This is truly one of Orange County's hidden gems. An amazing Italian restaurant with family roots…read morethat has a wonderful and cozy atmosphere, delicious food and top notch dining staff. The Minestrone soup made by the owner's mother is best in class...one of the greatest dishes served at any restaurant in Orange County (I very highly recommend!!). The cuisine from the kitchen is consistently delicious. What is equally as delighting is the friendly service staff. I just left there for my third time and have had three different servers and they have all been absolutely fantastic. Each time I leave this restaurant, I immediately think about when I'm going back. I suggest this place to anyone who wants to eat tasty food served by amazing people.

Date of visit: Sep 8, 2026…read more What a disappointing birthday dinner. I came here with high hopes of finding one of those hidden-gem, hole-in-the-wall Italian places, but unfortunately, it all ended up blowing up in my face. The biggest problem was simple: everything--from the soup to the main dishes--was way too salty. We were a party of six, and three of us ordered pasta with the garlic cream sauce: the Pescatore, Shrimp & Scallop, and Clam. The sauce wasn't thickened enough, so it was much too soupy for a pasta dish, and the taste of white wine was very prominent. The garlic cream sauce was salty too, although nowhere near as crazy salty as the Chicken Piccata, Tortellini Giovanni, and Minestrone. Chicken Piccata: Like everything else we tried, this dish was just way too salty. The lemon-butter sauce was completely overwhelmed by the capers, and eating it honestly felt like shoveling forkfuls of salt into my mouth. The only saving grace was the chicken itself, which was cooked well and had a nice golden-brown exterior. Tortellini Giovanni: Just okay. I've definitely had better. The cheese filling inside the tortellini wasn't particularly good, although the Italian sausage was pretty tasty. The more I ate, though, the saltier, heavier, and oilier the dish seemed to get. Overall, there was really nothing special about it. Minestrone: SO salty that I couldn't even finish it. I'm not sure if this is simply their recipe or if the soup had been refrigerated and reheated to the point where some of the water had evaporated, leaving the salt increasingly concentrated. It's too bad because the underlying flavor was actually there--it was just completely ruined by the amount of salt. Pizza: Just okay. The dough wasn't bad, and I actually liked that it had some chewiness to it. But for the price, I'd rather go somewhere else. I really wanted to love this place, especially since this was my birthday dinner. I wasn't expecting fancy or perfect--I was hoping for a charming little hole-in-the-wall with really good, comforting Italian food. Unfortunately, we left super disappointed.

We came in tonight, celebrating my wife's birthday The place was busy…read more It pays to get a reservation. We got a delicious bottle of red wine. For an appetizer. And we got the. Arancini, and the Fritto Misto. And for dinner my wife got the Rigatoni Alfredo 2.0 and I got the Orecchiette Alla Salsiccia. And for dessert, we enjoyed three scoops of gelato. Two vanilla one pistachio. The service was fantastic. The place was clean. The food was delicious. "Sophia" took great care of us, she went above and beyond. To make our experience exceptional. Thank you sincerely TJeanal

service. AWESOME. super attentive waitress. SO patient (i was there for a team dinner lolz). and…read moreshe was a baddie (that's just a bonus) !!!! free bread. BEST FREE BREAD I'VE EVER HAD. also are you kidding me guys their freaking olive oil vinegar concoction had like gARLIC BITS IN IT omfg life changing. flat iron steak!!! i ordered it medium rare and it was a lil overcooked but still delicious, so i have no real complaints. potatoes were PERF but the onions were weird (i love onions and was expecting that sweet/savory caramelized flavor¿) but ngl it was slightly sour... but THATS OKAY it could just be me. anyways, i was VERY satisfied.

One of my go-to Italian restaurants in OC! Always love visiting because the ambiance is very cozy…read moreand the wallpaper on the walls makes you feel like you teleported into an actual restaurant in Italy! For my meal, I got the following: Salad with Italian dressing (10/10). Tasted very fresh and I love the house-made dressing. Perfect balance of tangy and savory Garlic bread (10/10). Hands down probably the best garlic bread I've ever had! I always eat at least 2 pieces. Shareable with friends/family Chicken parmigiana with spaghetti (8/10). Loved the mariana sauce. Tasted very authentic, not those sauces you get from the grocery store. Everything else tasted as you would expect Service is great! The waiter was attentive and checked in on us frequently

We love your wonderful food and our family has dined for nearly 20 years at your restaurant. I am…read morewriting because of the numerous email invitations to celebrate was unfortunately a disaster for us. Making a journey from San Diego only to be turned away and told it was sent in error with the wrong dates and no corrective offer given. Then on the following day we receive another email of lesser value that says "if you couldn't make it to our 26th Anniversary..." was like salt on an open wound. We will in the future return but for now we are very disappointed. Congratulations on another year.

