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Name: Rino’s Place
Address: 258 Saratoga St, Boston, MA, 02128
Telephone: (617) 567-7412
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.21

Rino’s Place

258 Saratoga St, Boston, MA, 02128

(617) 567-7412
Store is closed

Rino’s Place Menu

Antipasti

Mozzarella

Bruschetta

Antipasto

Caprese

Calamari

Peperoni Ripieno

Shrmip Scampi

Melanzane Ripieno
Primi

Gnocchi

Ravioli

Lobster Ravioli - Matriciana

Bolognese

Vongole

Pasta Al Forno

Calamari
Secondi

Pollo Marsala

Pollo Saltinboca

Pollo Parmiggiana

Pollo Carrozella

Pollo E Melanzane

Pollo Bracioletini

Vitello Marsala

Vitello Carrozella

Vitello Saltinboca

Vitello Parmigiana

Vitello E Melanzane Parmigiana

Vitello Bracioletini

Melanzane Parmiggiano

Healthy Meal suggestions for Rino’s Place

Antipasti

Mozzarella [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bruschetta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Antipasto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caprese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Peperoni Ripieno [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrmip Scampi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Melanzane Ripieno [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Primi

Gnocchi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ravioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lobster Ravioli - Matriciana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bolognese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vongole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pasta Al Forno [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Secondi

Pollo Marsala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo Saltinboca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo Parmiggiana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo Carrozella [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo E Melanzane [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo Bracioletini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vitello Marsala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vitello Carrozella [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vitello Saltinboca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vitello Parmigiana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vitello E Melanzane Parmigiana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vitello Bracioletini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Melanzane Parmiggiano [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.

Boston Common Coffee Co. ( 97 Salem St )

Einstein Bros Bagels ( 725 Commonwealth Ave )

Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.

Einstein Bros Bagels ( 725 Commonwealth Ave )

Write An Anonymous Review

Andrew P.

Slightly expensive $30 lobster ravioli but by far the best I have ever have. Coming from the fishing capital of the country (New Bedford) it takes a great dish for me to give that kind of compliment
(5)
Pete V.

This place is worth waiting for. As seen on diners drives and dives. It isa awesome food and you get a whole bunch of it. Parking stinks so you are gonna walk, you need the exersise. They have a bar across the street to sit and drink while you are waiting. Great place try it
(5)
Sheryl E.

My sister and I have been wanting to try Rino's for quite awhile. Today was perfect , she had a 2pm flight out of Logan and we got there at 10:45 and we were first in line for lunch. Parking was easy. The waitress, Lois, was very nice and attentive! She suggested the scallop limoncello for an app and it was delish! For an entree my sister had the lobster ravioli and I had the pork tenderloin , both excellent!! The bread was great, but try not to eat much as the portions were big. Would have liked to try dessert but too full. Drive to airport was 10 minutes.Perfect meal for an end to our New England vacation!
(5)
Tinna H.

Their homemade pasta is SOOO GOOD. The portions are huge, so you really get your money's worth. They don't skimp on the seafood when it comes to any of those dishes! There is a wait on a Friday night, so get in early and put your name down! This was a great recommendation from our friend graceypoo, and if I'm in Boston again, guess where I'm filling up on amazing food?
(5)
Jonah M.

Rinos is a hidden gem located in east boston. It was featured on the food network a few years back. I ordered the shrimp scampi for my appetizer and the lobster ravioli for the main course. The shrimp scampi was very good but the highlight of the meal was the lobster ravioli. They load up the dish with lots of lobster meat and the pink sauce is extremely creamy. I have been to rinos 3 times and each time ordered the lobster ravioli. If you are a fan of lobster rinos is a must! Getting a table on a Friday or Saturday night is tough but they own the bar across the street which is a nIce place to wait and enjoy a cocktail.
(4)
Marc P.

I think I died and went to pasta heaven! Calamari with peppers / eggplant with pesto and homemade pasta with scallops, lobster and shrimp. OH! And tiramisu!
(5)
Rich G.

Went there for lunch on Friday, struggled to get a table for 5 around 11:30 with no reservations. Luckily there where able to accommodate us because the food was excellent and at very reasonable prices. The place is small but puts out great food. The pasta is excellent. Parking is only on the street.
(5)
Andy H.

People worship this place. I'm not quite sure why. You can certainly tell it was a hot spot for the locals before these guys were on TV. The locals are not at all happy about it either. You can tell who the locals are because they scowl at you as you wait on the sidewalk. We put our name in at 5:30 on a weeknight (4 people). We were seated around 8. Our dinner was served at 9:15. There was a group of 12 ahead of us that we had to wait for their entrees to be cooked. Yes, we knew the wait would be long, but we expected revelations and fireworks when the food came. The truth is the food is actually very good. I had pork tenderloin with a cherry balsamic sauce. My fellow diners had chicken parm, lobster rav, and a seafood pasta dish whose name escapes me. Nothing about the night made me say "Wow, lets come back tomorrow and wait another 3 hours to be served!". The service is meh, we had a loud Italian woman who was funny and informative, but also slightly pushy and impatient. Hey, they're allowed to be, there's a two hour wait! Also annoying are the people outside who haven't eaten yet peaking underneath the half-drawn curtains to look at what you are eating as well as how far along you are. Without fail, every time a table leaves, two or more impatient people rush in before the table is clean and reset "Is that us? Thats our table right?" Its like the school cafeteria all over again. Overall, Rino's has a great racket going. Lucrative? probably. Could they be doing more? Absolutely. They are trying desperately to cling to this image that they are a small, cozy, family friendly place when they could do so much more business if they choose. All in all, I'm glad we got that out of the way, we ate at Rino's. I'd consider it a feat of endurance. Won't be back anytime soon.
(3)
John R.

I just discovered Rino's after meeting Chef/Owner Tony. I love this place it's in my top 5 Italian restaurants. He makes a Pork medallion encrusted with pistachio's in a honey, cherry sauce that is amazing! I can't say enough about this place you have to try and see for yourself.
(5)
Cynda R.

Yea yea, the food is good, maybe even great at times but the service! TERRIBLE!! Our reason for going there was for a bday celebration and the arancini....When we were seating we told them we were there specifically for the arancini and asked them to hold 4 for the table. Their response "Oh we never run out don't worry". Well after waiting 45 minutes for menus and our wine we ordered. Guess what, the waitress returned to let us know that they are out of arancini's. Overall the service was very slow but the food was good. Great calamari, shrimp in lemoncello sauce and mushroom raviolis....but really, with the wait and the service issue there are other places to go with great food too and more attentive wait staff!
(3)
Dennis B.

