Went there for lunch today! The octopus lunch special was legit the most tender and delicious octopus I have ever had. Can not wait to go back! read more

DiTondo - Octopus - Italian Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Well I had the rolled steak. And I have to say, it actually tasted like roast beef, not like steak at all. Oh well. I'll be passing on that next time. For dessert, we ordered the Banana Cream and Apple Pie. The Banana Cream was to die for! It tasted so fresh and creamy. Just make sure you save room. We only ate half our dinners so we could enjoy the desserts. Note: We phone in and pre-ordered the desserts in the afternoon, just like the waitress told us! read more

My boyfriend and I came to DiTondo's this past Friday since we heard and read many reviews on how it is better than Chef's. I personally love Chef's!! But I was definitely willing to try what the competition was to compare. The result? I'd still choose Chef's. The reasons why: We made a reservation 4 days ahead for 7:30pm. We arrived right on time and there was a line at the hostess stand which was fine. But after the line went down and we were up we gave the hostess our name. She seemed very flustered and unorganized. It was busy of course being Friday evening but I don't think it was too overwhelming. We weren't actually seated until 7:50pm. We got seated outside and the waitress came over promptly. She was very friendly and asked us our drink order and if we were ready to order. We said yes, she said great, took our drink orders, and walked away. We both looked a little confused because she responded positively that we were ready to order dinner we thought. She came back and asked again if we thought we were ready or needed more time with the menu. (The menu is very small). We ordered dinner and she was very pleasent throughout our time there. I ordered the spaghetti parm with meatballs and bf ordered chicken parm that came with spaghetti. Both were really good!! Large portions and cheesey goodness!! I personally love the flavor of Chef's sauce and for that reason I would still choose Chef's. It was definitely an older crowd here. Which is fine but being 28 & 29, we felt out of place. Everyone at the bar as well as at the dinner table seemed 50+. Seating wise DiTondo's wins. Chef's on a Friday evening is extremely crowded and can be uncomfortable. Here it was spaced out more and there was seating both inside and out. Overall DiTondo's seems to be a great little Italian place, good food, big portions, kind of unorganized, but I love the flavor of Chef's sauce too make the switch. read more

DiTondo - pasta fagioli - Italian Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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Any Buffalo local knows DiTondo's is one of the best Italian restaurants around. They recently renovated the interior and also changed the menu. The new interior is beautiful!!! The kitchen is exposed and you can see the chefs creating their beautiful dishes when you walk in. The new system is you put in your order at the front, take a number for your table and they bring the food out to you. The staff were incredibly friendly and accommodating, very welcoming. The updated menu is awesome! There are a good amount of vegetarian options as well which I appreciated. To start I had the fried eggplant balls which were absolutely fantastic!! I would go back for these alone honestly; I have never had anything like them. For my entree I had the gnocchi with pesto. The gnocchi were potato and were absolutely to die for! So fluffy and light. My grandmother, who I went with, had the lasagna bolognese and she said it was outstanding. For dessert we had tiramisu which was also fantastic. Will definitely be going back again!!! read more

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I had reservations here with my girlfriend for 7:30pm on a Friday night. We parked in a corner lot off to the right of the building then walked over to DiTondo's. When we walked in there was 2 groups already waiting to be seated which made the entrance pretty crowded. No one was at the welcome/seating table so we had to wait at least 10 minutes to even see an employee that wasn't serving food. We almost left to go to Chef's ( which is a short walk down the road) but were finally seated after 20 minutes. After being seated, our experience was much better. The menu is very small so don't expect to get much else other than pasta. Our waitress was very attentive, and the food was pretty good. I ordered the large chicken parm, and my girlfriend ordered a large spaghetti parm. The portions are definitely big and was a lunch and dinner the next day. For dessert, we got an cinnamon ice cream slice of pie. Pricing is reasonable at DiTondo's, but it is CASH ONLY. They have an ATM in the front for those who aren't aware. Overall, i think the food is better than Chef's but the service and atmosphere leaves something to be desired. read more

DiTondo - Chicken Parm - Italian Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Went with a large party for the special event with a pre pay meal and band for a birthday dinner. Drinks took a very long time. Appetizer number 1 took a very long time. Appetizer number 2 took a very long time. At this point we were all starving and had been at the place for 2 hours and we still had no pizza. When we asked when we would get our pizza we were told the food was being plated. 15 minutes later we still had no pizza. We were finally served after 2 1/2 hours. The owner mumbled as we were being served and thanked us for our patience. We had to ask for the dessert course and then ask for our check, which was grabbed with the payment in a few seconds and quickly returned. Not sure what the issue was but it really ruined a birthday dinner. I have never had such a strange and aggravating dining experience. We almost felt like we were being forced to run up a our bar tab, as our food was taking so long. Also, 20% gratuity is added along with another fee. No choice but to leave a good tip for terrible service. This place needs to get it together. read more

