Thank you for hosting us, Mona's Italian Restaurant! Thank you also to one of my besties, Michelle, for the lovely invitation! @monas_italian_restaurant Mona's Italian Restaurant 5156 Waring Rd. San Diego, CA 92120 Come dine at Mona's Italian Restaurant for authentic Italian food! Ricardo, our friendly server, was very attentive to our table's requests, and the food was served promptly. Every entrée ordered on our table was served in a heaping portion to last for two days worth! I'm definitely a garlic bread lover, and theirs was tasty & extra crunchy!! My Shrimp Alfredo pasta was creamy, comforting, and packed with so much flavor! Be sure to visit this family-owned restaurant when you're in the Grantville area of San Diego, near Interstate 8. You can also order online and save 10% off your order! Don't forget to try their delectable cannoli or even a slice of some tiramisu or bring some dessert home to save for later. Thanks again very much Mona's for your kindness and generosity!! @gourmandlaura @monas_italian_restaurant read more

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I recently had the chance to visit Mona's Italian Restaurant as part of a Yelp event, and it turned out to be such a warm and memorable experience. Tucked away in a small shopping area in Mission Gorge, this cozy spot feels like a hidden gem--intimate, welcoming, and rooted in Southern Italian/Sicilian tradition, with a true family-run feel. We were greeted with wine and water, followed by antipasto served with individual dressings, which was a really thoughtful touch. Shortly after, pizzas started coming out--veggie, white, and a meat option. I stuck with the veggie pizza, which was fresh, flavorful, and generously topped. Then came the main courses. I ordered the shrimp fettuccine, which was a large portion with plenty of shrimp and rich, well-balanced sauce. Others at the table raved about the lasagna, and the chicken marsala was also a hit. To wrap up the evening, we were served dessert--cannolis and tiramisu. Both were enjoyable, but the cannolis definitely stood out. I also tried their chianti, which paired nicely with the meal. The atmosphere throughout the night was relaxed and family-like. It's a small space, but that adds to its charm--it felt like we had the restaurant to ourselves. Overall, a lovely dining experience with generous portions, comforting flavors, and welcoming hospitality. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area. read more

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If you live in Allied Gardens or surrounding, it's worth a visit to Monas! It's a family owned restaurant with strong roots in San Diego and love that they've been a staple in the community. I've always passed by this location shopping nearby and I was invited to a dinner with old and new friends to check it out. Tbh it's a charming place and you know it's a good place bc there are always regulars coming in. Let's get down to the food! The menu has a great selection ranging from antipasti's, pizzas, pastas and desserts. I think you'd be hard pressed to find something you didn't like ... my first time here I got the half and half of spaghetti and lasagna so I can experience the best of both worlds. I think it was less than $18 and I still had leftovers for later which I really liked. during the dinner, we had pizza, fettucini Alfredo, and Marsala. My bf really enjoyed his chicken Marsala that there wasn't a lick left. I have a smaller stomach but always love a mean lasagna - bro what else can I say except if you have chonks of ricotta I'm going to be a huge fan for life. I'm definitely coming back to try the pizza as well bc for a small restaurant there is so many options. Everything served family style is always a great experience bc you definitely get into serving each other and laughing in conversation. Although the parking can get tight and the restaurant is very intimately small, this means you get good service from your servers and even chef. Everything is a hands on business so if you did have feedback or concerns they're going to take care of you. This place is handicap accessible, the ambiance is nice and intimate so it could also be perfect for an affordable date night. read more

Came here on a busy Wednesday night, and everything was delicious. The staff was friendly, attentive, and kept things running smoothly despite the crowd. The Fettucine Alfredo was one of the best I've ever had. I also really enjoyed the works pizza, lasagna and chicken marsala. Everything was fresh & flavorful, and the portions were super generous. Definitely looking forward to coming back! Price: $ Parking: Plaza parking next to Brother's family restaurant Recommendation: Fettucine Alfredo & Chicken Marsala read more

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Had a lovely dinner with old and new friends at Mona's. San Diego has so many wonderful family owned restaurant businesses and this one is no exception. Mona's has been serving the community for 60 years, and has created its place in the San Diego foodie community for generations. Tucked away in a small shopping center off the 8, we had a wonderful experience all night. Ricardo was assisting us all night and he was very polite, professional and accommodating to everyone's needs. We started with cheese bread and the antipasto salad. The salad alone could have been a meal with how big it was. Loaded with veggies and a light Italian dressing to go with it, I probably would have eaten the salad as a meal on its own. The cheese bread was hot and melts, and paired with the dipping sauce - absolutely delicious! I ordered the lasagna and we had 3 pizzas to share among the table. Let me tell you, the portion sizes here are more than enough to share family style. Everything was delicious. The pizzas were well balanced from the cheese to bread to toppings and the crust had a nice bounce and crunch to it. The lasagna was packed with filling and noodles cooked to perfection. The icing of Chianti wine made the whole dish come together. For dessert I only tried the tiramisu because everything else was so hearty and filling, but oh my goodness I would 100% come back just for the tiramisu alone. The best tiramisu I've ever had. read more

