NL
Natascha Lacava
Apr 20, 2026
I lived in the United States for a year while studying, and during that time I fell in love with a very specific Domino’s pizza—really specific: thin crust, garlic parmesan sauce, premium chicken, and barbecue sauce on top. I absolutely LOVE this pizza. When I went back to Brazil, I missed it so much, and every time I come back to the U.S. as a tourist, I make sure to get it. I’ve had it in several places in San Diego, Miami, North Carolina… everywhere.
On this trip to Orlando with my daughter, I went during the first few days to the Domino’s in Haines City. I asked them to add barbecue sauce on top, and the employee was super kind, didn’t see any issue, and happily did it.
The day before returning to my country, I stopped at another Domino’s that was closer, in Davenport (there are two in that area), and basically got the door slammed in my face. First of all, the employee looked angry the moment we walked in, like we were the problem in his life. Even so, I stayed polite and friendly and asked for my pizza, requesting the barbecue sauce on top. He just looked at me, still serious, and said:
“NO. I CANNOT DO THAT.”
Seriously… what the hell? You work with customers, you’re clearly in a bad mood, and you can’t accommodate a simple special request? I’ve only had one store ever refuse before when I called in San Diego, but honestly, 1 out of 10 might say no—most places just do it. I truly don’t understand why some refuse. It costs nothing. It’s completely doable. They could simply be kind and make it happen. I even offered to pay extra, but no. He “couldn’t do that.” The truth is, he could—he just didn’t want to. There’s a difference.
I refused to place an order and give my money to that store, and honestly, I left with tears in my eyes for being treated that way when I had done absolutely nothing wrong. I then drove to the other Domino’s in Davenport (this one), hoping I’d have better luck. I didn’t.
The environment at this one is much nicer (at least inside), and the employee who helped me was very kind and helpful, completely different from the first one. When I asked for the barbecue sauce, he understood, and I explained that I live in Brazil, that every time I come to the U.S. I eat this pizza, and that it’s my favorite pizza in the world. He thought it wouldn’t be a problem to add the sauce. But when he asked the manager, she said:
“No, I cannot do that.”
At that point, already tired and with tears in my eyes, I asked why some Domino’s locations do it while others refuse. The vast majority have always done it for me without any issue. Out of about 20 times I’ve ordered this pizza, I had one refusal over the phone in California and now two in Davenport. So what’s the issue—Davenport? Because just a few days ago I ordered it in Haines City with no problem at all. I truly don’t understand.
If other employees can make an exception and are kind enough to do it, why do some choose not to? Why the lack of empathy? Why not make a simple exception? Do they really prefer that a customer never comes back and leaves negative reviews over something that is 100% within their ability to do? If no franchise ever did it, I would understand. But when most do, and a few refuse—rudely—it makes no sense.
I won’t be coming back. The next time I’m in Orlando (and I come every year), I’ll make sure to only go to the Haines City location. Arrogant manager, didn’t even look at me when refusing—just loudly said “No, I cannot do that,” as if I had asked her to put something illegal on my pizza.