Finally found good pizza in Fort Lauderdale! I have been on the hunt for good NY-style pizza since I moved to the area, and it's been quite a hunt! A friend recommended Isabella's to me, so one day I popped out of the office to grab a quick slice. When I got there the place was pretty much empty (it was a little after the lunch hour though, so that's ok). I walked up to the counter and checked out the lunch specials. They had a special for a slice of pizza, soup, and salad for $7.00. Great deal! I had the pasta e fagioli soup, which was delicious! Full of flavor and perfectly cooked. They didn't skimp on the pancetta, either! The salad was nice and fresh. And the pizza was delicious. I like a nice NY-Style crust. It was greasy, but not overly so. The only negative was that the place itself was a little grubby looking. Not just that it was maybe a little old, but I actually was a little concerned about the cleanliness (though that didn't stop me from eating there, I'm ashamed to say...) I wish I had just ordered delivery instead of going in because having seen the place it may make me hesitate to go back there again.... Of course, I will go back because it's the best pizza I've found yet!
(4)
Anthony R.
The food at Isabella's was awesome! Ordered the Lasagna with meatballs and a Chicken Isabella. Both dishes were great. Large portions too. The service here was great too. Will definitely be a returning customer here!
(5)
Angela P.
Love this place! The food is fabulous! My favorite dish is the Chicken Isabella & the Tiramisu dessert. Other than the great food is the owner Romero! He greets you with all smiles & always Makes you feel right at home! Took my family here this evening & I can't thank you enough for the amazing dinner and great service! If you haven't been here put it on your list... You will be happy you did!
(5)
Natasha A.
The garlic rolls were not as amazing as hyped to be. I found them to be a little stale, and they could have used more garlic. The chicken soup though was just the right remedy for my cold, and at least provided me a way to moisten the rolls. The pizza toppings themselves were good, but the crust seemed a little undercooked. Service was attentive and prompt. Pretty much middle of the road, not sure I'll be back but I'd consider it.
(3)
Celeste G.
We have been coming here for a few years now. The food is good and atmosphere is good. Chicken rollatini is the best!
(4)
Hank I.
Pizza sucks and the delivery man tried to rip off my sister in law who only speaks Spanish. The owner should call me as I found his delivery man rippping off my sister in Ladin Puerto Rico for a tip.
(1)
Jen M.
We Ordered online, confirmation said our wait time was 45 mins. An hour and a half later and after 2 calls to the restaurant, our food showed up. I verified the order with the driver before he left and he agreed that's what he was delivering. Paid cash and off he went. Opened the packages and I had wings (looked scary) instead of the pasta I ordered. BBQ chicken pizza was what seemed to be some weird chicken bi product, maybe even canned, with cheese and bbq sauce (no onions which typically come standard). Very unsatisfactory and slimy looking. Garlic rolls were nothing special, but at least they showed up. We called to tell them we had the wrong food and the girl who answered said we'd have to wait another 45 minutes (which in real time was an hour and a half) to get the correct order. I asked her if she could just have the driver come back with the cash to reimburse us the $15 for the food we didn't get. She said she'd have a manager call when he got in. 20 minutes later, My husband got tired of waiting so he called back and spoke with the manager. The manager again told us he would deliver the correct food in 45 minutes (it was 8:30 by this time). We said no thank you, we just want a credit. The manager told us someone would be on the way to give us our money back for the pasta. 40 minutes later the driver showed up with our $14 refund. So if I have one positive thing to say, it's that we actually got our $14 back. I honestly wasn't expecting it. There are too many other options in this town...
(1)
D D.
I'm not from around here and was in the neighborhood. I can truly say that I am so glad I came across this restaurant! It was so much better than I ever expected. I had the fruit De mare and the seafood was cooked PERFECTLY! I'm always skeptical since so many places overcook seafood until it's rubber. The seafood was soft and tasty. The sauce was light and just right. I highly recommend! :)
(5)
chewed p.
We read all the good reviews and decided to try Isabella's for some pizza, and ordered online. I thought it was in the little strip mall where the Dunkin Donuts is (on Federal highway), but as we drove past it, I saw nothing but darkness... no sign of Isabella's. We continued driving north, eventually did a u-turn, came back, and pulled into that same strip-mall (I was going to call Isabella's to find out where they were) and to my surprise, where we parked, it was right outside a very dark restaurant that appeared closed - Isabella's. The signage was in darkness, the restaurant was in darkness - I thought definitely - closed. However, the owner saw us outside and opened the door and beckoned us in - I told him his sign was dark and that we had not been able to find the place. It was in almost complete darkness, a bit of a mystery - if it was open, how could any customer read a menu - and if you were driving past, you'd NEVER know that it was there.... Anyway.... it did have a nice feel to it, nice atmosphere, welcoming staff - what we could see of it - and our pizza (plain cheese) was $11.61 including tax. What great value. It was piping hot, as if it had been sitting on top of the oven (we like that!) - and it smelled great. When we got home, we tasted it and I have to say WOW WOW WOW.... it is just fantastic - the best pizza we've had in a long, long time. The maranara/tomato sauce is obviously home made, delicious, fresh - as good (if not better) than what I make at home - the crust was thin but also obviously home made - outstanding flavors. All we had was cheese and the tomato sauce - very plain - but as I said, it was absolutely excellent. We did doctor it up a little at home with what we had in the fridge (some mushrooms, olives etc.) - but as it was, plain, just cheese and tomato, it was truly outstanding. As good a pizza as you'd get in Napoli or Tuscany.... and absolutely huge.... We are thrilled to find Isabella's - the pizza was so good that we're eager to try the other menu items and I think this is going to be our local "go-to" place.... it is truly a hidden gem, don't be deterred if it looks dark from the outside - it's worth the visit. Kudos Isabella's - we will be back.
(5)
Melissa B.
This is my second time ordering and on both occasions the food was delish, delivered timely and was delivered as (special) ordered. The chicken parm and the desserts are yummie!!! I also like that there wasn't a $5.00 delivery fee.
(5)
Robert G.
Just had the worst experience with these guys. I placed an order for delivery and the driver called me once to tell me that he was at a building, but in actually he was lost because I live in a residential home. I placed the order online, so I verified that I entered the right address with zip code included and I did. Then, I got yet another phone call telling me he can't make it to my house cause there's a children's walkathon and he couldn't enter my neighborhood. I gave him an alternative route to go an he refused, and told me to try again in a couple of hours. OK - though I understand that, how about saying like "Can you pick it up instead?" Which I would have. Or "I will discount this for making you wait" or anything really, besides a flat out no. I called to speak to a manager and I was pretty nice about the situation until he started siding with the driver and called me a liar, because his driver told him he couldn't get into the neighbor. Never one I'm sorry about the situation or anything of that nature. Poor customer service skills if you ask me.
(1)
Isabell R.
This place is horrible .. If u place an order n give specific instructions they will not get it right .. They will charge you for it n forget it.. When you call them to fix it .. They don't tell the old fries they serve that's how they are ..
(1)
Jim W.
Don't be put off by the outside. These guys are good. For the price you cannot beat the food and service, and the prices should be higher for the quality.
(5)
M. Renee O.
Don't judge this book by its cover - this is a gem. The garlic rolls are fabulous (I try not to eat too much bread, but in this case I couldn't resist). My broccoli and garlic pasta was very tasty, but the real reason to go is the tiramisu they make in-house. I don't have an Italian grandma, but if I did, this is what she would make, yummm! Great prices, friendly service and excellent food. Will be going be next time I'm in town.
