Cacio

223

1146

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5 months ago

Came here for a casual meal and kept it simple. SERVICE - You order at the counter and they give you a buzzer to pick up your food when it's ready. Easy and straightforward. No complaints. FOOD Fettuccine Alfredo - Good portion size and the pasta was cooked well with a nice texture. The flavor was solid overall, but it leaned a little too salty for my taste. Overall, a decent spot for a quick pasta fix. read more

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Lilian W.

232

809

5410

5 months ago

Cacio is an Italian restaurant that's part of the Windmill Food Hall in Carlsbad. It's near the back the food hall, next to Asado Gaucho. I must say that I was very impressed by the food. The carbonara was reasonably priced and was incredibly delicious. It came with a garlicky bread stick, shaved parm on top, and plenty of pancetta. The taste was addicting! Since it's a food hall, there's not much of an ambiance. The restaurant is a stall/booth. You order at Cacio, receive a device that buzzes when the food is ready for pick-up, and you'd eat at any available table. Overall, I'd come back here to try their other pastas. read more

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Jenn H.

113

539

455

9 months ago

Stopped by Windmill Food Hall on a family trip and my kids both wanted pasta. One chose the carbonara and another chose the spicy bow tie pasta. The portions were substantial, but my kids were famished and gobbled up their food, including the bread it came with. I managed to sneak a few bites and both were delicious--I would have to say the spicy bow tie pasta was better. read more

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Nancy L.

259

363

1822

9 months ago

We love coming to Windmill Food Hall since there are so many different ethnic food options. The spaghetti with meatballs dish was big and substantial, a good value for the price. The taste was delicious. read more

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Laura M.

269

262

2157

2 years ago

Tasty Italian food that's affordable and in such a relaxed & cozy ambiance within the Windmill Food Hall in Carlsbad, CA. Our food was served fast! For lunch, I had their Rib Eye Steak with vegetables & rosemary potatoes. My boyfriend ordered the Carbonara Pasta. Carbonara pasta is usually made with eggs, cured pork, cheese, & black pepper. Come TRY Cacio when you're visiting Carlsbad, CA. read more

Cacio - Carbonara Pasta - Italian Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Cacio - Rib Eye Steak with mixed vegetables & rosemary potatoes. - Italian Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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sandy c.

10

18

6

6 months ago

Decent food after a day at Legoland. We like the Shrimp Portifino and the Ribeye Steak plates. read more

Cacio - Menu - Italian Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Gianna N.

Elite 25

5

115

255

1 year ago

Not bad. Inside the Windmill food court, lots of people ordering from them. My daughter did not like any until we discovered this. We got a pasta alfredo with parmesan. Taste great. Pasta is aldente. Price is decent. $12 for the build your own pasta with a decent size. Well recommended. read more

Cacio - Make your own pasta - Italian Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Monique Q.

Elite 23

198

643

1562

1 year ago

Ordered the appetizer meatballs with a breadstick, and honestly, it tasted like something straight out of the freezer aisle. The meatballs were bland, rubbery, and the sauce tasted like it came from a store-bought jar. The breadstick didn't help -- just added to the "microwave meal" vibe. read more

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Jenny L.

241

245

651

3 years ago

I wouldn't call it a traditional Italian restaurant but my daughter did enjoy the carbonara. She wanted a pasta dish at Windmill food hall, so I ordered a carbonara for her with no black pepper. Flavors were creamy and not too salty. It was actually quite tasty. She finished almost the whole dish and the breadstick that comes with. Carbonara was $16.36 after tax. It was a decent size and had a good amount of cheese. If we're in the area, we'll order again. It's located in the corner, so it's easy to spot. It's a little noisy as it's near the games and arcade where more kiddos are at. read more

Cacio - Carbonara - Italian Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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jP G.

2

12

6

2 years ago

Slow! Lasagna is so dry! Slow! Lasagna is so dry! Slow! Lasagna is so dry! Slow! Lasagna is so dry! read more

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J R.

