Amazing food and service. The best Italian in the city and maybe the state. The portions are excellent and the price is fair. Parking is a little challenging as it is on the street so get there early.
(4)
Rick R.
Found restaurant very interesting. Atmosphere was very nice, and you're able to carry on a conversation without talking loud. Server was efficient but without a lot of personality. Entree came out while we were still eating our salad - poor timing. Homemade pasta, marinara and meatballs were only average, however portions are large. Have had much better in numerous restaurants in South Philly. That being said I would still go back a second time.
(3)
Paige R.
I came here on a Sunday for brunch based on Yelp reviews and found it to be crowded with old people. My mother always said they pick the best food. My boyfriend and I were told to pick a seat anywhere in the house so we sat by the window under the TV (which of course was tuned into the Steelers' game). I looked around and realized this place really MUST have been around for 40 years as the homey feel came from the out of date decor and comfortable, friendly staff. I immediately ordered the fried zucchini and virgin Bloody Mary. I was happy that the bartender used real tomato juice and Worcester sauce instead of a gross mixer. The fried zucchini came right out and was perfect: piping hot, large chunks, a flavorful batter and two choices of ranch dip. The bread came out as regular white sliced baguette with butter packages so I poured some olive oil in the small plate and added salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese for dipping. A salad came with my order and I am sorry to say there was way too much house vinegar in the house vinaigrette. But I lived. My entree was brought out: four large stuffed shells that were just smothered in melted provolone cheese and tomato sauce. By that and by that point I'd had too much to eat so did my best to eat like a champ and took the rest home. My boyfriend's order was a huge bowl of gnocchi in garlic, parsley and olive oil. Not the best combination but that was his bad. I was a little sorry to leave because it is totally a place to relax and have a good time. I only wish there were places like this where I live.
(5)
Andrew K.
After moving back into the area, I am glad to state that the Delaware institution Mrs. Robino's is as good as I remember. Admittedly, things went a little down hill a few years ago, but on my father's recommendation, I gave this place another shot. My choice of a cesear salad was made fresh and to the standards of my girlfriends mother, which is a serious complement. The entree I selected was linguine clams which came in a red sauce combined with copious amounts of clams. The pasta was cooked al dente and was filled with delicious clam flavor. For desert the tiramisu, again phenomenal. I will be back for more 100%
(5)
Carl H.
While surfing the net a few months ago, I ran across an old (2010) blurb from Delaware Today Online that described Mrs. Robino's red gravy as one of the culinary signatures of Wilmington's Little Italy. That's pretty high praise, especially since the primary subject of the blurb was another restaurant, not Mrs. Robino's, so I was very eager to try the place out. My wife, mother-in-law (MIL) and I were finally able to go for the first time last Sunday, April 6. Having grown up in NY, not Wilmington, and never having eaten in Little Italy before, I'm not really in a position to judge whether the red gravy is worthy of being dubbed a culinary signature. What I am in a position to do is 1) say that I found Mrs. Robino's to be a great place for hearty, good-tasting comfort food and will gladly dine there again; and 2) offer my own high praise for the level of professionalism, courtesy and good nature of the owners as well as every member of the wait-staff we encountered. Let me expand on the second point further. My MIL is disabled; on a good day she can get by with a walker, on bad days she needs a wheelchair. The day we went to Mrs. Robino's should have been a wheelchair day, but my MIL insisted on the walker. When we arrived the restaurant was absolutely mobbed and there was barely room to stand, let alone sit, in the waiting area. My wife apprised the woman at the maître d' stand (who unbeknownst to us was Robin, one of the owners) that her mother was disabled and asked if there was an extra chair so her mother could sit while we waited. Without a moment's hesitation Robin gave us priority seating and within minutes we were seated at the table closest to the front door. To get from the front door to the table you have to go up two tall steps; when my MIL got to these steps, Robin and nearby staff stopped what they were doing and helped her safely up the steps. When it was time to leave, Robin appeared out of nowhere with a transport wheelchair and explained that we could minimize the need to go up/down stairs by leaving via a side entrance that goes to an al fresco dining area, and from there exit into an alley next to the restaurant. Exiting this way would also allow me to pull my car directly up to the entrance. On the way out we crossed a few choke-points where we were in the way of wait-staff with full trays of food or empty plates (the place was still packed). None of them tried to jump in front, all stood politely and patiently by without a single sideways glance or annoyed expression. When we got to the single step down needed to get from our dining area to the side door, several employees helped get the wheelchair down. Lisa (the owner's daughter-in-law) led the way out while I went to retrieve the car and she waited with my wife and MIL until I arrived and also took the wheelchair back in so I didn't have to. Lisa was also kind enough to tell us call ahead before our next visit and that as long as they knew we were coming, I could pull right in the alley and they would send someone out with the wheelchair to meet us and they could make sure we are seated in an area that doesn't require going up/down steps to get to. We'd like to thank Robin and her staff for a good meal and for bending over backwards (without being asked and with a packed house to boot) to make our visit a safe and pleasant one.
(5)
Brian S.
Yes, I read the reviews (including many dramatically negative ones) before eating here. We had a LivingSocial deal expiring, however, so we took our chances. The Debbie Downers are correct: the food is not great and the interior is aged. But this place is nowhere near deserving of the F- grade many give it. The decor is out of date and the place was old. The floors creak and the wallpaper looked straight from a Lillian Vernon catalog (I doubt the esteemed Ms. Vernon sells wallpaper but you get the idea). This place is in Little Italy, though, and part of what attracts us to this neighborhood is the history and old-school charm. Mrs. Robino's has no intentions on attracting elite hipsters. They seem quite comfortable with their vintage surroundings and we were, too. The food, however, was underwhelming. It is quite edible and no one is going to get botulism or herpes or whatever all the bitter reviewers claim. We had fried cauliflower and salad as appetizers; lasagna and Chicken Josephine were our entrees. The cauliflower was awesome but would have seemed more at home at a greasy spoon diner. The salad was iceberg lettuce, supermarket tomatoes, and house dressing that all tasted like it came from a high school cafeteria. The lasagna and Chicken Josephine were mediocre. The alfredo sauce seriously tasted like Ragu's jarred supermarket version (yes, I admit I have had it before). The mushrooms were canned (!) and the red sauce was uneventful. If, like many reviewers stated, this place has an older customer base, then I understand its popularity because everything had the quality level of things found at a old school cafeteria restaurant. Portions were huge and the bread was awesome. The staff was friendly and attentive. No one was hurt and we did not leave crying because an aging restaurant did not have a celebrity chef at the ready to prepare gourmet masterpieces. It was not good enough for a return visit but certainly not horrid enough to go ballistic while reviewing. If you like the old-school charm but want better Italian to go with it, try Ristorante Attilio a few miles away.
(2)
Bob S.
I went here last Saturday night. No wait, which was nice. I liked the "old-time" feel of the place, but that was about it. The sauce seemed over cooked to me, almost a burnt taste. Their homemade pasta was very mushy as well. Our appetizer was brought out 10 minutes after our meal. My wife was served a lasagne, but ordered the "tour of Italy". I got a veal dish(forget the name) with peppers and onions. This was pretty tasty, but the pasta it rested on was mushy.
(2)
Cathy H.
Dingy, and kind of dirty. Paneled walls, very old decorations and furniture Wasn't a huge fan of the food. The meatballs tasted like frozen store bought and the "home made" pasta was a bit mushy. People usually love or hate this place from what i'm told. I hate it.
(2)
Heather T.
This is an amazing restaurant! Their cheese ravioli's with red sauce dish is to die for. Just a warning though don't go on a Saturday night or you'll be waiting for hours with barely seeing the waitress, week days around lunch is the perfect time. The waitress are bubbly and funny pieces of work, they've been they're forever and they def know what they're doing. My great great grand mother went there on her first date with her husband and it's been a tradition ever since; it's highly recommend by this family . It's no Olive Garden the pasta is homemade and so is everything else it's so yummy
(5)
M S.
Do yourself a favor, read this. I have no personal animosity for this place. I give any place the opportunity to prove their worth when opinions are generally positive. I didn't read the other reviewers critiques in detail prior to dining here. I really wish I had. The negative reviews by other yelpers are on point. More to the point, READ THE FILTERED REVIEWS!!! Those are consistent with my experience. This place is not mediocre. This place is just plain awful. I've lived in NYC for more than 10 years and an additional 10 years in other cities around the states. I've travelled Italy and have had home cooking in Rome, Tuscany, Umbria.. . This place likely one of the WORST that I've ever had. I would prefer a Lean Cuisine entree over this place. First problem is the pasta. It's so overcooked the pasta had the coloring of bleached flour and the texture of playdough. Second problem is the sauce. Both the Bolognese and Marinara sauce had a harsh metallic taste common with low grade canned tomatoes . It had all of the the refined textures of ketchup. The service was friendly but not at all attentive or intuitive. The other patrons are the piece de resistance. Most of them emblematic of their undiscerning palate and the oversized plates of severely overcooked pasta. Perhaps this was their culinary highlight over their daily intake of drive-thru cuisine. Bottom line, this place needs to go away but I think that's unlikely to happen given the number of patrons with their undemanding palettes. To the reviewers who use "authentic italian" in describing this place... please tell me you're kidding. I'm guessing they're knowledge of authentic italy comes from either the Jersey shore show or the Olive Garden. Actually, Olive Garden isn't as bad as this place. To the reviewers who liken this place to their mom/grandma's cookin' or what you ate growing up... you have my sympathies.
(1)
Barbara H.
Sorry, not good. Very typical run of the mill Italian American. The biggest problem for me is that these places refer to themselves as true Italian, and for that I will always give them bad reviews. Not even close to true Italian. Any of you who have been to Italy know what I am talking about. I won't go back to this place myself. i am from Italy. Place is also dirty and not inviting, dark and dingy. No offense.
