Gattiland closes

I know it's not topnotch food but, as a teacher, this place was a lifesaver for field trips and as such, provided a unique niche for that. I have to honestly say that I like their pizza. In the eighties, as a teen, Gatti's was the only place you could go to watch games on a big screen! I think this also speaks to the turmoil at that center in regards to the new owners - several tenants involved in a lawsuit against the center. It's a shame that an out-of-town company is ruining the vibe created there. And what the heck are the landlords of the vacant Incredible Dave's thinking? That restaurant is thriving due to the reason stated above. Incredible Dave's was incredibly overpriced with underwhelming food! Who else would fill that space that has been vacant for a year? Dumb. Here's a link to the story:
http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/n ... -with.html
Everybody remember the slogan and jingle from the eighties?

Supposedly that Incredible Dave's space is already being remodeled into some sort of giant hardware store.

Yeah i saw this and was disappointed. Its a good place to take kids. Pizza was passable if you get it right out of the oven. Hopefully they will try to relocate somewhere nearby, the Incredible Daves spot would have been perfect if its not already taken.

Never fear Gatti pizza fans! The location in Shepherdsville is still there!

I think the days of pizza-tainment for kids are over. I would imagine that Gattis was due for a significant upgrade/renovation along with increased rent for a new lease. The pizza wasn't horrible but it wasn't very good either. Buffets in general are slowly disappearing.

Chucky Cheese hangs on with terrible pizza and ancient coin op games. But i would imagine its days are numbered. A rent increase or equipment upgrade will doom them too.

Newer modern coin op games cost a ton. Parents won't spend $4 per 90 second game.

Business First reports that the owners say they hope to open two new Gattilands, one on Dixie Highway and one in the east end. They say the tried to look at the Famous Dave's space but were rebuffed by the owners.

I think the days of pizza-tainment for kids are over. I would imagine that Gattis was due for a significant upgrade/renovation along with increased rent for a new lease. The pizza wasn't horrible but it wasn't very good either. Buffets in general are slowly disappearing.

Chucky Cheese hangs on with terrible pizza and ancient coin op games. But i would imagine its days are numbered. A rent increase or equipment upgrade will doom them too.

Newer modern coin op games cost a ton. Parents won't spend $4 per 90 second game.

I have no idea what the profit margin is on buffet pizza but I would find it hard to believe they weren't making money there. Usually when i would go for a school fundraiser for my son or something like that the place would be PACKED. Plus all the money they make off games and birthdays. And most of their games were really old, although they did have a few new ones last time i went. I mean they were there 17 years, must have been doing OK.

I liked it because it didn't try to be something its not, unlike incredible daves which tried to do too much and didn't do anything very well. Place we definitely due for a remodel, but you know, if youre a child you don't really notice that stuff, they're just fascinated by the pizza and games.

Personally, I am not happy to see it go.

That being said, there was a creepy Manager on a couple of recent visits that I had a real problem with. He was a bit too much with the 'Michael Jackson- Child Man' vibe. I attempted to reach out to senior management, to no avail. That 'wasn't the way they did things.'

This is the way I do things. I'm not going to take my child back there unless I know he's safe if I decide to turn my back on him for a moment.

I think I am in the minority, but I was sure the CDC would be shutting this place down. We went for the first & only time a month ago to bring our daughter to a birthday party. From the minute we walked in, apparently using the "wrong" doors, our experience was not good. The staff was beyond rude - talking to each other, playing with their phones. The entire place was filthy - sticky floors, dirty plates/ cups everywhere, overflowing trash cans - just nasty. We were pointed down a long, sad corridor to the birthday room. The floor was so sticky, the chairs had caked on food droppings and it was very depressing. My 5 year old, who does not have an overly discerning palate, deemed the pizza gross and only ate a few bites. Hubby & I checked out the buffet and decided against it. The games area was shabby and a good number of the machines were out of operation.

Trust me, we are not fancy pants snobby folks, and didn't have high expectations going in, but we knew that day it was a one-and-done for us. We knew for sure when we got in the car to go home and Maddie said, "I did not like that place. Can we go get something to eat"?

We are heading to Chuck E Cheese to a party for the first time on Sunday and I am a little scared

Oh, Michelle- so sorry for you! Going to Chuck E. Cheese seems to be a mandatory part of having a 4-7 year old and something I don't wish on anyone. It's probably the best of the lot, but the noise, chaos, spending alot of money for 10 cent plastic toys and mediocre food...It makes me need to drink.

Ironically, we were in Dayton, Ohio last week and it turned out our hotel was two blocks from one. We actually planned driving a different direction to avoid having our son see it and want to go. Well, we forgot one time and when he saw it our now 10 year old said the sweetest words to this parent's ears: "Ewww- Chuck E. Cheese! I really don't like their food- it's bad." Halleluah!
Deb

[Robin Garr]

We are heading to Chuck E Cheese to a party for the first time on Sunday and I am a little scared

I love your report, Michele, for its honesty and its artistry.

May the force be with you at Señor Cheese's!

While I agree with Michele, at the same time I have to give Gatti's the benefit of the doubt on cleanliness.

We've been in there and watched staff mopping the floor and wiping everything, and on our next trip to the line the floor and serving areas were clean. We were talking, and didn't realize the time, so ended up leaving around 40 minutes later and the floors were uniformly sticky and there was food on all flat surfaces!

Unfortunately, I think that comes with the territory when one has a 5-7 year old and goes to a place popular with that crowd and known for birthday parties . . .

(We've had similar experiences at other family-oriented buffets, from the late lamented Sizzler on, and even from adult buffets such as the equally late and lamented BD's Mongolian Grill)

I got two little ones and am always one of the oldest dads at social functions. All my views pre-fatherhood about McDonalds indoor playground, Chuck E Cheese, etc. have been chucked out the window. The irony is that I'd rather be at Chuck E Cheese, Incredible Daves, etc. at any given time having the little guys tugging and pulling and listening to all the noise than sitting in some adult bar with a drink. I'd keep them young for ever if I could. Little kids rock!.....................that said, I do like slipping out on occasion and indulging in bigger people games!

Michele,
If you think Gattiland was CDC worthy, just wait until you go to Chuck E Cheese !!! Take LOTS of disinfectant wipes !

Michele,
If you think Gattiland was CDC worthy, just wait until you go to Chuck E Cheese !!! Take LOTS of disinfectant wipes !

Haha I was thinking the same thing if you can't handle Mr gattis you better wear a hazmat suit to Chuck e cheese.