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Had an amazing Dinner with friends and family at this amazing family restaurant. The ORIGINAL Mona Lisa Restaurant (sister to the one in little Italy) location for over 60 years. It's fascinating to know the owner sold his restaurant to his loyal workers of over 40 years. Eliseo Guerrero, the new owner, has taken the steps to keep it the quality the same as it has been over the years. This place is such a hidden gem with authentic Sicilian cuisine. I love it when there is such a history in an establishment, given back to hard working people. We ordered some of THE BEST DISHES HERE: Pizza: The Works & White Lasagna chicken fettuccine Spaghetti Chicken parmigiana Chicken Marsala House Chianti (super delish!) My party and I were having so much fun that even their regulars sent us a carafe of wine. Please go and support this place!! read more

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Got the Alfredo pasta with garlic bread and minestrone soup. The soup was so extremely salty and vegetables overcooked it was pretty much inedible. Pasta was decent. Garlic bread lacked flavor and was kind of hard. Staff was friendly though. read more

Mona's Italian Restaurant - Italian Vegetable(Minestrone) Soup - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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You said, " You were on the phone for a long time before eating." You are correct. And when the "food" arrived, I said goodbye and tried to eat the shit that was served to me, but could not. As for the previous other food server, I was inquiring if she was fired, such terrible service the last time I ate here, she never brought me the salad, the last time I made the big mistake of dining here, and no one else was in the restaurant when that happened, just like this time, (7 PM). In the past 5 years, I have left many great reviews for this restaurant in the past; but the food has indeed gone downhill (sorry). Don't shoot the messenger. This is not personal, how can it be? You said yourself (correctly), I only eat here once a year, why would I give a shit, if the food was good, the review would be good. Blame your cook, not me. I'm the victim who lost $25.00. 9:42 AM Sent read more

Awesome local spot in San Diego. The owners were so nice. Came in on a Tuesday with a couple of friends. We had the whole place to ourselves and it was such a fun night. We had lots of food including the pasta, pizza, lassagna, antipasto salad and chicken parmasiana. Lots of parking. Everything was delicious and they have good portions. Family style dining read more

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First, the service--bellissimo! My server was warm, welcoming, and attentive. This is the kind of hospitality that makes an experience memorable, and for that, I give them full marks. Now, to the food. The minestrone--a true classic, a dish that should bring comfort. The vegetables were well-prepared, but the salt--mamma mia, troppo! A great minestrone should allow the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine, with seasoning that enhances, not overwhelms. A lighter hand on the salt next time would let the beautiful simplicity of the dish come through. The chicken with capers and white wine reduction--now, this is where my heart breaks a little. As you can see in the photo, it looks like the chef just took a jar of capers and let it rain down without a second thought. Capers are powerful, meant to be used sparingly, giving just the right briny contrast to the dish, not drowning it. And the sauce? A lemon sauce with a white wine reduction should dance on the palate, not wage a battle. Here, the lemon took control--too much acidity, too little harmony. A proper reduction should have a silky texture, where the white wine mellows the citrus, creating a balanced, nuanced flavor that gently coats the chicken. But this? It felt rushed, lacking the care and patience that transform a simple dish into something truly special. Food is not just ingredients thrown together--it is love, balance, and timing. This dish had potential, but it needed more respect for the harmony of flavors, a little more time to let the sauce develop, and a lighter touch with the capers. And then, my experience took a turn. After I expressed my concerns, the kind waitress, ever professional and gracious, offered her apologies. She did what a good front-of-house staff should do--acknowledge the issue and try to smooth things over. However, when she took my feedback to the chef, he did not come out, he did not apologize, and he did not offer so much as a gesture of goodwill--no reduction on the bill, no attempt to make things right. That, my friends, is not just disappointing--it is rude. A true chef, one who respects their craft and their guests, listens, learns, and seeks to improve. In Italy, hospitality is as important as the food itself. When someone walks through your doors, they are honored guests, not just customers. And let me tell you why I came in--to support small businesses, to put my money into the hands of passionate artisans instead of soulless chain restaurants. I believe in the power of small, independent restaurants, in the love and authenticity they bring. But when a place treats a guest like an afterthought, it makes you wonder--why should I continue to support it? Here's the truth: You never know why someone is visiting your restaurant, nor do you know who they are and what influence they have. Maybe they're a food lover with a big following, maybe they're someone who could bring in more business, or maybe, just maybe, they're simply someone looking for a warm meal made with care. But if you treat guests with indifference, if you don't take the time to make them feel valued, they won't come back. And that, my friend, is a lesson no restaurant can afford to ignore. read more

