My family has been visiting Pronti's for oh, probably about 30 years now, and the torch that I carry for this fantastic little hole in the walls continues to burn bright. If I could only eat at one Italian restaurant for the rest of all eternity (what an awful thought), I think it would have to be Pronti's. Words that come to mind when I think of Pronti's are "quaint," "cute," and "homey". This isn't a fancy place, nor does it attempt to be a fancy place. The walls are filled with framed autographed photos of celebrities and athletes (most of whom are Italian). Large leather booths and dim lighting lend themselves to a slightly mafioso kinda vibe, just maybe, if you use your imagination. Taking nostalgia out of the equation, the food is what keeps me coming back here after all of these years. I now live out of state, and whenever I visit South Florida, I demand to be taken here so I can order my beloved Spaghetti with Mushroom Marinara. If you are a mushroom lover, this is an absolute must. The sauce is loaded with mushrooms, and they are marinated in some sort of vino-based concoction- the recipe for which I am fairly certain must have been sent down to the Pronti family from the angels up in Heaven. The pasta fagioli is also quite excellent, and the bread is just as it should be- crusty on the outside, and warm and soft on the inside- served with oil and vinegar for dipping, of course. Yes, the prices seem to have crept on up a little over the years, but in my opinion, still worth it...so much better than similarly priced garbage they are dishing out at unoriginal chain restaurants, and I can usually get at LEAST two, sometimes three meals out of the entrees at Pronti's. So, you can't beat that with a stick.
I'll give it a 5 star for the nostalgia. This is a landmark in the area. I've personally been going there since the early 80s. It seems like the people running it don't care about the appearance whatsoever, there is a chef statue outside rhetoric front door missing a hand and has been for a few months now, the booth seats are all ripped up and in need of repair badly. It's really quite sad because once upon a time when Bob Pronti ran it was in tip top shape and it was always busy. People still love it because I still see it packed at dinner time but It seems to be a shadow of what it once was however the food is spot on. From what I hear the chef bought it.. although they ***really should take pride in this place it is a gold mine in disguise ***
I hadn't been to Pronti's in years-literally years and nothing has changed. Is that bad or good? Well, in a way I guess they are trying to be like the ol' New York pub style The Gorgonzola cheese dressing salad was the same as ever-there was too much dressing and I felt I was digging around trying to find the lettuce. Like "Brett S. said, "someone got carried away with the pepper shaker." The pizza was alright and we had to ask for sauce (I don't think there was any on it). Looking around at the decor I felt like "Restaurant Impossible" needed to come in there and re-do the place. Oh well, not sure I will come back. It seemed better in the old days.