(1)
Sheldon H.
Truly terrible. Quite honestly the worst "Italian" food I've ever had. Chef Boyardee is better than this. The decor is dreadful and has a very rundown feel to it. I know some people swear by this place but I don't see why, even chain Italian restaurants destroy this place in the quality Italian food department.
(1)
Juana H.
Loved the home made Ravioli! And the Cannoli was excellent !! You must go!!the Cannelloni was soo good too!
(5)
Howard S.
I would refer to this as a checkered tablecloth kind of place, but that would insult places with checkered table cloths. My wife any I were debating the title of this post. "Just like home" would be correct, if you buy everything frozen and heat it in the oven. Seriously, the calamari was from a bag, the gnocchi were the kind you buy at the supermarket (and not cooked very well), the bread was cold - like it had been in the fridge. Boo hiss. Must be twenty places within ten minutes with food, service and decor better than this.
(1)
Big K.
Let me start this off with this. I want to love this place. A hole in the wall family Italian restaurant is a great thing. Particularly one that has a friendly, attentive staff, reasonable prices, and great food, particularly (and this is key) fresh pasta. That being said, this place ain't it. Pasta was mediocre. Hard to tell if it was fresh but I don't think it was based on the consistency. I ordered the linguine w/ crab sauce and found braccioli remnants in my meal. That tells me that either their not cleaning their pans between dishes or there's cross contamination. (Honestly I wouldn't have even minded that if it wasn't for the other string of issues.) We were given a large table on the second floor (I assume due to the gaggle of kids we had.) Not an issue as I would've put us up there too. That being said, if you're going to put a family w/ kids up on a second floor, make sure you have quick and attentive service. We had neither. A glass of water (and I wish I was joking) took 15 minutes. Bread came w/ no butter. Butter was served 15 min. after the bread arrived, frozen solid. Kid's pizza had a very odd taste. Parmesan was not delivered w/ spaghetti (not my crab dish but one w/ meatballs). Empty glasses weren't cleared. (I ended up busing my own table, seriously.) And the famous Mrs. Rubino's greens were quite honestly horrible. Bland, greens (brilliant color though) that tasted of water w/ a pinch of vegetable. (Not the greens I'm used to and I'm 2nd generation Italian.) All in all, for a few families that sat down for a couple plates of spaghetti and a pizza, our meal took roughly 2 hours. We let the restaurant know how the service was, they asked if we wanted desert, we said no. We then let them know how bad the greens were, they took those off the bill but didn't offer any other condolences. Oh, and the walls were dirty and there was dirt (or something) in the shaker of Parmesan that we did get.) I'm not really sure what to say. I hate giving anyone a bad review and I'm honestly holding my tongue a bit here. I hope the restaurant will see these comments and remedy themselves. I don't know that I'd ever go back but maybe they'll help improve another patron's experience.
(2)
Rick D.
This place has been around since the beginning of time, at least. The walls and the furnishings make you feel like you are in someone's great grandparents' house. If you are looking for a bright modern place with creative and trendy dishes, I would not suggest you go here. On the other hand, the homestyle cooking and atmosphere make this place special to many. I think I have gotten the same dish everytime I have been here - 1/2 and 1/2 - beginning many years ago. I also, really enjoy the antipasta. So I would say I am a fan, and I am not sure exactly why, other than it makes me feel at home.
(4)
Christine R.
I went here as a friend told me it was her favorite Italian place in Wilmington. The service was great however my food was not. The bowl of pasta had a TON of water in the bottom and it just ruined my food. My friends did enjoy their entrees but I just couldn't enjoy mine.
(3)
megan s.
Momma Robino's is a staple of Wilmington with so much history, I remember eating there in the early 80's and loving it, every time we have been there the food has been good and nicely priced. It is no high end fancy restaurant but for a nice affordable Italian mean in a nice atmosphere from a place with a lot of history behind it you can't beat it. I am glad it is still open.
(4)
Michael Cal S.
Yes the place is dated but the food is great best Chicken and Veal parm that I have ever found....This is coming from a Sicilian.
(4)
Valarie W.
I visited Mrs. Robino's years ago and wasn't very impressed. My boyfriend and I went last week since we had a Groupon. I don't mind the homey, dated feel to the restaurant. Service was friendly albeit a little slow. Glad to see updates to the wine list. Prices are reasonable. The Antipasto platter was not the best I have had, but it was very good, and generous in the portions. It could have been it's own dinner. Unfortunately the pasta, while generous portions, was bland. I had Bolognese, and my boyfriend had the Ravioli, Spaghetti and Sausage meal. Neither of us finished. Mostly because we were full, but also because it didn't tantalize at all. Perhaps my taste buds have "grown up" but I found the sauce flat and fairly tasteless, and the pasta slightly overcooked. I brought the leftovers home, added more garlic, pepper, salt and red wine and perked it up a bit. I know there are locals who are very loyal to Mrs. Robino's, but I doubt I will return, especially when there are so many other options to choose from who have stepped the food up several notches. I'll give them 3 stars for overall effort and longevity. They have to be doing something right in order to be around for 40 years.
(3)
Jeff H.
Have you eaten? What can I make you? You need to eat! I really wish I didn't live so far away from Mrs. Robino's. I found out about it from my dad who used to take business contacts there for lunch in the days when Mrs. Robino was still with us. It's tasty, affordable, and something about the wood paneling and drop ceiling just says relax... let us feed you something. Most recently had the cannelloni Florentine which were nice and firm on the outside and came with just enough sauce for there to be some to clean up with bread once the cannelloni were gone. They have a seemingly endless supply of Italian bread, I'm not sure how they find room for all of it. Modest dinner for two came to about $20. They've got some great lunch specials too but sadly I'm rarely in the area around lunchtime. I think they accept credit/debit but only begrudgingly. They ask on the check that you pay with cash if possible.
(4)
Lauren W.
Ok let me explain my rating by giving a play by play of my experience. Kendog & I came here for dinner bc I recently got a living social deal for him as it's one of his faves. I had been here once before like a decade ago...with him actually. So we got there at 8:30 on a rainy Saturday night and waited several minutes to be acknowledged by the staff...although they saw& passed us many times. Once we were seated, our waiter redeemed the service quality. I never had to ask for a refill or anything at all bc he offered whatever I needed before I could ask. I got a garden salad to start and it was packed w/ a variety of fresh delicious veggies. Then I had the eggplant parm for dinner. It said on the menu it came w/ spaghetti but mine didn't. It was huge so I didn't mention anything, woulda felt like a huge hog asking for a plateful of spaghetti in addition to the feast in front of me! I finished about half and was pleasantly stuffed. Kendog got cheese raviolis w/ sausage & meatballs and loved every bite. So overall, there were come minor hiccups, but I would go back. The food was yummy, however, my stomach ached for the next 24 hours. The food is very rich.....
(3)
James R.
My in-laws like this place. It definitely has that old time italian feel. The prices are super cheap, but the food it also cheap. Very blah homey italian food.
(2)
Mike M.
My wife and I visited this place with high hopes, as it had been recommended by a few different people. It was a disappointing experience, because this place is pretty unimpressive. The food tastes like they just got it off the shelf at Acme. The decor is dated, which wouldn't be a problem if the food was good, but it isn't. The staff, however, is very friendly.
(2)
Bob S.
Visiting the family a few weeks ago while planning my daughters wedding created serious stress which could only be cured with an Italian dinner. Mrs. Robinos has been around for 40 years, old style cooking with decent portions in the Italian section of Wilmington DE. Our party of 10 started with Broc Rob, which was a bit flavorless and needed way more garlic. The wine selection is interesting-you order red or white and you could get a merlot, cab or pinot! (no brand choice) Our waitress was about 65 YO, and a 25 year veteran of Robinos. I really wanted the sauce, and promptly ordered a side dish to enjoy the rather bland bread. Very good sauce, but not excpetional. Westside Girl choose the penne pasta with red sauce and olives, pretty tasty. I had the baked ziti with red sauce and tons of cheese, actually quite good. The family passed around our food to share, but the spinach lasagna was worth a return trip. This is old style Italian, has a dive bar, lots of regulars and even plenty of real Italians!
(3)
Jessica E.
I was pleasantly surprised to receive an email from someone from Mrs. Robino's who had read my review. She encouraged me to come back and offered to assist me with the menu. I thought that this was such a nice gesture! She also informed me that there are more wine selections than I had realized. I am amending my last statement as I now would definitely like to return and see what else Mrs. Robino's has to offer.
(3)
Geeg C.
If you like drop ceilings and glossy wood paneling this place may be right up your alley. My waitress was nice but was literally preoccupied with Ponies. Nickelodeon was on the LCD TV which was most likely the only 21st century piece of decor. If the food was better than mediocre I would recommend it to someone. For some reason Union St is seemingly stuck in the late 1980's. Prices are good however. Perfect candidate for Chef Ramsey's Hell's Kitchen, seriously.
(1)
Jennilee D.
Well I used to love this place. Used to. I hadn't been there for a couple years and decided to go back , and I'm so sorry I did. The last time I went was for lunch with 2 other people. It was dead in the place. I think there was only 1 other table, but we still had very slow service. My sister got spaghetti that she said was tasted like store bought and the sauce made her nauseous. I had Alfredo sauce that was so oily it was gross. Since only 1 of us had an edible lunch. We decided to get dessert to eat something and that was the end of my visits to this restaurant. We got tiramisu that was MOLDLY. Yes, it actually had mold on it. We asked the guy how long it had been sitting and he told his they rotate it around in the fridge so it shouldn't have been sitting too long....He also said they don't make their desserts there. It's all ordered in. An Italian restaurant in Little Italy should be making their tiramisu. Either way that was disgusting. He offered to get us another dessert, but no way were we interested after that. I don't know what happened to this place, but never again.