I stopped by for lunch one day as I was in the area on bisiness. I was undecided between the Lobster Ravioli and the Chicken Parm. The waiter suggested the Lobster Ravioli. TILT........amazing....I thoroughly enjoyed it.........so I am in the area again. ........and I am after the Chicken Parm........I order the Lobster Ravioli just to see if it was as good......now less excited I can be more objective......TILT.......tremendous again......I promised myself I will eat the Chicken Parm the next time. The service was excellent and the bread was delicious.......this is a very good stop if you like Italian cooking.
(5)
Barry L.

Arrived at RIno's last night 2-3-12 8:10 PM just the two of us. There was no one waiting outside of this 12 table restaurant. There were (2) two person tables available, so we put our name and cell number in and went outside to wait. After 30 minutes another couple walked in and put their name down and was told that there were 17 tables ahead of them, they were told go have a drink down the street and we will call you. After learning about this information we decided to go to Santarpios down the street for pizza, lamb and homemade sausage, there was a wait there as well. We completed our dinner and it was now two hours later 10:15 PM and about to go home. We never had received a call from Rino's, so I called them and they said "Oh we will be calling you soon." Ya OK, its 2 hours later and after 10:15 pm we might have dinner now, Not Really!!! The food might be good at Rino's but we will never be back to find out. Make sure when you put your name and cell number in that you ask how long the wait will be, a bit disappointment to wait two hours and not get a called before that.
(1)
B S.

YOU HAVE TO TRY IT!!!!!!! I wish i lived closer, but i will def. take a flight back out to Boston to just eat here again. The only thing i recommend is you arrive early the wait was quite long but totally worth it. We met the chef Anthony while waiting in his restaurant across the street. He was so sweet and kind, he took a min to chat with us and tell us about Rino Place and his dishes and what the specials were for the day. We ate the limoncelo shrimp it was to die for and the stuffed mushroom caps we recommend squirting lemon on both dishes it made it even that more yummy if thats even possible. AS a main we had the lobster ravioli which had so much lobster meat and the rino special with homemade pasta. We didnt need to eat dinner after that lunch and we get to enjoy the leftovers tomorrow which is a huge bonus!!! the portions are enough for two and the salad was dressed perfectly!!
(5)
Daniel W.

Cant say enough good things! The food is out of this world. It is a little hole in the wall and parking is a nightmare but it is worth the inconveniences for sure. 10 visits and loved everyone. Best gnocchi ever. A+
(5)
Ryan L.

Ok anyone who gives less than 4 stars for this place should just go get italian food at Papa Ginos because that's where they belong. Rino's is a fantastic hidden gem and what they can do with olive oil in their food is amazing. the calamari was drizzled in olive oil and it was one of the best calamari dishes I've had. the portions are decent and the prices are reasonable. I would much rather go to Rinos than go to the overrated North End. Yes the parking a little difficult but really, it's no harder than the North End.
(5)
John O.

Was a great place before it was "discovered"! No longer worth the wait of 1-1/2 hour when you get there at 6:00 PM. The crowds will drive away the regular clients. As Yogi Berra said " Nobody goes there any more it is too crowded".
(5)
Siobhan W.

When my boyfriend's mom suggested Rino's Place for her birthday, I was a little skeptical. I arrived in East Boston expecting some over-the-top "Italian" restaurant full of clientele who enjoy quantity with little regard for quality. Boy was I wrong. Rino's was a charming, neighborhood restaurant barely big enough to have a bathroom - it was through the kitchen. The food was amazing. After we'd gotten through the wine list, we ordered calamari and stuffed mushrooms for appetizers. After tasting the refreshing light, yet crispy calamari, I immediately turned to my boyfriend and said, "this is the best calamari I've ever had." To my surprise, he looked up, and said, "it really is, isn't it?" The mushrooms were also quite good - not at all oily. The entrees were just as fantastic - I had haddock stuffed with lobster, scallops and cous-cous, which came with asparagus and a heaping side of pasta. My boyfriend had the chicken saltimbocca, which he thought was a little heavy, but I think that had something to do with the number of stuffed mushrooms he'd had. I tasted it, and thought the sauce was the perfect combination of butter and marsala. To be honest, the salads before dinner left a little to be desired, but that was a minor fault considering how good the rest of the food was. I had the pasta for lunch the next day, and to my complete surprise, it tasted as good cold as it had hot the night before. Wouldn't hesitate to go back to Rino's - if you're craving Italian food, and I mean good, authentic Italian food, this is the prefect location.
(5)
Sunday K.

Their specials were high-school girl handwriting photocopies, which was the only non-awesome thing about the decor and presentation. I split the calamari (too big for two people) the wild mushroom ravioli (subtle tastes, excellent), and the tiramisu (just the right size to split, I definitely could have eaten it on my own). My hubs had a pork tenderloin that involved cherries in the sauce (I tasted - it was delicious) that came with asparagus (well cooked, great flavor) and mashed potatoes that were rolled in tiny crispies of something that made for a novel but delicious texture. He also had a beer. Our grand total was $61. We'll definitely go again.
(4)
Michael S.

This review would be 5 stars if the wait wasn't so long. Went last night for fourth time and food was the same as last times...excellent! We had lobster ravioli and arancini balls for appetizers...both delicious. I went with Rino special for meal, couldn't have been happier. In my opinion better Italian at this place than any place in the north end and been to most places with high reviews. Wait was well over an hour and if the food wasn't this good would have left but its still too long especially for a Tuesday night. Please Rino's get a larger place!
(4)
Dee L.

Love it here!! My parents are VERY picky eatters especially my dad and they loved it here! Everything was flavorful and cooked al dente. Everything was reasonably priced and the portion was HUGE. We came here late lunch at 1:30-2 and it was a 15 minute wait/shorter. However the place is very small and if you have to wait outside (which is bad when its a but chilly). The lobster ravoli was perfect!! Stuffed alot, big piecew of lobster and the sauce was so flavorful!! Must try! My parents said "its the best italian restaurant i ever had in my whole life". Home made pasta (what more can you ask for?) (btw the bathroom is in the kitchen... Which is weird but the place is good so who cares)
(5)
Ron A.

