This place never let me down... The bread and salads are wonderful. And the ziti is my favorite pasta... However, I've tried most of them and all are good. I love their hummus and their Pasta salad is to die for.
(5)
Autumn F.
I've never had bad service here, the staff is always friendly and attentive. I love local eateries and the portabello ravioli is delicious!!!
(5)
John S.
One of my favorite restaurants. Great food, good service and relaxing atmosphere. This is that little out of the way place that everyone loves.
(5)
Kimberly B.
Yum! I had never been here. I'll be back soon! Delicious bread and the pizza was terrific! It's a must to get provel cheese on anything! It was a nice setting for the family but I'm excited to come back for date night! Waitress was super sweet. The only complaint I would have is that when you come in, if it's busy, you don't know what to do or where to go. Not for long though. They have cream soda in the soda machine! That's a huge plus! Come hungry and if you want dessert be sure to save room or take it with you. Great place!
(5)
C.J. B.
Went in, sat ourselves. Were were not acknowledged for 15 minutes. Waitress kept walking by and avoiding eye contact. Table still wasn't clear from last party. People came in after us and were served before us. Might be back.
(1)
Carynn V.
We received amazing service on a Saturday afternoon. First we ordered the garlic bread which was a serving for 4-6 people. We quickly ordered the lunch special which includes a lunch size pasta and salad/soup. I had the house salad and The Greek pasta. Salad was a bit dry but the pasta was absolutely amazing! Overall great experience which also felt somewhat authentic.
(4)
Shane A.
This is a nice little secluded place. Hard to find if you're not familiar with the area, or not looking for it. It actually set's right in the center of a residential area. They have some of the best pasta in town. And you can trust me on that because normally I hate pasta. Go when the weather is nice, and grab a seat outside. Make sure to get there early because outside seating is limited. I also love the olive oil, and bread that comes free with your meal. It's a great little spot, and gives you a different feel on dining outside.
(4)
Teneka H.
Mmmm. I am going to smell like garlic for the next three days, and that's okay. Pease start with the bruschetta-I was not excited that we ordered it, because I am not usually a fan. Until now. Mercy. The bruschetta at Bambino's is stellar. Little strips of bread with a bowl of cold tomato/garlic/basil magic. I can't put my finger on where the sweetness comes from, but it's delicious. The pieces of tomato could be chopped a little smaller because the pieces of bread are small, but you'll make do. I ordered the portabello ravioli, which are filled with mushrooms and caramelized onions in a marsala cream sauce. I didn't get a huge wine flavor, and the sauce is mellow and smooth. I guarantee there is nothing low calorie about it...obviously creamy or cheesy or whatever the hell is in there. There is a handful of fresh spinach tossed in too, so it counts as a vegetable. For some reason, we ate all high class and got dessert too...enter the tiramisu. My only critique is that there was too much chocolate sauce on the top. Next time I am requesting that they leave that off...it competed with the delicate flavor that i look for in tiramisu. All in all, the prices are great, the food is great, and the parking lot is terrible. Go anyway....and if you are a bike rider, there are bike racks out front and a patio...definitely worth it!
(4)
Thomas C.
Finally tried Bambino's and will be back to try their pizza and other menu items. Quaint location just south of MSU and a great atmosphere inside, from the tin ceilings to the local artistry on the walls for sale. We tried a pasta dish and a panini (loved the New Yorker). The bread is fresh, service is very accommodating, and quick enough for a lunch hour visit. Give this a try!
(4)
Tammy F.
This was our first visit here. We came for our anniversary. The food was amazing. I had the Greek Pasta, and my husband had the Alfredo with shrimp. You must try the Spinach Artichoke dip. A MA ZING. There is limited parking, and very limited seating, plan on a wait for both. But so worth it.
(5)
Randi F.
Yum. I got the Greek pasta.. Ah-mazing !! I left out the olives Eww lol the bouchetta was amazing as well. The wait stuff was good but not great.. When I first pulled up I was like uhhh.. Interesting.. Kind of in a neighbor hood but it already smelled amazing. Pretty good prices... The free bread however was not good. Don't waste calories or room !!
(4)
Paul L.
Great food, Great service, in Your neighborhood. That's their logo and what we received. Great place we will be back.
(5)
Janet D.
Love the pasta, love the coffee, love the vibe of a small restaurant. Am a little jealous of people who live in the houses nearby, since they could walk over and eat any time they like. I keep meaning to go in there for just dessert and coffee with a friend. Must do.
(5)
Betty A.
We went with a party of 11 and they were wonderful the food was excellent servings are very big two can eat off of a regular size the lunch size probably two could eat off of everything was wonderful and delicious
(5)
Judy B.
Great lunch specials pasta is fresh paninis are awesome great place to have a beer and a nice casual Mill with friends
(4)
Pamela M.
Bambino's was a favorite in college and a place I thought (alot) about after I moved away. When I came back to town, I had to go again to see if it had maintained it's top tier status in my book. To my delight, it was better than ever. The Ziti is my new favorite. The sauce consistency paired with the flavorful and tender roast beef and to top it off, under 10 bucks! This dish a total hit! Other favorites are the Momma (Chicken Alfredo / veggies / a dallop of marinara) and the Poppa (Spicy Sausage and Marinara / veggies / a dallop of alfredo).
(5)
Troy P.
I always want to eat at Bambinos. They are the best pasta deal in SGF land.
(5)
Bill A.
Simply incredible! Outstanding appetizers! Side salads were very fresh. House dressing excellent. Cheesy bread is huge and delicious. Spinach and artichoke dip was equally as good and large portions. Main courses were huge! The Bambino has a very unique taste with the provel chesse. Ziti was excellent with the marinara sauce. Tortalini had the right mix of pasta and sauce. Worth the extra drive to get here!
(5)
Justin B.
Wonderful food! Great service. They were able accommodate our group and quick and friendly service. The food was simply spectacular.
(5)
Jason E.
"When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's amore." Nestled among a sea of working class homes, just a hop, skip, and a jump from MSU, hides a neighborly conversion screaming for you to get inside. Let's call it Bambino's. I wish that pizza would have knocked me down before I walked through those doors. Don't get me wrong. It's a great concept. An old house transformed into a dreamy little Italian eatery. Rustic, cozy, charming. Surprisingly full! What more could a restauranteur ask for? Maybe 100% customer satisfaction. Nah... there's always those pesky customers in search of something real, something genuine, something exceptional, and something delicious. They just expect too darn much! The atmosphere is great. I was absolutely excited to find this place, even more so when I walked in. Everything seemed promising. Immediately, however, the service was lacking. Sure, they filled my drink, took my order, delivered my food, then my check. That's all a server is really supposed to do, right? Please, convince me this is true? I will give credit where credit is due. The bread was delicious. Homemade onsite, it was quite worthy. Plenty served as well. Baskets and baskets of bread. Today's appetizer consisted of more homemade bread, with a creamy spinach and artichoke dip. Very HUGE pieces of artichoke. A bunch. Lots of it. Nice flowing bundles of artichoke. Overwhelming and never ending bundles... of... artichoke. A couple of leaves of spinach too. I grabbed those before my wife could. Cheese sauce was good. It even masked all that artichoke. Our table had a variety of dishes. A nicely made panini, an Alfredo dish, a red cream sauce dish, and a simple spaghetti dish. Ah, where to begin? I first want to give credit to the bread. It really is delicious. Did I mention it is homemade onsite? Worthy, so, so worthy. Couldn't mess up the panini with such manna. My dish, "The Poppa", was an utter mess. I ordered the lunch portion, which is two dollars less. I went ahead and added two meatballs, which seemed like a great deal at 2 for $1.00. A pair of meatballs for a buck... wow! The portion was huge I was actually excited that I might be taking some home. A man can dream, can't he? This dish was less than desirable. The pasta was overcooked, and over-sauced. It was almost soup! I like mushrooms, but not at this rate. It was overrun with fungus. I dare mention the Italian sausage. It was a harsh mouthful of displeasure. Mushy and sour tasting. Please make it stop! This was pitiful. This sauce was either old or rancid. I could not finish my plate. I hid the remainder of my portion beneath the comfort of a barely used napkin. Poor, poor pasta dish. I hope it did find comfort. On to the meatballs. I asked my wife to try one out to determine whether they were homemade or store bought. I would say the latter. A spongy mess. Spongy meatballs are not my forte. Cold, spongy meatballs. I still can believe I put those in my mouth. Please, please make it stop! We also ordered "The Diana". Not worthy of such a royal name. Soggy vegetables and overcooked protein, topped with, yes, a scorched creamy Alfredo. There's no mistaking the taste of burned milk. How and why they would allow this outside of their kitchen boggles my mind. Perhaps they named this dish to remind us of the princesses untimely demise... this dish truly was a wreck! I can't. I have to stop. If you like quaint buildings and good bread. This is your place. One star for each of those. Don't blink though, you might miss it... It is small. If you happen to blink, good for you, it's your lucky day!
(2)
Jordan A.
This is one of my favorite date-night places. The food and staff have always been great!
(5)
Mallory F.
I am pretty sure that I've dreamt about Bambino's Cafe a good 100 times since moving from Springfield. Pathetic and sad? Maybe so, but no one does hot, bubbling, ooey gooey baked pasta like this place. Provel really is the best cheese on the planet, and while living in the varied communities across the US and abroad, it was the one thing that I couldn't ever have that I wanted so much I couldn't get over it. On all of my trips home, I would buy bags of the stuff to take back with me on the plane. I wish I would be more adventurous when ordering here, but I always got the Bambino (substitute marinara for the meat sauce). Scrum-diddalee-umptious! A hop, skip and a short little white girl jump away from the campus of Missouri State (the school which was graced with my presence for 4 years). The little gem is hidden... nestled in a little neighborhood with homes next door and across the street. If food is equated to happiness, then Bambino's must be equated to heaven. The orange venue feels like you've entered someone's home... some Italian, spectacular pasta reering someone's home. I think that anyone in college enjoys feeling at home someplace, and Bambino's serves as the place to do it. Go in, grab a brew, kick your feet up (well, don't do the feet-kicking up thing for real... it's rude... this is just a fantasy), enjoy the ambiance and have a memorable meal. Then get back to your studies. For so many reasons, but namely because I miss this old favorite, I miss college. Happy Dining
(5)
Natalie M.
Love this place This restaurant is really tiny but it's a real gem to find. The food is absolutely amazing, every dish I have tried I've fallen in love with. I especially like the baked mostaccioli and there calm chowder is to die for. Also love their Cream Soda, not sure what brand it is but it always hits the spot for me :) My only complaint is that they only serve calm chowder on Fridays and when I get in there after work it's always gone! With out fail for the whole year it's been gone and I really love this soup! That aside I love there food and their prices are really low too. A nice affordable lunch and the portions are always big. I like to order my meal and pick it up and it's usually ready in 15-20 mins.
