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| - We were told by some friends that have been here 4 times to definitely try this place out. They said that Sal's has great pizza, baked ziti & lasagna. They also told us that they often share a bottle of the cabernet that is $22. They told us that Sal even came out to their table and greeted them on occasion. So, we decided to give it a try.
It was my friend's birthday today. We were on our way home from the Tempe Art's Festival. We went in so excited and hungry for some good Italian food.
We walked in, not really sure of the protocol to seat ourselves or wait. After a few minutes, someone from the back yelled "hello". Eventually, they asked "dining in or take out?" When we answered, they told us to just take a seat. My friend Stacy needed to use the RR. She went and I sat down. A lady came by and set 2 plastic glasses on the table & a small plate with 5 knots. I was very hungry, so I tried a piece. Very, very good. When Stacy arrived back from the RR she said she needed her sweatshirt from the car. I told her that I would go get it after we ordered. Well, we waited, waited & waited. Did I mention we waited? Finally, I went up to the take out window and asked, "do I come here to order?" She said "no, I will be right over." Eventually, she made it. When I had gone up to the front, I noticed a sign for 2 specials that sounded good, so I asked her about them as we were placing our order. Stacy opted for the Fruiti deMare without the marinara sauce. She wanted just more a light, garlic topping. She deleted some items from her dinner salad that she does not like. I order the same special as is, but requested 1 item left off my salad. I made my way outside now to get Stacy sweatshirt, and I used the RR. We waited some more, and eventually got our drinks. The salads were delivered and the 3 items that Stacy did not want, she got. My salad was incorrect also. The lady was very nice and noticed. She took them back and fixed them.
After I had a sip of my cabernet, I noticed that it was very vinegar/sour tasting which usually means an old, opened bottle. We ate our entire salad, but never saw our server again. I left the wine sitting and went to get some water with the plastic cup that was placed on our table. Stacy taste my wine. Her face crinkled up with a terrible face.
Our food took a long time. Other people were going in and out. Take out pizza was the big item. The 2 ladies serving the tables were not happy, and they were not able to keep up. Especially the one that was not waiting on us. She just keep rolling her eyes every time that she came out from behind the counter. Not a happy girl.
Eventually, the unhappy one was the one that delivered our food. Immediately at looking at Stacy's food, I said, "that looks good". Mine . . . not so much. I have never seen so much marinara sauce in my life. It was like I got a bowl of marinara with a few noodles & my seafood (mussels, clams, shrimp, etc) were completely buried in sauce. I told the unhappy server "could you tell her that my wine is very soured, and I will try a glass of the chianti, and Stacy would like a glass too. She said "ok". She brought our chianti. We both left it sitting on the table also. It was very soured too. I noticed that no one else was drinking wine. Maybe that is why.
I helped to get all the shells off of Stacy's dish (as she is disabled). When done, I began my mission of scooping tablespoon after tablespoon of marinara off of my dish. Again, I have never seen this much marinara on a dish. I probably should have said something, and looking back on it, I would have because I basically had a dish that I could not eat. I tried to eat some of the seafood.
Stacy & I finished. No server. We waited and waited some more. It was like we were not even there. Our original server never came by. Of course, either did the grouchy one. Again, I got up. Waited in the take out line to talk to our original server. I said that I would like 2 boxes & our ticket. She said, "OK. How was your pasta?" I said that Stacy's was great. Mine was a bowl of marinara, so I couldn't eat much". She did not respond. She eventually brought our ticket and the boxes, and once again said nothing. I boxed up our food. I figured with mine that I could go home, cook a box of pasta to add to the marinara sauce. Stacy's would be fine.
I would have loved some more bread, service, better drinks, maybe even a smile. Terrible terrible terrible. I will not go back. In fact, I always tip 20%. I can name on one hand how many times I have tipped 15%. Last night was a 15 %. It should have been zero, but I would never do that to a server. I seriously do not know how this place stays in business, because I have not had such bad/ non service in a long, long time.
NEVER AGAIN!
I will stick with Vito's or Sourdough in Mesa. Rigatony's or Nello's. Terrible service, food, wine, experience!!
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