Just had our 2nd experience at Michael's and it was just as delicious as the 1st. Tried homemade macaroni with sauce-beyond huge portion and beyond delicious. Tender melt in your mouth and the sauce was just as spot-on as before! Husband had pizza it was SUPERB! Best customer service and food! Love this wonderful place! read more

This is probably the best Italian place I have been to yet! I travel quite a bit and I'm always search out Italian food. I decided to give this place a go. IT WAS DELICIOUS!!! Everything from the mozarella sticks, to the bread, to the rigatoni I had was amazing. The sauce was so good, and everything was cooked perfectly. I was in town for a wedding so I don't think I will be back to Niagara Falls for any other reason, but if I am I will definitely come back to Michael's! read more

Large portions and great food, Michael's was a great lunch spot in the freezing weather. It seems that most of the people dining there were regulars. The waitress was attentive, sweet, and understanding of the fact that we were tourists and overwhelmed by the menu for a few minutes. Other reviews noted that the sauce used to be good, but has "slipped up". I'm not sure what the sauce tasted like before, but it is fantastic now! One thing to note is it is pretty impossible to fill up on vegetarian food here unless you are really into salads. The house sauce, used in all of the pasta dishes that require red sauce, is made with meat so that rules out the majority of the menu. However, the rolled-mozzarella salad is sooo great. Vegetarian or not, you have to try it. Street parking may be difficult to find if it's busy in Little Italy, but we didn't have a problem. read more

Food is great. Owner is extremely rude. Does not care about his customers. I have friends who have worked for him who left crying.

We were in Niagara Falls in June. My husband was born and raised there. We've been up a few times but this time was a restful visit where we took a lot of time seeing the sights and exploring the tastes he grew up with. Michaels was the #1 choice we visited more than once and were very happy with everything we ordered. Most impressive for me was the salads but he tried and loved several of the Italian dishes. We visited The Como Restaurant, La Hacienda and a couple more places but Michaels was the only place I didn't hear a complaint about the food. Both Michael, his son and all the waitresses and waiters were very helpful and knew the menu's very well. Only thing I'd change is to make a larger restroom. read more

Sorry for all the fans out there, but unfortunately I'm not a fan. I used to be, until things went downhill. I hate that when I'm eating my salad, the food comes like 5 minutes after I begin. I also am not a fan of the fact that the servers are not too concerned with your happiness. For example, my dad was telling my mom about how his soup was cold. My mom told the waitress, and she took it back. By the time we received the soup, we were almost done with our meal. My dad said he no longer wanted the soup, but we were charged for it anyway. I'm sorry Michael's, but you're going downhill, and fast. read more

I will return and I will be happy to do so! We came in 30 mins before closing and I was a little worried it was too late but we were welcomed by a super fast friendly staff! We sat in a middle booth so I gotta warn you DO NOT touch the middle wall!!! We made that mistake and it was scary when it slid down but we quickly got it back into its place. lol The menu was pretty big and everything was decent priced. I ordered a hot open faced beef sandwich and a small side salad w/ Italian dressing. The salad came out pretty fast. It was plain but very tasty. It was simply chopped lettuce with some mozzarella wads and the dressing was good. The rest came just as swiftly. My sandwich was the perfect warmth and was seasoned perfectly. It was a quick, hearty meal. We got the bill and then we left. It was a quick dine n dash and I will definitely be back. thanks Michaels read more

I'm not sure where the other folks who have written a review of Michael's may have eaten before, but in my opinion this place just sucks. To me the food is just plain, bland and pretty awful. It also feels like being surrounded by wanabee old time gangsters sitting in a booth. Pretty tacky I would say. I have eaten here twice and each time the pasta has been way overcooked, and the sauce reminds me of store bought jar contents at best. I know this place seems to be a favorite among many locals, and for that reason I would like to say something different, but for the life of me I just can't understand why that would be the case. It baffles me. In my opinion do yourself a favor and eat at home. If you have even a very basic skill in cooking, you will probably at least equal this place. Otherwise you will sadly no doubt be quite disappointed. Edible at best is all I can say. On the plus side, the portions are huge, and I must agree with Fox E. that although one of the waitresses is stunningly beautiful, she seems almost rude in manner, and none of that makes up for the plain awful food. read more

