We picked this place because we were meeting my stepson and daughter in law and this the halfway point. As soon as we walked in I felt I was at someone's home. We were greeted by Alva and her infectious smile. The service was outstanding and the food exceptional! It was as if I had an Italian grandmother and she had prepared dinner. Everything tasted homemade, not mass produced and frozen. Well worth the trip!! read more

This restaurant is family owned and AMAZING!!!! Authentic Italian food. The food is excellent!!! If you have a long wait don't let that frustrate you - it is very much well worth it - and the reason why the wait could be long is because it's not fast food... each meal is made fresh. Everyone there (the employees/owners) are very kind & down to earth, they are super friendly and treat you like family. If you dine in here you can count on receiving delicious food, excellent service, and someone being grateful for your business. read more

This place was amazing! My grandparents and I are staying near lake lure and really wanted some Italian. We found this place on Google and decided to give it a try and it did not disappoint! The food came out quick and was amazing and very reasonably priced. The owners are very nice too. If you're in the area and want authentic Italian food stop by this place for great service and some of the best Italian I've ever had. All of our plates were cleaned! read more

Mario's Restaurant - Chicken Alfredo - Italian Near Me - Forest City, North Carolina

Everything has been great at each of our visits over the years. Their food is plentiful and delicious while the service is so friendly and welcoming. Nice ambiance as well. One of our favorite places to go in the Forest City area. read more

Great food every time. Mario and Alba are the nicest people as well. Definitely recommend you give it a try.

This place is delicious. A lot of people in this area dont even know it exists and that is sad because it is very good! Stuffed clams are delicious and every pasta dish we have tried are also great. The wait is often longer than expected though, just fyi. read more

My husband and I stopped there today for a late lunch and we were not disappointed. Alba was absolutely amazing. So friendly, polite and attentive. The food was excellent and very generous portions. We will definitely be repeat customers. read more

We ate here for the first time this week and had the BEST Italian food ever! Best home made dressing, and I'm not a fan of Italian dressing, best lasagna. We'll be back! read more

Great ! So much to choose from and friendly service! They definitely know how to make you feel at home, I highly recommend Mario's!

First time back in about 8 years. Is it fine dining? No. Does it have Italian charm? No. Is it romantic? No. Plexiglass over vinyl tablecloth on tables? Yes. Best service? No. Very amateurish. We started with wine and the stuffed clam appetizer, 3 small for $6.99. Good flavor but clams were rubbery and I actually spit out in a mangled mess. Ok, enough of the bad. My wife ordered the Veal Parmesan with angel hair pasta. ($19.99)Very good flavor, marinara sauce was excellent and not drowning the dish. Cheese was not overbearing and veal was tender. Pasta was cooked perfectly. I ordered the Veal Sorrentino, ($20.99)Veal topped with prosciutto and eggplant over angel hair pasta . The only thing I didn't like is the Veal is sautéed and served with a brown gravy. Never seen it done this way!! The pasta had marinara and tasted much better. Again pasta cooked perfectly, eggplant and Veal were good, just that brown gravy was just not for me. For dessert we ordered the cannoli($4.99). Cooked to PERFECTION!! Filling was superb and served on a plate with whip cream, a tad of chocolate syrup and a fresh strawberry. For me, the highlight of the night! I asked about the brown gravy and they said , if I want to order same dish with marinara instead, the would make it that way for me. Don't expect to impress a date with a romantic dining experience, but it is pretty good Italian food. ( coming from an Italian) read more

The absolute Best Italian food in the area. Haven't gotten a bad meal there ever.

I am on a business trip and found this adorable restaurant. I come from an Italian family and am very picky about my Italian food. Alva was adorable, the place was like being at my family' s home, and the food was tremendous. I actually decided to order lunch for the next day. My husband is coming for a visit soon, and I already have taking him to this place on our list of things to do! read more

Good italian at a good price right here in metropolitan Forest City. Forget about Don's Italian on 74A in Spindale, they don't serve alcohol thanks to pressure from the Word Of Faith cult (rumor). Mario's is fresh to order with lots of flavor. Service by Ms Alba was outstanding and very accommodating. Lots of seating, could use some renovating but not dirty. read more

Mario's Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Forest City, North Carolina

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Disappointed. Waited two hours for pasta. Granted there was an event in town so they probably had a higher than anticipated normal crowd- but surprisingly persons came in and were seated after us, got served and left. We're still waiting. Once food arrived it was poorly prepared and the protein offerings and fish portions of the dishes offered were sparse. I don't want to think the lateness and poor food offering was due to my party being POC, but what would you think? I would not go there if in the area and definitely would advise other POC to think about another option if dining in the area. read more