I used to love coming to this place back in the day. When they first opened it was a great neighborhood joint that was a cut above Jeveli's , good food, friendly service and a great neighborhood vibe. Now..meh! Still good food, but the service was horrible! I was in between jobs (I'm a chauffeur) so I thought I'd treat myself to a nice meal. My waiter was the only male waiter amongst all the hot guidettes that work there, but he seemed more interested in flirting than paying attention to one guy eating alone. That's just wrong. Being in the service business for over 26 years, you try to look for all the reasons you might get bad service, but in this guy's case, there were none. The place was not crowded, I was alone, and it took this guy 10 minutes before he took my order. When my meal came, he asked if I wanted grated cheese, and while I watched him apply the cheese to other diners' meals, he merely dropped the grater on my table. I guess he realized I would not be running up the bill with wine, so my soda sat unattended to after I had finished my third bite with no inquiry if I wanted another and after he dropped off my meal, I never saw him again until check time. I waited 5 minutes for my check and another 5 for him to bring back my CC. So, good food with nothing to wash it down with, a waiter who seemed more involved in socializing than attending to a lone diner, and 3 other waitresses who walked by my empty glass on the edge of table and none bothering to ask me if I want a refill. And this was a Monday night! Just another place that has let success go to it's head.
(2)
Sarah R.

Tiny, tiny little place in a residential neighborhood of Eastie. Definitely 5 stars for the food.. we split bruschetta, delishhh (honestly bruschetta is so simple but they made this amazing. Although the menu says "no splitting plates", one of us ordered the gnocchi, and the other ordered chicken parm, and we picked off each other's plates. The chicken parm was hands down, THE BEST chicken parm i have ever had. I would drive the hour to boston and wait another hour just for that chicken parm. The gnocchi, yeah they were light and fluffy, but almost a teeeeny bit gummy, definitely not the best i have ever had. also, there wasn't enough red sauce on either plate, and the gnocchi were covered in so much cheese you couldn't taste sauce. a little disappointing. also, we were never offered bread!! the waitress was slightly rude, and seemed bothered when we had to ask for water refills. come on rino's. jack up the customer service please.
(3)
Maura M.

I love this restaurant! The food is fabulous and the service is excellent! This a great little gem in East Boston. I think it's better than the Italian Restaurants in The North End. I've never had a meal there that I didn't thoroughly enjoy. The portions are absolutely enormous. I can usually get 2 extra meals out of my leftovers (and I'm not a little eater).
(5)
r. j. m.

there is only one word to describe this place - WOW! a friend who lives in east boston urged our group of 8 to go before the diners, drive-ins & dives espisode aired as she knew we wouldn't get in after - i'm sure she was right! we started with appetizers - calamari, arancini & squash ravioli - all were amazing! a few in the party ordered the gnocchi (i was a might jealous once i saw and tasted) but i absolutely loved my seafood pasta! i asked for it fra diavlo but didn't really feel the heat. for me the hotter the better, but i'm sure restaurants are hesitant to really add too much spice. the homemade pasta was to die for & the portions are quite large. it made for a wonderful midnight snack :) i'd jump at the change to go again but already don't know what i'd try next because everything looked fantastic! the place was packed the whole time we were there, people were waiting to get in & take-out orders were flying out of the place. my only advice to rino's is to find a larger location - everyone must to eat here!!
(5)
Danielle F.

Small, fantastic, authentic Italian Restaurant away from the hectic, crowded North End. Daily Specials as well as Italian Favorites such as Chicken Marsala, Fruti di Mare, Shrimp Scampi, and homemade out of this world Gnocchi! Take it from an Italian, their food is exceptional. Good wine selection, very reasonable prices.
(4)
Kevin L.

Rino's Place served up one of the best meals I've ever had, never mind the best Italian meal I've ever had. Very small dining area means it fills up really quickly so you have to get there early especially if you have a big party, but it is definitely worth it. The atmosphere combines the impression of the formal classiness you associate with nice Italian restaurants and the feel that you are at a private party with all of your closest family members. The food was absolutely delicious starting with the appetizers. I had the Peperoni Ripiene to start things which were roasted red peppers stuffed with ricotta cheese, sausage and broccoli rapi baked in a fresh plum tomato sauce topped with basil olive oil. Every bite was so good and I got some high expectations for any entrÃ©e to top it. Luckily, Rino's delivered again with the Vitello Bracioletini, which was veal stuffed with Italian cold cuts and cheese, pan seared with mushrooms in a Marsala white wine lemon butter sauce. The mix of flavors was blended perfectly to make an exceptional dish that left me quite satisfied. Finally, you can never go wrong with tiramisu, but they also had an extensive dessert menu which offered something for every taste. Rino's menu had all of the classic dishes and more, and their broad specials menu had a lot of different intriguing dishes. Despite their great food, the best part of Rino's is the exceptional service and atmosphere. A very attentive wait staff was there for any request or question and was also very entertaining too. At the end of the meal our waitress gave even more evidence to Rino's treatment of all patrons as regulars. She looked us each in the face and asked our names before giving us hers, saying that even if she couldn't memorize our names this time she'd look for our faces the next time we can make it back. Considering their delicious food, phenomenal service, and very reasonable prices, I'll definitely be going back there again.
(5)
Michelle C.

Still lovin this place...my new favorite is the chicken Milanese special. They don't always have it but when they do, I suggest you order it! The portions continue to be gigantic and the fresh pasta is always amazing. The waitresses are the best. So friendly and especially sweet to my little toddler who loves the pasta, especially the raviolis the size of his head! They now have a new place across the street so when you're waiting for hours for your table, you can have a drink and stay warm! FYI, they don't take ressys unless you have at least 6 guests.
(5)
Brent V.

Asparagus app is the best wrapped in Parma ham is to die for. Lobster pasta is the best I have ever had. Very friendly staff that helps make the food that much better. Will make the stop ever time I am on Boston. 5 minutes from the airport.
(5)
Bela S.

