Why did this 4.9-star pizza taste like second-hand smoke and a frozen crust?
qponx
2026-03-06
Is Batam's 4.9-star Pizza e Birra worth the hype? This spot shines as a sports bar with a lively atmosphere, giant 44cm pizzas, a fun "Pizzaopoly" game, and fantastic pasta. However, the pizza itself can be a major letdown with a frozen-like crust. The biggest warning is the overwhelmingly smoky indoor environment, making this a great hangout for sports fans who smoke but a definite skip for families and non-smokers looking for a quality pizza dinner.
I'm in Batam, just came from Grand Batam Mall with mixed feelings... I was looking for a place better than Pizza Hut, did a quick search and found this Pizza e Birra. The high Google score of 4.9[1] nearly blinded me, and I thought I'd hit the jackpot! But... Anjay, it's hard to put into words.
The Good and The Bad, All in One Go
Let's start with the good, otherwise I'll sound too harsh. As a Sports Bar, this place nailed the atmosphere. With big screens showing sports matches, it's truly a great spot for the guys to come out at night to Nongkrong and have a few drinks. A few dishes were also really solid:
But! Here comes the twist...
As a pizza place, its main star was a total letdown. The Tuna Pizza[2] I ordered had a stiff crust, completely lacking the chewy texture and aroma of a freshly baked pizza. It tasted no different from a frozen pizza from the supermarket... While some people praise the signature New York Style Thin Crust Pizza[3], my experience this time was really inconsistent. And the chicken wings[4] were also a bit dry and tough.
The worst part was the environment! Smoking is allowed throughout the entire indoor area, and the air circulation is terrible, so smoky it felt like a fairyland. The sofa I sat on even had a weird smell[5]... Families with kids, just blacklist this place immediately. Seriously, for the sake of your children's health, this environment is a huge turn-off.
- Al Funghi Pasta[6]: This one deserves a special shoutout! The mushroom sauce was insanely rich, so good you'll want to lick the plate clean, for real.
- Pizzaopoly[7]: I give full marks for this creative idea! The pizza box itself is a Monopoly board. If you order this for a gathering with friends, you can eat and play at the same time, setting the mood perfectly. Mantap!
- The portions are generous too. The drinks are all in huge glasses, and then there's that outrageous 44cm giant pizza[8]. When it's brought to the table, it's definitely the center of attention.
The Ultimate Guide to Avoiding This Pitfall (Save This!)
Let me give you some honest, straight-to-the-point advice:
- Who is this for?: Smoker friends who just want a place to drink, watch sports, and don't mind secondhand smoke. This might be your chill paradise.
- Who should avoid it?: Family gatherings! Anyone with kids! Anyone sensitive to smoke! Please turn around immediately, your lungs will thank me.
- Ordering Guide: You can try the Al Funghi Pasta[9]. As for the pizza... it's a gamble, or you could just go for the gimmick of the Pizzaopoly[10] game.
- Money-Saving Tip: Download their app to snag a free Aglio Olio Pasta[11]!
- ⚠️ Heads-Up:
- 1. They don't accept cash here! Only credit cards or e-wallet payments are accepted[12].
- 2. When paying by card, always! ALWAYS! check your bill! Some followers have reported being double-charged[13]. When you're out and about, you've got to watch your wallet
- Al Funghi Pasta's mushroom sauce is lick-the-plate rich! [1] Finding pasta this good at a Sports Bar feels like a total win.
- The Pizzaopoly box is a Monopoly board! [2] Eat and play with friends for an instant party vibe. Seriously Mantap!
- Forget giant drinks, get the 44cm giant pizza! [3] A total showstopper that will look epic on your social feed.
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