Marechiaros on 2nd

Such a wonderful night with amazing food and amazing service. Cindy was our server tonight and her…read morebright spirit and enthusiasm really shined bright in every interaction. As first timers here, Cindy provided a welcoming and personal experience through meal recommendations, drink pairings, and community events. She truly made our night so much more memorable and meaningful throughout her kindness and hospitality. It is truly so refreshing to connect with such a warm-hearted and radiant person and have the opportunity to hear about their love for the industry, food, and connection to the people that they work with. It was such a pleasure to enjoy the amazing food and atmosphere that she provided tonight! Looking forward to our next time here!

Talk about a hidden gem in El Cajon! A friend has raved about this place for years and we just…read morehappened to be in the San Diego area so we took the trip, holy cannoli it was so worth the 25-minute drive!! My internal little Italian girl and my current grown woman left so feeling so satisfied - heart, soul, and most importantly, stomach. The freshness, savory, cheesiness, and richness of the food was amazing (chef's kiss, seriously). Literally every dish we ordered was absolutely delicious and seeing the cheese stretching with every bite made each one that much better. The aromas wafting from the Sicilian Macaroni & Cheese when placed in front of us made me close my eyes and take several deep breaths just to take it in. The freshness of the sauce and house/hand-made raviolis were just ridiculously delicious and the lasagna made my eyes roll back. The customer service and family feel of the restaurant only added to the nostalgia of grandma's kitchen. Thank you, Cindy, you were the absolute best! 10 out of 10 and I can't wait to come back again. They've just gained another customer for life. I can't say enough great things about this restaurant.

Warm, freshly baked focaccia bread

Fresh pizza, served and ready to enjoy

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Hot, fresh pizza made from scratch

Di Leone's Italian Restaurant

4.2(346 reviews)

2.6 mi

We ventured to the other side of El Cajon tonight to try out the early bird special and 1/2 price…read moreappetizers. Opening the door we were greeted with the old school charm of a restaurant that has been around for over 50 years. Our server was delightful and very fast. In fact the entire staff had a warm energetic family feel. And, happily we beat the rush giving us the ability to hear each other and take our time enjoying the meal. Dad and I started with the chicken tortellini soup which was a little too salty for us. Tortellini was slightly overcooked making it flowery and missing meat or cheese. Mom's house salad was ok. She did comment on being disappointed in the oil served with it. Our appetizer was shrimp scampi. This was good, full of flavor. Shrimp was slightly overcooked giving it a semi rubbery edge. On to the entrees. They were huge! I had lasagna. I think when you see it delivered in a sea of sauce you need to be a bit wary. The sauce was spicy, as it should be. Noodles were thick and prominent . Sadly that left little to no room for my favorite part - cheese and meat which were limited. Dad gave the manicotti a try which was ok. Mom had eggplant parmesan, one of her favs. Her sauce was a little bit tart. Eggplant was a nice moist and tender slice with just the right amount of cheese. She loved how the strands of spaghetti wrapped around her fork so she could dip it into the sauce without a spoon. Yup, she really liked the Pasta. Overall she felt it was a nice Italian meal. Very popular spot as it filled up before 6pm and a party of 30 was expected! You can see it's a neighborhood

been going there for years and years absolutely love the…read moreservice and food i would drive miles for the best quality of food.

Garlic bread

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Our favorite corner

New York Giant Pizza

3.9(269 reviews)

•$

The owner was right this is very good food. After ordering from a different New York Giant pizza…read moreand posting a well deserved poor review on the wrong restaurant I gave this one a try.i ordered a meatball pizza with onions. In my opinion, Any pizza place that serves food needs to have excellent sauce and a meatball worth ordering. This pizza had both. Yummy the first time and yummy when reheated. The breadstick is substantial and sauce on the side delicious. I also had the wings with bbq sauce which I loved Nicely cooked and meaty with sticky bbq sauce. Thanks to all who cooked this and packed it up nicely. You can tell care is taken for the customer.

The pizza was ok but they delivered stale, inedible fries and refused to replace or refund them…read more $20 worth of fries that had to be thrown away. The manager was so unprofessional and rude. I would never do business with someone who cares so little about the quality of their food and their customers. I would give zero stars if I could. Shame on you!

Pizza Box!