I was seriously on the fence on rating this one. The food was great, fairly priced, but the service was horrible. Read more if you are interested. Otherwise, just know that we won't be back, except for maybe take-out. We arrived on a Saturday around 2:45 (open at 3) and there was already a line. They started seating right at 3 o'clock. We didn't get a table right away due to there having been a couple of reservations ahead of us (the entire place seats maybe 40). We followed the crowd the to bar across the street, owned by the same people. At the bar we had a couple of drinks, and ordered a pizza appetizer. About five minutes after ordering the pizza (maybe 45 minutes after sitting in the bar) we got the call. The waitress told us they would bring the pizza over when it was done. One we were seated, the waiter took our order. We already knew what we wanted because we had the menu pulled up on our phones. Shortly after placing orders, the pizza arrived in a box. We each pulled out a slice and were promptly asked not to eat any more because they don't serve that at this restaurant and "other patrons may ask about it". Say what? You own both places, have people deliver a pizza over to us at our table, and reprimand us for actually wanting to eat it? Ok... Aside from that, every other table got bread. Our bread never came. One of us ordered a glass of wine. We had to remind the waiter half way into our meal that said wine had been ordered. We did get a single refill on our waters after we had all mostly finished our meals. I am not sure if we pissed these guys off with the pizza, or if they were just completely forgetful of our table, but at the end of the day, the service was severely lacking. The food did redeem this place from one or two stars. Gnocchi, Stuffed Peppers, Chicken Parmesan, and Lobster Ravioli were the entrees. The Gnocchi was the most tender I have ever had. Lobster Ravioli was meaty and delicious. I didn't sample much of the chicken or peppers, but am told they were delicious as well. You guys can cook. I think your reputation there is proven with the incredibly long lines. But your lack of tact for service has me putting two thumbs down. To Rino's Place staff: I can totally understand a policy of not allowing outside food at your tables. Please understand that when you own (and advertise on your website) that place across the street AND you are having people make deliveries to us from there, we are not going to associate this as "outside food". Some suggestions. 1. If you absolutely MUST see the order to its end, let patrons know that it will be delivered but that it's not something to be eaten inside the restaurant. 2. That first one is tactless right? Ok, here's an idea. Cancel the darn order and eat the cost of the pizza. I saw your cooks snacking on stuff in the kitchen. This is perfectly fine. Let them eat it. Food doesn't go to waste AND you have one fewer PO'd customer. 3. (The best option IMO) If you are going to make these deliveries, just allow us to eat the dang pizza. If you have a different menu, maybe, I don't know, add it to your menu of appetizers.
(3)
Sally L.

The pasta here is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! The best lobster ravioli in town... by a landslide. It's $30, which seems a little much, but the portions are large, so it makes up for it. There's usually a wait. I've been there around 3pm on a Sunday and waited 1.5 hours and recently on a Tuesday night around 8:40pm and waited about 30-40 minutes. Definitely one of my go-to places if I am ever craving pasta.
(4)
Flade E.

I have been a fan of Rino's for many years. I love the food! It is fresh, plentiful, and delightful. However, I had a similar experience to some of the other reviewers. My husband and I arrived around 6 pm on a Monday night. There were 3 tables for 2 that were open. There were 3 parties ahead of me, which had 3 in the party. As you can imagine, I was fairly excited. I asked the hostess how long the wait would be, and she said, not long, only a few minutes. In my mind, that meant about 15. I went to the bar across the street, and waited....for 2.5 hours. The entire time, the bartender kept asking if we wanted another drink. We would hesitate for 20-25 minutes, assuming we'd be called at any moment...nope...then we ordered 1 drink to share. This continued for the 2.5 hours. People around us who had never been to Rino's asked us if this was common. I told them to expect to wait about an hour. Several of the groups in the bar around us left, as they too were told it would be a short wait, and they were now very long in to their unexpected stay at the bar. When we were finally called for our table, one of the original empty tables was still empty. I asked if the kitchen was short on workers that evening, and the waitress said no. The dining room was definitely not filled at 100% when we sat down, nor when we left. Not sure what the deal was. I don't mind waiting IF I know there will be a wait. Then it is my choice to stay or not. Being told a few minutes, and then waiting 2.5 hours is ridiculous. It's insulting. I live in a 220 unit condo building in Boston. Recently similar comments about Rino's were posted on the internal blog. I hope Rino's considers their policy and the impact on their customers as they are starting to create waves of unhappiness in the local community. Again, the food is fabulous. Be prepared to wait.
(3)
Kell B.

This place is a hidden gem. It is in a residential neighborhood and would be very easy to drive parking. Parking is difficult, but the food is well worth a little hassle. Very authentic Italian from the decor to the food your served. The raviolis are huge and when I say huge I mean HUGE. And they give you 3! There About 5x the size of a normal one but soo delicious. They make what I assume is homemade salad dressings which both the house and creamy Italian were some of the best dressings I've had in a while. They have concurred both the white gravy and red gravy perfectly! If you want a taste of homemade Italian I highly recommend going here!
(4)
B M.

I live less than a block from Rhino's so I've been many times; mainly because friends who visit always want to check it out. But in my opinion it's not worth a 2-1/2 hour wait. They do not take reservations for less than 6 and you can't put your name in over the phone. This is clearly a ploy to get people to spend several hours at their bar across the street spending money on drinks and apps. THE FOOD: Yes it is very good and reasonably priced. The last time I went we got a Chicken Marsala, Veal Parm, Bolognese and Eggplant Parm (which is one of the best things on the menu). The salad was just ok and you have to pay extra for that if you get the homemade pasta but it's definitely worth it. The bread was a little hard and we didn't get oil to dip it in which in my opinion should be standard in any italian restaurant. The portions are ridiculously large so the three days of leftovers are great! THE SERVICE: Usually just isn't very good. But let's call it what it is a "Diner Drive-in or Dive". The hostess usually isn't very polite and often annoyed from hours of people asking where they are in the que. The servers are usually nice but often rushing to get people in and out of there. My recommendation would be to go on a week night or get take-out if you really want to try the food. If you're looking for a nice night out, go to the north end or one of the million better Italian restaurants in the Boston area.
(3)
Darika S.

Oh my god, so good! Totally worth finding this place. Yes there will be a wait, but they have a sister bar across the street so get a glass and be patient, make reservations if you can. All of the servings are humongous! We had the eggplant app I think it was there special that day and we got some calamari too. The calamari was nice and crispy, the eggplant dish was really good with cheese and I believe there was pesto in it too. I, of course, got the lobster ravioli. Homemade pasta with lots of fresh lobster. And they give you like 9 huge pieces, it really serves 2, but if you must eat it all, you might be full for next 2 days. Loved the food here, my favorite meal in Boston so far!
(5)
Thomas R.

