Beefburger Deluxe
Empire Pizza House

Empire Pizza House

861 New Britain Ave, Hartford, Connecticut, 6106, United States

Pizza • Cheese • Italian • American


"If you're in the mood for pizza, you'll likely be satisfied with what they serve. The recipe hasn't changed much since my childhood, and honestly, it doesn't need to. I consistently find the pizza delightful, whether I'm enjoying it with my family on a Saturday night or ordering for a large gathering. They offer a good selection of toppings, and the pizza strikes the perfect balance of tomato and cheese, with a crust that's just right. That said, I will mention that there can be some inconsistency from time to time. I attribute this to new cooks or the rush during busy periods. Occasionally, you might find there’s more sauce than cheese, the crust might be overcooked and too hard, or the pepperoni might be sparse. While I’ve noticed these issues over the years, they’re not frequent enough for me to ask for a refund, and they don't seriously shake my confidence in the restaurant. On the flip side, I have two major complaints. First, the other menu items aren't very appealing. I’ve tried the wings, burgers, salads, hot dogs, tenders, and so on, and I can’t say I’ve ever been satisfied with them. They often lack flavor, aren’t cooked properly, or the portion sizes are far too small for the price. For instance, every time I’ve ordered wings, they've been overcooked with way too much flour and hardly any sauce. The side of sauce provided is insufficient for the quantity you receive. My advice? Stick to the pizza and drinks and get the other items from somewhere else. My second major issue has been with the delivery drivers. Take my comments with a grain of salt, as it's been years since I ordered delivery; it's now more economical for me to pick up the food myself. If you opt for delivery, be prepared to wait 2-3 hours for your food, especially during busy weekend evenings. I’ve also experienced aggressive drivers and received food in poor condition, or in some cases, the driver didn’t deliver despite having my complete address. I’m not sure if Empire still employs those drivers, but it’s been a problem for me and others in the past. Overall, I love Empire and their pizza, and I hope they can enhance their food quality and options over time."

Mikes Coffee Shop

Mikes Coffee Shop

328 Dekalb Ave, 11205, Brooklyn, United States

Coffee • Diners • American • Vegetarian Friendly


"Disappointed is an understatement…I loved mikes for its classic no frills atmosphere and delicious food at an affordable cost. My parents fell in love over their griddle cakes and continued to rave about this place throughout their many decades of marriage. So naturally, of course, I fell in love with the place as well. I continued to patronize Mike’s even throughout the heart of the pandemic because the food was THAT good! I recommended this place to countless friends and family members visiting the city or venturing to clinton hill for the first time. They all had nothing but glowing reviews of this adorable, cozy diner. Vacations, birthdays, holidays, even funerals, you name it, everyone in my family loved eating at Mikes!Unfortunately, today I ordered a takeout cheeseburger that came with the added luxury of a MOLDED hamburger bun. I have patronized this spot more than a few dozen times under the old owner and I have never been served something like this. The bun was so moldy that I find it hard to believe that the cooks did not notice it, especially since it was not busy. I noticed the mold within 3 minutes of opening the box… I also worry about how many other burgers were served today from the same moldy package of buns that I almost had the pleasure to enjoy. I understand that mistakes happen but the level of mold on this bun is completely unacceptable. Mold to this degree takes more than just 2 weeks to develop. I was so disgusted that I couldn't even bring myself to take a picture of the top bun without gagging. It saddens me to say that my family, friends and I won’t be patronizing this establishment anymore. Mold is incredibly dangerous and with some types, it can even be fatal. I am beyond disappointed…. This is how you lose loyal customers."