(5)
Darek M.
Solid choice for a casual lunch. The format is a cross between fast food and a casual dining restaurant. My food was very good and I had excellent service. Makes for a good fast food alternative. I enjoyed the spaghetti with meat sauce for $6.95. It came with excellent hot, fresh, garlic rolls. I will be back.
(3)
Kim M.
We have ordered from there many times, and the food was just ok. They deliver, and are generally quick. What surprised us the other night after our order was delivered was the lack of concern when we called and told them that our Calzones came without any mozzarella cheese in them and only racotta cheese. The owner didn't want to hear any thing I was saying and basically said I was wrong and hung the phone up on me. No sorry, no nothing. That is no way to run a business.
(1)
Randi M.
Garlic rolls were great. The ziti was just "ok" and so was the slice. I've had better, I've had worse. I was expecting fantastic food based on the reviews, but it was just ok for me. a little underwhelming.
(3)
Thomas K.
I read the positive reviews on here and decided to give them a try. I don't understand how anyone would rate this place well. I ordered the chicken parm with spaghetti to go. The chicken was over cooked and so was the pasta. On top of that, I ordered a canolli along with my meal and they didn't pack it in the bag. There are other pizzeria's in the area that are much better. I will not go back here.
(1)
Paulette I.
I will never ever order from this place again!! The only reason why I ordered from them was because my favorite local Italian place "Giulianos" no longer carried my favorite dish on the menu so I thought I'd give them a try. The first time I ordered the food was pretty good, the delivery guy was nice, and the food came fast. The second time the same food I ordered the first time tasted very bland this time, but I thought I may give them one more try since they were nice and the food didn't take long. However, the third time I ordered the delivery guy came to my door loud and yelling that I need to include my apartment number in my order or he wasn't delivering to me again. I just stated ok and took my food. Out of the million times I ordered on grubhub however, I never had a problem with a missing apartment number and when I checked on grubhub my apartment number is listed so I figured their system must have cut it off or there was a computer glitch. When I got my food I noticed the cold items I ordered were in the same bag as the hot items and I was also missing an item so I called them for credit of the missing item they charged for, but never did receive the credit. Then today I hear my husband talking to someone at the door and they are yelling, "there was a black girl here the other day" my husband stated, "that's my wife" he continued yelling..."I told her she needs to add her apartment number or I'm not delivering here anymore!" I couldn't believe it! Not only was the delivery guy at my door yelling again, but he was delivering me food that I did not even order. I told him I did not order any food and he just grabbed the food and walked off with an attitude...no apologies or anything. I guess either their computer or grubhubs computer made an error again, which he blamed on me! Because this guy is so blatantly rude, I am assuming that he is probably the owner and I am never ordering from there again due to the poor treatment of customers and mediocre food.
(1)
Cory P.
The pizza is good. Very tasty crust. Owners were having lunch when we came in and didn't skip a beat to welcome us in. Damn I hate finding a place I'd be a repeat customer at but do not live close to. Back in Orlando didn't finish review from last time. Came back. Owner again so nice!! THE ROLLS, I've missed you rolls, So dam* good!!! Hidden Gem!! And cheap!! I wonder if I can fit owner/chef in my luggage?
(5)
Thomas C.
I would say Isabella's Pizza and Pasta is a nice and fun little restaurant with plenty of ambiance and a good wine list. They are friendly, accommodating and attentive to customer needs. I was there for take-out which is what you'd think is the kind of place it really is but when you get in you notice that it is nicely decorated with dim lighting perfect for dates or small groups like four. I was there on a Friday night and there were people having fun but not too loud. There are even two small tables outside if you want to take in the great nighttime air that we have in Florida. The food is great by the standard of The "Philadelphia Cheesesteak" that I chose for $8.49. I'd only thought to bring 9 bucks going to what I thought was just a carryout next to a Dunkin Donuts. When I got there I found that I'd only brought 8 bucks. Dollar missing. I told them what had happened so the man in charge said "OK." I love that! You want a Philadelphia Cheesesteak but you've only brought 8 bucks. No problem. And it was delicious! You won't find anything like that at Subway. It was big enough. It was good and it was accompanied by some awesome krinkle-cut French Fries cooked just right and not too greasy. Checking out that menu as I did, I saw all the classic Italian meals that are very popular like the Veal and Chicken Parmigiana and salads. Big wine racks. Lot's of bottles of wine. A great deal. Check it out. Come to Fort Lauderdale. You'll have to look for this place. It is hidden out in a little row of shops on Federal Highway near Broward Hospital. Just remember next to Dunkin Donuts. Isabella's. They have a nice orange-lit neon sign in the window. I can't wait to go back.
(4)
Robbie M.
I had lunch at Isabella's Pizza & Pasta. They offer a nice lunch menu with great prices. The Grilled Fish came with a side of rice and beans which didn't scream Italian food, but it tasted good. The garlic rolls are a regular roll with garlic sauce on top (Just OK, not amazed here). The fish was well seasoned and cooked. I would return for another meal.
(4)
Laura K.
My boyfriend and I were looking for some tasty Italian food to go and we made a good choice coming here. We picked up the meatball pasta, lasagna, and garlic rolls. They hooked us up with double the garlic rolls which were delicious. When we got home, we were so happy with our order. The food was delicious... The meatballs (all jokes aside) were moist and delightful. I definitely plan on coming back here to curb my Italian cravings!
(5)
Denes P.
We were floored by the excellent service and attention given to us by Romeo,our waiter and co-owner!! Food was simply perfect. I recommend the veal marsala!!!
(5)
Geno K.
Are you kidding me? I haven't done a review for this place? For crying out loud, Yelp has labeled me a regular because I've checked in so many times... and I live 250 miles away. I walked in Saturday and the guy didn't even give me a menu... how did I not do a review? Suffice it to say I'm a fan. Anytime I visit FTL, this place is tops on my list. The chicken parmesan is amazing and the house salad with their Italian dressing is incredible... fresh, crisp and the dressing is off the chart. But yeah, as many have said, it's all about the garlic knots. I live in Tampa so by the time I get to Naples, my mouth is already watering thinking about those damn garlic knots. Have yet to try the pizza... it's on the to do list.
(5)
Toy L.
Who would have thought the food would be so good at a strip mall Italian restaurant. The waitstaff was quick and attentive. The free garlic bread was the business. I ordered the penne a la vodka entree which came out steaming hot. Fifteen minutes into my meal and the entree was still steaming hot. That is a rarity. The portions are also huge. You'll definitely have leftovers.
(4)
Gary K.
Pizza was really good. Alfredo was ok. Garlic rolls very good. Seafood pasta very good.kids enjoyed seeing them make the pizza.
(3)
Tony L.
Awesome food! The delivery driver is usually the same and he is the best! Great customer service! There was a misunderstanding on something I had ordered and he drove back to the restaurant and came back in under 10 minutes! Great food and fast delivery.
(5)
Jennifer L.
This place is delicious. The bruschetta was perfect, the pizza was generous and perfect, the cheesecake was homemade and very delicious and the best part was our bill was only $33.00 for three people. Staff is very friendly and attentive. It's my favorite Italian place now.
(5)
Angela M.