What a spectacular lunch experience. There is a parking lot to the east you can use. The patio has covered portions and spots in the sun if you are looking to catch some rays during this glorious Buffalo summer. The decor is very European inspired with exposed brick and an open kitchen. Splurge and add on a glass of some of the best prosecco I have ever had. The food was fresh and all handmade from the pasta to the mozzarella. They only take reservations for parties over 8. Highly recommend if you are looking for a special lunch destination near downtown Buffalo. read more

Great atmosphere and great service! Lost a star because everyone that ordered the clams/clam sauce and pasta disliked it so much they couldn't even finish their dishes. Wouldn't recommend that! Everything else was tasty and delicious! read more

DiTondo - Italian Near Me - Buffalo, New York

This restaurant has been in the family for generations and has recently been renovated and refreshed. Wonderful place run by wonderful people. You'd be hard pressed to find better Italian cooking anywhere in Western New York. Can't wait until they're open for dinner! read more

1. Consider ordering dessert first. The entrees are so big, they'll likely kill you anyway, so why take a chance? Coconut cream pie is spectacular and big enough to share, but if you get it first you won't have to. 2. Everybody gets the same great friendly service. When you're here, you're family. 3. I haven't ordered anything I didn't enjoy in years of visits. My late father and uncle grew up in the neighborhood a century ago and I'll bet they'd agree. 4. If you order a drink, lift it to my old man. read more

New menu (October 2022) is overpriced and very unappealing. We were so disappointed. My $12 salad was bib lettuce, some breadcrumbs & vinegar. The bread was double what we pay at local bakeries and my mushroom pasta was a little too al-dente- chewy & not flavorful. At over $100 for two people, there are lots of better places out there. We will not be returning. read more

You can't get better spaghetti parm anywhere. Hours are very limited.

Dinner last night at DiTondo -- a great experience. They have been open for dinner for several weeks now, and the whole operation seemed smooth and wrinkle free. The meal was fantastic. We shared an order of the smelts, which were delicate and delicious, and the mushroom tagliatelle, which was fantastic. I had the braised pork shoulder which was wonderful, and my wife had the swordfish -- she expected to take half of it home, but couldn't resist it and ate it all. The tiramisu dessert was probably as good as any I have ever had. The service was perfect, the wine list was short but a good selection for every taste. Overall it was as excellent a dinner as I have had at any high end restaurant in western New York, and we will be back again. This is a winner. And if that were not enough, parking is easy and convenient! Go there now. read more

Had a great meal! All the small plates, entrees and desserts were tasty. Service was great.

Mamma Mia thissa placca fantastica butta onlya opena ona luncha ora Fridaya nighta. My friend, the captain of the Cheektowaga White Eagles soccer team, told me about this place, and it's definitely worth the trip! They're open every weekday lunch time, but only one evening a week - Fridays - which is when I usually go because they have their delicious and generously portioned Chicken Parm. They're a lovely, popular, unassuming family Italian place that is basically everything Chefs wants to be. What to get: Chicken Parm. They're not my absolute favourite place for Italian, but they're definitely comfortably high up in the top 10, probably in the top 5 in WNY, and the prices and portions definitely keep me coming back. They use a ton of cheese when they "parm" stuff so if you like generous helpings of mozzarella and such, this is the place for you. The sauce and spaghetti are excellent :) They're what people from a certain corner of Sicily call "Nomtasticissimo." Western NY has the best Italian American food on earth. I have 7 amazing restaurants to prove it. Just like the Pizza, and the Wings, and the Souvlaki... the sign when you come into the region should say: Italian American - it's better here. Top tier: Mulberry Cafe (one in a million, my fave, best lasagne and meatballs on earth). Lockport Village (best chicken parm). Santasieros (cheap and rich and delicious). Best of the rest: DiTondo's (only open Friday eve), Roman Cafe (yum yum in NT), Michael's (best Beans N Greens and rolled mozzarella chef salad imaginable), Lebro's (awesome sauce and Chicken Parm). You will not go wrong at any of those marvellous jewels. But yes - DiTondo's - Just down the road from chefs, and miles, miles better. read more

How do you charge so much money for such a little amount of food, it was good food but if you had someone with you that had a bigger appetite, they would have to get some fast food on the way home. The prices were high compared to what you got. Sorry, never going back, figure it out, read more

