Q: positive

A: I absolutely HATE chain restaurants! Although in this case, I have to make an exception. I'm really into the food at Buca. I used to live in the SF Bay Area, and I had to wait damn near 2 hours to eat at the Buca located at downtown SF. I now live in Chandler, AZ and the first time I visited a Buca here, I didn't have to wait any longer than 30 seconds. I usually have a standard list of items that I order for the entire table when my family goes to Buca: Bruschetta Linguine Frutti DiMare Margherita Pizza Pepperoni Pizza Chicken Marsala I also frequent other independently owned Italian restaurants, but Buca holds a special place in my heart, and my stomach. They have a signature flavor to their dishes. The best waiter in the world, Lee works at this particular one. Request to be seated at his station and give him a big tip!

Q: negative

A: Upon entering Mellow Mushroom the Hostess stand is about 20 - 30 feet away from the door. Just recently I underwent foot surgery on both feet so I walk with a cane and have those special black shoes they give you until you recover. The Hostess not only didn't greet me upon entering but proceeded to walk me back to the farthest part of the restaurant. I stood my ground, pointed to my feet and cane and asked for a booth much closer to walk to. Next came the waiter who dropped off menu's, no welcome to Mellow Mushroom my name is ----- how are you and what can I get you to drink. Nothing, no personality at all and before he left I asked for a manager. I got Andrew who knelt down so we could be face to face and I expressed my view points with the hostess and the waiter whose name I still don't know. He said he would talk to his staff about my concerns. After we were re-sited I asked for the manager again. Out came the general manager Blake, I again expressed my view points but he wanted a "pissing" match with me instead. He wanted to know how many restaurants I had opened, I said I've been in the Hospitality Industry since 1980. I also worked in the customer service department at American Express for many years. I asked him why the employee's don't wear name tags, Because it is "Corporate Policy" not to wear name tags as express by the general manager Blake. Well I like to see the person's name who is serving me. I asked him why the employee's are allowed to show their tattoo's, again it is "Corporate Policy", if you got them, show them. Well I don't really want to see someone else's art serving me, although I have tattoo's when working professionally, you won't see them. I have traveled across the United States working and eating in some of the finest restaurants, but I've come to the conclusion Mellow Mushroom is run by some 40 year olds who really don't see the bigger picture. They hire general manager's like Blake who I may add had been the rudest and most condescending restaurateur I've ever met and I've met a lot. I guess I'll be getting my pizza someplace else.

Q: negative

A: Dietary restrictions prevent me from eating here, but that doesn't stop me from doing a review. I was at Chipotle next door waiting to order when suddenly this terrible stench fills the air. It smelled like vomit or old, unwashed socks (and it wasn't just me who noticed, everyone started looking around wondering where the smell was coming from). The smell was located to two girls who brought their Axxio Pizza slices into Chipotle. While leaving, I walked past Axxio Pizza where I was yet again greeted by the vomit smell coming out of their building. It was nauseating. Maybe something was cooked too long or some spice was too strong, but pizza shouldn't smell like that.

Q: negative

A:
They do live music here, and my band was scheduled to play recently. In the email in which we were booked, we stated that two of the band members are under 21, but they are 20. Now, we have played at many venues around the Valley, and it has NEVER been a problem. They put big, black "X"s on our hands, or wrist bands, whatever, and we ALWAYS follow the rules. Once we arrived, they were in frickin' SHOCK AND AWE that we would even be there because of our age. The owner came out to "talk" to us, more like demean us, and told us we can play at 1am, when the liquor license people wouldn't come in. Before he did this, we had offered to stay outside and only go to the stage and out, very politely. But even after that the owner felt the need to tell us that we obviously don't care about his business, but its WHAT PAYS FOR HIS KIDS SHOES. Can't imagine how a dump like that even pays for shoes. So we politely declined to stay and do something illegal, and left. You're right, NOW we don't care.