Went to Geno's finally, after years of being away from Monroe. Sadly, I missed some of the qualities they were known for. The "signature salad" was not what it was. I missed the "gooey" goodness of the cheese bread. The garlic bread was just okay. The meatballs though, were very good. And so was the lasagna! Good quality pasta. Heres hoping this place can regain some of the qualities missing now that they were known for, years ago! read more

Geno's is a magical little place that makes you feel like you've transported somewhere else. The staff is always friendly, homemade salad dressing is to die for and you can't find a better muffuletta anywhere in town. I will earn that the chicken parm is a very traditional Italian style and has a flavor that some people aren't used to when ordering this dish. I love any of their seafood pastas and you can't go wrong with the Alfredo sauce! read more

Delicious food, feels like you're eating in someone's home it's so cozy! Very warm and welcoming. Amazing service every time!

I have lived in New Orleans for 12 years and i was excited to share Geno's, my childhood Italian restaurant, with my husband & daughter during our recent visit to Monroe. I was so glad to see that the family atmosphere has remained and that little has changed at the location, including the delicious food! The chianti, mozzarella cheese bread with marinara dipping sauce, Italian salads with mama's homemade dressing, fettuccine Alfredo, lasagna & snapper with seafood cream sauce were all scrumptious! The large slice of cheesecake with blueberry topping was the perfect sweet treat to end our meal! I was so pleased they loved the experience of dining at a childhood staple of mine. Thank you, Geno's, for another wonderful meal & memory read more

Awesome food and service at one of the oldest restaurants in Monroe. Family owned and run since its inception.

I went for the first time with high expectations because of great reviews. We walked into a dark, freezing cold room and stood around close to 5 minutes waiting for someone to acknowledge us. I honestly thought that I might have walked into someone's house by mistake. Finally we are asked if we had reservations. Mind you the restaurant just opened, and it's completely empty. We are seated In the front with little light and no heat!!!! We ordered the meatballs as an appetizer which was a big mistake. The sauce had an overwhelming smell and taste of burnt cigarette ashes and bbq sauce. I've never smelled or tasted anything like it. My lasagna had the potential to be good, but the same sauce ruined it. My daughter ordered the shrimp Alfredo which was bland with rubbery shrimp. The waitress was kind and tried her best. I so wanted to love this place because I really like home town places that have authentic local flavor. This place was such a disappointment. I can honestly say that it was the worst meal I've ever had in Monroe. read more

Geno's is a family favorite! I always end up buying a bottle of Geno's dressing while we are there. It's the best! You can't go wrong with a mama's Italian salad and spaghetti and meatballs. read more

Always a good stop for lunch. The atmosphere of being a small house is very appealing and the service is always been good. The food is consistently above average and something to be enjoyed. read more

Was led to Geno's based on strong recommendations, drove 60 miles and i will do it again! First, table service was excellent, homemade salad dressing was outstanding. I choos lasagna and my wife chose eggplant Parmesan..both were fork-dropping good, pasta perfect and a rich, foavorable sauce. Appears many regulars as they were recognized by staff. Atmosphere is classic, unique, and just spectacular. And the terimsu...wow! read more

Local favorite. Great food and great service. They have a cute little patio where you can eat outside on beautiful days/evenings. The lasagna is our family favorite! read more

First time eating here and it was a take away lunch. I had SHRIMP ALFREDO w/ ANGEL HAIR PASTA. The Alfredo sauce taste homemade! It is absolutely delicious! And the shrimp... Seasoned to absolute perfection!! Definitely will be going back again! read more

I recently brought my wife to Geno's on a much needed date night. I was looking for The classic romantic Italian restaurant and I was not disappointed! The atmosphere was quiet and personal but also very cheerful. Our waitress was amazing and very patient! She was very knowledgeable about the menu and kind. The food was hands down the best Italian cuisine I have ever had. We started with salad which came with their homemade dressing! The mozzarella bread came with homemade sause as well. I had the combination platter and my wife(who is a notoriously picky eater) had the chicken alfredo, which she ate nearly all of. The experience especially for the price was out of this world. 10 out of 10 will definitely be going back. read more

My first time there ,Service was exceptional. Food was very good. Loved the family like atmosphere. Wife felt the same.