0

75

9

8 months ago

The Cacio e Pepe was extremely disappointing. Tasted like a microwaved frozen meal. The included breadstick was equally unimpressive.

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Disha1008 ..

0

43

6

8 months ago

One of the few Italian restaurants which offer pocket friendly yummylicious pasta's in Carlsbad..located in the happening windmill food hall and close to the high profile attractions in carlsbad..this place is a must for any family which enjoys Italian pasta's! read more

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Jeffrey Y.

55

102

1020

5 years ago

Quick and Delicous Italian with No Pretentions at the Windmill Food Court Came on a lunch Wednesday to the Windmill and saw the Cacio sign, and my immediate question was "How's the cacio e pepe?" Well, not bad at all! Caio e pepe. Sizeable portion for one. Comes with a breadstick a la Olive Garden (but slightly better in taste with a nicer texture not too hard or soft), so you should be set. My pedestrian tastes recommend you order it with a coke to counter the aggressive cheesiness. And that's what it is: your simple cheesy noodle dish with a pepper taste. Italy's answer to our Mac and Cheese, it's just so pure and basic, but when executed well, it's great. They do this one well, having just enough pepper and good helping of cheesey goodness with its shards of Parmesan and some melted cheese at the bottom. (Comes with a sachet of grated Parmesan, which I added because cheese.) Disposable plastic ware, but can be convenient to go, and because it's a food court, right? And the spaghetti is nice and al dente with a great toothsome chew. Anyway, recommend for for only $13. Great value and flavor. read more

Cacio - the inside of a fast food restaurant - Italian Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Cacio - a menu for a mexican restaurant - Italian Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Cacio - Breadstick - Italian Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Cacio - a menu for a pasta restaurant - Italian Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Sylvia H.

235

490

1618

5 years ago

Very underwhelming. The flavor was quite bland given the fact that Cacio e Pepe should be flavorful with all the butter, cheese, and pepper. It really could have used some salt. I did like the noodle texture. The breadstick was ok if you like this type of skinny breadstick, not super soft in texture, less bready. Goes well with ranch. Sad about the pasta. read more

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Doug J.

1

108

56

1 year ago

Our Cacio e Pepe and Salad Caprese were both really good! We will be back for sure. Thank you. read more

Cacio - Caprese Salad - Italian Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Ricky B.

16

6

1

2 years ago

The tequila chicken pasta is very good but the spaghetti and meatballs balls tastes like cat food read more

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Thomas Brehme ..

0

1

0

2 years ago

This food is not good. I got the carbonara and it was probably the worst pasta I've ever had. The ingredients are not fresh and the food is tasteless at best. My girlfriend got the eggplant Parmesan and they were clearly little frozen/reheated medallions from a package. The breadstick was okay. People who think Olive Garden is bad should try this place. read more

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Regina M.

0

8

0

1 year ago

Food was very tasty, I had spinach & asparagus noddles plus added grilled chicken for protein. But unfortunately the cashier had an attitude. read more

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Urban N.

1195

61

32

3 years ago

Awesome place, not what I expected of an Italian restaurant kind of more of a pop-up but delicious pasta and sandwiches. I got to choose my own type I ordered the fettuccine build your own pasta with the chicken Parmesan. The chicken Parmesan was massive huge portions and the price was very nice. Very good service they even gave us a free side of sauce which many places usually charge you for. Highly recommend this little hidden gem. read more

Cacio - Build your own pasta w chicken Parmesan. - Italian Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Daniela A.

79

345

1929

3 years ago

We asked the lady at the counter what she recommends but I didn't take her recommendation.. that was my mistake! -_- I wanted to try the Cacio E Pepe since the restaurant was named that and when I tell you I regretted this.. that's an understatement.. the pasta had no flavor and the noodles were kind of sticky.. the bread stick was good though.. I didn't even eat it I too two bits and threw it away.. but I'll be back to try the other dishes because they did look good. read more

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Jeff C.