A charming and warm atmosphere, wonderful individually prepared dishes from an open kitchen. Husband and wife team, Rita and Fabio, deliver the bestie Italian hospitality in a charming setting, you can't go wrong with this one. read more

It's been a long time but oh so good. They have limited hours and a limited menu and it works!! We ordered their big burger with cheese and hot pepper. They cook it to order. Whether you like rare or well done. They will make it the way you like it. They run a well oiled machine of great food and service. Some of my other favorites are the fried baloney. A perfect slice of baloney with cheese and if you like a pepper. The pasta dishes with their homemade sauce made this place famous. You need try them also. Cash only and lunch 11-2. I believe dinner is only served on Friday. But you need to make time to try this place out. Glad i found time during my vacation to come here. read more

This is a great place, very old school, classic. Nothing fancy about it! Very simple menu, straight to the point. Our service was great, the prices were very reasonable. I had the spaghetti parm with a meatball, and my husband had the spaghetti parm with chicken breast. I am very picky with my sauce, and I loved theirs. It's not a sweet sauce, and the portions are huge! We both ordered the smaller portions and still had leftovers. They both came with soup or salad, and bread on the table. I saved room for homemade custard pie and a cup of coffee. The pie was to die for. Make sure you make reservations, since Friday nights are the only day they are open for dinner. We will definitely be back to try some other things on their menu. read more

DiTondo - Free bibs! - Italian Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Ordered the pasta with parm and it was okay but nothing special. Decided to add a sausage link for $1+ and a single meatball $1+ which none were included and wasn't impressed by either. The meatball was mostly filler and not big by any means and the sausage was kinda dry and nothing special. Maybe this place gets its great reviews for its other items. I will however say that the coconut pie was excelent! The server was super nice and checked on us multiple times. Also, the food we had left was promptly taken and wrapped up for us which was really nice too. read more

DiTondo - Large Pasta Parm. Cheese, Sausage and Meatball all costs extra. - Italian Near Me - Buffalo, New York

DiTondo's beats Chef's... mic drop. We stopped for lunch, and the menu had many options, priced very reasonably. Raised in an Italian Family, my Gram always said 'you don't order sauce or meatballs out...' I have to believe Gram would approve of DiTondo's, because both sauce and meatballs were an instant reminder of Sunday dinner at her house. I have never come across a Buffalo Italian restaurant where the taste was so close to hers. Thanks DiTondos for the great food, service and memories. read more

Their spaghetti parm competes with Chefs! So so good! I got a side portion and ate it all. **Side note**Their side portion is not small. When you come you need to order the spaghetti parm-it looks like their best dish by far. Also with pasta and melted cheese you cannot go wrong. The only thing I regret is not getting sauce on the side. I would recommend getting here early or you may have to wait for a table-they are pretty popular. They are also only open for lunch so don't come for dinner. Who's spaghetti parm is better-Chef's or DiTondo's? Well I guess you will just have to try both and find out! read more

Today was my first and last time there. Place opened at 11; we got there at 12. Long list of specials on the board; "eggplant stacked" 3rd in list. It was no longer available. "That lady there just ordered the last one." I didn't bother turning around. Chicken parm: chicken was thin and breaded. Meatball sandwich: meatballs were maybe half 'n half (meat and bread). Stuffed peppers: stuffed with bread, covered with cheese; no sauce, no imagination. Disappointing. Weather was cold today but they did have a nice outdoor area that is probably used in season only, nice yard. read more

The Ravioli, Parm, Pepperoni is amazing! I couldn't believe how good. My new favorite thing there. It was the Chicken Parm, but this is even better! read more

Fantastic Italian cuisine that leaves your mouth savoring every bite. Just went in for lunch with my family and have to recommend the lasagna ! read more

Located across the street from Chef's, this little old school Italian place gives the competition a run for its money! Walk in through a bar area lined with men in their 70s that look like they've been sitting there since the place opened when they were teenagers. The waitresses and staff are very nice and attentive, even when the place is busy and you're the newbie. They serve reasonably priced ($10 or less) pasta meals without a ton of variety. Pasta is standard spaghetti. Sauce is standard red (and delicious). You can add meatballs (you pick how many) and a handful of other options. If you get anything "parm" style, expect it to be drenched in amazing mozzarella. Their hours are limited and they close at 3pm. This is a solid lunch spot for anything looking to leave satisfied (and possibly overeat). Bread is soft and fresh and complimentary but without any fancy olive oil tricks like the white table clothe establishments like to do. read more

