LOVE this place. I am always in search of a fantastic marinara, and this place has it! The gnocchis are crazy good with the most amazing sauce. You must try this place!! Wonderful waitstaff as well- super friendly!
(5)
Strawberry S.
Great neighborhood old-country Italian. If you are looking for over-the-top waitstaff -- this is not the place for you. If you are looking for perfectly manicured plates -- this is not the place for you. However.... If you are looking for really great food and a "grandmother's kitchen" feeling (ebbs/flows of crowds and new friends included) -- this IS THE PLACE FOR YOU. My one complaint is that for the neighborhood, it's a little pricey but not horrible. $50/dinner for 2 plus house wine.
(5)
Caitlin C.
Came here to eat in for once and was super, duper pleasantly surprised! The service at their cozy bar was spectacular and fast. We had delicious freshly baked bread with fresh, soft butter and olive oil dipping sauce almost immediately! The wine was delicious, and the pour was generous. This time, I was feeling adventurous so I could the chicken arancini. DELICIOUS! Creamy, earthy, and slightly sweet from the freshly squeezed orange juice cooked irk the sauce. The roasted asparagus and peppers on the side were also flavorful on their own. The pizzas coming out of their custom wood-fired oven looked righteous. I'll be back to sip wine and scarf pizza at the bar!
(4)
Adam N.
Not sure how the lunch is but the dinner strikes me as overpriced. I ordered a special of spiralized squash caprese. I like the lighter offering but as an entree the portion size wasn't filling. It was also a bit under-seasoned and bland, although the mozzarella was of very high quality and enjoyably milky. My biggets issue was the balsamic reducation was soupy and watery, congested at the bottom of the play with droplets of oil. I noticed most of the pizzas are VERY small for the price.
(2)
Brian F.
Great ambiance Great Pizza and pasta Warm and Cozy Welcome addition to Catonsville. The bread is delivered fresh daily - the pizza is handmade and the crust has a great taste and consistency. They make my special order pizza (not on the menu) perfect and many of their menu items are new and really good - try the Grilled Caesar Salad! Bar is well designed and comfortable to eat from, tables are a bit limited but only due to size. Honestly no different than downtown Baltimore. Wine selection is maturing but quite good. They'll get it perfected as they learn their customer's taste. Reasonable prices and quality/ambiance can go toe-toe with most any Baltimore City establishment. Foodies will enjoy it while families will appreciate a bit of class without killing the budget. Looking forward to watching it grow!
(4)
Tim S.
We stopped in in a Thursday night and they didn't have a table for 5, but no biggie. We split up in to 2 at the bar and a table of three. Service at the bar was excellent I ordered the Braciole which was very good. It could have been stewed in the sauce a bit longer, but given it was 8:30 when we showed up, it was good. I think it was a bit pricy though. The brick oven pizza was very good as well. Crust was soft and warm. Meats were a very nice when out up against to the sauce and cheese, especially the sausage. Drop the price on the Braciole and I would give it 5 stars. 4 stars for now. We will try again soon.
(4)
Emily D.
This place has good food but it is pricey!!! Their happy hour looks good, but it ends at 5:00. So I guess it is not for those of us who work 9-5????
(4)
Steve S.
Wow. Outstanding beef and chicken dishes. Sauce and pasta fantastic. Owners engaged and totally willing to make experience great. Silverware could be better.
(5)
Sharon F.
We were visiting my son who is a UMBC student and found this place on Yelp. All of the pastas were homemade I would definitely go back. Try the canolis. They were a great ending for our meal.
(4)
John N.
Found this little gem to be exactly what I needed for an inexpensive Italian dinner in Catonsville. Got the veal saltimbocca - excellent! Only concern I have is the wait, but always well worth it.
(5)
Matthew B.
We went here hopeing to find a nice new pizza Resteraunt. Walking in I loved the atmosphere. The small feel of it makes you just feel welcome. We ordered garlic bread and that was delicious. We also ordered a meat lovers pizza and it all went downhill from there. 1. The pizza wasn't cooked all the way through and it was very "doughy". 2. The prosciutto was too thick and tasted kinda old. 3. The pizza as a whole just tasted meh. I definitely want to give them another chance, but I was disappointed this time.
(3)
B Scott W.
I've never said this about a restaurant before but Franco's is a really inviting, welcoming establishment. All the staff are friendly and attentive and the pizza is outstanding! My son and I stop by for carry out every week and we can't wait to bring his mom for a comfortable night out sometime soon.
(5)
Jacob A.