Mona's Italian Restaurant - Chicken with capers, lemon and a white wine/lemon reduction - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

Came in after a soccer game, tired and hungry. As soon as I stepped in, I got hit with that local pizza restaurant smell: sweet tomato sauce, aged sharp cheese, and herby oregano. The dining room is cozy and comfortable, with warm lighting. It's a wonderful little hole-in-the-wall place, and it has an authenticity that's hard to come by. I was greeted warmly by both the server/host and the chef. I ordered a personalized pepperoni pizza, and it came out quick, piping hot, and exactly the way I asked for it. The cheese was gooey, the sauce was sweet and robust, and the dough was soft with just the right amount of chew and crunch. Absolutely would go again. This quick trip just reminded me that I need to come back for a proper sit-down meal soon. Hopefully next time I'll bring the rest of the team! Oh, and by the way, I was told they have gluten-free options for both pizzas and pastas. read more

Absolutely Amazing Pizza and Italian Food! Utterly Great Ambiance As Well! One of Our Favorite Restaurants! read more

My husband and I absolutely love Mona's! We frequent this spot a few times a month and it never disappoints. The staff are very friendly and the pizzas are delicious!! The people writing bad reviews should find something better to do than complain about a small business that works very hard. read more

The food was OK, but when served it wasn't hot. I had the lasagna spaghetti combo and was a bit disappointed with the lack of flavor. The service was excellent read more

We got chicken Parmesan and lasagna. Unfortunately, I can't recommend the chicken Parmesan. The tomato sauce that they use on this is a bit sweet and funky. Their lasagna tasted good and somehow had a better tomato sauce. I would just use the same sauce on both. We do like their pizza and their antipasto so I would just stick to the pizza or lasagna on their menu .... We ordered takeout . Ambiance old school. Courteous servers.. read more

My in laws were raving about this place, so when there was not a choice made of where to go we decided to give them a try for take out (their experience was dine in). There were four dishes ordered in total: Fettuccine Alfredo, Veal Marsala, Chicken Ester, Eggplant Parmigiana. For each plate, it was at least $20. Unfortunately, the quality was just not there consistently & each dish had one issue or another. Starting with the eggplant, this item arrived ice cold. We aren't far from this location so I could understand losing SOME heat but not all. Chicken Ester did not have nearly enough chicken for the amount charged. First bite tasted like straight wine as if it was not cooked down (the person eating this had to swap dinner with someone else because they're sober, & this was not expected). Veal Marsala had a very rich taste & the mushrooms were delicious. Fettuccine Alfredo was flavorful & there was a generous amount. Unfortunately, I had a severe upset stomach 10-15 minutes after finishing maybe a quarter of my dish that lasted through the next day. I was the only one to have severe stomach issues so my assumption was it was the fettuccine Alfredo. Ending on a positive note, the Italian soup (minestrone) was packed with flavor & the one dish we all enjoyed. Location is a little difficult to locate, but in a busy parking lot. read more

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The salami pizza!! My husband pulled a muscle trying to carry the pizza over his head with one arm. All fancy like. It was loaded with so much cheese and flavor. And the crust was the let combo of crispy toasty and hint of sweetness. read more

Absolutely Horrible food, very disappointing from what it used to be. Ordered fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken, it came out cold and the noodle cold the looked gray like pasta was left out to cool down. after letting the waitstaff know about it, they asked " What do you want me to do about it?" I told the take it back and get a fresh order. So the cooks interpretation guess, was heat up more sauce, put it in a bigger plate and pore hotter sauce over the old pasta. They Served the same gray noodles smh. And it took awhile for the tables to be cleared after people left. Won't be going back, what a shame. read more

I love their minestrone soup! Great broth and variety of veggies. No beans, no pasta! Yummy. This is "neighorhood" restaurant. Casual but very welcoming and a well varied menu. I will be back! read more

Mona's Restaurant is located in the curious neighborhood of Allied Gardens, which makes it a fun drive to reach the restaurant in an unexpected location. Parking is not an issue. I like to sit in the semi-circular booths on the left as you enter. My usual go-to selctions are the Chicken Parmigiana or the Tortellini, which you can have with Marinara upon request. The dinners include a hearty Minetrone and garlic bread. Service by Scarlett is refined, gracious, welcoming and efficient, and her wonderful manner is the reason I return to this secret spot as often as I do! read more

