It was a hot humid day and my neighbor really wanted italian but I was hesitant, as it sounded it too heavy. I am sure am glad I took his recommendation for Barones. We arrived at 5 pm and sat at the bar when we found out it was Happy Hour. 50 percent off a selection of apps and one dollar of draft Peroni. WOW. I was not expecting to be so impressed! The calamari was amazing, also recommend the veggie ravioli, artichokes, very garlicky broccoli, and franks pizza. Also, the service was top notch as it was my first time to Barone's and we were welcomed and they explained thoroughly about the menu. I live in the neighborhood and can't believe it took me this long to get there. I'm surprised that there are bad reviews, I'm super picky and my experience here was stellar. read more

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Amazing food, drinks, ambiance and we absolutely loved our server, Marco! Great personality, personable and just fun overall. We'll definitely be back! The pizza was phenomenal and the wine / one dirty martini we had was perfect. Big fans! read more

This place is old school cool, like Smokehouse meets Lil Toni's. Service was perfect, food was fantastic. Dirty martinis were excellent & not too expensive $13 I believe. But ofc we ordered non well gin & they were $15. I had the spaghetti in meat sauce added a salad, both were good - spaghetti and meat sauce were excellent BUT 20.99 for literally just a plate of pasta & meat sauce is crazy! And with the added salad my total was $27.99. That's expensive, good food but crazy expensive. The pizza looked scrumptious and more wallet friendly. Does come with complimentary bread which was warm & yummy. Valet is $8, so find street parking if you can. And they have Spumoni (which I love) but again, expensive, one scoop was $7. (if you love spumoni, go to Little Toni's on Lankershim; their scoop I think is 3.95). read more

Went here recently and this is not a place for fast service. The pizza is very good, but I am unsure about anything else on the menu. The ambiance is for sure old and can use some updates here and there. Truly the worst part was just the slow service read more

I only tried Barone's because it was used in one of my favourite films, "Fast Times At Ridgemont High", as Rat and Stacy's date restaurant. Though unnamed in the film, the establishment is an erstwhile German restaurant, Old Heidelberg. When Barone's moved in, they didn't change the aesthetic, and it looks nearly the same as it did in the decades-old movie: dark wood, tufted red booths and chairs, stained glass. Though I was mostly excited to be in the filming location, I was pleasantly surprised by how good Barone's food is. The garlic bread is great, the sausages are tasty, the red sauce is flavourful, and the lasagna was a beast: a decadent hunk of their zesty sauce, pasta, and cheese. The small adjacent lot is valet, but there should be plenty of parking down one of the nearby side streets. It's a pretty safe area; no need to worry about anyone stealing your radio whilst you're parked. read more

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Look... I'm not gonna lie $9 for garlic bread?? And you gotta pay extra for sauce on the meatballs?? Who am I, Warren buffet?? BUT... then I took a bite and forgot what I was even mad about. Everything was fire. Garlic bread = buttery, crispy, addicting. Meatballs = juicy, tender, and yeah, that extra sauce? Lowkey worth it. The sausage was a lil firm for my taste, but still had that solid old-school flavor. Barone's hits that classic Italian comfort spot every time. Service is warm, vibes are cozy, and I keep coming back even while side-eyeing that bread bill. Worth it. Just bring a friend... or a small loan read more

Barone's is SUCH a classic! Fun Fact: I was a hostess here in high school, so I definitely have a soft spot for it. I love love love their pizza. I love how the toppings are nestled under the cheese and the crispy edges on the square crust. I love the old school red booths. Recently I visited on a Friday night (for national pizza day!) and it was BUSY. I made a reservation in advance, and I'm glad I did. I saw a lot of families and large groups dining here, though we came here for date night. I typically order the Barone's salad and a mushroom, olive, sausage pizza. The salad is a portion for two which is nice. I somehow remember there being more toppings on this salad, but it's actually pretty basic. However, it's the DRESSING! Nom nom nom. I dream about that dressing. We ordered a medium pizza which was plenty for two people. I love the flavor of the toppings and the cheese. This particular time, the crust of our pizza wasn't as crisp as I would have liked. When you picked it up, it kind of flopped over. Tasty nonetheless! I also tried the garlic bread for the first time and that was definitely a winner. With our meal, we enjoyed dirty martinis which were very good. Not too salty, just right. Service was good and our booth was comfortable. Parking is very difficult, but they have valet for $8. This is a classic Valley establishment and I highly recommend coming at least once to experience it! read more