(4)
Cliff and Claire H.
We decided to take a break from chain places (Olive Garden, Fazoli's, Spaghetti Factory) and try something small and quaint. The place was packed and seemed like it was right after a rain storm so people were flocking inside. As a result we optioned to sit on the patio with the beautiful breeze. At that point stray cats started meandering onto the porch and at one point literally jumped on to our table and tried to clean itself while sitting in my wife's lap. Then they brought the bread. The waitress was a doll and continued to try and rid the patio of the cats. Then more arrived and started hissing at each other and fighting under our table as we enjoyed the Hummus appetizer that was actually the best part of the meal. I had a salad with the house dressing and it was great. The Mediterranean Hummus was in fact delicious as well. Finally entrees arrived. She had the special: Penne with Chicken in a creamy tomato sauce. It came with a free hair. BONUS! I had the: Chicken Gorgonzola with creamy pesto and rainbow pasta. She complained that her dish tasted in regards to something that fell out of a can from Chef Boy R Dee. The sauce was very generic, as was mine. It seemed bland and the pesto seemed to do its job but the overall flavor of the dish was bland. We ended our meal with good conversation and a small peak into the feline fight club world. I should've gone to Bruno's.
(2)
J V.
We had a couple bad experiences and spoke with the manager who was apologetic and very personable. We went back because we love the food. The waitress couldn't be bothered to smile and didn't seem to want to be there. When both my children, who ALWAYS order pizza, said it didn't taste like it normally did we told the waitress and she just shrugged and walked away. We ended up paying for food we couldn't eat.
(1)
Steve H.
I ate here often (although normally take-out) when I lived nearby in college. The food is delicious. I don't think I ever spent over $10 on a meal, and was always pretty satisfied with what I got. Baked Mostacciolo and Tortellini Gorgonzola have always been my 2 favorites.
(4)
Justin G.
It takes a lot for me to enjoy an Italian restaurant. It's because I'm cheapskate. All too often I order a dish at an Italian place only to be disappointing to find something I could have easily made at home for 1/10th the cost. But I like Bambino's. Maybe it's the odd location -- almost like someone's house in a neighborhood just south of MSU's campus. Or maybe it's the casual atmosphere, with their bar up front with beer taps. The food is good, too. They use Provel for a lot of their stuff (including the cheese bread) so if you're a St. Louisian looking for your fix, try this place. I usually get the Papa. It's penne pasta with a spicy Italian sausage, and you know what? It's actually spicy! Usually if a place labels something as spicy, you get something maybe a bit more spicy than the standard, but not with the Papa. It's got a decent kick to it! This place beats out Fazoli's or Pasta House or Zio's any day. Give it a shot!
(4)
C M.
The white bean chili on Thursdays is a must. Good service, friendly staff, nice sized portions for the money. This is a regular stop in the workweek lunch rotation.
(4)
Ken W.
Great place! Fairly small, but we went for an early dinner and got seated right away. Great pasta dishes, server's recommendation. Good food, good service, great prices! What more could you ask for!!!
(4)
Mike H.
I don't hand out 5 stars very easily. This is a must stop when you're in Springfield. Absolutely excellent! Tortellini Gorgonzola was tops! It's a very small dining area, but that adds to the charm! The homemade fire-roasted red pepper caesar dressing was simply Excellent! You will not be disappointed! Very nice and well worth the drive to Springfield, MO! Oh yes the Tiramisu was GREAT!
(5)
Ray M.
Our experience was very pleasant. We ate on the patio, even though the place was packed we had a corner to ourselves. The service was superb. I had the house salad and the Greek pasta . A lot of food for the money and very fresh. I have found a new favorite place!
(4)
Shelly D.
Bambino's is hit and miss with the food and service. But it is in a great location, snug among a residential street and a university. They have local beer on tap, which is nice.
(3)
Scott N.
I always enjoys eating at Bambino's It's not quite as good as it was before the original owner sold it, but still solid. Parking is always an issue here and more than once I've had to go somewhere else because students were parking in the lot that weren't even eating at the restaurant. Street parking is always taken up by the students.
(3)
Carla W.
All I have to say is, I worked here as a waitress in college and I STILL come here about once a month for the Antipasto salad, the pasta salad, the sandwiches and the spinach and artichoke dip. Good food, nice prices and a great little patio.
(4)
Mary M.
The food is pretty good as is the service, but the reason we like it is because it's small, has a patio, and is child friendly.
(4)
Jarad J.
Great place to drink. Not such a great place to eat.
(3)
Brianna A.
I work at an Italian restaurant so I may be a little bias but, I've also eaten at other Italian restaurants and enjoyed my meal a lot more than I enjoyed this one. I went to lunch with my family and ordered the lunch special, the house salad with house dressing and "The Papa" with no mushrooms. The salad wasn't bad but not the best. The dressing was pretty tasty though. My actual entree was pretty bland. Penne noodles, italian sausage, and a "spicy" tomato creme sauce. The italian sausage was the run of the mill italian sausage and the so called spicy tomato creme sauce was not spicy at all nor very flavorful. Overall, the entree was just lacking for what I was expecting. We didn't order an appetizer because there was bread provided but unlike other Italian restaurants in town, the bread just came with butter. There was olive oil on the table but no cracked pepper or anything else to really dip the bread in. We didn't have a bad experience, I was just not impressed especially considering the other Italian restaurant options in Springfield.
The very first time that I ate here, I loved it. The pasta portions are great and you can add one of the most unique side salads I've ever had. With some amazing red pepper caesar dressing. The Alfredo sauce is good, but they don't melt the cheese enough. It's always so gritty. And not to mention, their food is so inconsistent. A few times I've gotten their spinach and artichoke dip it was to die for, and other times it was runny and they decided to add red onions on every other occasion I decided to go there. And the service is a hit or miss. I've been greeted warmly and other times I was just pointed to a table. Then I basically have to eye will my server to come over. A server charged my card the last time twice and never informed me. I had to call and ask why I was double charged, and I was told by the manager "She had to re run it because she put the wrong server number." Okay. Fine. Just tell me about it. Bottom line, it's inconsistent. The food and the service. I just walk in and feel nervous because when it's good it's great and when it's bad it's horrendous.
(3)
Mike W.
The food was good Service was good they were just digging out from being slammed. I ordered pasta with spicy red sauce and sausage. I got penne with mushrooms in a tomato cream sauce. I think it is not my night. This was our third try at a restaurant tonight. I was not about to tempt fate any further so I just ate what they brought. It was good. I liked it alright. I probably would not order it again but it was not bad. My fault for not sending it back but after going two other places and not being seated then being offered a seat in the back at a make shift table at another place. I just was not going to chance any further mistakes. I think our waitress was tired and wanted to get out of there and just grabbed a dish for a different table. About 5 minutes later she was replacing a dish at another table I figure I had hers she had mine. Today was not my day. They get 3 stars because the food was good and I coulda said something so 3 it is instead of 2. We will be back and I will update this after that
(3)
Richard T.
Free garlic parmesan cheese oil dip for the good read everything on the menu is good friendly service good prices
(4)
Molly M.
Hands down one of the best restraints in Springfield mo. I was never disappointed by the service or the food. Favorite would be the pesto chicken dish. Plus they give you enough food to last for 4 people.
(5)
April W.
Love. Love. Love this place. Small space, big flavors. Love the comfy, slightly bohemian atmosphere. Casual & relaxed but the food is elegant and spot on. I had the portobello ravioli. Yum! We also ordered the ziti. Yum! My kids inhaled their spaghetti w meat sauce- exclaiming it was the "best ever". Eat local and eat wonderful.
(5)
Chris M.
Great little place to eat with large servings. The appearance of the building isn't much located in a residential neighborhood but the place is cozy serving great tasting food.
(5)
Brad P.
It is what it is. The service is as what it always is, at 2.5 star. The food is good, however basic. Don't go here thinking its as good as some of the better pasta restaurants in town. Portions are huge so I would suggest getting the lunch size unless you want leftovers. We normally only eat here before attending an activity at Missouri State. Don't try to eat here with a party larger than our people. Like I said, the food is good, but not great.
(3)
Daniel B.
One of my trusty favorite eats. They have great panini sandwiches on their lunch menu.
(5)
Becca M.
Yummmm!!! Loved this place! I ordered the portobello ravioli based on the server's recommendation (I love when they give you an honest opinion instead of just saying "oh it's all good") and a house salad. Salad was quite good, ravioli was incredible! Marsala wine cream sauce made it. Also, I randomly ordered cream soda because it sounded tasty and I hadn't had it in a long time, and it was unusually good. Server thought it was Fanta brand? I didn't even know Fanta made cream soda. Highly recommend this local gem!
(5)
Neil C.
The pizza is pretty good. It is always packed so you know it is a popular place. But I think the service can be better, especially the guy who seems to be the owner. Those young part-time students/waitresses are much better than him!!!
(3)
Kristina D.
We love to dine here....the food is always delish and the portions for the price are amazing! When we don't have time to dine in I often will order carry out. Some favorites include the Spinach Dip, the Chicken Artichoke Panini, and the Zia Pasta! Love it all
(5)
Ellen H.
Love this little hole in the wall. The food is always fresh, fast and the plates are heaping. They have great basic Italian fare along with some delicious salads. The portions are great, service is wonderful, and the beer is cheap. What more can you ask for? This place always makes me feel like I'm back in college. And thankfully, not much has changed at Bambino's since then.
(5)
Joe H.
I love The Zia!!! Great food! Only reason for not getting 5 stars is that I feel the place could be a little cleaner. The window sil in the side room had a about 8 dead flies lying there, and it's right next to the table.
(4)
Jordan F.
I am been to Bambino's a several times with my wife and friends. The location of the restaurant is very convenient if you are a student at MSU. The service and food are both very good. As some others have said, the portion sizes are very large. We normally get the lunch portion.
(5)
Rae D.
I used to live right across the street from this place in college, so I have had pretty much everything on the menu. I love nearly everything they have, but the artichoke dip is near and dear to my heart. It's creamy and delicious and the garlic bread they serve with it is an amazing touch. I usually end up ordering this appetizer as my entree because I never want to share this with anyone. Great food, decent service, and close to where I live....you can't beat that!
(5)
Paul S.
What a pleasant surprise. I've driven within two blocks of this restaurant for years and never knew it existed. Wonderful Italian food, the perfect atmosphere, and excellent service. This was my first visit, I will definitely be back. Ate here with the family and had a wonderful time. The price is affordable and the portions are large. All of us took a go-box home! We ate the antipasto salad and a dish called Diana which was shrimp fettuccine with broccoli, shrimp and mushrooms. We also had mushroom soup which was delicious but could have been hotter (my only complaint).