This review is long overdue. Our #1 go to spot for call in…read moreand pick up! We absolutely love it!! The food always comes piping hot when we pick it up and is delicious as always. It's consistently good every single time, which is honestly hard to find. It's family-owned, and the service is amazing. They're just straight to the point, not trying to impress anyone, just serving great food. My type of people and my type of food. I love their cheese ravioli with pink sauce, the minestrone soup, the Italian wedding soup, and the spaghetti and meatballs with their meat sauce. it's AMAZING. And their garlic bread is an absolute must. Be warned... you'll probably knock out right after. The portions are hearty, the food is comforting, and it gives the best food coma every time.

I happened to try Vinny's on a whim after seeing all of the stellar reviews. Unfortunately, our…read moreexperience didn't come close to matching them. This is a tough review to write because it appears to be a family-run business, but hopefully the criticism is taken constructively. From the moment we walked in, the experience felt unwelcoming. There didn't seem to be a host or anyone greeting customers. We stood there somewhat aimlessly while employees behind the counter looked over at us without really acknowledging us or explaining where to go. One particularly strange thing we noticed was customers being turned away at the door and told there would be a wait, despite several tables appearing to be open. Then, about five minutes later, another couple walked in and was seated without any issue. Maybe there was an explanation for it, but from a customer's perspective, it was confusing and came across as very inconsistent. Unfortunately, the meal didn't improve things. The food was very bland and lacked the flavor I would expect from a good Italian restaurant. The bread we received tasted stale and was noticeably burnt. For comparison, I would honestly put the overall food quality below what you would expect from Olive Garden. Table service was almost nonexistent. Getting assistance throughout the meal was difficult, and even trying to pay the bill and leave felt like a journey. What concerned me even more was seeing several other customers spoken to in a way that came across as unnecessarily rude. I really wanted to understand why this place has such strong reviews, but based on our experience, I simply can't recommend it. Better hospitality, more consistent treatment of customers, more attentive service, and improvements to the food would go a long way.

We only had this to-go, but the food was great. I'd love to try it in person sometime. We got the…read morebolognese lasagna, some garlic bread, and a salad on the side. All of it was delicious. I'd definitely get the lasagna again. Good portion size - I was starving and it ended up being plenty. I came by once on a Friday evening and it was a super long wait so we decided not to stay. From my brief experience in there the vibes were good. I know a handful of people who rave about this spot, so I want to come back and try different things on the menu.

To Mike Thank you…read morefor replying. This review was written after our visit, so there was no opportunity to "let a server or manager know right away." More importantly, our disappointment was with the overall experience: food quality, slow service, and the value. Your response feels somewhat generic rather than addressing the concerns raised. I hope you take the feedback seriously and use it to improve the dining experience.

Ran into this place completely by accident, and I'm glad we did…read more We ordered the garlic knots, cheese pizza, salty white clam pizza, and baked ziti. Everything tasted like it came straight from your grandmother's kitchen in the old country. The cheese pizza is hands down the best I've had in SoCal. Simple, perfectly done, and exactly what a great cheese pizza should be. The salty white clam pizza was incredible, rich, perfectly salted, and packed with flavor without being overpowering or overdone. Every bite was on point. The baked ziti tasted like a legit family recipe. Deep, comforting flavors and seriously nostalgic. You can tell there's history behind the food here. This instantly became one of our favorite spots. The service was great and everyone was super friendly. We started asking about the history of the place, and they gave us the full rundown, which made the experience even better. A little taste of Italy right here in Fullerton. We'll definitely be back. .

We entered the place and it smelled like bad bathroom pipes. We ordered and got some bread which…read morewas okay. It was so quiet inside. No music, no television. Just the sound of appliances going. We got the meat ravioli, the bolognese gnocchi and the meatballs. The food was exactly what we ordered. Just food. You aren't missing anything and I can't explain it well enough. It's just what it is. Italian food. It filled us up, which is what food is suppose to do. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you aren't missing anything by not trying this place. We ate it but felt nothing afterwards. If you want good Italian food with unique recipes, look elsewhere. Otherwise, you get what you get here. Just generic Italian food, nothing special. The cook/chef guy looked like he knew what he was doing but I really wanted to try something that he would cook. It felt like he was forced to cook exactly how the owners want it. Generic bland Italian food. Overall if you and your loved ones are craving Italian, I'd look elsewhere. Olive Garden provides far better food and atmosphere.

We came for lunch, and the food was delicious! The caprese salad was the best I've ever had, and…read moreyou can tell the pesto is homemade. I ordered the jumbo shrimp linguine, and the butter sauce was so good I couldn't resist dipping my bread in it. I love a restaurant that serves warm bread and soft butter!! The service was great, the atmosphere was lovely, and the prices were very reasonable. Such a wonderful lunch--we'll definitely be back!

Had a great experience at 19seventy! The ambiance was beautiful, and the staff was attentive and…read morewelcoming throughout our meal. The sourdough bread they bring to the table was soft and really delicious. I had the Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo, which was very good. My friends shared the Short Rib Pappardelle, which was a generous portion for two people. We didn't realize it was prepared right in front of you, so getting to watch it being made was such a special treat! The only small downside was that my friends felt the Short Rib Pappardelle needed a little more flavor. They ended up adding some salt to bring out the taste. I have to give a huge shoutout to our waiter! He overheard us saying happy birthday to our friend, and without us even asking, he brought her a complimentary dessert. Such a thoughtful gesture and definitely made the night extra special. Overall, we had a great time and really appreciated the attentive service and little touches that made our dinner memorable!