My bullet points for Isabella's: Yay!! * hot garlic twisty rolls were so good * freshest seafood pasta I've ever had * excellent & decadent penne a la vodka * wonderful sea salt scrub in the bathroom * friendly & great service from Fransisco * nice assortment of bottled beverages This is in a small shopping center, so it's not much to look at, but the reviews don't lie; you'll find tasty eats here at a great price without the pretense. A good spot for families and anyone in search of a delicious Italian meal.
(5)
sarah p.
I got food poisoning from an order of chicken from Isabella's that I ordered delivery (why are their no good delivery restaurants in Fort Lauderdale?). After I already eaten part of it, I noticed the chicken was pink and discolored on the inside. I was so sick I literally could not move from the bathroom floor for 2 days. It was so painful. I know mistakes happen and i wouldn't normally post this, had they handled the situation well. I called to talk to the manager to let him know about the situation and just ask for a refund on my meal. It seems fair to me for over 12 hours of straight vomitting and being unable to enjoy my 5th row tickets to Madonna at American Airlines (major bummer). However, rather than just refunding me the stupid $$ for the meal and apologizing, he was rude and unapologetic. He accused me of being "confused" about the source of my food poisoning. It was my only meal of that day, there is no confusion. I found it all to be extremely disheartening and rude. I'll never support this business in any way, ever again. I don't rust the food here, the manager is a jerk and wouldn't recommend it. Order delivery from Asia Bay sushi instead. Their chicken is 100x better and won't poison you.
(1)
Ross Z.
Whoever thinks this place is good must not know pizza or Italian food!!. This place is average and that's being kind. Weak floppy pizza that's not cooked all the way. Would never come back here again.
(1)
Elizabeth N.
had delivery - it wasn't great. I wouldn't recommend for delivery.
(2)
Alex G.
Strip mall, sure, but friendly service and a simple, modern decor. Soups were the pasta fagiole and a daily, homemade chicken noodle soup. Both were HUGE, and served piping hot. These are obviously homemade, and chock full of great ingredients. My wife is a soup lover, and she loved them both - and took soup home! Garlic knots were perfectly baked, with a nice doughy consistency inside and crispy outside. Potions of pasta is insane; remember this fact when ordering. Eggplant Rollatini was very tasty and stuffed with ricotta and covered in a fresh tomato sauce - yum! Eggplant Parm also super tasty in a chunky fresh sauce. Sides of pasta included were so large it was shocking (in a good way)! Ask for whole wheat pasta as a nice change. Overall - great, home style Italian food with huge portions and friendly service.
(4)
Chad K.
Ordered delivery. Had the meatball calzone. I was expecting more flavor. It was a generous portion. Fairly large. Stuffed with cheese and meatballs. However, I would have liked more spices involved here. The meatballs were bland and then added to the ricotta (?) cheese and I think a very little mozerella, it simply lacked flavor. The only flavor was found in the small cup of spaghetti sauce that also had no apparent added spices. C'mon guys, step up your game. I'll be back to try again soon.
(3)
Victor W.
Solid place for inexpensive, unpretentious Italian food. The food is all freshly prepared. The chicken scarpariello is quite good and the house merlot was surprisingly good for the price. Don't come here expecting any fancy decor or atmosphere. It's inside a strip mall.
(4)
Traci R.
DO NOT EAT HERE! I'm not sure how this place was rated so high and I would not recommend this place to anyone! Sure, it's better then reheating Chef Boyardee, but not by much! My husband and I decided to try this place out while in town for work and were terribly disappointed. There was no one in there and although the waitress was friendly enough, the tv was blaring and nothing notable about the place. When I asked about the serving size, the waitress just said it was average sized but did not elaborate. Garlic rolls were average though a little heavy on the butter. I had the Lobster Ravioli and my husband had the Lasagna. His dish was very average and my dish was awful. The sauce was way too salty and it tasted like maybe it was in the freezer for too long then microwaved. He tried my dish in the end and was very upset with me. Had he tried it early on, he would of forced me to send it back. I would have but at that point, I was too hungry to do so or even leave as I just needed to eat. Midway through our meal, another group came in with 2 kids. The elder child proceeded to run around with the owners(?) kids. No one seemed to care (less the owner) nor did they ask them to stop. Luckily, that only lasted a few minutes but it was still very annoying! I could not find any redeeming qualities of this place!
(1)
Alicia P.
I just ordered a salad from here and had it delivered to my work. YUCK! I ordered the Chicken Gorgonzola salad and the chicken was NOT cooked. Def will not be ordering from here again. Note - I have never eaten anything else from here. This review is solely based on the gross salad I just ordered.
(1)
Jeremy B.
Ordered a large pizza and order of 6 garlic rolls for pickup the other night. I was pleased with the experience. The guy on the phone was very nice and helpful because I was calling without a menu in hand, and the total for the large pizza and rolls came out to about $15-something, which is a decent price. Again, the guy that worked there was very nice when I came in, and even got me paper plates to take with me for the pizza. The pepperoni pizza we ordered was tasty. The pizza had some spice to it, and the sauce was a little sweet, but it worked. The garlic rolls were perfect - not too oily and garlic-y (not a word, I know) - just right. I originally called the place that we usually order from, but they didn't answer. Now that I know Isabella's is solid, I will definitely try them again.
(3)
Peter C.
Another hidden gem uncovered by Yelp! Ditto on everyone's feedback on the rolls. Perfect blend of buttery, garlicy, and cheesy goodness. We started with fried calamaris, and it was awesome! The breading was light and crispy yet the calamari is tender. The marinara for dipping was great too. My wife had the egg plant parmigiana and I ordered the chicken frances. Both came with a side of spaghetti. The entrees were very well done. I actually enjoyed the eggplant parm more, while my wife loved my chicken frances. So we just switched, and it worked out great. I was a bit skeptical of the plain looking spaghetti, but changed my mind as soon as I tried it. The sauce was full of flavor, and the pasta was cooked perfectly al dente. For those who noticed the similarity between Isbella's offerings with Mama Mia's, wonder no more. The owner worked at Mama Mia before starting Isabella's. The atmosphere was better than what I expected. It's not fancy, for sure, but tasteful nonetheless. All in all, Isabella's is a great value. I was impressed by the quality of the food and surprised by its tasteful decor. The most pleasant surprise was the bill. I've been to plenty of places that cost much more and offered much less.
(4)
J. S.
Isabella's is located in a mini-mall on US1, right next to a Dunkin' Doughnuts and some Asian massage parlor (no happy ending). The focus here is pasta, and to a lesser extent, pizza. If you're really craving pizza, then I would suggest Panaretto (arguably the best pizza in Fort Lauderdale), Doughboys' and Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza, which is within' the radius. Past reviews have raved about their garlic rolls, and seeing that it made Isabella's picture-default on Yelp, the thought of ordering here seemed a bit ludicrous. From speaking with locals, take out here is usually your best option, as the service tends be somewhat lackadaisical. I ordered Chicken Parmesan, with a usual choice of spaghetti or a side of salad. It tasted like I expected, nothing really exciting, but it was satisfiable and filling. The garlic rolls were good, but like any other random Italian establishment in South Florida, just disguises itself positively to what could be a mediocre meal. In essence, Isabella's is your local 'midnight-pasta-craving' joint. Order here when your craving mom's favorites, but don't go for pizza, because the options in Fort Lauderdale are endless.
(3)
Peyton B.
Garlic rolls are to die for. Always fresh and hot. Pasta and pizza are both great. Better than Olive Garden as it is a family owned joint.