(1)
Dan W.
Solid Italian food in a relaxed environment. Prices are great and the food is very good. I recommend for just about every occasion. My personal favorite is extra meatballs on the side... they are great.
(5)
Donna L.
Mrs. Robino's is definitely one of the best restaurants in Wilmington, one of the few and rare actually authentic Italian restaurants left. We live nearby and for whatever reason just never tried it until we saw it on LivingSocial. I have to say service was was not only speedy, but the waitress was just hands down phenomenal. She not only brought my two children a couple crayons and a sheet of paper that you get at most casual eateries, but 2 whole coloring books and an entire box of crayons. She was friendly, outgoing, and very welcoming for our first time. The portions are large and the prices are very reasonable, but it's the quality of the food that really won us over. From the Italian bread in the beginning to the spaghetti which you can tell was even homemade and not store bought to the XL cannoli that just topped off a wonderful meal, this is definitely a place we will go to again!
(5)
Mary Jo S.
Mrs. Robino's is around the corner from Attilio's. When the family gets together, there is usually some major discussion on who is best....Attilio's or Mrs. Robino's The Merino's lived across the street from Mrs. Robino over 40 years ago and are strong proponents for this classic Italian restaurant. The food is wonderful and the staff is great; I think I just like the comfy ambiance of Attilio's better. However, what I like best about Mrs. Robino's is she has these great paper place mats offering drink choices made popular ages ago. There in the middle of the place mat is listed my first drink ever....An Angel Kiss. Mmmmmmmm.....Creme de Cocoa floating on top of cream. It just started the meal out perfectly. Another good point about Mrs. Rubino's is she does take credit cards and is better for a larger group. You cannot go wrong with the classic Italian dishes served at this popular neighborhood restaurant.
(4)
Jay C.
Good food. Couldn't ask more for the price either. Make sure to ask for Robin, the manager. She's AWESOME!!! Their blush/rose sauce is quite yummy. And their Chicken Parmigiana Alfredo is quite delicious. It's a family-style restaurant with loud-mouthed people. We always have a blast!
(4)
g w.
Mrs Robinos is the best real Italian Restaurant in Wilmington, by far. Which is probably why they've been in business for over 70 years! If you like homemade pastas and sauces- go for Mrs Robinos. I don't know of any other restaurants that make their own raviolis, spaghettis and sauces fresh every day. The decor is very old world family Italian neighborhood style and the prices are very reasonable. Not fancy- just really good. Homemade Ravioli's (both meat and cheese) are my favorite. I get the large half meat - half cheese with house sauce. Oh and the chopped antipasto is madatory! Tiramisu for desert!
(5)
Von M.
Very good red sauce Italian place. The spaghetti tasted homemade, and the meatball was very good. The tomato sauce definitely needed the salty pop of added parm. All 7 of us liked what we got, but what raised this to a 4 star review was the fact that the cannoli was probably the best I've ever had. Amazingly rich, thick, smooth and flavorful filling was piped into the shell right before it was brought to the table. The tiramisu was also very, very good.
(4)
Michael W.
This could possibly be my favorite restaurant, ever. I have a great bit of nostalgia tied up in this restaurant, I have been coming here ever since I was a kid. The place is so homey, you feel like you are eating in your grand-mom's dining room. It is certainly a no frills dining experience. From the faux wooden paneling on the walls, to the cheap tables and chairs, and twinkle lights strung across the wall. The funniest thing is that they have been using the same place mats since I can remember going there for the first time. Each place mat has a bunch of mixed drinks illustrated on them, with their ingredients listed underneath each drink (the owner must have purchased a truckload of these in bulk decades ago, because I have never seen them anywhere else, and they are obviously generic). The servers are very friendly, and speak to you as if you are family. Many of them have been there for quite awhile, and that shows through their recognition of all the regulars, and their very colorful personalities. The food is the best Amer-Ital food I have ever had. It's old school spaghetti and meatballs, slathered in homemade red sauce. They offer a wide variety of Italian American staples, all made from scratch. My favorite is the classic cheese ravioli. I have never had a tastier cheese ravioli in my life, you can tell right away it's not something out of a box. Their lobby doubles as their bar, and can get extremely crowded during dinner time, to the point where people are packed in like sardines (with a restaurant that is small AND busy, you can't sacrifice seating space for a waiting area). The actual restaurant comprises, I believe, 4 converted row houses. They simply just knocked out doorways between them and converted each one into a dining area. They also have a large space on the second floor for groups, which I have never seen. I love the dim lighting and old feel to this place, it feels so comfortable and relaxing. I have never heard anyone complain about the food at Mrs. Robino's, so that should be incentive enough to go and try it out. The atmosphere and personality that goes along with this place is just a great bonus you get.
(5)
Dominick L.
We love Mrs Robino's! It is a quaint Italian restaurant, nothing fancy on the decor but the food makes up for what the decor lacks! The food it true Italian cuisine and their sauce is excellent! The portion size is nice and you might even need a dogie bag when you are ready to leave. The prices are very fair and the quality of the food is top notched. My father loves their raviolis and I love their homemade pasta. The staff are very friendly and when we bring children with us, they are fast to offer them crayons and their drinks. This is a real old fashion Italian restaurant nestled in the city of Wilmington. It has the feel that Tony Soprano and his family would love to eat there! I don't know where they get their Italian bread, but once it hits the table, my family makes it disappears in a flash! The only negative, is finding a parking spot close by. You might have to circle the streets a few times to find a space, but all I can say that's its worth that little inconvenience to enjoy a true Italian meal at Mrs. Robino's!
(5)
Alicia K.
good family meals and clearly a family staff. i love the layout and "homey" feel to the place
(4)
Ed R.
Visited Mrs.Robino's 5/9 while traveling to Wilmington. Loved the menu and wished I would have ate their both nights I was there. I did have the tour of Italy and there is more than enough food to eat. Meat and cheese ravioli's, spaghetti with sausage and a meatball. Staff was friendly and the restaurant is a lot bigger than it looks. Located in the Little Italy section of Wilmington.
(4)
Ashley M.
Last night was my first time here and I must say despite some of the reviews that I have read, I really enjoyed their food. I ordered the Lotties special (not exactly sure the name). The portions were huge including the shrimp, scallops and crab meat that were in the pasta. The sauce was flavorful and the pasta not overcooked. The salad and bread were ok, nothing special but I wasn't there for salad and bread. Service was mediocre, nothing over the top but I'm also not needy I just like to relax and enjoy my meal. I really enjoyed my experience and next time I am in the mood for Italian, this will be my go to spot.
(4)
Julie K.
Celebrating 25th wedding anniversary Excellent service and homeade Italian dinner We can't wait to go back soon!
(5)
Edward A.
It's a shame how this place went downhill Gordon Ramsey would have a field day. Here we go stale bread soggy salad a mound of sauce on a flat plate had to ask for a side plate to scrape off sauce and low and behold we found our lasagna which was good and then the frozen chicken parm not this guy sent it back I ask if they wanted to sell the place just out of respect for a place that used to be iconic everyone that goes there out of loyalty aren't helping the owners realize they need to care like Mama Robino did
(1)
Brooke T.
2.5, but because I had a good date, I rounded up. So I met a guy, y'all care I know, and for some reason we decide to meet in DE. He heard that this was a good spot to try. I, being an avid yelper had my reservations....but being the good dooby that I am I decided to try it out. First things first, I wasn't thoroughly impressed upon initial approach, it is located on a main road, one way only, parking was fair to middling. To me it had a very homey, cafeteria like feel. My date said the same....he wasn't too impressed either. The dining area is fair in size, separated by several rooms. At the time of our visit, I suppose it was the rush as they were both fairly full. The menu had various options; although, I went with the special of the night. It was a penne pasta with "red" pesto and shrimp. Per our server, it was supposed to be spicy. My dining companion had the chicken parmesan with a side of spaghetti and gravy. Now, I was uber excited to try my dish as I love penne, shrimp, and a spice. It looked good, it was fairly large portion, an ample amount of nicely sized shrimp. Looks, my friends, can be deceiving. The pasta itself, IMHO was not spicy, nor did the pesto have any particular outstanding flavors or taste. I explained to the server how I loved thee spice, at which time, he provided me with there Diablo sauce which was supposed to have a kick. Well, that sauce simply tasted of plain old jar tomato sauce with red flakes. I wasn't impressed. I punished the shrimp, well in a dainty way, I mean it was the first date and left the rest, which appeared to be a bowl of grease. There was plenty leftover, but mine stayed there. My companion, didn't appear to be pleased with with his chicken parm, only having eaten about half of it, he didn't take leftovers either. All in all, can't say that I'd return, it isn't the worst Italian food that I have had, but it certainly isn't the best. At least I had good company, for that I rounded up....he he he.
(3)
Mrkookm K.
Well I finally stopped in at this place with the wife after hearing about its Italian tradition and it being around for 75 years. Sadly with all the hoopla I've heard, read and pictures seen at the establishment showing original owners of old, all I experienced was just run of the mil Italian American flavor...if that. When I sat the waiter too tried again to sell us the restaurants originality and points at the late Mrs R picture on the wall. Luckily I didn't get my hopes too high as Yelp did give it 3 stars which had me already iffy about what to possibly expect. Long story short whatever authenticity this place had likely went with Mrs Rubino. I had ordered Italian Sausage w/ Spaghetti and to my surprise the Spag was not Al Dente and was clearly overcooked by several minutes they looked swollen. Once I saw that it was already over for me. Even my 15yr old Daughter knows how to prepare her Spaghetti Al Dente and here I am in a 70+ yr Italian establishment and they can't boil spaghetti right? The wife pasta meal was ridiculously large, they served enough pasta to a female for 2 of Me's and to make it worse it too was lacking flavor. So I had to hear her nag me because it was my suggestion to stop in in the first place plus she was treating tonight... Sadly I'll not be stopping here again as the food left me no where near impressed, and I can't see it getting better. If they can allow what was served to me and my wife to hit the table they clearly don't think they have a problem. Yelpers if you want really good authentic Italian food and fantastic pizza from an actual Italian chef who is still around, Pizza Pazza is right down the block. Now that's real Italian in every way....down to their wood heated Brick oven!