The brick oven pizza was amazing! The owner was very friendly and professional along with his wait staff. The atmosphere was cozy but not over crowded. We can't wait to try more from the menu but so far everything has been very good. Cocktails at the bar were great as well. Very excited that this place has opened up very close to home!
(4)
Greg A.
Great place. Enjoyed the pizza and the meatballs are awesome. Heard the seafood salad was great from the table next to us. Jimmy one of the owners was really cordial.
(5)
Jackie D.
I've visited Franco's twice since they opened, once for lunch and once for dinner. I love the atmosphere, music and artwork. Our service has been pleasant and prompt both times. While we do have a lot of pizza in Catonsville, this is a slightly more upscale version (and brick oven) and it's a treat to be able to order wine rather than BYOBing it. As for the food, I LOVE the shrimp scampi pizza!! The grilled caesar and caprese salads were fine, but nothing extraordinary. I did not care for the prosciutto and arugula pizza. The prosciutto was maybe a little thick, not crispy and with a bit of a gamey flavor. Still, there's lot's more to try and I'll be back!
(4)
Jen F.
Franco's, I really, really wanted to like you. Not only are you nestled in the heart of one of my favorite little Baltimore suburbs but your restaurant is picture perfect inside and out. I guess you have to skimp on your food to pay for that impressive customized wood-fire grill because I think Lunchables may have you beat for a better, more flavorful pizza. And that doesn't even requiring baking! And it costs a mere fraction of what you charge. For $15-$20 for a 12 inch, I was expecting to lick the pan but instead I had to mask each bite with the Parmesan cheese you so graciously place on your tables. Not only was your pizza extremely overpriced but so was the hack-job of a salad I ordered, too. For $6.99, I was expecting a decent-sized salad with an array of fresh vegetables on top. However, I got what looked like a toddler prepared because each piece of cheap iceberg lettuce was a different size. And I can't forget the house dressing, which I always gravitate toward in Italian restaurants because it's usually the best option compared to the highly processed alternatives. When I attempted to pour it on my salad, it came out of the container as a large mass of clumped Parmesan cheese and fell in the middle of my salad. If Cyclops had a salad cousin, this salad would have been it. Now, I must give you kudos not only for your pretty ambiance by your nice wait staff. Our waitress was very sweet and accommodating. She even went out of her way to tell me where to find a nearby snowball stand, which my friend and I raced to in order to rinse out the bitter asparagus aftertaste from your veggie pizza. My friend and I will never be returning to your restaurant and will have to resort to our old trusty standby, Pizza Hut, when we want some flavorful, reasonably priced pizza and salad. It actually hurt my soul a little bit when I received the bill because we could have had two meals at Pizza Hut for the price of one extremely mediocre meal at your restaurant.
(2)
Paul L.
Great place if you love quality over quantity. Hope it stays around. Want to try everything. Take your time & enjoy
(4)
Swivelneck D.
Third time I have been here. I reserved final judgement until now. The first time I had takeout and it was solid. The second time it was horrid... truly. The Veal Saltimbocca was salty shoe leather and the prosciutto was even harder to chew as it was charred. The third time I went the best dish from the first visit was a failure. What happened to the really good gnocchi of the past??? They were mealy heavy glue balls. I have no idea what people are eating here that deserves 5 stars. To each his own. This place is also expensive, even if it were consistent with my first visit.
(1)
George P.
Very disappointed tonight at Francos, the server decided to skip my wife and I (after waiting 15 minutes for a table) to seat A four-top with only two people (2 more were "on their way.") Extremely rude experience. The owner/manager noticed this and offered us drinks, but there wasn't room at the bar. In previous experiences, the food was good but overpriced. So much for a local, casual place to eat in Catonsville. Would not recommend.
(1)
Alliebug G.
Went there around 5:30 during the week and must have just beat the dinner rush, as we were seated at a table right off the bat. Only went for a couple glasses of wine and an appetizer. We settled on the calamari. It was fantastic, probably some of the best I've had. It wasn't too greasy nor was it over cooked. The sauce that came with it was very tasty. Also, we got a basket of bread. My only complaint is the price. We only had 4 glasses of wine and the appetizer between us, and our bill was over $40. Okay, it was good. But it wasn't any special red wine and not enough to pay $7.50/glass for. Overall, our experience was good. The service was good, the calamari was excellent and we enjoyed the atmosphere. Although I was a little put off because of the prices, we will be back. Lastly, as someone who works within walking distance of the place, a good lunch special or an evening happy hour would really be awesome (currently, their happy hour runs from 3-5pm MTW, too early for most of us working stiffs.)