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I have been going to Barone's forever. I love their pizza. It's different. I like all kinds of pizza. However, the other day I ordered a small mushroom pizza and a coke to be picked up. The pizza is really small MAYBE 8" round. When getting the bill and the girl saying $25 I was like wtf? The coke was $6. Anyway, it seems like $25 for that tiny pizza and a drink is just crazy. Just by principle I can't get myself to pay that again. That's too bad because I do like the pizza. Take care Barone's!!! read more

screw this place. Tonight I wanted to get a pizza. I haven't had it in like 15 years. Was curious if it was still as good as I remember. Never even got the pizza. I started calling around 4pm to place a pic up order. Nobody answered. At about 5pm, after calling multiple times I decided to drive out there while calling on speaker the whole time. Nobody answered. Get there and the valet guy wants me to pay for parking to get a Togo order. Fux that place. They are over priced anyway. You guys lost a customer tonight. Is it so hard to pick up the damn phone? Don't go there. It's not worth it. read more

Y'all need to get rid of that god damn valet parking. Last time we went the service had really fallen off. The last two times we made sure to go three to four in the afternoon. NO VALET! I must say the cheese and scallions pizza is highly addictive. The time before service was so much better. The economy is bad and getting worse by the day. Customers don't want to be faced with subterfuge and forced valet parking!! read more

The staff is great and the food is amazing! I love this legendary restaurant. The atmosphere will take you back in time. . . .

We stopped by a couple weeks ago and the food did not disappoint! The ambiance gives a 1940s diner or old vegas vibes from the red vinyl booths & couches to the miscellaneous framed photos - which I love! We started with crab stuffed mushrooms, which were packed with flavor and the ingredients noticably top quality. Then we ordered the House combination -- add jalapeños and and made sure to order extra to take home this time. We added a Barones Italian salad with homemade Italian dressing (which I could drink it was so tasty, haha). Service was good and quick. Minus one star for valet parking when the lot is empty. It makes sense for peak hours or reservation nights, but not as much when there are only a few cars in the huge lot. read more

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Boy has this place really fallen off. My dad used to love this place and took us here all the time. I was visiting family and decided to take my kids here for old times sake. It was packed but the service seemed unorganized and food was terrible. Waited a very long time for food. I'm a patient person so if I'm saying it took long I mean it was like 30-40 minutes. I could have overlooked it if food was still good. Pizza was undercooked and falling apart, lasagna was dry and tasteless, and my seafood pasta was decent but costly. Not sure what happened here and I hope something changes to bring it back to its early days read more

Finally got a chance to visit this institution with my husband and I'm so glad we went. It's your classic Italian restaurant with red leather booths and dark furniture with old pictures on the walls - a total vibe. We got the 10" two topping pizza with pepperoni and mushrooms, and the cheese lasagna with meat sauce. The pizza was great! The crust was in between a thin and standard crust, and the sauce was delish. The lasagna was different from what I'm used to; I've never had a lasagna with the meat sauce on the outside and not layered in between, but it was still tasty. Staff were attentive and super accommodating. Parking lot is valet only ($8), but street parking is pretty hard to find around dinner time. Good overall experience. read more

Barone's - Two Toppings Pizza (pepperoni and mushroom) - Italian Near Me - Valley Glen, California

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$13.50 for a CUP of Minestrone?? Are you kidding me? The pizza there is the best in the world and the atmosphere is very pleasant and the decor is wonderful but food is way overpriced. Parking was easy in their lot. read more

The food is awesome they have been around since 1945 the pizza is the best we also had a salad We had the combo with anchovies yummy I have not eaten here since I was a kid and the pizza and the red booths bring back great childhood memories read more

Barone's - Barone's house salad - Italian Near Me - Valley Glen, California

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Sucks! The telephone service is HORRIBLE AND THE FOOD IS EXTREMELY SALTY! If you want high blood pressure than this is your place!

