Came here for dinner with my husband on a Friday night. Very busy, so that was a good sign. The waitstaff was very friendly and very much on top of things. We started off with a dinner salad each, though mine was 69 cents more for some reason? You do get quite a bit of salad, with a single tomato wedge a little bit of red onion & some red cabbage scattered throughout. My balsamic vinaigrette was pretty good, my husband had the sun dried tomato and says it is very good but very tangy. The salad also came with a garlic seasoned bread stick which was very good. We ordered the Big T pizza, which comes with sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, onions & green bell peppers. I was pretty excited at this point because everything else had been delicious. The pizza came out fairly quickly and looked really good. We quickly discovered that the pizza probably needed to cook a bit longer as it was extremely soggy and all the toppings just slid right off, so we had to fork & knife it. Also, the mushrooms are canned, which probably contributed to the sogginess of the pizza.... I would have given this place 1 star just for that but the waitstaff was friendly and everything else was pretty good and food portions were big for what you paid, but I'd rather have quality ingredients and smaller portions honestly.
(3)
Al T.
Awesome fettuchini Alfredo.....can not wait to try the rest of the menu! Great customer service and a very relaxing atmosphere. My server Brian was courteous and polite.... Great job! Al
(5)
ColoradoSprings F.
Mama Mia! Italian Done Right. Colorado Springs Food Guy visited Panino's 1721 S 8th St, Colorado Springs CO 80905 based on a suggestion from one of my Facebook friends. Panino's is a casual, family-style restaurant with an upbeat atmosphere. I sampled their most popular item, the Grinder Panino, along with the Barbeque Panino, Manicotti, and the Italian Platter. The Grinder and Barbecue Paninos are overstuffed, lightly toasted wraps filled with an assortment of meats, and other flavorful ingredients. The Manicotti was baked to perfection. The Italian Platter offered generous portions of old-style Italian favorites such as Lasagna, Eggplant Parmigiana, and Spaghetti with Meatballs. Brian was my server and he was very attentive and energetic. The Manager and host were very welcoming, making it no wonder why this restaurant has become a staple in the community for so many years. I also tried an Italian Margarita served over ice with a salty rim. It was mixed perfectly and delicious. Simply, Panino's does family-style Italian right with reasonable prices, big portions, and scrumptious food. So next time you want a family night out in search of a hearty meal, visit Panino's. I had a wonderful dining experience.
(5)
Vanessa T.
So let me start by saying the food is really, really, really good...when the order is actually right. If you are on a special diet, be sure to ck your good before eating! Our office orders from here about twice a year, and without fail somebody's food is always wrong. I am always grateful for free food so I don't complain at work, and I've discovered it's really no good to mention this to whoever answers the phone at Paninos... Calling about a take order is useless, and unless you plan to go back and pick up the corrected item, you are pretty much SOL. And I never ever ever ever go back for corrected items- I've worked in food service and I know for certain that "Waiting" is based on a true story!
(3)
Phil S.
Picked up a "big t" pizza and whoppa panino last night for two of us. I had eaten at the downtown location in the past, but the was my first time at the 8th street paninos. The pizza was delicious. Definitely a cut above the few places I've tried in town. The wrap though was super disappointing. For starters, the description specifically says that it has a lot of meat. On top of that, it's a $9 panino, so my expectations were high. I opened it up when I got home and there was like NO meat in it. Literally, between both halves there was maybe an ounce of beef. I felt ripped off, that for nine bucks I got bread, lettuce, tomato, and a ton of mayo. We actually had to grill some beef on the stove to salvage the sandwich. Thankfully their pizza was the saving grace. I would go back for the pizza, but probably will not get a panino from here again. If you're the kind of person that likes a meal surrounded by the meat, I would try elsewhere. But for a solid pie alone, it'll do.
(3)
Stacey S.
**As a patron since it opened in the 1980's, when I was a kid, i would recommend this place. It has always been a neighborhood favorite and is usually packed. I enjoy it Somewhat for the unique ambience, being cozy and warmly lit. The food is good with many options , but not specifically spectacular. The waitstaff can be either really good and friendly or sub-par and over worked depending upon the night. I would suggest a 2015 remodel and facelift for the place , even though it is in a strip mall on 8th street. The bathrooms do not appear clean , with the many heavy coats of paint on the walls. The walls and floors appear grimy. The booths, chairs, tables and carpets need refinished or replaced desperately. Old and Tired.
(3)
Adrian O.
OK the restaurant itself could use a face-lift but, more importantly, the food and the service are always spot-on. Consistently. Since I started going in 1996 or so! Other old favorites in town have gone downhill but Panino's always delivers. I prefer the downtown location but never had an issue here.
(4)
Peggy R.
Traveling from out of State and wanted Italian food. Found this amazing little place. Pizza was amazing, and the egg plant parmigian was fantastic. Great service and will be back someday.
(5)
Tim H.
Our Tuesday-night drinking club selected this place. Food was good, saw a lot of interesting stuff pass by as well, It was snowy night, so not very full. It was not too noisy. I had the Reuben panini. It comes with two different sauces, the usual Thousand Island or a spicy mustard. Assuming that the sauces would be on the side, I requested both. Tasted good, but I would have tried each individually before I mixed them. Very large portion, I didn't quite finish. The part I left was sour kraut, they didn't do a real good job of getting equal amounts of meat and kraut throughout. But the panini was good. The table ordered french fries, which they BAKE, not fry. Other than zero grease, I couldn't tell the difference, so this is a healthy choice. We were offered a powdered spice to sprinkle or mix into ketchup on the fries to spice them up. Nice touch. At the downtown Panino's I had the Philly steak panini just a week before and found it was great. The sauce there is presented as a side, to dip or spoon at my own measure. I presume that the 8th Street Philly would be as good. I find it ironic that I hadn't been to a Panino's in almost a year and found myself at two different ones within a week.