(4)
Andy H.
I'm upping my first review. Took my entire family for dinner and everyone loved it. Actually they raved about it. Romero and Fransico rock. The food is unbelievable. I am afraid one day they will jack up the prices and go high end. Honestly they should. This place could stand up to almost anything on Mulberry St. in NY. Everything is homemade including desert. Garlic rolls are a 10! I routinely order delivery from here and it's consistently great. Going in and sitting down was even better. They are set up for take-out/delivery but I think they should reconsider by getting a hot hostess, some fancy decor and loud music. Don't forget to thank me after giving them a try. You are Welcome!
(5)
Matthew G.
Outside, it's part of an unassuming strip mall on the southbound side of Federal Hwy. Inside, it's a cute, simple, casual Italian restaurant with some modern decor and a TV showing sports. Maybe a dozen tables inside, and at 8:30pm on a Tuesday, we were the only folks in the joint. Menu has your typical Italian salads, pizzas, pastas, and entrees... and the prices are definitely on the lower end of those I've seen in Italian restaurants; just $8.45 for the eggplant parm or baked ziti that we ordered (no salad included with those prices)! After ordering, they brought us a bowl of garlic rolls there were delicious: hot, flaky, garlicky, and maybe even some parmesan on them? I've very particular about my eggplant parm. I like each slice of eggplant breaded and fried, and then those slices baked with the cheese and sauce. (Many places make a disgusting mush of it.) Here, they didn't bread and fry the slices; however, they still cooked them to a good consistency (not mushy) with plenty of cheese and sauce. The sauce here is outstanding -- very sweet, some of the best I've had... and I see others have noted the sauce, as well. Side of spaghetti with the dish was good, as well. No complaints about the baked ziti -- a good cheese flavor with the sweet sauce. Definitely will return. Seems like a cute place for a reasonably-priced date.
(4)
Hope B.
Decided to try this based on the reviews and it is amazing. We have gone twice and I wish I could go everyday. We have had pizza, the chicken Marsala pizza was fantastic. The garlic rolls make me think about them all week. So good! This week we had the calamari, sausage and pepper roll, pasta carbarnara and cannoli for dessert. The cannoli was the perfect ending. The service is very attentive and friendly. Such a gem and I was so happy to find this place hidden in a strip mall.
(5)
Andrew J.
I agree with almost everyone here that the garlic rolls are delicious. However, I found the rest of the food to be underwhelming. The chicken parmigiana was smothered in marinara sauce and cheese. It was certainly edible, but it lacked in uniqueness. The pizza was standard delivery quality. I don't think you'll regret eating here, but with so many options for good Italian in town, I'm unlikely to visit again anytime soon.
(2)
Jessica I.
Looking for a good place to take the family for dinner while on vaca in Fort Lauderdale. Yelp directed us here. We couldn't have been happier. The service was fabulous, the food was fabulous. The tomato sauce IS, no joke, the best sauce either of us had ever had. The kids gobbled it up and they are little and can be picky. Just delicious!
(5)
Real M.
This is a very unassuming place that you probably would mistake for a simple delivery place and nothing more but you would be wrong to do so. There is not a large dining area but it was pleasant enough. I was a little worried at first as we walked in and no one greeted us and there was no sign on if we should wait to be seated or just sit down anywhere. The service from then on was very good, drinks filled quickly, attentive but not in your face, and very polite. The garlic rolls are fantastic (not if you are on a diet though). The antipasto might be a little different from what you are used to if you frequent "Little Italy" restaurants but large portion and tasty. I had the chicken piccata which was again a large portion and delicious. Others in my group had a calzone (HUGE portion) and the alfredo each were enjoyed. Nothing made me go crazy about how good it was but it was all consistently very good, best way to describe it.
(4)
Eduardo C.
Love this place! Everything is good here, the garlic rolls are amazing! Would give it 5 stars except for the fact that they haven't changed their look or menu. It's always the same stuff, but everything they have is amazing.
(4)
Ian G.
Holy crapnoldes! This place has some _good_ tomato sauce!!! It is a little bit sweeter than most of them out there, but full of a myriad of different flavors and taste accents, all blending together into that bright red deliciousness stuffed between the cheese and the bread. Some good stuff! 5 stars from me for pizza taste/ qualtiy alone. I got an extra-large cheese and it was nice, thin and floppy. As I was driving back with the pizza I kept smelling her and every once in a while our eyes would meet and and then just as quickly glance away in that slightly-unsure dance between two new lovers. I couldn't wait any longer. I had to have her. Risking everything, and while attempting to maneuver through traffic on 95, I just casually leaned over and opened her box. That first taste almost caused an accident. But we were both loving it too much to stop. omnomomnom This place is pretty tiny, stuck into a strip mall off US1 (or I guess they call it federal highway up there for whatever reason....) The guy who gave me everything was really friendly & offered to give me paper plates & crushed red pepper & all of that business - thanks guy!
(5)
Robin E.
Yes, yes, yes!!! You know those great red sauce places tucked away in a strip mall? This is one of them. Very good, very satisfying, very friendly. The menu has enough options to bring me back again soon.
(4)
Jay M.
Good spot. I tried it yesterday for lunch after reading a glowing review in the Sun Sentinal. Food was very good, had the linguine with carbonara sauce. It comes with garlic rolls, which were some of the best I ever tasted. The carbonara was cooked with ham instead of pancetta, but was excellent. Lots of sauce, and the noodles were cooked perfectly al dente. Took a slice of pepperoni home, and it was decent. Decor was pleasant, the only complaint I had was the table cloths. They were gray vinyl, with a pebbly snakeskin pattern, and looked pretty old and dingy. The cracks were trapping a lot of food, too. Service was spectacular. My server was Sam, and he did a perfect job. Offered to refill my drink every time it dropped below half empty. In short - if it was a bit closer to home, I could see becoming a regular.
(4)
Melissa S.
One of my favorite little places! I go to Isabella's probably twice a week for lunch. The food is consistently great and is very reasonably priced. I particularly recommend the chicken marsala, stromboli-like "rolls" and the chicken giardinera - breaded chicken served under a chopped salad with a side of pasta. I tease the chef, Francisco, that he should name it Chicken Melissa because I order it so often. Also, Francisco is a genius when it comes to making soup. Whatever the soup of the day is, order it. Seriously. Service is usually quick, and the waiter, Samuel, is attentive and funny and quick to refill your drink. Come on in for lunch one day and say hi if you see me!
(5)
Stiph N.
I give them 3 stars for the pizza and an extra one for service. I was very lazy and craving pineapple around 3pm. I found Isabella's was the only place delivering (OK, I only other places I called were Giorgio's and Panaretto). They were very friendly on the phone, and the delivery was speedy with a bright smile. The pizza was tasty and definitely fulfilled my pineapple pizza need. It reheated well the following day, too. I would definitely order from this place again.
(4)
Jason M.
The garlic rolls are the best i've had in SFL. The side of spaghetti was so big for $4 and very tasty. The calzone was tasty, but has too much Ricotta. Great service. The chicken parm was ok. Seems like it may have been frozen. We typically buy a calzone, garlic rools and a side or pasta for dinner one day during the week. We recently found this place and like it.
(3)
Iris N.
Yummy and a great warm friendly feel from all of the staff. They are quick to remember a face, and customer preferences. Unfortunately I have another Italian place close by that I favor just a little more...Corelli's beats them in wine selection and parings. Garlic knots are a dead tie however.
