M. Alan B.
Yelp
While this is a review specifically about this restaurant it is equally an indictment of Springfield in general.
Recently, I was having a lunch in Nee Haven with a Yale associated academic. They were musing and editorializing about the deplorable state of restaurants and service in New Haven. Having been a former resident of that fair city ("fair" as in mediocre) I knew what they meant.
They used the expression "you honestly can't find a worst city anywhere in the world".
My reply was contrary offering up Springfield as a counter example. Their response was precisely on point - "oh well, of course. Springfield is New Haven without Yale".
Indeed.
With this as an appropriate benchmark it is possible to provide insights about FEP.
While there are copious things to critique about it the most damning is the generally overall provincial, sub standard quality of food and service. Its Durgin Park without the charming gruffness. There's a lack of concern for the customers sense of comfort, preferences and health. Its dark, gloomy and dated interior is anachronistic of an 18th c pub. Its not vkear how frequently its cleaned and from the moment you walk in, it "feels sticky"
I am NOT saying this place is not up to health codes (I don't know) just that it is dingy , worn and the service is substandard. Duting the pandemic, which - oh right - yes, is still going on, they rarely wore masks or "worm them in a wsy that was ineffective.
Regarding the food. The best thing you can say is it's edible. The pizza dough is, well - doughy. But not the crisp on the outside and light, fluffy and tasty on the inside. Kind of mouthy, blech doughy. The pizza ingredients, while better than average, are really only "just barely" better. Not the "mmm, thus is fresh and tasty". A good example, perhaps only local example, us the pizza at Posto in Longmeadow on Bliss. In fact Posto is the only place in the area with pizza closely resembling decent pizza in a place like Chicago, NYC or Boston