(1)
Emily M.
My Other Half and I enjoy going to Mrs. Robino's...because the food is VERY good. I really don't care for Italian cuisine, believe it or not, (most places are pedestrian and don't get me started on chain restaurants) but I could eat almost anything in here, and have. Their Italian wedding soup is wonderful, their pasta and sauces (ok, gravies ;-) are obviously homemade, the veal parm is among the best I've ever had, the bartender makes good drinks, the prices are right and we've never had any issue with wait staff except once when it was someone's first day. I love their Cannelloni Florentine. It's Italian comfort dining but without the garlic overload you find in chain restaurants. Yes, parking is a pain on that street, but it's in an area of many other restaurant choices which have the same problem. The decor makes us feel like we are back in our childhoods....it's retro but not trendy, more nostalgic. There's usually enough leftovers to take home and enjoy the next day.
(5)
Ethan J.
Took my girlfriend here due to a reasonable groupon.. Every dish was over sauced, and the setting/decor were so unorganized. We found ourselves uncomfortable and rushing through our meal. The place was 25 years behind current decor expectations. The food just about warranted the price. It was "okay" overall. Del roses pasta was better RiP
(2)
Linda C.
This is the best Italian food in the area!! I have never had any complaints! Service is always great also! Tonight I had the best crab cake I have ever had! It was huge with no fillers!! The pasta is all homemade and so delicious! And the tiramisu was so yummy!! Love this restaurant !
(5)
John M.
If you want Italian home cooking, this is the place. The food is great. Our Italian family is from the Wilmington area after immigrating from Southern Italy two generations ago. Nana's was better of course but Mrs. Robino's does a great job. And the atmosphere matches well with the food and they treat everyone like family. Portions are too big but so what. Take it home and reheat. It is even better with age and more heating. That solves the only criticism I have which is the sauce needs to be simmered another day or so. If you want Olive Garden chain food and decorations stay away from this homey establishment. This is an authentic Wilmington Little Italy institution.
(5)
Cindy S.
Let's try some music to redeem some form of ambiance amongst this outdated decor and stop allowing frozen pasta beneath unseasoned tomato paste topped with a single, cartilage laden "meat ball" masquerade around as authentic Italian food.
(1)
Mike M.
Last night was my last trip to this place. The food is bland & uninteresting & the atmosphere just as boring. If you get your food hot that would be amazing, just never do. The baked dishes taste like store bought & the pasta is tough & tastes microwaved. Never again for this place !!!
(1)
Mallory R.
Went here in January with my family and my husband for a nice family post-holiday meal. My parents have been there before and so has my sister, she said her boyfriend loves it. It was an okay place. Decor and dress is casual, and waiters are very laid back. We went on a night in which there was a ton of snow outside, so the restaurant was not very crowded. We made reservations beforehand for our party of 6. Ordered a carafe of wine for three people to share, which worked out well! I ordered the house salad with my meal but was disappointed and wished I had ordered the Caesar. My entree was the seafood or crab pasta (I can't remember the name of it) and it was okay. I was expecting more for some reason and I don't know why it was lacking in flavor. Everyone else enjoyed their meals. Overall, it is a general restaurant for Italian food, and served its purpose for our visit. Maybe if I go back again, a different dish will satisfy my tastebuds more!
(3)
Lori F.
I think the food is great and better than Olive Garden. I live in Texas and every time I come down to visit my in laws I like coming here. My only problem is the place is old and dirty every time I go and I think it needs remodeling.
(3)
Colin Z.
I absolutely love the atmosphere, but I couldn't finish my food. Honestly, it would have been decent if the noodles weren't cooked within an inch of their life, but all I tasted when I ate was a big mass of inedible starch.
(1)
Cece P.
We went to Mrs Robino's on Tuesday evening and it was an experience that will NOT be revisited. I understand that they are very obviously not trying to recreate the culinary wheel and this is more "comfort" food but unless you think subpar / bad food is comforting I encourage you to go elsewhere. Our server was very nice, especially when I disputed the $5.00 split charge for our entree as it was not split in the kitchen and we took it off the 1 plate ourselves. She informed me that the charge is for the additional plate we used to eat and the kitchen in fact does not split entrees. Hmmm short money ploy if I have ever seen one but considering the slop that is considered an entree I might be charging people more as I know they will not be returning.
(1)
Julie T.
crab cakes... if you haven't tried theirs you wont regret it. They know how to make a crab cake. only complaint is that they are too big. I would like two smaller than one big one so the inside gets hotter. Rodino's is not your mothers or grandmothers sauce but its the sauce that is so different from Moms that keeps me going back. its secret that you can't taste is anchovies. Yes, sometimes their quality control is off in that kitchen, something as simple as salting the pasta water and NOT overcooking their homemade egg spaghetti can make or break my meal and yes, I send the pasta back if its mushy. I hope someone from there reads this and starts salting that water better. The sauce is usually excellent but Ive had the overcooked sauce and even an undercooked paste-tasting sauce. their chopped antipasti is good but you need to add oil and vinegar and salt to get the flavors blended well as it comes to the table dry/not dressed.
(5)
Joe T.
Let me start by saying that I am 100% Sicilian and was born and raised in NYC blessed with a mother who cooked superbly surpassed only by her mother and father who immigrated to the US in the early 1900's and cooked everything from scratch. So, I believe I know authentic home-cooked Italian food. I really love the "Mrs. Robino story" which I read on the menu on each visit and I admit to being inherently biased in favor of everything Italian. With all this as long-winded background, my overall, "objective" opinion of Mrs. Robino's is that it is mediocre - a solid 3 stars. It's not bad food - it's just not the tasty, authentic home-style food one would expect from the menu write-up and that I always hope I will miraculously experience each time we visit. On this recent visit my wife and I shared a chopped antipasto salad which was ok - just nothing special. No abundance of unique meats and cheeses, no memorable flavors, just the minimum essential..... Also, the bread served is extremely pedestrian, supermarket fare. For entrees my wife had cheese ravioli and I had the Tour of Italy - a very generous portion of spaghetti, meat and cheese ravioli, a single meatball and a single piece of sausage all topped with what is termed their "traditional red sauce". The menu calls the Tour - "what we're famous for!". Again, nothing bad about it - just nothing particularly good about it. The sauce, or what my mom would call gravy was pretty bland, definitely under-seasoned. The pasta which is supposed to be home-made did nothing taste-wise to convince me that it was. The sausage was significantly better than the meatball which did not have a particularly good taste. I know many people love Mrs. Robino's and I really want to as well. My guess is those that love it have no Italian home cooking baseline to compare it to. Mrs Robino's does pretty well in a head-to-head comparison with the Olive Garden on many things. In fairness, let me also say that my wife, who also had a grandmother from the old country who also cooked up a storm, gives Mrs. Robino's sauce and ravioli higher grades - possibly even a fourth star. So, personal taste is an important factor here as well. On another positive note, service was excellent at our recent visit. Ashley was professional and attentive...very much appreciated. Listen, don't get me wrong....we'll come back every once in a while. And, I'll keep hoping for some flavorful authentic Italian food like my mom made for me as a kid!
(3)
Brian D.
Went here with my two kids and wife for lunch. They could not have been nicer, or more accommodating. Really liked the decor on the walls, sort of like a nonnas kitchen with family photos all over, but tables were very functional, like a bad hotel function room. Waiter was really kind, expedient and seemed to enjoy his work. Food wise....both my kids loved the spaghetti. Sauce was great, but the cheese ravioli was my favorite part. Meatball was super tasty, spiced really well. Prices were very reasonable as well.
(4)
Howard N.
If you love classic Southern Italian fare, you cannot do better. Sensational veal parm. Love this place. Love Robin the proprietor. Find out what the best of the 50's was like. Thank you for not changing, even the cocktail suggestion placemats. Great mints at the bar, too.
(5)
Anthony M.
This it people dinner at your Grandmom house.... Brought here with our friends, large portion sizes prices are incredible... Food fresh and delicious. Definite recommend if in Wilmington area...
(4)
Jessica B.
I love mrs Robinos. It's just good food made well. If you're looking for creative flavors and presentations, this isn't the spot for you. The food looks like it could have literally been thrown on the plate. But that plate has some of the best house made pastas and sauces around. The cheese ravioli is now the ravioli that I will compare all others to. It's perfect. The lasagne is flavorful and has the most pillowy soft filling. Just go.
(4)
Tabitha P.
This place is a small hole in the wall in not THE best area in the city but the food is awesome. I'd love to suggest tons of other options but every time I go there (or nearly every time) we get the chicken parm. and calamari. The chicken parm. is crispy and I don't know what they put in the red sauce but GOD it's delicious! It's a tangy/acidic sauce. SO GOOD!
(4)
Mary D.
Just like your grandmother made. Good food and prices. Comfortable atmosphere. Have been going there for about 40 years and love it.
(4)
Andrew U.
When are they getting a Landmark status? Miss Robino's has been around since the nineteen forties and I hope that they're around much longer. This place cannot be beat for the homemade pasta, affordable prices, the old school vibe, consistently great service and the added attention that they give to family's of all kinds. Their pizza is pretty fabulous too.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : No 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 : Yes Waiter Service : 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.