(4)
Jon F.
The services is always friendly and attentive. But that is not why I frequent here, it's the great food! I have been going to here since I was a kid, and I have always ordered a Panino. From build to your own, to sasage and cabage, they have them all. My current favorite is the Buffalo Chicken. With a great kids menu, and tasty dinner salads and bread sticks, Panino is a once a week restaurant for us.
(5)
Peter S.
Full disclosure, Colorado Springs is a dead town for foodies and as a New Yorker in exile I suffer greatly. Tables a bit tight but doable. As a graying 50 year old I am yet once again asked to show my ID in order to quench my thirst. Seriously? May be my number one pet peeve. I am growing weary of over zealous, fearful owners that can't train their staff to use common sense. Clearly, though I am in shape and a handsome dog, I am not anywhere near 21. I digress. Chicken wings dry and overcooked like it was dropped in the fryer twice. Blue cheese watered down. Rectangle pizza served on a plastic High School cafeteria tray which is super classy. Pizza wasn't bad, which if you process that correctly is not a compliment. Then everything has some kind of unnecessary wax paper between it and the plate or plastic tray which annoyingly tears to pieces while eating your food. After trying my friends pizza and wings, I ordered the cobb which is hard to mess up. Lettuce was watery but an average salad over all. Small tip: buy a lettuce spinner to wick away water. No charge for the advice. Was planning on a second Alaskan IPA but server never came back but just quickly breezed by and didn't notice me or my melancholy empty glass. Servers here is a helpful hint: customers will be happier and you will make more money if you pay attention to your tables! Again, no charge for the advice. 3 stars for predictable mediocre food and service.
(3)
Rebecca M.
We used Yelp to find a place to eat for my birthday dinner while visiting the Colorado Springs area. We were extremely impressed at this small home-owned restaurant. The cocktails were delicious, especially the Venetian Sunset, if you like sweet drinks. My husband ordered the prime rib and I had the fettuccine Alfredo and clam chowder. It was all wonderful. The breadsticks are excellent, also. The waitstaff was attentive and courteous. If you're looking for a local gem, this is it!
(5)
Audie B.
Great food, great prices, always consistent. A good choice for lunch or dinner. Try the eggplant. This is the only place I've ever liked it.
(5)
Bryan M.
I didn't care for this place at all. Service was sub par, our waitress just seemed disinterested, I don't like having to flag servers down to get refills. We ordered 1 large pizza which came covered in a pool of grease. The flavors were good I guess, but so limp! It was supposed to be a thin crust pizza, but when I picked up a piece, it bent, no crispness at all. Won't be going back.
(2)
Andrea L.
Eh. As a local I want to like this place but it is mediocre. Family-friendly atmosphere but could use an update. The food is decent - basic - as well as the staff. Not a place I would seek out but if a friend wanted to meet there for a meal, I wouldn't turn them down. People rave over the paninos (basically a calzone) but they are too doughy for my liking.
(3)
Michael S.
This isn't 5-star dining, but is 5-star quality, prices, and service. So, would that make Panino's 15-stars? As a local Italian restaurant with ties to the community, Panino's is the kind of place families, friends, seniors, and young couples all come to eat simply good food at reasonable prices served with a laugh and a smile. Indeed, it is the super service which makes up for any shortcomings the restaurant has in other areas. We started with an order of 1/2 Garlic Bread and 1/2 Garlic Cheese Bread (with Marinara Sauce plus an order of Pepperoni Cheese Sticks. Both are less than $5 and easy finger food for a family to share (4-stars). We also had a bottle of Antigal Uno 1 Malbec ($32) from Argentina for a sweet dinner wine. I recommend it. Panino's is hyped for its Pizza, Pasta, and Mudd Pie, but its namesake baked Panino Sandwiches are the thing to get if you are just coming once. Our wonderful waitress recommended the Grinder while my brother said to get the Buffalo Chicken. I went with the Grinder ($8.99) and a side of Buffalo Sauce. The rolled-sandwich was loaded with Pepperoni, Ham, Salami, Provolone Cheese plus plenty of Onions, Pepperoncini Peppers, Lettuce, Tomato, and a blend of Italian Dressing with Pesto Mayo. It's a delicious, meaty, and tummy-stuffing mess with a side of Chips. (5-stars) Others enjoyed their Calzones, Lasagna, Salads, and even Hot Sub, however, my recommendation is to stick to the Panino Sandwiches (aka grilled Panini Sandwiches) and you'll be happy. Happy Hour is 4-6 Monday - Thursday in the small bar area. Sports was playing on the TVs easily visible from any table in either room. Filling food, a relaxed atmosphere, superb service, and good value all add up to 5 stars for Panino's Restaurant in Colorado Springs.
(5)
Chris M.
This very unassuming location on 8th Street proved to be quite the tasty spot for a dinner. I had ordered pizza take out before and it had been satisfactory, but I decided to bring the family here for my wife's birthday. The enviornment seems a little shabby to me. I mean its clean enough, but I get the feeling that the decor could be a little more refreshed. My wife and I both ordered a panino, since we were curious as to what a panino actually was. I ordered a chicken philly panino, and she got a greek panino. Both were both pretty good, though I suppose I was expecting a little more. The greek panino particularly really seemed no different than a gyro, albeit, didn't taste as good as one. All in all, good eats.
(4)
Clay L.
