Ali runs a NYC-style pizza shop in Melbourne… his ballsy response to one-star reviews
A pizza shop owner has hit back at unsatisfied customers leaving one-star reviews, posting his own no-nonsense and blunt messages.
Ali Cengiz serves New York-style pizzas from his store Sunnyside Sliced at Mentone, in Melbourne‘s southeast.
He started the pizza shop after a decade living in The Big Apple, and sells slices for about $9, with 18-inch pizzas ranging between $40 and $60.
One diner left a review, claiming the pizza was ‘on the pricey end, but not too bad’, before saying Mr Cengiz’s shop had been ‘hyped up’.
Mr Cengiz responded: ‘I have considered your feedback and decided that you are sour.’
Another customer claimed the pizza was ‘dry and chewy’, prompting Mr Cengiz to respond: ‘Thank you for your feedback. I’ll endeavour to change absolutely nothing.’
He hit back at another customer’s one-star review after they complained about the service, sparking a heated back and forth.
‘The same staff member you had an issue with has received countless praise. In this particular circumstance, I side with them. So long.’
Ali Cengiz serves NYC-style pizzas from his store Sunny Sliced in Mentone, Melbourne’s south-east
Mr Cengiz has taken a unique approach to his critics, offering them a piece of his mind to their one-star reviews
The customer clapped back: ‘Wouldn’t recommend anyone coming here as you can’t take criticism or are willing to better yourselves or the business. I wish I could give negative stars and one star is way more than you ever deserve.’
Mr Cengiz’s unique approach to his critics has garnered a mixed response, with some people commenting on his lack of ‘business etiquette’.
‘The sass is hysterical but this is such poor form wtf? Never seen anything like it,’ a woman commented.
Another said: ‘Sometimes sassy responses to bad reviews can be funny. However these customers have legitimate concerns and the responses are disgusting.’
A third suggested: ‘It sounds like the owner has tried to counter bad reviews with satire but I don’t think they’ve stuck the landing?
‘The business owner just sounds mean rather than actually addressing any of the complaints.’
Others applauded Mr Cengiz for his honesty and for calling out the ‘bogus reviews and serial whingers’.
‘The sass makes me want to fly to Melbourne just for that pizza. I don’t care if it’s good or not. Good advertisement,’ one said.
The Sunnyside Sliced store is based in Mentone in Melbourne’s southeast
It’s believed Mr Cengiz is a fan of Seinfeld after referencing one of the show’s popular lines
Another added: ‘If people have an issue they should have the respect of telling the staff/owners before leaving a bad review, so the frustration makes sense even though the responses are a bit unhinged.’
Others also theorised Mr Cengiz to be a fan of Seinfeld, referencing the sitcom’s famous ‘Soup Nazi’ episode, imagining he tells unhappy customers, ‘No more pizza for you! Lifetime ban.’
‘The ‘no pizzas for you’ comment kinda made me snort. Are you sure they’re not trying to be satirical?’ one commented.
One user even suggested Mr Cengiz have a mid-career change and become a comedian.
Daily Mail has contacted Mr Cengiz for comment.