Personal Review :
14 March 1997
What Happened?
As noted in my first review below, our introductory experience with Guiseppe's,
and several visits since, were very favorable on the whole. Not so today.
Upon entering, the place was filled with cigarette smoke, so much so that we
seriously considered turning around and leaving. A real turn-off. But, we
went on in with a request to go to the back as far away as possible. Upon
entering we noticed that the crowd was sparse and there were many less tables
than there used to be. Admittedly they do seem to be remodeling, but the
changes are not favorable in our opinion for our old standby of a great and
cheap buffet lunch spot. In place of many of the tables were pool
tables and several new game machines, bar stools, etc. Clearly they are going
for a different atmosphere...and it would seem at a cost to their previously
crowded conditions. In general, the food was just as good as before although
there were some problems. The soup was greasy, the carrots for the salad bar
were
sliced but unpeeled (gross!), and plates were dirty. And of course, getting
to the food required running the smoke gauntlet...in this case from cigarettes
left burning in ashtrays on the counter by the waitresses. They also no longer
have the usual well presented menu; only a piece of paper with typed entries in
a plastic sheet holder. The buffet price is still a low $4.95, so if you're
willing to put up with all the rest, this may still be the place for you. You
won't have much company though. All in all, for us, it is very unlikely we'll
be returning to Guiseppe's for another meal. Too bad, it used to be a nice
respit for lunch.
14 May 1996
Guiseppe's is located in the same place previously occupied by PizzaPeal.
And while they have retained the same great lunch deal, the similar menu has
a number of even more interesting dishes. Guiseppe's predecessor was a big
Friday lunch-time favorite of the Space Telescope Science Institute and Hopkins
crowd, mainly due to the $4.95 all you can eat pizza, salad, soup buffet. We
at STScI are very glad the special deal is still available. The pizza wasn't
quite as good as before, but when it's pipping hot and ready for the grabbing,
it's not all that bad; still several varieties from which to chose (including
veggie pizzas...but still with the chees of course). The salad bar
is very good and goes well with the pizza. Two varieties of soup are always
available, Minnestrone and a Soup of the Day (The Potato Onion was really good,
the Chicken Noodle a bit greasy and salty). You pay extra for drinks, but can
easily get out for about $7 for lunch.
The only thing I didn't like, as always, is having to run the gauntlet of the smoking section to get to the food, or to your tables in the back. It can be overwhelming! Even in the back the smoke was at times offensive. Usually, the presence of a smoking section is enough to turn some of us away, never to return. Go early for lunch to avoid the crowd and the worst of the smoke.