(4)
Debra B.
This is my favorite place to eat when I visit my daughter @ MSU. We'll usually end up here more than once because nothing is better! Favorites: Poppa with a creamy spicy sauce The Antipasto Salad w/ salami glass of beer on tap and the homemade cake of the day. Some nights we'll just go pick up two slices of cake to go. I will miss this place when my daughter graduates & moves back home to California.
(5)
A B.
I've been going there for two years now. I've been there to take dates there, and even the parents. This place is awesome in every way. The food is extremely cheap for the amount you get! The place is usually crowded so the wait can be awhile. But it's worth it!
(5)
I P.
This is absolutely the best Italian food that I have ever eaten! Finally found a parking spot, the smell coming out of the Quaint old house beckoned me to walk faster. The service was excellent and sincere, felt like I was eating in the family home. Will definitely return!!
(5)
Cassia C.
Quaint and clean! Great food! Didn't expect too much when we pulled into a residential area, but was pleasantly surprised. Waitress was very friendly.
(5)
Shan A.
Great food, large portions, friendly service, and a quaint location. Definitely the only good Italian restaurant in town
(5)
David C.
This place is really difficult for me to rate. On the one hand, the dishes are very tasty. I don't know about authentic Italian, but it is really, really good. On the other hand, the service is mediocre on a good day and abysmal on a bad day. Don't expect to be greeted by a friendly host/hostess when you walk in. Expect to wait several minutes to be greeted by your server. And don't expect to have all of the on the table condiments each time you go. We have even been told to sit anywhere by one server and then asked to get up because there were people waiting for tables (in a restaurant full of dirty tables) by another server. The short of it, most of the time the food overcomes the service problem for us, but we have been known to leave before we were served.
(3)
Kyleigh N.
If you're looking to try a new, authentic Italian place in Springvegas check out this place. It's right off of MSU campus in a residential area, so you have to look for it, but I promise you won't regret it. The desserts are amazing, and the tiramisu is my favorite. Bambino's is a pretty small place but it really adds to the charm. Their menu is primarily pasta based, and everything is good.
(5)
Max S.
I have been to this restaurant once when I was passing through Springfield. I ordered food to go. The location is cool. It is close to the university and set in a wooded, residential area which makes it seem homier as opposed to overly commercial. The man who served me, who I believe might have been the owner, was extremely helpful. He offered me complimentary drinks while I waited for food. He also included in the order basically a whole load of decent quality bread. The food was good. I had the poppa pasta and the person with whom I ate had the Greek salad. The pasta was hot, the creamy red sauce was well prepared and their was a good proportion of sausage. I was told that the salad was also good.
(5)
Elesha T.
I would have been happy just eating the bread!! Wonderful food and extremely reasonably priced.
(5)
Daniel E.
Really great place and probably one of the best kept secrets in Springfield. Those in the know will tell you it's definitely worth checking out....get the Poppa...it's amazing!
(5)
George H.
Last night my fiance and I went to our favorite Italian restaurant, Bambino's. We chose to sit on the heated porch. It was warm, somewhat private and casual. Our waitress took our order promptly. We genuinely like water with our meals which seemed to be an issue(to be explained by default). Our salad arrived promptly and was perfect! We loved the house salad with the homemade fire-roasted red pepper caesar. However, our entrees arrived before we had finished our salads. Then about halfway through our meal our waitress arrived with to go boxes(that we never asked for). She was quick to remove every item from our table. I felt like she was ready to get rid of us ASAP. I am not sure if the waitress was inexperienced or maybe just had an off night!? We will be back because the food quality is outstanding. Because we have both worked in the service industry her tip was 20%, I really like to give the benefit of the doubt. The food was top-notch!
(3)
Shelby M.
Great food, horrible service. Waiters are indifferent and always seem too busy to care. Call ahead orders always take longer than the say. One time I ordered a salad to go. They told me on the phone that it would take 15 mins. When I got there, I waited 40 mins. Good food, but it's not worth the horrible service.
(1)
Denise M.
You would never expect to find a restaurant here but it is and it's great. My daughter went to Mo State and highly recommended my friends and I stop here on our way to Branson. It was well worth it! We ordered the artichoke spinach dip but it was more like quesso dip. If you like that it was good, not many chokes or spinach. The pizza was great and the service was perfect and friendly. The atmosphere is definetly college town but it's clean.
(4)
Tracy B.
My husband and I went here on Valentines Day for dinner. It was immediately evident they were way busier than they expected and the place was full. We arrived at 5pm and they had already ran out of a few beers and had no soup left and the staff seemed very frazzled. The service was very good in spite of the circumstances. Our drinks were always kept full and our food arrived quickly even though they were so busy. I ordered a special which had steak and roasted veggies and mushroom ravioli. The steak was supposed to be cooked medium and was way overcooked. This was the centerpiece of the dish so that was disappointing. The mushroom ravioli was outstanding and so were the vegetables. The side salad was very fresh and the house dressing was incredible. The bread was also excellent. My husband ordered a spicy sausage and pasta dish which was excellent. The coffee was great too. We were seated in a part of the place that looked almost like an old sun room. It was comfortable but the tables looked like metal patio furniture and were a bit awkward. I also got a dirty mug and dirty napkin and a woman seated at the table near us also got a dirty glass. It didn't leave me with a good feeling. Overall this place was a even mix of good and bad. I will probably go back again for lunch and give it another try. I think if we didn't go on a holiday our experience may have been better.
(3)
Margie P.
Foodies beware!!! The service was terrible and the food was worse. The bruschetta was a bowl of stewed tomatoes with too much garlic. The pizza was like an oversized tasteless pita chip with toppings. I would highly discourage anyone expecting a good meal from eating here!
(1)
Bradley R.
Stopped in last night. She had the Bambino and I had the Diana. We both really enjoyed the food. Service was good and we never had empty glasses. We followed dinner up with a slice of carrot cake and it too was just great. I only wish I had ordered the lunch size portion. I ended up with a very full doggy bag and I noticed that so did many other tables. More intatmeate seating would have been nice but with as popular as the place is I don't see how they could change anything up.
(4)
Douglas L.
I used to live across the street from this place. its a nice little joint, for sure, but honestly its nothing out-of-this world. Couple bucks less on everything and it would be amazing.
(3)
Chelsey G.
Holy crap. So good. The spinach artichoke dip is to die for. You get a whole bowl full of warm gooey cheese with warm bread to dip it in. Insane. I got the Diana (shrimp and broccoli pasta) it came in a huge bowl with enough food for 2 meals. The food was amazing and the service was great as well. It is a small restaurant so make sure you call ahead and check wait times or get there fairly early!
(5)
C C.
Hands down THE BEST Portabello Ravioli ANYWHERE ~ Meraviglioso!
(5)
Stephanie H.
My family and I love the salads and the pizzas. The Greek salad is very fresh and tasty. The pizzas come with lots of options and the make their own bread and pizza crusts each day. We recommend provel cheese for your pizza.
(5)
Corie D.
If i could eat here every day i would. Parking lot is a challenge, but the reward is worth it. I love the second location that just opened right around the corner from me, so in a nut shell, i am in trouble! The staff is so friendly at either location and they always make sure that everything came out the way it was supposed too. Highly recommend Bambinos to anyone who loves Italian food.
(5)
CJ P.
Well...we've been going to Bambino's off and on forever, so we know this place has relatively good food, but the service has always been a minor annoyance. Today (Mother's Day), we decided since we hadn't been there in quite a while, we'd give them a shot. We got there at noon, put our name on the list and were told it'd be a 20-30 minute wait. At around 1 we were called to be seated. We placed our orders and proceeded to wait another hour and a half. The whole time watching three other tables around us sit, order, eat and leave. So, two and a half hours in, we left, drove down National to Zio's, got seated immediately, have now eaten and are going about our day. It's 3:30...
(1)
Chuck S.
Celebrated my son's graduation last night with a party of 12. The staff was very happy to accommodate us. The food was excellent as always. We brought our own custom made cake and they gladly provided a knife to cut the cake, spatula, plates and forks for the cake. Everyone left very satisfied and full!
(5)
Brad N.
If you are a college student that doesn't mind slow service, and a general attitude of disregard from the inadequate staff, this is your place!
(2)
Nicole C.
One of my favorite places to eat in town! I've never had a bad meal here and especially love the portabella mushroom ravioli and spinach artichoke dip. Yum! The atmosphere is also really home-like and comfortable. Service is usually really good, too!
(5)
Silas D.
When it comes to atmosphere/ambiance, I LOVE it! I may be biased, since they are only a one mile bicycle ride from my casa. I love it, I am not sure how old the establishment is, but my guess is they have been there for awhile since it is located in a neighborhood and the only commercial joint around. We sat on the patio on a perfect Springfield summer night and I ordered a portobellow mushroom stuffed ravioli. Yum! It was delicious, with it, two Boulevard Wheats and the bread basket I was fully satisfied and blown away by how delicious it was. The waitress was knowledgeable of the menu, on the spot, and very friendly. My girlfriend had the same dish, but looking at some of the other tables on the patio, they looked very tempting also. This was my first trip there, but I know I will going back again. Eye candy wise, this is a college town locale, so you can't go wrong. It was also enjoyable to see other folks rolling up on their bicycles and enjoying a good meal and time. Bambino's Cafe is a perfect place to bring your out of towners for lunch or dinner or a special someone for a unique Springfield experience!
(5)
Doug R.
Ok. So I've been many a time now. First of all, since I go back that means they haven't pissed me off, so that should say something for them. I've tried to have a large portion of their menu and I have not had anything that I did not like. Granted, there is not a ton of choices and most of their dishes are simple, but I would much rather have simple done right than any of the alternatives. So far I've really enjoyed their pizza, which they use fresh ingredients on and their penne noodle pastas. They also have a pretty good crew (with the exception of one girl who left us alone for a long time, prompting us to go get our own drinks). The last time I went, I had a homemade red velvet cake that was made earlier that day-major bonus points. Do any chain places do that?? It was freaking fantastic. Look it up on google maps and support this place.
(4)
Aron C.
Baked Ziti..... nuf said
(5)
Kit S.
This out of the way dining experience is a campus favorite. Located just south of the MSU campus Bambino's Cafe is known for the affordable menu and laid back atmosphere. The menu being italian in nature ensures that there will be something for everyone. Everything that you will find on the menu is appealing to mouth and wallet. When it comes down to it Bambino's is the way to go for lunch or dinner with friends, co-workers, or just about anyone.