Chicken tenders with fries

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Buffalo chicken fries

Monavala Pizza

4.3(373 reviews)

1.2 mi•Bostonia

Locally owned & operated

Gluten-free friendly

Thank you so much Rita and Sivan for great pizza and hospitality! This was our first visit and its…read moredefinite that we will be back. We came late in the evening as the shop was closing. But Rita gladly welcomed us, gave advice about different types of slices, and then custom made the best slices. We had a Greek slice to go along with a pepperoni and a cheese. Highly recommend this hidden gem to anyone looking for quality pizza served by friendly folks!

I absolutely love this pizza joint. The pizza is perfect every time. The cheese bread is so…read morebuttery. I am not joking when I say it almost brings me to tears it is so yummy! And the people there are super sweet and just really kind people. I recommend Monavalas pizza to anyone who wants a great slice, wonderful salads, and the cheese bread that melts in your mouth. Also they have a great selection of different sodas. Like Birch Beer, Spruce Beer, Bacon Maple Beer and many others not the typical boring sodas. I really love this place. And again the owners are great people in the community. Thank you, Monavalas. You are the best.

Hungry? see something you like? call us today and place your order.

Yes we do stuff crust

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Five Cheese Pizza

Sultan Baklava El Cajon

4.4(401 reviews)

After finishing dinner, I decided to check out a dessert spot just down the street, and I'm so glad…read moreI did! I was absolutely blown away by the desserts here. I tried the Baklava Cheesecake, and wow--it was one of the best cheesecakes I've ever had. The combination of creamy cheesecake and the rich, sweet flavors of baklava was incredible. My taste buds were in heaven! I also picked up some mini baklava pieces, and they were just as delicious--fresh, flaky, and packed with flavor. To top it all off, I ordered a caramel latte, and it was amazing. The coffee was smooth, flavorful, and paired perfectly with the desserts. The customer service was excellent, and everyone was friendly and welcoming. If you're in the neighborhood, do yourself a favor and stop by. You definitely won't be disappointed. I'll absolutely be coming back!

loved this place. It had such a modern & warm interior!! Baklava is $25/lb and Turkish delight is…read more$18/lb. Kinda $$ and the desserts are extremely sweet, but so well done. Loved how fresh, buttery, and flakey everything was. I also really enjoyed the chew and flavor of the lokum -- they were rosewater flavored! Would be a perf place to study at. Will definitely come back again!

Lotus mini cake with banana pudding.

Turkish coffee and chai

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A variety of baklava- really good!

Chicago Pizza Company

4.0(478 reviews)

Yumminess !! The pizza always on point Quick service always…read morenice people in the front desk 10/10 pizza

Sad but since new ownership this pizza is not the same…read more Time to find a new go to, Chicago pizza fans !

Pepperoni, Deep Dish Pizza

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Bambinos

4.6(97 reviews)

2.1 mi

We ordered for Admin day. Came early, piping hot…read more Very fresh ingredients. Over all very tasty and will order again for sure. The regular crust comes a little sofy soggy since we had delivery. the Thin was good but not crispy so will have to try again eating there. But overall the taste was amazing. 4 pizzas and all gone in 10 minutes so that tell you something LOL

My friends ordered delivery from Bambino's for their going-away party, and everything was…read moredelicious! I love how accommodating they are with dietary restrictions. I tried the cheese-free option and the vegetarian pizza, but my absolute favorite was the Margherita pizza. It was so good with the ricotta cheese!

Pizza parlor

Shrimp Scampi Pizza - 16"

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Franco's Giant Pizza

4.6(462 reviews)

1.3 mi

•$

Amazing customer service every time! Me and my girlfriend love getting Franco's! The pizza quality…read moreis always top tier. The calzones are huge! Nothing but positive vibes from Franco's and would recommend.

After moving to the Dehesa area, we discovered this pizza place, and it quickly became a favorite…read morefor my family. Now we look forward to pizza nights--or honestly, pizza any day! The staff is always welcoming, and the service has consistently been friendly. If you visit, be sure to try the cheese pizza or the extra pepperoni pizza. You won't be disappointed!

The front of the store! very warm & cozy environment!