Scott F.
Amazing food and service. The best Italian in the city and maybe the state. The portions are excellent and the price is fair. Parking is a little challenging as it is on the street so get there early.
(4)Rick R.
Found restaurant very interesting. Atmosphere was very nice, and you're able to carry on a conversation without talking loud. Server was efficient but without a lot of personality. Entree came out while we were still eating our salad - poor timing. Homemade pasta, marinara and meatballs were only average, however portions are large. Have had much better in numerous restaurants in South Philly. That being said I would still go back a second time.
(3)Paige R.
I came here on a Sunday for brunch based on Yelp reviews and found it to be crowded with old people. My mother always said they pick the best food. My boyfriend and I were told to pick a seat anywhere in the house so we sat by the window under the TV (which of course was tuned into the Steelers' game). I looked around and realized this place really MUST have been around for 40 years as the homey feel came from the out of date decor and comfortable, friendly staff. I immediately ordered the fried zucchini and virgin Bloody Mary. I was happy that the bartender used real tomato juice and Worcester sauce instead of a gross mixer. The fried zucchini came right out and was perfect: piping hot, large chunks, a flavorful batter and two choices of ranch dip. The bread came out as regular white sliced baguette with butter packages so I poured some olive oil in the small plate and added salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese for dipping. A salad came with my order and I am sorry to say there was way too much house vinegar in the house vinaigrette. But I lived. My entree was brought out: four large stuffed shells that were just smothered in melted provolone cheese and tomato sauce. By that and by that point I'd had too much to eat so did my best to eat like a champ and took the rest home. My boyfriend's order was a huge bowl of gnocchi in garlic, parsley and olive oil. Not the best combination but that was his bad. I was a little sorry to leave because it is totally a place to relax and have a good time. I only wish there were places like this where I live.
(5)Andrew K.
After moving back into the area, I am glad to state that the Delaware institution Mrs. Robino's is as good as I remember. Admittedly, things went a little down hill a few years ago, but on my father's recommendation, I gave this place another shot. My choice of a cesear salad was made fresh and to the standards of my girlfriends mother, which is a serious complement. The entree I selected was linguine clams which came in a red sauce combined with copious amounts of clams. The pasta was cooked al dente and was filled with delicious clam flavor. For desert the tiramisu, again phenomenal. I will be back for more 100%
(5)Carl H.
While surfing the net a few months ago, I ran across an old (2010) blurb from Delaware Today Online that described Mrs. Robino's red gravy as one of the culinary signatures of Wilmington's Little Italy. That's pretty high praise, especially since the primary subject of the blurb was another restaurant, not Mrs. Robino's, so I was very eager to try the place out. My wife, mother-in-law (MIL) and I were finally able to go for the first time last Sunday, April 6. Having grown up in NY, not Wilmington, and never having eaten in Little Italy before, I'm not really in a position to judge whether the red gravy is worthy of being dubbed a culinary signature. What I am in a position to do is 1) say that I found Mrs. Robino's to be a great place for hearty, good-tasting comfort food and will gladly dine there again; and 2) offer my own high praise for the level of professionalism, courtesy and good nature of the owners as well as every member of the wait-staff we encountered. Let me expand on the second point further. My MIL is disabled; on a good day she can get by with a walker, on bad days she needs a wheelchair. The day we went to Mrs. Robino's should have been a wheelchair day, but my MIL insisted on the walker. When we arrived the restaurant was absolutely mobbed and there was barely room to stand, let alone sit, in the waiting area. My wife apprised the woman at the maître d' stand (who unbeknownst to us was Robin, one of the owners) that her mother was disabled and asked if there was an extra chair so her mother could sit while we waited. Without a moment's hesitation Robin gave us priority seating and within minutes we were seated at the table closest to the front door. To get from the front door to the table you have to go up two tall steps; when my MIL got to these steps, Robin and nearby staff stopped what they were doing and helped her safely up the steps. When it was time to leave, Robin appeared out of nowhere with a transport wheelchair and explained that we could minimize the need to go up/down stairs by leaving via a side entrance that goes to an al fresco dining area, and from there exit into an alley next to the restaurant. Exiting this way would also allow me to pull my car directly up to the entrance. On the way out we crossed a few choke-points where we were in the way of wait-staff with full trays of food or empty plates (the place was still packed). None of them tried to jump in front, all stood politely and patiently by without a single sideways glance or annoyed expression. When we got to the single step down needed to get from our dining area to the side door, several employees helped get the wheelchair down. Lisa (the owner's daughter-in-law) led the way out while I went to retrieve the car and she waited with my wife and MIL until I arrived and also took the wheelchair back in so I didn't have to. Lisa was also kind enough to tell us call ahead before our next visit and that as long as they knew we were coming, I could pull right in the alley and they would send someone out with the wheelchair to meet us and they could make sure we are seated in an area that doesn't require going up/down steps to get to. We'd like to thank Robin and her staff for a good meal and for bending over backwards (without being asked and with a packed house to boot) to make our visit a safe and pleasant one.
(5)Brian S.
Yes, I read the reviews (including many dramatically negative ones) before eating here. We had a LivingSocial deal expiring, however, so we took our chances. The Debbie Downers are correct: the food is not great and the interior is aged. But this place is nowhere near deserving of the F- grade many give it. The decor is out of date and the place was old. The floors creak and the wallpaper looked straight from a Lillian Vernon catalog (I doubt the esteemed Ms. Vernon sells wallpaper but you get the idea). This place is in Little Italy, though, and part of what attracts us to this neighborhood is the history and old-school charm. Mrs. Robino's has no intentions on attracting elite hipsters. They seem quite comfortable with their vintage surroundings and we were, too. The food, however, was underwhelming. It is quite edible and no one is going to get botulism or herpes or whatever all the bitter reviewers claim. We had fried cauliflower and salad as appetizers; lasagna and Chicken Josephine were our entrees. The cauliflower was awesome but would have seemed more at home at a greasy spoon diner. The salad was iceberg lettuce, supermarket tomatoes, and house dressing that all tasted like it came from a high school cafeteria. The lasagna and Chicken Josephine were mediocre. The alfredo sauce seriously tasted like Ragu's jarred supermarket version (yes, I admit I have had it before). The mushrooms were canned (!) and the red sauce was uneventful. If, like many reviewers stated, this place has an older customer base, then I understand its popularity because everything had the quality level of things found at a old school cafeteria restaurant. Portions were huge and the bread was awesome. The staff was friendly and attentive. No one was hurt and we did not leave crying because an aging restaurant did not have a celebrity chef at the ready to prepare gourmet masterpieces. It was not good enough for a return visit but certainly not horrid enough to go ballistic while reviewing. If you like the old-school charm but want better Italian to go with it, try Ristorante Attilio a few miles away.
(2)Bob S.
I went here last Saturday night. No wait, which was nice. I liked the "old-time" feel of the place, but that was about it. The sauce seemed over cooked to me, almost a burnt taste. Their homemade pasta was very mushy as well. Our appetizer was brought out 10 minutes after our meal. My wife was served a lasagne, but ordered the "tour of Italy". I got a veal dish(forget the name) with peppers and onions. This was pretty tasty, but the pasta it rested on was mushy.
(2)Cathy H.
Dingy, and kind of dirty. Paneled walls, very old decorations and furniture Wasn't a huge fan of the food. The meatballs tasted like frozen store bought and the "home made" pasta was a bit mushy. People usually love or hate this place from what i'm told. I hate it.
(2)Heather T.
This is an amazing restaurant! Their cheese ravioli's with red sauce dish is to die for. Just a warning though don't go on a Saturday night or you'll be waiting for hours with barely seeing the waitress, week days around lunch is the perfect time. The waitress are bubbly and funny pieces of work, they've been they're forever and they def know what they're doing. My great great grand mother went there on her first date with her husband and it's been a tradition ever since; it's highly recommend by this family . It's no Olive Garden the pasta is homemade and so is everything else it's so yummy
(5)M S.
Do yourself a favor, read this. I have no personal animosity for this place. I give any place the opportunity to prove their worth when opinions are generally positive. I didn't read the other reviewers critiques in detail prior to dining here. I really wish I had. The negative reviews by other yelpers are on point. More to the point, READ THE FILTERED REVIEWS!!! Those are consistent with my experience. This place is not mediocre. This place is just plain awful. I've lived in NYC for more than 10 years and an additional 10 years in other cities around the states. I've travelled Italy and have had home cooking in Rome, Tuscany, Umbria.. . This place likely one of the WORST that I've ever had. I would prefer a Lean Cuisine entree over this place. First problem is the pasta. It's so overcooked the pasta had the coloring of bleached flour and the texture of playdough. Second problem is the sauce. Both the Bolognese and Marinara sauce had a harsh metallic taste common with low grade canned tomatoes . It had all of the the refined textures of ketchup. The service was friendly but not at all attentive or intuitive. The other patrons are the piece de resistance. Most of them emblematic of their undiscerning palate and the oversized plates of severely overcooked pasta. Perhaps this was their culinary highlight over their daily intake of drive-thru cuisine. Bottom line, this place needs to go away but I think that's unlikely to happen given the number of patrons with their undemanding palettes. To the reviewers who use "authentic italian" in describing this place... please tell me you're kidding. I'm guessing they're knowledge of authentic italy comes from either the Jersey shore show or the Olive Garden. Actually, Olive Garden isn't as bad as this place. To the reviewers who liken this place to their mom/grandma's cookin' or what you ate growing up... you have my sympathies.
(1)Barbara H.