If you are planning a reservation for a big group, do NOT speak to Rachel, the "manager." I want to start this off by saying my issue is not with the wait staff, the hostess, or the food. Barone's is great. I coordinated a lunch with over 20 guests, which required a fixed price per person and use of the back room. Rachel and I spoke multiple times (I also spoke to Gabby) to confirm everything, and was contacted several times to secure the deposit--so I had every reason to believe the event was properly arranged. When we arrived early to set up, the staff informed us that not only were we not in the back room, but there had been no other communication from Rachel about the specifics. This was especially frustrating because the explanation they gave--that the back room requires extra staffing and a different rate--was the same information I was told to justify the set per-person charge when I booked. Even then, we tried to make the best of it and began setting up. The wait staff was incredibly kind, accommodating, and truly rallied together to help me despite the confusion. My issue is specifically with Rachel. While her team did everything they could, Rachel--a manager--refused to speak with me. She repeatedly called and texted her staff, so it was clear she was reachable, yet when I asked to talk to her directly, I was told she "didn't want to speak with me." Rachel's decision to actively avoid me was not only unprofessional--it was the complete antithesis of what a manager's role is in this exact scenario. When there is a major mix-up, when a guest is understandably upset, and when an event has clearly been mishandled, that is precisely the moment a manager is supposed to step in, communicate, take responsibility, and fix the situation. Instead, she chose to distance herself and place the burden entirely on her staff, who were left to handle a problem they didn't create. I cannot think of a more unprofessional way for a manager to handle an upset customer. Instead of addressing me herself, she left her employees to deal with the consequences of her lack of communication. She wasn't unavailable--she simply chose to avoid me. Her refusal to address the issue directly showed a lack of accountability and leadership. read more

I have been going to Barone's since before you were born! I am old as dirt! Last night I ordered two large pizzas and two Barone's salads for my mother's 94th birthday party. Ya, she is 94! How old do you think I am???? Pizzas were ok but not great. The sausage part of one of the pizzas was truly not good. With that, nothing could compare to the salads. The photo attached is from the following day. Blow it up and see if you can find any piece of lettuce that is not brown, I DARE YA! The salad I served last night,,,, I had to judiciously go through and pick out most of the lettuce as it was brown upon purchase. DISGUSTIMONDO! Oh Barone's, so sad! Humbly submitted, Moi read more

Barone's - YUK! - Italian Near Me - Valley Glen, California

Well we came here not knowing what to expect. This place is out of this world! We're still here and writing this review. They're hustling as fast as they can here so have patience. They even box the food away from you which I haven't seen in a very long time. I can tell this place is a hidden gem that people have yet to discover. We ordered a little bit of everything. Appetizer, salad, pasta and pizza! Everything was so good honestly and it was indescribable. From the sauce to the pizza to the cheese and crab stuffed mushrooms. We didn't catch our servers names but she was incredible! She was hosting everyone. Please be patient coming here cause it might be understaffed. The food is worth it. The drinks are strong and inexpensive. The vibe is classic in my opinion. Very traditional New Jersey Italian read more

This is a hard review for me. My partner and I make a habit of coming here several times a month and we have had many memorable, first class and wonderful dinners here over the last two years. Unfortunately over the last 6 months or so I have noticed a downgrade in food quality and that's been disappointing considering the great prior experiences we've had. Service wise everyone is still lovely but for the price point seeing a consistent decline in taste is off putting. The bread tastes cheaper and feels like a cost cut, the side salads aren't consistent , (sometimes you'll get garbanzo beans sometimes you won't) and the spaghetti and lasagna have become just okay and aren't as hot temperature wise as they used to be. (The plates themselves use to come to the table heated) I almost feel like perhaps they have a new team of cooks in the back because the consistent high quality of the food isn't really hitting anymore. Even the tiramisu is kind of flavorless now. A real shame. I'm hoping this is something that will improve with time but makes us hesitant to return after our last two recent visits had a mediocre food quality but a triple digit bill. I want to come back but am hesitant to return until there's a return to form. read more

