Pizza Gang Adventure #8 – Bruno’s Italian Restaurant

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes….turn and face the pizza. When changes strike the Pizza Gang, what do they do? They eat more pizza. One member left the gang, we welcomed a new member, but sadly this will be the last Pizza Gang Blog from this writer. (Single tear rolls down as this is typed.)

July’s Pizza Gang Adventure (PGA) brought PG right down 192 to Bruno’s Italian Restaurant.

A little mom and pop place was recommended by a PG member who raved about it for months. The stakes were high. Immediate first memorable impression: “All the crazy signs outside saying franchises to the right.”

Let’s start with the garlic knots. Ooooo those garlic knots. Rated 4.1/5 smiley faces. Said one PG member: “next time they need to leave the garlic knots bowl out so I can dip my crust in it.”

Let’s move along to the star of the show: the pizza.

A 7.6 for the average rating of pizza (ARP). One PG member commented about the pizza: “Pizza rating has no decimals so I would say 6.6. I like more sauce.”

The crust was given a 3.3/5 hearts which compared to other PGAs is average. PG is very picky about their crust. The customer service was rated at 9/10. One PG member commented: “Server was top notch.” We are sure it would have been 10/10 if Bruno came by to welcome us.

Moving along to the dessert (rated 3.9/5 smiley faces) – what was memorable for one PG member was “dessert menu drawings on the table…I’ve had better cannoli, needed more ricotta cheese and less nutmeg.”

A fun moment that three PG members remembered fondly was “the waiter join in singing Happy Birthday to {PG MEMBER NAME HERE}!”

PG will rate their overall experience as an 8.7/10. Solid. One more notable moment from a PG member: “I was waiting for Michael Corleone to come out and shoot Sollozzo and McClusky, leave the gun, and take the cannolis.”

Well Pizza Gang, loyal fans, and pizza lovers around the world, it has been a pleasure writing about the adventures of Pizza Gang. I hope that you’ve been inspired to eat more pizza, be picky about your pizza, and enjoy the friendships created around pizza. If there’s one takeaway I’d like to give to whoever is reading this it is: when you are not approved for any team outings, start a Pizza Gang. You’ll form memories that will last a lifetime, and you will also eat lots of pizza. Both are valuable things to have in life.

Yours truly,

The Writer Who Will Still Remain Anonymous Just In Case

Final thoughts:

– Average score of Pizza Gang driver and selection of music: 4.7 / 5 stars

Pizza Gang Adventure #7 – MidiCi The Neapolitan Pizza Company

You know we had to do it. Six members of Pizza Gang packed into one vehicle and set off to The Loop in Kissimmee area, and it was a bit of a bumpy ride to say the least. Literally, not figuratively. “Get ready for the bouncy bridge,” said one PG member to another. So in the spirit of this thrill ride, Valued Reader, buckle up because here is another PIZZA GANG BLOG! *da na na sports goal horn*

May’s Pizza Gang Adventure (PGA) brought PG to the wonderful MidiCi The Neapolitan Pizza Company.

Upon arrival, Pizza Gang was instantly impressed. The oohs and ahhs and “take pictures of this and that!” started immediately.

Fun little inspirational notes promoting positivity and friendship were posted everywhere– including the bathroom!

Anyway, I digress. Let’s just dive right into the pizza, because let’s be honest, that’s what we came here for.

A solid 7 was the average rating of pizza (ARP). One PG member noted, “I thought the ambience was great and I liked the toppings bar was a great touch.” (TOPPING BAR PHOTO BELOW. LOOK AT THAT THING!!!) That same PG member was disappointed though, because it was only after the member ordered that they found out there was a lunch special that included a salad and drink.

“I would had given it a higher rating if their lunch special wasn’t hidden, or if cashier mentioned it, and if the crust was crispy.” The crust was given a 3.2/5 hearts which was not as bad as Pizza Window’s 2.6 but still not really that great. The customer service was rated at 6.8/10. It was a true PG dis-satisfier that the special wasn’t promoted by the cashier.

Another gang member noted, “Pizza was good, but could have used more sauce.”

Here was the salad that came with the lunch special:

The overall experience at MidiCi was rated at 7.2. Not too shabby.

What arguably the best part of the entire PGA was Pizza Gang’s visit to Duck Donuts after they got pizza. “Duck Donuts was the highlight of the day! (well, and certain members excitement of the bouncy bridge!)”

