Comments on: Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza Starts Delivery Tuesday

By: michael@petesapizza.com

michael@petesapizza.com — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:29:13 +0000

Re: comments on pricing

While Pete’s has a minimum order of $20 for delivery, we should note that the menu contains much more than pizza. We have pasta dishes starting at $7.95, panini starting at $8.00, salads starting at $3.95. And, SLICES for $2.50 to $3.25 each. So a customer can put together a meal of a couple slices, a salad and a bottled soda, and still come up short of $20. It’s one of our challenges as a pizza restaurant: getting customers to venture off the pizza menu and try some of the other dishes.

Also, since we are first and foremost a restaurant, home delivery is an added service above and beyond the price of food and drink. There are substantial costs to adding this service for our customers, including insurance, driver wages, fuel, management, etc. Plus, (hopefully!!!) the cost of a new POS software system that will allow us to accept orders online. We’re hoping to upgrade that, but are not ready yet. This is the reason for the surcharge. Domino’s and Pizza Hut both charge for delivery as well.

Thanks for all the comments and feedback. We’re working to make sure this system rolls out smoothly. Sure hope it goes well this weekend… Fingers crossed.

Mike W.
Pete’s

By: michael@petesapizza.com

michael@petesapizza.com — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:19:42 +0000

Hey y’all. Thanks for the kind words. We started sloooooowwwwwly on day 1 (Tuesday), but picked up considerably yesterday. The owners (Joel and Tom) were running deliveries when the two drivers were out on deliveries, so everyone is pitching in. I have the feeling it’s going to be hectic tonight through the weekend.

We have created an initial delivery area that, like Columbia Heights itself, has a north-south orientation along 14th Street, mainly for logistical reasons.

We want more than anything to be able to deliver to Mount Pleasant — we have gotten many requests in-store, this week and for months up to this point, from Mount Pleasant customers.

However, before we get the system worked out, we’re trying to make the area logistically as easy as possible. At this point everything is a trial. The problem with going west is that we have major construction along Park Road, the main westerly road, and Columbia Road, the other main westerly, is carrying most of the overflow. 16th is really tough to get across without getting stuck on the way over, or on the way back. If we lose a driver for a half hour delivering one pizza, and we get two or three more orders in the meantime, no one is happy. So, getting to you is really tough right now. And it’s only our first week of delivery. The other problem is, of course, getting back to 14th and Irving. Also congested. Ever sit on Monroe for 3 light cycles? I have.

So, we’re going to make sure we get the hang of things first, then move permanently into Mount Pleasant and Petworth. We have to see how it goes the first weekend (or two) before committing to a permanent boundary change.

Believe us, Mount Pleasant, we know you’re out there. We’re NOT leaving you out because “Radius has Mount Pleasant covered.” You need the choice!

And, believe us, Petworth, we know you’re out there (Alicia and Joel, co-owners, live in Petworth).

Watch the website for the latest updates. http://bit.ly/KBtFD

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:21:01 +0000

I read the link, and only mentions extending boundaries more into Petworth; no mention made of Mt. P. They are losing money.

By: CH Dweller

CH Dweller — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:16:39 +0000

I think it’s wonderfully ironic that restaurants previously refused to deliver EAST of 16th Street and Pete’s delineates its delivery boundry not to go WEST of 16th Street…

Good on you Pete’s….

That being said, I’d include Mt. Pleasaaant

By: GforGood

GforGood — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 01:31:48 +0000

Man, as nice as this is, I still have to wonder how on earth are they going to handle the increased demand when getting a pie at their location now sometimes takes its sweeeeeeet time?!?

By: Sue

Sue — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:21:43 +0000

If you read the link, they plan to add Mt. P eventually. I think they wanted to limit the numbers and complexity while they work out the kinks.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:38:13 +0000

OK, chalk me up as another Mt. P resident who wants the boundary moved. I don’t get why they wouldn’t do that? Makes no sense to me. Lots of people live in Mt. P with plenty of money to spend on $25 pies.

By: pru

pru — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:26:04 +0000

I second RD’s question: what is the expected tip if there’s a $3 delivery charge?
I also second Anon 10:12: when you go there for a glass of wine and two slices, al fresco, for $12, it really doesn’t feel as expensive as a $25 pie with a $3 delivery charge. But I will order one tonight anyway. And I hope there’ll be something to watch on TV other than MJ’s funeral.

By: Dboe

Dboe — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:20:50 +0000

I’m with Anon 9:52. Mt. Pleasant wants some Pete’s love! I prefer Pete’s to Radius, as do a lot of my neighbors. I hope they extend the boundary to include at least part of MTP.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:12:51 +0000

Awesome on extending the boundary, but I had no idea how expensive their pizza is! That’s more expensive than Red Rock, Radius, Moroni Bros. or anywhere else!