For 46 years, Bristol has depended on the House of Pizza — the iconic BHOP — to be there when hunger strikes. And proprietor Greg Gatos, whose parents George and Tula founded the restaurant, does not take that loyalty lightly.

A story posted earlier this week on a private Prudence Island Facebook page and shared to the Facebook group “Around Town Bristol” tells of an incident Friday night where a couple ordered a pizza to be delivered to the 6 p.m. Bristol to Prudence Island ferry, only to have it not turn up on the boat as anticipated.

After the (initially) disappointed customer returned home, he got a call from Gatos — who at that moment was on his 25’ Hydra Sport — on a cold, dark Friday night in December — a few minutes from arriving on the island, pizza in hand.

“Never in my life have I experienced this level of customer service and concern,” wrote the (now very) satisfied customer.

“That’s not even the first time he’s done that,” laughed Tula, when reached at the restaurant for confirmation. “That’s just Greg.”

Gatos confirmed that he has personally delivered to Prudence Island, not once but twice — not that he’s looking to make a habit of it.

The first time was last year, when a Prudence Island family had just returned from a vacation to a house with no food. As was the case on Friday night, the pizza delivery missed the ferry by a matter of minutes. Gatos did not hesitate. “They had kids in the house and no food, which took it to a new level,” he said.

“We’re a family business, and the last thing I want is for somebody to go hungry because of our mistake,” he said. “Mistakes do happen but we will go above any beyond to make up for it — that’s our motto.”

Gatos reported Friday’s customer was “flabbergasted” and offered a huge tip — which he refused.

“The funny part was crossing the ferry on the way back to Bristol,” he said.