Of course Duck Donuts received a perfect rating of 5/5 smiley faces. A memorable quote by a Pizza Gang member read, “This donut tastes like a funnel cake!” In addition, “Getting bacon on a donut is awesome!” Pizza Gang momentarily contemplated on becoming Donut Gang.

Another successful Pizza Gang Adventure. Tune in next month for more adventure-y quotes, happenings, and all sorts of pizza fun!

Final thoughts:

– Average score of Pizza Gang driver and selection of music: 4.8 / 5 stars

– Let’s go back to Duck Donuts ASAP

Pizza Gang Adventure #6 – Pizza Window

After the madness of March forced Pizza Gang into a one month hiatus, Pizza Gang was back and at full power for the month of April. ALL Pizza Gang members attended and EVEN added a special guest to the mix. Squad was ready to roll. After much deliberation, the April Pizza Gang Adventure (PGA) brought the PG back to Disney property to the Pizza Window at Disney’s fabulous BoardWalk.

Upon arrival, Pizza Gang was presented with the choice to bundle or not to bundle? It seems as though the best choice was not to bundle because the PG members who asked to bundle their pizza with a drink and salad were sadly double charged. The average customer service rating was given 3.7—the lowest we’ve ever seen.

It seems as though Pizza Window was not prepared for a nine person PGA. “Where did all of y’all come from?” said Shrek*, the trainer. Said PG member, “Trainer Shrek* or Trainwreck?! Not quite sure he should be a trainer! Thought this experience was a disaster from the beginning.” Another PG member added, “Memorable Moment???…. I think I will remember most about this outing is the trainer not really keeping his cool. He was nice, but you can tell he was freaking out.”

*Name has been changed for confidentiality

With a low overall experience of 3.7, there were many disgruntled PG comments when analyzing the process from order to pick up. The overall experience truly started to dip when the Cast Members behind the Window started giving away pizzas to PG members who ordered after other PG members. The disorganization was called out many times in the post-PGA survey. Memorable moment: “The continuous pizza being given to someone else.”

Once Pizza Gang received their pizzas, the comments started to bubble in. The official average pizza rating for Pizza Window stands at a 4.3. This is even lower than Pizza Ponte, which APR was 5.7. Yikes. We only received one comment about the toppings, so here it is in the form of a memorable quote: “‘I hope the veggies are peppers and mushrooms–not broccoli or zucchini’ – {PG member}, who got what he wanted.”

Even the crust could not impress Pizza Gang. With an average rating of 2.6/5 hearts, the char on the edges was not enough to satisfy. One member thought it was okay: “The crust was great, but the middle was soupy and needed to be cooked longer.”

What was redeeming to some Pizza Gang members was the visit to Ample Hills Creamery after pizza. This was given a big ol’ YUM with an average rating of 5/5 smiley faces. It seems as though ice cream is always the cure for anything. Even below average pizza.

It seems as though the final verdict was that Pizza Window was not a crowd favorite. Multiple Pizza Gang members had to remind other members that not all PGAs can be at Via Napoli, so we have to try them all. That’s the way the pizza flops. And sometimes the spoiled salad too.

Final thoughts:

– Average score of Pizza Gang driver and selection of music: 4.8 / 5 stars

– Pizza Gang chose to sit at Abracadabar outdoor seating because it was covered. PG experienced dirty fans and a bird who seemed unpredictable….”Is that bird going to poop on me?” asked a PG member.

Tune in next month where we may go to one of the following recommendations:

Via Napoli
Cici’s ;P (probably not and if we find out who wrote this their gang membership may be revoked)
MediCi
Ale and Compass 40% flatbreads
Anywhere but a window! Marco’s down Old Lake Wilson Road.
We should explore other cuisines before lowering our pizza standards like we did on this option!
Pinocchios Village Haus
Pop Century Quick Service or ESPN Grill. So many pizza windows, so little time. Or it’s time to leave the Disney Nest and go off property….or go back to Via Napoli or Blaze. Don’t pay attention to those stupid BOC rules about six month waiting periods to return to the good places.