161

1121

695

4 years ago

The kiddo wanted some noodles when we visited Windmill Food Hall so this seemed like a good place to go. We ordered a carbonara ($15) and a "build your own pasta" using bow tie pasta, alfredo, broccoli, and added some meatballs to it ($16 total). The order took awhile to come up but when it did we enjoyed our pasta! The portions were good and we were satisfied overall. We'd definitely come back for more! read more

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Karla E.

13

9

5

3 years ago

Didnt try the food but the Italian soda is terrible is just a cup of sugar and water don't waste your money .

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Jen G.

0

18

5

2 years ago

I ordered a lasagna and added some chicken. The lasagna had no texture and was gooey and the grilled chicken was dry and overcooked. The staff also seemed exhausted? They were not unpleasant but just seemed checked out already. read more

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Sandy P.

0

13

1

5 years ago

A few positive and negative review on this new spot so I just give it a try. I got Chicken Tequila and Carbonara and it was awesome and delicious. Can tell this spot using a good quality of their ingredients. And also they provide two sizes if you think the standard one is too much. Ask for it!! I wish I can give more review more than five star since the service is excellent. read more

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Esmeralda R.

0

4

0

2 years ago

They have delicious pastas and tasty chicken avo rolls! This time I had the Portofino pasta.

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Random H.

0

14

0

1 year ago

do not order carbonara. cold noodles and egg yolk with no flavor. they have no idea what they are doing.

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Noelle W.

987

27

3

3 years ago

Excellent food and service!! I got the spaghetti with pesto sauce and mushrooms and it is the best I have had in this area. I highly recommend it! read more

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Nico E.

16

21

69

4 years ago

Came back to the Windmill Food Hall in Carlsbad to try out more of the food vendors & was in the mood for pasta and I found the right place! I got the Carbonara entree from Cacio & it definitely satisfied my pasta cravings. The staff was kind enough to hook me up with an extra bread stick for my first time trying the place out, thank you guys! read more

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Clark K.

17

16

13

5 years ago

Mediocre at best. Lacked taste. Too heavy on the cheese. Should have been more creamy, instead it was just chunks of cheese. read more

Cacio - Cacio Pepe - Italian Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Erin O.

25

15

17

4 years ago

Got the meatball appetizer. I dont think the meatballs are made fresh. Although, the marinara had good flavor. Breadstick was not made from fresh dough. It was hard with dry garlic granules on it. They could put more effort into that and make something fresh. Little things like those parmesan packets....when the cheese comes out on the brown side. Why dont they grate fresh parm and put it in little to-go containers? The little, simple thoughts can make such a huge difference!!! Just my 2 cents. read more

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Marlo K.

177

74

1

4 years ago

Food is overall great. Their build your own pasta makes it pretty hard to not enjoy what you order. The service is a little hit or miss. There was a pretty serious miscommunication on one of our orders that needed to be remade but when we asked they called us back over to argue with us... that was pretty weird but only one time. Other than that we have enjoyed Cacio every time we come to the Windmill. read more

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Isabel S.

Elite 21

171

1129

1290

5 years ago

Potential but the Alfredo needs better flavor as it is flat. Noodles are good, portions are big, veggies are tasty and the best part was the chicken and the bread. It's like a chipotle style where you choose what you want to add to the type of noodles and veggies and a sauce. Pricey at $15 but enough for leftovers or good to share. read more

Cacio - Alfredo with chicken broccoli, peppers and zucchini - Italian Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Cacio - Huge leftover portion - Italian Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Lana W.

1

11

17

5 years ago

I saw this new Italian place. I had to give them a try. Turned out it was good. I had avocado rolls and chicken tequila. I loved them. They are so tasty. And the staff are very friendly. I really recommended it! read more

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Ashley B.

0

18

7

4 years ago

I had the chicken tequila it came with penne pasta. I was expecting fettuccine but I didn't miss it at all. It's delicious and a nice portion, we will definitely be back. read more

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Elena G.