Haven't been to Mario's in a while. Went last night and as always the food was excellent. Being Italian from the north and I love to cook we have found Mario's to be by far the best in Rutherfordton County. The family offers a very congenial friendly atmosphere and great food. I would highly recommend this restaurant for anyone looking for authentic Italian. read more

Quaint little restaurant. Menu is varied and entrees were delicious. Service was extremely slow. They obviously did not have enough cooks in their kitchen to prepare meals for approximately 14 tables of customers. We waited an hour and a half from when our order was taken to when it was served. The same wait time for other customers as well. No one complained about their wait. So if you have time to sit and chat with your party, you will be happy to enjoy a tasty Italian dinner. read more

We came here around 8 on a week night, it was not too busy. The food was good, cheese bread was super yummy. Hubby got a good Italian sub, kids had spaghetti with meatballs and it was good, I had the chicken marsala which the chicken was excellent, the noodles just ok. read more

Mario's Restaurant - Spaghetti - Italian Near Me - Forest City, North Carolina

OUTSTANDING FOOD! OUTSTANDING SERVICE! Found this place using Yelp while in the area. Called & was greeted by a very sweet lady that clearly thought highly of the food & atmosphere. So glad we decided to go back the next day for lunch! Sometimes you don't have to have a mega buffet to have a good buffet. These folks have figured that out & presented us with a delightful selection of delicious food Can't wait to come back!! read more

This is my favorite restaurant in all of Rutherford County. I am a food snob and have never ate one bad thing here.

Mario's served Delicious Italian food at reasonable prices . The staff is very friendly. My family and I have enjoyed the food every time we have gone. read more

We waited 2.5 hours, in that time our drinks were refilled only once. We waited 45 min. to even order our drinks. After our order was placed 2 greek salads came out in about 20 minutes. Two more followed about 15 minutes later. Food was good but the antipasto salad was extremely small for the price. There were many people waiting for food, we had two small children with us. The children were past bedtime. After 2.5 hours we made the decision to leave. I went to register and asked what I owed them. They all of a sudden started saying it's ready we need to go back to our table. I told the no we were out of time and needed to go. The Lady started saying again it's ready. I told them no, we had to go and what did I owe them. They started calling out what we had received. A young man came from around the corner and glared at me and my grandson. He disappeared as fast as he came out. Then suddenly a older gentlemen came around the corner shouting you pay for all! I told him about the 2.5 hour wait, he shouted again it's ready you pay for all. i declined this and asked what I actually owed them. He shouted you pay I call police, I told him sir go right ahead. He disappeared around the corner. By this time I had enough of this restaurant and its family run operation. I tossed the young lady a generous amount of money and left. So I don't really how the food is, i have read it good but you will need half a day to get it. The gentleman behind me waiting to pay said they have been waiting 3 hours, I assume they got their food. We were patient and polite to the wait staff but time had run out. We had to go. I hope the owners are as nice as some of you folks say they are and they were having a bad night. I can only hope the extra money l left goes to anger management for this gentleman. because of my own stupidity the restaurant got a gracious tip out of the money I left them with. read more

Went to Mario's for my Birthday dinner. What a hidden little gem. Im originally from Boston, and in my 32 years in SC & NC this little family owned and run restaurant was quit a welcome surprise. Nothing fancy, just excellent food and service. Liked it so much made reservations for Christmas Eve. Please go and support this local business, you wont be disappointed. read more

We stopped here due to it having 5 stars on the review. I'm a foodie and have ate a lot of places so I'm probably the worst critic. I give it 3 out of 5 stars. I've had a lot better but this place wasn't bad. I had the lasagna and it was pretty good. Salad was alright. Wings wasn't that great. I would try it again. They wasn't having the Buffett when we went. read more

Mario's Restaurant - Cheese bread - Italian Near Me - Forest City, North Carolina

The food was awful. I like the way they serve it though (cafeteria style) but the food itself was just horrid. Had no taste, the meat was tough. read more

This place has amazing food. I was craving spaghetti and meatballs so I googled an Italian restaurant. Although the building isn't the most inviting the people and amazing food make up for it. I promise. I had an appetizer, main dish, and dessert. Every bite was truly a joy. read more

A wide selection of Italian foods and everything was delicious. Our entrees included Veal Sorentino and Chicken Roma. Both were expertly prepared. Plus, the salad ingredients were fresh and the house dressing was perfect. Finally, the staff were extremely friendly. This restaurant has an excellent family feel to it. You won't go wrong by coming here! read more

Best lasagna in town!! Super friendly, upbeat service! Great desserts!! Always leave there with a full belly and a smile!