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Salad was worst I have had in a long time! No gardiniera vegetables! About 6 kidney beans! Lettuce was not chopped! LARGE pieces! Minimal tomatoes & cucumbers! NO GARLIC BREAD Pizza was not great either! Top kept sliding off crust! Ordered many times before & been to restaurant many times! Won't be back! Food was that bad! read more

They gave me fraudulent money back as change today it was a bald man and an older Latin woman with black hair ordered a Philly cheese with the blue strip hundreds and got a crumpled up piece of paper in return claiming they had no change. They took my bill once I complained as well and got on the phone. read more

Mona's Italian Restaurant - Mediocre food Philly Style Cheese Steak Sandwich - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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Very upsetting that we called asking if they have outdoor dining because we have a dog. The guy who answered said yes to outdoor and dog. We got there and didn't see any tents for outdoor dining. My boyfriend went inside to ask and the guy didn't understand us. So my boyfriend said "wow wow", instead of "woof" or "roof"...lol. But the guy understood and said "oh no". At this point, I'm quite upset. I'm outside while my bf places the order for take out. Everything on the menu is average $22. For a lower price point, order from a la carte section. You can order full or half size. Our order was going to take 30mins. -Works pizza w meat sauce ($22.95) - medium - Italian sausage, pepperoni, mushroom, onions. Not a fan of this as it was greasy and when you pull a slice off, the entire top layer separates and you end up with the bottom crust in your hand. The crust is hand tossed and you can watch the chef. -Spaghetti a la Mona Lisa ($14.59) - so very good! The sauce is not a typical tomato sauce but kind of sweet and there's peas! Definitely a Mona's secret sauce of some sort. Tastes fantastic with the garlic bread. -Wings - I didn't eat this but bf said it was "ok". -Stuffed shells ($14.59) - mozzarella, ricotta, Romano cheese, spinach. Came with three large stuffed shells. My bf and I are not a fan of cheese, so not sure why he ordered this but he thought it would be filled with meat. The window says dine-in available but it seriously looked dark and eerie in the dining area because the lights weren't turned on yet. There's only one person working who's also the chef. Poor guy was working on phone orders and ours. Plus he doesn't understand English well. More people came in after to place orders. The chef felt bad that we waited more than 30 minutes for our order so he gave us a salad and upgraded our pizza from medium to large without charging. The salad was generic with meat and cheese. The garlic bread was amazing. Paired well with the spaghetti. Based on price, service, quality, taste, and ambiance, I would rate a 3. read more

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You are wrong. I did not want to add a topping without paying. Get the story straight I asked to substitute a topping, not add a topping. You have the worst customer service. read more

Great pizza!! Did a phone order. Was ready to go when I got there. Friendly employees.

One of the best Italian places in San Diego! Great food that has the most amazing taste and the pizzas are just, "chef's kiss". The staff are also extremely amazing and kind. If I could recommend Italian food I would 100% say this place. Me and my grandparents come here always and it's such a joy. read more

Mona's Italian Restaurant - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

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As I've said in past reviews, Mona's is my top choice for pizza in the entire eastern county of San Diego. I've been enjoying food here since my first pizza in 1969. Consistently delicious pies that are made with passion and expertise. Owners Javier and brother Alessio are also the chefs whose aim is to make you a happy customer for life and not just a customer today. They took over what is now Mona's a year or so ago when the original owners decided to call it quits.... I'm glad they did! While my wife and I regularly crave their pizza we've been known to delve into other items on their menu too. While I know live about 15 minutes away, it's a bit of a drive to get my fix..... but, worth every tasty bite. My favorite pie you ask?..... their homemade sausage with anything! But, usually with mushrooms and or pepperoni..... Classic deliciousness! You guys rock! PS..... Thanks for the kind words Maria! read more

Mona's Italian Restaurant - Our favorite take home, 7S. Mushroom and Sausage Pizza - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

Our first time there on Jan.1, and it did not disappoint. The stuffed shells were delicious, and they offer plenty of sauce.