Pleasantly Suprised! The service was great and everyone in the family enjoyed their meals. I had the Panino Grinder and it was excellent! And the Big T pizza was really good. Charles was our waiter and it's been quite a while since I had service that good.
(4)
Benjamin C.
I love Panino's. If you go there, order a Panino, a yummy pizza burrito sandwich. So many good ones, they never get old. The Italian dressing is to die for. A great casual place for families.
(5)
Jim D.
Panino's is one of those truly "local" places that I like to seek out when I travel. As a Colorado Springs native, there's no need to seek, but I still eat there regularly. It's casual, consistent, and reasonably priced. Those expecting white linen table cloths and haute cuisine will be disappointed. I almost always split a panino sandwich with my partner. Combined with a house salad, it's the perfect lunch. Get the salad with the yummy house dressing (desecrate with blue cheese crumbles if you must). The pizza isn't the best in town IMO, but it's serviceable and perfect for the kids to have while you try the better fare. It's rectangular and served on a plastic cafeteria tray - which is different. Bottom line, go for the right reasons, and you'll love this place as well.
(4)
Jason E.
They make these sandwiches called paninos. It's a strip of pizza rolled up with different ingredients. My favorite is the grinder. It's Italian sub meets slice of pizza. It is very greasy, but SO delicious. I've been in here a ton and the service has always been great too, no issues.
(5)
Lindsay B.
Honestly not sure what all the fuss is about. The pizza is blah, the pasta sauce blah, the garlic bread horrid, and paninos are just glorified flat bread just super greasy and tasteless. The chicken super dry!
(1)
Kassie C.
Came here last December to visit a friend in CO Springs, and we ate lunch here with her family on her parents break from work. Pretty good place. Had some pasta thing, I can't remember what. Service wasn't the best, but the food portions were large and there were leftovers.
(3)
Rick T.
I called in a take-out pizza from here after a debacle at Extreme Pizza (see my other review). They got it done in the time they said it would take, the waitstaff was helpful and courteous, and best of all it tasted great. Definitely will be coming back for all-you-can-eat pizza or spaghetti!
(5)
Triple E.
Homey place. Good food, friendly staff. I like the baked ziti, it's good. Not my favorite Italian place, but it decent.
(3)
Brenda M.
Tried it for the first time a couple of days ago. Loved it!!! Will absolutely be back.
(5)
Jonathan R.
My first day EVER in CO Springs and Yelp helped me find this place. It is places like these that makes me LOVE Yelp. I never would have found this amazing local dig if it hadn't been for Yelp. Enough about that. This place is awesome, the food was excellent. My mother is sooooo picky about restaurants and she begged me to take her back the rest of the week. I'd say this is a must for Italian lovers in CO Springs
(5)
Jill H.
I really liked the decor and very casual vibe of this place. Service was ok. They were good about removing dishes from the table, but I never did get a refill on my water even though the empty glass was waiting for a refill at the end of the table. I had the gluten-free pasta with mushroom sauce. I like that they offer gluten-free pasta, but it tasted like, well, gluten-free pasta. Being an Italian pasta house, I was hoping for something a little more than what I can do at home myself. The sauce was ok, but I was expecting more flavor from it. It was loaded with mushrooms, but canned ones. I'm not adverse to going back sometime, but next time I'll order a panino casserole, some of them looked like pretty tasty combinations.
(3)
Andrea P.
Panino's is one of the best restaurants in the city. The food is delicious and the staff is wonderful. The panino sandwich is my favorite one to eat and the prices are moderate for the amount of food you get.
(5)
Jennifer O.
Panino's fantastic. Eggplant is always cooked to perfection. I love the garlic cheese bread. The service is good most of the time. It is a true Italian restaurant. Loud, busy and smelling of great food. The staff is upbeat and hustling. The only complaint I have about the service is that the staff does not stay on top of refills or extra after you order. I wanted a second order of cheese bread and by the time I got my waitress to come back we were ready to go. But the food makes up for it. Just skip the pizza if you don't like tons of dripping grease. Over all though a good family spot.
(4)
Jim M.
Here's the way my wife describes Panino's: Old School Italian. Another way to describe it is Italian comfort food; the dishes are the same you would expect from your Italian grandmother. The restaurant gets its name from panino, the singular form of panini. The panini are kind of like strombolis with lighter dough and are good for a lunch, but I really like the classic Italian dishes like chiken parm and manicotti. I could do without the pizza, though. It definitely has a family atmosphere, and they treat our children like valued customers rather than burdens. One extra star for that. Also, I like the room dedicated to hockey. It was bought in the 1970s by former Colorado College player Tony Frasca, after all (I can't remember if this was the original or if that's the one on Tejon Street).
(4)
G S.
I give this 4 stars because it's' in Colorado Springs, any other place 3 stars. The food was very good, yummy garlic bread and lasagna and spaghetti. Tasted pretty authentic. Service was excellent, more than excellent. We had a lady with short blond hair and she was the best waitress ever. Big smile the whole time, split the meals for the kids without being asked. She anticipated every thing before we asked it. Amazing! Kudos to this woman who is an excellent rep for the restaurant. Brownie sundae was divine. Great place, lively, lots of people, great service, friendly and upbeat.
(4)
Elissa H.
What a great surprise for a casual dinner! Awesome food at an awesome price. I have always liked Paninos for a quick lunch but I never considered it for dinner. What a mistake to be missing their Friday night Prime Rib. My Prime Rib was tender and juicy, a nice portion, accompanied by a side of fresh horseradish, salad, bread, and two heaping portions of pasta. This meal lasted me four days. My hubby had a calzone, stuffed to the brim with fresh ingredients. They have a decent wine/beer menu and plenty of nice options for the kids. This is not fine dining, but if you are looking for a quality meal at a reasonable price, be sure to try this eatery for dinner. Pros: Solid portions at a reasonable price, nice beer/wine menu, good service, Cons: A little loud but nothing I wouldn't expect from an eatery atmosphere.