Firstly, we've been going to Barone's since they were in Toluca Lake and enjoying their food for 35+ years. Until a few months ago their pizza, salad, salad dressing, bread and butter, minestrone soup... just the basics remained absolutely delicious but no more. My cousins went a few weeks ago and told me things had changed but I didn't believe it and called their new manager, Jose. He blatantly lied to me and convinced me to make a reservation for Mother's Day. I asked him about the bread and even the little individual gold foil butter that used to come with it, both are changed and absolutely terrible. But Jose told me they were just out that day and he had to buy some different butter. Another issue I addressed with him was the salad dressing, another lie as it's totally different. It's vinegary and not the creamy white dressing they had for years. I knew it was different the minute they set the plates down I could see the lettuce was oily. I finally asked for some extra dressing so I could see for myself, and it looked similar but not the creamy dressing that used to be so delicious. The bread wasn't the delicious artisan sourdough, it was like a loaf of French bread you'd buy at the supermarket. At that point, I thought just maybe the pizza will be the same, at least that would keep me going there, but no, the cheese, the sauce, all just mediocre, nothing like the pizza we are used to. Seems like they cut costs at the price of the taste and quality of ingredients and were not forthcoming about it. The cheese on the pizza didn't even remotely look nor taste like Barone's cheese, which was always a bit oily like any good cheese on pizza is. This new cheese looked like it came from a cheap commercial pizza place and was pretty much tasteless. I took a picture of the pizzas, they didn't look anything like their original pizza. The only similarity was they were still rectangular. I wonder if Tom Monteleone knows about this and maybe he does. All I know is I will miss the once great food this place had for so many years. Also, don't gaslight people and keep repeating "our recipes remain the same"! They just might be the same but the ingredients are definitely NOT the same. I'm mostly sad that Baron's will probably eventually close as more people realize what's happened/happening. We hadn't gone there as a family for quite some time and most weeks I would pick up minestrone soup for my mom who's 95 but that has really slowed down as they stopped being consistent even with the minestrone soup and last time it didn't even look the same, big hunks of celery and lots of pasta and was salty and also had a sweet taste like they put sugar in it... it wasn't the same at all. How can you cut costs on a basic vegetable and pasta soup that doesn't even have meat in it?! Oh, now that I'm reading other reviews I see that this Jose is really a dishonest person. Besides all the other bold face lies he told me like they had just ran out of the single serving gold foiled butter (a supply issue just that one day) and their sourdough bread just that one day my cousins were there he also told me when I come in with the family on Mother's Day to ask for him and he would make things right, not sure what he meant by that, but they almost laughed in my face saying, "he's not here and won't be here until Tuesday, call him then"! He wasn't even there, all a big lie just to take my money, I guess. Restaurants have the right to cut costs and do whatever they choose to with their business but they don't have the right to lie. It's really quite disturbing that they can lie to their customers like it's nothing, customers that have been going there for years and years. They know they're serving tasteless and extremely bad quality food and they just don't care. I really think there's something more going on here... why would a restaurant change things that brought people in for years? What's most upsetting is that pizza and other delicious items are gone for good. read more

I just can't say enough how much I love Barone's ! Barone's the owner and his daughter are just simply wonderful people as well as the entire staff cooks waiters parking attendants .. the pizza is the absolute best square and incredible tasting I would easily put it up for one of the best in the country.. there other dishes are awesome aswell ! I have been coming here for many many years with my kids and now my grandkids .. truly I just love this place read more

They do not honor happy hour if you do not order drinks. I went to try out some of their dished and was told after ordering, and eating some, that the prices will be full unless you order 2 drinks minimum. I got one happy hour drink and the charge was $12.00. Please be aware of the non info and scam like quality. If i had know this stimulation or if it was advertised as this on their little menu board. I would not have ordered from that menu. read more

I went on a Saturday at 2pm. The parking lot was empty....but still had to pay $8. for parking...which I felt was excessive. Large space so good choice if you are a large group. Food was expensive but had good sized portions and was tasty. The price point was high enough that it is a point of hesitation when going back more often. Would love to make this a neighborhood regular hang out, but just cant do these prices all the time. Chicken Parm is $24.99 Spaghetti and Meatballs $19.99 Shrimp Scampi $25.99 read more

Very expensive place I would visit this place more often, if the prices were more affordable. I can't say it's a bad place- everything is very nice, comfortable and delicious. But I would recommend that they reconsider their pricing policy. read more

Another great meal at Barone's I took my kiddos this time and they were more than accommodating. We ordered 4 appetizers for one adult and two kids and split them like tapas . We got the fried zucchini , the appetizer pizza(enough for 3 to share if some are kids or 2 adults to share),garlic cheese bread and the calamari. The price was very fair and they are amazing for being a valley staple. Highly recommended for Italian food for adults and kids alike. read more