Pizza Gang Adventure #5 – Pizza Press – Publish Your Own Pizza

Buckle up pizza fans because Pizza Gang’s February adventure had many mixed reviews. The writer of this blog would like to be upfront and honest: there may/will be a bias in this review because the writer of this blog was the most disappointed Pizza Gang member at the Pizza Press table. She dares to put this in writing: in her opinion, Pizza Ponte was better than Pizza Press. And with that statement, let’s jump right into a recap of the Pizza Gang Adventure (PGA).

It was time to take the Gang off Disney property. Pizza Gang loaded the vehicles and traveled down 192 to Celebration where the first off property location Pizza Press awaited them. Pizza Gang noticed that the spot was empty, quiet, and that surprised Pizza Gang because it was lunch time. How was this place still in business if it’s empty at lunch time with Disney offices right across the street? Also, it confused members of Pizza Gang that they Pizza Press didn’t put the effort into lining up the door stickers.

The statistics of this PGA are the most diverse we’ve ever seen.

With an average pizza rating of 6.3 there were ratings as low as 3 and as high as 9.
Customer service average was 6.6 with a low of 4 and high of 9.
Overall experience at Pizza Press was 6.3. Again low of 3, high of 9.

These mixed reviews leaves little to be said for this writer. As a member of Pizza Gang noted, there “seemed to be a split decision on how everyone felt about this place.” The only thing Pizza Gang could really agree on was that Pizza Press had “good topping selections for pizza and salads. I like that you still have topping options after your pizza is out of the oven.”

Although the toppings impressed Pizza Gang, most members had other things on their mind: “Matthew’s cake better be good at 1pm.” Congrats to Pizza Gang member Matthew on 15 years at the company! For this writer, the cake was the best food eaten that day…

The pizzas:

Just for fun, when asked how Pizza Press compares to Blaze Pizza, here is what Pizza Gang had to say:

IT DOES NOT. BLAZE IS LIFE. (Editor’s note: Blaze Pizza*)
Same concept but different tastes, each with their own strengths.
I know that not everyone will agree, but I think it compares favorably. Not as busy, so plenty of room to sit!
It did not.
Blaze is amazing and Pizza Press is not.
I enjoyed Pizza Press, good topings and they have a lunch special. Blaze Pizza got me to try new toppings I typically wouldn’t try… like broccoli on a pizza and it was very delicious.
That is like comparing apples to oranges. It doesn’t work.

There you have it, folks. Tune in next month for another PGA and a more enthusiastically written blog.

Additional Notes:

-“Side cookie or side salad?”

-Average score of Pizza Gang driver and selection of music: 3.9 stars / 5 stars

“This car smells like crushed dreams”

-Average score of crust: 3 hearts/ 5 hearts

“The crust was not my style – too thin”

-Why do they have a non-Pizza Press box on display??

-Note from writer: DO NOT ORDER THE GLUTEN FREE CRUST. BLAZE PIZZA IS THE ONLY PIZZA WHO CAN SUCCESSFULLY MAKE IT TASTY.

Pizza Gang Adventure #4 – Wolfgang Puck Express…at Disney Springs Marketplace (down by the Christmas store)

Happy New Year fellow pizza fans. *Tune of Auld Lang Syne* Should all old pizzas be forgot and pepperoni too? Not Via Napoli for sure. Maybe Pizza Ponte. Anyway, 2019 is here, and what better way to kick off the New Year than with some pizza? The BOC chose Wolfgang Puck Express…. at Disney Springs Marketplace (down by the Christmas store) for the first Pizza Gang Adventure (PGA) of 2019.

A beautiful sunny day made for a pleasant walk from the Lime Garage at Disney Springs to the hidden PGA location. Nothing really jumped out at Pizza Gang—no frog watching them through the window. No bread that did not cost money (see Via Napoli’s blog for story). Just your average pizza place. Speaking of average, the average rating of pizza (ARP) was 7.

For reference, here are the other ARPs:

Pizza Ponte: 5.7

Blaze Pizza: 8.6

Via Napoli: 9.6

Nothing record breaking. Just some averagely nice pizza. An average start to the New Year. More average details: overall experience rating was 7.1. Nothing too much to say about that.

What was commented on the most by Pizza Gang in their surveys was the customer service. The average score 7.9 does not reflect the real emotions brought to the table by the servers of Wolfgang Puck Express. Pizza Gang remembers the “server not taking kindly to us helping ourselves to a to-go box.” Pizza Gang looked a little taken aback when the server said, “You don’t have to do that. I’m a server. That’s my job.” Hmm okay. The service seemed to be trying far too hard when “we said that we didn’t need any more parmesan but they brought two more cups anyway.”