The portions are absolutely massive. I had about 4 meals out of one order of chicken parm with pasta. The food is a B. It's not the best you'll ever have but it's very good and the value is fantastic. The service was good once we finally got in there. If you have the benefit of planning ahead with a large group, they will take reservations.
(4)
Glen B.

Exceeded expectations! Food was terrific. Started with an antipasti. Huge portions for 2 to split. Great variety with meats, cheese and vegetables. I had the Ravioli with Bolognese. Ravioli was cooked perfect. The Bolognese was great (did not have pancetta, which I like in my Bolognese). Huge portions. Wine list could be expanded. Service was great. Hostess was so friendly and always smiling, checking if we needed anything a couple of times.
(5)
Khanh V.

Boston is known for great Italian food. So naturally I took my out of town friends to North End! When we got there, parking was insane so I immediately searched Yelp for help! Alternatively, I found Rino's Place! It's in a secluded neighborhood away from North End but well worth the trek. It's small but has a cozy, rustic feel. The homemade pasta was the best thing I've ever ate! All of their pastas are homemade, unlike most restaurants that only have a select a few. I now understand what it means when people say it's not about the sauce! The linguine with clams and eggplant parmigiana with penne pasta were FANTASTIC!! The portions are huge, but they do not let you share. My other friend ordered the veal which he thought was not great. The service, on the other hand, was lacking. When we first walked in, there was not a wait but no one approached or welcomed us. We ended up standing at the door awkwardly until we approached the waitress. Once we sat down, we were given one menu for three people. After we ordered, we realized, after glancing at the next table, we were not introduced or given the menu with the specials. The waitress had a separate hand written menu with at least 15 items that were not on the standard menu. Overall I loved the food at Rino's. I've tried several Italian restaurants through out Boston to find great homemade pasta and have not found any as comparable! This place is a must try if you are in Boston, but don't expect the service to be anymore than unwelcoming.
(3)
Harry D.

After moving to East Boston nearly 2 months ago, the first thing I heard was you should definitely try rhinos. Rinos is an establishment that is well-known not only the neighborhood but throughout the city, and now I know why. I had the gnocchi with an amazing sauce a bottle wine and oysters. Absolutely delicious!! The portions were so huge I had no room for dessert definitely leftovers.
(5)
Johnnie A.

cab ride from our hotel to Rinos was $25 with tip. $5 to get back on the T and its pretty easy. This place is in a neighborhood. Ok now the food bomb my wife had lobster ravioli not only was the lobster in the ravioli there were chunks all over the whole dish. I had the cheese ravioli they were great and huge only 3 on my plate but I had to take a to go box. Small cozy place.we had to wait a while to be seated so the hostess suggested us go have a drink and try the meatball appetizer across the street. It dwas very good too The she called my cell when are table was ready. So glad we waited it was well worth the wait
(5)
Gabriela C.

What can I say that already hasn't been said? favorite restaurant, and best food in the area hands down. Put in our names at 630pm with the expectations of eating around 930pm (wasn't our first rodeo), so we had a bottle of wine before even going to Prima e Dopo across the street knowing how long the wait was. We got in a little after 930, ordered the mussels and calamari appetizer. Their traditional pomodoro gravy that comes with it has perfect flavor, unreal. then came our orders of lobster ravioli's and all was right in the world. service is amazing if you're a regular, which i have noticed. other than that its a welcome, order taking, and goodbye. fine with me so long as i can eat their lobster rav for the rest of my life
(5)
TJ M.

To be upfront, this is not a food-rating. This is to warn others about the "strategy" the owners seem to employ. The restaurant opens at 4pm, and I arrived with my date for dinner early - at 5:15pm on Monday, Dec. 29th. (They don't take reservations for parties less than 6 people). Despite there being 2 free tables when we entered the tiny space, we were told that we were #17 on the wait list. The hostess suggested that we simply step across the street for a drink and some bruschetta at a bar that I understand the owners of Rino's Place now own. She took my cell phone number and told me she would call me when our table was ready. It's now 31/2 hours later and they have never called me back. Fortunately, we decided not to wait in that bar, but simply walked around the neighborhood for 30 minutes before deciding not to wait any longer. When we passed by the restaurant 30 minutes later at least one of the 2 tables that was vacant earlier was STILL vacant. I'm not sure what games they are playing. In my opinion, a place like this doesn't deserve the patronage. The food may be good. They food may be great. But I'll never step foot inside the place again.
(1)
Joe C.

Aweful. They said wait across the street, they own that rest too. They said it won't be long. They lied. Ruined our Saturday night. Line too long, just be honest, don't tell us it is worth the wait, without giving an estimated time. Food isn't that great either. They treat you like cattle, they lie to you and they don't appologize. Terrible terrible.never go there again. Much better restaurants in Boston than this one. They are arrogant, rude, and they don't care, they take your money gladly though. So we tried again. Anna the owner said please give us another chance. We made a reservation 6 weeks ago for 630 PM. We again waited across the street at their owned bar/waiting room. Had drinks without food, and waited almost an hour. I asked several times and the rude hostess told me a few more minutes and we had a reservation made and assured by the owner. This is like a horror show, a real Hell hole. I was again lied to. Finally, I made a reservation at a great place mama Maria's in the north end. I told the hostess we just could not wait any longer. This place is a scam. Go across the street spend money and wait even though the owner made the reservation personally. How bad is that. We left had a great meal with great service at mama Maria's. I tell you this Rino's place is the very worst place I have ever been to. Do not spend your money here. The one and only reason it is popular is the TV show. It is just horrid and we did have dinner once here and the food was routine red sauce at best. Not worth the wait, ever. I tried because they asked me to and it was terrible, a real horror show.
(1)
Hiro T.