We had a great time at Barone's! The pizza tasted like back home (New Jersey). My kid gave it a 10/10! read more

Barone's - Italian Near Me - Valley Glen, California

This place is where you go for a fun time with family and friends while having to loosing up your belt after dinner! Came here for a very belated birthday dinner with friends, and it didn't not disappoint. Service: phenomenal. 11/10. Lasagna: I love me some lasagna. This one was cheesy, meaty, and saucy. I ordered it with homemade meatballs and let me tell you, I have had some subpar meatballs at countless Italian restaurants--Barone's isn't one of them. Solid dish. Fettuccine Alfredo: I tried some off my friend's dish. The noodles were cooked al dente, as it should be with Fettuccine Alfredo. The Alfredo sauce was creamy, not a hint of watery discomposure. But...the star... Cheesecake: Arguably the best cheesecake I have tried at a restaurant in my entire life. Creamy, cheesy, with a buttery and subtly sweet crust. Get it with the strawberry topping, because how else would one eat a cheesecake? Barone's, you have a lifelong regular in me--I must try one of your famous pizzas! read more

Barone's - Barone's famous cheesecake: The star! - Italian Near Me - Valley Glen, California

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Barone's is an institution, but I'd like more portions. Juan was our waiter and was very particular about how we were served, which was great. They offer a full bar and I must try the pizza. read more

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Oh my goodness - the very best Italian restaurant. Fantastic pizza, the best I've ever had. Delicious fettuccine alfredo, eggplant parmigiana, tiramisu and cheese lasagna. read more

Barone's - Cheese lasagna - Italian Near Me - Valley Glen, California

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Great food, great service and very friendly staff. Quiet and nice ambiance close to when they open, gets crowded during lunch. I got the shrimp marinara with linguine, and I tried Hubby's lasagna , both heavenly. Pair it with wine read more

Barone's - Shrimp Marinara over Linguine - Italian Near Me - Valley Glen, California

Old school royalty. Incredible pizza, friendly servers, classic pasta dishes, red vinyl booths. What more could you ask for? Confused by the negative reviews. read more

Barone's charges to valet their private lot, $8 (missing star) I get why, they want more people to fit in the small lot but still that was quite pricy. Fam came for a celebration, 13 of us! I really liked that our server was good at upselling, she was nice to say, "Soup or Salad, for an additional charge" She asked each and every one of us. They were busy and kept everyone on one side of the restaurant, it was very loud, we were all yelling to hear each other. The pizza was terrible, maybe I hold a higher standard but it wasn't just me a couple of people in my party which tried it, agreed. The spaghetti and meat balls, typical nothing special. (missing star) Glad I got to try them since they've been around forever. read more

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Delicious very highly recommended, food is delicious and the best service. We got a House Special pizza and mushroom ravioli sooooo good. A must! read more

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Great square pizza. Love the bathrooms! Employee bathroom was the best. Door opens front and back. Lots of fun! read more

Barone's - Bathroom hallway - Italian Near Me - Valley Glen, California

Been here a few times. I live only a few minutes away walking so might as well. Pretty average actually. Not worth the money for most stuff. I do like the calamari though and the house special vodka martini. Maybe come during happy hour. read more

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Came here to celebrate a friends birthday! The food did not disappoint! Teresa was our server and she was very fun and attentive!! Old school Italian that's been here since 1945. Great time! read more

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The atmosphere here is very old school and cozy, really love coming here with the family to watch the game and enjoy some great food. Not a fan of the lasagna here however no restaurant really knows how to make it just right (for me). This family ran restaurant knows how to take care of a client, super fast service and the pizza was some of the best (super cheesy). They have a full bar and the crowd here is pleasant, will be back soon! read more

Service was not all that, felt like the size of the party equaled the level of service. Only 3 in our party and order one med cheese pizza, 2 waters, and 1 coke. The look on our servers face was just blank and you could feel his (pre-judged btw) disappointment that he was not going to make much of a tip from us. Our servers level of interaction was sub-par, like - "why am I wasting my time with this table." Rude! The coca-cola was great, the pizza was average. Valet parking - $8, really! I guess the big deal about Barone's is the ambience. First impression, once is enough. read more