OMG. I only give a 5 star rating if a restaurant really wows me, and OH MY GOD, I love this place. This is such a step up from Olive Garden. Our waitress Stacy was very friendly and attentive, but not overly so. She knew the specials without looking at a piece of paper and refilled my water at least twice. She's great! Dinner started with garlic bread and some Italian salsa spread, which was really good. You don't have to worry about filling up on bread either, because our salads and entrees came probably in under 10 minutes! I upgraded to the Lisa salad for an extra $2.50, and It was worth the upcharge! It comes with grapes, strawberries, candied walnuts, and crumbled cheese (gorgonzola?) with strawberry vinaigrette. Then, before I could even finish my salad, our entrees were ready super fast! I had the lemon chicken with cavatelli. SO amazing, and such BIG portions. That is when I knew I was in love. I didn't think it could get any better. But it did. After requesting a box for my leftovers (which they package so nicely for you!), Stacy brought out a complimentary cassata cake sample. As soon as she set it down, with one look, we immediately ordered a full piece ($7). It was glorious. I am already planning my next trip
(5)
Lauren T.
I cannot imagine anyone giving this restaurant less than three stars. The star truly here is the food and the service. The Food: The Lisa Salad and Grilled Chicken are good but the Market is my favorite with fresh quality ingredients and a unique concept! The pizza is the best here! The crust is something amazing and my favorite pizza is the Annie's pizza. The Genoa was very good too. The best part is that when you want to split a pizza with your red sauce loving husband, they will split your pizza and making a white and red pizza! Oh and the Cassata Cake...I have never had goodness like that before! Seriously words cannot describe that cake! I need to try and recreate it but I can tell you I could never make it as good! They look to have really good appetizers and other entrees and house pasta specialties. The Service The waiters and waitresses are very nice and friendly and attentive. A very good family feeling in this place. The Ambiance This would be the one area that they could improve on. It is corny Italy, but the atmosphere has some good areas that they could just classify (is that a word?!) and improve upon. A MUST stop!
(5)
Jen M.
Good...but not as special or as good as Mama Catena or Gaetano's. Side salad was good..nice addition with chickpeas and beets. Penne with vodka sauce was fair...nothing blew me away. The Italian salsa that was served with the bread was stone cold...yuck. Baked meatball appetizer was good and the cheese on those meatballs I give 10/10. They throw in a slice of cassata cake with entrees. Again, good in a pedestrian way but not great. Service was attentive and friendly. This place lacks the true family feel you get at Mama Catena as well as the food quality you get there.
(3)
Evelyn H.
My husband and I have passed this place so many times and never tried them which turns out to have been a huge mistake. It is fabulous - absolutely no complaints about anything. Service was wonderful. My husband had Lisa's Salad and highly recommends it. The prices are a little higher than we expected from a neighborhood restaurant but it is well worth the difference. We will definitely be coming back.
(5)
Stacy L.
Went there tonight as a party of 6 for my mom's birthday. Our server was Stacy and she was very attentive. Lisa, the owner, stopped by a couple of times to check on everything. We've been eating there since I was a little kid. (In fact, they didn't even have a high chair or booster seat that first time - I had dinner on a stack of phone books!) Anyways, back to tonight. I had the lemon chicken and opted for wheat pasta instead of the cavatelli. I also had the salad with their house Balsamic Italian dressing. Besides the shredded beets on the salad (ugh), everything was delicious! The rest of my family enjoyed their meals as well, since everyone took home a doggy bag (except Dad, who ate all of his veal parmigiano). Bread was plentiful, water was refilled several times, and at the end of our meal, Stacy came out with a Cassatta cupcake for my mom and the rest of us were given thin slices of Cassatta cake. The wait staff sang "Happy Birthday" and all the patrons burst into applause at the end, both tickling and embarrassing my mom. Overall, it was a terrific experience and I would highly recommend this wonderful restaurant to anyone.
(5)
Lauren W.
Mario Fazio's is excellent. The customer service is wonderful! I highly recommend the Lisa Salad and the Lemon chicken. It's truly the best Italian food in town!
(5)
Tj S.
The food was excellent and the service was great. It was a nice friendly atmosphere. We really like the cassata cake as well. We will definitely be going back.
(4)
Michelle B.
This place is amazing!! Great food and great customer service! I definitely would recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Tony S.
Was looking forward to visiting. Maybe a glass of good vino to go along with homemade Italian fare. Sounds good. Went there for a birthday, as this is my GF's favorite place. I made reservations,(was told either 4:00 or 8:30) although there is no hostess or reservation book so I was kind of confused as to how they manage reservations upon entering. No bar, or wine list (you better like the one they have which is a $7.99 retail bottle) , no refills on wine or water for that matter. The garlic bread and sweet salsa was a disgusting combination. Waitress Kim never followed up with us after we got our food, or to check in with us the entire night so savor each drop of that water. Chicken Marsala was average, but my Beef Braciole had the flavor profile of a Cotton Ball. Totally dry with some rubbery noodles. Terrible. When they came to clear the table, they were surprised (borderline insulted) that I did not want to take it home, but still never asked "was everything OK"? I guess for the price ($15-17 entree) you shouldn't expect much, but the reviews had me hoping for much more. I would only give this place one star, but my GF likes the place. Don't plan on getting any more of my money Mario.
(2)
Christine G.
I've been here quite a few times and all paid for by work. The staff here is wonderful, very friendly and helpful. Even if they're busy, you never feel it and the service is wonderful. We typically get to try pizza, soup, salad, at least 3 types of pasta and some sort of house dessert, all of which are delicious. if you're vegetarian or have some sort of allergy, they're very accommodating. I love how they do their salads and their pasta is wonderful! Cute little place, especially if you don't want to he'd into the city
(4)
Brittany N.