(5)
Molly R.
Ahh - So many good times and good meals have been had at Bambino's. It's the perfect place for a cheap but romantic date or catching up with friends and family (provided your party isn't more than four or five). Added bonus: it's one of just a handful of Springfield restaurants actually in a neighborhood (Phelps Grove). There are so many things to appreciate about Bambino's: the incredible house salad dressing (and the always excellent salads in general), the endless house bread, the price to portion ratio, the authentic pastas, and the tiramisu - oh lordy, the tiramisu. You won't find better. They also offer enticing, constantly rotating specials and do well by featuring fare by other local businesses from time to time. If you like caramelized onions and mushrooms, you absolutely must get the mushroom ravioli. If you like pasta, get literally anything else and you'll be happy. Be warned: it's a LOT of food, which is partly why Bambino's is so great. The good news is that any time I've asked for a half portion, I've gotten it with a smile; that being said, with almost any of Bambino's menu items, you can order a full portion and take half home for lunch the next day or order a half portion and still only eat part of it. Bambino's service has also been pretty much the same every time I've visited. The strictly-MSU waitresses have always been accomodating and kind in exactly the same manner, as if they all graduated from some kind of wait staff finishing school as taught by the owner, and the wait time is never anything barbaric. The few times I've accidentally showed up while it's been slammed, I've never been told the wait time would be too much to handle. Five stars because I've been here so many times and I can't think of a single thing to complain about. WAIT - here's a complaint (I guess...): there'a nearly invisible step right outside the ladies' room that'll knock you flat on your arse if you're not paying attention. Don't say I didn't warn ya.
(5)
Jeanie P.
Wow. Just wow. Probably my new favorite spot to eat. I had Zia and Clam Chowder. So. Amazing. The noodles were perfect. The chicken was tender and flavorful. I have never had such good Italian food in this area. We did a lunch pickup. The food looked amazing when I opened the little box. It was hot and cheesy deliciousness. You must eat here. You. Must.
(5)
Melanie D.
If you are looking for authentic italian food, look no further. I love the small cozy atmosphere that Bambino's has to offer. Their salads are extremely flavorful and absolutely gigantic. My favorite is the Greek salad, add chicken to it and make it a filling meal. My absolute favorite thing on the menu is the Zia it is spaghetti noodles with chicken, peas and mushrooms, cooked in cream sauce, topped with melted provel cheese. It is SO FLAVORFUL and it is only 8.99. Bambinos is located within walking distance of MSU and it is by far the best restaurant in that area.
(4)
Joshua S.
This is a fantastic restaurant. Excellent food, great service, reasonable prices. Wonderful 'small restaurant' atmosphere that still manages to maintain a clean and neat appearance. Good for a family meal or a date, anything!
(5)
William M.
My wife and I ate there on way to a Georgia game. Food was fabtastic. Best pizza ever! Also had fries with bacon and cheese which were fantastic!
(5)
Connie G.
First off I would have never found this place on my own. You will seriously think there is NO WAY there's going to be a restaurant around the corner, but there it is in a completely residential neighborhood!! Don't judge a book by its cover. Isn't that what your elders told you. We'll so true! I came here today on a recommendation of a former MO State student. Without that I may have been more judgmental of the exterior appearance. But the rear parking lot was full and there was no street parking left. Inside is like that comfy old article of clothing. The place certainly is not dirty but it's not been exactly maintained either. But the service was excellent, friendly, just that right amount of attention. We had Chianti's and beer. Warm bread was served, with a dipping plate, and EVOO, balsamic vinegar, and grated cheese . The server may have prepared the dipping bowl , but I think I jumped the gun. We ordered my friends suggested spinach artichoke dip. She said it was cheesy, but I couldn't find the spinach and the chokes were hard to find ... It was basically cheese dip with a scant amount if chokes. Not my taste but if you like Quesso, you'd probably love this, and it's served with garlic bread. Next we had the house salad... Delicious. Then we had the 3 topping pizza, sausage, mushrooms, and roasted peppers. The pizza was great, the sausage was true Italian sausage, but we were surprised that were green peppers and red onions included in the roasted peppers. Unfortunately we couldn't find the mushrooms and there were a few pepperonis, but it was good and we just pick things off a bit. Then we had dessert, sadly they were out of gelato. We had amaretto cheesecake and tiramisu. Both were fantastically delicious!! Three people. 6 drinks, 3 salads, pizza, and 2 desserts and a 20% tip was only $60 and some change.
(4)
Rob C.
My family and I stopped at Bambino's on the way home from Branson. The location is in a residential area and very small. The food was excellent! I had the Ziti and my wife had the Chicken Penne. Both were excellent. My kids had the pizza and Mac/cheese, which they both enjoyed. The only downfall on the restaurant was the small size. Food was worth the tight seating.
(4)
Bret H.
I really can't remember a more satisfying Italian dining experience. Not only are the prices incredibly reasonable, the food (I got the Greek Pasta) is high quality and delicious. The location is a bit tough. It's quaint, but the parking can be an issue during busier times. Go there. Try it. You won't be disappointed. Get the Greek. You'll come back for more. Like I did.
(5)
Steve F.
Very average. Bread is not warm, butter comes in tiny, individual plastic containers. not the bread experience we pictured from reading previous reviews.Enjoyed the house salad but both pasta dishes arrived lukewarm and service, as well as the food was nothing more than adequate. We were really hoping to find a local independent restaurant in Springfield but this one isn't going to be it.
(3)
Vic V.
To be very honest, I never have felt very confident about what Italian is all about. I don't know what a really good Italian restaurant is. Left to my own (uninformed) devices I look for a place FULL of flavor-- fresh garlic (and LOTS of it), and other fresh herbs. I know I don't want to eat "healthy"--I want COMFORT. I'm looking for a food HUG from an Italian Grandma. While I liked Bambino, this wasn't the Italian Grandma I long for, My pasta was a Sausage and peppery item. It was good but not awesome. I have a feeling there is probably a better place looking for me in Springfield.
(3)
Laurel S.
We found Bambino's on Yelp as we were looking for some non-meat options and they had portabello ravioli on the menu. So we put it in the GPS and we were off. But it is in a crazy, weird location. In a neighborhood, surrounded by HOUSES, right by MSU. The hunt was worth it though because the food was great. We started with salads and the homemade house dressing was delicious. Next bruschetta, which wasn't served in the typical manner but was still very good. I had the portabello ravioli which was amazing. My girls had fettucini alfredo and gorgonzola tortellini. Both were good but not as good as mine! The servings are big. We took lots of left overs home. The wine is very reasonably priced - about $5 per glass. I would definitely go back if I were in Springfield again!
While recently visiting Springfield, MO, I was looking for a place for a good pizza fix. Rather than going with a chain, I wanted to support a local establishment. Bambino's came highly recommended, so off I went. I ordered 2 appetizers (I couldn't choose between bruschetta or cheesy garlic bread as an opener) and 3 main courses (for me and my two road-trip buddies). The take-out ordering process goes mostly okay, except he assumed I only wanted one thing. Once we got that out of the way, I headed over only to find out that one of the main dishes didn't make it to the written ticket back to the kitchen. So, now I have to wait this out. I should have, at that point, checked the order before leaving. I trusted, however, because the reviews were good. Come to find out, the pizza I had ordered as one of the main courses was missing one of its 3 toppings. On top of that, the pizza was fairly bland and the dough as a little rubbery. I expect a little change with take-out, but I didn't take these things on a grand adventure, just 5 minutes down the road. The garlic bread had some garlic, but I was expecting a very garlic punch. The bruschetta topping didn't have tart tomatoes, but was very sweet, instead. All in all, a very regrettably forgettable experience. It could just be a very bad night for them, I'm not sure. Plenty of people seem to have a great time here, I just didn't.
(2)
Aaron S.
Bambino's was absolutely amazing! My wife and I were looking for a nice place to have an evening meal and boy did we find the PERFECT place. Bambino's is tucked away in what seems like a nice little college neighborhood. The atmosphere was great, with paintings of Italy and some work from local artists. The service was top notch and the food was to die for. I ordered the baked ziti and couldn't have been more pleased. The red sauce had a touch of cream in it which gave it a richness you don't often find in a baked ziti. Surprisingly, the wine braised roast beef in the sauce complimented the rest of the dish and gave it a nice texture. It was finished off with the perfect amount of mozzarella cheese. My wife ordered The Greek which was a penne pasta dish with, chicken, spinach, tomatoes, feta, kalamatas, olive oil, garlic and herbs. The flavors complimented each other nicely and the garlic in the dish really put it over the top. My wife and I agreed that her dish could have used a touch more garlic but we're garlic freaks. We also had side salads with the house dressing and bread which were both pretty good. The olive oil served tableside was one of the best olive oils I've ever had, including the ones in Rome. It smelled and tasted of olives and was perfect for dipping the Italian bread. We finished our meal off with the tiramisu and that didn't disappoint either. The prices were great and the food was worthy of much higher prices. The next time we're in Springfield we will DEFINITELY be visiting this local gem again.
(5)
T D.
Great salads with a homemade style buttermilk ranch dressing. Good pasta and easy on the wallet.
(5)
Dan C.
I love Bambino's. If you're looking for a good, quality, inexpensive American-Italian cafe, this is the best one in Springfield. It's small, quick, and delicious. The Poppa is my absolute favorite, and my wife thinks the half panini / half salad is the best deal in town. Speaking of salads, their house salad is perfect -- perfect size, perfect dressing, perfect amount of vegetables. Way to go Bambino's!
(5)
Danielle R.
Tons of food, great atmosphere, and all for a low price. Few menu items however. If you aren't SUPER hungry or don't want to take home leftovers, ask for the lunch portion. It's PLENTY for dinner too and saves you $2 I believe. Enjoy this hideaway worth finding!
(4)
Rebecca H.
Hands down, the #1 thing I miss most about Springfield. It seems like you'll only ever hear about this place from locals or students who have been around long enough to know, so it's a real treat when you finally decide to check it out.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Dinner Parking : Street, 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 : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No 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.
Mike D.
This place never let me down... The bread and salads are wonderful. And the ziti is my favorite pasta... However, I've tried most of them and all are good. I love their hummus and their Pasta salad is to die for.
(5)Autumn F.
I've never had bad service here, the staff is always friendly and attentive. I love local eateries and the portabello ravioli is delicious!!!
(5)John S.
One of my favorite restaurants. Great food, good service and relaxing atmosphere. This is that little out of the way place that everyone loves.
(5)Kimberly B.
