Favorite Pizza in SoWal

If they served sodas in a can or bottle, people wouldn't be complaining about charging for seconds, so why do people complain when they serve it in a cup and charge for refills? If it is iced tea brewed 3 gallons at a time, the typical standard in the South is to not charge for refills. HOWEVER, if they are brewing tea one cup at a time with a little bag, like hot tea, it is standard to charge for seconds in the South. I'm not sure which they do.

If they served sodas in a can or bottle, people wouldn't be complaining about charging for seconds, so why do people complain when they serve it in a cup and charge for refills? If it is iced tea brewed 3 gallons at a time, the typical standard in the South is to not charge for refills. HOWEVER, if they are brewing tea one cup at a time with a little bag, like hot tea, it is standard to charge for seconds in the South. I'm not sure which they do.

They were serving the tea from a pitcher and the coke was in cans. I don't mind a buck for a can of soda but two is a little high. Refills on brewed tea is absurd.
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If they served sodas in a can or bottle, people wouldn't be complaining about charging for seconds, so why do people complain when they serve it in a cup and charge for refills? If it is iced tea brewed 3 gallons at a time, the typical standard in the South is to not charge for refills. HOWEVER, if they are brewing tea one cup at a time with a little bag, like hot tea, it is standard to charge for seconds in the South. I'm not sure which they do.

Because there is a huge difference in the price of cans and bottles Vs Syrup Costs..When you are charging 2.00 for a fountain Coke the Patron has to drink 20 of them before you lose money...that's why free refills are the norm....and don't even get me started on paying for Tea Refills....It is not possible for any Customer to drink 2.00 worth of Tea...It's about the cheapest stuff on Earth...In fact I have never been to anyplace that charges for tea refills so The Pickle Factory is just gouging the customer if they are actually doing that

So, it only matters when you know how much the seller is making? That is interesting. Why not just regulate the amount of coke you drink? Pouring 12 oz can of Coke into a 14 oz filled with ice would give you that refill which you get with fountain soda. Just switch to water after you finish that Coke, because no one needs more Coke than that anyway.

Soft drink syrup and tea (made with sugar) is relatively inexpensive compared to other costs in a restaurant, but contrary to popular belief, it is not a moneymaker. Unless you serve one cup (to go) or a glass or two (dine-in), it in fact is a losing proposition. As we all have seen and maybe done ourselves, there are people who can drink gallons of this stuff, and most the time the restaurant does't make much at all, if anything. Now add a shot of Jack, Crown, or rum, then you may clear a couple of bucks. I have always considered the offer of all you can eat, bottomless refills, etc. to be a courtesy and should be treated as such. Free refills is more of a tradition than a necessity. The bottom line, though, is have it written in plain sight on the menu, and have your employees versed in telling people the refill policy of the restaurant. A lot of people will not like it, you'll get some crazy reactions, and you'll probably lose some business. But whose restaurant is it anyway?

I've never been in a restaurant where they serve all you can drink Coke in the can. This is a first for me ever hearing anyone complain about not getting free cans of Coke.

But w/ a family of 4

that refill policy makes it a no go for me. I'm good for 3 teas, my wife 2, and my 2 kids 2 lemonades apiece. An extra 20 bucks for drinks? Why would I ever go there? Bummer, 'cause I was looking forward to trying their pizza......

Coke will come put a fountain in your place for free if you buy their product. You will make out a whole lot better. Having fountain drinks at Bud's Pizza Bar makes it possible for us to give free refill's.

I agree. One can't expect free refills with canned or bottled drinks. But it's different with fountain drinks or iced tea.

I will go talk to the guys Monday and report back what the policy is.

I've never been in a restaurant where they serve all you can drink Coke in the can. This is a first for me ever hearing anyone complain about not getting free cans of Coke.

SJ,

I'm certainly not complaining about no refills on canned drinks at all. I was pointing out that they charged two dollars a can for them. I know we pay the Seaside penalty when we go out to eat but that it a bit much. Especially since I just bought a case of Diet Dr. Pepper's for less than 7 bucks.

I have to run the concession stand at the SoWal football games durring the fall and I know what things cost. I'm not comparing that to running a full time business mind you, but I am saying that I understand mark up and I know when I fell ripped off.

Never the less, the Crab and Tomato pizza is awesome! When I get over my case of the red @ss, I'll go back and have some more.

CSully, do what I do. Order take-out. And 30ABandman, your case of diaper rash will soon be much better, the Crab and Tomato will cure what ails you.

I've never been in a restaurant where they serve all you can drink Coke in the can. This is a first for me ever hearing anyone complain about not getting free cans of Coke.

I never was referring to free refills on cans and bottles...just fountain drinks and tea....believe me as a former owner of several fast food franchises ;fountain drinks was one of our most profitable areas...Coke gives you the hardware for free and sets it up....than depending on the Corporate Annual Deal a Box of Syrup was between 30 and 40 Bucks...when you sell a large for around 2 bucks the profits added up quick on that...that's why the Corporate Coupon on buy one get one free on sandwiches always included the disclaimer with the purchase of a medium drink...the medium drink profit covered the food cost of the free sandwich.....as for places that still serve in cans or bottles I do NOT expect a free refill but I honestly can't rememeber the last time I went somewhere that served coke in cans

green knight, that all sounds fantastic, but there is only one problem with it, Pickle Factory sells cans of Coke, so if you want more Coke, buy another can.