We have family in Niagara Falls and look forward to our meals at Michael's every time we come. Marinara sauce is some of the best I've ever had. The menu has a great variety of choices and everything is fresh and delicious! read more

I ordered take out on Monday, 1/29/18. The grilled chicken I received was three very flat pieces that looked a shade of gray. I took one bite of a curled up piece of chicken and decided that I could not eat the food. My husband enjoyed his meal. read more

We ate here after reading all the Yelp reviews for the area. I can see why some would give it 4 or 5 stars because they are responding to the tradition and homeyness. I can also see why some give it 1 or 2 stars, because they are looking for more than a comfort food meal. That is the case for me. The setting was sweet and homey, but the food was basically pasta with melted mozzarella and sauce. read more

I would love to know what everyone is raving about. Went to niagara for Thanksgiving to visit some family, along with my wife and children. Getting tired of Turkey, we wanted a good Italian dinner. Now being originally from Brooklyn NY, we know good food. We ordered the fried calamari appetizer to start along with the chef salad, with mozzarella. Didnt know a chef salad is lettuce, tomato, and some cheap mozzarella. The fried calamari is frozen, with some seasoning sprinkled on top. Come on now!!! Next we ordered the veal parmigian, lasagna, and a calzone with sausage. Are you kidding me with frozen veal patties. Thats not fresh veal. It came out to the table while I was still eating my appetizer. Way to quick to be freshly breaded veal. Lasagna was ok at best, calzone was actually good. Cant really screw up some sausage, cheese, and deep fried dough. Service was excellent. Either these people in niagara have never been out of the house for "real" Italian food, or they jusy don't know. Everything is just covered in sauce, which is really good btw, to mask the actual shitty food. Everything is fried because it's frozen food. Barely any seafood on the menu, unless you want it fried. Will not go again, very disappointed. Not gonna fool me again. Pt barnum. read more

This is a good authentic Italian restaurant. Small, local, likely family owned. Husband ordered lasagna which he said was very good (but not as good as mine...lol, I'm Italian). Kids had pizza which they loved, of course! I ordered eggplant Parmesan. This was not really to my liking w a lot of breading on the eggplant. It was a huge portion with a side of pasta and the marinara was delicious. Service was great and fun atmosphere. read more

I really like Italian cousin, and I was happy to find an Italian place with good reviews in Niagara Falls for late lunch on Memorial day weekend. Unfortunately, this time I was misled by the Yelp reviews. I agree with Deniz A. that the Beans & Greens Soup is great, but not the lasagna (accidentally, I have chosen the same dishes). This is not right lasagna. It is like frozen pizza from supermarket: ingredients are the same, but taste is not. I would not come again, sorry. read more

Was a big fan until I found they put cheese in the beans & greens.....not kewl for vegetarians!

This place is a staple in Niagara Falls. The go to dishes are beans and greens soup and the salad with rolled mozzarella. Those are to die for. The calzones are also crazy big!!!! read more

Food was really good at a reasonable price! Service was fast and friendly! Highly recommended :)

My 1st stop on the way back from BUF with guests is always Michael's at mid-day. Dependable. Very good Italian food without the pretentiousness of some other names in town. Great value; large portions. Very friendly and informed waitstaff-- I frequently just ask for their recommendation for the day, and it is always great. The soups are incredible; the bread is sub-par. read more

I love Michaels's! I have been eating at this restaurant since I was a child and it never changes. There is a very good reason there is a line out the door on the weekends. The food is great and the servers are always friendly and attentive. I grew up eating homemade sauce and this is better than my mama's, don't worry she' s not on Yelp! The sauce is the best in the city (Sorry, Como lovers) and the salad with the mozzarella cheese is a must when eating there. My favorite dish is the chicken parm with gnocchi. The serving is so big that I can only eat half. Michael's always has a list of specials that seem to be different from week to week. read more

Ive been going to Michaels for many years and I still love it! The consistency of the food is great, I have friends coming in from Fl and the first thing they said after picking them up from NF airport is can we go to Michaels for the beans and greens!! You cant beat the food and the prices!! read more

Very reasonable price. Beans and greens are the best. large potions

Not going to fluff the comment, the food is great! There are different specials every couple days and the customer service is phenomenal.