344

4

8

5 years ago

We come to the foodhall frequently and were very excited about this addition! Absolutely love the chicken tequila pasta - the fresh noodles are awesome, yummy chicken, and the sauce is a perfect blend of creamy and spicy, the added veggies/bread are good too!! It's been our go to when visiting, and you do go a good amount of pasta! We've tried the meatball sub which is good as well, but the pasta is our favorite! We typically like to order to go or try to call ahead, we haven't found a phone number for this restaurant, but I believe the owners may be the same as the Thai Style place as we've called them and have placed an order for our food here through them. We've seen the same lady working at both spots. Highly recommend!! read more

Cacio - Tequila Pasta - Italian Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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George M.

0

66

50

4 years ago

Came here, and there were a bunch of places to eat. But noticed there was lobster bisque here. And since I love lobster bisque, and have been looking for it as a sauce for spaghetti, with lobster tails on top, mixed with freshly cooked broccoli, my own recipe. I really needed lobster bisque as the sauce for it. So I bought the large and tried it. And almost finished it. So I did not have enough for my lobster pasta. So I had to buy another. It is really delicious. My first time here, and I've never had anything else. But the lobster bisque was the bomb. read more

Cacio - Lobster bisque, it's served with fresh bread. It is amazing. - Italian Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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Julie L.

52

25

5

5 years ago

I ordered the build your own pasta with penne, chicken, zucchini, mushrooms, and broccoli in Alfredo sauce. It tasted like a microwaved meal. There was nothing tasty about it. It was full of sodium and the veggies and bread were soggy. The chicken was rubbery. It's really shocking. It's not difficult to make pasta taste good. read more

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Mitchell H.

2

4

0

3 years ago

Such a wonderful surprise. Family run small restaurant in the Carlsbad Windmill. The chicken parm was the best I've had in many years and I'm from NY. Perfect chicken scallopini with all fresh ingredients. Amazing. My wife had the rib eye steak. It was cooked to perfection. Very modest pricing. Deserves 5 stars. Fantastic. read more

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Allie H.

0

2

0

5 years ago

WOW This place is great and all the new things they added are awesome!!! The staff are super friendly , the food comes out quickly . I love the Alfredo pasta and the avocado rolls!!! 100% come here read more

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More info about Cacio

890 Palomar Airport Rd
Carlsbad, CA 92011
Directions
Order Takeout or Delivery
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Visit Website
https://www.windmillfoodhall.com/cacio

Full menu

Hours

What time does Cacio open?

Cacio opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Cacio close?

Cacio closes at 9:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Food & Alcohol

Does Cacio serve alcohol?

Yes, Cacio serves alcohol.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Cacio have parking?

Yes, Cacio has parking options.

Other Amenities

Does Cacio have free WiFi?

Yes, Cacio has free WiFi.

More Info

Health Score

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2051 Cucina Italiana

4.6(1.1k reviews)

2.5 mi

Family-owned & operated

Free parking

Should be more stars ... truly exceptional restaurant. Tucked away, but spacious dining with ample…read moreparking. Our waiter Eduardo gave us expert guidance, especially with the extensive wine selection. My wife and I stopped here for lunch after reading the Yelp reviews. Surpassed our elevated expectations! We started with an exceptional appetizer of fried calamari & veggies. The carrots were sweet, the peppers were perfect and the calamari were delicate & not at all oily. My wife chose the bolognese tagliatelle and loved it, contrasting it with her own bolognese sauce and admittedly finding the Cucina's a cut above her own! I opted for the white ragu of balanzoni which was a refreshingly different take on a traditional ragu. Although we were both stuffed from the abundant courses, I couldn't pass up the semifreddo and I'm glad we didn't. We devoured every bite! Fantastic food, with service to match -- as warm & welcoming as it was expert & knowledgeable. Cannot wait to return when we revisit Carlsbad in January.