(4)
Estelle S.
Two thumbs down . The wait staff seems inexperienced and not good . Pizza was ok overpriced but ok . The chicken dishes were awful . I am sure that no one that actually runs this restaurant has not noticed the fatty chicken its Not edible and disgusting. I tried to 2 chicken dishes both BAD. I wish my experience was different because this is very close to my home but unfortunately it isn't.
(1)
Emily L.
Updated to add: pricing is very reasonable. Lunch for 3, with wine, came to $50, and we took home a lot of food. Also: the meatball sub is pretty amazing, as is the Italian tuna. My new Catonsville favorite!
(4)
Stephanie M.
The food was good, service wasn't great and it is expensive for what you get. We ordered off the lunch menu and it was $13.50 for a 12in pep pizza. It seemed like a lot for a small pizza that was just ok. I probably won't go back for another meal. I do not like that the owner, Greg, ignores customers. He has never been friendly or approachable at either restaurant. At Gianni's, at least the staff makes up for his lack of customer service. At Franco's, it seems his staff is following his lead.
(3)
Whitney A.
Went here for lunch and drinks one afternoon. The inside of the restaurant is very nice. I was also very happy with the service of at the bar. I would have to say that for being in Catonsville, the happy hour drink prices on drafts were a little expensive, but not the worst I've ever seen. My friends ordered personal pizzas that looked and smelled delicious. The reason why I did not order one myself is because it was a bit small for the price/the price was a bit high for the size of the pizza. It was great that it was coming right out of an oven that the entire restaurant could see, but I was envisioning something quite different based on the prices. I would come back because of the proximity to downtown Catonsville and the quality of the food was good. The service was great also, but it was a pretty quiet lunch service the time I came.
(4)
Casey P.
Bookie salad and margarita pizza are amazing, very good arancini, but calamari pasta is awful. Good orange crushes. Limited space/seating though!
(4)
Jason M.
We, like many others, in Catonsville were excited to see Franco's open. We had high expectation based on our experience at and the reputation of Gianni's in Arbutus. Sadly we can best describe our disappointing experience at Franco's in mid October as bland. The gnocchi and veal was very plain with what tasted like processed gnocchi and the Bolognese left much to be desired. It was evident through the confusion demonstrated by the staff behind the counter and comments that we overheard that there are some growing pains occurring from the recent opening. Having worked in restaurants, I understand that and hope that was what we experienced. Hopefully they can overcome these challenges and become an established fixture in Catonsville.
(2)
Steve G.
Took the family to Catonsville for dinner tonight and while walking down "Main St" Frederick road, decided to walk into Franco's because it was still crowded at 7:45. We were not disappointed. The pizza, scrimp scampi, Mamma's ravioli, and chicken Parmesan were all outstanding! Fresh pasta and reasonable prices make Franco's a winner!
(4)
Patrick L.
My wife and I are local Catonsville folks...we have been twice....I love their pepperoni pizza and my wife liked her veggie pizza...in addition, my wife ordered their escarole & bean soup...the soup is made to order and excellent.....food is great but they might encourage their staff "not" to drink in the place where they work..
(4)
john b.
We live in Catonsville and were very excited to see a new restaurant opening in town. The place that replaced Regions is a welcoming and they have done a nice job redoing the place. The place was packed and the menu is family friendly. We sat at the bar which is huge and pretty well stocked for Catonsville. The service was good. Now for the food. Bread is still store bought one month in. We ordered a grilled hearts of romaine Cesar salad that was drenched in a very salty dressing. My wife ended up eating the center where the dressing had not gotten too. We also ordered the rice balls that were thickly crusted mush. Flavorless and very greasy. I had the Shrimp Fra Diavlo. The pasta was cooked well, the sauce was okay but more than half the shrimp were undercooked. Two dinners and a bottle of not so good chianti was $62 plus tip. I don't think we will be going back. I would recommend that you head to Chef Paulino's instead.
(2)
Scott S.
The fact that I was compelled to write a review should speak volumes. We had been waiting to try this place and decided to last night. My wife always laughs because if there is a veal parmigiana on the menu, it's a forgone conclusion I'm getting it, and I did. She got the mushroom stuffed ravioli. I have NEVER had a more tasteless parmigiana of any kind, any where, period. The sauce had no spice to it whatsoever, and it couldn't have been to let the flavor of the parmigiana come through, because there wasn't any. The "sauce" on the mushroom ravioli was akin to coming out of a jar, a jar of mushroom gravy, that is. I have never in my life not taken home leftovers if there were any. The pasta side on my plate had more flavor than the veal. Would need to understand there was a major change for the better to return. Back to the trusty Catonsville Gourmet for us.