Yummy Philly

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Buffalo fries

Italia Pizza

4.3(227 reviews)

0.4 mi•Bostonia

We're visiting from Florida and wanted some local pizza. Our family here recommended Italia and…read morethey were spot on. We ordered a vegetarian pizza with sausage and a Margherita, and both were amazing. Really fresh ingredients and no skimping on the sauce and cheese. Skip the chains and eat local. You won't regret it.

I decided yesterday to try ii out. Ordered a double pepperoni iwith pineapple. Plus 2 slices of…read morecheesecake with strawberry sauce. It was a disappointment. Upon pickup the pizza looked great, smell was awesome and it was hot. By the time I had gotten through half a slice the dough was tuff and chewy, it did taste great, good sauce, nice amount of cheese but the crust through it all off. The cheesecake tasted like a bad frozen cheesecake. I had better when purchased from Smart & Final! The strawberry sauce given was minimal. It was good I had frozen berries at home to thaw and add to the dismal cheesecake. Unless you're desperate don't waste your hard earned money. (Please)

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Gracious Greek Salad

Botani Breakfast & Pizzeria

4.2(142 reviews)

1.3 mi

I loved the place, and the staff is very nice, and helpful. The food is just perfect. Definitely…read morewill come back, and absolutely recommend.

I've visited Botani for the third time so far. I have nothing but positive things to say about…read morethis restaurant. It's family owned and it shows that they take pride in the quality of their food, customer service and hospitality. Their breakfast is amazing, I enjoyed their Flatbread, meat and eggs. My absolute favorite item was bread stuffed with melting cheese, can't recall the number but it was fantastic 10/10 I highly recommend Botani.

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Eggs, Kofta, and Tomatoes

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Pomegranate Tea

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48 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Eric G.

Elite 14

128

17 years ago

I used to love this place when I was in high school. I know some things aren't as good as you recall, but this is beyond that sort of thing. Service: Starting off, the waitress wasn't notified we were there for the first ten minutes... Not her fault, but not exactly great for us. She refilled my drink with the wrong beverage, and didn't come by the table for at least fifteen minutes, so I couldn't get it corrected, finally drank the whole thing so she might notice that there was an empty glass. Presentation: I could plainly see various items that were stored and stacked, and to be honest, it just detracted from the atmosphere they're trying to set. The food itself was lacking in this area too. The marinara sauce didn't *taste* bad, but from the look of it, I wouldn't have been shocked if it came from a tv dinner or a giant can bought at costco. It was just a step above my expectations for Spaghetti-O's. This place's marinara sauce had *some* flavor, and there was at least texture; but not much. All in all, the server came by on seldom occasion, and we were more than ready to go by the time we had paid. Most italian restaurants will give you a mint after your meal; what this place does pretty much sums up the experience: A bulk-bought unlabeled offbrand lollipop: -The presentation is naturally cheesy for anyone older than six -It doesn't have much to speak of for flavor -And lastly, like the overall experience, it felt just slightly... 'off'. read more

Lindz R.

15 years ago

Reading through some of these reviews, I am cracking up! Some of these have to be fake. This restaurant does it right...every time! The guy that said they threw his food away and didn't get an apology...ya right! I used to work here. That would NEVER happen. And the other Marechiaro's isn't run by a 'brother'. The two restaurants are completely unaffiliated. Another review said they weren't served at 9:15. That's because they close at 9pm!!! Check the door people! The closing hours are NOT posted. Okay, now that I got that little rant out of the way. :) Like, I said, i used to work here. I would have no problem blasting the place if they deserved it. However, this is an El Cajon gem! The food is so fresh and flavorful. The staff is small but there is very little turnover. So, these girls have been doing this forever. They know how to take care of tables. There are many menu highlights. Give the seafood a try. You wouldn't think in a place like this the seafood would be so amazing but it really is great. Can't go wrong with any of the sauces and of course the pizza is amazing! It's a must try people! See for yourselves! Let them know it's your first time in and the staff will be happy to take some extra time with you to go over the menu, etc. read more

Tammy B.

