Terrible!!! When we got there they said the wait was 20 minutes. After waiting 30 minutes I went in and asked how long is the wait. They said it would be another 30 minutes. Anyway, after seating my wife ordered lasagna and I ordered a 7 ounce steak. My wife's food was bone dry like cardboard. My 7 ounce (medium) steak came out looking like a 3 ounce and overly well done!!! We both sent our food back. With in five minutes, we got our same plates back. My wife got her lasagne, the exact same and I got my exact same steak back. How do you go from a well done steak to a medium steak in five minutes? Putting it in hot water for to make it "juicy?" It smelled like sewer and was "chewy" like beef jerky. I did not want to spoil Mother's Day so I said nothing and neither did my wife. But this was a terrible experience. We will never ever ever ever go back there again!!!!!!! EVER!!!! Thanks Johnny Carino's for spoiling Mother's Day!!! Good job!!!! read more

Drove about 65 miles for shopping and stopped here for lunch because I don't have a JC in my neck of the woods, and based on my last experience there, we all felt like going back. This time, though, it was different. Food was overpriced for the portions, the free bread was soft and delicious and couldn't get enough of it, but I guess staff thought I did because they were also very skimpy with it -maybe they're trying to help me watch my diet, so nice of them. I had the 16-layer lasagna, was okay. The "layers" would come undone really easily and become all messy. Again, it was a pretty small portion for a $14.99 plate, you don't get soup or salad with it, by the way; you gotta pay extra for it!! My wife got the Build-your-own pasta plate, paid $3.99 extra for chicken and, again, very little chicken. If you're used to The Olive Garden -their competition -you'll be pretty disappointed. The staff was courteous, although they had a problem with their printer and the order came out late but I don't think it's a big deal, it happens anywhere. Because of the food portions and prices you can get more and better tasting food at The OG (the Olive Garden and Original Gangsta of chain restaurant Italian Food). So, there... I wouldn't go back and wouldn't recommend it. read more

First time at Johnny Carino's El Centro California. We arrived at your restaurant around 6 PM St. Patrick's day all your employees looked adorable. It was not very busy in the dining area but still had to wait 20 minutes to be seated the girls in the bar were busy and happy and look like they were hustling and doing a great job! When we were seated it was in a cozy booth on the side wall which I loved. Our server was prompt and courteous and I'm sorry I forgot her name but she was training and I wanted to say thank you for such wonderful service also boxing up our leftovers which is a great touch. As a fellow restaurant employee/Manager at a fine dining steakhouse I just wanted to say overall visit was wonderful and we will be back. However if I could give one suggestion if your guests are paying $60 plus for a meal, which we did the floors should not look the way they did. As a restaurant manager I realize under tables can get quite messy after guests leave but this was throughout the entire restaurant and it was quite disgusting. Overall good experience We had the lasagna and chk artichoke angel hair pasta read more

I love this chain of restaurants , so we were out of town in El Centro and felt like Italian. So we drove 25 minutes from Brawley which is where we were staying. Sad to say that my usual shrimp and chicken pasta plate was cold when I got it. The poor Staff is overwhelmed and they are short handed. Had to keep asking for refills and took way too long to get our side salads. Waiter was very nice but I blame this type of service (BAD) ON THE MANAGEMENT FOR UNDER STAFFING THEIR RESTAURANT. I COME TO THIS PLACE KNOWING THAT MY BILL WILL BE EXPENSIVE AND EXPECT BETTER SERVICE FOR THIS TYPE OF RESTAURANT. TOO BAD. WON'T BE COMING BACK TO THIS PLACE. read more

Good food, good service. Three of us went there for lunch while working in Calexico. Flavor and presentation of food was good. Salad was fresh. The waitress remembered who ordered which dish, and what was ordered on the side! Our food came out at almost the same time although two of us ordered from the lunch menu and one from the regular menu. I can recommend this restaurant. read more

Service was terrible! Have been there before and service was good but will not go again! Went on a Monday evening. Maybe that's a bad time to go. read more

I am 62 and have had a few meals at restaurants. Service at Johnny's was the worst I've ever experienced particularly because the restaurant was not busy (it was a Monday evening) I had to rubberneck to get attention for the initial "hello what can I bring you?" and to get my second Stella on time for the main dish. Good news the eggplant parmigiana I ordered was very good; firm but cooked through, the right amount of breading (may have been they broiled to get the crust just perfect not soggy like most) and I ordered it "easy on the cheese" emphasis on sauce and the chef was right on. I was dining solo and in a place that caters to large groups I fell through the cracks! Will not return during my 4-night stay. read more

I went in there recommended by a friend. I ordered a Caesar salad it was horrible all dried! And no dressing. It looks like it's been in the refrigerator for days. The waiter said it was fresh but I know a salad when it's fresh. read more

