Back in the days of record stores, Tower Records was a giant.  I notice that leaders in their field are often plagued by workers who pick up a cocky attitude from working there.  They begin to belive that they are the institution and pick up a sizeable ego.  
I notice the same at some local businesses where the staff seem to act like they don't really care about the customers because their establishment's overall reputation will keep the suckers...er...customers coming in.
I have been to a couple of these 'legendary' places in town and in the beaches and frankly was not impressed by some of the servers and their poor attitudes toward their customers.  

[coredumped]

There are a lot of opinions here and only a few facts:

I can assure you I was NOT told about the gratuity beforehand. Perhaps an oversight by the server. If you agree with a mandatory gratuity or not is up to you, I don't and will take my wallet elsewhere.

Chicago Pizza appears to be charging 8% tax (see my picture on page 1) - Can anyone with knowledge on restaurants/taxes/whatever address this? Is this in fact illegal?

[coredumped]

It doesn't bother me anymore though, I always order unsweet tea or water.

chicago pizza charges for refills on sweet & unsweet tea too....

[RockStar]

Well let me clarify.

1. This isn't my first job. I didn't start working in this industry when you met me. Fact.

2. The television company (directv or whomever) charges based on occupant capacity, not how many t.v.'s you have. Fact.

3. Service standards and food safety are the manager's responsibility. Fact.

4. Auto grat's suck and are wrong unless it's a party of 6 or more. Opinion. That they're also charging it on to-go orders is downright wrong. Opinion.

5. Creative accounting when it comes to how you pay your employees stinks of shadiness. Fact. But, you're right, to call them shady without knowing exactly what they're doing is wrong and was based solely on what current and past employees have told me. So, my apologies to Chi Pizza. I'm a champion of employee rights, not of ownership getting over on the little guy. Perhaps I spoke to soon, perhaps not. Only time and an IRS auditor will tell. And that's a fact.

6. My wallpaper's the tits and provides plenty of "oomph". Fact.

7. I enjoy their pizza, but not their service. Fact.

8. Stephen's always right? His opinion! LOLOLOLOL!!

Smile, you're all on tv.  

[RockStar]

BMI (Broadcast Music Inc) and ASCAP (American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers) are for music. They charge based on occupant capacity as well. I know them all to well and write checks to them. They like to assume you have a larger capacity based on square footage and overcharge. Hey, they're looking out for the likes of Jay Z...so who can blame em.

[coredumped]

The tax question was addressed above.  The state doesnt normally prosecute the 'over collection' of tax money as long as everything collected on behalf of the state is paid to the state.

So a restaurant can charge ANY amount they want, and call it "tax" as long as we believe their sending the entire amount to the gov? 100% rate even?
That's as crazy as a built in gratuity!

[tufsu1]

Similarly with your opinion, TUFSU.  Why not just sit this one out, you certainly were quick to ask that a word sounding like your own name be taken off the boards yesterday? It seems mighty hypocritical to not show the same care for someone else's business reputation.

huh?  I never mentioned anyone's name.