17 years ago

I loved it. A friend tolds us if you want the best Lasagna go to Marechiaro's in El cajon. since I live in El Cajon I thought let me see if it is really that great. Well I walked in thinking cute looks like a nice family restraunt. The Owner Pat was in the kitchen but he made sure he greeted everyone with a big hello across the room. the menue had some of my favorits so i did not know what to choose. I asked the cute & sweet little waitress what was her favorit and she said the the Chicken Piccata. It was delisious a light lemon sauce with butter and capers served with a side of pasta. My friend ordered the Mushroom raviolie on the chefs speacialties. She gave me a bite and i had an instant party in my mouth. My friend talked about it the rest of the night and called me in the morning wanting to go back. I wanted to try the white pizza with Mozzarella feta provolone cheese. Oh I wish they had a sample plate with some Chicken marsala a piece of lasagna. i know i going on but I really can't wait to go back and try the other dishes on the menue.I hope you will try this little pieces of italy. Enjoy I know I did!! read more

trish s.

15 years ago

There is no surprise this place has been in buisness over 50 years! I discovered it about 15 years ago and crave it like home cooking. I need my fix a couple times a month. The staff is small. You will see the same faces for the most part. A friendly, really hard working staff. I don't know how those girls give such good service with such little help! If you have never been, go in on a Friday night and you can really see the action. Menu highlights: Seafood Pasta, Seabass Lemon and Butter, Sausage Dinner, Tortelli Carbonara and anything with Salsa Rosa! You really can't go wrong here. The sauces are all amazing. Great pizza too of course. I also love their sandwiches and greek or caesar salad....I guess I like it all! :) Truly, a great mom and pop that has survived because of great product. If you have never been, it's a must try. You will be surprised when you enter the little strip mall how cute and warm it is inside. read more

Deborah c.

17 years ago

Me and my wonderful sister found out that a greeat Italian restraunt was just a block from were we live. my sister said lets go try it and see if its that great. We showed up around 5:00pm they seemded busy but sat us in 5 min. the menu was simple with a variety of choises. My sister ordered the Chicken Piccata the dinner came with the choice of soup or saled she choose the lentil soup she said was great.a large garlic bread serving and a side of pasta in red sause she said her dish was wonderful. I ordered the Portobello Mushroom Ravioli. I loved it. The tast stayed on my mind for the entier night. My sister and I all ready want to go back and try the ChickenMarsala. i love the Idea i can call and make my order and just come home and eat if I don't fill like sitting in a restraunt. Wonderful Wonderful. Oh the Tiramisu we shared a large piece it also was 5 stars. read more

Christina G.

9 years ago

Twice I have ordered the works pizza and I am not impressed at all. Not enough cheese or sauce the toppings are so big and chunky that there is not enough cheese to hold it all together. The toppings just just come off the pizza and the pizza itself is not cooked long enough so when the toppings all come off the top your left with a no sauce ,no topping limp slice of pizza. I understand the the restaurant has a reputation for good food and the best pizza but , I have had better at pizza hut. Im sorry to say. I don't think I care to try it again a 3rd time. I'm not trying to criticize but I am being honest. read more

Lucianna G.

10 years ago

I have been enjoying this GEM for many years, and I call this place my home! It's an Institution in El Cajon, and has been run by the same family since 1955. The Food is homemade by Pat "PASQUALE"himself, and is amazing! The service is "TOP NOTCH", anyone who walks in the door is welcomed by friendly faces!! Everyone knows your name, and if your new they will remember you!! I can't say enough about Marechiaro's on Second Street. It's a must any day/night of the week!!! Cheers to a well run FAMILY ESTABLISHMENT!!!!! Thank you Pat and his awesome crew : ) read more

Lynn M.

11 years ago

I come here for the both the pizza, and pasta. LOVE. my favorite is the baked salsa rosa rigatoni. The best. Have only had one not-so-great experience, but it wasnt a huge deal. They messed up a to go order, which I didnt notice until I got home, had to go back and the girl working didnt really take responsibility, I had just hoped to fix it, buy she kind of just blamed me. That was only once though, and it was awhile ago. Other than that its been great..and never bad food. read more

Dine M.

12 years ago

Haven't had Marechairo's since they moved from Bradley. Saturday night we ordered pizza and the portebello ravioli's. Both TO DIE FOR! There is definitely something about the sauce that makes the pizza taste good. Not too much sauce either, but lots of cheese, lots of onions sliced thinly (which I love), the sausage is authentically italian-sausage tasting! I would eat here more often, but I'm sure I'd gain lots of weight :-) Then again, you only live once!!! read more

Heather S.