Sorry, not good. Very typical run of the mill Italian American. The biggest problem for me is that these places refer to themselves as true Italian, and for that I will always give them bad reviews. Not even close to true Italian. Any of you who have been to Italy know what I am talking about. I won't go back to this place myself. i am from Italy. Place is also dirty and not inviting, dark and dingy. No offense.
(1)Sheldon H.
Truly terrible. Quite honestly the worst "Italian" food I've ever had. Chef Boyardee is better than this. The decor is dreadful and has a very rundown feel to it. I know some people swear by this place but I don't see why, even chain Italian restaurants destroy this place in the quality Italian food department.
(1)Juana H.
Loved the home made Ravioli! And the Cannoli was excellent !! You must go!!the Cannelloni was soo good too!
(5)Howard S.
I would refer to this as a checkered tablecloth kind of place, but that would insult places with checkered table cloths. My wife any I were debating the title of this post. "Just like home" would be correct, if you buy everything frozen and heat it in the oven. Seriously, the calamari was from a bag, the gnocchi were the kind you buy at the supermarket (and not cooked very well), the bread was cold - like it had been in the fridge. Boo hiss. Must be twenty places within ten minutes with food, service and decor better than this.
(1)Big K.
Let me start this off with this. I want to love this place. A hole in the wall family Italian restaurant is a great thing. Particularly one that has a friendly, attentive staff, reasonable prices, and great food, particularly (and this is key) fresh pasta. That being said, this place ain't it. Pasta was mediocre. Hard to tell if it was fresh but I don't think it was based on the consistency. I ordered the linguine w/ crab sauce and found braccioli remnants in my meal. That tells me that either their not cleaning their pans between dishes or there's cross contamination. (Honestly I wouldn't have even minded that if it wasn't for the other string of issues.) We were given a large table on the second floor (I assume due to the gaggle of kids we had.) Not an issue as I would've put us up there too. That being said, if you're going to put a family w/ kids up on a second floor, make sure you have quick and attentive service. We had neither. A glass of water (and I wish I was joking) took 15 minutes. Bread came w/ no butter. Butter was served 15 min. after the bread arrived, frozen solid. Kid's pizza had a very odd taste. Parmesan was not delivered w/ spaghetti (not my crab dish but one w/ meatballs). Empty glasses weren't cleared. (I ended up busing my own table, seriously.) And the famous Mrs. Rubino's greens were quite honestly horrible. Bland, greens (brilliant color though) that tasted of water w/ a pinch of vegetable. (Not the greens I'm used to and I'm 2nd generation Italian.) All in all, for a few families that sat down for a couple plates of spaghetti and a pizza, our meal took roughly 2 hours. We let the restaurant know how the service was, they asked if we wanted desert, we said no. We then let them know how bad the greens were, they took those off the bill but didn't offer any other condolences. Oh, and the walls were dirty and there was dirt (or something) in the shaker of Parmesan that we did get.) I'm not really sure what to say. I hate giving anyone a bad review and I'm honestly holding my tongue a bit here. I hope the restaurant will see these comments and remedy themselves. I don't know that I'd ever go back but maybe they'll help improve another patron's experience.
(2)Rick D.
This place has been around since the beginning of time, at least. The walls and the furnishings make you feel like you are in someone's great grandparents' house. If you are looking for a bright modern place with creative and trendy dishes, I would not suggest you go here. On the other hand, the homestyle cooking and atmosphere make this place special to many. I think I have gotten the same dish everytime I have been here - 1/2 and 1/2 - beginning many years ago. I also, really enjoy the antipasta. So I would say I am a fan, and I am not sure exactly why, other than it makes me feel at home.
(4)Christine R.
I went here as a friend told me it was her favorite Italian place in Wilmington. The service was great however my food was not. The bowl of pasta had a TON of water in the bottom and it just ruined my food. My friends did enjoy their entrees but I just couldn't enjoy mine.
(3)megan s.
Momma Robino's is a staple of Wilmington with so much history, I remember eating there in the early 80's and loving it, every time we have been there the food has been good and nicely priced. It is no high end fancy restaurant but for a nice affordable Italian mean in a nice atmosphere from a place with a lot of history behind it you can't beat it. I am glad it is still open.
(4)Michael Cal S.
Yes the place is dated but the food is great best Chicken and Veal parm that I have ever found....This is coming from a Sicilian.
(4)Valarie W.
I visited Mrs. Robino's years ago and wasn't very impressed. My boyfriend and I went last week since we had a Groupon. I don't mind the homey, dated feel to the restaurant. Service was friendly albeit a little slow. Glad to see updates to the wine list. Prices are reasonable. The Antipasto platter was not the best I have had, but it was very good, and generous in the portions. It could have been it's own dinner. Unfortunately the pasta, while generous portions, was bland. I had Bolognese, and my boyfriend had the Ravioli, Spaghetti and Sausage meal. Neither of us finished. Mostly because we were full, but also because it didn't tantalize at all. Perhaps my taste buds have "grown up" but I found the sauce flat and fairly tasteless, and the pasta slightly overcooked. I brought the leftovers home, added more garlic, pepper, salt and red wine and perked it up a bit. I know there are locals who are very loyal to Mrs. Robino's, but I doubt I will return, especially when there are so many other options to choose from who have stepped the food up several notches. I'll give them 3 stars for overall effort and longevity. They have to be doing something right in order to be around for 40 years.
(3)Jeff H.
Have you eaten? What can I make you? You need to eat! I really wish I didn't live so far away from Mrs. Robino's. I found out about it from my dad who used to take business contacts there for lunch in the days when Mrs. Robino was still with us. It's tasty, affordable, and something about the wood paneling and drop ceiling just says relax... let us feed you something. Most recently had the cannelloni Florentine which were nice and firm on the outside and came with just enough sauce for there to be some to clean up with bread once the cannelloni were gone. They have a seemingly endless supply of Italian bread, I'm not sure how they find room for all of it. Modest dinner for two came to about $20. They've got some great lunch specials too but sadly I'm rarely in the area around lunchtime. I think they accept credit/debit but only begrudgingly. They ask on the check that you pay with cash if possible.
(4)Lauren W.
Ok let me explain my rating by giving a play by play of my experience. Kendog & I came here for dinner bc I recently got a living social deal for him as it's one of his faves. I had been here once before like a decade ago...with him actually. So we got there at 8:30 on a rainy Saturday night and waited several minutes to be acknowledged by the staff...although they saw& passed us many times. Once we were seated, our waiter redeemed the service quality. I never had to ask for a refill or anything at all bc he offered whatever I needed before I could ask. I got a garden salad to start and it was packed w/ a variety of fresh delicious veggies. Then I had the eggplant parm for dinner. It said on the menu it came w/ spaghetti but mine didn't. It was huge so I didn't mention anything, woulda felt like a huge hog asking for a plateful of spaghetti in addition to the feast in front of me! I finished about half and was pleasantly stuffed. Kendog got cheese raviolis w/ sausage & meatballs and loved every bite. So overall, there were come minor hiccups, but I would go back. The food was yummy, however, my stomach ached for the next 24 hours. The food is very rich.....
(3)James R.
My in-laws like this place. It definitely has that old time italian feel. The prices are super cheap, but the food it also cheap. Very blah homey italian food.
(2)Mike M.
My wife and I visited this place with high hopes, as it had been recommended by a few different people. It was a disappointing experience, because this place is pretty unimpressive. The food tastes like they just got it off the shelf at Acme. The decor is dated, which wouldn't be a problem if the food was good, but it isn't. The staff, however, is very friendly.
(2)Bob S.
Visiting the family a few weeks ago while planning my daughters wedding created serious stress which could only be cured with an Italian dinner. Mrs. Robinos has been around for 40 years, old style cooking with decent portions in the Italian section of Wilmington DE. Our party of 10 started with Broc Rob, which was a bit flavorless and needed way more garlic. The wine selection is interesting-you order red or white and you could get a merlot, cab or pinot! (no brand choice) Our waitress was about 65 YO, and a 25 year veteran of Robinos. I really wanted the sauce, and promptly ordered a side dish to enjoy the rather bland bread. Very good sauce, but not excpetional. Westside Girl choose the penne pasta with red sauce and olives, pretty tasty. I had the baked ziti with red sauce and tons of cheese, actually quite good. The family passed around our food to share, but the spinach lasagna was worth a return trip. This is old style Italian, has a dive bar, lots of regulars and even plenty of real Italians!
(3)Jessica E.
I was pleasantly surprised to receive an email from someone from Mrs. Robino's who had read my review. She encouraged me to come back and offered to assist me with the menu. I thought that this was such a nice gesture! She also informed me that there are more wine selections than I had realized. I am amending my last statement as I now would definitely like to return and see what else Mrs. Robino's has to offer.
(3)Geeg C.
If you like drop ceilings and glossy wood paneling this place may be right up your alley. My waitress was nice but was literally preoccupied with Ponies. Nickelodeon was on the LCD TV which was most likely the only 21st century piece of decor. If the food was better than mediocre I would recommend it to someone. For some reason Union St is seemingly stuck in the late 1980's. Prices are good however. Perfect candidate for Chef Ramsey's Hell's Kitchen, seriously.
(1)Jennilee D.
Well I used to love this place. Used to. I hadn't been there for a couple years and decided to go back , and I'm so sorry I did. The last time I went was for lunch with 2 other people. It was dead in the place. I think there was only 1 other table, but we still had very slow service. My sister got spaghetti that she said was tasted like store bought and the sauce made her nauseous. I had Alfredo sauce that was so oily it was gross. Since only 1 of us had an edible lunch. We decided to get dessert to eat something and that was the end of my visits to this restaurant. We got tiramisu that was MOLDLY. Yes, it actually had mold on it. We asked the guy how long it had been sitting and he told his they rotate it around in the fridge so it shouldn't have been sitting too long....He also said they don't make their desserts there. It's all ordered in. An Italian restaurant in Little Italy should be making their tiramisu. Either way that was disgusting. He offered to get us another dessert, but no way were we interested after that. I don't know what happened to this place, but never again.