Yum! I had never been here. I'll be back soon! Delicious bread and the pizza was terrific! It's a must to get provel cheese on anything! It was a nice setting for the family but I'm excited to come back for date night! Waitress was super sweet. The only complaint I would have is that when you come in, if it's busy, you don't know what to do or where to go. Not for long though. They have cream soda in the soda machine! That's a huge plus! Come hungry and if you want dessert be sure to save room or take it with you. Great place!
(5)C.J. B.
Went in, sat ourselves. Were were not acknowledged for 15 minutes. Waitress kept walking by and avoiding eye contact. Table still wasn't clear from last party. People came in after us and were served before us. Might be back.
(1)Carynn V.
We received amazing service on a Saturday afternoon. First we ordered the garlic bread which was a serving for 4-6 people. We quickly ordered the lunch special which includes a lunch size pasta and salad/soup. I had the house salad and The Greek pasta. Salad was a bit dry but the pasta was absolutely amazing! Overall great experience which also felt somewhat authentic.
(4)Shane A.
This is a nice little secluded place. Hard to find if you're not familiar with the area, or not looking for it. It actually set's right in the center of a residential area. They have some of the best pasta in town. And you can trust me on that because normally I hate pasta. Go when the weather is nice, and grab a seat outside. Make sure to get there early because outside seating is limited. I also love the olive oil, and bread that comes free with your meal. It's a great little spot, and gives you a different feel on dining outside.
(4)Teneka H.
Mmmm. I am going to smell like garlic for the next three days, and that's okay. Pease start with the bruschetta-I was not excited that we ordered it, because I am not usually a fan. Until now. Mercy. The bruschetta at Bambino's is stellar. Little strips of bread with a bowl of cold tomato/garlic/basil magic. I can't put my finger on where the sweetness comes from, but it's delicious. The pieces of tomato could be chopped a little smaller because the pieces of bread are small, but you'll make do. I ordered the portabello ravioli, which are filled with mushrooms and caramelized onions in a marsala cream sauce. I didn't get a huge wine flavor, and the sauce is mellow and smooth. I guarantee there is nothing low calorie about it...obviously creamy or cheesy or whatever the hell is in there. There is a handful of fresh spinach tossed in too, so it counts as a vegetable. For some reason, we ate all high class and got dessert too...enter the tiramisu. My only critique is that there was too much chocolate sauce on the top. Next time I am requesting that they leave that off...it competed with the delicate flavor that i look for in tiramisu. All in all, the prices are great, the food is great, and the parking lot is terrible. Go anyway....and if you are a bike rider, there are bike racks out front and a patio...definitely worth it!
(4)Thomas C.
Finally tried Bambino's and will be back to try their pizza and other menu items. Quaint location just south of MSU and a great atmosphere inside, from the tin ceilings to the local artistry on the walls for sale. We tried a pasta dish and a panini (loved the New Yorker). The bread is fresh, service is very accommodating, and quick enough for a lunch hour visit. Give this a try!
(4)Tammy F.
This was our first visit here. We came for our anniversary. The food was amazing. I had the Greek Pasta, and my husband had the Alfredo with shrimp. You must try the Spinach Artichoke dip. A MA ZING. There is limited parking, and very limited seating, plan on a wait for both. But so worth it.
(5)Randi F.
Yum. I got the Greek pasta.. Ah-mazing !! I left out the olives Eww lol the bouchetta was amazing as well. The wait stuff was good but not great.. When I first pulled up I was like uhhh.. Interesting.. Kind of in a neighbor hood but it already smelled amazing. Pretty good prices... The free bread however was not good. Don't waste calories or room !!
(4)Paul L.
Great food, Great service, in Your neighborhood. That's their logo and what we received. Great place we will be back.
(5)Janet D.
Love the pasta, love the coffee, love the vibe of a small restaurant. Am a little jealous of people who live in the houses nearby, since they could walk over and eat any time they like. I keep meaning to go in there for just dessert and coffee with a friend. Must do.
(5)Betty A.
We went with a party of 11 and they were wonderful the food was excellent servings are very big two can eat off of a regular size the lunch size probably two could eat off of everything was wonderful and delicious
(5)Judy B.
Great lunch specials pasta is fresh paninis are awesome great place to have a beer and a nice casual Mill with friends
(4)Pamela M.
Bambino's was a favorite in college and a place I thought (alot) about after I moved away. When I came back to town, I had to go again to see if it had maintained it's top tier status in my book. To my delight, it was better than ever. The Ziti is my new favorite. The sauce consistency paired with the flavorful and tender roast beef and to top it off, under 10 bucks! This dish a total hit! Other favorites are the Momma (Chicken Alfredo / veggies / a dallop of marinara) and the Poppa (Spicy Sausage and Marinara / veggies / a dallop of alfredo).
(5)Troy P.
I always want to eat at Bambinos. They are the best pasta deal in SGF land.
(5)Bill A.
Simply incredible! Outstanding appetizers! Side salads were very fresh. House dressing excellent. Cheesy bread is huge and delicious. Spinach and artichoke dip was equally as good and large portions. Main courses were huge! The Bambino has a very unique taste with the provel chesse. Ziti was excellent with the marinara sauce. Tortalini had the right mix of pasta and sauce. Worth the extra drive to get here!
(5)Justin B.
Wonderful food! Great service. They were able accommodate our group and quick and friendly service. The food was simply spectacular.
(5)Jason E.
"When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's amore." Nestled among a sea of working class homes, just a hop, skip, and a jump from MSU, hides a neighborly conversion screaming for you to get inside. Let's call it Bambino's. I wish that pizza would have knocked me down before I walked through those doors. Don't get me wrong. It's a great concept. An old house transformed into a dreamy little Italian eatery. Rustic, cozy, charming. Surprisingly full! What more could a restauranteur ask for? Maybe 100% customer satisfaction. Nah... there's always those pesky customers in search of something real, something genuine, something exceptional, and something delicious. They just expect too darn much! The atmosphere is great. I was absolutely excited to find this place, even more so when I walked in. Everything seemed promising. Immediately, however, the service was lacking. Sure, they filled my drink, took my order, delivered my food, then my check. That's all a server is really supposed to do, right? Please, convince me this is true? I will give credit where credit is due. The bread was delicious. Homemade onsite, it was quite worthy. Plenty served as well. Baskets and baskets of bread. Today's appetizer consisted of more homemade bread, with a creamy spinach and artichoke dip. Very HUGE pieces of artichoke. A bunch. Lots of it. Nice flowing bundles of artichoke. Overwhelming and never ending bundles... of... artichoke. A couple of leaves of spinach too. I grabbed those before my wife could. Cheese sauce was good. It even masked all that artichoke. Our table had a variety of dishes. A nicely made panini, an Alfredo dish, a red cream sauce dish, and a simple spaghetti dish. Ah, where to begin? I first want to give credit to the bread. It really is delicious. Did I mention it is homemade onsite? Worthy, so, so worthy. Couldn't mess up the panini with such manna. My dish, "The Poppa", was an utter mess. I ordered the lunch portion, which is two dollars less. I went ahead and added two meatballs, which seemed like a great deal at 2 for $1.00. A pair of meatballs for a buck... wow! The portion was huge I was actually excited that I might be taking some home. A man can dream, can't he? This dish was less than desirable. The pasta was overcooked, and over-sauced. It was almost soup! I like mushrooms, but not at this rate. It was overrun with fungus. I dare mention the Italian sausage. It was a harsh mouthful of displeasure. Mushy and sour tasting. Please make it stop! This was pitiful. This sauce was either old or rancid. I could not finish my plate. I hid the remainder of my portion beneath the comfort of a barely used napkin. Poor, poor pasta dish. I hope it did find comfort. On to the meatballs. I asked my wife to try one out to determine whether they were homemade or store bought. I would say the latter. A spongy mess. Spongy meatballs are not my forte. Cold, spongy meatballs. I still can believe I put those in my mouth. Please, please make it stop! We also ordered "The Diana". Not worthy of such a royal name. Soggy vegetables and overcooked protein, topped with, yes, a scorched creamy Alfredo. There's no mistaking the taste of burned milk. How and why they would allow this outside of their kitchen boggles my mind. Perhaps they named this dish to remind us of the princesses untimely demise... this dish truly was a wreck! I can't. I have to stop. If you like quaint buildings and good bread. This is your place. One star for each of those. Don't blink though, you might miss it... It is small. If you happen to blink, good for you, it's your lucky day!
(2)Jordan A.
This is one of my favorite date-night places. The food and staff have always been great!
(5)Mallory F.
I am pretty sure that I've dreamt about Bambino's Cafe a good 100 times since moving from Springfield. Pathetic and sad? Maybe so, but no one does hot, bubbling, ooey gooey baked pasta like this place. Provel really is the best cheese on the planet, and while living in the varied communities across the US and abroad, it was the one thing that I couldn't ever have that I wanted so much I couldn't get over it. On all of my trips home, I would buy bags of the stuff to take back with me on the plane. I wish I would be more adventurous when ordering here, but I always got the Bambino (substitute marinara for the meat sauce). Scrum-diddalee-umptious! A hop, skip and a short little white girl jump away from the campus of Missouri State (the school which was graced with my presence for 4 years). The little gem is hidden... nestled in a little neighborhood with homes next door and across the street. If food is equated to happiness, then Bambino's must be equated to heaven. The orange venue feels like you've entered someone's home... some Italian, spectacular pasta reering someone's home. I think that anyone in college enjoys feeling at home someplace, and Bambino's serves as the place to do it. Go in, grab a brew, kick your feet up (well, don't do the feet-kicking up thing for real... it's rude... this is just a fantasy), enjoy the ambiance and have a memorable meal. Then get back to your studies. For so many reasons, but namely because I miss this old favorite, I miss college. Happy Dining
(5)Natalie M.
Love this place This restaurant is really tiny but it's a real gem to find. The food is absolutely amazing, every dish I have tried I've fallen in love with. I especially like the baked mostaccioli and there calm chowder is to die for. Also love their Cream Soda, not sure what brand it is but it always hits the spot for me :) My only complaint is that they only serve calm chowder on Fridays and when I get in there after work it's always gone! With out fail for the whole year it's been gone and I really love this soup! That aside I love there food and their prices are really low too. A nice affordable lunch and the portions are always big. I like to order my meal and pick it up and it's usually ready in 15-20 mins.
(4)Cliff and Claire H.