(1)
Kyle D.
Pros: fresh, homemade, and delicious. We tried four different dishes: cheese ravioli, wild mushroom ravioli, vodka penne, and chicken parm. All dishes were perfect. Cons: We had to wait a long time to be seated and for our food to come out. Our waiter was pretty bad, our drinks were always empty and it seemed he continuously forgot about us. I was not happy that the price of a pizza was the same price as a pasta dish, pizza should be $2-$3 cheaper. We defiantly will be back, I know that the long waits were due to it being new, hopefully the waiter will learn, and the owner adjusts those pizza prices.
(3)
Emmiline A.
New restaurant and I think they still have some kinks to work out. My husband and I hand the mozzarella caprice, chicken Parmesan, and gnocchi in veal sauce. Of the three the gnocchi was hands down the best. The mozzarella caprice was a weak dish. I lacked seasoning and the tomatoes were not good. Also when we asked for bread we were served grocery store Italian bread. I had hoped for better; especially as they have a brick oven. We enjoyed our dinner and will go back.
We went there for the first time last night. The atmosphere is warm and friendly and the food is VERY good. We had the excellent mushroom ravioli and the very good shrimp scampi pizza. We will definitely go again soon and bring friends.
(4)
Wendy A.
For those who have never visited Italy, you may appreciate the best Italian in Baltimore! While downtown has Americanized the experience, it is alive and well here! We call it our second kitchen as the food is so fresh no wonder it is packed most nights.
(5)
Jay M.
I have been to Franco's three times since it has opened. Each time the experience has improved. I love the ravioli, and the pizzas are great. The staff is very friendly, but we had to ask for things a few times. Wine is good, food is good and it has a good vibe.
I like Franco's as a concept. The pasta and other foods are fresh, and prepared well. I've liked pretty much everything I've eaten there. It's nice that they give you the option of half-portions of the a-la-carte pasta dishes. They installed a new brick pizza oven that turns out a pretty tasty, crispy pie. I've never been unhappy with the food, though prices for pasta dishes tend to run on the high side. There are a few things, though. The space is dominated by a very large bar on two sides of the room. Tables are all concentrated opposite, and there never seem to be enough of them. You can order the full menu at the bar, but it's run a little too much like a neighborhood watering hole. So, while you're trying to eat your meal, there's a standing crowd behind you ordering drinks over your head and passing beverages and money back and forth. Bar seating is one thing, but the open bar service is quite another. Which also ties up seats for people wanting to eat with patrons milking a single beer for a half-hour while they watch the game on TV. My expectation for a "bistro" is a concentration on the food. This feels more like a crowded bar with tables on the outskirts. Personally, I'd have taken out one leg of the bar in lieu of some high-top deuces to accommodate diners, or at least restrict the SRO crowd.
(3)
Paula D.
First time at Franco's. First impression, It was warm and inviting inside. Staff was nice and just the right amount of attentiveness. We had the mussels to start and then the margarita pizza. Both were excellent! We will be back.
(5)
Bob B.
Brick oven pizza is fantastic, bartender Brad was attentive and friendly. Great new hangout in Catonsville
(5)
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Address :803-805 Frederick Rd
Catonsville, MD, 21228
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
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Cada P.
LOVE this place. I am always in search of a fantastic marinara, and this place has it! The gnocchis are crazy good with the most amazing sauce. You must try this place!! Wonderful waitstaff as well- super friendly!
(5)Strawberry S.
Great neighborhood old-country Italian. If you are looking for over-the-top waitstaff -- this is not the place for you. If you are looking for perfectly manicured plates -- this is not the place for you. However.... If you are looking for really great food and a "grandmother's kitchen" feeling (ebbs/flows of crowds and new friends included) -- this IS THE PLACE FOR YOU. My one complaint is that for the neighborhood, it's a little pricey but not horrible. $50/dinner for 2 plus house wine.
(5)Caitlin C.
Came here to eat in for once and was super, duper pleasantly surprised! The service at their cozy bar was spectacular and fast. We had delicious freshly baked bread with fresh, soft butter and olive oil dipping sauce almost immediately! The wine was delicious, and the pour was generous. This time, I was feeling adventurous so I could the chicken arancini. DELICIOUS! Creamy, earthy, and slightly sweet from the freshly squeezed orange juice cooked irk the sauce. The roasted asparagus and peppers on the side were also flavorful on their own. The pizzas coming out of their custom wood-fired oven looked righteous. I'll be back to sip wine and scarf pizza at the bar!