Had the rigatoni parmigiana because waitress said it was so good. But I was not impressed. The pasta was over cooked and too soft. The parmigiana was deli sliced mozzarella, one thin slice thick. Hardly existed. Lastly the sauce was bland and not enough as the pasta by the ends of the plate was totally sauce free. If I go back will not get that dish again. read more

This place is a treasure... Incredible service, wonderful food lovingly made and a nostalgic atmosphere that I enjoyed. Seemed to be full of regular customers who knew great food. Beans and Greens soup must be tried as well as the chef salad with rolled mozzarella cheese. Loved it! Great Job! Peanut butter pie was very good too! read more

I'm a semi regular customer. They have the best beans & greens soup I've ever had. And no one else has the salads with the rolled mozzarella that are so satisfying that it can become the meal even by itself. I love the stuffed rigatoni with meatballs. The service is so fast, maybe too fast; judging by the way you get your entree while you're still not finished with your soup or salad. It is a little on the noisey side and often crowded place; but the food is so worth it. Portions are so huge that it makes two meals. read more

I've been going there since I was in my 20s. So that's about 40 years now. For Italian Food, it's excellent. Sauce is superb and the portions are plenty. Waitress's are fast, courteous and pleasant. Very comfortable atmosphere. read more

This is by far the BEST Italian restaurant in the Buffalo/Niagara area. We eat here probably once a week! The sauce is phenomenal. And the chef salad with the rolled mozzarella!!! My favorite dish is the gnocchi's but anything on their menu is amazing! read more

If you are looking to stuff your face beyond reason, the portion size here will appeal to your appetite. The wait staff was very pleasant, the restaurant is about 30 years past the due date for a renovation, and the food is slightly above average read more

Good service, really nice server. The eggplant parm was the worst I've ever had and I order it everywhere I go. It was so soggy and tasted like breadcrumbs. Could barely tell there was eggplant in the dish it was all breadcrumbs. Didn't want to send it back because I don't like complaining. I tried to enjoy it... Sauce and pasta was decent. My boyfriends ravioli was decent. Portions were huge, might try again and order something different. read more

Chrissy gave outstanding, service. We got details on the size and flavor aspects of proposed choices. The tomato sauce is world class. Despite advice, we had some pasta without that sauce, but were helped to make it right before the end of the meal. Happy families filled the place Sunday evening, but we waited less than a minute. read more

Since moving away from the area, I still use Michael's to compare other Italian restaurants....and find them all generally lacking. The portions are large, the prices low, the service MOSTLY friendly, and the wait time acceptable. As long as you don't mind the general lack of ambiance and focus on the terrific food, you won't ever be disappointed here. read more

Classic Italian. Generous portions. Fair prices. Shells or rigatoni parmesan, with beans and greens to start, is a must. Family owned and operated for decades...a true local business. Its just a short drive from the Falls and a great introduction to the City's Little Italy District. read more

We were in town for a wedding and were lucky enough to find this place. The service was excellent and the lasagna was great

Have been eating here for years. Lately takeout has been stingy on the portions and there is never enough sauce on our pasta...Olive Garden's looking better and better. read more

good service but it stops there ordered fish. when it came to table it was cold told waitress about it she was not that concerned took it back, went back into kitchen then came back all they did was put it into microwave to get it warm even the lemon and ketchup on plate, will not go back will not recommend! read more

I dined at Michael's on 1/3/15 meeting some friends while I was traveling. Orders to include drinks were incorrect or missing altogether. Order mix ups, to include follow up requests for missing or wrong items were repetitive. The food was tasteless/bland and the menu lacked in having a variety of sauces not just the standard red/white. As mentioned getting a drink, drink refill was problematic. The servers stood in a line facing the tables and seemed to want to rush patrons off. We had a party of 8 and at 8:30 we were convinced they were closing at 9 pm due to the fact we were presented with the bill and we were not even done eating our main courses. When we inquired about their closing time which was 11 pm, we reopened a bill so we could order wine and desserts. My friend specifically asked that her cheesecake be served without cherries. The waitress reappeared with a cheesecake covered in cherries. When she reiterated she could not eat the cherries the waitress left and returned to the table with the same piece of cheesecake that she has scraped the cherries off of. When my friend asked if it was the same piece of cheesecake she said yes, it was the last piece. Advice to owner: Retrain servers making the customer their focus and keeping them satisfied. Focus on specifics of orders, and table needs while not rushing patrons out the door. Get rid of cell phones. Good service = return patrons. Work on expanding menu to include some non traditional pasta sauces. read more