This is the restaurant's "lasagna " I received from grub hub It's an embarrassment to Italian cuisine Prison food can look and taste better I never give reviews on yelp But I couldn't hold my self The other pasta I ordered was swimming in cream sauce which was flat boring and more suited for school cantina I wish allot of luck to the owners to stay open I those hard times of COVID But with food like that I will start thinking on other options read more

Mona's Italian Restaurant - This is the restaurant's "lasagna " I received from grub hub - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California

The food lacked flavor. It was the most bland Italian food I've ever tried. The garlic bread hadn't even seen garlic, let alone have any on it. I'm pretty sure the salad was junky iceberg lettuce. I'm not even going to risk eating that. The pasta needs something. Again flavor. I'll probably recook it with garlic. read more

This place is amazing! Not only was the customer service on point but the food was awesome. I really like the ambiance. The decor mimics a cute Italian outdoor sitting area. I had the fettuccine Alfredo and got to stuffed on that as well as salad and bread. Oh also, I ordered a glass of wine and definitely got what I paid for and more. I think it's safe to say that I will be coming back here regularly. read more

Some of the best Pizza I've had. Spaghetti, Lasagne and antipasto salads are good too. Our new go-to Italian restaurant.

The "Mona Lisa Special Sandwich" was in order to go when I stopped by this establishment. It's special because in addition to the ingredients that already come with your typical torpedo, they add sliced meatballs and a special sauce: a sauce that was reminiscent to a marinara. At $12.95, I felt the price was quite steep. For what it is worth, $10 would be fair. It was a large sandwich. I will give them that, but the way the ingredients did not play well together was another issue. I liked all the meats that came in the sandwich: the ham, the salami, the Mortadella, and especially the sliced meatballs, but these meats in combination would better be served heated, and most definitely the sliced meatballs. One of the things that threw me for a loop was the sauces they put on the sandwich. I did not mind the spread of mustard, but then on the underside of the top roll, they spread the red sauce I mentioned early. Two things I did not like about it: first, the sauce was on the sweet side and did not go well with the deli meat slices, and secondly, there was to much of it and it dripped out of the sandwich which made a mess and made the top bread soggy. Lastly, it clashed with the mustard and they did not get along. Honestly, the sandwich would of been better with out it. The bread was okay. It tasted good but it was not soft and moist in the inside. The outside had a good Italian crustiness but it was inconsistent inside or kinda dry in areas then soft on others. In the end, I was disappointed in this $13 sandwich and I would not order it again, unless the price was more reasonable and if it were better made. It can be much better. read more

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Still coming here for the Chicken Picatta! Come see Pearl, the waitress! She's the sweetest!! read more

Ordered a couple pizzas and they were amazing as always. Very friendly staff too. This is definitely a hidden gem!

Both pizza and Spaghetti were yummy! We visited from the Bay Area. We took our left over pizza thru the airport and plane and we had about 10+ comments and compliments about the place. Must be really popular and yummy and that has been proven!! We will visit back when we visit San Diego again. Server was also friendly! She was very attentive! read more

Cute little Italian spot with all the vibes. Their food is consistently good and feels like a true Italian meal. Their prices seem a little higher than other comparable spots which is totally understandable during covid, but they are still worth it. The pizza is super duper cheesy with all the real fresh cheeses. A must experience. read more

Great pizza but a terrible lunch place to come to. Currently it's 1239pm on a Friday, we're the only 2 people in the restaurant. No lunch menu, no kids menu, no apple juice for kids... lady working barely speaks English. They really need to up their game for a restaurant open at lunch or decide to just close and keep it as takeout only and weMll go to another sit down pizza place. Very disappointing. read more

2:30 on a Thursday, the place was empty. I grabbed a menu to order the same sandwich I've bought here for twenty years. The waitress (owner's daughter) ran over to substitute the new paper price list....now charging $17 for the sandwich. Another price increase! which she denied saying they haven't raised prices in two years! A bold lie. The sandwich was $15 on the menu and $13 online. I told her I wasn't going to eat there after all. She said...."That's because you're cheap, you stupid B tch!" I was horrified. The cook (owner) came out of the kitchen because she told me to get out of her restaurant yelling "Stupid B tch" at me over and over. This is the respect and appreciation for a 20 year repeat customer from an entitled, rude, spoilt brat. I asked the cook to make her stop cursing at me but he acted stupid and did nothing. I told her she was the stupid B to treat a customer like that. Common courtesy doesn't exist in our degenerate culture if service providers act like animals towards their customers. Subsequent to my post, the owner has claimed I entered in a rage cursing at his innocent, potty mouth daughter. Yes, on camera. Nice they lie as well as fail to apologize. This young lady? verbally attacked and insulted me when I decided to leave without ordering. read more

Not the best. Once I saw the salad, I knew it was game over. Save your money, it's probably best if you order Olive Garden!! read more

Mona's Italian Restaurant - Not the best. Once I saw the salad, I knew it was game over. Save your money, it's probably best if you order Olive Garden!! - Italian Near Me - San Diego, California