Off the beaten path, wasn't sure I was in the right place but glad I stuck with it…read more Big bright inside, warehouse feeling. Nice patio to enjoy a meal outside as well. Service was ok. Calamari was good, there were exactly 2 shrimp, handles of the serving spoons sitting in the sauce which is a miss of a detail, ultimately seemed under seasoned and there is a pile of food sitting in oil on wood. Parmesan prosciutto pasta was well cooked, fresh cracked black pepper would have been beneficial. Tiramisu was the best dish, the mascarpone crème was definitely my favorite, was a lil sad by the lack of coffe and rum soaked lady fingers. I would give this place one more chance now that I understand the menu a bit more.

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Vigilucci's Cucina Italiana

4.0(1.1k reviews)

3.0 mi

A stop at Vigilucci's is a great way to end an evening in Carlsbad Village, especially on…read moreWednesdays during the Farmers Market. After walking through the vendors and enjoying the atmosphere, it's nice to sit down on the patio with an espresso martini and dinner. I've had the lasagna a few times, and it's always baked perfectly with layers of pasta, meat, cheese, and a rich tomato sauce. The shrimp fettuccine is another dish I enjoy the shrimp are cooked just right, and the creamy sauce coats the pasta without feeling too heavy. The pear salad is fresh and refreshing, although I wouldn't mind seeing a slightly larger portion. What keeps me coming back is the overall experience. The restaurant has a welcoming atmosphere, the staff is attentive without making you feel rushed, and it's a great place to slow down and enjoy a meal. Whether you're grabbing a cocktail after browsing the market or sitting down for dinner, it's a spot that's well worth visiting.

You guys, I am very late on this review but life couldn't get too in the way of me sharing this…read moreamazing restaurant my friends and I went to about a month ago, April 3, 2026 Friday night. My friends and I came down to San Diego because my best friend's band was playing at the Holding Company on April 4th. We had a big group and some close friends of ours wanted to go out for dinner and their favorite place is Vigiluccis!! Blake was our server and him and the whole restaurant staff were absolutely incredible that evening. Very cohesive, nothing messed up, phenomenal service, and I could go on! I am the only vegetarian here, and asked if their pasta was normally cooked in chicken broth. Blake checked and let me know all pasta is cooked in olive oil and definitely vegetarian friendly! I had about 2 to 4 cocktails and all of them were delicious. Everyone in my party enjoyed their food, half of the table was doing family style eating. We ordered a lot of food. The complimentary bread, oil, and butter they gave us was also soo good! I would absolutely love to come here again. Blake, our server was such a wonderful person!

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4.5(910 reviews)

3.6 mi

Went to Del Lusso yesterday for lunch with our hockey team and enjoyed their food. The owner Walter…read morewas so accommodating with our big group and the waiters are friendly. The food was delicious and the menu has several options. We will be coming back for sure! Thank you again for welcoming us in and taking such great care of us.

I love the carbonara at Del Lusso! I have been there many times and it never fails to please…read more Walter the owner is always so welcoming, the service is excellent and the food and wine are high quality and delicious. I have suggested it to friends who have never been there and they have all loved it too!

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Via Vai Cucina Italiana

4.4(434 reviews)

3.1 mi

My wife and I recently came to Via Vai Cucina Italiana for a date night, and it completely exceeded…read moreour expectations. We made a reservation ahead of time, and from the moment we walked through the doors, the service was absolutely amazing. The interior is so cute and sets the perfect vibe for a great evening out. The food is, without a doubt, the best Italian food I have ever had. I ordered the homemade pesto pasta with chicken, and it was perfectly cooked and incredibly flavorful. My wife got the cioppino, which is her favorite dish, and she was blown away. Not only was it amazing, but the portion size was huge! If you are looking for a truly great restaurant with top-tier service, a welcoming atmosphere, and unforgettable food, you have to try this place. We will absolutely be coming back!