Outstanding - all the way around; service, food and drinks. Went on a Sunday evening, my son and I met my daughter and wife at the El Centro location. We arrived about 15 minutes behind my wife; the wait staff went out of their way to make my wife and daughter feel at home. The waitress was on the ball and kept our drinks refilled. I had their Italian soda - cherry and vanilla - it was very tasty. The house salads were very good while the main courses were outstanding as well - my daughter had Baked Cheese Tortellini, my son had pepperoni macaroni, the wife had Vegetable Pasta Primavera and I had zesty shrimp and chicken. Highly recommended! I have had many meals in Italy, and Carinos is worthy of it's name. read more

Hobestly the service was ok but the problem was the table we were sitting at there was ants crawling all over our table and around the area I was sitting at, the only reason we noticed was bc the ants started crawling on us. It was gross... we left immediately after that. I was really upset and the manager did come to apologize but I was so gross out, I at least expected a discount... I'm not one to write reviews but it was a really bad experience. I used to love going to this place!! read more

This was our first time at the restaurant and it was a great meal! I had the spaghetti & meatballs and my wife had the chicken ravioli with jalapeno cream sauce and they both tasted delicious. Great food, great atmosphere and the price was just right! Will definitely visit again!! read more

We went there on Saturday 10/3/14 and the manager greeted us and we told him a table for 6 so we patiently sat there and people were coming in and after a while the hostess comes up to us to ask if we had been helped and we said yes we are waiting on a table for 6. she goes to the counter and I guess checked to see our name on the list and comes back and says oh you are not on there but no problem and takes us to a booth (we had requested a table 6 people in a small booth do not fit) so we see at table and ask if we can take that one and she says yes. So we all order and my friend and I order a Chicken Pasta salad (not sure the name)but I do ask the waitress when I order you did write down the one with the pasta right and she replies that yes in fact she did. So our food is taking a while in the mean time we asked her for bread and it never came we had to ask another waitress for bread. when our order comes in the salad looks different than what I remember and it so happens the manager passes by as well as the waitress and I ask did I make a mistake on my order because the salad your brought me has no pasta and he says that is the cobb salad but I did not order the cobb salad he does offer to replace it but honestly by this time if I wait for another order the rest of my guest will be done and well I wanted us all to eat together. So I think to myself this is not what I ordered the least the manager could have done is taken it off the bill we didn't even eat it because it's not what we wanted. Very disappointed with the manager. the waitress did come back and say she was new to working at the restaurant but I know the manager he is not new. read more

Today i Drop! my son at Jonhy carinos which I had never been there I just pull over on curbside delivery 15 min maximum which that was the only parking was left for my car to cool which that moment I was try to google restaurant to order Which in that moment a worker lady came up and ask me if everything was find I told my situation and she took my order that was nice of her name is malany so today I had wings awesome thank you carinos read more

We ordered 2 personal size pizzas to go. Not very much FOOD was on the pizza. Chicken and mushrooms,come on, it was half a mushroom. Chicken, barely a piece. Lots of dough, lots of crack dairy, most commonly known as cheese. It was busy, on a Thursday, boy it was like New Year's Eve. Noisy music, but people were happy. So, I guess I am an unusual guest. read more

I swear this one waitress stay hittin' on me, gonna have to give it to her, she knows who she is, hit me up tho 1(760)970-2012, I like the wings, the fries aight, but the cute ass waitress kept asking everything is good, it got annoying but it's okay because she cute. I r8 8/8 m8 read more

The ambiance was amazing the staff was so nice and friendly and the food was awesome. It was a nice clean warm place to enjoy a family meal. the staff was very accommodating and helpful. The portion sizes were massive but well priced for such a large amount of food and the bread was to die for. read more

Overall good food and atmosphere. It can get a little loud depending where you sit. We we seated right next to the kitchen but it was bad enough to ask to be moved. Had the seafood fettuccine with Alfredo sauce. I would go back. read more

It's ok. Typical chain Italian food. I rather go to a mom and pop place if I'm in the valley. However the bar area is good on Thursdays. Good beer selection. read more

I personally don't like It . I'm more in to Olive Garden . But have went to this place for a few reunions and baby showers. The place is nice and ambient is good . I would say I just don't care for the food . read more

Excellent service, nice atmosphere, perfect food, and the Sicilian Fire Sticks are fantastic ! Definitely are a must...

I was searching Yelp for a place for a quick steak and brew while driving through El Centro. Now mind you, I was returning from 2 weeks in Baja and the last thing I was hungry for was Mexican food. If you've ever waited 2 hours in line to cross the border at TJ and been assaulted by every kind of bandito from blind, limb - missing to small children trained to cry actual tears for money, you want to put Mexico in the rear view mirror pronto! Was done with salsa and chips. So of coarse El Centro was a haven for Mexican restaurants, which I am sure are terrific, but not for me, not tonight. Stumbled upon this chain in the local mall parking lot and hooray, they had sirloin on the menu and an attractive array of craft beer. I sat at the bar as usual, enjoyed the big screen TV and had great service and steak cooked perfectly medium rare. No complaints from me. And they have mini sized desserts to enjoy guilt free read more