Reviews for Paulie's Pizza

08/24/2012 - George Palumbo
I wish there was a -2 rating on here, and that would entail being kind. Here is the scoop from a professionals (33 year retired Chef) view:

Upon entering, my mind went immediately to "Ok, corner dive pizza shop downtown in the middle of 11th St." Listening to the phone girl using foul language while screwing around with the cooks behind the counter, I was then greeted in a very friendly manner and asked if I need help. I said I wanted a slice of pizza and a small soda. I watched a fresh pie being pulled out of the oven, and instead of that, she tried to give me a dried up looking slice that had probably been sitting in the window for a couple hours. When I asked if I could just have a slice of the fresh pie, I was told "well...we have to use this one first before we can cut into that one." Really? Did you just tell a customer no you can't have fresh pizza because we need to serve you the leftover crap instead? Not to mention the slice she grabbed for me was done without gloves on her hands, and I'm sure after counting money and distributing change, the quickest way to spread germs. I told her to forget about the slice. With a shrug of her shoulders she pulled it out of the oven and right back on the tray in the window it went. In the meantime, being I've worked in kitchens my entire life, I can't help but notice every little thing behind the line. Instead of joking and playing games someone should really grab a broom and rag and start cleaning because this place was filthy, and I mean that in the most horrific way. Dishes piled up in what I presume was the hand sink, being it's the only sink I saw in the kitchen, food on the floor, dirty sandwich board with dirty knives laying there, dirty half empty pizza trays in the window, a flat grill that was screaming to be scraped and cleaned,....really, I could go on forever. I think the funniest (maybe not so funny) thing was the one kid making pizza telling another cook that he can only work certain hours because he's on house arrest. He proved his point by lifting his pant leg to show everyone his ankle bracelet/alarm box.

I did ask for the owner and was told that he ran out, maybe across the street to his car, they weren't sure. If Paulie is the owner, then Paulie needs to be on top of his people better. They will ruin his business. I honestly, in all my years, have never had that experience and I love pizza. Been eating it for 40 years. This is hands down the worst I've ever come across, and I am Philly born and raised. What a discredit to the industry. I'm positive it reflects on how much the owner cares about his food and his customers. I recommend staying clear of this filthy rat trap. Glad I didn't eat the food, I may not have been here to warn you!