100

12 years ago

Hit or miss with this place. We always order to go pizza or pasta. Sometimes it's great, others not so much. When a mistake was made on their part, they didn't accept responsibility, not did we receive correct order or compensation. They are always out of Tiramisu, which is frustrating. How difficult is it to keep it around everyday. If you mess up an order, it's no big deal, but take responsibility. read more

San Diego H.

5 years ago

Celebratory FIRST soft crust pizza from Marechiaro's 2nd Street in El Cajon! CAREfully -- WITH a knife and fork, eaten -- DELICIOUS ! 5 weeks since my oral implant surgery performed by Dr. Robert Miner. And Dr. Peter Johnson -- THANKS fellas Wonderful - talented - experienced doctors -- BOTH of ya! AND -- THANKS TO ALL the folks that had a hand in this happening FOR me! read more

Sylvia S.

9 years ago

It's a family favorite, and rarely quiet at dinner time. Dining in restaraunt occasionally over the years has always been a solid experience with service and delicious food, but we more commonly call in orders ahead of time to take out. Either way, I strongly recommend phoning early either to book a reservation or ensure they can provide your take without you waiting around. read more

Jeremiah G.

11 years ago

Great décor, amazing customer service and decent Italian food. The staff were singing Christmas Carols from the kitchen while we were there, which we liked. Their garlic bread was exceptional. Our only minor disappointment was with the meat sauce on the pasta (it was sub-par), but everything else tasted great! We plan on going back. :) read more

Monica F.

10 months ago

Absolutely delicious! The food arrived hot, fresh, and full of flavor. The pasta was perfectly cooked, the sauces tasted homemade, and the portions were generous. Everything was packaged well and still felt like a restaurant-quality meal at home. Definitely my new go-to spot for Italian takeout! read more

Nick O.

453

3 years ago

Always 10/10 for great service, great food, and great prices. Been coming here with family for over 30 years and sometimes it's better when great things never change. Eat here and never be disappointed again! read more

Rich S.

3 years ago

.....you have to have the white and red sauce mixed together when you have a pizza it is awesome. Get the thin crust get the sausage and pepperoni and away you go. Salsa Rosa! Tell 'em Dr. Mask sent u! read more

Travis J.

11 years ago

I will always remember this restaurant as the place where i tried white pizza for the first time!! This is one of my favorite pizzas right now, and I am experimenting with other sauce-less pizzas now. read more

Omar F.

5 years ago

Service needs improvement, ordered a beer needed to remind them i ordered a beer, ordered a soup never got it, had to have her cancel it, oh I'm sorry i forgot, yes like my beer. Food was ok. read more

Robin S.

3 years ago

This place has the best Italian food around! We love the pizza and so many other choices !! The service is always more than friendly and welcoming !! read more

Lorenia R.

9 years ago

I love this place! is clean! staff is very nice! and the food is excellent! I love their Greek Salad!! Lasagna is always good and big portions!! read more

Marechiaros on 2nd - pizza - Updated September 2026

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**A Hidden Gem in El Cajon!**…read more If you're looking for authentic Italian food made with love, I highly recommend **Mamma Rosa Italian Restaurant**! One thing I really appreciated is that they offer many of their pasta dishes in **half or full portions**. I love having that option because it gives you the opportunity to try a little bit of everything if you're like me and can't decide on just one dish! I ordered the **Chicken, Ham & Mushroom Fettuccine Alfredo**, and it was absolutely delicious. The fresh homemade noodles were cooked perfectly--not too thick--and the Alfredo sauce was creamy, rich, and full of flavor without feeling overly heavy. We also enjoyed their pizza, and it definitely didn't disappoint. The crust was cooked to perfection with just the right texture, and the marinara sauce was incredibly well-balanced--not overly acidic, which was a huge plus since I'm sensitive to red sauces. Best of all, I had no heartburn afterward! We also tried their homemade Italian sausage, which was outstanding, along with the hearty potato gnocchi that was soft, pillowy, and full of flavor. The spaghetti was another favorite--my grandson absolutely devoured it! One of the highlights of our visit was meeting **Linda**, the owner. She shared that many of the recipes have been passed down from her grandmother, making this a true family tradition. Knowing that these are cherished generational recipes made the experience even more special. Our server, **Helen**, provided exceptional customer service. One thoughtful touch that really stood out was that when we had leftovers, the staff took our plates and carefully packaged everything into to-go containers for us. That's a level of service you don't see very often anymore, and it made us feel genuinely cared for. The restaurant itself was clean, cozy, and welcoming. From the homemade food to the warm hospitality, every part of our experience was wonderful. If you haven't been, I highly recommend giving this hidden gem a try! **Mamma Rosa Italian Restaurant** 1773 E. Main St. El Cajon, CA 92021 We'll definitely be back!

