Domino's Pizza

After a hectic day of running around from the break of day, I was more than ready to get food for dinner and be done with the last of my being out and about.  I swung by the house to drop the two younger children off and went to our local Domino's pizza place with my oldest daughter. Her birthday party is tomorrow, so we have been busy getting everything done for that today. I'm not sure if this is normal or not, but I noticed that most of the immediate parking in front of the store was taken up by the delivery drivers.  It did not bother me, but I did think about how the front two spots (especially at night) should be open to anyone picking up for a carry out order.  Upon stepping up to the front door, we were greeted by a yummy sign for the chocolate lava crunch cakes

We were also greeted by someone at the front counter and I let them know that we were in to order for carry out.  I looked at the front counters that had pizza information and pictures on the front for a minute or two and then asked the guy what he would suggest since we wanted to get something different besides our normal.  He was very helpful.  He listed off some specials and then directed us to the specialty pizzas (yum!) and we decided to try out the Honolulu Hawaiian for the first time. However, I wanted it without peppers.

The guy told me that it would be about a 10 minute wait and so we took a seat on the red bench that was to the right of the door when you enter the store.  The bench was very uncomfortable to me, even for a 10 minute stretch, so we moved to the 2 red chairs to the left of the benches on another wall. The chairs were more comfortable than the bench, but again, not something I want to sit in for a long stretch. When we sat down in the chairs and looked around more, I noticed how bare the walls were.  There was nothing up on the walls in the front at all. I feel that if they had big pictures of pizza or something, that it would feel more inviting and "warm". This is our view from sitting in the two red chairs (the entrance door is to the right, the counter is to the left and the uncomfortable bench in front of us). Oh, I almost forgot..when looking at the following pic, there is actually some kind of recessed picture (of pizza I think) in the wall to the left, but you would have to walk over there to get a look at it.



I took a few pictures of the front counter and the items on top of it. Looking at the pic with the plain wall behind the counter, you can tell how bland (and somewhat cold?) it makes it feel. Some pizza pictures or perhaps the sandwiches or the yummy chocolate crunch would warm it up a lot. The front area was tiny, but the unused space (in the pic above) to the right of the door is kind of odd. 

I was surprised that there was not a large soda machine inside. Instead there was a small soda display holding a few (warm) sodas on top of the counter to the left side. You can not really see it in this pic, but there is also a chip display on the floor behind the counter.

I was so delighted when the pizza indeed was ready in about 10 minutes. Unfortunately, it had peppers on it, so they had to re-make it. It wasn't a huge deal since I did not have somewhere to be right afterwards, but it did cross my mind how sometimes I pick up pizza before a baseball practice or game and that would have totally made me late. We waited on our pizza for a total of about 30 minutes. The guy was so polite and apologized several times.  But, I had expected to only be in there the 10 minutes he said it was going to take.

Overall, the environment and vibe was nice and professional (except the bland walls).  I observed the crew working in the back and they worked so smoothly together.  They spoke in very professional and respecful voices and tone to each other and were all busy doing something at all times.  Someone even came to the front and asked if we had been helped after we had been sitting for more than 10+ minutes. I liked how someone else noticed and wanted to make sure and check on us.

Once the pizza was ready, the guy opened the box and the mouth watering smell whooshed out and made both my daughter and I smile. It looked and smelled great! Off we headed back home to get dinner underway.  Once we arrived and I opened the box to the "new" pizza I have never ordered before, all the 'ooooooohs and ahhhhhhhs' started flowing from the children. The large pizza was gone within a matter of minutes (between 3 kids). My youngest daughter kept talking about the wonderful crust (and she usually leaves the crust behind). It was made to perfection according to my crew!

When comparing the experience of walking up and ordering with another pizza place I have ordered from, the service at Dominos was more friendly.  The other chain I sometimes order from seem to be a bit "robotic".  I felt that they guy behind the counter was engaged in helping me make a new selection and was not the least bit annoyed by all of my questions. I often like delivery better though because I can do other things around the house while I wait.  If I do a carry out, I prefer calling ahead.  I didn't enjoy having to wait longer for a second pizza to be made.  But, I know mistakes happen so I was not upset at all.  A big thumbs up for the Honolulu Hawaiian pizza comes from our house tonight. I'm so glad that they guy suggested it. I view the brand of Dominos as a no frills, get the point type of business that thrives on and delivers good customer service and tasty pizza. It totally works for busy moms like me who are running around with no time to spare and need a quick meal in no time for 3 hungry children.