(4)Adam N.
Not sure how the lunch is but the dinner strikes me as overpriced. I ordered a special of spiralized squash caprese. I like the lighter offering but as an entree the portion size wasn't filling. It was also a bit under-seasoned and bland, although the mozzarella was of very high quality and enjoyably milky. My biggets issue was the balsamic reducation was soupy and watery, congested at the bottom of the play with droplets of oil. I noticed most of the pizzas are VERY small for the price.
(2)Brian F.
Great ambiance Great Pizza and pasta Warm and Cozy Welcome addition to Catonsville. The bread is delivered fresh daily - the pizza is handmade and the crust has a great taste and consistency. They make my special order pizza (not on the menu) perfect and many of their menu items are new and really good - try the Grilled Caesar Salad! Bar is well designed and comfortable to eat from, tables are a bit limited but only due to size. Honestly no different than downtown Baltimore. Wine selection is maturing but quite good. They'll get it perfected as they learn their customer's taste. Reasonable prices and quality/ambiance can go toe-toe with most any Baltimore City establishment. Foodies will enjoy it while families will appreciate a bit of class without killing the budget. Looking forward to watching it grow!
(4)Tim S.
We stopped in in a Thursday night and they didn't have a table for 5, but no biggie. We split up in to 2 at the bar and a table of three. Service at the bar was excellent I ordered the Braciole which was very good. It could have been stewed in the sauce a bit longer, but given it was 8:30 when we showed up, it was good. I think it was a bit pricy though. The brick oven pizza was very good as well. Crust was soft and warm. Meats were a very nice when out up against to the sauce and cheese, especially the sausage. Drop the price on the Braciole and I would give it 5 stars. 4 stars for now. We will try again soon.
(4)Emily D.
This place has good food but it is pricey!!! Their happy hour looks good, but it ends at 5:00. So I guess it is not for those of us who work 9-5????
(4)Steve S.
Wow. Outstanding beef and chicken dishes. Sauce and pasta fantastic. Owners engaged and totally willing to make experience great. Silverware could be better.
(5)Sharon F.
We were visiting my son who is a UMBC student and found this place on Yelp. All of the pastas were homemade I would definitely go back. Try the canolis. They were a great ending for our meal.
(4)John N.
Found this little gem to be exactly what I needed for an inexpensive Italian dinner in Catonsville. Got the veal saltimbocca - excellent! Only concern I have is the wait, but always well worth it.
(5)Matthew B.
We went here hopeing to find a nice new pizza Resteraunt. Walking in I loved the atmosphere. The small feel of it makes you just feel welcome. We ordered garlic bread and that was delicious. We also ordered a meat lovers pizza and it all went downhill from there. 1. The pizza wasn't cooked all the way through and it was very "doughy". 2. The prosciutto was too thick and tasted kinda old. 3. The pizza as a whole just tasted meh. I definitely want to give them another chance, but I was disappointed this time.
(3)B Scott W.
I've never said this about a restaurant before but Franco's is a really inviting, welcoming establishment. All the staff are friendly and attentive and the pizza is outstanding! My son and I stop by for carry out every week and we can't wait to bring his mom for a comfortable night out sometime soon.
(5)Jacob A.
The brick oven pizza was amazing! The owner was very friendly and professional along with his wait staff. The atmosphere was cozy but not over crowded. We can't wait to try more from the menu but so far everything has been very good. Cocktails at the bar were great as well. Very excited that this place has opened up very close to home!
(4)Greg A.
Great place. Enjoyed the pizza and the meatballs are awesome. Heard the seafood salad was great from the table next to us. Jimmy one of the owners was really cordial.
(5)Jackie D.
I've visited Franco's twice since they opened, once for lunch and once for dinner. I love the atmosphere, music and artwork. Our service has been pleasant and prompt both times. While we do have a lot of pizza in Catonsville, this is a slightly more upscale version (and brick oven) and it's a treat to be able to order wine rather than BYOBing it. As for the food, I LOVE the shrimp scampi pizza!! The grilled caesar and caprese salads were fine, but nothing extraordinary. I did not care for the prosciutto and arugula pizza. The prosciutto was maybe a little thick, not crispy and with a bit of a gamey flavor. Still, there's lot's more to try and I'll be back!