(4)
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
Address :1571 S Federal Hwy
Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33316
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
Michelle C.
Finally found good pizza in Fort Lauderdale! I have been on the hunt for good NY-style pizza since I moved to the area, and it's been quite a hunt! A friend recommended Isabella's to me, so one day I popped out of the office to grab a quick slice. When I got there the place was pretty much empty (it was a little after the lunch hour though, so that's ok). I walked up to the counter and checked out the lunch specials. They had a special for a slice of pizza, soup, and salad for $7.00. Great deal! I had the pasta e fagioli soup, which was delicious! Full of flavor and perfectly cooked. They didn't skimp on the pancetta, either! The salad was nice and fresh. And the pizza was delicious. I like a nice NY-Style crust. It was greasy, but not overly so. The only negative was that the place itself was a little grubby looking. Not just that it was maybe a little old, but I actually was a little concerned about the cleanliness (though that didn't stop me from eating there, I'm ashamed to say...) I wish I had just ordered delivery instead of going in because having seen the place it may make me hesitate to go back there again.... Of course, I will go back because it's the best pizza I've found yet!
(4)Anthony R.
The food at Isabella's was awesome! Ordered the Lasagna with meatballs and a Chicken Isabella. Both dishes were great. Large portions too. The service here was great too. Will definitely be a returning customer here!
(5)Angela P.
Love this place! The food is fabulous! My favorite dish is the Chicken Isabella & the Tiramisu dessert. Other than the great food is the owner Romero! He greets you with all smiles & always Makes you feel right at home! Took my family here this evening & I can't thank you enough for the amazing dinner and great service! If you haven't been here put it on your list... You will be happy you did!
(5)Natasha A.
The garlic rolls were not as amazing as hyped to be. I found them to be a little stale, and they could have used more garlic. The chicken soup though was just the right remedy for my cold, and at least provided me a way to moisten the rolls. The pizza toppings themselves were good, but the crust seemed a little undercooked. Service was attentive and prompt. Pretty much middle of the road, not sure I'll be back but I'd consider it.
(3)Celeste G.
We have been coming here for a few years now. The food is good and atmosphere is good. Chicken rollatini is the best!
(4)Hank I.
Pizza sucks and the delivery man tried to rip off my sister in law who only speaks Spanish. The owner should call me as I found his delivery man rippping off my sister in Ladin Puerto Rico for a tip.
(1)Jen M.
We Ordered online, confirmation said our wait time was 45 mins. An hour and a half later and after 2 calls to the restaurant, our food showed up. I verified the order with the driver before he left and he agreed that's what he was delivering. Paid cash and off he went. Opened the packages and I had wings (looked scary) instead of the pasta I ordered. BBQ chicken pizza was what seemed to be some weird chicken bi product, maybe even canned, with cheese and bbq sauce (no onions which typically come standard). Very unsatisfactory and slimy looking. Garlic rolls were nothing special, but at least they showed up. We called to tell them we had the wrong food and the girl who answered said we'd have to wait another 45 minutes (which in real time was an hour and a half) to get the correct order. I asked her if she could just have the driver come back with the cash to reimburse us the $15 for the food we didn't get. She said she'd have a manager call when he got in. 20 minutes later, My husband got tired of waiting so he called back and spoke with the manager. The manager again told us he would deliver the correct food in 45 minutes (it was 8:30 by this time). We said no thank you, we just want a credit. The manager told us someone would be on the way to give us our money back for the pasta. 40 minutes later the driver showed up with our $14 refund. So if I have one positive thing to say, it's that we actually got our $14 back. I honestly wasn't expecting it. There are too many other options in this town...
(1)D D.
I'm not from around here and was in the neighborhood. I can truly say that I am so glad I came across this restaurant! It was so much better than I ever expected. I had the fruit De mare and the seafood was cooked PERFECTLY! I'm always skeptical since so many places overcook seafood until it's rubber. The seafood was soft and tasty. The sauce was light and just right. I highly recommend! :)
(5)chewed p.
We read all the good reviews and decided to try Isabella's for some pizza, and ordered online. I thought it was in the little strip mall where the Dunkin Donuts is (on Federal highway), but as we drove past it, I saw nothing but darkness... no sign of Isabella's. We continued driving north, eventually did a u-turn, came back, and pulled into that same strip-mall (I was going to call Isabella's to find out where they were) and to my surprise, where we parked, it was right outside a very dark restaurant that appeared closed - Isabella's. The signage was in darkness, the restaurant was in darkness - I thought definitely - closed. However, the owner saw us outside and opened the door and beckoned us in - I told him his sign was dark and that we had not been able to find the place. It was in almost complete darkness, a bit of a mystery - if it was open, how could any customer read a menu - and if you were driving past, you'd NEVER know that it was there.... Anyway.... it did have a nice feel to it, nice atmosphere, welcoming staff - what we could see of it - and our pizza (plain cheese) was $11.61 including tax. What great value. It was piping hot, as if it had been sitting on top of the oven (we like that!) - and it smelled great. When we got home, we tasted it and I have to say WOW WOW WOW.... it is just fantastic - the best pizza we've had in a long, long time. The maranara/tomato sauce is obviously home made, delicious, fresh - as good (if not better) than what I make at home - the crust was thin but also obviously home made - outstanding flavors. All we had was cheese and the tomato sauce - very plain - but as I said, it was absolutely excellent. We did doctor it up a little at home with what we had in the fridge (some mushrooms, olives etc.) - but as it was, plain, just cheese and tomato, it was truly outstanding. As good a pizza as you'd get in Napoli or Tuscany.... and absolutely huge.... We are thrilled to find Isabella's - the pizza was so good that we're eager to try the other menu items and I think this is going to be our local "go-to" place.... it is truly a hidden gem, don't be deterred if it looks dark from the outside - it's worth the visit. Kudos Isabella's - we will be back.
(5)Melissa B.
This is my second time ordering and on both occasions the food was delish, delivered timely and was delivered as (special) ordered. The chicken parm and the desserts are yummie!!! I also like that there wasn't a $5.00 delivery fee.
(5)Robert G.
Just had the worst experience with these guys. I placed an order for delivery and the driver called me once to tell me that he was at a building, but in actually he was lost because I live in a residential home. I placed the order online, so I verified that I entered the right address with zip code included and I did. Then, I got yet another phone call telling me he can't make it to my house cause there's a children's walkathon and he couldn't enter my neighborhood. I gave him an alternative route to go an he refused, and told me to try again in a couple of hours. OK - though I understand that, how about saying like "Can you pick it up instead?" Which I would have. Or "I will discount this for making you wait" or anything really, besides a flat out no. I called to speak to a manager and I was pretty nice about the situation until he started siding with the driver and called me a liar, because his driver told him he couldn't get into the neighbor. Never one I'm sorry about the situation or anything of that nature. Poor customer service skills if you ask me.
(1)Isabell R.
This place is horrible .. If u place an order n give specific instructions they will not get it right .. They will charge you for it n forget it.. When you call them to fix it .. They don't tell the old fries they serve that's how they are ..
(1)Jim W.
Don't be put off by the outside. These guys are good. For the price you cannot beat the food and service, and the prices should be higher for the quality.
(5)M. Renee O.