There is room for improvement, but Pizza Gang left feeling satisfied. A few additional thoughts:

“The Board of Crustees are amazing” –Believed to be said by a BOC member.

“Why does {insert Cast Member’s name here} keep calling me?” –Name is blocked for confidentiality.

“My drink is unique. It is half lemonade and half unsweetened iced tea.” –Not everyone knows what an Arnold Palmer is according to a member of the BOC.

“I can’t wait until next month’s adventure” –Recommendations by Pizza Gang include “time to take the gang off property” Pizza Press, two votes for returning to Via Napoli, and “I think it is time to go off-site unless Sanaa’s bread service counts as Rhode Island Pizza.” {Editor’s Note: RUDE}

Average score of Pizza Gang driver and selection of music: 3.9 stars / 5 stars

Average score of crust: 3.9 hearts / 5 hearts

See you in February.

Pizza Gang Adventure #3 – Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria Lunch in Italy…at Epcot

‘Tis the season to be jolly…and to have pizza. The end of 2018 was fast approaching and the Board of Crustees fulfilled a promise made at the beginning of the creation of Pizza Gang that the December Pizza Gang Adventure (PGA) would be a memorable one at none other than Via Napoli. On Friday, December 14^th the BOC brought Pizza Gang to Epcot.

With a slight drizzle from the sky and an impending rain storm in the near future, Pizza Gang put up their umbrellas and marched on through World Showcase to their reservation. A little bit of Disney magic was created for Pizza Gang, as they were told that they could all sit together even though they made two separate reservations. Disney is a magical place.

Once seated Pizza Gang started taking notes on the environment, “Why is the frog watching me eat pizza?”

Trying to disregard the frog, Pizza Gang brought the focus back to the reason they were there: pizza/food. The server stopped at Pizza Gang’s table and started the usual “Any drinks? Would you like to hear specials?” The server peaked interest in Pizza Gang when he asked, “Would you like to start with some bread?” Pizza Gang looked around at each other because they were all thinking it, but soon-to-be-new-father Eddie, the fearless co-BOC member said it: “Does that cost money?” Thank you for stepping up to the plate and asking what was on all of Pizza Gang’s minds, Eddie.

It was time for pizza. This was the most memorable moment for Pizza Gang: “When our pizza was wheeled out…… WHEELED OUT.” Two Pizza Gang members called this out in their review survey: “They brought the pizza out on a cart.” It was a moment Pizza Gang will never forget.

Breaking records left and right, the ARP (average rating of pizza) skyrocketed once again from the last PGA. From a 5.7 at Pizza Ponte to an 8.6 at Blaze Pizza, Via Napoli takes the lead at a record high ARP of 9.6. A NEAR PERFECT SCORE!

The average scores for this PGA are unbelievably high. It was a multi-record breaking visit. ARCS (average rating of customer service) was 8.8. Overall experience was 9.2. Likelihood to return in the next few months 9.7!! YOU CAN’T MAKE THIS UP!!

Pizza Gang ended up polishing off two of the half meter pizzas. It was truly an adventure to remember. How will 2019 live up to the experience of December 2018’s PGA? Stay tuned. New year, new pizza.

*Average score of Pizza Gang driver and selection of music: 4.5/5

Pizza Gang Adventure #2 – Blaze Pizza

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Pizza Gang ran into a problem in November when multiple members of the Sherberth 8 would be out of the office on the planned Pizza Gang Adventure Day (PGAD). Never to allow a missed adventure, Pizza Gang decided that after a difficult Monday, they would move PGAD to Tuesday, November 13^th, 2018. And after that terrible Monday, they not only needed, but they DESERVED Blaze Pizza.

New location, new Pizza Gang drivers. Same Orange Garage, same excitement for pizza. Upon arrival, Pizza Gang could relax and trust in the process of Blaze Pizza. Compared to the inaugural Pizza Gang adventure, the ARP (average rating of pizza) skyrocketed. As a reminder, the ARP of Pizza Ponte was a mere 5.7 (on a scale of 1 to 10). Blaze Pizza received a record high 8.6.

