Super Frat

Restaurant:  Sal’s Pizzaworks

Address: 10 West Main Street Marlton, NJ 08053

Food:  Pizza

Price:  Below Average

Portions:  Good

Taste:  Great

Service:  Good

Atmosphere:  Cramped but okay

Sal’s Pizzaworks is a solid pizzeria.  I got a slice with my friend and it was exactly what we needed.  The slice was hot, not too greasy, good crust and sauce.  No fuss, no muss.

Contrast that with the first place we went, just down the street, Ragazzi.  We go in, the place is empty and on the verge of closing.  Fine.  I say, “You guys still open?”  There are two girls sitting at a booth.  At first, I thought they were customers, turns out they are the staff.  One of the girls confirms that they are open.  I say something like, “We just want to get a slice.”  Now normally, in a pizza joint/half-Italian restaurant, that’s a signal to just give us a slice on a paper plate to send us on our way.  She asks if we want to sit down or have it to go.  We shrug.  “I guess we’ll sit.”

So we sit down and she brings us menus and my friend an ice water.  I have my Starbucks Iced Tea and she’s cool with me bringing it in.  We’re only here for a slice.  She proceeds to give us placemats, silverware, menus and the specials.  We didn’t want this, but whatever.  Maybe I will have something else.  A minute goes by.  Then several.  These girls go back to their discussion, only now they’re behind the counter and moving around in the back.  There’s no one else in the restaurant.  More minutes.  WTF?

We were so outta there.  They didn’t even say anything.

It’s that kind of experience owners really need to watch out for.  Pizzaworks gave us exactly what we wanted and there were two young girls working there as well, along with several other customers.  I don’t know why anyone would go to Ragazzi after our experience.  It speaks to either poor training of the employees or just a sheer lack of empathy from them.  My friend and I certainly won’t go back to Ragazzi, but Pizzaworks?  Absolutely!  It’s old school, more low key, but totally great.

I give Sal’s Pizzaworks 9 out of 10 keggers.