I really want to give this place a good review, because I love their alfredo and lisa's salad, but alas, I cannot. Last time I was there Lisa walked past my server, saying hello to her and greeting her, almost sisterly. She seemed really nice. But not too long after, when they were further away from my table, away from us customers, the way she spoke to her was despicable. How dare anyone treat their employees that way. Her tone was mean and degrading, and from what I overheard, I think she was trashing the way this poor server looked. The server looked great! Go take a class in management, and learn how to treat people the right way! I need to find a new italian place. ::(
(1)
Eva L.
AMAZING FOOD! Super friendly staff. The food here is to die for. The risotto,oh my lord! The food is so fresh,the portions are huge. U even get a complimentary slice of heavenly cossatta cake. They have a private room for large groups. Absolutely love this place.
(5)
Brendan M.
Eating at Mario Fazio's is like eating in an old Italian grandma's kitchen. This is Italian home cooking at its best. The food is amazing and the service is even better. Not the kind of service you'd want for a fast meal, but the kind that will make you feel at home for an hour or more. They poured us complimentary wine while we waited off our table, gave my toddler a snack as soon as we sat down, took him to pick out his ice cream at the end of his meal while we finished our food and brought us free cassata cake at the end. I have never been to a restaurant that was this kid friendly. It is obviously run by parents. Our party had four very different entrees: salmon, beef braciole, clams, and lemon chicken. All were perfect. The wedding soup to start is some of the best I've had. We will be back. Again and again.
(5)
Connie R.
Super nice employees. Pizza was delicious.... Their thin crust pizza dough stays firm throughout the meal. Really happy rediscover this pizza. And they gave some cookies just because.
(4)
Philip P.
Arrived in town and could not check into hotel. Looked on Yelp for a restaurant and saw all the favorable reviews so we tried it out. Service was outstanding!!! At least 4 people asked if were enjoying our meal. Everybody was so outgoing and friendly. Braciole was also outstanding and my wife enjoyed her primavera with chicken. Great atmosphere for a nice dinner! Definitely worth going.
(5)
Kevin D.
Wow, where do I start. We sat down right away, service was very polite and quick. I was able to sample some wine before purchasing. The fried provolone appetizer was delicious. Its a fried circular disc of cheese served with basil and tomatoes, served right out of the oven. Entrees are big and, again, served hot right from the oven. To finish it off, you're treated with a small slice of their homemade cake. I think this is a Mario Fazio's staple. We'll be back!
(5)
Jim D.
My Cousin Tim recommended this place for my Mom's Memorial Luncheon Everything we had was Awesome ! This is The Place to go !!!
(5)
Matt J.
Have been coming to Cleveland for nearly 18 years and am sad to say I just found thus place. Thank you to yelp for pointing me this way. To start with I was dining alone so I thought of eating at the bar . Turns out there is none but they were more than accommodating in the dining room. Had the calamari first. Meals come with choice of soup or salad so I had the soup. 2 choices In and both great. Main meal was baked penne with sausage and meatballs . Took 3 bites and was stuffed. Asked for it to go. Then comes the chaser.....cake....really moist and light . Did not see a single soul leave here without food wrapped to go so if you are looking for big portions this sis your place. Very friendly staff that worked excellently as a team. Never missing a beat. Very nice dining experience and I will come back next time in town.
(5)
Katie S.
From the moment you walk through the doors of Mario Fazio's, there is an overarching feeling of family. We were greeted as soon our feet crossed the threshold and immediately whisked over to our table. You can instinctively feel the family atmosphere, which is intensified by the waitress referring to the entire table as "family." This family-style restaurant is one of a dying breed. Dinner is slow, like it should be. The staff gives you the time to kibbutz with your loved ones as you sip on their delicious house white, a sweet Italian pinot grigio. There is italian bread and chatting before the waitress even takes the appetizer order. The calamari appetizer was cooked perfectly and the portion size was just right for the whole table to share. As we began eating our appetizers and salads, it became apparent that this is the place where people come to feel at home. It was clear that the majority of the people in the restaurant had been long time regulars. The staff asked about their families and how work was going, something you simply cannot get at many restaurants anymore. The main courses came -- and like all proper Italians -- we occasionally took bites as we talked. The salmon atop lentils was cooked very well, but it was the Beef Braciole that really stole the show. Just as we all sat back and decided that there was no more room to stuff, dessert was served. A traditional strawberry cassata cake accompanied with espresso and coffee was just the right way to end the meal. Our meal lasted for hours, but felt like just moments and the staff was gracious and patient. If you're looking for a relaxed evening that moves on it's own like you're sitting at your own mother's dinner table, Mario Fazio's is just that; and although the food here won't be found on the Upper East Side of New York City, it is the kind of food that you can imagine being made for you by someones Italian mother: filling, delicious and full of love.
(4)
Tony S.
Everything I have tried here has been awesome. The lemon chicken is the best around hands down. Everyone was very polite and the service was great.
(5)
S M.
Haven't been here in years. Had dinner tonight and aside from overeating, it was a great experience. The wait staff is excellent. Our waitress Maryanne was very nice and attentive without over doing it. I opted for the lobster risotto. The risotto was prepared perfectly and was creamy and cheesy. Some of the lobster and shrimp were a bit overcooked, but overall, it was really good. The husband says the pizza was one of the best he's ever had (which is no small compliment because 1) he is pizza crazy and 2) not one to dole out compliments lightly ). Wedding soup = good, garlic bread = tasty. ..but put some of the Italian salsa on it to make it great! To end the night, we were all served a thin slice of cassada cake. I am VERY fussy about my cassada cake. This stuff was awesome. Moist, flavorful with the right amunt of fruit and custard.
(4)
Beck L.