Although the ARP was impressive, it seems as though there was dissatisfaction when discussing the crust of the pizza. From an anonymous Pizza Gang member, “the crust needed to cook a little longer, but much, much better than Pizza Ponte. Not even close.” In addition, another member commented, “Pizza took longer and may have been slightly undercooked to my liking of well-done crust.”

Fear not, anonymous Pizza Gang members! Perhaps upon the next visit to Blaze Pizza one can ask the magicians behind the counter to keep the pizza in the oven just a little longer. It is Blaze Pizza, after all. This fine establishment was created to make us happy. “Mmmm, pizza” – reflects a Pizza Gang member.

Fast forwarding to other data collected from this adventure, the ARCS (average rating of customer service) was 8.5, an entire point higher than Pizza Ponte. There is, however, still room for improvement. While some members believed Blaze Pizza had “Quick and efficient service” others noted that “it seemed that the B squad was working in the oven… I’ve visited this establishment in the past on a Friday afternoon where it seems the A-team is prepared for quick service and oven game is strong.”

With an ARNPI (average rating of non-pizza items) of 6.8, Pizza Gang made it clear that the sole purpose for this visit was the pizza. *Side note: “Water was tasty :p”

The overall experience at Blaze Pizza was rated an average of 8.8 with the likelihood of returning in the next few months– average of 9.6. How can a pizza place improve from these numbers?? Well, tune in for next month’s adventure review: “I can’t give a 10 because I know Via Napoli is coming up!”

November was the month of giving thanks. December is the month of Via Napoli. Pizza Gang is ready.

Thoughts on Pizza Gang drivers:

Average score of Pizza Gang driver and selection of music: 4.4/5

“My driver played no music. We just sang a cappella and discussed pizza recipes.”

“Sorry {Pizza Gang driver’s name is confidential}, I don’t like country but you were great!”

Pizza Gang Adventure #1 – Pizza Ponte

When all you do is think about and talk about pizza on the daily with people who sit in your cube area, what do you do? You form a pizza gang. The Sherberth 8 decided that on a monthly basis, they will congregate to visit a local Central Florida pizza location to meet as “Pizza Gang.”

Pizza Gang allows for different backgrounds and opinions to gather and provide reviews of pizza. The mission is to evaluate the PPP (pizza price point), the flavors, and the overall experience at the designated adventure location. This location is carefully hand-selected by the Board of Crustees (BOC) who create a one-sheet prior to the meeting for the Sherberth 8 to mentally prepare for the anticipated adventure.

On Friday, October 12^th, 2018 Pizza Gang’s first meeting commenced. The BOC chose Pizza Ponte at Disney Springs as the designated location for the inaugural gathering. It took two black cars to shuttle the gang over to the Orange Garage riding down the twisting and turning roads of Osceola Parkway and Buena Vista Drive.

Upon arrival, Pizza Gang was impressed with the selection of pizza available. They would soon find a divide in opinions of the fine establishment. The ARP (average rating of pizza) on a scale of 1 to 10 was a mere 5.7. There was found to be much room for improvement. With thoughts such as “the crust needed to cook longer” and “hit or miss on the pizza” the bar, which was raised high in the anticipation of the outing, was immediately lowered.

Despite this low ARP, there were some members of Pizza Gang who thoroughly enjoyed the Pizza Ponte experience due to the customer service and the PPP. The ARCS (average rating of customer service) was 7.5. The PPP was notable because, “Cast member discount makes it a decent choice,” “price point was awesome,” and “free refills is a bonus, along with 50% discount.”

What impressed Pizza Gang the most was the non-pizza items. With an okay ARNPI (average rating of non-pizza items) of 6.9, the comments really bring out the opinion of the NPIs. “Dessert is really good,” “the cheesecake was awesome,” and “desserts looked good, but the pasta was not very good; no flavor.”

The overall experience of Pizza Ponte was rated as a solid 7. And the likelihood of returning in the next few months is 5.8. There is much room for improvement for the next adventure. Mixed reviews. Some solid scores. “While this is an anonymous survey, on behalf of the Board of Crustees, I promise a better pizza experience in November.”

Pizza Gang is excited for the next adventure in the month of giving thanks. They will give much thanks to pizza.

Final thoughts from Pizza Gang:

Average score of Pizza Gang driver and selection of music: 4/5

“I am all pizza, all the time.”