One word...RIDICULOUS!!! But, in a good way, in terms of food. I ordered the lobster ravioli that came highly recommended by another fellow Yelper. The dish was amazing. First off, there is literally a cube of lobster in EACH ravioli. I'm talking pieces so big you wonder how they fit them into the ravioli wrapper. But, the dish gets better because there are lobster chunks in the sauce as well. That's right, lobster covered in the creamy deliciousness that is the perfect compliment to this amazing dish. The portion was also very large, and would normally, I believe, feed two people. The other dishes on the menu also looked incredibly delicious. Did also have the calamari, but unfortunately had the order for carry-out, so the calamari was a little soggy upon arrival at the final destination. The calamari did have some good seasoning, but was a fairly average dish. As stated above, we had the food for carry-out, but even finding a parking spot just to run in and pick up the food was a hassle. The restaurant itself is very small and cozy, but again it is VERY SMALL. There was no room for us to stand even to pick up our orders. The location is somewhat T accessible, but is on the blue line. The four star rating comes not from the food, but more from the location and the interior set up of the restaurant. Overall thoughts: If you come to Boston, or live here for a few years, (yeah, you know who you are...students) and don't come to RIno's, you've just made the biggest mistake of your life. Everyone should eat this food AT LEAST once!
(4)
Lannie L.

Friday night. Arrival: 6 pm. 12 parties ahead. (middle tables mysteriously empty the entire evening) Gave up at 7 pm. Got the phone call that the table was ready at 8:23 pm. By that time, we went down the street, gorged on Brazilian BBQ at Oliveira's, and FINISHED our meal. Though I'm sure the food may have been worth the wait and trek, I wouldn't know. Maybe next time, Rino's...maybe your lunch hours are better.
(2)
Ann B.

Great!
(3)
Mary T.

We wanted our last meal in Boston to be outstanding (especially after our lackluster dinner the evening before). After deciding on Italian, it was hard not to play it safe and return to Giacomo's - I'm glad I like to do things the hard way. The restaurant is small, maybe 10 tables tops. We got lucky and scored one of the last tables upon walking in without a reservation. I noticed they were featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives; I'm not really sure what category Rino's falls into, because while simple inside it doesn't scream diner or dive (and certainly not drive-in). We opted for two items off of the specials menu - lobster ravioli and frutti di mare. Overall, the specials menu is more appealing than the regular one. In hindsight, we should have seen if half orders were possible, skipped all bread and salad, and fasted before dinner. Our plates were enormous! The frutti di mare came in what I would consider a salad bowl (as in the kind you make a salad in, not the size you eat from). Of the two dishes, we loved the ravioli - finishing it off - and only liked the frutti di mare. If I recall the ravioli was $24 and the frutti di mare $28, which were very good values. The ravioli, served in a pink sauce, was stuffed with chunks of lobster and had more lobster over the top of the dish. It was rich, but not overly so, and delicious. Coming from the midwest, where lobster ravioli is expensive and disappointingly sparse on lobster, this was a real treat. The frutti di mare was teeming with seafood, which was my favorite part. The only problem (a good one to have) is that there was so much seafood, it was almost impossible to eat the pasta with the seafood - it was buried under a mountain of mussels, clams, scallops and shrimp. Bottom line: 4.5 stars. Next time I'm back in Boston, Rino's in on my short list - even if it is a bit out of the way. TIP: It's a reasonable walk from the Airport blue line stop.
(4)
Chris N.

The best Italian food, period. The only place I could bring my Italian grandmother that she would say is better than her cooking. Wanted to deduct a star for the ridiculous wait that they always have, but couldn't because the food is just that good.
(5)
Natalie T.

After waiting for an empty reservation spot for this place, some friends and I finally went. It was a lot smaller than I expected! but the food was perfect! Simple Italian menu with something for everyone.
(5)
Annie I.

GO HERE NOW. Order the lobster ravioli. Repeat every 3/4 months of your life.
(5)
Gloria P.

Wait wasn't as long as last time. Appetizer was good shrimp dipped in an egg batter in a honey balsamic glaze. The Rino special was good but the sauce was missing something. Service was good friendly and attentive.
(4)
Rocco R.

All I can say is, growing up in Eastie, this place was, is, and will always be my favorite Italian restaurant in Boston, if not the whole country. The chicken parm is so big that the ziti comes on a separate side plate, not underneath the chicken like at most places. The lobster rav's...unreal.
(5)
Alex B.

Here I am hitting up another spot that has been presented to me by the food network and I am extremely glad I did. Once the Food Network features your restaurant you can expect long waits and service might not seem as important. However, although I saw the segment on here from Diners Drive-ins and Dives a long while ago, everything described seemed to remain in tact. The restaurant itself has a very welcoming feel and our waitress was very friendly and had on a huge smile every time she came to our table. . Picture what other people are saying about the lobster ravioli in their reviews and then imagine something even better because that is what you will get. Giant hand made ravioli, with real fresh lobster, and fresh ricotta and covered with a pink (maybe vodka sauce?). Yummm. I also tried a seafood cannelloni dish. The rolled pasta was about the side of 2 empty paper towel rolls and stuffed with a massive amount of ricotta, shrimp, scallops, and lobster tail. It lasted me 2 meals. Appetizers aren't really necessary as you will probably determine from seeing other tables main courses being brought out. All in all two entrees with salads and a bottle of wine ran me less than significantly lower quality Italian food in the heart of Boston. Definitely, a great place to bring a date. Keep in mind the online menu is about half of what is really on the menu once you sit down. So, deal with the wait the same way i did (grab a drink at a nearby bar, walk around the huge park that is two blocks away, or put your name on the list and go take care of errands). If you have no patience I was told sometimes you can get lucky if you go at those times between lunch and dinner 3-4PM. But even then there might be a wait so man up and deal with it. The meal is definitely worth it. Additionally, they will take reservations for parties of 6 or more so that is one other option.
(5)
Larry S.

We saw this place on Diners Drive-ins and Dives about four years ago. It was all we were hoping for. This food was a culinary delight. I'm glad my wife broke me from licking my plate years ago. Best Italian I've ever had!!!
(5)
BJ S.

Totally worth the wait! The food is delicious! I have gone several times and have not been disappointed. The eggplant appetizer is incredible - thin layers of eggplant stacked high; lobster ravioli; chicken with lemon, capers and wonderful homemade pasta! My mouth is watering just writing about the delectable food at Rino's! Service was friendly and efficient!
(5)
Deanna C.

We come to Rino's somewhat frequently and it's delicious! Last time I had the seafood manicotti and I didn't want to stop eating it. I highly recommend this authentic italian food! Wish it was a little bigger inside but I can't take a star away for that. I would be shocked if you were not pleased.
(5)
Aaron J.