I love their food. their garlic bread is terrific, and salads and wedding soup are great! very authentic. their lemon chicken is phenominal, and my favorite is the lasagna. the meat sauce is awesome, and I love the ricotta cheese, adds to it greatly! hope they never change it. the servers are very sweet and professional. their complimentary small piece of cassata cake they give you for dessert is yummy. only thing they could improve, they give you plastic bottles of pop, refills aren't free. everything else is grest though
(4)
Amelia M.
The thing I liked the most was the service! Everyone there was always so friendly and nice. They don't come to you every two minutes to check on you like a normal restaurant. They give you time to eat. The food is pretty good, I like the appetizers the most. After your done eating you get a little bit of free dessert (I won't tell what though, that will ruin it). Overall, great experience I totally recommend it, especially if you love Italian food like me!
(4)
Jodie B.
FABULOUS ! Enjoyed a wonderful dinner with hubby for my bday. He had the veal meatballs special and I had Lasagna. We had the wedding soup before dinner. Everything was delicious. Best Italian dinner I have ever had. The staff were friendly, dinner came out quick, they even offered a complimentary slice of cake and a small sugar cookie. Generous portion of wine; house Pinot Noir was awesome. Highly recommend this restaurant. We are from Columbus. I can see us making a special trip to come back to experience this place again. Great birthday dinner.
(5)
Mallory K.
Always a great meal!! The complimentary garlic bread and homemade salsa they serve is always fresh and flavorful...yum!! Not sure what the salad's name is, but definitely try the one with blue cheese and strawberries...so good! Save room for dessert! We always have the complimentary cassata sample...and then take a full sized piece home with us. Also, if you are ordering anything from the catering menu...be sure to try their Mediterranean Lasagna. They don't have it on their dine-in menu, so I had no clue it existed. SO good.
(5)
Ian G.
Food was very good and the service was very good but there was an.. amiability(?) that really knocked my socks off. Wife had the braciole and I had the lemon chicken, 5 year old son had a kids cheese pizza, all wonderful. The side salad was such a pleasant little atypical salad: shredded beets chick peas, (regular) peas, salad greens. Profiteroles for dessert: the spumoni was killer. Espresso afterward: I've had espressos across the US france and northern europe (though admittedly not Italy) and this one was just a fine example of the species. I immediately ordered a second one and split it with my 5 year old son, which probably wasn't that smart but it gave me a great reason to have a second shot. Bloody mary was good too (green olives, celery). We had no reservation and dropped in on a not too busy friday night. we were promptly seated and I, an inveterate grouch, was immediately disarmed. Ross (our waiter) catered to my kid like I was a millionaire but made it seem like he was a cousin. I went so far as to drag the house manager Lisa Fazio out and tell her much I enjoyed it and now I'm telling you. I'm gonna take my italian mother-in-law there for mother's day
(5)
Dawn K.
The food is good and the staff always goes above and beyond. Went here on a Thursday night with 12 family members, and my baby, to celebrate my grandmother's 85th birthday. First of all, the place was packed. We weren't even the largest party there, but you'd never know they were so busy. Service was superb and friendly as ever. Two things that really gave them the 5 stars this visit were the attention to the baby and the special touch at the end of the meal. An employee brought out peas, applesauce and crayons for the baby at the beginning, which was great to keep her occupied while everyone chatted and ordered. Each meal normally comes with a "taster" piece of cassata cake. Since the waitstaff knew we were celebrating a birthday, each piece of cake was topped with ice cream and a star-shaped cookie. This was a pleasant surprise. As for the food, I still love the bread and Italian salsa. If you're ever there when the special is a pasta with "Sunday sauce," get it (unless you're a vegetarian). The Sunday sauce is a slightly spicy red sauce simmered with short ribs and meatballs over a cavatelli pasta. It is amazing!
(5)
Wendy H.
I give it 5+, linen table clothes & napkins; excellent homemade pasta & sauces, family owned & operated ... Excellent food at fair price. Full bar & good wine selection. It's always worth the drive! Lisa Fazio always remember us ... we've had some great imported Italian wines here ... best to ask the hostess to get the best for your palate.
(5)
David R.
I've been going to Mario's for years and am always amazed how it always seem to rise to the ocassion. The menu offerings are the creation of Lisa Fazio, daughter of the founder, Mario. Since she is almost always there, the food quality is consistent and the service is generally perfect. It's always a pleasure to go to Mario's.
(5)
Jeff T.
Fantastic place for a family, group of friends, or just to pick up some grub to go. I've got 3 or 4 things on the menu in the last 5 months and each time the order was accurate and delicious. I usually just grab and go but the inside is very comforting and I think that anyone that goes there will have at least a 3 star experience. I probably wouldn't drive out of my way but if you are close and on the fence, jump over and grab some really good Italian food.
(4)
Sunny D.
Okay so this is my second review on this place. My mother in law took us here for dinner for my birthday. I have to say that the meal was much better. I noticed that they serve half the portion of bread and dip than the first time we were there several years ago. Guess the economy is affecting everyone but I think this practice is a better way to go to avoid waste. They do refill once we ran out though. Their Italian salsa dip is as good as ever! I even bought a couple of jars to bring home. For dinner I ordered the menu special which was lobster on macaroni with cheese, it was really tasty. They still serve a complimentary sliver of white cake for dessert, which for me was a perfect size just for a little sweetness and not filling me over the top. Just as the first visit here, Lisa was noticeably present, helping serve and saying hello to many regulars. This place was packed with people waiting to be seated!
(4)
Stefanie F.
