I've been here twice now and I want to love it, because many people speak highly of Rex's, but it's been average or just slightly above both times. Lasagna I had previously came to me lukewarm, and the flavors were pretty good but not as homemade tasting as I expected. I prefer the sauce at another local restaurant, and part of the reason is Rex's just tastes like it came out of a can to me. You'll get a decent meal here, with large portions, but the food isn't special. Service recently was poor, both because of poor attention from the server and being grossly overcharged, and a huge headache to get it rectified. In the end maybe 3.5 stars for food, 2.5 for service and chaotic atmosphere. I'd come back if friends chose it for an evening out, but I'd go elsewhere if it was my choice to make. read more

Went to Rex's last night for dinner after hearing nothing but good things. We had a reservation (recommended by friends) and sat right down. It was a little loud with a party going on at the bar, but that seemed to be a little unusual. The service was fantastic and we really loved the food but it could have used a little salt... Not a big deal when you can add some yourself. I didn't love their marina but I like it a little chunkier. The bread was delish and everything else was awesome. Someone at our table had the blue cheese burger and loved it. The place is hip and reasonably priced for the size of the portions, which is pretty large. Overall, a great addition to the Cortland scene. We'll be back! read more

We had heard about this place but kept forgetting about it. Well today we got our hair cut next door and had time to look over their menu and knew we had to go there for lunch. And I'm glad we did, hands down the best Italian food I've had in the Ithaca / Cortland area. Their meatballs are outrageous, and escargot in Cortland? Seriously fantastic stuff. We will 100% be back again. read more

Awesome restaurant, I know the owners parents and Cortland is fortunate to have a place like this !! I hope they continue their success !!

My first experience with Rex's was a catered work event. The food was so FRESH and flavorful. My husband and I decided we needed to check it out for date night... NOT disappointed. First, we got the fried calamari as an appetizer. Yum! I got crispy ravioli, rich but delicious. They offer local beer from the Cortland brewery and the seasonal pumpkin beers were presented in glasses rimmed with cinnamon, spices, and sugar! My husband got the chicken parmesan sandwich, it was a generous portion and also very tasty! But what sends Rex's into the 5 star realm was the customer service. The waitress was so great: accommodating, attentive, and funny. Then we hung out with Rex AND his wife. They made us feel like we'd been friends for decades even though it was the first time we'd ever met. Rex's is now our absolute FAVORITE spot in Cortland and we can't wait to go back!! read more

So much food it was amazing! Such awesome energy in the place. The staff is kind and attentive. The food was amazing and huge portions! I will be coming back for sure! read more

I had a lunch catered with food from Rex's. Food was good but +++ expensive. A tray of pasta and salad for 15 people was $225. Usually, a tray of pasta that size is $80 anywhere else and salad should be cheap. They also didn't offer free paper plates, plastic wear ect. Weird??? Any other place I've ordered from for a catering order those items are always offered. Restaurant looked decent, food was decent but I don't think catering is they're thing. read more

Picked up dinner tonight and it was fantastic! Ordered the half order of Chicken Broccoli Alfredo and it's huge! The side salad was delicious with amazingly flavorful crispy croutons! So good! Thank you for cooking tonight! read more

They have great hot pasta! Big portions for a fair price! The burgers are really good and they serve Cortland beer which is some of the best micro brew around! read more

Excellent find in Cortland. Was a bit busy but they were very nice once we got seated. The salad w marinated chicken was so tender. The pasta was fresh and the red sauce excellent. The famous Rex's pasta w hot sauce was HOT really HOT-- only for those who can eat super spicy. All in all would come again! read more

My hometown fave! Always great customer service & delish meals! Can accommodate gluten free - highly recommend the gluten free chick & brocc Alfredo! Salad with house balsamic (w/o croutons if GF) is outstanding and offers in-door and out-door dining options read more

The additional seating areas, while not as comfortable as could be, certainly isolates one from the lion's share of the bar noise.

Excellent service and pasta was delicious. But oh the meatballs!!! So so good. We sat at the bar because it was crowded and enjoyed it. It took a while but it was worth it. Highly recommend read more

we live a block away from rex's. we had heard so many negative reviews that we waited almost a year before we tried the restaurant. the service was lacking but the food was ok. after a while we started getting pretty good service. until. we came in and sat at the bar. half the bar was empty and almost no tables. 3 people behind the bar and all 3 owners standing near the bar. after 10 minutes, I asked if we could have service. apparently the bar tender didn't appreciate that. she was rude and snotty. another couple came in after us and she waited on them and we left. the food isn't the best and the service is the worst. anyone that says different is probably a friend of the family read more

Came here for dinner. Don't let the outside fool you. It's really nice inside. We sat at the bar. Very friendly staff and the food was excellent! read more

Visiting my sister this weekend she took me to Rex's for dinner. We were greeted by very friendly owners. We ordered the scrod as we were promised it was amazing. And boy was it! So good. The food is delicious. I'll be back during my next visit to Cortland. read more

Only putting 1 star, because I can't leave a review with none. I order a salad from here, got the wrong salad. No big deal called them told them I got the wrong salad and they said they'd make me a new one....coool. However that's not the case. The first salad (incorrect salad) they gave me had blue cheese crumbles in it (I HATE blue cheese). Came in to exchange the salad they said they'd "fix it" literally they hand picked out the stuff that I didn't want in the salad and added the other stuff to the new salad. I know this because they didn't get all of the blue cheese crumbles out. Horrible service. If I'm paying $13 for a salad I should have the correct salad and if it's wrong I should have another one made not picked over. read more

Good food and nice atmosphere. The kitchen hours are very inconvenient. Wish they would have standard hours like other restaurants.