(4)
heather t.
First, I should clarify my rating and say if yelp had half stars, I would give Panino's a 3.5, but I would rather round up than down. They offer something a little unique - not a pizza, not a calzone, but a panino. It is a real thin pizza crust, topped with fillings and then rolled and baked. Filling possibilities are endless, and that is a plus! Everything from typical sandwich fillings, to greek toppings to traditional pizza fare. Some traditional Italian food is available as well. They make a decent Eggplant Parmesan. I would warn against trying anything with lettuce and mayo in your panino though - mayo and lettuce in the oven turns into something quite nasty. Go for the basics and you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Julian F.
Love this place! They have a really extensive menu of Italian food but the reason to go is to create your own panino sandwich - it's a flat bread (wheat or white) that you can put any combination of toppings into, rolled up and baked. A great local place with a sports theme. Perfect place to take visiting family and friends because of the extensive (child-friendly) menu and local decor.
(5)
Pat S.
Server was patient with our large group and did a good job. Food is good, tasty, I will return. We were able to talk without over powering music. Colorful decor. Nice place
(3)
Beth S.
This restraint is good for basic Italian. If you want a more authentic dinner I would recommend Dat's Italian in Old Colorado City.
(3)
Aaron D.
Delicious food! However, portions were slightly on the small size. I ordered a calzone and it was roughly the size of a medium sized plate. It was delicious though. Service was great and everything was well priced.
(4)
Tony D.
The food is good but I really lost my appetite when the waiter approached my table. Her grill was completely rotten and when she smiled my freaken appetite was lost immediately!! I don't want to be mean or harsh but this is 2014! It makes a person wonder about the chef's hygienic practices as well. Italian trailer park haven!!
(1)
Kerry S.
Decent neighborhood italian food, but the service was lacking. We had a guy server, and everything took forever. The spaghetti with one meatball and one sausage was $11-12, I think -- the sausage was especially terrific! The salad came from a bag but was plentiful. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat or avoid it but would have felt better about price to quality ratio if everything were priced maybe $2 less.
(3)
Bryan E.
Love this place for a lunch break from work. Always friendly personnel, great service and atmosphere. Those paninos are so good and I recommend the grinder if you want something a little greasy or the pesto chicken if you want something a little more healthy.
(5)
Shavon G.
Great lasagna. The small portion was just enough if your not a big eater! I feel the only downside was if you wanted a house salad with ingredients you have to request em! Not a huge menu either. Good service.
(3)
Heather G.
Delicious food, with plenty of different options to choose from. We got there at 7pm on a Friday and the place was packed. We got there at just the right time because we got the last open table! Go hungry or go with someone that would like to split something with you.
(5)
Tim B.
Good service, they were always refilling my glass of water. Food is good, I had a "make your own" panini which was good. The panini was filling. The side I ordered was chips which was just a bag of Lays Chips. Price is moderate, the check for two was about $17, both of us ordering paninis and waters.
(4)
Chris W.
Great family restaurant with great food at very reasonable prices.
(4)
Geoffrey L.
A family run restaurant, Panino's is a Colorado Springs institution and this branch consistently delivers the best Italian food in Southern Colorado. I highly recommend the pepperoni bread sticks and the buffalo chicken panino. Perfect place to bring your family or have a casual date night. Also the absolute best place to eat before heading to a hockey game!
(5)
Shamonn M.
Wow!!! Is all i have to say. This panino place was soooo good. We were on family vacation to colorado springs, did the lookup on Yelp and voila! Paninos!! Best decision to go here. The panino was soft. Cheesy, and just right. Never had anything like it. The waiter, Patrick, was on point. Best waiter we had the whole trip. Thanks Patrick! Anyway. . . Pretty much no wait time. We recommend the gyro panino, the Lotsa Meat and cheese panino, and the bean and cheese strips!! It was all sooo good. Yummy. We wanted to go back (we were there for a week) but decided to give some other restaurants a try.
(5)
Sean H.
Awesome. Absolutely awesome. Great service from Lydia. The mud pie rocks.
(5)
Carly M.
Love the panino's. I've never had anything else like them! The other food is alright but getting a panino is your best bet! Service is either hit or miss.
(3)
Sibby S.
Ambiance: Homey place, kind of a throwback to mom and pop places of the 60s and 70s. Lots of booth and table seating. High vaulted ceiling in main dining room. Casual. Service: Good and efficient, but not the "feel like family" service you receive at either Roman Villa or Luigi's. Food: Decent and basic American-Italian food. Extensive hot sandwich menu (their panino). I will need to return and try a panino another time. It was dinner time, so I ordered their meat ravioli with marinara that was decent. Served in an au gratin dish that had been placed under a broiler. The waiter warned me it would be hot, and boy was he not kidding. I could not touch my entree for almost ten minutes. The ravioli was covered in sauce, and then covered in mozzarella cheese that melted over the top. This was more of a casserole, than your basic plate of ravioli and pasta sauce. Tasted more like lasagna, with all the layers of ravioli and sauce all mixing together and topped with cheese. Still ok. You get your choice of soup or salad. I ordered the salad, that was of generous size and served with a real good homemade Italian dressing. You get a nice freshly baked breadstick with your salad. With the entree, you are served complimentary garlic bread that was good. Overall, a solid choice for this type of food, though there are several other places in town that pull the casual Italian-American diner thing off better.