Mario Fazio's is brought to my place of employment at least twice monthly. This week we got lucky and it was served twice.I've dined in the restaurant itself only twice. However, I've had the pleasure of devouring their food countless times outside of the actual restaurant space... thank you pharmaceutical reps. Their food is simply delicious. I'm not a huge fan of Italian restaurants so coming from me, that's really saying something. As I was told by the owner herself, all of the ingredients are top quality and everything is homemade fresh daily. If you decide to check out Mario Fazio's, their Lisa's Salad is an absolute must try and a staple at their restaurant. Fresh spring mix, grapes, candied walnuts, and gorgonzola topped with their special dressing. It's one of the best salads you'll ever eat. They have some really great pizzas, pastas, appetizers, and desserts as well.
(4)
Erin N.
Went here for the first time Friday night. Carlos was amazing as were the rest of the staff- wonderful service all around. We ordered the primavera and the Roma pizza to share w/ calamari as an app. Everything was fantastic. The primavera could have used more veggies in my opinion but the pasta was perfectly cooked and just creamy enough without drowning in it. The atmosphere is cute and intimate, somewhere where you could be casual or dress up a little more fora nice evening out. Will def be going back. We went a bit earlier on a Friday night b/c of a 7:30 show we were trying to catch, so we were possibly the youngest diners by about 25 years, but a younger crowd was starting as we were leaving.
(4)
Cindy R.
Celebrated my Mom's 90 birthday last night. The waitress Marissa was exceptional! The food was suburb. Thank you Mario Fazio's for a great meal and very nice celebration dinner!
(5)
Bryan C.
I went here last night for take out. We ordered a cheese pizza for my youngest, plus 3 chicken parms. I asked for extra sauce and they actually charged me for $5 for a pint of sauce. I wasn't too happy... The total bill came to $65 which is a bit pricey. Then, they forgot my sauce and I didn't notice until I got home. So I called. They were very nice about it and actually sent someone to my home to deliver it. That was nice. Even with the expense, the overall experience was great! The staff was super friendly and the food was really tasty. Dinners come with garlic bread and a great cake (cassata I think). Overall it was very good.
(4)
P S.
Buzzing, hopping, packed, popular. Get the picture? Amongst a little cluster of restaurants, Mario Fazio's was clearly the top choice of pretty much everybody in the room. My date recommended it with the caveat that nothing had changed since the 70s but upon arrival, we found a renovation (at least he thought so, it didn't feel dated at all). Seated, ordered, served. The spicy stuffed pepper was deeeelish and not too spicy at all. My veal parm (yes I ate veal, what of it!) had the perfect amount of cheese and the tastiest, most pillowy pasta and his salmon he said, was very good. Two glasses of chianti, two lovely slices of cake, a split coffee gelato and we were set. There's a good amount of food, we definitely didn't leave hungry, but the prices were just a bit on the steep side for what it was. Still, obviously they do everything right because on a Saturday night, it was rockin' and you could tell the people were there for the 10th, 20th and maybe 50th time. I love a place with regulars. The staff were all incredibly friendly from the first greeting to the chorus of "thank you"s and "goodbye"s as we were leaving. It's a haul from the west side but you'll be ok.
(4)
S E.
We made reservations, and it was VERY unorganized when we arrived, people who came after us and who didnt have reservations were seated, they finally remembered and they seated us.The owner ( I think) was giving everyone wine while we were wating which was nice. Once we got past the bad check in, everything else was great! I really enjoyed the wedding soup and the lemon chicken! We will be back!
(4)
SeaElle R.
Don't come here for the white table cloths or a five star, fine dining experience. Come here if you want the experience of eating at a "kitschy" Cleveland, family owned Italian restaurant - I love it. Lets talk about the service: the service is fast. They serve salads and soups and all meals off of a roller-wheeled, double decker cart - go Cleveland. The food is served on plastic, floral plates (kitschy). It's served piping hot with cute waitresses that smile. Let's talk about the food: the food is good. I recommend the Pasta Bolognese. Everytime I'm here, there's always a table of Red Hat ladies or old folks enjoying a large group dining experience. How cool is that? Mario Fazio's family-style Italian says it all!!
(4)
Megan G.
I have been going to Mario's my whole life!!! Everyone that knows me knows if you ask me to pick where we are going to go out to eat I am picking Mario's hands down. There is nothing about this place that isn't SPETACULAR!! The food is so fresh, delicious, and the presentation is gorgeous. You cannot find a more hospitable restaurant anywhere! Lisa the owner, whenever she is there which is pretty much everyday, will always go around to every table and see how everyone is doing and thank them for coming in. I have had many of my birthday celebrations there and every time I bring someone who has never been there they are amazed at how good everything is and why they haven't been here before. If I could recommend anything specific I would say the tomato-alfredo sauce with any pasta you get. This sauce is so unique and tasty that I can't get enough of it. All I ask is that you go and try this amazing place you WILL NOT be disappointed!!!!
(5)
Sunny D.
On our trip to visit relatives in Willoughby, my mother in-law took us here to celebrate son's birthday. The restaurant interior is nice and has a warm atmosphere. The owner Lisa came in and visited each table, which was very nice. The bread and dip they brought out before our order was SO delicious, I'd go back for that alone! We had a hard time not eating all the bread and dip as not to ruin our appetites for dinner. They sell the salsa bread dip at the front as well. I had the Crabby Paddy salad which had two crab-cakes about 3" round. It was pretty good and filled me perfectly. Since it was my son's birthday, they brought us each a little slice of vanilla cake and my son's had a candle in it, the wait-staff sang him happy birthday and some patrons also sang along. It was all very nicely done and I'd go again.
(3)
Regina H.
The staff and management are friendly and go above and beyond to make sure that you have an enjoyable dining experience. On this occasion, the first time that the food wasn't quite what I was expecting, my waitress immediately showed concerned and offered to rectify the situation immediately. The kitchen offered to fix me something else to replace the other item, although I told them this was not necessary.