This was our first visit to Via Vai Cucina Italiana, and we were there to celebrate a birthday…read more Unfortunately, the experience was a little underwhelming. We were seated in a small room off the main dining area, and we were the only ones in the room. Our waiter was friendly, but he was also taking care of tables in the main dining area, so we were often left on our own without anyone checking in on us. It also took quite a while before we were able to place our order. I ordered one of the mushroom pasta dishes, and unfortunately, I found it to be lacking in flavor. Someone else in our party ordered one of the specials, a steak, and that looked absolutely delicious. Overall, I was hoping for a better experience, especially since we were celebrating a birthday. While our waiter was nice, the slow service and lack of flavor in my meal left me unimpressed. Based on this experience, I don't think I would return.

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Tagliatelle Sea Scallops and Porcini

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4.3(886 reviews)

3.9 mi

it's official: SPIRITO's ITALIAN DINER is back in my good graces. a couple of months ago, I wrote a…read moresnarky review (and still gave 'em three stars) after a sub-par experience. that visit, the red gravy was soupy and the pizza undercooked and nearly cheese-less. there had been a recent change in ownership and I was afraid (okay, terrified) it was a sign of things to come. have limited my order the last two times (plus a lasagna and a cheese pizza) to the same entrees I had in March: EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA and an EGGPLANT PARM pizza. eighty-four (including yesterday) of the eighty-five times I've eaten at Spirito's, I left happy, happy, happy. wonderful folks, still serving up my favorite Jersey-style pizza and southern Italian dishes around.

Since my review 8 years ago things have changed drastically in size, price and some quality…read more Buying a large pizza now and getting a slice from it is laughable. The picture of the eggplant parmigiana is now maybe 1/2 to a 1/4 of that and they give you a square piece, it's nothing like the picture I attached anymore.

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4.1(1k reviews)

3.1 mi

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4.1(2.6k reviews)

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I had an absolutely wonderful experience at 264 fresco our server. Lucas was incredible. He was so…read moreattentive, friendly, and made sure every detail of our drinks & meal was perfect and Michael also came in to check in which made us feel really valued. I can't recommend this place enough thank you, Lucas and Michael for making such a special afternoon! Can't wait to be back! Khalid & Rayhana

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4.7(641 reviews)

6.7 mi

•$$$

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What a little gem- I would say "hidden" but it was jammed last night. My husband said let's try…read morethis place in a strip mall... I was curious but this was over the top- I feel like I immediately stepped into another world. It smelled amazing, had fantastic service and menu was huge! Will be back and bringing friends- thank you for having us!

Decor

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Handmade pasta!

Maurizio Trattoria Italiana

4.4(946 reviews)

5.6 mi

Loved the food! Delicious chicken Limon served with fried…read morepotatoes and veggies just so good! Really nice glass of prosecco (I think only $10 - total bargain) My first time downtown Encinitas. I didn't even know it existed and it's really not for everyone. Makes me think Melrose and Fairfax - without all the filth. But seriously just as crazy-busy and very noisy. Very busy restaurant for good reason. Polished staff. Excellent food. Excellent service. Would go back in a heartbeat but not again at 6:00p on a Saturday. Way too much noise. Felt like I was dining at the corner of Harley and Davidson...but that's certainly not their fault.

Met a few friends here for dinner and overall, we had a good time. The food was good, and we…read moreenjoyed ourselves. That said, I was disappointed to see an additional fee added to the check. When I asked what the fee was for, the explanation I received was simply, "everyone is doing it, even my dentist ." If there are additional charges, they should be clearly disclosed upfront. The prices on the menu should reflect what customers are actually expected to pay. Adding unexplained or made-up fees at the end of the meal is frustrating and leaves a bad impression.

Inside dining

Tagliatelle with vodka cream sauce!

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Bruschetta Campana

Buona Forchetta

4.3(966 reviews)

5.0 mi

Always great! One of my favorite go to's. Food is delicious and the service is friendly and…read morewelcoming. Ask for Chris. He is a fantastic server!

Great place and great food. Chris was a great server with excellent customer service.read more

Goodbye team!

Pretty good gluten free crust on Sofia pizza

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Indoor seating

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Fatima D.

0

1

0

2 years ago

the spicy chicken pasta was amazing loved the price as well i will for sure come back!

Cacio - italian - Updated October 2026

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