Once upon time, back when I was a boy, Sorrento's was one of the best pizza shops in the borough. No lie. Despite stiff competition from places like Broadway Pizza & Pasta, Goodfella's Pizza, Sammy's Pizza, Sorrento's managed to hold their own as one of the finest Mom & Pop pizza shops in the kingsbridge/riverdale area. Hell, it wasn't uncommon to see the tables filled with people from kids wanting an afternoon meal to working class singles sitting down, and to see these people not only eat their meal, but stay to enjoy the company of their friends and family, as well as the staff there, who would play anything from movies to local sports on their TV.
That was a different time, though.
Now-a-days, things are different at Sorrento's. The infrastructure is still pretty much the same way its been for the past 15 years or so, but crowds it once drew in have dissipated. You may still see people in their from time to time, but compared to how consistently full the place was, you'd be hard pressed to find it drawing in the crowds it used to, and you should honestly not be surprised if you see the staff their now, their pizza shop mostly empty and the staff kinda just loafing around waiting for something to do.
While part of this certainly is due to the proliferation of chain pizzarias offering specials and discounts most mom & pop shops can't, truth be told, Sorrento's loss of customers is mostly their own fault. A change of hands in owner ship, as well as a down sized staff and obvious cutbacks in quality ingredients has resulted in dishes that are a shadow of what used to be offered at the restaurant. Sure, it's still okay food, but compared to what it was in the 90s/early 00s, its gone very down hill. To say I dislike Sorrento's now wouldn't be fair. I still order from them on rare occasion, but when you eat one of their mainstays like the classic chicken, portabella and sundried hero they're known for in the neighborhood, you can't help but feel disappointment in each bite. The chicken used to be thicker, breaded, and seasoned well. the veggies were sauteed and the bread was always toasted, and hell, even smeared with garlic and olive oil if requested. But not anymore. Now that sandwich just tastes like sadness and regret, much like the aura the once proud seems to have enveloped itself in.
TL;DR: 3/5. Okay food, but a sad shadow of it's former self.
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