Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
oChef » Papa Johns – Seattle
Papa Johns - Seattle
Photo from Papa Johns
Papa Johns at a glance
Seattle University Park
- 🍕 Pizzeria
€€
Price per Person 21 – 30 €
mentioned by 40 of the guests
#848 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#41 Pizzeria out of 43 in Seattle
Poor
3.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
277
Reviews
26.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Helpful staff
- Good pizza
- Affordable deals
Frequently criticized
- Poor service
- Long waits
- Wrong orders
The restaurant Papa Johns is a popular Pizzeria located in the vibrant University Park neighborhood of Seattle. If you’re craving delicious pizza, this spot offers a casual and quiet atmosphere perfect for a relaxed meal.
You’ll appreciate the convenience of late-night food options, making it an ideal choice for those evening cravings. Whether you’re dining in or grabbing a quick takeout, you’ll find a welcoming experience.
Overview: Introducting Papa Johns
Papa Johns often sees its staff praised for being helpful and quick, especially when navigating online orders or busy periods. Customers appreciate the effort put into their food, with many finding the pizza to be quite satisfying and made with fresh ingredients.
However, experiences can be inconsistent, with significant concerns around customer service and waiting time. Some encounters involve rude managers and issues with order accuracy, which can detract from the overall experience, despite some positive remarks about delivery drivers.
Poor
3.5
out of 10
277
Reviews
26.4%
Satisfaction
194
negative
10
neutral
73
positive
Papa Johns registers a Restaurant Score of 3.5, placing it in the poor category, and Customer Satisfaction is also low at 26.4%. This indicates a general struggle to consistently meet customer expectations, a sentiment echoed across 277 customer opinions, with 73 positive remarks against 194 negative ones.
Digging deeper, Food (3.9) and Service (3) both fall into the poor range, suggesting these are key areas needing attention. While Ambience (4.7) and Value (5.2) fare slightly better, landing in the average category, they don’t significantly uplift the overall perception.
What people like
- Helpful, quick staff
- Satisfying pizza options
- Affordable online specials
What people don't like
- Inconsistent customer service
- Significant waiting times
- Order accuracy issues
With a Recommendation Score of 3.6, Papa Johns presents a mixed picture. While some customers find value in their offerings and appreciate the staff, the overall experience is often hampered by significant operational challenges.
If you prioritize affordability and specific pizza options, and are prepared for potential service hiccups or delays, it might be worth a try. However, for a consistently smooth and reliable experience, you might want to explore other options.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Papa Johns
Food (3.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 76% of the guests
When it comes to the food, some diners have found things to love, with 29 positive comments among the 97 total. Many rave about the excellent pies full of toppings and the unique barbecue pineapple pizza. The use of fresh ingredients and the availability of other menu options beyond pizza also earned praise.
However, the overall sentiment for food is quite low, reflected in a score of just 3.9 and a poor customer satisfaction of 29.9%. A significant 62 negative remarks point to issues like wet and doughy pizza, missing sauces, and a general poor quality of food, with some even mentioning burnt dessert bites.
Food
97
Reviews
29%
Satisfaction
62
negative
6
neutral
29
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent pies
- Fresh ingredients
- Varied menu options
What people don't like
- Poor food quality
- Soggy/raw dough
- Missing items
Often praised
- pizzaBest tasting pizza from a pizza chain I've had so far
- foodfood receiving a perfect score
- Pasta Bowl Fan FavoritePasta Bowl Fan Favorite 😍
- THE WORKS pizzaTHE WORKS pizza... is on point EVERY SINGLE TIME
- barbecue pineapple pizzaTheir barbecue pineapple pizza is da bomb dot com
- cookie doughMy experience at this restaurant was centered around their affordable take and bake pizza, which impressed me with its use of fresh ingredients. Beyond pizza, they also offer fresh salads, cookie dough, and soda, providing a good variety of options.
- festive pieGreat place for a quick festive pie 🎃🧡🍕
- fresh ingredientsuses fresh ingredients
- fresh saladsfresh Salads
- frozen pizzasFrozen pizzas from Safeway taste better
Frequently criticized
- pizzaWhen it didn't arrive, I tried to call, but they never answered. I decided to go there in person, only to find the pizza was cold. The workers' attitude was pathetic, and I suggested they needed training in public relations.
