Proto's Pizza

05/25/09

specialty pies

by handbanana at Citysearch

First the good; the pizza is mouth-watering, the atmosphere hip, the employees exceptional. Protos isn’t trying to cater to the chain pizza patron, so if your idea of a great pie is an XL-processed-meatzza, wax cheese, Velveeta-filled-crust-bomb, then go back to domino hut. Protos specializes in handmade, never processed, specialty pies made fresh to order. The Denver employees are friendly, knowledgeable and down to earth. If you’re looking for great Neapolitan handmade pies with a stylish atmosphere and courteous employees that know their wines, than Protos is for you. There is also a tiki torch lit patio that is great for summer afternoons/evenings.

Now the bad; Pam Proto (owner/proprietor) has publicly built her reputation into a caring, charitable, community supporter but unfortunately does NOT extend these traits to her employees. The bussers are working for below minimum wage. She is presently threatening employee’s jobs and/or wages with relocation. Ms. Proto is cutting server’s shifts that aren’t meeting what she calls “sales goals”. I personally know two long-term, hard working employees that Ms. Proto threatened with the ultimatum, “transfer to a new location, or lose your job”. Ms. Proto’s newest employee regulation (threat) was directed towards the servers. Apparently the servers that don’t meet “Pam’s sales goals” for the week, lose one-week worth of shifts. Seriously? You suspend someone’s wages for a week and expect him or her to work harder and respect you and your restaurant?

The employees at Protos are hard working young people. The Majority are students, and for them losing one-week of shifts is a large fraction of their income. All the servers are well-trained, polite, intelligent people, so if they aren’t pulling in “Pam’s projected earnings” I find it hard to believe it’s strictly by fault of their own. Way to give your employees incentive, greedy Ms. Proto. Punishment and threat as motivation, does the definition of terrorism ring a bell? Is this how you’ve achieved success by threatening and bullying your way through the industry? You practice a poor business model Ms. Proto; you may want to think about encouragement rather than threats. Encouragement equals employee loyalty, equals long-term success, equals respect. Pam Proto is a deceiving, greedy-bully that cares nothing for her employees, her only concern is seeing the numbers in her own bank account grow.

So if you decide to visit the Denver Protos and you see Ms. Pam and she flashes that “I’m sweet little Pam Proto and I give contributions to third-world children- smile”, remember that all the employees are under a constant threat of losing their jobs and wages. Also remember to tip your server well too; it may be the last tip they see for a week. Beside the name Proto, the restaurant is worth checking out, at least for the employees, the wine and the pie.

• Pros: employees, pie
• Cons: owner

12/18/08

One of the top pizzas in Denver

by writeon1 at Citysearch

Despite the crowded chaos and above the din, there is pizza euphoria to experience at Proto's. This place is seriously simple, offering only pizzas, salads and desserts on its menu, in addition to a full bar with a rotating wine list. The pizza is very authentic and flavorful and the open kitchen, with its imported Italian wood oven, can be viewed from any perch in the place. My mother, who is from Europe, proclaimed the pizza the best she'd had since our trip to Rome together. And if you like clams, every Friday night is clam pizza night! The owners fly them in for the occasion.

• Pros: Great pizza, energetic environment, interesting wines
• Cons: Parking, loud crowds, not enough space

10/23/08

AMAZING pizza

by amoremama at Citysearch

I went here when I was pregnant, so I don't know how valid my opinion is:) But...this pizza is absolutely amazing. I read so many reviews about the "bad" service, and yes, it is a small place so seating can be troublesome, but it is a PIZZA JOINT!!! I suppose I don't expect the same kind of service here as I would at a fine dining restaurant. It is a more casual atmosphere with a nice touch of Chic Italian culture and I just LOVED it. In this kind of restaurant, I don't WANT to have waiters breathing down my neck. I want to spend the time with the person I came with and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere and great food. I recommend every person in Denver to come here and I guarantee you everyone would love the food...and the "hard to please" people might find fault in the service.

• Pros: Best Pizza I know in Denver
• Cons: Small restaurant, therefore takes a while to be seated...get there early!