Don't judge this book by its cover - this is a gem. The garlic rolls are fabulous (I try not to eat too much bread, but in this case I couldn't resist). My broccoli and garlic pasta was very tasty, but the real reason to go is the tiramisu they make in-house. I don't have an Italian grandma, but if I did, this is what she would make, yummm! Great prices, friendly service and excellent food. Will be going be next time I'm in town.
(5)Darek M.
Solid choice for a casual lunch. The format is a cross between fast food and a casual dining restaurant. My food was very good and I had excellent service. Makes for a good fast food alternative. I enjoyed the spaghetti with meat sauce for $6.95. It came with excellent hot, fresh, garlic rolls. I will be back.
(3)Kim M.
We have ordered from there many times, and the food was just ok. They deliver, and are generally quick. What surprised us the other night after our order was delivered was the lack of concern when we called and told them that our Calzones came without any mozzarella cheese in them and only racotta cheese. The owner didn't want to hear any thing I was saying and basically said I was wrong and hung the phone up on me. No sorry, no nothing. That is no way to run a business.
(1)Randi M.
Garlic rolls were great. The ziti was just "ok" and so was the slice. I've had better, I've had worse. I was expecting fantastic food based on the reviews, but it was just ok for me. a little underwhelming.
(3)Thomas K.
I read the positive reviews on here and decided to give them a try. I don't understand how anyone would rate this place well. I ordered the chicken parm with spaghetti to go. The chicken was over cooked and so was the pasta. On top of that, I ordered a canolli along with my meal and they didn't pack it in the bag. There are other pizzeria's in the area that are much better. I will not go back here.
(1)Paulette I.
I will never ever order from this place again!! The only reason why I ordered from them was because my favorite local Italian place "Giulianos" no longer carried my favorite dish on the menu so I thought I'd give them a try. The first time I ordered the food was pretty good, the delivery guy was nice, and the food came fast. The second time the same food I ordered the first time tasted very bland this time, but I thought I may give them one more try since they were nice and the food didn't take long. However, the third time I ordered the delivery guy came to my door loud and yelling that I need to include my apartment number in my order or he wasn't delivering to me again. I just stated ok and took my food. Out of the million times I ordered on grubhub however, I never had a problem with a missing apartment number and when I checked on grubhub my apartment number is listed so I figured their system must have cut it off or there was a computer glitch. When I got my food I noticed the cold items I ordered were in the same bag as the hot items and I was also missing an item so I called them for credit of the missing item they charged for, but never did receive the credit. Then today I hear my husband talking to someone at the door and they are yelling, "there was a black girl here the other day" my husband stated, "that's my wife" he continued yelling..."I told her she needs to add her apartment number or I'm not delivering here anymore!" I couldn't believe it! Not only was the delivery guy at my door yelling again, but he was delivering me food that I did not even order. I told him I did not order any food and he just grabbed the food and walked off with an attitude...no apologies or anything. I guess either their computer or grubhubs computer made an error again, which he blamed on me! Because this guy is so blatantly rude, I am assuming that he is probably the owner and I am never ordering from there again due to the poor treatment of customers and mediocre food.
(1)Cory P.
The pizza is good. Very tasty crust. Owners were having lunch when we came in and didn't skip a beat to welcome us in. Damn I hate finding a place I'd be a repeat customer at but do not live close to. Back in Orlando didn't finish review from last time. Came back. Owner again so nice!! THE ROLLS, I've missed you rolls, So dam* good!!! Hidden Gem!! And cheap!! I wonder if I can fit owner/chef in my luggage?
(5)Thomas C.
I would say Isabella's Pizza and Pasta is a nice and fun little restaurant with plenty of ambiance and a good wine list. They are friendly, accommodating and attentive to customer needs. I was there for take-out which is what you'd think is the kind of place it really is but when you get in you notice that it is nicely decorated with dim lighting perfect for dates or small groups like four. I was there on a Friday night and there were people having fun but not too loud. There are even two small tables outside if you want to take in the great nighttime air that we have in Florida. The food is great by the standard of The "Philadelphia Cheesesteak" that I chose for $8.49. I'd only thought to bring 9 bucks going to what I thought was just a carryout next to a Dunkin Donuts. When I got there I found that I'd only brought 8 bucks. Dollar missing. I told them what had happened so the man in charge said "OK." I love that! You want a Philadelphia Cheesesteak but you've only brought 8 bucks. No problem. And it was delicious! You won't find anything like that at Subway. It was big enough. It was good and it was accompanied by some awesome krinkle-cut French Fries cooked just right and not too greasy. Checking out that menu as I did, I saw all the classic Italian meals that are very popular like the Veal and Chicken Parmigiana and salads. Big wine racks. Lot's of bottles of wine. A great deal. Check it out. Come to Fort Lauderdale. You'll have to look for this place. It is hidden out in a little row of shops on Federal Highway near Broward Hospital. Just remember next to Dunkin Donuts. Isabella's. They have a nice orange-lit neon sign in the window. I can't wait to go back.
(4)Robbie M.
I had lunch at Isabella's Pizza & Pasta. They offer a nice lunch menu with great prices. The Grilled Fish came with a side of rice and beans which didn't scream Italian food, but it tasted good. The garlic rolls are a regular roll with garlic sauce on top (Just OK, not amazed here). The fish was well seasoned and cooked. I would return for another meal.
(4)Laura K.
My boyfriend and I were looking for some tasty Italian food to go and we made a good choice coming here. We picked up the meatball pasta, lasagna, and garlic rolls. They hooked us up with double the garlic rolls which were delicious. When we got home, we were so happy with our order. The food was delicious... The meatballs (all jokes aside) were moist and delightful. I definitely plan on coming back here to curb my Italian cravings!
(5)Denes P.
We were floored by the excellent service and attention given to us by Romeo,our waiter and co-owner!! Food was simply perfect. I recommend the veal marsala!!!
(5)Geno K.
Are you kidding me? I haven't done a review for this place? For crying out loud, Yelp has labeled me a regular because I've checked in so many times... and I live 250 miles away. I walked in Saturday and the guy didn't even give me a menu... how did I not do a review? Suffice it to say I'm a fan. Anytime I visit FTL, this place is tops on my list. The chicken parmesan is amazing and the house salad with their Italian dressing is incredible... fresh, crisp and the dressing is off the chart. But yeah, as many have said, it's all about the garlic knots. I live in Tampa so by the time I get to Naples, my mouth is already watering thinking about those damn garlic knots. Have yet to try the pizza... it's on the to do list.
(5)Toy L.
Who would have thought the food would be so good at a strip mall Italian restaurant. The waitstaff was quick and attentive. The free garlic bread was the business. I ordered the penne a la vodka entree which came out steaming hot. Fifteen minutes into my meal and the entree was still steaming hot. That is a rarity. The portions are also huge. You'll definitely have leftovers.
(4)Gary K.
Pizza was really good. Alfredo was ok. Garlic rolls very good. Seafood pasta very good.kids enjoyed seeing them make the pizza.
(3)Tony L.
Awesome food! The delivery driver is usually the same and he is the best! Great customer service! There was a misunderstanding on something I had ordered and he drove back to the restaurant and came back in under 10 minutes! Great food and fast delivery.
(5)Jennifer L.
This place is delicious. The bruschetta was perfect, the pizza was generous and perfect, the cheesecake was homemade and very delicious and the best part was our bill was only $33.00 for three people. Staff is very friendly and attentive. It's my favorite Italian place now.
(5)Angela M.