(3)
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Address :1721 S 8th St
Colorado Springs, CO, 80905
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
Italian Cuisine
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.
Jennifer B.
Came here for dinner with my husband on a Friday night. Very busy, so that was a good sign. The waitstaff was very friendly and very much on top of things. We started off with a dinner salad each, though mine was 69 cents more for some reason? You do get quite a bit of salad, with a single tomato wedge a little bit of red onion & some red cabbage scattered throughout. My balsamic vinaigrette was pretty good, my husband had the sun dried tomato and says it is very good but very tangy. The salad also came with a garlic seasoned bread stick which was very good. We ordered the Big T pizza, which comes with sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, onions & green bell peppers. I was pretty excited at this point because everything else had been delicious. The pizza came out fairly quickly and looked really good. We quickly discovered that the pizza probably needed to cook a bit longer as it was extremely soggy and all the toppings just slid right off, so we had to fork & knife it. Also, the mushrooms are canned, which probably contributed to the sogginess of the pizza.... I would have given this place 1 star just for that but the waitstaff was friendly and everything else was pretty good and food portions were big for what you paid, but I'd rather have quality ingredients and smaller portions honestly.
(3)Al T.
Awesome fettuchini Alfredo.....can not wait to try the rest of the menu! Great customer service and a very relaxing atmosphere. My server Brian was courteous and polite.... Great job! Al
(5)ColoradoSprings F.
Mama Mia! Italian Done Right. Colorado Springs Food Guy visited Panino's 1721 S 8th St, Colorado Springs CO 80905 based on a suggestion from one of my Facebook friends. Panino's is a casual, family-style restaurant with an upbeat atmosphere. I sampled their most popular item, the Grinder Panino, along with the Barbeque Panino, Manicotti, and the Italian Platter. The Grinder and Barbecue Paninos are overstuffed, lightly toasted wraps filled with an assortment of meats, and other flavorful ingredients. The Manicotti was baked to perfection. The Italian Platter offered generous portions of old-style Italian favorites such as Lasagna, Eggplant Parmigiana, and Spaghetti with Meatballs. Brian was my server and he was very attentive and energetic. The Manager and host were very welcoming, making it no wonder why this restaurant has become a staple in the community for so many years. I also tried an Italian Margarita served over ice with a salty rim. It was mixed perfectly and delicious. Simply, Panino's does family-style Italian right with reasonable prices, big portions, and scrumptious food. So next time you want a family night out in search of a hearty meal, visit Panino's. I had a wonderful dining experience.
(5)Vanessa T.
So let me start by saying the food is really, really, really good...when the order is actually right. If you are on a special diet, be sure to ck your good before eating! Our office orders from here about twice a year, and without fail somebody's food is always wrong. I am always grateful for free food so I don't complain at work, and I've discovered it's really no good to mention this to whoever answers the phone at Paninos... Calling about a take order is useless, and unless you plan to go back and pick up the corrected item, you are pretty much SOL. And I never ever ever ever go back for corrected items- I've worked in food service and I know for certain that "Waiting" is based on a true story!
(3)Phil S.
Picked up a "big t" pizza and whoppa panino last night for two of us. I had eaten at the downtown location in the past, but the was my first time at the 8th street paninos. The pizza was delicious. Definitely a cut above the few places I've tried in town. The wrap though was super disappointing. For starters, the description specifically says that it has a lot of meat. On top of that, it's a $9 panino, so my expectations were high. I opened it up when I got home and there was like NO meat in it. Literally, between both halves there was maybe an ounce of beef. I felt ripped off, that for nine bucks I got bread, lettuce, tomato, and a ton of mayo. We actually had to grill some beef on the stove to salvage the sandwich. Thankfully their pizza was the saving grace. I would go back for the pizza, but probably will not get a panino from here again. If you're the kind of person that likes a meal surrounded by the meat, I would try elsewhere. But for a solid pie alone, it'll do.
(3)Stacey S.
**As a patron since it opened in the 1980's, when I was a kid, i would recommend this place. It has always been a neighborhood favorite and is usually packed. I enjoy it Somewhat for the unique ambience, being cozy and warmly lit. The food is good with many options , but not specifically spectacular. The waitstaff can be either really good and friendly or sub-par and over worked depending upon the night. I would suggest a 2015 remodel and facelift for the place , even though it is in a strip mall on 8th street. The bathrooms do not appear clean , with the many heavy coats of paint on the walls. The walls and floors appear grimy. The booths, chairs, tables and carpets need refinished or replaced desperately. Old and Tired.
(3)Adrian O.
OK the restaurant itself could use a face-lift but, more importantly, the food and the service are always spot-on. Consistently. Since I started going in 1996 or so! Other old favorites in town have gone downhill but Panino's always delivers. I prefer the downtown location but never had an issue here.
(4)Peggy R.
Traveling from out of State and wanted Italian food. Found this amazing little place. Pizza was amazing, and the egg plant parmigian was fantastic. Great service and will be back someday.
(5)Tim H.
Our Tuesday-night drinking club selected this place. Food was good, saw a lot of interesting stuff pass by as well, It was snowy night, so not very full. It was not too noisy. I had the Reuben panini. It comes with two different sauces, the usual Thousand Island or a spicy mustard. Assuming that the sauces would be on the side, I requested both. Tasted good, but I would have tried each individually before I mixed them. Very large portion, I didn't quite finish. The part I left was sour kraut, they didn't do a real good job of getting equal amounts of meat and kraut throughout. But the panini was good. The table ordered french fries, which they BAKE, not fry. Other than zero grease, I couldn't tell the difference, so this is a healthy choice. We were offered a powdered spice to sprinkle or mix into ketchup on the fries to spice them up. Nice touch. At the downtown Panino's I had the Philly steak panini just a week before and found it was great. The sauce there is presented as a side, to dip or spoon at my own measure. I presume that the 8th Street Philly would be as good. I find it ironic that I hadn't been to a Panino's in almost a year and found myself at two different ones within a week.
