norm's wayside

If you go to Norms, don't expect to be treated as a paying customer. Especially if you are just passing through. If you aren't a regular, you will be treated like trash.

I agree with other reviewers that the pizza is very good. However I don't have to travel far to find better (Godfathers or Jimmy's in Becker). We were here at 4:00 pm on a Friday. The clientele was young, loud, and proud. Lots of redbull drinks. It seemed like a college croud. The wait staff was average. Beer selection of 21 can be judged by your taste...I had two "craft beer" standards Surley Furious and torpedo IPA. The restrooms were funky. Standing room only when we left. Overall I was not impressed.

Having eaten here in the past while visiting family, and loving the food, I called to buy a gift certificate for Christmas for the family that lives in Buffalo. I live out of state. When I called and asked if they sold gift certificates, the lady that answered said, "yeah, we do." Then when I asked if they could send a gift certificate to me if I bought one, she said, "no, we don't do that." I guess I'm just really disappointed in this lack of customer service since that is what I was set on getting them for a gift, and I've made this same kind of transaction many times at many places, and have never been told, "no, we don't do that." That being said, the food is still really good.

Norm's has an excellent Deep Dish Pizza! The place has a country/motorcycle/old time wayside bar feel to it, they have several pool tables, soft point dart boards, and some video games for the kids. They also have a large outside deck out back as smoking isn't allowed inside. The other food on the menu is also very good and well portioned.

We went with the kids and grandparents, ordered a large detroit style pizza and it was more than enough for the 4 adults. Very good and filling (and good the next day). Good sized kids meals as well and good value too. That night we had pizza, kids meals, pop for the kids and a pitcher of beer for the adults for $60. Detroit style pizza is really thick, maybe baked in a lasagna pan.

So, I'm not sure what happened with the other reviewer, but I'm thinking it was a one time thing and something went horribly wrong. We have eaten here many times over the years, either just my husband and myself, in small groups or large groups and have NEVER experienced any kind of problem. All of the wait staff are very friendly. The owner has always been friendly to us and anyone that I see him encounter. The food is delicious. I had never had Detroit style pizza before. Their Sunday breakfasts are great and VERY reasonable. The owner has done a fantastic job of turning this place around into a really "happening place" and cleaned up the interior. It's so nice inside, you can tell that they care. It's also a great place to get together with friends for a beer and watch a game. It is nicely set up in a way that you could bring the family in for pizza on a Friday night and you're not going to be part of the after work crowd that is up at the bar - and that is the fun place to be :-)

The food is good, the staff is nice ... but the owner should not be in the service industry. We were with a large group who had made prior arrangements with the manager, booking the back room for a birthday party in advance. My friend had spent a great deal of time planning this party for his wife (one of the sweetest people I know). Right from the start, the owner made us feel very uncomfortable, unwelcome and couldn't believe he was angry at us for ordering food? The manager said he is not a people person - well, that is an understatement. I just can't recommend this place due to the bad behavior of the owner and hostile atmosphere.