Food is not worth the wait - and they will seat 50 locals and townies before you, so you must get there very early and wait for them, but again, its not worth the wait to say you've eatin at this place thats been on TV. The hostess says you're X in line, and then 2 hours later you've moved 3 spots on the list but you're at the bar across the street (which they own too...) and you've seen plenty of people come in and come out...something is not right there. The way they deal with their success could be their downfall eventually...
(1)
Stephen M.

I journeyed to East Boston because I saw Rino's on the teevee. I saw them making the gnocchi from scratch and I thought "I need to try some of those!" So off I went. I arrived at 3:45 on a Saturday afternoon, expecting the restaurant to open at 4:00. It was in fact, already open. Apparently only a handful of people were aware of this because I was able to walk in to a half-empty restaurant and was seated immediately. Service was a little slow at the get-go. It took a while to receive a menu and then significantly longer to get my drink. Things were not off to an altogether great start. They have a standard typed menu as well as a handwritten single page menu which lists the current specials. I decided on the Arancini for an appetizer with the gnocchi as my entree. The salad arrived first and it was drowning in the house vinagrette. I picked on the greens at the top of the plate and left the bottom-dwellers. Along with the salad, they delivered a bread basket. The bread was your run of the mill italian bread, served at room temperature. The arancini arrived fairly quickly (half-order is $5.00). The presentation was nice with the two rice balls placed on a rectangular plate, surrounded by their ultra-tasty plum tomato sauce. These bad boys were tasty. Steaming hot and full of flavor. The gnocchi arrive approximately 15 minutes later. The bowl was enormous. And it was filled with gnocchi, bathed in a bath of tomato sauce and mozzarella. The taste was terrific. Very flavorful and rich. I managed to eat about a third of the dish and took the rest home. By the time I left at 5:00, there was a waiting list to get into the small 50-seat restaurant. Will I come back again? Sure. Will I make a special trip for it? Probably not. However, that cheesecake from Spinelli's is another story...
(3)
Chuckie T.

What's to be said. This place is the real deal. Makes the North End look like it's being run by Chef Boyardee - not saying much as the NE has been in decline for quite a while. Anyway, the only real issue is coming back. Managed to get 6 people to agree to go, so we secured a reservation. Not going to wait in line for 3hrs, so this may be a one and done. Tragic. The bar they own across the street is nice - so that helps.
(5)
Amy D.

Been meaning to write this review since Saturday but haven't gotten around to it until now. I planned a whole day for my family who came into the city from about an hour away to check out Rino's because I've heard great things and my family always appreciates some real Italian food. We got there at 2:30, about half an hour before they opened, to ensure we could get seated without a long wait. However, we walked up the restaurant and there was a sign on the window "Closed for vacation. We will be back Monday." Really? I understand people take vacations, but you close down your whole restaurant? Not even that, but I checked their website before going to make sure of the hours and there was absolutely no mention of it being closed that weekend. I would think that would be the least you would do when you shut down your restaurant... but I guess not. So needless to say, my family was pretty disappointed. We ended up going to Rossetti's in Lynn instead (there's one in Winthrop, too!).. highly highly recommended if you're in that area!
(1)
Melaina C.

No..the homemade..extremely fresh food is not overrated. It is just as good as it looks on triple D. Yes, it will take longer than most places...that's because it is being made fresh. Yes, you will have a wait..could be 2 hours..that's bc they have 10 tables. If u know all of this in advance..u will be less annoyed. The service could be better...but honestly it wasn't terrible. The food over powers any crappy service. Chicken and eggplant parm...delish. Eggplant in basil pesto cream sauce delish..lobster rav..delish. Upgrade the pasta to a side of the homemade pasta..it is worth the $5 and it will come with a salad. The portions are huge..don't be cheap! I upgraded to the fresh gnocchi and it was to die for. So light..so fluffy. The sauce is fantastic. Ordered tiramisu for dessert...excellent! Go there!
(5)
Jonathan F.

Amazing food, you simply cannot top the quality, portion size, or taste. It would be 5 stars if the service were more customer oriented. Right now it seems to be more paycheck oriented - the employees have a click and you are a bother.
(4)
Kat T.

I usually do not write reviews, relegated to just reading others' posts. But, my terrible experience last night compelled me to prepare those that seek out this restaurant based on undeserved reviews and advertisements on the Food Network. Truth be told, this does feel like your mom and pop neighborhood home-cooked Italian eatery, but the food is just as good as suggested. Maybe it was magnified by the huge hype and endless hours of waiting, multiplied by the rudeness of the lady in control of the list, but the food was just not that amazing. The Lobster Ravioli was too heavy and a bit too salty. Albeit, there were large chunks of lobster but two raviolis later I could not eat any more and not because of being full. The ravioli skins were also too thick and hard to chew probably from making them so large to contain all the lobster filling. Next, the chicken parmesan was pretty good. But, nothing mind blowing. It was good but in the time waiting I could have flown to Italy for a much better meal. As a warning be prepared to possibly not even get a seat until the kitchen is almost closed because of their need to seat reservations first. And, these can slip in at any time even if they call in last minute. For us, we made the trek to sign our name before 5 pm and were told we would have seating between 7-8pm. However, calling around subsequent times in a 2-hour period the numbers of parties before us had not changed and we were not seated until almost 10 pm, told repeatedly that a new reservation had come in. They may need to rethink their system of seating customers. In summary, this place is just not worth the wait and probably not worth take-out either. I have had much better food and service.
(2)
Cris L.

This isn't your typical restaurant. Where else do you arrive at 5, put your name in for a table for two, give your phone number, and go down the street to a bar for the 2.5-3 hours it takes to get your table? The place is tiny but the food is legit good. The lobster ravioli is simply amazing. The food is reasonably priced for the quality. Overall, you can't go wrong here. But for one small detail.... Can't you just take reservations? I don't want to run back simply because of how long the wait is. Please?
(4)
Rubin K.