(1)Dan W.
Solid Italian food in a relaxed environment. Prices are great and the food is very good. I recommend for just about every occasion. My personal favorite is extra meatballs on the side... they are great.
(5)Donna L.
Mrs. Robino's is definitely one of the best restaurants in Wilmington, one of the few and rare actually authentic Italian restaurants left. We live nearby and for whatever reason just never tried it until we saw it on LivingSocial. I have to say service was was not only speedy, but the waitress was just hands down phenomenal. She not only brought my two children a couple crayons and a sheet of paper that you get at most casual eateries, but 2 whole coloring books and an entire box of crayons. She was friendly, outgoing, and very welcoming for our first time. The portions are large and the prices are very reasonable, but it's the quality of the food that really won us over. From the Italian bread in the beginning to the spaghetti which you can tell was even homemade and not store bought to the XL cannoli that just topped off a wonderful meal, this is definitely a place we will go to again!
(5)Mary Jo S.
Mrs. Robino's is around the corner from Attilio's. When the family gets together, there is usually some major discussion on who is best....Attilio's or Mrs. Robino's The Merino's lived across the street from Mrs. Robino over 40 years ago and are strong proponents for this classic Italian restaurant. The food is wonderful and the staff is great; I think I just like the comfy ambiance of Attilio's better. However, what I like best about Mrs. Robino's is she has these great paper place mats offering drink choices made popular ages ago. There in the middle of the place mat is listed my first drink ever....An Angel Kiss. Mmmmmmmm.....Creme de Cocoa floating on top of cream. It just started the meal out perfectly. Another good point about Mrs. Rubino's is she does take credit cards and is better for a larger group. You cannot go wrong with the classic Italian dishes served at this popular neighborhood restaurant.
(4)Jay C.
Good food. Couldn't ask more for the price either. Make sure to ask for Robin, the manager. She's AWESOME!!! Their blush/rose sauce is quite yummy. And their Chicken Parmigiana Alfredo is quite delicious. It's a family-style restaurant with loud-mouthed people. We always have a blast!
(4)g w.
Mrs Robinos is the best real Italian Restaurant in Wilmington, by far. Which is probably why they've been in business for over 70 years! If you like homemade pastas and sauces- go for Mrs Robinos. I don't know of any other restaurants that make their own raviolis, spaghettis and sauces fresh every day. The decor is very old world family Italian neighborhood style and the prices are very reasonable. Not fancy- just really good. Homemade Ravioli's (both meat and cheese) are my favorite. I get the large half meat - half cheese with house sauce. Oh and the chopped antipasto is madatory! Tiramisu for desert!
(5)Von M.
Very good red sauce Italian place. The spaghetti tasted homemade, and the meatball was very good. The tomato sauce definitely needed the salty pop of added parm. All 7 of us liked what we got, but what raised this to a 4 star review was the fact that the cannoli was probably the best I've ever had. Amazingly rich, thick, smooth and flavorful filling was piped into the shell right before it was brought to the table. The tiramisu was also very, very good.
(4)Michael W.
This could possibly be my favorite restaurant, ever. I have a great bit of nostalgia tied up in this restaurant, I have been coming here ever since I was a kid. The place is so homey, you feel like you are eating in your grand-mom's dining room. It is certainly a no frills dining experience. From the faux wooden paneling on the walls, to the cheap tables and chairs, and twinkle lights strung across the wall. The funniest thing is that they have been using the same place mats since I can remember going there for the first time. Each place mat has a bunch of mixed drinks illustrated on them, with their ingredients listed underneath each drink (the owner must have purchased a truckload of these in bulk decades ago, because I have never seen them anywhere else, and they are obviously generic). The servers are very friendly, and speak to you as if you are family. Many of them have been there for quite awhile, and that shows through their recognition of all the regulars, and their very colorful personalities. The food is the best Amer-Ital food I have ever had. It's old school spaghetti and meatballs, slathered in homemade red sauce. They offer a wide variety of Italian American staples, all made from scratch. My favorite is the classic cheese ravioli. I have never had a tastier cheese ravioli in my life, you can tell right away it's not something out of a box. Their lobby doubles as their bar, and can get extremely crowded during dinner time, to the point where people are packed in like sardines (with a restaurant that is small AND busy, you can't sacrifice seating space for a waiting area). The actual restaurant comprises, I believe, 4 converted row houses. They simply just knocked out doorways between them and converted each one into a dining area. They also have a large space on the second floor for groups, which I have never seen. I love the dim lighting and old feel to this place, it feels so comfortable and relaxing. I have never heard anyone complain about the food at Mrs. Robino's, so that should be incentive enough to go and try it out. The atmosphere and personality that goes along with this place is just a great bonus you get.
(5)Dominick L.
We love Mrs Robino's! It is a quaint Italian restaurant, nothing fancy on the decor but the food makes up for what the decor lacks! The food it true Italian cuisine and their sauce is excellent! The portion size is nice and you might even need a dogie bag when you are ready to leave. The prices are very fair and the quality of the food is top notched. My father loves their raviolis and I love their homemade pasta. The staff are very friendly and when we bring children with us, they are fast to offer them crayons and their drinks. This is a real old fashion Italian restaurant nestled in the city of Wilmington. It has the feel that Tony Soprano and his family would love to eat there! I don't know where they get their Italian bread, but once it hits the table, my family makes it disappears in a flash! The only negative, is finding a parking spot close by. You might have to circle the streets a few times to find a space, but all I can say that's its worth that little inconvenience to enjoy a true Italian meal at Mrs. Robino's!
(5)Alicia K.
good family meals and clearly a family staff. i love the layout and "homey" feel to the place
(4)Ed R.
Visited Mrs.Robino's 5/9 while traveling to Wilmington. Loved the menu and wished I would have ate their both nights I was there. I did have the tour of Italy and there is more than enough food to eat. Meat and cheese ravioli's, spaghetti with sausage and a meatball. Staff was friendly and the restaurant is a lot bigger than it looks. Located in the Little Italy section of Wilmington.
(4)Ashley M.
Last night was my first time here and I must say despite some of the reviews that I have read, I really enjoyed their food. I ordered the Lotties special (not exactly sure the name). The portions were huge including the shrimp, scallops and crab meat that were in the pasta. The sauce was flavorful and the pasta not overcooked. The salad and bread were ok, nothing special but I wasn't there for salad and bread. Service was mediocre, nothing over the top but I'm also not needy I just like to relax and enjoy my meal. I really enjoyed my experience and next time I am in the mood for Italian, this will be my go to spot.
(4)Julie K.
Celebrating 25th wedding anniversary Excellent service and homeade Italian dinner We can't wait to go back soon!
(5)Edward A.
It's a shame how this place went downhill Gordon Ramsey would have a field day. Here we go stale bread soggy salad a mound of sauce on a flat plate had to ask for a side plate to scrape off sauce and low and behold we found our lasagna which was good and then the frozen chicken parm not this guy sent it back I ask if they wanted to sell the place just out of respect for a place that used to be iconic everyone that goes there out of loyalty aren't helping the owners realize they need to care like Mama Robino did
(1)Brooke T.
2.5, but because I had a good date, I rounded up. So I met a guy, y'all care I know, and for some reason we decide to meet in DE. He heard that this was a good spot to try. I, being an avid yelper had my reservations....but being the good dooby that I am I decided to try it out. First things first, I wasn't thoroughly impressed upon initial approach, it is located on a main road, one way only, parking was fair to middling. To me it had a very homey, cafeteria like feel. My date said the same....he wasn't too impressed either. The dining area is fair in size, separated by several rooms. At the time of our visit, I suppose it was the rush as they were both fairly full. The menu had various options; although, I went with the special of the night. It was a penne pasta with "red" pesto and shrimp. Per our server, it was supposed to be spicy. My dining companion had the chicken parmesan with a side of spaghetti and gravy. Now, I was uber excited to try my dish as I love penne, shrimp, and a spice. It looked good, it was fairly large portion, an ample amount of nicely sized shrimp. Looks, my friends, can be deceiving. The pasta itself, IMHO was not spicy, nor did the pesto have any particular outstanding flavors or taste. I explained to the server how I loved thee spice, at which time, he provided me with there Diablo sauce which was supposed to have a kick. Well, that sauce simply tasted of plain old jar tomato sauce with red flakes. I wasn't impressed. I punished the shrimp, well in a dainty way, I mean it was the first date and left the rest, which appeared to be a bowl of grease. There was plenty leftover, but mine stayed there. My companion, didn't appear to be pleased with with his chicken parm, only having eaten about half of it, he didn't take leftovers either. All in all, can't say that I'd return, it isn't the worst Italian food that I have had, but it certainly isn't the best. At least I had good company, for that I rounded up....he he he.
(3)Mrkookm K.
Well I finally stopped in at this place with the wife after hearing about its Italian tradition and it being around for 75 years. Sadly with all the hoopla I've heard, read and pictures seen at the establishment showing original owners of old, all I experienced was just run of the mil Italian American flavor...if that. When I sat the waiter too tried again to sell us the restaurants originality and points at the late Mrs R picture on the wall. Luckily I didn't get my hopes too high as Yelp did give it 3 stars which had me already iffy about what to possibly expect. Long story short whatever authenticity this place had likely went with Mrs Rubino. I had ordered Italian Sausage w/ Spaghetti and to my surprise the Spag was not Al Dente and was clearly overcooked by several minutes they looked swollen. Once I saw that it was already over for me. Even my 15yr old Daughter knows how to prepare her Spaghetti Al Dente and here I am in a 70+ yr Italian establishment and they can't boil spaghetti right? The wife pasta meal was ridiculously large, they served enough pasta to a female for 2 of Me's and to make it worse it too was lacking flavor. So I had to hear her nag me because it was my suggestion to stop in in the first place plus she was treating tonight... Sadly I'll not be stopping here again as the food left me no where near impressed, and I can't see it getting better. If they can allow what was served to me and my wife to hit the table they clearly don't think they have a problem. Yelpers if you want really good authentic Italian food and fantastic pizza from an actual Italian chef who is still around, Pizza Pazza is right down the block. Now that's real Italian in every way....down to their wood heated Brick oven!