My bullet points for Isabella's: Yay!! * hot garlic twisty rolls were so good * freshest seafood pasta I've ever had * excellent & decadent penne a la vodka * wonderful sea salt scrub in the bathroom * friendly & great service from Fransisco * nice assortment of bottled beverages This is in a small shopping center, so it's not much to look at, but the reviews don't lie; you'll find tasty eats here at a great price without the pretense. A good spot for families and anyone in search of a delicious Italian meal.
(5)sarah p.
I got food poisoning from an order of chicken from Isabella's that I ordered delivery (why are their no good delivery restaurants in Fort Lauderdale?). After I already eaten part of it, I noticed the chicken was pink and discolored on the inside. I was so sick I literally could not move from the bathroom floor for 2 days. It was so painful. I know mistakes happen and i wouldn't normally post this, had they handled the situation well. I called to talk to the manager to let him know about the situation and just ask for a refund on my meal. It seems fair to me for over 12 hours of straight vomitting and being unable to enjoy my 5th row tickets to Madonna at American Airlines (major bummer). However, rather than just refunding me the stupid $$ for the meal and apologizing, he was rude and unapologetic. He accused me of being "confused" about the source of my food poisoning. It was my only meal of that day, there is no confusion. I found it all to be extremely disheartening and rude. I'll never support this business in any way, ever again. I don't rust the food here, the manager is a jerk and wouldn't recommend it. Order delivery from Asia Bay sushi instead. Their chicken is 100x better and won't poison you.
(1)Ross Z.
Whoever thinks this place is good must not know pizza or Italian food!!. This place is average and that's being kind. Weak floppy pizza that's not cooked all the way. Would never come back here again.
(1)Elizabeth N.
had delivery - it wasn't great. I wouldn't recommend for delivery.
(2)Alex G.
Strip mall, sure, but friendly service and a simple, modern decor. Soups were the pasta fagiole and a daily, homemade chicken noodle soup. Both were HUGE, and served piping hot. These are obviously homemade, and chock full of great ingredients. My wife is a soup lover, and she loved them both - and took soup home! Garlic knots were perfectly baked, with a nice doughy consistency inside and crispy outside. Potions of pasta is insane; remember this fact when ordering. Eggplant Rollatini was very tasty and stuffed with ricotta and covered in a fresh tomato sauce - yum! Eggplant Parm also super tasty in a chunky fresh sauce. Sides of pasta included were so large it was shocking (in a good way)! Ask for whole wheat pasta as a nice change. Overall - great, home style Italian food with huge portions and friendly service.
(4)Chad K.
Ordered delivery. Had the meatball calzone. I was expecting more flavor. It was a generous portion. Fairly large. Stuffed with cheese and meatballs. However, I would have liked more spices involved here. The meatballs were bland and then added to the ricotta (?) cheese and I think a very little mozerella, it simply lacked flavor. The only flavor was found in the small cup of spaghetti sauce that also had no apparent added spices. C'mon guys, step up your game. I'll be back to try again soon.
(3)Victor W.
Solid place for inexpensive, unpretentious Italian food. The food is all freshly prepared. The chicken scarpariello is quite good and the house merlot was surprisingly good for the price. Don't come here expecting any fancy decor or atmosphere. It's inside a strip mall.
(4)Traci R.
DO NOT EAT HERE! I'm not sure how this place was rated so high and I would not recommend this place to anyone! Sure, it's better then reheating Chef Boyardee, but not by much! My husband and I decided to try this place out while in town for work and were terribly disappointed. There was no one in there and although the waitress was friendly enough, the tv was blaring and nothing notable about the place. When I asked about the serving size, the waitress just said it was average sized but did not elaborate. Garlic rolls were average though a little heavy on the butter. I had the Lobster Ravioli and my husband had the Lasagna. His dish was very average and my dish was awful. The sauce was way too salty and it tasted like maybe it was in the freezer for too long then microwaved. He tried my dish in the end and was very upset with me. Had he tried it early on, he would of forced me to send it back. I would have but at that point, I was too hungry to do so or even leave as I just needed to eat. Midway through our meal, another group came in with 2 kids. The elder child proceeded to run around with the owners(?) kids. No one seemed to care (less the owner) nor did they ask them to stop. Luckily, that only lasted a few minutes but it was still very annoying! I could not find any redeeming qualities of this place!
(1)Alicia P.
I just ordered a salad from here and had it delivered to my work. YUCK! I ordered the Chicken Gorgonzola salad and the chicken was NOT cooked. Def will not be ordering from here again. Note - I have never eaten anything else from here. This review is solely based on the gross salad I just ordered.
(1)Jeremy B.
Ordered a large pizza and order of 6 garlic rolls for pickup the other night. I was pleased with the experience. The guy on the phone was very nice and helpful because I was calling without a menu in hand, and the total for the large pizza and rolls came out to about $15-something, which is a decent price. Again, the guy that worked there was very nice when I came in, and even got me paper plates to take with me for the pizza. The pepperoni pizza we ordered was tasty. The pizza had some spice to it, and the sauce was a little sweet, but it worked. The garlic rolls were perfect - not too oily and garlic-y (not a word, I know) - just right. I originally called the place that we usually order from, but they didn't answer. Now that I know Isabella's is solid, I will definitely try them again.
(3)Peter C.
Another hidden gem uncovered by Yelp! Ditto on everyone's feedback on the rolls. Perfect blend of buttery, garlicy, and cheesy goodness. We started with fried calamaris, and it was awesome! The breading was light and crispy yet the calamari is tender. The marinara for dipping was great too. My wife had the egg plant parmigiana and I ordered the chicken frances. Both came with a side of spaghetti. The entrees were very well done. I actually enjoyed the eggplant parm more, while my wife loved my chicken frances. So we just switched, and it worked out great. I was a bit skeptical of the plain looking spaghetti, but changed my mind as soon as I tried it. The sauce was full of flavor, and the pasta was cooked perfectly al dente. For those who noticed the similarity between Isbella's offerings with Mama Mia's, wonder no more. The owner worked at Mama Mia before starting Isabella's. The atmosphere was better than what I expected. It's not fancy, for sure, but tasteful nonetheless. All in all, Isabella's is a great value. I was impressed by the quality of the food and surprised by its tasteful decor. The most pleasant surprise was the bill. I've been to plenty of places that cost much more and offered much less.
(4)J. S.
Isabella's is located in a mini-mall on US1, right next to a Dunkin' Doughnuts and some Asian massage parlor (no happy ending). The focus here is pasta, and to a lesser extent, pizza. If you're really craving pizza, then I would suggest Panaretto (arguably the best pizza in Fort Lauderdale), Doughboys' and Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza, which is within' the radius. Past reviews have raved about their garlic rolls, and seeing that it made Isabella's picture-default on Yelp, the thought of ordering here seemed a bit ludicrous. From speaking with locals, take out here is usually your best option, as the service tends be somewhat lackadaisical. I ordered Chicken Parmesan, with a usual choice of spaghetti or a side of salad. It tasted like I expected, nothing really exciting, but it was satisfiable and filling. The garlic rolls were good, but like any other random Italian establishment in South Florida, just disguises itself positively to what could be a mediocre meal. In essence, Isabella's is your local 'midnight-pasta-craving' joint. Order here when your craving mom's favorites, but don't go for pizza, because the options in Fort Lauderdale are endless.
(3)Peyton B.
Garlic rolls are to die for. Always fresh and hot. Pasta and pizza are both great. Better than Olive Garden as it is a family owned joint.