(5)
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Address :34400 Chardon Rd
Willoughby Hills, OH, 44094
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Rachel S.
OMG. I only give a 5 star rating if a restaurant really wows me, and OH MY GOD, I love this place. This is such a step up from Olive Garden. Our waitress Stacy was very friendly and attentive, but not overly so. She knew the specials without looking at a piece of paper and refilled my water at least twice. She's great! Dinner started with garlic bread and some Italian salsa spread, which was really good. You don't have to worry about filling up on bread either, because our salads and entrees came probably in under 10 minutes! I upgraded to the Lisa salad for an extra $2.50, and It was worth the upcharge! It comes with grapes, strawberries, candied walnuts, and crumbled cheese (gorgonzola?) with strawberry vinaigrette. Then, before I could even finish my salad, our entrees were ready super fast! I had the lemon chicken with cavatelli. SO amazing, and such BIG portions. That is when I knew I was in love. I didn't think it could get any better. But it did. After requesting a box for my leftovers (which they package so nicely for you!), Stacy brought out a complimentary cassata cake sample. As soon as she set it down, with one look, we immediately ordered a full piece ($7). It was glorious. I am already planning my next trip
(5)Lauren T.
I cannot imagine anyone giving this restaurant less than three stars. The star truly here is the food and the service. The Food: The Lisa Salad and Grilled Chicken are good but the Market is my favorite with fresh quality ingredients and a unique concept! The pizza is the best here! The crust is something amazing and my favorite pizza is the Annie's pizza. The Genoa was very good too. The best part is that when you want to split a pizza with your red sauce loving husband, they will split your pizza and making a white and red pizza! Oh and the Cassata Cake...I have never had goodness like that before! Seriously words cannot describe that cake! I need to try and recreate it but I can tell you I could never make it as good! They look to have really good appetizers and other entrees and house pasta specialties. The Service The waiters and waitresses are very nice and friendly and attentive. A very good family feeling in this place. The Ambiance This would be the one area that they could improve on. It is corny Italy, but the atmosphere has some good areas that they could just classify (is that a word?!) and improve upon. A MUST stop!
(5)Jen M.
Good...but not as special or as good as Mama Catena or Gaetano's. Side salad was good..nice addition with chickpeas and beets. Penne with vodka sauce was fair...nothing blew me away. The Italian salsa that was served with the bread was stone cold...yuck. Baked meatball appetizer was good and the cheese on those meatballs I give 10/10. They throw in a slice of cassata cake with entrees. Again, good in a pedestrian way but not great. Service was attentive and friendly. This place lacks the true family feel you get at Mama Catena as well as the food quality you get there.
(3)Evelyn H.
My husband and I have passed this place so many times and never tried them which turns out to have been a huge mistake. It is fabulous - absolutely no complaints about anything. Service was wonderful. My husband had Lisa's Salad and highly recommends it. The prices are a little higher than we expected from a neighborhood restaurant but it is well worth the difference. We will definitely be coming back.
(5)Stacy L.
Went there tonight as a party of 6 for my mom's birthday. Our server was Stacy and she was very attentive. Lisa, the owner, stopped by a couple of times to check on everything. We've been eating there since I was a little kid. (In fact, they didn't even have a high chair or booster seat that first time - I had dinner on a stack of phone books!) Anyways, back to tonight. I had the lemon chicken and opted for wheat pasta instead of the cavatelli. I also had the salad with their house Balsamic Italian dressing. Besides the shredded beets on the salad (ugh), everything was delicious! The rest of my family enjoyed their meals as well, since everyone took home a doggy bag (except Dad, who ate all of his veal parmigiano). Bread was plentiful, water was refilled several times, and at the end of our meal, Stacy came out with a Cassatta cupcake for my mom and the rest of us were given thin slices of Cassatta cake. The wait staff sang "Happy Birthday" and all the patrons burst into applause at the end, both tickling and embarrassing my mom. Overall, it was a terrific experience and I would highly recommend this wonderful restaurant to anyone.
(5)Lauren W.
Mario Fazio's is excellent. The customer service is wonderful! I highly recommend the Lisa Salad and the Lemon chicken. It's truly the best Italian food in town!
(5)Tj S.
The food was excellent and the service was great. It was a nice friendly atmosphere. We really like the cassata cake as well. We will definitely be going back.
(4)Michelle B.
This place is amazing!! Great food and great customer service! I definitely would recommend this restaurant.
(5)Tony S.
Was looking forward to visiting. Maybe a glass of good vino to go along with homemade Italian fare. Sounds good. Went there for a birthday, as this is my GF's favorite place. I made reservations,(was told either 4:00 or 8:30) although there is no hostess or reservation book so I was kind of confused as to how they manage reservations upon entering. No bar, or wine list (you better like the one they have which is a $7.99 retail bottle) , no refills on wine or water for that matter. The garlic bread and sweet salsa was a disgusting combination. Waitress Kim never followed up with us after we got our food, or to check in with us the entire night so savor each drop of that water. Chicken Marsala was average, but my Beef Braciole had the flavor profile of a Cotton Ball. Totally dry with some rubbery noodles. Terrible. When they came to clear the table, they were surprised (borderline insulted) that I did not want to take it home, but still never asked "was everything OK"? I guess for the price ($15-17 entree) you shouldn't expect much, but the reviews had me hoping for much more. I would only give this place one star, but my GF likes the place. Don't plan on getting any more of my money Mario.
(2)Christine G.
I've been here quite a few times and all paid for by work. The staff here is wonderful, very friendly and helpful. Even if they're busy, you never feel it and the service is wonderful. We typically get to try pizza, soup, salad, at least 3 types of pasta and some sort of house dessert, all of which are delicious. if you're vegetarian or have some sort of allergy, they're very accommodating. I love how they do their salads and their pasta is wonderful! Cute little place, especially if you don't want to he'd into the city
(4)Brittany N.