(4)Jen F.
Franco's, I really, really wanted to like you. Not only are you nestled in the heart of one of my favorite little Baltimore suburbs but your restaurant is picture perfect inside and out. I guess you have to skimp on your food to pay for that impressive customized wood-fire grill because I think Lunchables may have you beat for a better, more flavorful pizza. And that doesn't even requiring baking! And it costs a mere fraction of what you charge. For $15-$20 for a 12 inch, I was expecting to lick the pan but instead I had to mask each bite with the Parmesan cheese you so graciously place on your tables. Not only was your pizza extremely overpriced but so was the hack-job of a salad I ordered, too. For $6.99, I was expecting a decent-sized salad with an array of fresh vegetables on top. However, I got what looked like a toddler prepared because each piece of cheap iceberg lettuce was a different size. And I can't forget the house dressing, which I always gravitate toward in Italian restaurants because it's usually the best option compared to the highly processed alternatives. When I attempted to pour it on my salad, it came out of the container as a large mass of clumped Parmesan cheese and fell in the middle of my salad. If Cyclops had a salad cousin, this salad would have been it. Now, I must give you kudos not only for your pretty ambiance by your nice wait staff. Our waitress was very sweet and accommodating. She even went out of her way to tell me where to find a nearby snowball stand, which my friend and I raced to in order to rinse out the bitter asparagus aftertaste from your veggie pizza. My friend and I will never be returning to your restaurant and will have to resort to our old trusty standby, Pizza Hut, when we want some flavorful, reasonably priced pizza and salad. It actually hurt my soul a little bit when I received the bill because we could have had two meals at Pizza Hut for the price of one extremely mediocre meal at your restaurant.
(2)Paul L.
Great place if you love quality over quantity. Hope it stays around. Want to try everything. Take your time & enjoy
(4)Swivelneck D.
Third time I have been here. I reserved final judgement until now. The first time I had takeout and it was solid. The second time it was horrid... truly. The Veal Saltimbocca was salty shoe leather and the prosciutto was even harder to chew as it was charred. The third time I went the best dish from the first visit was a failure. What happened to the really good gnocchi of the past??? They were mealy heavy glue balls. I have no idea what people are eating here that deserves 5 stars. To each his own. This place is also expensive, even if it were consistent with my first visit.
(1)George P.
Very disappointed tonight at Francos, the server decided to skip my wife and I (after waiting 15 minutes for a table) to seat A four-top with only two people (2 more were "on their way.") Extremely rude experience. The owner/manager noticed this and offered us drinks, but there wasn't room at the bar. In previous experiences, the food was good but overpriced. So much for a local, casual place to eat in Catonsville. Would not recommend.
(1)Alliebug G.
Went there around 5:30 during the week and must have just beat the dinner rush, as we were seated at a table right off the bat. Only went for a couple glasses of wine and an appetizer. We settled on the calamari. It was fantastic, probably some of the best I've had. It wasn't too greasy nor was it over cooked. The sauce that came with it was very tasty. Also, we got a basket of bread. My only complaint is the price. We only had 4 glasses of wine and the appetizer between us, and our bill was over $40. Okay, it was good. But it wasn't any special red wine and not enough to pay $7.50/glass for. Overall, our experience was good. The service was good, the calamari was excellent and we enjoyed the atmosphere. Although I was a little put off because of the prices, we will be back. Lastly, as someone who works within walking distance of the place, a good lunch special or an evening happy hour would really be awesome (currently, their happy hour runs from 3-5pm MTW, too early for most of us working stiffs.)
(4)Estelle S.
Two thumbs down . The wait staff seems inexperienced and not good . Pizza was ok overpriced but ok . The chicken dishes were awful . I am sure that no one that actually runs this restaurant has not noticed the fatty chicken its Not edible and disgusting. I tried to 2 chicken dishes both BAD. I wish my experience was different because this is very close to my home but unfortunately it isn't.
(1)Emily L.
Updated to add: pricing is very reasonable. Lunch for 3, with wine, came to $50, and we took home a lot of food. Also: the meatball sub is pretty amazing, as is the Italian tuna. My new Catonsville favorite!
(4)Stephanie M.
The food was good, service wasn't great and it is expensive for what you get. We ordered off the lunch menu and it was $13.50 for a 12in pep pizza. It seemed like a lot for a small pizza that was just ok. I probably won't go back for another meal. I do not like that the owner, Greg, ignores customers. He has never been friendly or approachable at either restaurant. At Gianni's, at least the staff makes up for his lack of customer service. At Franco's, it seems his staff is following his lead.
