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Positive Reviews:
- "The kind of place kids dream about and adults salivate over. Have come to this restaurant several times in the last year -- the pinball machines are the most current and most importantly, they work and are reasonably priced 50 cents). Have also enjoyed the cheese bread and the fried ravioli. Each were good, not great - however each was hot and fresh. Recommend this as a nice weekend event for families with kids."
- "Very good.we had two different pizzas ,some pasta dishes and chicken fingers.Everything was great ,and the place looked great.Much better then the old look.We will be back soon and often."
Negative Reviews:
- "overall, it was just ok. I thought it was a little pricey, for a 16 inch pizza and calamari sticks we paid close to $30...My real issue was the lack of service..... when you get there you go up to the counter to order, and that's fine, but it's supper congested because they keep everything for all the tables right there next to where people order...We didn't get to spend a whole lot of family time together because every time we need something I had to search around for it myself...I think they need to have someone keeping an eye on the dining room and helping guest when they need it....all around, the experience and food are mediocre."
- "I was going to try their new food when the place relaunched. I did not eat there after seeing the bathroom. It still has one of those rolling cloth hand towels on the wall. I asked if the employees that cook food use that thing and the answer was yes."
- "Once upon a time, I'd hit this place once in a while just because it was different. Can't think of a single reason, either bland character- free pizza or half-baked decor upgrade, to try it again."
- "A makeover makes the place look pretty; however, poor customer service and the sight of hours of unbussed tables plus steep prices ruined the experience for me. Doubtful I will return."
Other News and Links:
- The Restaurant Impossible makeover was in November 2014.
- Here is the Bene Pizza and Pasta website and menu (scroll to the right - bad design).
- The bio on their website makes it seem like the whole family opened the restaurant together and not just the brothers Jon and Bobby.
- Here is the Bene Pizza and Pasta Facebook page
- On February 6th, they announced they were bringing back the thin crust on their pizza as well as fried pickles, which people seemed to be happy about. (Link)
- Bene Pizza and Pasta said their Restaurant Impossible was an "unforgettable experience" and they seem pretty happy about the makeover. (Link)
- There were a lot of comments on Facebook and on articles wondering why they needed a makeover as they were always crowded. (Link)
- Here is a Reddit thread talking about the makeover, which people thought the pizza was mediocre before. (Link)
- It looks like the restaurant had a lot of recent 5-star reviews filtered by Yelp. They are all 5-star reviews left by people with only one total review, so they seem questionable. (Link)
- Bob has also responded to a few of the recent negative reviews of Yelp. (Link)
Conclusion:
There have been more negative than positive reviews of Bene Pizza and Pasta since the Restaurant Impossible makeover with people talking about mediocre food and bad service. If some of the filtered reviews on Yelp are actually legit, then I would say there are a few more positive than negative reviews. Customers are also happy that the arcade games stayed in the restaurant and Restaurant Impossible didn't remove them.
UPDATE 7/2015 - Bene Pizza and Pasta has closed - More information on the closing.
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