(4)Jon F.
The services is always friendly and attentive. But that is not why I frequent here, it's the great food! I have been going to here since I was a kid, and I have always ordered a Panino. From build to your own, to sasage and cabage, they have them all. My current favorite is the Buffalo Chicken. With a great kids menu, and tasty dinner salads and bread sticks, Panino is a once a week restaurant for us.
(5)Peter S.
Full disclosure, Colorado Springs is a dead town for foodies and as a New Yorker in exile I suffer greatly. Tables a bit tight but doable. As a graying 50 year old I am yet once again asked to show my ID in order to quench my thirst. Seriously? May be my number one pet peeve. I am growing weary of over zealous, fearful owners that can't train their staff to use common sense. Clearly, though I am in shape and a handsome dog, I am not anywhere near 21. I digress. Chicken wings dry and overcooked like it was dropped in the fryer twice. Blue cheese watered down. Rectangle pizza served on a plastic High School cafeteria tray which is super classy. Pizza wasn't bad, which if you process that correctly is not a compliment. Then everything has some kind of unnecessary wax paper between it and the plate or plastic tray which annoyingly tears to pieces while eating your food. After trying my friends pizza and wings, I ordered the cobb which is hard to mess up. Lettuce was watery but an average salad over all. Small tip: buy a lettuce spinner to wick away water. No charge for the advice. Was planning on a second Alaskan IPA but server never came back but just quickly breezed by and didn't notice me or my melancholy empty glass. Servers here is a helpful hint: customers will be happier and you will make more money if you pay attention to your tables! Again, no charge for the advice. 3 stars for predictable mediocre food and service.
(3)Rebecca M.
We used Yelp to find a place to eat for my birthday dinner while visiting the Colorado Springs area. We were extremely impressed at this small home-owned restaurant. The cocktails were delicious, especially the Venetian Sunset, if you like sweet drinks. My husband ordered the prime rib and I had the fettuccine Alfredo and clam chowder. It was all wonderful. The breadsticks are excellent, also. The waitstaff was attentive and courteous. If you're looking for a local gem, this is it!
(5)Audie B.
Great food, great prices, always consistent. A good choice for lunch or dinner. Try the eggplant. This is the only place I've ever liked it.
(5)Bryan M.
I didn't care for this place at all. Service was sub par, our waitress just seemed disinterested, I don't like having to flag servers down to get refills. We ordered 1 large pizza which came covered in a pool of grease. The flavors were good I guess, but so limp! It was supposed to be a thin crust pizza, but when I picked up a piece, it bent, no crispness at all. Won't be going back.
(2)Andrea L.
Eh. As a local I want to like this place but it is mediocre. Family-friendly atmosphere but could use an update. The food is decent - basic - as well as the staff. Not a place I would seek out but if a friend wanted to meet there for a meal, I wouldn't turn them down. People rave over the paninos (basically a calzone) but they are too doughy for my liking.
(3)Michael S.
This isn't 5-star dining, but is 5-star quality, prices, and service. So, would that make Panino's 15-stars? As a local Italian restaurant with ties to the community, Panino's is the kind of place families, friends, seniors, and young couples all come to eat simply good food at reasonable prices served with a laugh and a smile. Indeed, it is the super service which makes up for any shortcomings the restaurant has in other areas. We started with an order of 1/2 Garlic Bread and 1/2 Garlic Cheese Bread (with Marinara Sauce plus an order of Pepperoni Cheese Sticks. Both are less than $5 and easy finger food for a family to share (4-stars). We also had a bottle of Antigal Uno 1 Malbec ($32) from Argentina for a sweet dinner wine. I recommend it. Panino's is hyped for its Pizza, Pasta, and Mudd Pie, but its namesake baked Panino Sandwiches are the thing to get if you are just coming once. Our wonderful waitress recommended the Grinder while my brother said to get the Buffalo Chicken. I went with the Grinder ($8.99) and a side of Buffalo Sauce. The rolled-sandwich was loaded with Pepperoni, Ham, Salami, Provolone Cheese plus plenty of Onions, Pepperoncini Peppers, Lettuce, Tomato, and a blend of Italian Dressing with Pesto Mayo. It's a delicious, meaty, and tummy-stuffing mess with a side of Chips. (5-stars) Others enjoyed their Calzones, Lasagna, Salads, and even Hot Sub, however, my recommendation is to stick to the Panino Sandwiches (aka grilled Panini Sandwiches) and you'll be happy. Happy Hour is 4-6 Monday - Thursday in the small bar area. Sports was playing on the TVs easily visible from any table in either room. Filling food, a relaxed atmosphere, superb service, and good value all add up to 5 stars for Panino's Restaurant in Colorado Springs.
(5)Chris M.
This very unassuming location on 8th Street proved to be quite the tasty spot for a dinner. I had ordered pizza take out before and it had been satisfactory, but I decided to bring the family here for my wife's birthday. The enviornment seems a little shabby to me. I mean its clean enough, but I get the feeling that the decor could be a little more refreshed. My wife and I both ordered a panino, since we were curious as to what a panino actually was. I ordered a chicken philly panino, and she got a greek panino. Both were both pretty good, though I suppose I was expecting a little more. The greek panino particularly really seemed no different than a gyro, albeit, didn't taste as good as one. All in all, good eats.
(4)Clay L.
