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    Santasiero's Restaurant

    3.3 (223 reviews)
    InexpensiveItalian

    Santasiero's Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    SANTASIERO'S RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Santasiero's Restaurant

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    This is the free bread basket. They are cold costanzo rolls.
    Lauren S.

    I genuinely hate giving low review ratings to old mom&pop places as I know how much hard work and passion goes into making a restaurant succeed but I must give this an honest review and they are lucky to get two stars. Let me start off with saying they have some of the best red sauce I've ever had and I love the ridiculous amount of cheese that they put on anything parmesan! Now here comes the list of everything that went wrong: They have no menus. You can only look at the board posted on the wall, and they don't have half the items listed on there, including appetizers. They offer NO appetizers except for garlic bread. Which is ridiculous considering they give you individually wrapped costanzo rolls as your free dinner bread. Oh, and they don't have any soup. Though their wall menu advertises 4 different soups, don't bother trying to order any, they don't have any. They say they have a full bar... But do they? When we asked what they have on tap, they said they don't have drafts, only bottles. When you ask what they have that's a local (craft) beer, we were told "blue light", when we asked for a flavored vodka and water, they only have cheap flavorless vodka... Oh, and if you want wine, they give you a plastic individual bottle of wine, but they don't have wine glasses. Now let me get to the food... The chicken Parm and eggplant Parm were good. I have to give them credit there. But I don't understand why the chicken Parm comes on a bed of spaghetti but the eggplant Parm does not? Weird. The house salad is just a few leaves of iceberg lettuce, 4 grape tomatoes and a massive amount of garbanzo beans smothered in Italian dressing. Don't try to order a different dressing, they won't have it. My father ordered the claim linguini and it was the most unappetizing looking thing I've ever seen. The clam sauce was pure water. It was like they put linguini noodles in soup. The clams were clearly canned and there was a weird spice to the dish that was unexpected. None of their noodles are hand made, they are all barilla boxed pasta. The waitress refused to give us a check. She said we can go up to the front of the house by the register and she will tell us her total then before we pay... What? We had a party of 7 and was looking to figure out what everyone owed before getting to the register. You don't get an itemized receipt until after you pay. Overall, I was extremely embarrassed that we took my parents here for their birthday dinner. The prices were relatively cheap so I would consider getting take out for their eggplant Parm, but I have no idea how this place has stayed open for 100 years. Gordon Ramsay would have a field day.

    Celebrating another tradition for New Years Eve....going with moms fav eggplant parm  in memory of her
    Darlene B.

    This review is based on my experience yesterday evening, of something that sadly is common nowadays during this pandemic. My eggplant parmasen sauce and everything tasted great. The presentation was a little different, then takeout, but none the less flavorful. As I left to go up front, and pay for my meal, I noticed a classic, well known stable was literally ran by 4 people. My waitor was also one of the cooks, who not only cooked, waited on few tables and was doing takeout as well. It's sad that all over, especially the family ran or generational restaurants people just don't want to work. RIP, I believe her name was Phyllis, third generation owner, who passed in September. I haven't been there since Spring, and again went in honor and memory of my mom. We also would go out to eat on New Years Eve, then a movie...still keeping tradition. To all YELPERS out there, and everyone that reads others reviews: At the start of this new year 2022, Let's all show a little patience, kindness toward staff at restaurants and maybe thank them for taking the time to share their love for food, or recipes in whatever their restaurant speciality may be. So with that being said, thank you Nick, my waitor from yesterday New Years Eve 2021, Brian and the two other guys in the kitchen for your hardwork and dedication to the restaurant.

    Bar area
    Russ K.

    Right up front I will say that this is not a fancy place. It has been around for generations (my 80 yr old Dad went as a kid), and the reason why: Good food & nice portions at value prices. Service is wonderfully friendly and the atmosphere is down to earth (see pics). Santasieros is a bit off the beaten path, and we were here off hours on a Tuesday, so place was nearly empty, ...but the food was hot, tasty, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

    Working hard
    Colleen O.

    This restaurant has been around for over 100 years , yet this past Saturday was my first visit, but won't be my last . I ordered small Spaghetti Parmesan (I opted for a fresh mushroom sauce ) and it arrived as a decent portion and piping hot . I opted for a birch beer as my beverage . Entrees came with a soft Costanzo roll with butter . What I liked about the pasta was that it wasn't super greasy and they used fresh mushrooms. It would be nice to see another one of my Italian favorites on the menu (fettuccine Alfredo ) . The owner came over a couple of times to check on us and we settled our bill with him. This is a no frills old school pasta house that has stood the test of time . Hopefully in these rough times, it continues to do so .