Creeeeeeeeeepy! I don't mind hole in the wall spots/random buildings. Etc.' Usually those are the best spots! But the layout in here made me feel like I was being brought into.a backroom to be murdered. So that was easy to get over, right......but then the health inspector came in for a follow up on an inspection conducted last month, to which they failed. Its too late now, here comes my plate. Ok fine.....there is probably nothing, so I proceed to eat. Very tiny portions, and the bread,, lol....pretty sure that was someone's leftovers. But thats not the worst of this place. WHY THE %#*^ does the server need to keep hovering over my table THE ENTIRE TIME! Oh, he walked away for a brief moment to talk.to somebody- talking about his ex wife. She kept her existing last name and that didn't bother him, etc. He quickly returned and hovered over my table. Like, may I eat in peace?!! Nope, DO NOT RECOMMEND- too weird in many aspects read more

This place is definitely 5 stars for its class. Set in an old house with a large patio, Geno's is homemade Italian food (not like Olive Garden or Carino's). Everything was authentic from the food to the decor. The red sauce used in many of the entrees is different, but delicious. It's is not large inside, so a big group may have to sit on the patio. Very casual, affordable, and the wine was good too. If you go... 1. Sit on the patio. It's way more fun! 2. Try mama's homemade dressing on a salad. 3. Expect to enjoy a good, local dive with friends or a date! read more

Amazing experience here tonight. Truly felt like an "at home" getaway. The history of the restaurant was explained to us by our delightful waitress and we were given a complimentary tiramisu because it was our first time. This place is a hidden Monroe treasure. Loved supporting this family business (since 1964) and enjoying homemade spaghetti. We will definitely be back. read more

Geno's Italian Restaurant - a plate of spaghetti and meatballs - Italian Near Me - Monroe, Louisiana

8-28-13-Not the most appealing place on the outside, but don't let the looks fool you.There's some really good food inside of this place. I had the combination platter. Which consisted of Lasagna,Manicotti,Meatball,Italian Sausage(1 of each)and pasta with a red sauce. For dessert I had the Tiramisu cake which was delicious. I found the prices to be reasonable and the service okay. If ever I return to this area to work, I will visit this place again. If not for the food,I will definitely come back for the Tiramisu. read more

Geno's Italian Restaurant - Tiramisu (Delicious) - Italian Near Me - Monroe, Louisiana

See all

Went for a date night with my wife. Went in the door to what looked like a living room. Thinking we went in the wrong door I snuck around to make sure we weren't in someone's house. Finally someone walked by and said we were in the right place. Shrimp Alfredo was bland and shrimp were very rubbery. Chicken Parmigiana was covered in a burnt tomato sauce that smelt like an ash tray. Breadsticks come with the ash tray sauce as well. Marinara sauce would have been better. The waitress was awesome. She said they always burn the sauce and had told them multiple times it was burnt. Cannoli was frozen solid. The lemon water was the best I've ever had though. read more

Ate here for the first time in years while visiting. Came in just after they opened. People were friendly enough. Food came out wayyyy to quickly which was a red flag. Clearly reheated and tasted like it was stored in a tupperware container that left a strong taste of old-person ad cigarettes. Very very disappointed in what used to be a classic, classy place. read more

The place never disappoints. Recently moved to Monroe from out of state, Geno's quickly became one of our favorites. No matter what you get for dinner, you have to try the Italian Cream cake. read more

Very good service, excellent food at good price! The manager personally stopped us on the way out to catch our names and ask how our evening went. Really good to see smaller businesses do all the little things right! read more

Such a cool place! I recently had lunch here with a gathering of friends, and I believe I heard each of them say they'd not been to Geno's in years. Thing is, the place is lights-out good! The server was extraordinary and the food--each friend's plate--was absolutely perfect. Just as I had heard everyone say they'd not been there in years, I overheard the entire group exclaim they would definitely be returning to Geno's again very shortly. Terrific local restaurant! I wish them the very best. read more

We were a group of six in town for work. The staff here alone is worth a visit, friendly & attentive. Everyone at the table enjoyed their dinners, eggplant parmigiana, lasagna and chicken Alfredo to name some. We were to full for dessert that they get from our home town Italian bakery, Angelo Brocato's. Had a wonderful evening, thank y'all' read more

So disappointing. Don't be fooled by the 50 years in business sign. You were thinking that pasta sauce tasted just like you make at home, right? If so, you are right! Their pasta sauce is Hunts tomato sauce. Yup, the same stuff you buy at Brookshires for $1.50 a can. You might be lucky enough to actually see them stock the cans into the kitchen like we were. This place has a nice quaint "old home" feel, but when you taste the food, you know grandma has moved on from the the kitchen. Pass on this place. read more