- foodI have ordered from this store twice, and both times had a horrible experience. Last time, the food was an hour late. This time, we were at the Seattle Children's Emergency Room and ordered parmesan breadsticks and cheesesticks with 2 extra pizza sauces, and asked for plates and napkins.
- XL pizzaordered an XL pizza and apparently that's not what they gave us
- black olivesMy experience was disappointing as I ordered a normal pizza with banana pepper & garlic sauce on the side. However, I received a thin crust pizza with black olives and no garlic sauce, despite the stickers on the box being accurate. This was my first time ordering from them, and the place wasn't even busy according to Google.
- cheeseDidn't seem like it
- cheese stickordered a 12 inches cheese stick
- cheese sticksMy experience was marked by poor delivery. I didn’t receive my cheese sticks and have not received a refund after inquiring about it. Additionally, the website glitches every time I tried to leave feedback.
- cheesesticksand cheesesticks
- chicken wingsa 32 pieces chicken wings
- crustThe crust was overcooked on the bottom and undercooked on top
If you're looking for a quick, adventurous pie like their barbecue pineapple, you might find something to enjoy. However, with a low score and satisfaction, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in quality, especially regarding dough and missing items.
Service (3 out of 10)
mentioned by 84% of the guests
It seems the service here is quite a mixed bag, leaning heavily towards the challenging side. While there are 29 positive remarks highlighting friendly staff, great customer service, kindness, and quick service speed, these bright spots are unfortunately overshadowed by a much larger volume of concerns. Indeed, with a score of 3 and customer satisfaction at a low 19.5%, the overall picture for service is poor.
A significant 117 negative comments point to issues like long waits, being left on hold, poor delivery experiences, and unprofessional worker attitudes, suggesting there's considerable room for improvement.
Service
149
Reviews
19%
Satisfaction
117
negative
3
neutral
29
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- Helpful customer service
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Rude staff attitude
- Unresponsive phone service
Often praised
- staffWe could only get the online special by ordering on our phone even though we were in store because we had an issue with the online ordering. The staff was extremely helpful since you cannot order no cheese on half the pizza online. He just had us order it normal and just verbally told him and he took care of it for us.
- serviceMy experience at the restaurant was great! The staff was really kind and quick. Even though they were super busy, they made sure our order was prepared fast.
- customer serviceHis customer service goes above and beyond
- Quality Guaranteemanager gave me the Quality Guarantee
- composureI understand what it's like to work through a rush while understaffed. These people were busting their butts to get everything out as fast as possible, and they were maintaining composure throughout the entire experience.
- delivery driverDelivery driver was amazing
- driversthey do keep it warm for the drivers
- effortmade by an employee that actually put forth effort
- employeesemployees seem communicative, coherent
- guyThe guy that made my pizza and cashiered was very nice
Frequently criticized
- managerI called back around 11: 35 PM and was on hold for 25 minutes with no one picking up. The next day, I called to complain, and the manager was extremely rude. They tried to make it sound like it was my fault because I complained last time as well, and stated they would not be crediting for the mistakes they made.
- serviceMy experience at Papa John's was extremely negative due to the terrible service. After I provided my name, I was repeatedly asked what I wanted to order without the staff introducing themselves.
- customer serviceEven trying to reach the manager proved futile as no one answered. This is an insane level of terrible store and customer service. I ended up taking my business to Domino's, where they answered the phone in under a minute.
- waiting timeI’ve been sick for a week after ordering from here. The manager threatened an Uber Eats driver who had been waiting close to 30 minutes after the order said it was completed. I also waited 30 minutes longer after the tracker said it completed.
- orderThey messed up my order at first
- staffMy experience at Papa John's was extremely negative due to the terrible service. After I provided my name, I was repeatedly asked what I wanted to order without the staff introducing themselves. Despite asking multiple times for the name of the person I was speaking with, they refused to provide it and ultimately hung up on me.
- deliveryPoor delivery
- on holdThe pizza tracker has indicated it's been preparing for the last two hours. I've been on hold for almost an hour at this point. I just want my pizza.
