Donato's

Came here for my sister's going away dinner, had a large party (15+). Waitress was prompt and accommodating. We ordered a large pizza for the kids, we had a total of 10 different entrees, every one came out looking amazing. They also have a bar with a good selection of beers on tap. Will be returning here for dinner dates with friends.

Bought a couple of pizzas from Donato’s Family Italian Restaurant in Alpine, CA. While I was waiting for my pizza, I wandered into the bar where there is a window. The young man in the back who was preparing food wasn’t wearing a hair net, according to CA HSC subsection 113969. Interestingly enough, guess what I found as I bit into a piece of my pizza? That’s right, a HAIR. I immediately called to advise them; they offered to make me a new one, and I said just refund my money. Then I said, since I have to come back and get a new pizza, and wait for it to be ready, I should be refunded for that pizza. When I get back to the restaurant, I told the lady at the front that I still want a refund and want to speak to the owner. I reminded her that the young man, who she said wasn’t there and she didn’t know where he was, that they were in violation of a HSC. She said the owner wasn’t here, but I could see an elderly gentleman in the back with a baseball cap on and no mask, preparing food. He seemed irate, from his body language and gestures, when he spoke to her. She came back and said he’s really busy, but then changed her story and said he was a chef. Right. I told her again, I should get a refund for the pizza they are making over. She went into the back again, and I could tell he was getting even more irate with her. So I walked over to the window in the bar that is directly open to the kitchen. As I’m addressing the owner, who is being really rude to me, refusing to refund my money, guess who shows up? The dude without the hair net. So I ignore the owner and speak directly to the young guy, asking him why he’s not wearing a hairnet when preparing food. Then owner pipes in, calling me “lady” several times, asking me what more do I want? I said I should get a refund for the pizza with DNA in it, and he responds that he’s making me another pizza. So I asked him how long before the pizza without the DNA is ready. That pushed him over the edge, and he told me fine, I’ll refund the whole thing “lady” and we can be done with it. I said great. As the lady was refunding my money, I said I’d be contacting BBB and putting this on social media with the pictures I took. So here you go. @Donato’sFamilyRestaurant. The owner is a jerk. I ended up getting a full refund for both pizzas and cookies I bought, but I shouldn’t have had to work so hard for it. That’s on the owner. The pizza was tasty until a hair showed up. I’ll be posting a Yelp and Google review as well. You will never have my business again. I wish I could give no stars. Bon Appetite!