The Plum Tomato, about a one-minute drive down the street from the Suncoast Primate Sanctuary (if you’re sightseeing in the area), has a very attractive, colorful outside sign. For me, that was the best thing it had going for it. I’d have been better off making the 10-minute drive to Tarpon Springs for some authentic Greek food.
The pizza was spectacularly adequate. Even that would’ve been sufficient if not for the rest of my experience.
When a place says it opens at 11:00, I sort of expect it to be ready for business. I don’t expect to be a part of the prep work: a woman cleaning stuff behind the bar in the middle of the dining area and refilling large bottles that looked like they belonged in the kitchen. Shouldn’t that already be done?
I also think a discussion with a deliveryman over a shorted bread order should probably happen somewhere other than the dining room. Once he left, she engaged another employee in a discussion about inaccurate receipts, missing orders and what should be done about it – nothing I needed to hear. I kept my head buried in the menu.
When she came over to take my order, I asked if the small pizza was too much for one person. She said I’d probably have a slice or two left over. While I debated about leftovers (I hate leftovers), the employee she’d just been talking to said, “There’s also pizza by the slice.” Then he turned and left.
I waited a beat for her to fill me in. Silence. Finally, I glanced up and said, “Really?” The expressionless response was, “Mm hmm.” She stood, pencil poised over the pad and stared back at me. No mention of prices, what kind of pizza – nothing.
It’s funny the thoughts that whiz through your mind in the silence:
- Was she irritated he’d told me there was a special?
- Was it only for locals?
- Was she mad that I was taking too long when she was clearly busy?
- Was the plan to make the outsider pay more because, who cared, she’d never see me again anyway?
- If you don’t inquire about a special you’re not entitled to know about it?
I ordered the pizza and let it go.
While I waited, a couple had taken a booth in front of me and told her they would be joined by another of the establishment’s employees who was off that day. She gave them a moment or two then returned to take their order. The man inquired about a lunch special. She said, “Yes, it’s two slices of pizza and a drink.” Are you kidding me?
I never figured out the problem. I chalked it up to a dislike of outsiders in a close-knit, small community. But what I did figure out is that the experience was uncomfortable and uncalled for and I won’t be back.
- 1988 Alternate 19 South, Tarpon Springs
- Tuesday-Saturday 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM / Sunday 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM / Closed Monday
- 727-944-3330
- plumpizza.com
Lisa Browder 
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