Pleasantly Suprised! The service was great and everyone in the family enjoyed their meals. I had the Panino Grinder and it was excellent! And the Big T pizza was really good. Charles was our waiter and it's been quite a while since I had service that good.
(4)Benjamin C.
I love Panino's. If you go there, order a Panino, a yummy pizza burrito sandwich. So many good ones, they never get old. The Italian dressing is to die for. A great casual place for families.
(5)Jim D.
Panino's is one of those truly "local" places that I like to seek out when I travel. As a Colorado Springs native, there's no need to seek, but I still eat there regularly. It's casual, consistent, and reasonably priced. Those expecting white linen table cloths and haute cuisine will be disappointed. I almost always split a panino sandwich with my partner. Combined with a house salad, it's the perfect lunch. Get the salad with the yummy house dressing (desecrate with blue cheese crumbles if you must). The pizza isn't the best in town IMO, but it's serviceable and perfect for the kids to have while you try the better fare. It's rectangular and served on a plastic cafeteria tray - which is different. Bottom line, go for the right reasons, and you'll love this place as well.
(4)Jason E.
They make these sandwiches called paninos. It's a strip of pizza rolled up with different ingredients. My favorite is the grinder. It's Italian sub meets slice of pizza. It is very greasy, but SO delicious. I've been in here a ton and the service has always been great too, no issues.
(5)Lindsay B.
Honestly not sure what all the fuss is about. The pizza is blah, the pasta sauce blah, the garlic bread horrid, and paninos are just glorified flat bread just super greasy and tasteless. The chicken super dry!
(1)Kassie C.
Came here last December to visit a friend in CO Springs, and we ate lunch here with her family on her parents break from work. Pretty good place. Had some pasta thing, I can't remember what. Service wasn't the best, but the food portions were large and there were leftovers.
(3)Rick T.
I called in a take-out pizza from here after a debacle at Extreme Pizza (see my other review). They got it done in the time they said it would take, the waitstaff was helpful and courteous, and best of all it tasted great. Definitely will be coming back for all-you-can-eat pizza or spaghetti!
(5)Triple E.
Homey place. Good food, friendly staff. I like the baked ziti, it's good. Not my favorite Italian place, but it decent.
(3)Brenda M.
Tried it for the first time a couple of days ago. Loved it!!! Will absolutely be back.
(5)Jonathan R.
My first day EVER in CO Springs and Yelp helped me find this place. It is places like these that makes me LOVE Yelp. I never would have found this amazing local dig if it hadn't been for Yelp. Enough about that. This place is awesome, the food was excellent. My mother is sooooo picky about restaurants and she begged me to take her back the rest of the week. I'd say this is a must for Italian lovers in CO Springs
(5)Jill H.
I really liked the decor and very casual vibe of this place. Service was ok. They were good about removing dishes from the table, but I never did get a refill on my water even though the empty glass was waiting for a refill at the end of the table. I had the gluten-free pasta with mushroom sauce. I like that they offer gluten-free pasta, but it tasted like, well, gluten-free pasta. Being an Italian pasta house, I was hoping for something a little more than what I can do at home myself. The sauce was ok, but I was expecting more flavor from it. It was loaded with mushrooms, but canned ones. I'm not adverse to going back sometime, but next time I'll order a panino casserole, some of them looked like pretty tasty combinations.
(3)Andrea P.
Panino's is one of the best restaurants in the city. The food is delicious and the staff is wonderful. The panino sandwich is my favorite one to eat and the prices are moderate for the amount of food you get.
(5)Jennifer O.
Panino's fantastic. Eggplant is always cooked to perfection. I love the garlic cheese bread. The service is good most of the time. It is a true Italian restaurant. Loud, busy and smelling of great food. The staff is upbeat and hustling. The only complaint I have about the service is that the staff does not stay on top of refills or extra after you order. I wanted a second order of cheese bread and by the time I got my waitress to come back we were ready to go. But the food makes up for it. Just skip the pizza if you don't like tons of dripping grease. Over all though a good family spot.
(4)Jim M.
Here's the way my wife describes Panino's: Old School Italian. Another way to describe it is Italian comfort food; the dishes are the same you would expect from your Italian grandmother. The restaurant gets its name from panino, the singular form of panini. The panini are kind of like strombolis with lighter dough and are good for a lunch, but I really like the classic Italian dishes like chiken parm and manicotti. I could do without the pizza, though. It definitely has a family atmosphere, and they treat our children like valued customers rather than burdens. One extra star for that. Also, I like the room dedicated to hockey. It was bought in the 1970s by former Colorado College player Tony Frasca, after all (I can't remember if this was the original or if that's the one on Tejon Street).
(4)G S.
I give this 4 stars because it's' in Colorado Springs, any other place 3 stars. The food was very good, yummy garlic bread and lasagna and spaghetti. Tasted pretty authentic. Service was excellent, more than excellent. We had a lady with short blond hair and she was the best waitress ever. Big smile the whole time, split the meals for the kids without being asked. She anticipated every thing before we asked it. Amazing! Kudos to this woman who is an excellent rep for the restaurant. Brownie sundae was divine. Great place, lively, lots of people, great service, friendly and upbeat.
(4)Elissa H.
What a great surprise for a casual dinner! Awesome food at an awesome price. I have always liked Paninos for a quick lunch but I never considered it for dinner. What a mistake to be missing their Friday night Prime Rib. My Prime Rib was tender and juicy, a nice portion, accompanied by a side of fresh horseradish, salad, bread, and two heaping portions of pasta. This meal lasted me four days. My hubby had a calzone, stuffed to the brim with fresh ingredients. They have a decent wine/beer menu and plenty of nice options for the kids. This is not fine dining, but if you are looking for a quality meal at a reasonable price, be sure to try this eatery for dinner. Pros: Solid portions at a reasonable price, nice beer/wine menu, good service, Cons: A little loud but nothing I wouldn't expect from an eatery atmosphere.