I really want to give this place a good review, because I love their alfredo and lisa's salad, but alas, I cannot. Last time I was there Lisa walked past my server, saying hello to her and greeting her, almost sisterly. She seemed really nice. But not too long after, when they were further away from my table, away from us customers, the way she spoke to her was despicable. How dare anyone treat their employees that way. Her tone was mean and degrading, and from what I overheard, I think she was trashing the way this poor server looked. The server looked great! Go take a class in management, and learn how to treat people the right way! I need to find a new italian place. ::(
(1)Eva L.
AMAZING FOOD! Super friendly staff. The food here is to die for. The risotto,oh my lord! The food is so fresh,the portions are huge. U even get a complimentary slice of heavenly cossatta cake. They have a private room for large groups. Absolutely love this place.
(5)Brendan M.
Eating at Mario Fazio's is like eating in an old Italian grandma's kitchen. This is Italian home cooking at its best. The food is amazing and the service is even better. Not the kind of service you'd want for a fast meal, but the kind that will make you feel at home for an hour or more. They poured us complimentary wine while we waited off our table, gave my toddler a snack as soon as we sat down, took him to pick out his ice cream at the end of his meal while we finished our food and brought us free cassata cake at the end. I have never been to a restaurant that was this kid friendly. It is obviously run by parents. Our party had four very different entrees: salmon, beef braciole, clams, and lemon chicken. All were perfect. The wedding soup to start is some of the best I've had. We will be back. Again and again.
(5)Connie R.
Super nice employees. Pizza was delicious.... Their thin crust pizza dough stays firm throughout the meal. Really happy rediscover this pizza. And they gave some cookies just because.
(4)Philip P.
Arrived in town and could not check into hotel. Looked on Yelp for a restaurant and saw all the favorable reviews so we tried it out. Service was outstanding!!! At least 4 people asked if were enjoying our meal. Everybody was so outgoing and friendly. Braciole was also outstanding and my wife enjoyed her primavera with chicken. Great atmosphere for a nice dinner! Definitely worth going.
(5)Kevin D.
Wow, where do I start. We sat down right away, service was very polite and quick. I was able to sample some wine before purchasing. The fried provolone appetizer was delicious. Its a fried circular disc of cheese served with basil and tomatoes, served right out of the oven. Entrees are big and, again, served hot right from the oven. To finish it off, you're treated with a small slice of their homemade cake. I think this is a Mario Fazio's staple. We'll be back!
(5)Jim D.
My Cousin Tim recommended this place for my Mom's Memorial Luncheon Everything we had was Awesome ! This is The Place to go !!!
(5)Matt J.
Have been coming to Cleveland for nearly 18 years and am sad to say I just found thus place. Thank you to yelp for pointing me this way. To start with I was dining alone so I thought of eating at the bar . Turns out there is none but they were more than accommodating in the dining room. Had the calamari first. Meals come with choice of soup or salad so I had the soup. 2 choices In and both great. Main meal was baked penne with sausage and meatballs . Took 3 bites and was stuffed. Asked for it to go. Then comes the chaser.....cake....really moist and light . Did not see a single soul leave here without food wrapped to go so if you are looking for big portions this sis your place. Very friendly staff that worked excellently as a team. Never missing a beat. Very nice dining experience and I will come back next time in town.
(5)Katie S.
From the moment you walk through the doors of Mario Fazio's, there is an overarching feeling of family. We were greeted as soon our feet crossed the threshold and immediately whisked over to our table. You can instinctively feel the family atmosphere, which is intensified by the waitress referring to the entire table as "family." This family-style restaurant is one of a dying breed. Dinner is slow, like it should be. The staff gives you the time to kibbutz with your loved ones as you sip on their delicious house white, a sweet Italian pinot grigio. There is italian bread and chatting before the waitress even takes the appetizer order. The calamari appetizer was cooked perfectly and the portion size was just right for the whole table to share. As we began eating our appetizers and salads, it became apparent that this is the place where people come to feel at home. It was clear that the majority of the people in the restaurant had been long time regulars. The staff asked about their families and how work was going, something you simply cannot get at many restaurants anymore. The main courses came -- and like all proper Italians -- we occasionally took bites as we talked. The salmon atop lentils was cooked very well, but it was the Beef Braciole that really stole the show. Just as we all sat back and decided that there was no more room to stuff, dessert was served. A traditional strawberry cassata cake accompanied with espresso and coffee was just the right way to end the meal. Our meal lasted for hours, but felt like just moments and the staff was gracious and patient. If you're looking for a relaxed evening that moves on it's own like you're sitting at your own mother's dinner table, Mario Fazio's is just that; and although the food here won't be found on the Upper East Side of New York City, it is the kind of food that you can imagine being made for you by someones Italian mother: filling, delicious and full of love.
(4)Tony S.
Everything I have tried here has been awesome. The lemon chicken is the best around hands down. Everyone was very polite and the service was great.
(5)S M.
Haven't been here in years. Had dinner tonight and aside from overeating, it was a great experience. The wait staff is excellent. Our waitress Maryanne was very nice and attentive without over doing it. I opted for the lobster risotto. The risotto was prepared perfectly and was creamy and cheesy. Some of the lobster and shrimp were a bit overcooked, but overall, it was really good. The husband says the pizza was one of the best he's ever had (which is no small compliment because 1) he is pizza crazy and 2) not one to dole out compliments lightly ). Wedding soup = good, garlic bread = tasty. ..but put some of the Italian salsa on it to make it great! To end the night, we were all served a thin slice of cassada cake. I am VERY fussy about my cassada cake. This stuff was awesome. Moist, flavorful with the right amunt of fruit and custard.