- phone callreceived no phone call from the store
- refundWouldn’t offer refund on order
If youre considering a visit, be prepared for a potentially frustrating service experience. While some customers praise the staffs kindness and efficiency, the overwhelming feedback suggests significant issues with wait times, phone service, and staff professionalism. It might be best to manage your expectations or explore other options if service is a top priority for you.
Ambience (4.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 18% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot has some definite upsides! Many guests appreciate the pleasant atmosphere and good location, especially those who love that its open till 12 for late-night visits. With 5 positive remarks out of 12 total comments, theres a clear appreciation for certain aspects of the vibe.
However, the overall experience is a bit of a mixed bag, with a customer satisfaction of 41.7% and an average score of 4.7. Several concerns were raised, particularly about the challenging parking, potential health code violations, and descriptions of it being a small, dirty place. These 6 negative observations suggest there's room for improvement in the environment.
Ambience
12
Reviews
41%
Satisfaction
6
negative
1
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Pleasant atmosphere
- Good location
- Open late
What people don't like
- Difficult parking
- Health code concerns
- Small, dirty place
Often praised
- atmospherethe atmosphere was pleasant
- locationlocation was good
- open till 12Open till 12 for us late night workers
Frequently criticized
- parkingThey were out of essential items like plates and cups, which is quite inconvenient. Additionally, there was no parking available, and a lot of people waiting. It seems they need more people working there to manage the flow and ensure basic supplies are available.
- health code violationsMy experience at this restaurant was concerning due to apparent health code violations. Upon arrival, I noticed both doors were wide open, which struck me as a potential health code issue.
- pizza shopThe pizza shop is not safe
- placeit was a very small, dirty place
- storeThe pizza isn't as good as it used to be. The staff seemed overwhelmed, as they were busy with people waiting in a very small store for their pizzas. Given this experience, I'm thinking it's time to check out all the other pizza joints in North Seattle.
If you're looking for a late-night spot with a decent vibe and good location, it might be worth a try. However, be prepared for potential parking hassles and a less-than-pristine environment, as the overall customer satisfaction is quite mixed.
Value (5.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 24% of the guests
When it comes to getting your moneys worth, this spot presents a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.2 indicating an average experience and customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 52.6%. Many folks appreciate the chance to snag an online special or lunch special, finding the prices affordable and often noting the good value and quality, especially compared to competitors. Out of 19 customer observations, 10 leaned positive, highlighting these smart ways to save.
However, the value proposition isnt always clear-cut, with 9 observations pointing to issues. Some customers felt they wasted money due to unexpected charges, problems with discount codes, or even being charged more than the normal menu price. There have been instances of confusion around pizza prices and difficulties getting a refund, suggesting that while deals exist, consistency can be a challenge.
Value
19
Reviews
52%
Satisfaction
9
negative
0
neutral
10
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable online specials
- Good lunch deals
- Better value/quality
What people don't like
- Inconsistent pricing
- Discount code issues
- Refund problems
Often praised
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was positive. I found the pizza to be decent for a fair price. They offer some interesting other menu options compared to typical pizza places.
- specialschecking out their specials, you can normally get what you want
- affordableAffordable take and bake pizza
- entire order freethey said they will give me my entire order free next time
- lunch specialawesome lunch special right now
- normal menu priceMy experience was centered around enjoying their great pizza. I definitely recommend ordering online and checking out their specials, as you can normally get what you want at half the normal menu price. My only issue with this particular store is that you cannot order online and pay cash at the store when you pick up your order.
- online specialHe just had us order it normal and just verbally told him and he took care of it for us. We saved almost $5 by ordering it online and not in store.
- value and qualityWay better value/quality than Domino's
Frequently criticized
- refundout refunding me they cancel the whole order
- charged $30Whoever was taking the calls seemed to be wasting time and not doing it correctly. I was almost charged $30 for a large pizza, which is an unacceptable error.
- discount codetried using a discount code but none of them would work
- moneydon't waste your money on this trash
- normal valueasked about the normal value of a large pizza he simply said he didn't know
- pizza pricesMy experience at this restaurant was marked by bad customer service. The employer charged me more than was supposed to because they didn’t know the prices of the pizzas. Additionally, the pizza I received was smaller than the size I asked for.