Mamma Rosa's on East Main in El Cajon is yet another establishment that reinforces my observation…read morethat some of the best Italian restaurants happen to be in strip malls! In business since the 1980s this old school family run place features coziness and comfortable neighborhood charm. Service was friendly and genuine as the patrons and staff all seemed to be salt of the earth East County locals. For dinner I ordered the Half & Half with lasagna and spaghetti with meat sauce. Comes with garlic bread. Everything tasted outstanding. The lasagna was a nice portion, served piping hot, just how I like it. They seem to take great pride in their lasagna; I could tell it was thoughtfully prepared and not all sloppy. The spaghetti was somewhat al dente, definitely better than some other local restaurants. I did notice their "House Chianti" is dispensed from a Franzia box for what it's worth...

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This was very hard for me because I have been wanting to try this place for some time. First plenty…read moreof parking. They have outdoor eating but it needs a serious overhaul. Inside it's like one big room with a bar off to the side. This place really could use an upgrade but it was clean and the waitress was very nice. The food is not what I would have expected for being Italian restaurant. I did not get the flavors of Italian at all. We did order pepperoni pizza, cheese bread, Italian salad, chicken Alfredo pasta. The price was good and customer service was great but everything else fell short. I'm sorry but this is my opinion. Here is some pics.

Foods okay not great, I know they've been around for a long time. I grabbed pizza last week it's…read morebeen awhile.. Let's just say that was my final trip to this place.. Everybodys very nice there it's just that the food is not too good and the pizza not good at all..

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Love coming here! The food is great, I always feel so comfortable and welcome thanks to Tony, he is…read morethe best!

Amazing service, owner is kind and inviting, workers are all very nice. 10/10 service. Food is…read morefresh and clean. Seating, ambiance, and atmosphere are very calming and nice for chatting. Tony, our waiter, is always amazing and a super friendly guy! Pricing is extremely reasonable and worth every dollar.

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(175 reviews)

I like the food here. It's great for a quick bite on the go. The Vegetarian 8 inch, Half and Half…read moreand the Triple Combo when I'm not sure what to get. I like the cheese and the dough they use. The pizza's are made to order and I dig the music they play here. Frank Sinatra vibes. The sauce is also made with good ingredients. It all just taste fresh and homemade. It's cozy. Mel M Yelp 26:3

I love, love, love this spot and already can't wait to come back! I came here with my family, and…read moreas a big spaghetti girl, I have to say it's been hard finding a truly great spot in San Diego, so I really wish this place were closer to me because I'd be here all the time if it were. The space itself has a decent amount of seating. I think we got lucky because it wasn't too crowded when we arrived, so we were able to grab seats with no problem which made the experience even better. Overall, the service was good and the food was full of flavor. I ordered the cheese ravioli and lasagna, plus an added meatball. I originally planned on getting the trio plate, but unfortunately they were out of the spaghetti and the meat ravioli. The cashier recommended the cheese ravioli and said it was a popular choice and she was 100% right. I'm actually glad I ended up ordering it. Since the spaghetti was sold out, I'll definitely have to make another trip back. Luckily, my nephew ordered some, so I got a taste... and wow, I would've loved having my own full plate. The lasagna was unbelievably good! Perfectly soft pasta layers, a generous amount of cheese, and a really flavorful meat sauce. Even the meatball stood out with great seasoning. The cheese ravioli had the perfect amount of filling, and the bread was solid too. I was stuffed by the time I finished my plate, but I still had to try a bite of the pizza. It was super cheesy and the sausage was bomb. The only downside was that it tasted a little burnt on the bottom. I'd probably just eat the top and leave the crust if I ordered it again. Overall, my experience was great, and this is definitely a spot I'd happily return to (especially for that spaghetti next time!).

Nonno's Ristorante Italiano

4.5

(630 reviews)