Sunday, June 9, 2013

Joe's Pizza and Pasta

8540 S. Hulen St.
Fort Worth, TX 76123
817 - 294-4200

Opened - around March 1, 2013.

Located in the same shopping strip as the CVS on the corner of S Hulen and W Risinger, across from 7-11 and Jack in the Box.

Several visits under my belt during various parts of the day. Frank, the manager, is a fantastic guy, and his crew just as fantastic! Truthfully, we've never had a bad experience here.

Ahhh, the name "Joe's Pizza and Pasta"... conjurs up thoughts of Brooklyn style pizza and New Yorker pastas. Order what you want in red, pink or alfredo sauce. Frank will ensure your food is made to your liking! If not, he has no problem re-making your food. Hot foods are served hot and cold foods cold; there is no in-between. Fave pasta dishes are the lasagna, baked ziti, manicotti and cheese ravioli.

There are daily lunch specials on the pasta - pasta, salad and a drink. There are also specials listed on the side of the Coca-Cola machine - 2 slices of pizza and a drink; 1 slice of pizza, salad and a drink; and one with pizza rolls (try the spinach!). There are pizza carry-out specials, though we dine-in the majority of the time.

The restaurant and restrooms are clean and up to ADA standards. There are tables for two and four people; however, Frank will gladly push tables together for larger number of diners. There are also a couple tables outside to dine. You do not bus your table; the staff will do it after you leave. Drinks are self-serve. They also offer two-litre bottles. They do not serve alcohol and I've yet to see anyone "BYOB". There are also two large screen TVs mounted on the wall; sometimes they show the same channel and some times not. The shows have always been family-friendly.

Joe's is like any other restaurant - it has peak lunch and dinner business. With that, keep in mind they are making your food as you requested it. If you don't feel like waiting 10-15 minutes then I strongly suggest to save the diners from your impatience and call in a pick-up/to-go order.  Like-wise, if you have a large party, Frank and crew strive to serve your entire party at the same time.

The final decision (like it was questionable?) - Joe's Pizza and Pasta is definitely HOT!


Pictures below: spaghetti and meatballs; pepperoni roll; cheese ravioli in red sauce; current menu.



 

 


Saturday, June 8, 2013

Welcome!

Many people have told me, "You should blog about it!" After being told this for about quite some time, here I am.

I'm your regular citizen with a learn-as-I-go ability for baking and cooking. I have no chef friends or formal (or informal) culinary training. I state this because if you're the chef or owner of the establishment I gave a not-so-good review, you will know it's just a plain, ol' citizen review, not someone who can "make you or break you." In fact, you should embrace what's noted because if I'm noticing it, you can bet others are as well. And, truth be told, I'm not going out of my way to find bad things about the food, decor or staff; well, except for the restroom.

One part of the restaurant I am strict about is the restroom. If you don't have working hot and cold water, with filled soap, for customers and staff, then you're also breaking a local Health code. Make sure the restroom is clean (and in ADA compliance!). I have stopped going to restaurants I enjoy the food simply because the restrooms aren't clean, and toilets and sinks don't work. Or, I visit a few times in a row and it smells like backed-up sewage. EWWW! So, keep it clean, and often several times a day! Please!

I understand that food depends upon the chef or chefs on-duty. Each chef has his own "style" of making food from scratch. I have no problem with that, which is why I will write three or more reviews before I give my final decision if your restaurant is hot...or not.

I will include past reviews and pictures, if I took any. I want to remain incognito. With that, I am not on any payroll because nobody knows me!

I truly hope my blog helps with your decision to try a restaurant.