    Santasiero's Menu
    Diane H.

    With speedy service and a smile I placed my order.I got the spaghetti it was tasty and the sauce was delicious. There's lots to choose from on the menu including ravioli, lasagna and chicken parmesan. There's plenty of free parking in their lot too.

    Santasoeto's
    Denise H.

    With fast and friendly service I ordered the Ravioli. It was a good size portion, the sauce was tasty and it came with a roll.They offer spaghetti, Lasagna, chicken parmesan and pasta fasoola.They have their own lot for plenty of free parking.

    Eggplant Parmigian
    Shauna R.

    Wow! If you want to take a step back in time and have delicious Italian food at the same time, definitely stop here! Currently they are taking reservations only which you can make by phone or email. Health wise during this crazy time we were happy to see all chefs and staff had masks and gloves on while seating was very well spaced out. Their menu is on the wall & straight to the point! Our food came out quickly for a busy Monday night and was hot and delicious. I ordered the eggplant parm and it was SO BIG! I like my eggplant thick but cooked all the way through of course and this definitely delivered! We had a great night out at this historical buffalo establishment.

    Chicken Parmigiano
    Shauna R.

    I was in the mood for some true Italian so I headed on over to Santasieros on Niagara Street. With the best prices in town for your portion size, how can you go anywhere else. With a full order of chicken Parmigiano, goulash, and spaghetti with meatballs it was off to the races. They start you with a roll and butter, individually wrapped and in not time flat you have a heaping order of sauce and noodles to feast on. Be sure to call ahead for a reservation if you'd like to dine in as they are still reservation only, as well as some cash. No fret though they do have an atm available right in the dining room if you forget. In a rush? No worries, just call ahead to place a take out order. Takeout available to the entire menu!

    Da meatball sangwich.
    Chris C.

    This place is supposed to be LEGIT Italian food. I was excited to try it, as my mother in law had really talked it up. We got there, and as I looked around, I found it really depressing inside. Everything looked old and worn out. Like, this place probably WAS pretty awesome back in the day, but it's glory days have since faded away. We talked to the host, and she asked if we had reservations... we looked around and saw only 1 couple at a table, and said "really?". The host insisted that we need reservations. We walked back to the car and talked about what we should do (go somewhere else?), but eventually ended up calling them and making a reservation. We came back, and the host acted like she had never seen us before, and again asked "Do you have a reservation?". We said, "yes, we just left, called, and now we're back". The host seated us and brought us our menus. Of the 4 of us, we all asked for waters, but I requested plain ice water (the women I was with all wanted lemon in their waters). She brought back 4 lemon waters. :( After ordering, we were sitting there, chatting, and I noticed that one of the cooks was STARING ME DOWN the entire time we were there. Not sure why. He was just glaring. Made me feel pretty "welcome" to say the least. Food came, and though my sandwich was all right, I was let down by the meal. Everyone else said it was ok, but no one was raving. A general "meh" all around. Food was very cheaply priced though, so I'll give em a star for that, I guess. I dunno... maybe I'm spoiled because I live in Portland, Oregon, where most restaurants knock it out of the park daily, but I just didn't enjoy the food here. Very plain, and uninspired. People seem to like it though, so to each their own. Just not for me.

    Chicken Parmigiana dinner to-go

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    6 months ago

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    3 months ago

    Love this restaurant and hope it reopens soon ! The pasta and beans was out of this world.

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    3 years ago

    Home style Italian food from a neighborhood institution. It ain't fancy, but it is really good.

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    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - Santasiero's Restaurant

    Is the red sauce vegan? No animal products? What about the mushroom sauce?

    Do they have any gluten free items?

    Yes, gluten free penne or spaghetti.

    Can large parties be hosted?

    Yes! We walked in with a party of 10 yesterday and it was no problem. They don't take reservations but you can call and see how busy they are.

    View All 4 Questions

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    This was my first time here. The restaurant is very nice and the staff is friendly. The brick walls…read moremake it feel cozy with the modern decor. My friends looked ahead to see if they had gluten free options and said they did. The drinks were very good and I can see why the bar was busy. I ask the waitress, if there is gluten, free options and she said only one real option and that would be the risotto was shrimp that had a lobster sauce. I need to ask about another dish that looked good.And she stated, no, it was not available Gluten free. So apparently what is online is incorrect. I had the Shrimp and it was super yummy. I wish there was broccoli instead of cauliflower. The cauliflower was wonderful but made for a bland looking plate with all the white. Overall it was a great experience and the food and restaurant was great. Go and visit. You wont be disappointed

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