To hate pizza express and prezzo

[franktheskank]

I've been to both a few times and recently went to pizza express for lunch after not going for a while and it was crap as always.

I don't always choose to go if you're wondering why I keep going back just get dragged along there sometimes and think maybe if I just try something different I'll find something nice I might like it, but every time it's just boring and bland badly cooked food.

I don't understand the hype? And I do like Italian food there's a small Italian in my town but it's only open in the evenings hence why I didn't go there.

Aibu?

(And if I get dragged into there again what should I try next )

Pizza Express pizza is ok, pizza isn't that hard to fuck up. The pasta dishes are rank though.
I hate the hunting around for a voucher to make it feel like less of a rip off for one. We haven't been for a while now and I don't miss it.

OriginalGeordie 😀 I was wondering if it was Jamie!

Bloody love Pizza Express.

I'm not keen, although I prefer Prezzo to Zizzis.

We used to have 2 really good independent Italian restaurants in town, but they couldn't compete on price. We now have Pizza Express, Prezzo, Aqua Italia, Ask and Si Italian. None of them are a patch on the 2 restaurants that closed down.

OriginalGeordie

I don't see why Pizza Express is being suggested as a better alternative to Jamie's Italian on that thread. Pizza Express is a pizza place that does a handful of pasta dishes. I wouldn't think of it as an Italian restaurant.

In my experience, Lakie, independents are cheaper than any of the chains, especially for drinks, even when vouchers are used at the latter, and better food and service.

Do you want convincing that you should like it, or are you hoping to meet like-minded people here? Or are you wanting to wow strangers on the internet with your refined palate that doesn't tally with hoi polloi tastes?

You keep eating food you're not keen on -
pack it in.

I like Prezzo, kids will reliably eat the food and often for a £1. Staff friendly and pizzas are nice. Never been to PE as not one locally

OriginalGeordie

I think the food in both is really really good, but the atmosphere is awful, particularly in Prezzo, and I say this having tried both restaurants in a huge array of locations. The mozzarella garlic bread at Pizza Express makes it all worth while, and the fact that you can get discount vouchers. They are both way way better than the overpriced, characterless, pretentious Cote.

I like PE's food, but yes to the acoustics - I sat through a terrible dinner in there years ago with baby ds1 (it was some kind of event so couldn't leave). It was so noisy I was surprised they didn't issue the staff with ear defenders on H&S grounds. Ds1 didn't like it much either.

Love Pizza Express! they are great with allergies and you can always get a two for one deal or use a taste card. The restaurants are clean, service is good and the food tastes nice. Whats not to like?

I quite like them both.

Ask on the other hand is absolute crap.

Agree with the posters who said Pizza Express is too loud/echoey. We've asked to move tables before as we were put right next to the cooking area and the frequent clattering of crockery was ridiculous. You can't have a conversation at normal volume. Also the pasta dishes take forever. I avoid going if at all possible.

Prezzo is ok - no real atmosphere and service can be slow but the food is not bad and caters for a wide variety of tastes so we end up going for work meals a lot.

I've never been to Prezzo, it doesn't appeal for some reason. There isn't one in town and whenever we've been somewhere with one there's been better choices.

If it wasn't for DH and the kids I would never go to a pizza place, I get sick of eating a whole one. I'd rather go somewhere that does a variety of dishes.

In Manchester we have Croma which is much better than both.

The thing about pizza express is that it is always exactly the same, which is to say, ok. Not exciting, but not bad. I think they have incredibly strict rules about size of pizza bases, number of olives etc, that their chefs have to follow exactly.
It just means you can guarantee an acceptable meal, which can be a godsend, especially with small children.

I had pizza express far far too many times when they first started doing vouchers for 2 for 1 etc. Can't face it anymore.

Prezzo is ok.

OP, I think comparing a pizza chain with a small, local Italian restaurant that is only open in the evenings is pointless. They have completely different clientele.

I agree Pizza Express can be noisy but I would never go there for a quiet meal with DH. It’s a family place.

I can't stand any of the chain restaurants. I don't think they are that cheap either. Have ate in a few, usually on a do and always thought the food was very bland.
Not bragging about my tastes either. I just find the food bland and tasteless and don't get why they are always packed.
Bella Italia is another one.

Everyone has different tastes, the ones I've been to have been great, they are what they are. If you're looking for something quiet and intimate it's not these, but we've had many a fun evening in both.

I’m old enough to remember when pizza express was trendy and was a great alternative to mediocre local places. In fact I’m old enough to remember pizza being new and hard to get!

When you are somewhere you don’t know you st least know what you’ll get. Which with small hungry kids and a hangry partner...

And it’s ok, pizza is usually overpriced...

Sour grapes Jamie?

I think people would soon be complaining if families stopped going to chains and started piling into their lovely independent restaurants instead!

I used to do mystery visits to Prezzo - the menu was the same in all of the branches but the variation in quality was amazing. Some were really good, hot, well presented tasty food - others were dire!!!

Overpriced for food which is made on an industrial estate, frozen and reassembled by staff in stripey tee shirts, probably on minimum wage. None of their food is made fresh at the restaurant any more. That said, I do still eat it....