We were in the mood for a buffet tonight, so we decided to give Valentino's a chance. As we first pull up my wife asked me if they were open, becuase there were hardly any cars in the parking lot and dimly lit. We first thought they were a bit pricey, but the server told us it was Tuesday and kids eat free, so that made relax a little bit. Our first trip to the buffet was a bit underwhelming, as there was little product out in each pan at 5PM. However, the servers watched what we grabbed the first time, and brought out fresh food to replace those things. People around Grand Island say that the best pizza in town is at Valentino's, and while that may be true, I still wasn't impressed with it. I thought it was bland and the crust was soggy. The Italian food on the buffet is what made my visit worthwhile. From the Four Cheese Ravioli with Meat Sauce to their Meatballs, those items were excellent!! My wife loved the Chicken Broccoli Alfredo and Parmesean Breadsticks. They even put out fresh chicken nuggets for the kids. Pretty much after they seen what we were eating and stocked those items fresh, it was amazing!
(4)
Cody L.
Decent food but a little pricey if you ask me. I think I paid a little over $11 for my meal tonight. Place is kept very clean though and it looks like the food is very fresh. Overall, I would return with my friends and family.
(4)
Rick J.
I recall Val's pizza as the best in Lincoln back in the 70's. Since retiring and coming back to NE I see times have changed. Val's for the worse! Soft, doughy with little or no toppings. Have travelled the U.S. And had the best pizza. Used to speak of Val's on my travels. Hope no one remembers now. Worst pizza ever!
(1)
Leslie C.
Kids, Valentino's Grand Italian Buffet is what happens when Cici's Pizza tosses back too much tequila and hooks up with Furr's. Good luck getting that visual out of your head. So, back in the 80's when I grew up in the area, Val's was a special occasion place. Buttery crust pizza, thick pasta sauces, a liquor license. I left St. Paul for college at the end of the decade, but Val's pizza buffet was still one of a kind: all you can eat, all pizza and pasta, but the buffet wasn't the only option at this restaurant. Came back for the first time in seven years, the kids wanted to go to Val's, my folks wanted to go to Val's, so yup, we go to Val's. No more waitstaff. You pay at the front counter, get handed your glasses, and chow down. Food was decent. Same buttery crust pizza, but....fried chicken? Chicken nuggets? Nacho bar? Okay, for the price point there's a lot of food here- pizzas, pastas, those yummy garlic breadsticks! But, why ribs and fried chicken? Why nachos? The sign says grande Italian buffet. This wasn't so grande and was only marginally Italian. Decor? Well, the seating near the buffet is definitely themed right, but there's a whole separate dining area tha looks more like Denny's. And, it was packed! So, maybe my standards are too high. Clearly they must be doing something right to be so popular. If you really want the cheesy, butter soft crusty goodness of a Valentino's pizza, it's worth it, but you could always get carry out and avoid the fried chicken and nachos.
(3)
Dave F.
Take out is fairly reliable, but avoid the Grande Buffet it's on par with a Chinese buffet
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Bike Parking : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Formal (Jacket Required)
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
Noah O.
We were in the mood for a buffet tonight, so we decided to give Valentino's a chance. As we first pull up my wife asked me if they were open, becuase there were hardly any cars in the parking lot and dimly lit. We first thought they were a bit pricey, but the server told us it was Tuesday and kids eat free, so that made relax a little bit. Our first trip to the buffet was a bit underwhelming, as there was little product out in each pan at 5PM. However, the servers watched what we grabbed the first time, and brought out fresh food to replace those things. People around Grand Island say that the best pizza in town is at Valentino's, and while that may be true, I still wasn't impressed with it. I thought it was bland and the crust was soggy. The Italian food on the buffet is what made my visit worthwhile. From the Four Cheese Ravioli with Meat Sauce to their Meatballs, those items were excellent!! My wife loved the Chicken Broccoli Alfredo and Parmesean Breadsticks. They even put out fresh chicken nuggets for the kids. Pretty much after they seen what we were eating and stocked those items fresh, it was amazing!
(4)Cody L.
Decent food but a little pricey if you ask me. I think I paid a little over $11 for my meal tonight. Place is kept very clean though and it looks like the food is very fresh. Overall, I would return with my friends and family.
(4)Rick J.
I recall Val's pizza as the best in Lincoln back in the 70's. Since retiring and coming back to NE I see times have changed. Val's for the worse! Soft, doughy with little or no toppings. Have travelled the U.S. And had the best pizza. Used to speak of Val's on my travels. Hope no one remembers now. Worst pizza ever!
(1)Leslie C.
Kids, Valentino's Grand Italian Buffet is what happens when Cici's Pizza tosses back too much tequila and hooks up with Furr's. Good luck getting that visual out of your head. So, back in the 80's when I grew up in the area, Val's was a special occasion place. Buttery crust pizza, thick pasta sauces, a liquor license. I left St. Paul for college at the end of the decade, but Val's pizza buffet was still one of a kind: all you can eat, all pizza and pasta, but the buffet wasn't the only option at this restaurant. Came back for the first time in seven years, the kids wanted to go to Val's, my folks wanted to go to Val's, so yup, we go to Val's. No more waitstaff. You pay at the front counter, get handed your glasses, and chow down. Food was decent. Same buttery crust pizza, but....fried chicken? Chicken nuggets? Nacho bar? Okay, for the price point there's a lot of food here- pizzas, pastas, those yummy garlic breadsticks! But, why ribs and fried chicken? Why nachos? The sign says grande Italian buffet. This wasn't so grande and was only marginally Italian. Decor? Well, the seating near the buffet is definitely themed right, but there's a whole separate dining area tha looks more like Denny's. And, it was packed! So, maybe my standards are too high. Clearly they must be doing something right to be so popular. If you really want the cheesy, butter soft crusty goodness of a Valentino's pizza, it's worth it, but you could always get carry out and avoid the fried chicken and nachos.
(3)Dave F.
Take out is fairly reliable, but avoid the Grande Buffet it's on par with a Chinese buffet
(2)