We decided to take a break from chain places (Olive Garden, Fazoli's, Spaghetti Factory) and try something small and quaint. The place was packed and seemed like it was right after a rain storm so people were flocking inside. As a result we optioned to sit on the patio with the beautiful breeze. At that point stray cats started meandering onto the porch and at one point literally jumped on to our table and tried to clean itself while sitting in my wife's lap. Then they brought the bread. The waitress was a doll and continued to try and rid the patio of the cats. Then more arrived and started hissing at each other and fighting under our table as we enjoyed the Hummus appetizer that was actually the best part of the meal. I had a salad with the house dressing and it was great. The Mediterranean Hummus was in fact delicious as well. Finally entrees arrived. She had the special: Penne with Chicken in a creamy tomato sauce. It came with a free hair. BONUS! I had the: Chicken Gorgonzola with creamy pesto and rainbow pasta. She complained that her dish tasted in regards to something that fell out of a can from Chef Boy R Dee. The sauce was very generic, as was mine. It seemed bland and the pesto seemed to do its job but the overall flavor of the dish was bland. We ended our meal with good conversation and a small peak into the feline fight club world. I should've gone to Bruno's.
(2)J V.
We had a couple bad experiences and spoke with the manager who was apologetic and very personable. We went back because we love the food. The waitress couldn't be bothered to smile and didn't seem to want to be there. When both my children, who ALWAYS order pizza, said it didn't taste like it normally did we told the waitress and she just shrugged and walked away. We ended up paying for food we couldn't eat.
(1)Steve H.
I ate here often (although normally take-out) when I lived nearby in college. The food is delicious. I don't think I ever spent over $10 on a meal, and was always pretty satisfied with what I got. Baked Mostacciolo and Tortellini Gorgonzola have always been my 2 favorites.
(4)Justin G.
It takes a lot for me to enjoy an Italian restaurant. It's because I'm cheapskate. All too often I order a dish at an Italian place only to be disappointing to find something I could have easily made at home for 1/10th the cost. But I like Bambino's. Maybe it's the odd location -- almost like someone's house in a neighborhood just south of MSU's campus. Or maybe it's the casual atmosphere, with their bar up front with beer taps. The food is good, too. They use Provel for a lot of their stuff (including the cheese bread) so if you're a St. Louisian looking for your fix, try this place. I usually get the Papa. It's penne pasta with a spicy Italian sausage, and you know what? It's actually spicy! Usually if a place labels something as spicy, you get something maybe a bit more spicy than the standard, but not with the Papa. It's got a decent kick to it! This place beats out Fazoli's or Pasta House or Zio's any day. Give it a shot!
(4)C M.
The white bean chili on Thursdays is a must. Good service, friendly staff, nice sized portions for the money. This is a regular stop in the workweek lunch rotation.
(4)Ken W.
Great place! Fairly small, but we went for an early dinner and got seated right away. Great pasta dishes, server's recommendation. Good food, good service, great prices! What more could you ask for!!!
(4)Mike H.
I don't hand out 5 stars very easily. This is a must stop when you're in Springfield. Absolutely excellent! Tortellini Gorgonzola was tops! It's a very small dining area, but that adds to the charm! The homemade fire-roasted red pepper caesar dressing was simply Excellent! You will not be disappointed! Very nice and well worth the drive to Springfield, MO! Oh yes the Tiramisu was GREAT!
(5)Ray M.
Our experience was very pleasant. We ate on the patio, even though the place was packed we had a corner to ourselves. The service was superb. I had the house salad and the Greek pasta . A lot of food for the money and very fresh. I have found a new favorite place!
(4)Shelly D.
Bambino's is hit and miss with the food and service. But it is in a great location, snug among a residential street and a university. They have local beer on tap, which is nice.
(3)Scott N.
I always enjoys eating at Bambino's It's not quite as good as it was before the original owner sold it, but still solid. Parking is always an issue here and more than once I've had to go somewhere else because students were parking in the lot that weren't even eating at the restaurant. Street parking is always taken up by the students.
(3)Carla W.
All I have to say is, I worked here as a waitress in college and I STILL come here about once a month for the Antipasto salad, the pasta salad, the sandwiches and the spinach and artichoke dip. Good food, nice prices and a great little patio.
(4)Mary M.
The food is pretty good as is the service, but the reason we like it is because it's small, has a patio, and is child friendly.
(4)Jarad J.
Great place to drink. Not such a great place to eat.
(3)Brianna A.
I work at an Italian restaurant so I may be a little bias but, I've also eaten at other Italian restaurants and enjoyed my meal a lot more than I enjoyed this one. I went to lunch with my family and ordered the lunch special, the house salad with house dressing and "The Papa" with no mushrooms. The salad wasn't bad but not the best. The dressing was pretty tasty though. My actual entree was pretty bland. Penne noodles, italian sausage, and a "spicy" tomato creme sauce. The italian sausage was the run of the mill italian sausage and the so called spicy tomato creme sauce was not spicy at all nor very flavorful. Overall, the entree was just lacking for what I was expecting. We didn't order an appetizer because there was bread provided but unlike other Italian restaurants in town, the bread just came with butter. There was olive oil on the table but no cracked pepper or anything else to really dip the bread in. We didn't have a bad experience, I was just not impressed especially considering the other Italian restaurant options in Springfield.
(2)Pat Q.
We were in from out of town and was referred to come here by some locals. We loved winding around the back streets to find the little restaurant tucked into a neighborhood. The house is on a corner which helped us find it. It is small, but that adds to it's charm! My husband ordered a side salad to start and it was certainly an ample portion. Very good with kalamata olives, grape tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, feta cheese and a delicious dressing. Next he enjoyed The Greek which was grilled chicken and penne pasta served with a light Olive oil, sautéed spinach, kalamata olives and tomatoes. D-doublelicious!!! I had the Crab Cakes that were baked (not fried) with a side of angel hair pasta that was dressed with some type of light red sauce. I was worried that it would overpower the pasta but it did not. Just enough to coat and not drench. We were so stuffed but couldn't pass up the chocolate cake!!! Our motto "Life is too short to skip dessert!" Sure glad we listened to our inner voice. The entire meal was wonderful and our server Alex was spot on perfection!!!!
(4)Cheyenne M.
The very first time that I ate here, I loved it. The pasta portions are great and you can add one of the most unique side salads I've ever had. With some amazing red pepper caesar dressing. The Alfredo sauce is good, but they don't melt the cheese enough. It's always so gritty. And not to mention, their food is so inconsistent. A few times I've gotten their spinach and artichoke dip it was to die for, and other times it was runny and they decided to add red onions on every other occasion I decided to go there. And the service is a hit or miss. I've been greeted warmly and other times I was just pointed to a table. Then I basically have to eye will my server to come over. A server charged my card the last time twice and never informed me. I had to call and ask why I was double charged, and I was told by the manager "She had to re run it because she put the wrong server number." Okay. Fine. Just tell me about it. Bottom line, it's inconsistent. The food and the service. I just walk in and feel nervous because when it's good it's great and when it's bad it's horrendous.
(3)Mike W.
The food was good Service was good they were just digging out from being slammed. I ordered pasta with spicy red sauce and sausage. I got penne with mushrooms in a tomato cream sauce. I think it is not my night. This was our third try at a restaurant tonight. I was not about to tempt fate any further so I just ate what they brought. It was good. I liked it alright. I probably would not order it again but it was not bad. My fault for not sending it back but after going two other places and not being seated then being offered a seat in the back at a make shift table at another place. I just was not going to chance any further mistakes. I think our waitress was tired and wanted to get out of there and just grabbed a dish for a different table. About 5 minutes later she was replacing a dish at another table I figure I had hers she had mine. Today was not my day. They get 3 stars because the food was good and I coulda said something so 3 it is instead of 2. We will be back and I will update this after that
(3)Richard T.
Free garlic parmesan cheese oil dip for the good read everything on the menu is good friendly service good prices
(4)Molly M.
Hands down one of the best restraints in Springfield mo. I was never disappointed by the service or the food. Favorite would be the pesto chicken dish. Plus they give you enough food to last for 4 people.
(5)April W.
Love. Love. Love this place. Small space, big flavors. Love the comfy, slightly bohemian atmosphere. Casual & relaxed but the food is elegant and spot on. I had the portobello ravioli. Yum! We also ordered the ziti. Yum! My kids inhaled their spaghetti w meat sauce- exclaiming it was the "best ever". Eat local and eat wonderful.
(5)Chris M.
Great little place to eat with large servings. The appearance of the building isn't much located in a residential neighborhood but the place is cozy serving great tasting food.
(5)Brad P.
It is what it is. The service is as what it always is, at 2.5 star. The food is good, however basic. Don't go here thinking its as good as some of the better pasta restaurants in town. Portions are huge so I would suggest getting the lunch size unless you want leftovers. We normally only eat here before attending an activity at Missouri State. Don't try to eat here with a party larger than our people. Like I said, the food is good, but not great.
(3)Daniel B.
One of my trusty favorite eats. They have great panini sandwiches on their lunch menu.
(5)Becca M.
Yummmm!!! Loved this place! I ordered the portobello ravioli based on the server's recommendation (I love when they give you an honest opinion instead of just saying "oh it's all good") and a house salad. Salad was quite good, ravioli was incredible! Marsala wine cream sauce made it. Also, I randomly ordered cream soda because it sounded tasty and I hadn't had it in a long time, and it was unusually good. Server thought it was Fanta brand? I didn't even know Fanta made cream soda. Highly recommend this local gem!
(5)Neil C.
The pizza is pretty good. It is always packed so you know it is a popular place. But I think the service can be better, especially the guy who seems to be the owner. Those young part-time students/waitresses are much better than him!!!
(3)Kristina D.
We love to dine here....the food is always delish and the portions for the price are amazing! When we don't have time to dine in I often will order carry out. Some favorites include the Spinach Dip, the Chicken Artichoke Panini, and the Zia Pasta! Love it all
(5)Ellen H.
Love this little hole in the wall. The food is always fresh, fast and the plates are heaping. They have great basic Italian fare along with some delicious salads. The portions are great, service is wonderful, and the beer is cheap. What more can you ask for? This place always makes me feel like I'm back in college. And thankfully, not much has changed at Bambino's since then.
(5)Joe H.
I love The Zia!!! Great food! Only reason for not getting 5 stars is that I feel the place could be a little cleaner. The window sil in the side room had a about 8 dead flies lying there, and it's right next to the table.
(4)Jordan F.
I am been to Bambino's a several times with my wife and friends. The location of the restaurant is very convenient if you are a student at MSU. The service and food are both very good. As some others have said, the portion sizes are very large. We normally get the lunch portion.
(5)Rae D.
I used to live right across the street from this place in college, so I have had pretty much everything on the menu. I love nearly everything they have, but the artichoke dip is near and dear to my heart. It's creamy and delicious and the garlic bread they serve with it is an amazing touch. I usually end up ordering this appetizer as my entree because I never want to share this with anyone. Great food, decent service, and close to where I live....you can't beat that!
(5)Paul S.
