We generally order take-out pizza once a week, and to be fair, Fireside is not our regular pizzeria. We have, however, eaten there 4 or 5 times in the past two years but now I'm sorry that I gave Fireside even that much business.\r
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Last Saturday (9/26/09), our usual pizzeria was closed so my wife placed a take-out order with Fireside. What she did not know (but I did) was that Fireside offered an ""everyday special"" where you ""buy 2 pizzas, get a third one free."" I knew this because whenever I called in orders in the past, the employees taking the order (who are all very friendly and helpful) each time volunteered that I could get a 3rd pizza free. When my wife placed our order this past Saturday, however, the owner himself apparently answered the phone and did not volunteer that the ""special"" existed. She called to tell me where to pick it up (I was out working) and I got to Fireside before the order was ready. The owner was manning the downstairs bar so I paid and sat down to wait. When he came out of the kitchen with 2 boxes, I said ""Oh, did you stop your 3 for the price of 2?"" He said ""Well, she didn't mention it. (meaning my wife) Sorry about that."" Then he picked up the phone and made a phone call, clearly indicating the conversation was over.\r
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This still wouldn't have been too bad if the pizzas were the typical 17 inch diameter ones you get at most places, but Fireside serves a smaller 13 inch diameter. So I paid $31 for a medium size extra cheese and a medium size sausage & pepper. The pizza is ok (not great) but on this particular night it left a bitter aftertaste. For 30 bucks, you'll do WAY better at Pizza Buono off Union St. But if you insist on doing take-out from Fireside, make sure you ask about the ""special"" (3 medium sized pizzas for $30 is reasonable) because if you don't ask, this guy will stiff you if he can.
Pros: reasonably priced if you ask about the ""specials""
Cons: overpriced if you don't ask about the ""specials""
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