(4)heather t.
First, I should clarify my rating and say if yelp had half stars, I would give Panino's a 3.5, but I would rather round up than down. They offer something a little unique - not a pizza, not a calzone, but a panino. It is a real thin pizza crust, topped with fillings and then rolled and baked. Filling possibilities are endless, and that is a plus! Everything from typical sandwich fillings, to greek toppings to traditional pizza fare. Some traditional Italian food is available as well. They make a decent Eggplant Parmesan. I would warn against trying anything with lettuce and mayo in your panino though - mayo and lettuce in the oven turns into something quite nasty. Go for the basics and you won't be disappointed.
(4)Julian F.
Love this place! They have a really extensive menu of Italian food but the reason to go is to create your own panino sandwich - it's a flat bread (wheat or white) that you can put any combination of toppings into, rolled up and baked. A great local place with a sports theme. Perfect place to take visiting family and friends because of the extensive (child-friendly) menu and local decor.
(5)Pat S.
Server was patient with our large group and did a good job. Food is good, tasty, I will return. We were able to talk without over powering music. Colorful decor. Nice place
(3)Beth S.
This restraint is good for basic Italian. If you want a more authentic dinner I would recommend Dat's Italian in Old Colorado City.
(3)Aaron D.
Delicious food! However, portions were slightly on the small size. I ordered a calzone and it was roughly the size of a medium sized plate. It was delicious though. Service was great and everything was well priced.
(4)Tony D.
The food is good but I really lost my appetite when the waiter approached my table. Her grill was completely rotten and when she smiled my freaken appetite was lost immediately!! I don't want to be mean or harsh but this is 2014! It makes a person wonder about the chef's hygienic practices as well. Italian trailer park haven!!
(1)Kerry S.
Decent neighborhood italian food, but the service was lacking. We had a guy server, and everything took forever. The spaghetti with one meatball and one sausage was $11-12, I think -- the sausage was especially terrific! The salad came from a bag but was plentiful. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat or avoid it but would have felt better about price to quality ratio if everything were priced maybe $2 less.
(3)Bryan E.
Love this place for a lunch break from work. Always friendly personnel, great service and atmosphere. Those paninos are so good and I recommend the grinder if you want something a little greasy or the pesto chicken if you want something a little more healthy.
(5)Shavon G.
Great lasagna. The small portion was just enough if your not a big eater! I feel the only downside was if you wanted a house salad with ingredients you have to request em! Not a huge menu either. Good service.
(3)Heather G.
Delicious food, with plenty of different options to choose from. We got there at 7pm on a Friday and the place was packed. We got there at just the right time because we got the last open table! Go hungry or go with someone that would like to split something with you.
(5)Tim B.
Good service, they were always refilling my glass of water. Food is good, I had a "make your own" panini which was good. The panini was filling. The side I ordered was chips which was just a bag of Lays Chips. Price is moderate, the check for two was about $17, both of us ordering paninis and waters.
(4)Chris W.
Great family restaurant with great food at very reasonable prices.
(4)Geoffrey L.
A family run restaurant, Panino's is a Colorado Springs institution and this branch consistently delivers the best Italian food in Southern Colorado. I highly recommend the pepperoni bread sticks and the buffalo chicken panino. Perfect place to bring your family or have a casual date night. Also the absolute best place to eat before heading to a hockey game!
(5)Shamonn M.
Wow!!! Is all i have to say. This panino place was soooo good. We were on family vacation to colorado springs, did the lookup on Yelp and voila! Paninos!! Best decision to go here. The panino was soft. Cheesy, and just right. Never had anything like it. The waiter, Patrick, was on point. Best waiter we had the whole trip. Thanks Patrick! Anyway. . . Pretty much no wait time. We recommend the gyro panino, the Lotsa Meat and cheese panino, and the bean and cheese strips!! It was all sooo good. Yummy. We wanted to go back (we were there for a week) but decided to give some other restaurants a try.
(5)Sean H.
Awesome. Absolutely awesome. Great service from Lydia. The mud pie rocks.
(5)Carly M.
Love the panino's. I've never had anything else like them! The other food is alright but getting a panino is your best bet! Service is either hit or miss.
(3)Sibby S.
Ambiance: Homey place, kind of a throwback to mom and pop places of the 60s and 70s. Lots of booth and table seating. High vaulted ceiling in main dining room. Casual. Service: Good and efficient, but not the "feel like family" service you receive at either Roman Villa or Luigi's. Food: Decent and basic American-Italian food. Extensive hot sandwich menu (their panino). I will need to return and try a panino another time. It was dinner time, so I ordered their meat ravioli with marinara that was decent. Served in an au gratin dish that had been placed under a broiler. The waiter warned me it would be hot, and boy was he not kidding. I could not touch my entree for almost ten minutes. The ravioli was covered in sauce, and then covered in mozzarella cheese that melted over the top. This was more of a casserole, than your basic plate of ravioli and pasta sauce. Tasted more like lasagna, with all the layers of ravioli and sauce all mixing together and topped with cheese. Still ok. You get your choice of soup or salad. I ordered the salad, that was of generous size and served with a real good homemade Italian dressing. You get a nice freshly baked breadstick with your salad. With the entree, you are served complimentary garlic bread that was good. Overall, a solid choice for this type of food, though there are several other places in town that pull the casual Italian-American diner thing off better.
(3)