Made a res for a 5 top via the Resy app. 4 tops were available at every time but we could only secure a res at 8:00 PM on a weekday. We tried to get their number to call and see if we could move it up only to find that they do not have a phone, you cannot call them. We were in the area anyway so we stopped in at 5 to ask if we could move the res up and they said that they were at full capacity and it could not be changed. We came back at 7:45 to get our table and noticed every table on the left side of the restaurant was still empty. Again they told us they were at full capacity. We weren't Sat until 8:30. We had a glass of wine while we waited (no seating while you wait) and tipped the tender in cash as we kept the wine on the check to the table. The people were nice but it was very clear that there were no changes of any kind allowed, I.e. I asked about the steak and was told you need to get it medium rare. When asked if I could get it medium I was told no, The chef will not serve it that way. The appetizers were tiny for the money, when the entrees came they were very small portions as well. It was more like a tapas tasting. The pasta was very good and the bartender and waitress were attentive and friendly. We weren't aware of the mandatory 20% tip until we received our bill. We usually tip that or more for great service, but we should have been informed prior. Mixed reviews from the table on desert, tiramisu being the favorite. We really wanted to love this place and love that people are investing in WNY. We tipped twice for the wine (100% tip when it was done after cash) and left the restaurant hungry after appetizers, entree and desert. The wine by the glass pours and food portions are really small. Overall the food was good but very expensive for the incredibly small portions you get. Unfortunately it was just a very odd and disappointing dining experience. read more

I had lunch today at this fabulous restaurant. Owners, Chef Fabio Consonni, and Sommelier Rita Di Tondo, have created a charming atmosphere in which to enjoy exquisitely prepared classical Italian delicacies, the likes of which you will find nowhere else in Western New York. I had the taglietelle, Flat 12 Mushrooms & mascarpone, which was delicious, but every dish I saw arriving from the kitchen looked equally appealing. So glad I took out tiramisu for later because it was the best tiramisu I've ever had! There's a patio on the side of the restaurant that come warmer days should add even more to the restaurant's charm. I'll be back, DiTondo's, because I can't wait to try more of your dishes. read more

DiTondo's is my favorite downtown lunch spot. I always order spaghetti parmesan. It's very good with mushrooms, too. The service is without compare. DiTondo's spaghetti parmesan is better than Chef's. There. I've said it. Yes, it's a comfy bar and you bet your booties you won't want to leave. read more

Di Tondo's is another one of those (in)famous Buffalo institutions. The menu consists of approx. 4 lunch items, there are usually 5 specials, all heavy on the italian side. Excellent meatball and italian sausage patty sandwiches. The desserts are delicious. There's always a huge table full of italian men having a great big drinking lunch and I want to sit with them. When I left today, I told them they needed to share the birthday cake and champagne they were enjoying. Invitations were issued. read more

I had high hopes.... and I ended up disappointed in both the food and the service. It seems like the kind of place that everyone who was eating there has been eating there for years... decades even. Maybe that was the problem. I was the new kid. And, they don't seem to like new kids. First I was ignored. Then, when I was acknowledged, I was asked what I wanted before I was given a menu. When it arrived and I ordered, I was made to feel like I ordered exactly the wrong thing. There wasn't a salad on the lunch menu, so I asked about getting one. A salad? Seriously? Well.... I see other people eating them, so they must exist. Oh... it's a dinner salad. Does it come with the entrees? No, it's extra. How much? Four bucks. Okay... great.... I'll have a small dinner salad with Italian dressing and a meatball sandwich. It's not small, it's big. Ummmm..... okay. I'll have a big dinner salad and a meatball sandwich. It's only one size. Okay... I'll have the dinner salad and a meatball sandwich. You want peppers or onions or cheese on your sandwich? No thanks. You want it plain? I guess....just meatballs and sauce. Okay. All of the other tables with salads also have baskets of bread and butter. My salad comes without it. When I ask about it I'm told bread comes with pasta, but not with salads... but she'll give me some any way. The two tiny slices of bread that are brought to the table in a saucer (no basket for me) are fresh enough and served with butter in packets. The salad, iceberg and romaine lettuce, a red onion sliver, one (ONE!!!) grape tomato and a bunch of stale croutons, is topped with off-brand bottled dressing. Sad! My meatball sandwich arrived just as I was finishing my salad and it was accompanied by a pickle slice and half a hard-boiled egg. Odd! The round roll was delicious. The (three) meatballs were rather flavorless and contained more fillers than meat. And, the sauce was too sparse to add or detract. I would have liked more of it to make my sandwich taste like more than bread-balls on wonderful bread.... but alas, I was afraid to ask for it. read more