(3)Whitney A.
Went here for lunch and drinks one afternoon. The inside of the restaurant is very nice. I was also very happy with the service of at the bar. I would have to say that for being in Catonsville, the happy hour drink prices on drafts were a little expensive, but not the worst I've ever seen. My friends ordered personal pizzas that looked and smelled delicious. The reason why I did not order one myself is because it was a bit small for the price/the price was a bit high for the size of the pizza. It was great that it was coming right out of an oven that the entire restaurant could see, but I was envisioning something quite different based on the prices. I would come back because of the proximity to downtown Catonsville and the quality of the food was good. The service was great also, but it was a pretty quiet lunch service the time I came.
(4)Casey P.
Bookie salad and margarita pizza are amazing, very good arancini, but calamari pasta is awful. Good orange crushes. Limited space/seating though!
(4)Jason M.
We, like many others, in Catonsville were excited to see Franco's open. We had high expectation based on our experience at and the reputation of Gianni's in Arbutus. Sadly we can best describe our disappointing experience at Franco's in mid October as bland. The gnocchi and veal was very plain with what tasted like processed gnocchi and the Bolognese left much to be desired. It was evident through the confusion demonstrated by the staff behind the counter and comments that we overheard that there are some growing pains occurring from the recent opening. Having worked in restaurants, I understand that and hope that was what we experienced. Hopefully they can overcome these challenges and become an established fixture in Catonsville.
(2)Steve G.
Took the family to Catonsville for dinner tonight and while walking down "Main St" Frederick road, decided to walk into Franco's because it was still crowded at 7:45. We were not disappointed. The pizza, scrimp scampi, Mamma's ravioli, and chicken Parmesan were all outstanding! Fresh pasta and reasonable prices make Franco's a winner!
(4)Patrick L.
My wife and I are local Catonsville folks...we have been twice....I love their pepperoni pizza and my wife liked her veggie pizza...in addition, my wife ordered their escarole & bean soup...the soup is made to order and excellent.....food is great but they might encourage their staff "not" to drink in the place where they work..
(4)john b.
We live in Catonsville and were very excited to see a new restaurant opening in town. The place that replaced Regions is a welcoming and they have done a nice job redoing the place. The place was packed and the menu is family friendly. We sat at the bar which is huge and pretty well stocked for Catonsville. The service was good. Now for the food. Bread is still store bought one month in. We ordered a grilled hearts of romaine Cesar salad that was drenched in a very salty dressing. My wife ended up eating the center where the dressing had not gotten too. We also ordered the rice balls that were thickly crusted mush. Flavorless and very greasy. I had the Shrimp Fra Diavlo. The pasta was cooked well, the sauce was okay but more than half the shrimp were undercooked. Two dinners and a bottle of not so good chianti was $62 plus tip. I don't think we will be going back. I would recommend that you head to Chef Paulino's instead.
(2)Scott S.
The fact that I was compelled to write a review should speak volumes. We had been waiting to try this place and decided to last night. My wife always laughs because if there is a veal parmigiana on the menu, it's a forgone conclusion I'm getting it, and I did. She got the mushroom stuffed ravioli. I have NEVER had a more tasteless parmigiana of any kind, any where, period. The sauce had no spice to it whatsoever, and it couldn't have been to let the flavor of the parmigiana come through, because there wasn't any. The "sauce" on the mushroom ravioli was akin to coming out of a jar, a jar of mushroom gravy, that is. I have never in my life not taken home leftovers if there were any. The pasta side on my plate had more flavor than the veal. Would need to understand there was a major change for the better to return. Back to the trusty Catonsville Gourmet for us.
(1)Kyle D.
Pros: fresh, homemade, and delicious. We tried four different dishes: cheese ravioli, wild mushroom ravioli, vodka penne, and chicken parm. All dishes were perfect. Cons: We had to wait a long time to be seated and for our food to come out. Our waiter was pretty bad, our drinks were always empty and it seemed he continuously forgot about us. I was not happy that the price of a pizza was the same price as a pasta dish, pizza should be $2-$3 cheaper. We defiantly will be back, I know that the long waits were due to it being new, hopefully the waiter will learn, and the owner adjusts those pizza prices.
(3)Emmiline A.
New restaurant and I think they still have some kinks to work out. My husband and I hand the mozzarella caprice, chicken Parmesan, and gnocchi in veal sauce. Of the three the gnocchi was hands down the best. The mozzarella caprice was a weak dish. I lacked seasoning and the tomatoes were not good. Also when we asked for bread we were served grocery store Italian bread. I had hoped for better; especially as they have a brick oven. We enjoyed our dinner and will go back.