(1)Emily M.
My Other Half and I enjoy going to Mrs. Robino's...because the food is VERY good. I really don't care for Italian cuisine, believe it or not, (most places are pedestrian and don't get me started on chain restaurants) but I could eat almost anything in here, and have. Their Italian wedding soup is wonderful, their pasta and sauces (ok, gravies ;-) are obviously homemade, the veal parm is among the best I've ever had, the bartender makes good drinks, the prices are right and we've never had any issue with wait staff except once when it was someone's first day. I love their Cannelloni Florentine. It's Italian comfort dining but without the garlic overload you find in chain restaurants. Yes, parking is a pain on that street, but it's in an area of many other restaurant choices which have the same problem. The decor makes us feel like we are back in our childhoods....it's retro but not trendy, more nostalgic. There's usually enough leftovers to take home and enjoy the next day.
(5)Ethan J.
Took my girlfriend here due to a reasonable groupon.. Every dish was over sauced, and the setting/decor were so unorganized. We found ourselves uncomfortable and rushing through our meal. The place was 25 years behind current decor expectations. The food just about warranted the price. It was "okay" overall. Del roses pasta was better RiP
(2)Linda C.
This is the best Italian food in the area!! I have never had any complaints! Service is always great also! Tonight I had the best crab cake I have ever had! It was huge with no fillers!! The pasta is all homemade and so delicious! And the tiramisu was so yummy!! Love this restaurant !
(5)John M.
If you want Italian home cooking, this is the place. The food is great. Our Italian family is from the Wilmington area after immigrating from Southern Italy two generations ago. Nana's was better of course but Mrs. Robino's does a great job. And the atmosphere matches well with the food and they treat everyone like family. Portions are too big but so what. Take it home and reheat. It is even better with age and more heating. That solves the only criticism I have which is the sauce needs to be simmered another day or so. If you want Olive Garden chain food and decorations stay away from this homey establishment. This is an authentic Wilmington Little Italy institution.
(5)Cindy S.
Let's try some music to redeem some form of ambiance amongst this outdated decor and stop allowing frozen pasta beneath unseasoned tomato paste topped with a single, cartilage laden "meat ball" masquerade around as authentic Italian food.
(1)Mike M.
Last night was my last trip to this place. The food is bland & uninteresting & the atmosphere just as boring. If you get your food hot that would be amazing, just never do. The baked dishes taste like store bought & the pasta is tough & tastes microwaved. Never again for this place !!!
(1)Mallory R.
Went here in January with my family and my husband for a nice family post-holiday meal. My parents have been there before and so has my sister, she said her boyfriend loves it. It was an okay place. Decor and dress is casual, and waiters are very laid back. We went on a night in which there was a ton of snow outside, so the restaurant was not very crowded. We made reservations beforehand for our party of 6. Ordered a carafe of wine for three people to share, which worked out well! I ordered the house salad with my meal but was disappointed and wished I had ordered the Caesar. My entree was the seafood or crab pasta (I can't remember the name of it) and it was okay. I was expecting more for some reason and I don't know why it was lacking in flavor. Everyone else enjoyed their meals. Overall, it is a general restaurant for Italian food, and served its purpose for our visit. Maybe if I go back again, a different dish will satisfy my tastebuds more!
(3)Lori F.
I think the food is great and better than Olive Garden. I live in Texas and every time I come down to visit my in laws I like coming here. My only problem is the place is old and dirty every time I go and I think it needs remodeling.
(3)Colin Z.
I absolutely love the atmosphere, but I couldn't finish my food. Honestly, it would have been decent if the noodles weren't cooked within an inch of their life, but all I tasted when I ate was a big mass of inedible starch.
(1)Cece P.
We went to Mrs Robino's on Tuesday evening and it was an experience that will NOT be revisited. I understand that they are very obviously not trying to recreate the culinary wheel and this is more "comfort" food but unless you think subpar / bad food is comforting I encourage you to go elsewhere. Our server was very nice, especially when I disputed the $5.00 split charge for our entree as it was not split in the kitchen and we took it off the 1 plate ourselves. She informed me that the charge is for the additional plate we used to eat and the kitchen in fact does not split entrees. Hmmm short money ploy if I have ever seen one but considering the slop that is considered an entree I might be charging people more as I know they will not be returning.
(1)Julie T.
crab cakes... if you haven't tried theirs you wont regret it. They know how to make a crab cake. only complaint is that they are too big. I would like two smaller than one big one so the inside gets hotter. Rodino's is not your mothers or grandmothers sauce but its the sauce that is so different from Moms that keeps me going back. its secret that you can't taste is anchovies. Yes, sometimes their quality control is off in that kitchen, something as simple as salting the pasta water and NOT overcooking their homemade egg spaghetti can make or break my meal and yes, I send the pasta back if its mushy. I hope someone from there reads this and starts salting that water better. The sauce is usually excellent but Ive had the overcooked sauce and even an undercooked paste-tasting sauce. their chopped antipasti is good but you need to add oil and vinegar and salt to get the flavors blended well as it comes to the table dry/not dressed.
(5)Joe T.
Let me start by saying that I am 100% Sicilian and was born and raised in NYC blessed with a mother who cooked superbly surpassed only by her mother and father who immigrated to the US in the early 1900's and cooked everything from scratch. So, I believe I know authentic home-cooked Italian food. I really love the "Mrs. Robino story" which I read on the menu on each visit and I admit to being inherently biased in favor of everything Italian. With all this as long-winded background, my overall, "objective" opinion of Mrs. Robino's is that it is mediocre - a solid 3 stars. It's not bad food - it's just not the tasty, authentic home-style food one would expect from the menu write-up and that I always hope I will miraculously experience each time we visit. On this recent visit my wife and I shared a chopped antipasto salad which was ok - just nothing special. No abundance of unique meats and cheeses, no memorable flavors, just the minimum essential..... Also, the bread served is extremely pedestrian, supermarket fare. For entrees my wife had cheese ravioli and I had the Tour of Italy - a very generous portion of spaghetti, meat and cheese ravioli, a single meatball and a single piece of sausage all topped with what is termed their "traditional red sauce". The menu calls the Tour - "what we're famous for!". Again, nothing bad about it - just nothing particularly good about it. The sauce, or what my mom would call gravy was pretty bland, definitely under-seasoned. The pasta which is supposed to be home-made did nothing taste-wise to convince me that it was. The sausage was significantly better than the meatball which did not have a particularly good taste. I know many people love Mrs. Robino's and I really want to as well. My guess is those that love it have no Italian home cooking baseline to compare it to. Mrs Robino's does pretty well in a head-to-head comparison with the Olive Garden on many things. In fairness, let me also say that my wife, who also had a grandmother from the old country who also cooked up a storm, gives Mrs. Robino's sauce and ravioli higher grades - possibly even a fourth star. So, personal taste is an important factor here as well. On another positive note, service was excellent at our recent visit. Ashley was professional and attentive...very much appreciated. Listen, don't get me wrong....we'll come back every once in a while. And, I'll keep hoping for some flavorful authentic Italian food like my mom made for me as a kid!
(3)Brian D.
Went here with my two kids and wife for lunch. They could not have been nicer, or more accommodating. Really liked the decor on the walls, sort of like a nonnas kitchen with family photos all over, but tables were very functional, like a bad hotel function room. Waiter was really kind, expedient and seemed to enjoy his work. Food wise....both my kids loved the spaghetti. Sauce was great, but the cheese ravioli was my favorite part. Meatball was super tasty, spiced really well. Prices were very reasonable as well.
(4)Howard N.
If you love classic Southern Italian fare, you cannot do better. Sensational veal parm. Love this place. Love Robin the proprietor. Find out what the best of the 50's was like. Thank you for not changing, even the cocktail suggestion placemats. Great mints at the bar, too.
(5)Anthony M.
This it people dinner at your Grandmom house.... Brought here with our friends, large portion sizes prices are incredible... Food fresh and delicious. Definite recommend if in Wilmington area...
(4)Jessica B.
I love mrs Robinos. It's just good food made well. If you're looking for creative flavors and presentations, this isn't the spot for you. The food looks like it could have literally been thrown on the plate. But that plate has some of the best house made pastas and sauces around. The cheese ravioli is now the ravioli that I will compare all others to. It's perfect. The lasagne is flavorful and has the most pillowy soft filling. Just go.
(4)Tabitha P.
This place is a small hole in the wall in not THE best area in the city but the food is awesome. I'd love to suggest tons of other options but every time I go there (or nearly every time) we get the chicken parm. and calamari. The chicken parm. is crispy and I don't know what they put in the red sauce but GOD it's delicious! It's a tangy/acidic sauce. SO GOOD!
(4)Mary D.
Just like your grandmother made. Good food and prices. Comfortable atmosphere. Have been going there for about 40 years and love it.
(4)Andrew U.
When are they getting a Landmark status? Miss Robino's has been around since the nineteen forties and I hope that they're around much longer. This place cannot be beat for the homemade pasta, affordable prices, the old school vibe, consistently great service and the added attention that they give to family's of all kinds. Their pizza is pretty fabulous too.
(5)