First time the outside does not do justice to inside . Service person on point explain the menu great job . We ordered pasta and burger from reading other reviews very pleased . Order half portion s more than enough . These service person was great! We shared dessert another winner , we will be back . read more

Oh my goodness! So delicious! The bruchetta chicken sandwich is absolutely divine! Gnocchi are my daughter's favorite. But try the spicy red sauce with the pasta and you won't be disappointed! Meatballs on a salad? Who ever heard of such a thing? So so so good! It's small and cozy place to eat and lunch time is nice for a quiet gathering with a friend. Love it there. read more

Escargot for lunch!! Who doesn't love that! Great burgers, chicken parm and pasta caprese!

Very amazing food at this establishment and very friendly staff, owner and operator who was great.... Also at helping me figure out what I wanted to order. I highly recommend this place if your looking for great food and a nice atmosphere. read more

Rex's Pasta - Rib eye sandwich.... Amazing - Italian Near Me - Cortland, New York

See all

Growing up in Cortland you are very spoiled with wonderful authentic Italian food and this place is no exception. This place is always full with good reason. The atmosphere here is great. I feel very welcome from beginning to end. From the bartenders to the to the wait staff you are treated well. It has a very family feel to it. You hear laughter and people just enjoying themselves all around you. The food is awesome dished out in huge portions and is very reasonably priced. If you find yourself in this small upstate town and you are hungry and crave good Italian food then go to Rex's! I'll definitely be back! read more

Food was great, service was fantastic and the beer was cold and tasty! Highly recommended!

Decent place at first glance. Bartender Emily mistook multiple orders. I was subjected to a surcharge for asking for alfredo after rejecting the marinara item when originally ordered as alfredo sauce. On the bill you could see where Emily wrote a $3 alfredo surcharge, then crossed it into an 8 after the restaurant's mistake. $3 would have been entirely reasonable and unquestionable, but the obvious scratch line to change it into $8 is sleazy. Congratulations Rex, you got your $5. I hope it was worth our party not returning again and sharing the same with our friends and relatives. Drive another mile down the road and go to Pontilo's, it tastes the same at worst and is half the price. They also don't openly rip off customers after their own mistakes. read more

I will start out saying that their food is amazing! The 2 times I've been able to have it. We have tried to order 9 times for takeout and 3 times to sit and eat. Every time we were turned away because they said the kitchen was too busy. I know, being busy isn't a bad thing but advertising takeout and never being able to provide it and going to sit and eat at 7pm and being told that we can't be served is bad business. Maybe more staff or maybe they have outgrown their space already. I don't know but overall a bad experience. If you are one of the lucky ones who gets to eat their food it's amazing......if and when they can provide it to you. read more

First time here tonight, and can't wait to go back! Hostess took our drink order because they were busy. When the server came over she immediately noticed I had the wrong wine and replaced it. Even though I told her it wasn't necessary. The fried ravioli were very good, spicy and golden delicious. Salad was good too. Homemade balsamic dressing with a mild crumbly blue. For main entrees we got spaghetti and meatballs and chicken broccoli Alfredo both half size portions and we took full boxes home. Great size portions, great service and great food! read more

The appetizers were good had calamari and fried ravioli. The food was simply terrible. Eggplant Parmesan chewy, had to spit out every bite. Chicken park was chinch during if chicken, that was way over cooked. When asked if I wanted To wrap up the food. My response to the waitress was that it was awful. I went there because it appeared to have a good rating. Don't believe the rating. I was new to Cortland... and will never be back to this restaurant. read more

Holy cow. I discovered this place on my third night in town and wish I did earlier. I ordered to my hotel and they promptly arrived. They even put a plastic wrap over the pasta just incase it leaked. Highly recommend this spot. read more

Love the décor. The food we had was really good. Steak was done as ordered and the rigatoni and sausage was good. We tried to go there again but found out they close at 8pm. Would of given it 5 stars but they close too early. Wished they stayed open later at least on Friday and Saturday nights. We will try to get there again. read more

I went here tonight with my family. As a rule, we don't eat out much, maybe once a month. We used to drive to Ithaca for Italian. Not anymore. Rex's will be our new go-to place. There's a great mural on the side of the building, making the restaurant easy to find. I was unsure of what to expect at first. It's in a strip mall that's seen better days. Rex's could not be more of a departure from its neighbors. The inside is done in an industrial design. It's attractive and welcoming. Decor is well planned out. This may sound like a strange detail to include in a review but it stuck out to me. They thought to put hooks under the bar to hang belongings. It's just one detail of a new place that is really well thought out in a way that feels welcoming without groveling. Definitely gives off that "hangout and stay a while vibe". But enough of the aesthetics of the place... What I'm really going back for is the food. We had fried pickles. They were good and I'll order them again. However, there's other appetizers I want to try first. I had the full order of gnocchi with a meatball side. The serving was perfect. The gnocchi were pillowy and perfect. Another member of my group ordered the hot pasta. It lives up to its name. However the heat isn't painful or overdone. Another person in my group ordered ravioli. They were delicious! The only thing I thing I wish that was different is a wine list that features more Finger Lakes wines. And seriously, that's a small detail. If you're looking for a good place to get pasta, burgers, salads, Rex's is the place! read more