Famous Ben's Pizza

07/10/09

This place is absolute garbage. TERRIBLE. AWFUL.

by Grinch83 at Citysearch

It's like this place tries to make you feel like a piece of street trash.

Famous pizza? A lot of NYC pizza places claim to be famous, but Ben's, if it is famous, must have gained notoriety for their lazy, rude staff and pizza that looks like it came from a microwave.

Yesterday I walked in for a calzone and a slice. One guy behind the counter barked at me to give him his order, even though I hadn't fully decided yet. I ordered a ham and cheese calzone. After sitting and waiting at a table for a few minutes I got to check out some of the "decor" of Ben's. Friendly signs like "We don't serve tap water," and "If you didn't buy it here, you can't eat or drink it here" don the walls and menu boards. A couple with a baby in a stroller walked in and one member of the staff told them they had to remove the baby (infant) from the stroller and fold the stroller up if they wanted to eat -- even though only three of the ten tables were filled and a couple of people stood at the counter.

The staff, they won't even look at you while they talk, instead they seem more preoccupied with watching the dining area -- it made me feel like I was eating in my old high school cafeteria. No smiles, no thank yous, I mean, they practically throw the food at you. And God help you if you don't retrieve your slice as soon as it's on the counter.

My calzone came up and when I got it, I realized they had forgotten to put a side of marinara with it. I asked the short guy behind the counter for a side and he said (without looking at me) "you have to pay an extra 25 cents." What? Call me old school, but calzones are eaten with a side of sauce, and they should come with a side of sauce. Granted, it's only an extra quarter, but what gives? And then trying to eat the thing with the flimsy plastic forks and knives they have is next to impossible (I finally resorted to using my hands). There was ONE piece of ham in the calzone, and it tasted like it had been made a few days prior to my purchase.

Stay away at all costs. Head up to Houston St and check one of those pizza places instead. This place is absolute garbage.

• Pros: Um...they didn't burn my food.
• Cons: Oh boy. Overpriced, rude & slow service, food is mediocre.

04/28/08

Terrible Customer Service!!!!!

by bnmiller at Citysearch

These guys are so disrespectful to their customers! Don't waste your time! You can find way better pizza in a way better environment anywhere.

12/07/06

Best Pizza I've had ... so far

by angela_lozada at Citysearch

I ran into while I was having a Sunday walk and couldn't be more happy to find it!!! Now I constantly crave it and just take the trip downtown for it! They're cheeseless pizza and sicilian pizza with mozzarella and basil is AMAZING!!

• Pros: Really cheap pizza
• Cons: fast service, small seating area