- value of the pizzacharged another value of the pizza we ordered
- waste of moneyComplete waste of money
If youre savvy and check for online specials or lunch deals, you might find some great value here. However, be cautious about pricing and discount codes, as some customers have faced unexpected charges and refund issues. Its worth a try if you're prepared to navigate their offers carefully.
How are the prices at Papa Johns?
You’re looking at roughly 28 per person – reported by 40 diners. That puts it in the 21 – 30 € category. For a Pizzeria, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average sits in the 21 – 30 € bracket, it’s interesting to see a good mix of prices. Many diners find options in the 11 – 20 € range, but there are also some higher-end choices available, showing a nice spread beyond just the average.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 40 reviews.
How this Pizzeria stacks up against similar spots in Seattle when it comes to value for money.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels pretty fair for a Pizzeria, especially considering the variety of price points available. It seems like you can find something to fit different budgets while still enjoying a quality meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Papa Johns
Price per Person
- 11 - 20 €
Service Intent
- Regular Visit
Visit Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Papa John's on a Roll!
I'm not sure what's changed, but this Papa John's has been on a heater for the past three months. I've been a customer for over 5 years and have often had to just bear it. However, in my last three orders since Labor Day, the pies have been excellent, full of toppings, and made with genuine effort – something I rarely see in Seattle now.
The employees also seem communicative, coherent, and not put off by customers, which is a refreshing change for current-day Seattle restaurant encounters. I hope this trend continues!
- pies9
- toppings9
- effort9
Service Intent
- Delivery
Visit Type
- Delivery
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
7
Long Wait for Delivery Correction
My recent experience involved forgetting to switch my order from carry out back to delivery. Once I realized the mistake, I tried to call the store to correct it. Unfortunately, I ended up being on hold for more than 30 minutes.
The food was excellent (rated 5/5), and the atmosphere was pleasant (rated 4/5), but the service experience was significantly impacted by the long hold time (rated 3/5).
- food10
- atmosphere8
- service3
- hold time2
Service Intent
- Delivery
Visit Type
- Delivery
1
Terrible Service, Hung Up On
My experience at Papa John's was extremely negative due to the terrible service. After I provided my name, I was repeatedly asked what I wanted to order without the staff introducing themselves. Despite asking multiple times for the name of the person I was speaking with, they refused to provide it and ultimately hung up on me.
I will not be ordering from Papa John's again; my money will go elsewhere.
- service1
- staff1
- name1
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Amazing Service During a Rush!
I understand what it's like to work through a rush while understaffed. These people were busting their butts to get everything out as fast as possible, and they were maintaining composure throughout the entire experience.
- staff10
- service speed10
- composure10
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Exceptional Service from Kenny!
My experience at this restaurant was made exceptional by the outstanding customer service provided by Kenny. He went above and beyond, and we are incredibly grateful for his efforts. Thank you, Kenny!
- customer service10
What Papa Johns offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Free Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Late-night food
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Quiet
FAQs
What parking and accessibility options are available at Papa Johns in University Park?
At Papa Johns, you’ll find free street parking and a free parking lot, though spaces can sometimes be difficult to find. The Pizzeria also ensures accessibility with a wheelchair accessible entrance and a wheelchair accessible parking lot for your convenience.
What dining and service options does Papa Johns in Seattle offer?
Papa Johns Pizza offers no-contact delivery, takeout, delivery, and dine-in service options. You can enjoy their delicious menu for lunch, dinner, or dessert. Additionally, you’ll find both Wi-Fi and free Wi-Fi available during your visit.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Papa Johns?
Papa Johns currently holds a Restaurant Score of 3.5 and a Customer Satisfaction of 26.4%, indicating a generally poor customer experience. Key areas like Service (3) and Food (3.9) are rated poorly, while Ambience (4.7) and Value (5.2) are considered average.
Are there any positive aspects of dining at Papa Johns?
Yes, many customers appreciate the helpful and quick staff, especially when dealing with online orders. The availability of online specials and generally affordable pricing are also frequently highlighted as positive points.
What are the main issues customers face at Papa Johns?
Common complaints include inconsistent customer service, long waiting times, and frequent order inaccuracies. Some customers also report issues with cold food and difficulty resolving refunds.