(4)Andy H.
I'm upping my first review. Took my entire family for dinner and everyone loved it. Actually they raved about it. Romero and Fransico rock. The food is unbelievable. I am afraid one day they will jack up the prices and go high end. Honestly they should. This place could stand up to almost anything on Mulberry St. in NY. Everything is homemade including desert. Garlic rolls are a 10! I routinely order delivery from here and it's consistently great. Going in and sitting down was even better. They are set up for take-out/delivery but I think they should reconsider by getting a hot hostess, some fancy decor and loud music. Don't forget to thank me after giving them a try. You are Welcome!
(5)Matthew G.
Outside, it's part of an unassuming strip mall on the southbound side of Federal Hwy. Inside, it's a cute, simple, casual Italian restaurant with some modern decor and a TV showing sports. Maybe a dozen tables inside, and at 8:30pm on a Tuesday, we were the only folks in the joint. Menu has your typical Italian salads, pizzas, pastas, and entrees... and the prices are definitely on the lower end of those I've seen in Italian restaurants; just $8.45 for the eggplant parm or baked ziti that we ordered (no salad included with those prices)! After ordering, they brought us a bowl of garlic rolls there were delicious: hot, flaky, garlicky, and maybe even some parmesan on them? I've very particular about my eggplant parm. I like each slice of eggplant breaded and fried, and then those slices baked with the cheese and sauce. (Many places make a disgusting mush of it.) Here, they didn't bread and fry the slices; however, they still cooked them to a good consistency (not mushy) with plenty of cheese and sauce. The sauce here is outstanding -- very sweet, some of the best I've had... and I see others have noted the sauce, as well. Side of spaghetti with the dish was good, as well. No complaints about the baked ziti -- a good cheese flavor with the sweet sauce. Definitely will return. Seems like a cute place for a reasonably-priced date.
(4)Hope B.
Decided to try this based on the reviews and it is amazing. We have gone twice and I wish I could go everyday. We have had pizza, the chicken Marsala pizza was fantastic. The garlic rolls make me think about them all week. So good! This week we had the calamari, sausage and pepper roll, pasta carbarnara and cannoli for dessert. The cannoli was the perfect ending. The service is very attentive and friendly. Such a gem and I was so happy to find this place hidden in a strip mall.
(5)Andrew J.
I agree with almost everyone here that the garlic rolls are delicious. However, I found the rest of the food to be underwhelming. The chicken parmigiana was smothered in marinara sauce and cheese. It was certainly edible, but it lacked in uniqueness. The pizza was standard delivery quality. I don't think you'll regret eating here, but with so many options for good Italian in town, I'm unlikely to visit again anytime soon.
(2)Jessica I.
Looking for a good place to take the family for dinner while on vaca in Fort Lauderdale. Yelp directed us here. We couldn't have been happier. The service was fabulous, the food was fabulous. The tomato sauce IS, no joke, the best sauce either of us had ever had. The kids gobbled it up and they are little and can be picky. Just delicious!
(5)Real M.
This is a very unassuming place that you probably would mistake for a simple delivery place and nothing more but you would be wrong to do so. There is not a large dining area but it was pleasant enough. I was a little worried at first as we walked in and no one greeted us and there was no sign on if we should wait to be seated or just sit down anywhere. The service from then on was very good, drinks filled quickly, attentive but not in your face, and very polite. The garlic rolls are fantastic (not if you are on a diet though). The antipasto might be a little different from what you are used to if you frequent "Little Italy" restaurants but large portion and tasty. I had the chicken piccata which was again a large portion and delicious. Others in my group had a calzone (HUGE portion) and the alfredo each were enjoyed. Nothing made me go crazy about how good it was but it was all consistently very good, best way to describe it.
(4)Eduardo C.
Love this place! Everything is good here, the garlic rolls are amazing! Would give it 5 stars except for the fact that they haven't changed their look or menu. It's always the same stuff, but everything they have is amazing.
(4)Ian G.
Holy crapnoldes! This place has some _good_ tomato sauce!!! It is a little bit sweeter than most of them out there, but full of a myriad of different flavors and taste accents, all blending together into that bright red deliciousness stuffed between the cheese and the bread. Some good stuff! 5 stars from me for pizza taste/ qualtiy alone. I got an extra-large cheese and it was nice, thin and floppy. As I was driving back with the pizza I kept smelling her and every once in a while our eyes would meet and and then just as quickly glance away in that slightly-unsure dance between two new lovers. I couldn't wait any longer. I had to have her. Risking everything, and while attempting to maneuver through traffic on 95, I just casually leaned over and opened her box. That first taste almost caused an accident. But we were both loving it too much to stop. omnomomnom This place is pretty tiny, stuck into a strip mall off US1 (or I guess they call it federal highway up there for whatever reason....) The guy who gave me everything was really friendly & offered to give me paper plates & crushed red pepper & all of that business - thanks guy!
(5)Robin E.
Yes, yes, yes!!! You know those great red sauce places tucked away in a strip mall? This is one of them. Very good, very satisfying, very friendly. The menu has enough options to bring me back again soon.
(4)Jay M.
Good spot. I tried it yesterday for lunch after reading a glowing review in the Sun Sentinal. Food was very good, had the linguine with carbonara sauce. It comes with garlic rolls, which were some of the best I ever tasted. The carbonara was cooked with ham instead of pancetta, but was excellent. Lots of sauce, and the noodles were cooked perfectly al dente. Took a slice of pepperoni home, and it was decent. Decor was pleasant, the only complaint I had was the table cloths. They were gray vinyl, with a pebbly snakeskin pattern, and looked pretty old and dingy. The cracks were trapping a lot of food, too. Service was spectacular. My server was Sam, and he did a perfect job. Offered to refill my drink every time it dropped below half empty. In short - if it was a bit closer to home, I could see becoming a regular.
(4)Melissa S.
One of my favorite little places! I go to Isabella's probably twice a week for lunch. The food is consistently great and is very reasonably priced. I particularly recommend the chicken marsala, stromboli-like "rolls" and the chicken giardinera - breaded chicken served under a chopped salad with a side of pasta. I tease the chef, Francisco, that he should name it Chicken Melissa because I order it so often. Also, Francisco is a genius when it comes to making soup. Whatever the soup of the day is, order it. Seriously. Service is usually quick, and the waiter, Samuel, is attentive and funny and quick to refill your drink. Come on in for lunch one day and say hi if you see me!
(5)Stiph N.
I give them 3 stars for the pizza and an extra one for service. I was very lazy and craving pineapple around 3pm. I found Isabella's was the only place delivering (OK, I only other places I called were Giorgio's and Panaretto). They were very friendly on the phone, and the delivery was speedy with a bright smile. The pizza was tasty and definitely fulfilled my pineapple pizza need. It reheated well the following day, too. I would definitely order from this place again.
(4)Jason M.
The garlic rolls are the best i've had in SFL. The side of spaghetti was so big for $4 and very tasty. The calzone was tasty, but has too much Ricotta. Great service. The chicken parm was ok. Seems like it may have been frozen. We typically buy a calzone, garlic rools and a side or pasta for dinner one day during the week. We recently found this place and like it.
(3)Iris N.
Yummy and a great warm friendly feel from all of the staff. They are quick to remember a face, and customer preferences. Unfortunately I have another Italian place close by that I favor just a little more...Corelli's beats them in wine selection and parings. Garlic knots are a dead tie however.
(4)