(3)Benny C.
The atmosphere was nice, and the bar was sufficient. The service was not very good. For example, I had to ask for silverware to eat my food which was served 15 minutes prior, I had to wait almost ten minutes to order my food after I was ready, etc. The food was a disappointment. My sandwich needed oregano, basil, etc., and had so much olive oil that when I bit into my sandwich the oil actually splashed me in the face, then made a puddle all over my plate. The broccoli rabe had a look and texture more like that of sautéed spinach, but more importantly the only thing you tasted was the bitterness of the rabe, not even salt was added! Unfortunately, poor dining establishments continue to be a trademark of this town.
(2)Lisa S.
We went there for the first time last night. The atmosphere is warm and friendly and the food is VERY good. We had the excellent mushroom ravioli and the very good shrimp scampi pizza. We will definitely go again soon and bring friends.
(4)Wendy A.
For those who have never visited Italy, you may appreciate the best Italian in Baltimore! While downtown has Americanized the experience, it is alive and well here! We call it our second kitchen as the food is so fresh no wonder it is packed most nights.
(5)Jay M.
I have been to Franco's three times since it has opened. Each time the experience has improved. I love the ravioli, and the pizzas are great. The staff is very friendly, but we had to ask for things a few times. Wine is good, food is good and it has a good vibe.
(4)Claudia C.
We needed to have a nice dinner before my niece's Confirmation. Coming from New York we feel we are more savvy with food so it makes us very picky when choosing restaurants so Yelp reviews are a must !! Plus we have had bad experiences with highly rated restaurants in other states. We had chosen another restaurant with better Yelp reviews but it was BOYB, so we decided against it. We had looked at Yelp reviews for this restaurant but they were only for take out. Then miraculously 1 review for dine in and it was a good one, so we decided to try. Walking in, it looks more like a pizzeria so we were thinking it was going to be sub par Italian food. Boy were we wrong!!! We were a mixed group with who was vegetarian, who was vegan, who didn't eat much, and the rest of us that eat anything. We all loved everything !! Some appetizers: * fresh mozzarella with roasted red peppers and basil. So delicious especially because the mozzarella was very fresh and the roasted peppers were homemade, not jarred. * eggplant rollatini which was creamy and luscious. * brick oven cheese pizza no sauce cooked to perfection! * sautéed mushrooms which were so yummy you just needed a loaf of bread to soak up all juices! Then the amazing entrees!!! * veal bracciole with orecchiette which was phenomenal!! It tasted so fresh and homemade !! * veal saltimbocca with salad and vegetables. I wanted to lick my plate! * roasted vegetables over linguine, so primal but delectable! * chicken parmagiana which tasted like grandma 's. Unfortunately, we had to leave without dessert because we had to rush to church. We would all so return to this restaurant !! Not to mention, it was packed with a dinner crowd but service didn't suffer! They were also very accommodating with substitutions!
(5)Rob N.
I like Franco's as a concept. The pasta and other foods are fresh, and prepared well. I've liked pretty much everything I've eaten there. It's nice that they give you the option of half-portions of the a-la-carte pasta dishes. They installed a new brick pizza oven that turns out a pretty tasty, crispy pie. I've never been unhappy with the food, though prices for pasta dishes tend to run on the high side. There are a few things, though. The space is dominated by a very large bar on two sides of the room. Tables are all concentrated opposite, and there never seem to be enough of them. You can order the full menu at the bar, but it's run a little too much like a neighborhood watering hole. So, while you're trying to eat your meal, there's a standing crowd behind you ordering drinks over your head and passing beverages and money back and forth. Bar seating is one thing, but the open bar service is quite another. Which also ties up seats for people wanting to eat with patrons milking a single beer for a half-hour while they watch the game on TV. My expectation for a "bistro" is a concentration on the food. This feels more like a crowded bar with tables on the outskirts. Personally, I'd have taken out one leg of the bar in lieu of some high-top deuces to accommodate diners, or at least restrict the SRO crowd.
(3)Paula D.
First time at Franco's. First impression, It was warm and inviting inside. Staff was nice and just the right amount of attentiveness. We had the mussels to start and then the margarita pizza. Both were excellent! We will be back.
(5)Bob B.
Brick oven pizza is fantastic, bartender Brad was attentive and friendly. Great new hangout in Catonsville
(5)