Dee J.
Yelp
It honestly 'pains me' to leave a less than mediocre review for Alvinos, as I was really looking forward to a new pizza place opening up within our area...and it's "Gourmet Pizza" place non-the-less! Woo-Hoo! Right?
But...I think Alvinos forgot to add the "Gourmet" part to our Large Big Ray's BBQ Chicken pizza that we ordered? Because there was nothing special, fancy, or even tasty to our pizza...other than the BBQ sauce on it, that tasted good.
Now, I realize that this new pizza place is just that...New...and it's going through a "Soft Opening" right now. But if the owners of Alvinos want to make this business a Success, and call their pizza's they serve "Gourmet"...then I'd advise you to step up your offerings! Seriously.
The pizza crust and dough (bottom), was very dry, stiff, and flavorless. The toppings were very light...as in...whomever made it, was very stingy on putting toppings on the pizza! There was maybe 6-7 chunks of chicken on this large pizza...shredding the chicken doesn't count either... nor does the sliced turkey lunch meat that you put on it too....Sorry. Nothing "Gourmet" there...Nothing!
Other negatives - It took over 45 minutes from ordering the pizza, to actually getting it! When we were told it would be ready in 20-25 min. when we ordered it for pick up. No problem, as we were in Taylor when we ordered it. We got there...the Wife went in to pay for it, and get it....only to be told that it wasn't even in the oven yet!?! (First Red Flag) So they gave her a package of homemade chocolate chip cookies, for the inconvenience. Those were Great!! Almost "Gourmet" type cookies...soft, chewy, and yummy!
We finally get the "Gourmet" pizza, take it home...open the box for the "Big Reveal"...disappointment sets in...immediately!
First was the kitchen order receipt sitting on top of the pizza itself...half soaked in grease & BBQ sauce...what a Nice "Gourmet" touch! We over looked that fact, as we both were very hungry, and just wanted to eat.
The "Gourmet" pizza is very flat...no other way to describe it!
Flat - in appearance/presentation, taste, and most of all...Quality.
So, in closing - I am known as a "Pizza Snob" by my friends & family. I Love Pizza! And when the word "Gourmet" is used, and the prices reflect that...I'm OK with it...because I expect it to be...an Over-the-Top Pizza! I will drive a long ways from the Dearborn Heights area, for a Great Pizza! For instance: Klavon's Pizzeria & Pub - Jackson, Mi. That's right...in Jackson!! Green Lantern Pizza - in Madison Heights, Mi too. Nothing in our area compares to these two places. Nothing.
So I'd advise the Owners & Staff of Alvinos to maybe take a Road Trip themselves. To see what other Gourmet Pizza places have to offer. Head out to Jackson for sure! If you can copy what Klavon's has going on out there - you'll be the Best Gourmet Pizza place in our area...no doubt about it!
Will I be back? Yes. I'll give it a while, so they work out the quality issues, and hopefully 'perfect their practice' - at making pizzas.
The Wife sez: No way! Maybe for the cookies only she said.