Golooney’s East Coast Pizza Cafe & Sub Shop, originally uploaded by Aaron Landry.
After enjoying some cupcakes, Courtney, Max, Alexis, Rachel and I went to Golooney’s East Coast Pizza Cafe & Sub Shop.
Golooney’s has been around for as long as I can remember and at one point I thought they were rather representative of New York pizza. This was before I had ever visited New York. Since, I’ve only visited Golooney’s twice and haven’t been a fan.
I was surprised that Courtney suggested we go here especially as we were with Rachel — from New York. To give Courtney credit, she hadn’t been in over four years. Either way, it’s probably the worst idea for an out-of-town guest from the east coast.
Put simply, our service was slow (especially for a slice shop), the people were rude and worst of all, the pizza is bad. I ordered a plain slice. It hardly had any sauce and the cheese was almost tasteless — although it was piled on excessively. It wasn’t easy to fold or hold like I would expect out of a slice shop with the Twin Towers in their logo. In fact, this pizza was the worst I’ve ever had at Golooney’s. Courtney and I agreed that it was actually poorer than we remembered.
I was taking a few shots with my camera and I was scolded for taking photos and was asked to put my camera away. He said I needed to ask for permission first and to be fair, I should have done that. I promptly put my camera away. Unfortunately to make matters worse, he goes to his co-worker after scowling at me and exclaims “I hate that fucking shit.” Classy. We joked at our table that the generally male-dominated staff are stereotypically rude to male clientele but “all hey baby” to women. In our experiences, at least.
While we were waiting around the 10th Global Marijuana March was across the street. The gathering wasn’t terribly well organized and many of the protesters wandered in and out of Golooney’s to grab a slice. My advice? Keep on marching down 24th Street and eat at Leaning Tower of Pizza.
UPDATE: Golooney’s is now closed and Red’s Savoy Pizza now runs the pizza here — don’t ask me to compare.
Golooney’s East Coast Pizza Cafe & Sub Shop
2329 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55405
612-377-8555
Comments 8
Yeah, that’s the last time I go there. And this is the big reason why managers should instruct their employees to always be courteous — you just never know when you’re going to be rude to the guy who has a pizza blog.
Posted 03 May 2008 at 21:18 ¶I remember seeing a Best Of sticker from City Pages in the window from 2001. When you don’t have stickers to add on with each successive year, it’s time to take this lone one down. Obviously something slipped — service-wise, food-wise, or both. I remember giant graffiti-type murals on the walls, and now the interior is bland, painted over with dull colors.
Another reason they don’t have more Best Of stickers may be because, if a woman was reviewing the place, she probably didn’t appreciate the bedroom-eyes stares from some of the guys working there.
Posted 03 May 2008 at 21:26 ¶You know, it didn’t really bother me. I did notice but since I wasn’t personally in a hurry I didn’t mind, but you’re right, there service was not great. And my “spicy meatball” sandwich was not so spicy.
Posted 04 May 2008 at 10:05 ¶Not to say anything of their pizza, but their Bostonian sandwich is awesome.
Posted 05 May 2008 at 10:15 ¶At the time, I was thinking to myself the same thing Max said above: “dude, you’re being a dick to the wrong guy. Aaron’s the pizza blog guy!”
My veggie sandwich was fine for the $4 price. The bread could’ve been warmer and softer, though.
Posted 07 May 2008 at 09:34 ¶I stick to the sandwiches at Golooney’s because the pizza is only meh.
I’ve never experienced rude customer service at Golooney’s but I’m not surprised it happened. I feel something seething below the surface every time I am there.
Posted 13 May 2008 at 07:22 ¶This was one of the first places that I ordered from for delivery when I moved to Mpls. and I was SO disappointed. I think it is a crime that they claim to have NY style pizza. I got your link from the Cupcakes Take The Cake blog, being a HUGE pizza fan, I am SO happy to have found you. I just started reading, but I am excited to see what and who you have on here. I keep a spreadsheet of my pizza places in my ‘hood. Thanks, looking forward to reading on!
Posted 13 May 2008 at 10:30 ¶Maybe only the service is supposed to be authentic East Coast.
Posted 14 May 2008 at 12:10 ¶Trackbacks & Pingbacks 1
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