Went here last night for dinner. I had a spaghetti parm with chicken and eggplant. The eggplant was rolled up with ricotta cheese. It was off the specials menu. This was my 1st time at this restaurant. This is my second favorite Italian restaurant in Buffalo. The prices are reasonable and the sauce is very good. They give bread for the table and my dinner came with a salad. I will be back to this restaurant. The only reason why I gave 4 stars was because the hostess wasn't very personable.. That's okay though I only had to deal with her once! Tip to the restaurant: don't put people as a hostess that don't want to deal with other people!(that's kinda of your job)... read more

DiTondo - Spaghetti parm with chicken and eggplant. Eggplant was rolled up with ricotta cheese. This dinners is off the specials menu - Italian Near Me - Buffalo, New York

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I've been here several times for lunch and always enjoyed the spaghetti parm with a meatball. This time I decided to go for Friday dinner with our neighbors! We started with the stuffed peppers for an appetizer. They were horrible and told the waitress that they were not good and seemed to be left under a heat lamp too long and were dried out and wilted. I decided to change from my standard entree choice and went with the Italian fish which sounded do good! My wife ordered the linguine and clams and my neighbors ordered the braciole and the eggplant parm. Well, all I can say is that the bread, salad and the pasta fazool were the stars of the evening!! My fish was mushy and flavorless, my wife's linguine jacked flavor and my neighbors barely ate theirs either! If and when I come back, I'll stick with the spaghetti parm and not venture too far away from their traditional offerings! read more

This is a must when in Buffalo. Blue on tap. Spaghetti Parm. Done. The menu is the size of a postcard. Some great lunch specials too. read more

An old school Buffalo classic! Great pasta, sauce, steak sandwiches and homemade pies, to name a few! A totally down home, family feel, with great service! read more

DiTondo - Pasta Fagioli, steak sandwich, spaghetti parm topped with a meatball and sausage, homemade chocolate cream pie, homemade coconut cream pie - Italian Near Me - Buffalo, New York

While my fiance was enjoying his last weekend as a "bachelor" I was left alone to enjoy a weekend off. I decided I needed to do things that he normally doesn't like to do. One of those things is eating Italian food. He doesn't understand all the good things about some pasta and sauce. I don't quite understand. After a solo evening enjoying Larkin Square I was driving home trying to decide where to eat. I noticed DiTondo's was open, and drove by. Then made a turn around in an alley and went back. It was very. busy. And it seems that everyone knows each other here. Since I was solo I just wanted a spot at the bar... but I had to stand and drink a beer while I waited forever! Eventually I sat. The bartenders seemed to pity me. I got to order my food, the menu is small and simple. I got linguine with clams. Tons of chopped clams, nice garlicky flavor and pasta. It was good, I ate it all. I think I'd enjoy this spot more with some friends, wine and red sauce. I will be back... probably with pals who appreciate Italian more than my man ;) read more

Ditondo's Tavern is on Seneca Street in Buffalo, NY just past the other famous Italian Restraurant. I was a fan of the other Italian Restaurant until Ditondo's. The menu is limited and the place does not have much ambiance, but the food is awesome. It's not overly priced but I gaurantee you will be bringing food home unless you just can't stop eating. I love the pasta and meat sauce! The sauce is so good and it has chunks of italian sausage in it. Don't forget the Friday special, 10 dollar Steak Hoagie. This is a full Steak with a bananna pepper, onoins and cheese on a hoagie roll. So try out Ditondo's, just past the other guys! read more

My second time here. The food continues to be amazing. Avoid this place at all costs of you are avoiding or counting carbs. Otherwise enjoy your hearty, homespun and delicious feast. read more

DiTondo - Brought some home to share - Italian Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Someone tried telling me this place was better than chefs. I hate to leave a bad review but there was literally no sauce on the spaghetti parm. It's like eating noodles with cheese on the top. We got two orders of this because we weren't aware. I wish my husband checked before he took it home (take out order) because i like sauce on my pasta. At least with chefs they give you sauce on the side. read more

DiTondo - Italian Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Perfect place for lunch if you work downtown! The place was packed and staff was accommodating for our group of 8. The spaghetti parm was amazing - ordered the "side" and it was pretty big. Not a huge menu. Silverware was also dirty with chunks of food on it - which I can't handle seeing when at a restaurant. Waitress also seemed a bit overwhelmed/annoyed at times. Does not accept credit cards - so definitely bring cash if you plan on going. read more