I, too, have worked for a long time in the food and bev industry and can assure you that even ten years ago, Coke wouldn't dream of charging us as little as $30-40 for a bag of syrup, even though we went through tons of Coke products, and were receiving bulk discounts. Even with our discounts, we could still buy canned products cheaper at Sam's and have it delivered for $15 per delivery trip. (we sold fountain and canned bevs)

It is really simple, if you don't like the price of something, don't buy it. KFC and most other fast Not-Really Food places have been charging more than $1.40 for a small cup of soda filled with ice for ten years. I guarantee you there isn't close to 12 oz of product in those cups, and considering that most of their customers are drive thru, I guess they are ripping people off, too.

Personally, I hope that many people draw their line in the sand and won't come back to the pickle factory -- that way, it will be easier for me to get a seat when I'm hungry. It isn't called the Coke Factory. (I had friends stop by there the other day, and were craving pickles -- lol!)

By the way, if you cannot handle the 12 oz cans, don't go to my favorite oyster bar in Florida, where they serve 8oz bottles of Coke. You will have a heart attack.

Love the 8 oz. Cokes. Love the Pickle Factory. An update on refills...... for iced tea, The FIRST refill is free. Jeff explained they make small batches of fresh tea and it has only been of late, he had to put a policy in place about tea refills. No more confusion or hurt feelings.

SJ, the cost of the syrup is also dependent on the size of the box. A 3 gallon box averages 30-40 bucks and a 5 gallon box averages 50-60. When you get into certain specific types such as 7-UP and other independent companies the price goes up. It's almost impossible for a restaurant to loose on fountain drinks. That's why even the cheapest of restaurant owners will allow the employees to drink for free.

First of all, we had no idea that our first post on the Pickle Factory would get so much attention and I am a little sad that it has gotten negative attention. We want this place to stay around in the off season and for a very long time.

I still think that the Pickle Factory (PF) has hands up the best pizza in the geographical area (if you like thin crust.)

I remember back in the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom/ Operation Iraqi Freedom and the guys I worked with would not eat or drink anything that was from France, ie.....Brie/Bordeaux wine, etc. I then would not cut off my nose despite my face (I like what I like) and I will not now. I can adapt to most situations if the food is good and I like what they have. I will NOT adapt when the food is not great.

We don't normally drink ice tea. However, the issue did bothered us. The other day we debated and debated whether or not to go to the PF and our taste buds and hearts won out. It was excellent... I even give up my cocktails for the pizza! That says a lot.

I find it amazing that more people don't drink water.

I find it amazing that more people don't drink water.

THIEF! Well, you went and stole my post.

Sodas are FULL of calories that you suck down and soon forget. I'd rather use my calories on memorable food.

I can't wait to be introduced to this new pizza hang out!

I find it amazing that more people don't drink water.

Yeah. Anything that can clean the corrosion off of a car battery may not be so good for you.

I think the main problem for me with such a hefty refill price would be if it were not prominently displayed on the menu. Restaurants can charge whatever they want for whatever they want, in theory anyway (inappropriate prices will eventually catch up with them), but no one wants a SURPRISE when the bill comes.

I haven't seen the menu for The Pickle Factory, so I can't say if 30ABandman missed some bold print or fine print or if there wasn't any print at all telling him the price of refills.

One of our favorite Thai restaurants charges a $1 refill on all drinks except water. The menu reads: "Iced Tea $2 (refills $1)." That lets us know we can either drink a glass of tea and then switch to water, or go HOG WILD and spend another dollar on a second glass of tea...if its our anniversary or something. (From a practical standpoint, I do wonder at what point the cost of handling/washing the extra water glasses would outweigh the cost of simply giving the customer a free refill of tea or fountain soda.)

Anyway, this post won't stop me from trying The Pickle Factory (although we're addicted to The Pizza Bar). I might raise some eyebrows at the prices in Sowal, in general, but as long as the prices are displayed on the menu and I can order as an informed consumer, I can't complain.

First of all, we had no idea that our first post on the Pickle Factory would get so much attention and I am a little sad that it has gotten negative attention. We want this place to stay around in the off season and for a very long time.

I still think that the Pickle Factory (PF) has hands up the best pizza in the geographical area (if you like thin crust.)

I remember back in the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom/ Operation Iraqi Freedom and the guys I worked with would not eat or drink anything that was from France, ie.....Brie/Bordeaux wine, etc. I then would not cut off my nose despite my face (I like what I like) and I will not now. I can adapt to most situations if the food is good and I like what they have. I will NOT adapt when the food is not great.

We don't normally drink ice tea. However, the issue did bothered us. The other day we debated and debated whether or not to go to the PF and our taste buds and hearts won out. It was excellent... I even give up my cocktails for the pizza! That says a lot.

I believe the term is "Cut off your nose to spite you face".

http://www.sowal.com/bb/dining-food/29785-favorite-pizza-sowal.html - We'll start a new poll soon and include new places.

:aside: La Mercadito has mexican coke in a bottle. Made from sugar cane.

What this poster said.....Amore is great...I loved Gugleiamo's Pizza but unfortunately they closed the SoWal Location a few years ago....The Daughter runs Ciao Bella but I tend to avoid going to SSO at all costs...

Guglielmo's has re-inhabited the Santa Rosa Beach locaiton - Guglielmos Italian Grill ? Blog Archive ? Guglielmo’s Italian Grill & Pizza (Santa Rosa Beach, FL)

http://www.sowal.com/bb/dining-food/29785-favorite-pizza-sowal.html - We'll start a new poll soon and include new places.

:aside: La Mercadito has mexican coke in a bottle. Made from sugar cane.

We can get it here at Kroger, Thank you, SBJ for a location close by. Sometimes, there's just nothing like real Coke in a bottle!