What a pleasant surprise. I've driven within two blocks of this restaurant for years and never knew it existed. Wonderful Italian food, the perfect atmosphere, and excellent service. This was my first visit, I will definitely be back. Ate here with the family and had a wonderful time. The price is affordable and the portions are large. All of us took a go-box home! We ate the antipasto salad and a dish called Diana which was shrimp fettuccine with broccoli, shrimp and mushrooms. We also had mushroom soup which was delicious but could have been hotter (my only complaint).
(4)Debra B.
This is my favorite place to eat when I visit my daughter @ MSU. We'll usually end up here more than once because nothing is better! Favorites: Poppa with a creamy spicy sauce The Antipasto Salad w/ salami glass of beer on tap and the homemade cake of the day. Some nights we'll just go pick up two slices of cake to go. I will miss this place when my daughter graduates & moves back home to California.
(5)A B.
I've been going there for two years now. I've been there to take dates there, and even the parents. This place is awesome in every way. The food is extremely cheap for the amount you get! The place is usually crowded so the wait can be awhile. But it's worth it!
(5)I P.
This is absolutely the best Italian food that I have ever eaten! Finally found a parking spot, the smell coming out of the Quaint old house beckoned me to walk faster. The service was excellent and sincere, felt like I was eating in the family home. Will definitely return!!
(5)Cassia C.
Quaint and clean! Great food! Didn't expect too much when we pulled into a residential area, but was pleasantly surprised. Waitress was very friendly.
(5)Shan A.
Great food, large portions, friendly service, and a quaint location. Definitely the only good Italian restaurant in town
(5)David C.
This place is really difficult for me to rate. On the one hand, the dishes are very tasty. I don't know about authentic Italian, but it is really, really good. On the other hand, the service is mediocre on a good day and abysmal on a bad day. Don't expect to be greeted by a friendly host/hostess when you walk in. Expect to wait several minutes to be greeted by your server. And don't expect to have all of the on the table condiments each time you go. We have even been told to sit anywhere by one server and then asked to get up because there were people waiting for tables (in a restaurant full of dirty tables) by another server. The short of it, most of the time the food overcomes the service problem for us, but we have been known to leave before we were served.
(3)Kyleigh N.
If you're looking to try a new, authentic Italian place in Springvegas check out this place. It's right off of MSU campus in a residential area, so you have to look for it, but I promise you won't regret it. The desserts are amazing, and the tiramisu is my favorite. Bambino's is a pretty small place but it really adds to the charm. Their menu is primarily pasta based, and everything is good.
(5)Max S.
I have been to this restaurant once when I was passing through Springfield. I ordered food to go. The location is cool. It is close to the university and set in a wooded, residential area which makes it seem homier as opposed to overly commercial. The man who served me, who I believe might have been the owner, was extremely helpful. He offered me complimentary drinks while I waited for food. He also included in the order basically a whole load of decent quality bread. The food was good. I had the poppa pasta and the person with whom I ate had the Greek salad. The pasta was hot, the creamy red sauce was well prepared and their was a good proportion of sausage. I was told that the salad was also good.
(5)Elesha T.
I would have been happy just eating the bread!! Wonderful food and extremely reasonably priced.
(5)Daniel E.
Really great place and probably one of the best kept secrets in Springfield. Those in the know will tell you it's definitely worth checking out....get the Poppa...it's amazing!
(5)George H.
Last night my fiance and I went to our favorite Italian restaurant, Bambino's. We chose to sit on the heated porch. It was warm, somewhat private and casual. Our waitress took our order promptly. We genuinely like water with our meals which seemed to be an issue(to be explained by default). Our salad arrived promptly and was perfect! We loved the house salad with the homemade fire-roasted red pepper caesar. However, our entrees arrived before we had finished our salads. Then about halfway through our meal our waitress arrived with to go boxes(that we never asked for). She was quick to remove every item from our table. I felt like she was ready to get rid of us ASAP. I am not sure if the waitress was inexperienced or maybe just had an off night!? We will be back because the food quality is outstanding. Because we have both worked in the service industry her tip was 20%, I really like to give the benefit of the doubt. The food was top-notch!
(3)Shelby M.
Great food, horrible service. Waiters are indifferent and always seem too busy to care. Call ahead orders always take longer than the say. One time I ordered a salad to go. They told me on the phone that it would take 15 mins. When I got there, I waited 40 mins. Good food, but it's not worth the horrible service.
(1)Denise M.
You would never expect to find a restaurant here but it is and it's great. My daughter went to Mo State and highly recommended my friends and I stop here on our way to Branson. It was well worth it! We ordered the artichoke spinach dip but it was more like quesso dip. If you like that it was good, not many chokes or spinach. The pizza was great and the service was perfect and friendly. The atmosphere is definetly college town but it's clean.
(4)Tracy B.
My husband and I went here on Valentines Day for dinner. It was immediately evident they were way busier than they expected and the place was full. We arrived at 5pm and they had already ran out of a few beers and had no soup left and the staff seemed very frazzled. The service was very good in spite of the circumstances. Our drinks were always kept full and our food arrived quickly even though they were so busy. I ordered a special which had steak and roasted veggies and mushroom ravioli. The steak was supposed to be cooked medium and was way overcooked. This was the centerpiece of the dish so that was disappointing. The mushroom ravioli was outstanding and so were the vegetables. The side salad was very fresh and the house dressing was incredible. The bread was also excellent. My husband ordered a spicy sausage and pasta dish which was excellent. The coffee was great too. We were seated in a part of the place that looked almost like an old sun room. It was comfortable but the tables looked like metal patio furniture and were a bit awkward. I also got a dirty mug and dirty napkin and a woman seated at the table near us also got a dirty glass. It didn't leave me with a good feeling. Overall this place was a even mix of good and bad. I will probably go back again for lunch and give it another try. I think if we didn't go on a holiday our experience may have been better.
(3)Margie P.
Foodies beware!!! The service was terrible and the food was worse. The bruschetta was a bowl of stewed tomatoes with too much garlic. The pizza was like an oversized tasteless pita chip with toppings. I would highly discourage anyone expecting a good meal from eating here!
(1)Bradley R.
Stopped in last night. She had the Bambino and I had the Diana. We both really enjoyed the food. Service was good and we never had empty glasses. We followed dinner up with a slice of carrot cake and it too was just great. I only wish I had ordered the lunch size portion. I ended up with a very full doggy bag and I noticed that so did many other tables. More intatmeate seating would have been nice but with as popular as the place is I don't see how they could change anything up.
(4)Douglas L.
I used to live across the street from this place. its a nice little joint, for sure, but honestly its nothing out-of-this world. Couple bucks less on everything and it would be amazing.
(3)Chelsey G.
Holy crap. So good. The spinach artichoke dip is to die for. You get a whole bowl full of warm gooey cheese with warm bread to dip it in. Insane. I got the Diana (shrimp and broccoli pasta) it came in a huge bowl with enough food for 2 meals. The food was amazing and the service was great as well. It is a small restaurant so make sure you call ahead and check wait times or get there fairly early!
(5)C C.
Hands down THE BEST Portabello Ravioli ANYWHERE ~ Meraviglioso!
(5)Stephanie H.
My family and I love the salads and the pizzas. The Greek salad is very fresh and tasty. The pizzas come with lots of options and the make their own bread and pizza crusts each day. We recommend provel cheese for your pizza.
(5)Corie D.
If i could eat here every day i would. Parking lot is a challenge, but the reward is worth it. I love the second location that just opened right around the corner from me, so in a nut shell, i am in trouble! The staff is so friendly at either location and they always make sure that everything came out the way it was supposed too. Highly recommend Bambinos to anyone who loves Italian food.
(5)CJ P.
Well...we've been going to Bambino's off and on forever, so we know this place has relatively good food, but the service has always been a minor annoyance. Today (Mother's Day), we decided since we hadn't been there in quite a while, we'd give them a shot. We got there at noon, put our name on the list and were told it'd be a 20-30 minute wait. At around 1 we were called to be seated. We placed our orders and proceeded to wait another hour and a half. The whole time watching three other tables around us sit, order, eat and leave. So, two and a half hours in, we left, drove down National to Zio's, got seated immediately, have now eaten and are going about our day. It's 3:30...
(1)Chuck S.
Celebrated my son's graduation last night with a party of 12. The staff was very happy to accommodate us. The food was excellent as always. We brought our own custom made cake and they gladly provided a knife to cut the cake, spatula, plates and forks for the cake. Everyone left very satisfied and full!
(5)Brad N.
If you are a college student that doesn't mind slow service, and a general attitude of disregard from the inadequate staff, this is your place!
(2)Nicole C.
One of my favorite places to eat in town! I've never had a bad meal here and especially love the portabella mushroom ravioli and spinach artichoke dip. Yum! The atmosphere is also really home-like and comfortable. Service is usually really good, too!
(5)Silas D.
When it comes to atmosphere/ambiance, I LOVE it! I may be biased, since they are only a one mile bicycle ride from my casa. I love it, I am not sure how old the establishment is, but my guess is they have been there for awhile since it is located in a neighborhood and the only commercial joint around. We sat on the patio on a perfect Springfield summer night and I ordered a portobellow mushroom stuffed ravioli. Yum! It was delicious, with it, two Boulevard Wheats and the bread basket I was fully satisfied and blown away by how delicious it was. The waitress was knowledgeable of the menu, on the spot, and very friendly. My girlfriend had the same dish, but looking at some of the other tables on the patio, they looked very tempting also. This was my first trip there, but I know I will going back again. Eye candy wise, this is a college town locale, so you can't go wrong. It was also enjoyable to see other folks rolling up on their bicycles and enjoying a good meal and time. Bambino's Cafe is a perfect place to bring your out of towners for lunch or dinner or a special someone for a unique Springfield experience!
(5)Doug R.
Ok. So I've been many a time now. First of all, since I go back that means they haven't pissed me off, so that should say something for them. I've tried to have a large portion of their menu and I have not had anything that I did not like. Granted, there is not a ton of choices and most of their dishes are simple, but I would much rather have simple done right than any of the alternatives. So far I've really enjoyed their pizza, which they use fresh ingredients on and their penne noodle pastas. They also have a pretty good crew (with the exception of one girl who left us alone for a long time, prompting us to go get our own drinks). The last time I went, I had a homemade red velvet cake that was made earlier that day-major bonus points. Do any chain places do that?? It was freaking fantastic. Look it up on google maps and support this place.
(4)Aron C.
Baked Ziti..... nuf said
(5)Kit S.