I had never been to this restaurant before. I love lasagna. The menu says lasagna is the specialty the house. It was very good, and I was not disappointed. The service was reasonably quick The food preparation was reasonably quick. The waitresses were extremely friendly. It is in an old building/house. The ceilings are kind of low. At First, I was put off by it, but as I sat there for a while, I found it to be Old school charming. This is no decor that you would find an Applebee's or Outback's, But to me, that's a positive. I plan to return again. read more

The sauce did not taste homemade. The room was stuffy and hot. Not a good place to eat. The good reviews I read on yelp must have come from relatives of the owner. read more

Was traveling through Monroe on business. Was in the mood for some chicken Parmesan. Based on hotel recommendations and Yelp reviews, I decided to order it to go from Geno's, so I can eat while doing some work in my room. Picked it up, staff was very friendly. Returned to my hotel room, open the container to see two clumpy breaded breast strips served over pasta. Needed a saw to cut through each piece. Dry is an understatement! It was basically frozen chicken or leftovers they reheated. The absolute WORST CHICKEN PARMESAN I HAD EVER EATEN IN MY LIFE! I wish I had eaten in so that I could vehemently send back to the kitchen. Threw the chicken away and just ate the pasta. Very disappointed. read more

Great place to eat. My first date with my lady was there. Great atmosphere. Also good place to place a pickup order.

Had the eggplant parmesan with bolognese sauce. It was pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty good. The service was excellent, especially if Cricket is your server. I tasted both the lasagna and fennel sausage. Both were delicious. Get there early to get a piece of their homemade Italian cream cake. read more

First time and it was very good, beyond my expectation. You enter into an obviously old house but it is set up with perfect ambiance for a dinner...Italian that is. And I did not expect vegetable lasagna on the menu, great choice. I will return and highly recommend. read more

The poor reviews on this site, I have found to be not true. This place is charming, atmosphere, service and food! I will go back! read more

Geno's Italian Restaurant - Combination plate, delicious! - Italian Near Me - Monroe, Louisiana

This is a fabulous restaurant and usually we have great service, but I just had the worst restuarant experience I have ever had. The hostess/bartender ASHLEY was the rudest person I have ever encountered. She even argued with me in front of her manager! Being from Dallas and having exceptional dining experiences from LA to New York, I am extremely upset that this restaurant would put up with such rudeness from an employee. Other than that, this really is the best restaurant Monroe has to offer and the food is fantastic. read more

This is my absolute favorite place for pasta. Over all of the pastas I've had from around the world, Geno's is still #1 in my heart.

Geno's is my happy place! Like walking into your grandmother's house - complete with Connie Francis or Frank Sinatra playing and family photos along the walls and windows. I love everything I've ever eaten there but especially anything with their sausage on it or the Snapper Classico! read more

Beef ravioli was fantastic! A friend had the crawfish alfredo that was delish and we both got cheesecake!! The atmosphere was homely and quiet! They have a really cute courtyard that would be perfect for dinner dates! Can't wait to come back! read more

To start, the service was very good. We stared off ordering the mozzarella bread, which didn't have the most flavor. It was just a French loaf with cheese on it. I ordered the chicken Parmesan, I would not recommend getting that. The chicken tasted like it had been ground up then cooked again, and the Mariana sauce was not too appetizing. The pizza a few tables over looked good. read more

I still think about the Chicken Parmigiana from Genos to this day. They had the best Italian chow ever. If you could find someone to split the cheese manicotti with you , you'd be in heaven. I love the sauce they give you for dipping their garlic bread in... Wish Genos would come to Cali. read more

Great Italian. Old World atmosphere. I strongly recommend eating outside. I'm from this town, and have eaten there many times and continue to eat there when I return for visits. The crawfish pasta=yum. Good wine selection:) read more

Second time wasn't as good as the first. The air doesn't work well and by dinners end we were all sweating. Server sat us at front of restaurant, which was fine but I feel he kinda forgot about us. Ordered cheese bread and it took almost till dinner to receive. Drinks commonly went empty till they were filled. Server just wasn't very engaged with us or seem to want to help us. This was disappointing and put damper on whole experience. Food was good. I had chicken Alfredo--- had to much sauce, but that's personal preference. My husband got red snapper again and liked it. My dad was excited they had veal Parmesan and ate every bite. My oldest daughter are crawfish Alfredo and enjoyed crawfish a lot. Nice atmosphere and neat little location. Sadly, service is important and cost this place two stars. read more

A great place to go on a date. The food portions are a little small but the atmosphere is splendid. Their wait staff is friendly and the food is well-prepared. One of the few decent restaurants in Monroe. read more