(4)Beck L.
I love their food. their garlic bread is terrific, and salads and wedding soup are great! very authentic. their lemon chicken is phenominal, and my favorite is the lasagna. the meat sauce is awesome, and I love the ricotta cheese, adds to it greatly! hope they never change it. the servers are very sweet and professional. their complimentary small piece of cassata cake they give you for dessert is yummy. only thing they could improve, they give you plastic bottles of pop, refills aren't free. everything else is grest though
(4)Amelia M.
The thing I liked the most was the service! Everyone there was always so friendly and nice. They don't come to you every two minutes to check on you like a normal restaurant. They give you time to eat. The food is pretty good, I like the appetizers the most. After your done eating you get a little bit of free dessert (I won't tell what though, that will ruin it). Overall, great experience I totally recommend it, especially if you love Italian food like me!
(4)Jodie B.
FABULOUS ! Enjoyed a wonderful dinner with hubby for my bday. He had the veal meatballs special and I had Lasagna. We had the wedding soup before dinner. Everything was delicious. Best Italian dinner I have ever had. The staff were friendly, dinner came out quick, they even offered a complimentary slice of cake and a small sugar cookie. Generous portion of wine; house Pinot Noir was awesome. Highly recommend this restaurant. We are from Columbus. I can see us making a special trip to come back to experience this place again. Great birthday dinner.
(5)Mallory K.
Always a great meal!! The complimentary garlic bread and homemade salsa they serve is always fresh and flavorful...yum!! Not sure what the salad's name is, but definitely try the one with blue cheese and strawberries...so good! Save room for dessert! We always have the complimentary cassata sample...and then take a full sized piece home with us. Also, if you are ordering anything from the catering menu...be sure to try their Mediterranean Lasagna. They don't have it on their dine-in menu, so I had no clue it existed. SO good.
(5)Ian G.
Food was very good and the service was very good but there was an.. amiability(?) that really knocked my socks off. Wife had the braciole and I had the lemon chicken, 5 year old son had a kids cheese pizza, all wonderful. The side salad was such a pleasant little atypical salad: shredded beets chick peas, (regular) peas, salad greens. Profiteroles for dessert: the spumoni was killer. Espresso afterward: I've had espressos across the US france and northern europe (though admittedly not Italy) and this one was just a fine example of the species. I immediately ordered a second one and split it with my 5 year old son, which probably wasn't that smart but it gave me a great reason to have a second shot. Bloody mary was good too (green olives, celery). We had no reservation and dropped in on a not too busy friday night. we were promptly seated and I, an inveterate grouch, was immediately disarmed. Ross (our waiter) catered to my kid like I was a millionaire but made it seem like he was a cousin. I went so far as to drag the house manager Lisa Fazio out and tell her much I enjoyed it and now I'm telling you. I'm gonna take my italian mother-in-law there for mother's day
(5)Dawn K.
The food is good and the staff always goes above and beyond. Went here on a Thursday night with 12 family members, and my baby, to celebrate my grandmother's 85th birthday. First of all, the place was packed. We weren't even the largest party there, but you'd never know they were so busy. Service was superb and friendly as ever. Two things that really gave them the 5 stars this visit were the attention to the baby and the special touch at the end of the meal. An employee brought out peas, applesauce and crayons for the baby at the beginning, which was great to keep her occupied while everyone chatted and ordered. Each meal normally comes with a "taster" piece of cassata cake. Since the waitstaff knew we were celebrating a birthday, each piece of cake was topped with ice cream and a star-shaped cookie. This was a pleasant surprise. As for the food, I still love the bread and Italian salsa. If you're ever there when the special is a pasta with "Sunday sauce," get it (unless you're a vegetarian). The Sunday sauce is a slightly spicy red sauce simmered with short ribs and meatballs over a cavatelli pasta. It is amazing!
(5)Wendy H.
I give it 5+, linen table clothes & napkins; excellent homemade pasta & sauces, family owned & operated ... Excellent food at fair price. Full bar & good wine selection. It's always worth the drive! Lisa Fazio always remember us ... we've had some great imported Italian wines here ... best to ask the hostess to get the best for your palate.
(5)David R.
I've been going to Mario's for years and am always amazed how it always seem to rise to the ocassion. The menu offerings are the creation of Lisa Fazio, daughter of the founder, Mario. Since she is almost always there, the food quality is consistent and the service is generally perfect. It's always a pleasure to go to Mario's.
(5)Jeff T.
Fantastic place for a family, group of friends, or just to pick up some grub to go. I've got 3 or 4 things on the menu in the last 5 months and each time the order was accurate and delicious. I usually just grab and go but the inside is very comforting and I think that anyone that goes there will have at least a 3 star experience. I probably wouldn't drive out of my way but if you are close and on the fence, jump over and grab some really good Italian food.
(4)Sunny D.
Okay so this is my second review on this place. My mother in law took us here for dinner for my birthday. I have to say that the meal was much better. I noticed that they serve half the portion of bread and dip than the first time we were there several years ago. Guess the economy is affecting everyone but I think this practice is a better way to go to avoid waste. They do refill once we ran out though. Their Italian salsa dip is as good as ever! I even bought a couple of jars to bring home. For dinner I ordered the menu special which was lobster on macaroni with cheese, it was really tasty. They still serve a complimentary sliver of white cake for dessert, which for me was a perfect size just for a little sweetness and not filling me over the top. Just as the first visit here, Lisa was noticeably present, helping serve and saying hello to many regulars. This place was packed with people waiting to be seated!
(4)Stefanie F.