This out of the way dining experience is a campus favorite. Located just south of the MSU campus Bambino's Cafe is known for the affordable menu and laid back atmosphere. The menu being italian in nature ensures that there will be something for everyone. Everything that you will find on the menu is appealing to mouth and wallet. When it comes down to it Bambino's is the way to go for lunch or dinner with friends, co-workers, or just about anyone.
(5)Molly R.
Ahh - So many good times and good meals have been had at Bambino's. It's the perfect place for a cheap but romantic date or catching up with friends and family (provided your party isn't more than four or five). Added bonus: it's one of just a handful of Springfield restaurants actually in a neighborhood (Phelps Grove). There are so many things to appreciate about Bambino's: the incredible house salad dressing (and the always excellent salads in general), the endless house bread, the price to portion ratio, the authentic pastas, and the tiramisu - oh lordy, the tiramisu. You won't find better. They also offer enticing, constantly rotating specials and do well by featuring fare by other local businesses from time to time. If you like caramelized onions and mushrooms, you absolutely must get the mushroom ravioli. If you like pasta, get literally anything else and you'll be happy. Be warned: it's a LOT of food, which is partly why Bambino's is so great. The good news is that any time I've asked for a half portion, I've gotten it with a smile; that being said, with almost any of Bambino's menu items, you can order a full portion and take half home for lunch the next day or order a half portion and still only eat part of it. Bambino's service has also been pretty much the same every time I've visited. The strictly-MSU waitresses have always been accomodating and kind in exactly the same manner, as if they all graduated from some kind of wait staff finishing school as taught by the owner, and the wait time is never anything barbaric. The few times I've accidentally showed up while it's been slammed, I've never been told the wait time would be too much to handle. Five stars because I've been here so many times and I can't think of a single thing to complain about. WAIT - here's a complaint (I guess...): there'a nearly invisible step right outside the ladies' room that'll knock you flat on your arse if you're not paying attention. Don't say I didn't warn ya.
(5)Jeanie P.
Wow. Just wow. Probably my new favorite spot to eat. I had Zia and Clam Chowder. So. Amazing. The noodles were perfect. The chicken was tender and flavorful. I have never had such good Italian food in this area. We did a lunch pickup. The food looked amazing when I opened the little box. It was hot and cheesy deliciousness. You must eat here. You. Must.
(5)Melanie D.
If you are looking for authentic italian food, look no further. I love the small cozy atmosphere that Bambino's has to offer. Their salads are extremely flavorful and absolutely gigantic. My favorite is the Greek salad, add chicken to it and make it a filling meal. My absolute favorite thing on the menu is the Zia it is spaghetti noodles with chicken, peas and mushrooms, cooked in cream sauce, topped with melted provel cheese. It is SO FLAVORFUL and it is only 8.99. Bambinos is located within walking distance of MSU and it is by far the best restaurant in that area.
(4)Joshua S.
This is a fantastic restaurant. Excellent food, great service, reasonable prices. Wonderful 'small restaurant' atmosphere that still manages to maintain a clean and neat appearance. Good for a family meal or a date, anything!
(5)William M.
My wife and I ate there on way to a Georgia game. Food was fabtastic. Best pizza ever! Also had fries with bacon and cheese which were fantastic!
(5)Connie G.
First off I would have never found this place on my own. You will seriously think there is NO WAY there's going to be a restaurant around the corner, but there it is in a completely residential neighborhood!! Don't judge a book by its cover. Isn't that what your elders told you. We'll so true! I came here today on a recommendation of a former MO State student. Without that I may have been more judgmental of the exterior appearance. But the rear parking lot was full and there was no street parking left. Inside is like that comfy old article of clothing. The place certainly is not dirty but it's not been exactly maintained either. But the service was excellent, friendly, just that right amount of attention. We had Chianti's and beer. Warm bread was served, with a dipping plate, and EVOO, balsamic vinegar, and grated cheese . The server may have prepared the dipping bowl , but I think I jumped the gun. We ordered my friends suggested spinach artichoke dip. She said it was cheesy, but I couldn't find the spinach and the chokes were hard to find ... It was basically cheese dip with a scant amount if chokes. Not my taste but if you like Quesso, you'd probably love this, and it's served with garlic bread. Next we had the house salad... Delicious. Then we had the 3 topping pizza, sausage, mushrooms, and roasted peppers. The pizza was great, the sausage was true Italian sausage, but we were surprised that were green peppers and red onions included in the roasted peppers. Unfortunately we couldn't find the mushrooms and there were a few pepperonis, but it was good and we just pick things off a bit. Then we had dessert, sadly they were out of gelato. We had amaretto cheesecake and tiramisu. Both were fantastically delicious!! Three people. 6 drinks, 3 salads, pizza, and 2 desserts and a 20% tip was only $60 and some change.
(4)Rob C.
My family and I stopped at Bambino's on the way home from Branson. The location is in a residential area and very small. The food was excellent! I had the Ziti and my wife had the Chicken Penne. Both were excellent. My kids had the pizza and Mac/cheese, which they both enjoyed. The only downfall on the restaurant was the small size. Food was worth the tight seating.
(4)Bret H.
I really can't remember a more satisfying Italian dining experience. Not only are the prices incredibly reasonable, the food (I got the Greek Pasta) is high quality and delicious. The location is a bit tough. It's quaint, but the parking can be an issue during busier times. Go there. Try it. You won't be disappointed. Get the Greek. You'll come back for more. Like I did.
(5)Steve F.
Very average. Bread is not warm, butter comes in tiny, individual plastic containers. not the bread experience we pictured from reading previous reviews.Enjoyed the house salad but both pasta dishes arrived lukewarm and service, as well as the food was nothing more than adequate. We were really hoping to find a local independent restaurant in Springfield but this one isn't going to be it.
(3)Vic V.
To be very honest, I never have felt very confident about what Italian is all about. I don't know what a really good Italian restaurant is. Left to my own (uninformed) devices I look for a place FULL of flavor-- fresh garlic (and LOTS of it), and other fresh herbs. I know I don't want to eat "healthy"--I want COMFORT. I'm looking for a food HUG from an Italian Grandma. While I liked Bambino, this wasn't the Italian Grandma I long for, My pasta was a Sausage and peppery item. It was good but not awesome. I have a feeling there is probably a better place looking for me in Springfield.
(3)Laurel S.
We found Bambino's on Yelp as we were looking for some non-meat options and they had portabello ravioli on the menu. So we put it in the GPS and we were off. But it is in a crazy, weird location. In a neighborhood, surrounded by HOUSES, right by MSU. The hunt was worth it though because the food was great. We started with salads and the homemade house dressing was delicious. Next bruschetta, which wasn't served in the typical manner but was still very good. I had the portabello ravioli which was amazing. My girls had fettucini alfredo and gorgonzola tortellini. Both were good but not as good as mine! The servings are big. We took lots of left overs home. The wine is very reasonably priced - about $5 per glass. I would definitely go back if I were in Springfield again!
(4)Rich T.
My fiancé and I celebrated a late Valentine's Day dinner here. At first we thought the restaurant was tiny, but looks can be deceiving. Our waitress took our drink order quickly, then our dinner order. The service was great. The food arrived quickly and was very good. We were both impressed by the service and food quality. A lot of food and not expensive at all. The atmosphere was great. The weekend dinner crowd had arrived shortly after we were seated. Even though they were busy, they seated customers as quickly as they could. Bambino's Café was a great find. My fiancé and I will be back again.
(5)Richard S.
While recently visiting Springfield, MO, I was looking for a place for a good pizza fix. Rather than going with a chain, I wanted to support a local establishment. Bambino's came highly recommended, so off I went. I ordered 2 appetizers (I couldn't choose between bruschetta or cheesy garlic bread as an opener) and 3 main courses (for me and my two road-trip buddies). The take-out ordering process goes mostly okay, except he assumed I only wanted one thing. Once we got that out of the way, I headed over only to find out that one of the main dishes didn't make it to the written ticket back to the kitchen. So, now I have to wait this out. I should have, at that point, checked the order before leaving. I trusted, however, because the reviews were good. Come to find out, the pizza I had ordered as one of the main courses was missing one of its 3 toppings. On top of that, the pizza was fairly bland and the dough as a little rubbery. I expect a little change with take-out, but I didn't take these things on a grand adventure, just 5 minutes down the road. The garlic bread had some garlic, but I was expecting a very garlic punch. The bruschetta topping didn't have tart tomatoes, but was very sweet, instead. All in all, a very regrettably forgettable experience. It could just be a very bad night for them, I'm not sure. Plenty of people seem to have a great time here, I just didn't.
(2)Aaron S.
Bambino's was absolutely amazing! My wife and I were looking for a nice place to have an evening meal and boy did we find the PERFECT place. Bambino's is tucked away in what seems like a nice little college neighborhood. The atmosphere was great, with paintings of Italy and some work from local artists. The service was top notch and the food was to die for. I ordered the baked ziti and couldn't have been more pleased. The red sauce had a touch of cream in it which gave it a richness you don't often find in a baked ziti. Surprisingly, the wine braised roast beef in the sauce complimented the rest of the dish and gave it a nice texture. It was finished off with the perfect amount of mozzarella cheese. My wife ordered The Greek which was a penne pasta dish with, chicken, spinach, tomatoes, feta, kalamatas, olive oil, garlic and herbs. The flavors complimented each other nicely and the garlic in the dish really put it over the top. My wife and I agreed that her dish could have used a touch more garlic but we're garlic freaks. We also had side salads with the house dressing and bread which were both pretty good. The olive oil served tableside was one of the best olive oils I've ever had, including the ones in Rome. It smelled and tasted of olives and was perfect for dipping the Italian bread. We finished our meal off with the tiramisu and that didn't disappoint either. The prices were great and the food was worthy of much higher prices. The next time we're in Springfield we will DEFINITELY be visiting this local gem again.
(5)T D.
Great salads with a homemade style buttermilk ranch dressing. Good pasta and easy on the wallet.
(5)Dan C.
I love Bambino's. If you're looking for a good, quality, inexpensive American-Italian cafe, this is the best one in Springfield. It's small, quick, and delicious. The Poppa is my absolute favorite, and my wife thinks the half panini / half salad is the best deal in town. Speaking of salads, their house salad is perfect -- perfect size, perfect dressing, perfect amount of vegetables. Way to go Bambino's!
(5)Danielle R.
Tons of food, great atmosphere, and all for a low price. Few menu items however. If you aren't SUPER hungry or don't want to take home leftovers, ask for the lunch portion. It's PLENTY for dinner too and saves you $2 I believe. Enjoy this hideaway worth finding!
(4)Rebecca H.
Hands down, the #1 thing I miss most about Springfield. It seems like you'll only ever hear about this place from locals or students who have been around long enough to know, so it's a real treat when you finally decide to check it out.
(5)