The restaurant is spotless, the food is very good, made from scratch is what we were told. The couple who own this restaurant are very nice. BUT, if you are in a hurry do not come when there is not a buffet. It was one hour before we got our food and the restaurant was not half full. maybe 6 tables were occupied. When we asked other people there we were told it was like this all the time. Service is very slow. Only come when they have a buffet and it is a winner. read more

Stopped here on the way to Charlotte. Was a little skeptical at first but the food was AMAZING! My husband got the buffet and I ordered off the menu. Food was homemade and delicious. Super friendly staff. Would go back again in a heartbeat! read more

My husband and I called to see if they were open and they were just closing, but Mario's wife said to come on over anyway that she would love to have us. The food was wonderful and hot and the dessert was yummy! They were so very nice! Can't wait to visit again! read more

Mario's Restaurant - Yummy dessert! Was a truffle with ice cream and raspberries! - Italian Near Me - Forest City, North Carolina

Authentic Italian!! Super friendly service!! Very affordable prices and delicious food!! Very modest appearance from the outside, but this small town restaurant is a special find. We must have had the from out of town look on our faces as we walked in. Greeted by an Italian hostess who was as hospitable as could be. She said "This is your first time to Mario's?" As if she already knew the answer! I had the feeling most days she knew all of her customers by name! She happily showed us all the seating options and explained the menu. I ordered spaghetti and meatballs. She explained that dish takes slightly longer to prepare as the meatballs are made from scratch after order is placed. We were in no hurry I explained. It was worth the wait! Absolutely delicious!! read more

I love Mario's for many reasons. The food is terrific, that being the main reason. I mostly go on Sunday when they have a buffet. All the food is freshly made except for most of their desserts. I can't say for sure they are pre-packaged desserts, but I'm pretty sure they are. If you go, you have to try their spinach roll - it's a lasagna noodle stuffed with spinach and covered in Alfredo sauce. The service is awesome and the owners are super friendly. This past weekend, I didn't eat a lot and the lady said I should eat more. I was still a bit full from the previous day. Anyways, the food is great, the place is clean and the owners are great people. You won't be disappointed. read more

We found this little gem after playing golf one day. Why we have never tried it before, I do not know. The buffet has a wide range of food to choose from that was delicious. I ordered off the menu - a chicken parm sub - & it was also delicious. We will definitely be back to try other menu items. Owners are very friendly & accommodating. Give them a try- you won't be disappointed. read more

Mario's Restaurant - Items from the buffet. - Italian Near Me - Forest City, North Carolina

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Hmmmm. I am torn about what to say. Our poor waitress was on her own and Mario was kinda slack. It took FOREVER. And the first time our orkkder cpame out it was totally wrong. The salad was basic but kept us from starving. But the dinner was awrsomet! I got clam in marinara but I don't think I would be served the same dish twice in a row. It wasn't marinara sauce but maybe pink cream sauce. It was delicious. Very disorganized. read more

I tried this place a couple of times never the same each time I ordered the same meal but my food never came out the same not a very busy place only the same people I think eat here over and over who knows the owners food is pricy and not worth it read more

We love love love this place. I always order Chicken Parmesian with Alfredo sauce, and it's perfect every time!

This is an exceptional dining experience for a very reasonable price! The food is delicious and is supplemented by down home, personal service. The wait staff makes you feel at home. Mario and Alva are amazing hosts! Their lunch buffet Tues-Friday is a lot of delicious food for a low price. This place out does it corporate competitors in the restaurant market hands down. If you want a little piece of Italy and truly an amazing atmosphere, come to a little piece of Italy, come home to Mario's! read more

A wonderful little family joint, absolutely charming in every way. Clearly it's not a place where they spurge on an extravagant atmosphere or scenery in expense of the actual service or meal. No, Mario's is pretty plain jain in looks, pretty much like every other small family restaurant with wallpaper and minimal decorations. However; the environment is nothing to the people and food. Our server was an incredibly sweet woman, with an Italian accent that almost made ordering a bit of a tango. Regardless, she was kind and graceful throughout, and the food was amazing. Certainly authentic in origins, I got the Penne Alla Vodka with shrimp and it was a fantastic choice, I practically licked the plate clean. My partner's Penne Alla Siciliana was equally scrumptious, and the quality service and tasty food will definitely keep us coming back! If you are local or passing through town, please check them out!! Eat local, and support your hometown, hardworking families! read more

Just moved to this area and found Mario's as we were coming home from Church. The place was packed. We decided to come back when it was less crowded. The servers were very attentive and gave us ideas about the things that were popular, and things they liked. We ordered the garlic cheese bread...they really used garlic! It was delicious. Hubby ordered Chicken Roma, and I ordered Lasagna. It was the best Authentic Italian food we have had in a long time. We'll go back and try other menu items. Five stars for yummy!! read more

Here for work and just came across this place. Myself and my co-workers found it absolutely delicious. Fresh to order, juicy, very flavorful. The staff were very polite and friendly. Loved the atmosphere. The prices were very reasonable and the lunch buffet prices are astonishing for the selection!! Love, Love, Love!!!! read more