10/10 -- Absolutely Flawless Service!…read more This was our first time at Buca di Beppo, and I honestly walked out speechless at the level of customer service we received. I came in with my mom and sister, and Alvetta was absolutely incredible -- truly one of the best servers I have ever had anywhere. From the moment we arrived, she made us feel welcomed and genuinely taken care of. Her attention to detail, attitude, professionalism, and hospitality were all 10 out of 10. I also want to recognize Danny, the Front of House Manager. WOW. Between Danny and Alvetta, you can see what great leadership and teamwork look like. They represent Buca di Beppo exactly the way any company would want its brand represented. Coming from a JD Power Associates background and experience with customer service data, I pay close attention to the customer experience, and I don't give praise like this lightly. These two deserve recognition -- and honestly, a raise! This was flawless customer service from beginning to end. And to top it all off, the food was delicious! Alvetta, Danny, and the entire team: THANK YOU. You made our first visit with my mom and sister memorable, and because of the way you treated us, we will absolutely be coming back. 10/10 food. 10/10 service. 10/10 hospitality. Buca di Beppo should be extremely proud to have Alvetta and Danny representing their restaurant. Outstanding job!

45 dollars for a Cesar Salad, all plates averaging 50 bucks....get ready to pay big money for…read moreaverage Italian food. I went to Buca Brea for my birthday along with 13 others from my family and the service was mediocre for the price we were paying. I've been to high end restaurants where the food quality matches the price and service and this buca fell short. We got there and we were the only ones in our area attended by one server who seemed rushed so he kept asking "are you guys ready to order" like three times. It takes a while to go through the menu and decide because the prices are insane! With 4 plates and a salad we ended up paying 345 dollars...do the math! This will be the last time we come because my wife and I were regulars but now, it's just a past time. So we paid that much and we were sat in tables covered with plastic picnic style cloths but underneath was the story...LIFETIME PLASTIC TABLES and rotted wooden tables. For that price, we should be sitting on golden chairs haha Overall I gave it a three because it wasn't terrible but then again the service did not match the price better off going to Olive Garden and that place is crap! Haha

We've been wanting to try Fuoco Pizza for YEARS, but we always figured our son was too young to…read morereally appreciate this kind of pizza. Well, fast forward to this year...and HE was the one who suggested we finally give it a try! We are SO glad we listened to him! The pizza here reminds me of the kind of pizza I would eat in Italy. It tastes authentic, flavorful, and beautifully simple. If you're looking for a traditional thick-crust pizza where you pile on whatever toppings you want, this probably isn't the place for you. But hear me out...TRUST THE MENU! Order what jumps out at you and let the ingredients speak for themselves. We've tried the Contadina, Funghi e Salsiccia, and Rocco's Pie, and every single one was delicious. But hands down, the Vespa is the STAR OF THE SHOW! And then there's the homemade spicy honey. OH.MY.GOODNESS. It is SOOO good that we now order a side of it just so we can dip our other pizzas into it. Trust me...you need it! We're kicking ourselves for waiting so long to come here, but I guess better late than never! Thank you, Fuoco, for giving us a little taste of Italy and for making our son's recommendation such a great one.

Came in on a Tuesday evening around 7pm and was seated immediately! After our dining experience…read morehere, I'd be annoyed if I had to wait a long time to be seated because the pizza was just okay. We got the mozzarella bar to start off. It was refreshing and pleasant! A nice appetizer. Then the pizzas is where the disappointment came in. We got Rocco's pie and the Fuoco. Rocco's pie was pretty good, but the ricotta didn't go well with it in my opinion. The Fuoco was not good at all. It was so dry to eat. I see the idea they were tying to go for; however, the execution was poor. There was so much arugula on ours that I literally couldn't taste anything else. It was too overpowering and bitter. The shaved parmigiano was ok as well. This just tasted like something scrapped together lazily. When you can make the same thing with ingredients from Trader Joe's or Whole Foods... it's quite disappointing. Either way, glad I tried this place but there are other pizzerias that I'd rather visit.

Thank you, II Gatto, for once again providing such wonderful service for me and my daughter. It…read morewasn't our first time there and it definitely wouldn't be the last. Love the fact there's an authentic Italian restaurant so close to home. My daughter and I each ordered pasta. I got their Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken. Loved the creamy sauce! My favorite thing to order at II Gatto is actually their fried Calamari - it is SO good! Love their complimentary bread and butter, but hate the fact that by the time we finish our meal, we never have any more room left for dessert. The restaurant is huge, with an outside patio - it's pretty, especially when it's lit up with string lights. There's a huge parking in the back - definitely plenty of parking. My dining experience here is always a solid 9/10. Can't wait to come back!

Ambiance was cute and cozy, service was ok and the food was not so much…read more Ordered Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken. Food temperature was piping hot but bland. Where's the garlic? Romano cheese? Bread provided was very, very crusty, almost too much. I wish it was better.