Mario Fazio's is brought to my place of employment at least twice monthly. This week we got lucky and it was served twice.I've dined in the restaurant itself only twice. However, I've had the pleasure of devouring their food countless times outside of the actual restaurant space... thank you pharmaceutical reps. Their food is simply delicious. I'm not a huge fan of Italian restaurants so coming from me, that's really saying something. As I was told by the owner herself, all of the ingredients are top quality and everything is homemade fresh daily. If you decide to check out Mario Fazio's, their Lisa's Salad is an absolute must try and a staple at their restaurant. Fresh spring mix, grapes, candied walnuts, and gorgonzola topped with their special dressing. It's one of the best salads you'll ever eat. They have some really great pizzas, pastas, appetizers, and desserts as well.
(4)Erin N.
Went here for the first time Friday night. Carlos was amazing as were the rest of the staff- wonderful service all around. We ordered the primavera and the Roma pizza to share w/ calamari as an app. Everything was fantastic. The primavera could have used more veggies in my opinion but the pasta was perfectly cooked and just creamy enough without drowning in it. The atmosphere is cute and intimate, somewhere where you could be casual or dress up a little more fora nice evening out. Will def be going back. We went a bit earlier on a Friday night b/c of a 7:30 show we were trying to catch, so we were possibly the youngest diners by about 25 years, but a younger crowd was starting as we were leaving.
(4)Cindy R.
Celebrated my Mom's 90 birthday last night. The waitress Marissa was exceptional! The food was suburb. Thank you Mario Fazio's for a great meal and very nice celebration dinner!
(5)Bryan C.
I went here last night for take out. We ordered a cheese pizza for my youngest, plus 3 chicken parms. I asked for extra sauce and they actually charged me for $5 for a pint of sauce. I wasn't too happy... The total bill came to $65 which is a bit pricey. Then, they forgot my sauce and I didn't notice until I got home. So I called. They were very nice about it and actually sent someone to my home to deliver it. That was nice. Even with the expense, the overall experience was great! The staff was super friendly and the food was really tasty. Dinners come with garlic bread and a great cake (cassata I think). Overall it was very good.
(4)P S.
Buzzing, hopping, packed, popular. Get the picture? Amongst a little cluster of restaurants, Mario Fazio's was clearly the top choice of pretty much everybody in the room. My date recommended it with the caveat that nothing had changed since the 70s but upon arrival, we found a renovation (at least he thought so, it didn't feel dated at all). Seated, ordered, served. The spicy stuffed pepper was deeeelish and not too spicy at all. My veal parm (yes I ate veal, what of it!) had the perfect amount of cheese and the tastiest, most pillowy pasta and his salmon he said, was very good. Two glasses of chianti, two lovely slices of cake, a split coffee gelato and we were set. There's a good amount of food, we definitely didn't leave hungry, but the prices were just a bit on the steep side for what it was. Still, obviously they do everything right because on a Saturday night, it was rockin' and you could tell the people were there for the 10th, 20th and maybe 50th time. I love a place with regulars. The staff were all incredibly friendly from the first greeting to the chorus of "thank you"s and "goodbye"s as we were leaving. It's a haul from the west side but you'll be ok.
(4)S E.
We made reservations, and it was VERY unorganized when we arrived, people who came after us and who didnt have reservations were seated, they finally remembered and they seated us.The owner ( I think) was giving everyone wine while we were wating which was nice. Once we got past the bad check in, everything else was great! I really enjoyed the wedding soup and the lemon chicken! We will be back!
(4)SeaElle R.
Don't come here for the white table cloths or a five star, fine dining experience. Come here if you want the experience of eating at a "kitschy" Cleveland, family owned Italian restaurant - I love it. Lets talk about the service: the service is fast. They serve salads and soups and all meals off of a roller-wheeled, double decker cart - go Cleveland. The food is served on plastic, floral plates (kitschy). It's served piping hot with cute waitresses that smile. Let's talk about the food: the food is good. I recommend the Pasta Bolognese. Everytime I'm here, there's always a table of Red Hat ladies or old folks enjoying a large group dining experience. How cool is that? Mario Fazio's family-style Italian says it all!!
(4)Megan G.
I have been going to Mario's my whole life!!! Everyone that knows me knows if you ask me to pick where we are going to go out to eat I am picking Mario's hands down. There is nothing about this place that isn't SPETACULAR!! The food is so fresh, delicious, and the presentation is gorgeous. You cannot find a more hospitable restaurant anywhere! Lisa the owner, whenever she is there which is pretty much everyday, will always go around to every table and see how everyone is doing and thank them for coming in. I have had many of my birthday celebrations there and every time I bring someone who has never been there they are amazed at how good everything is and why they haven't been here before. If I could recommend anything specific I would say the tomato-alfredo sauce with any pasta you get. This sauce is so unique and tasty that I can't get enough of it. All I ask is that you go and try this amazing place you WILL NOT be disappointed!!!!
(5)Sunny D.
On our trip to visit relatives in Willoughby, my mother in-law took us here to celebrate son's birthday. The restaurant interior is nice and has a warm atmosphere. The owner Lisa came in and visited each table, which was very nice. The bread and dip they brought out before our order was SO delicious, I'd go back for that alone! We had a hard time not eating all the bread and dip as not to ruin our appetites for dinner. They sell the salsa bread dip at the front as well. I had the Crabby Paddy salad which had two crab-cakes about 3" round. It was pretty good and filled me perfectly. Since it was my son's birthday, they brought us each a little slice of vanilla cake and my son's had a candle in it, the wait-staff sang him happy birthday and some patrons also sang along. It was all very nicely done and I'd go again.
(3)Regina H.
The staff and management are friendly and go above and beyond to make sure that you have an enjoyable dining experience. On this occasion, the first time that the food wasn't quite what I was expecting, my waitress immediately showed concerned and offered to rectify the situation immediately. The kitchen offered to fix me something else to replace the other item, although I told them this was not necessary.
(5)