BEST ITALIAN FOOD!! This place changed the way I saw Italian food, and I can never go back. I used to not crave Italian food because I think it's so easy to make, but so difficult to make well and I don't think i ever really had great Italian food until I came here. It was quite the trek to make it out here, getting lost and going the wrong direction because I couldn't orient myself with the iphone...it was a mess to say the least and my friend almost missed their flight. This place is really close to the airport. But once we got here, holy crap. The waiter was funny and made fun of one of my friends for mispronouncing gnocchi. I ended up getting the Pasta Al Forno (with Fusilli per the recommendation of the waiter). I can't say enough good things...once you go homemade pasta there is no going back. It is so tender and delicious and the sauce was incredible. And the cheese melted so perfectly, but not overpoweringly gooey. My friend got the homemade spaghetti with bolognese...also another incredible dish. Another friend got the Gnocchi...let's just say you can't go wrong with anything here. I loved them all. The only problem is now I have to find a place in CA that is able to make Italian food like that.
(5)
Doan Q.

Rino's is a victim of their own greatness. They were featured on Triple D and now people are flocking there. Hey, I'm one of them. It only has 10-12 tables. I like it that way. You just have to be strategic about when you go. Enough of my ranting to those negative reviewers though. Rino's has to be the best Italian food I have had outside of Italy. I went last year for my Birthday and my bf and I can not stop talking about it. The arrancini balls were tasty. They oozed with cheese but weren't too salty.The pasta is homemade and you can taste the freshness. They also do a great job on their sauces. We clearly had to get Rino's Special and Lobster Ravioli. We're very glad we did too. Rino's does Italian right. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Elizabeth K.

Food was DELIGHTFUL. Customer Service - eh. This place is constantly PACKED. I read the reviews, I saw the Diner's Drive-Ins and Dive's episode and knew this was just the place to take my mother for her birthday. We are both big fans of Italian food and wait or not we were going to eat here! We showed up at 5 pm and took the last table, everyone else had over a half an hour wait after we arrived. The food was FANTASTIC. It was delightful. To die for. Order the lobster raviolis. The server just didn't care. Didn't ask us questions, didn't check on us didn't even ask us how the food was. And when he wanted to know if we were interested in dessert and we said no just the check please, he brought us the dessert menu. Im bummed the service wasn't great. The food I would go back for, just won't expect the friendly attention I expected.
(3)
M R.

I waited 2.5 hour to get in the place about 45min to get our meal. The food is that good! Had the Lobster Ravioli, I would wait all over again
(5)
Anne W.

After a few weeks of anticipation.. I finally made it to Rino's on a snowy night in Boston. This place is true to the word of what everybody says... it is small.. you'll probably wait forever.. in fact, we waited two hours before we got our table... putting our name in at 5 pm. There is no bar at this spot. I have no idea why other reviews say there is.. it's a small spot. Not only that.. the bathroom is found through the kitchen. So.. you get a look into the place... it is slippery as they wash dishes right there. The wait service was friendly. I actually liked it... they teased our group as we had an English girl in our group.. and I did not think they rushed us at all. On to the main event.. the food: Steamed mussels and clams: Really delicious... they use a lot of butter and garlic in the sauce and is heavenly. You probably will end up getting bread to mop this up... Free bread on the table: Meh.. it wasn't bad.. it wasn't good. Just standard. Stuffed mushrooms: They are small mushroom caps.. it was good to share amongst a table. I didn't think they were phenomenal. Very.. seafoody tasting... and a lot of butter. Good thing I only ate half. Eggplant App: This is topped with pesto.. so if you don't like, beware... I think it was on par with what the stuffed mushrooms were like. Not out of this world but definitely the half portion could serve the six of us. Fruitti de mare: I thought this dish was phenomenal! The pasta was al dente... with a lot of seafood flavor. Loved the amount of shellfish in this dish. Amazingly delicious. Lobster Ravioli: I'm going to be honest.. it was good.. but I was not in love with this dish. The ravioli is quite big.. and there are pieces of lobster in the sauce... but I guess I am not a big fan of all the cheese in ravioli. It was good though. Fettucini Alfredo: This was really good... loved how al dente the dish was... And the alfredo sauce was thick. I didn't try anything else.. but yes.. portions are large. We all took food home. I would go again.. but only if I go at 5 pm for a table. I hate being starved out without a bar around...
(4)
Vince O.

The real deal. A straight 1 - 2 punch knock out! From the host (Lisa - I believe), to Lois (our server) and the cooking staff.... my hat goes off to you... not only customer service was top-shelf...but the food you prepared for us made my stomach lining weep... The lobster ravioli's were on hit, and the wife had the pork tenderloin ( she said this was the best she has ever devoured - EVER) We came late and it was probably for the best. I had a chance to take pictures with some of the kitchen staff and we were able to 'shoot the breeze' with Lois. I recommend this place whole heartedly...Come patronize this fine establishment.
(5)
Lynne H.

Wish I could post a real review, but after waiting for 3 and a half hours, we left. We called at 4, told the wait would be 2.5 hours. At almost 3 hours, we checked and were told it was going to be another 1.5 hours. That was at 7:15, so you do the math - eating at 9:30? We had a 45+ minute commute home after, so we just couldn't wait any longer. I wish the hostess had been honest from the start and told us it was a 3-4 hour wait, then we could have gone to the North End and had a nice meal . . .
(1)
Barry R.

WORTH THE WAIT & WORTHY OF PRAISE Rino's is a small neighborhood Italian joint in East Boston, MA. I was searching "hidden gems" online, and all links pointed towards Rino's. Among the reviews was the suggestion of the best lobster ravioli I'll ever try. That was enough for me. Arriving on a Tuesday at about 7:45pm, we were told the wait would be about 45 minutes. The hostess sent us to a nearby pub for a drink, which we did. By the time an hour had gone by, we were seated. They stop seating at 9pm (Tuesday - Thursday, 10pm other nights), but then stay open until everyone is fed. Nobody is rushed out the door to turn over tables quicker. The menu has a LOT of options. The staff's T-shirts and a huge signed poster on the wall soon made it clear that this gem was no longer hidden... it had been featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives. One friend ordered veal marsala, another ordered rack of lamb, and I went with the lobster ravioli. In fairness, it was easily the best lobster ravioli I'd ever had worldwide. Just the best in Massachusetts or Maine (we are lobster folks, ya know) would have been praise enough, but these really were the best I've ever had. No lack of lobster, and the pasta was perfect. Great sauce. My veal marsala companion could only rave. My rack of lamb pal spends more time in Rome than home in MA. He is incapable of complimenting anyone's Italian food in the USA, but he cleaned that plate better than a dog could have licked it. I would gladly return to try their Lemoncello Shrimp, and a variety of other items. Next month, they open a place across the street called BEFORE AND AFTER. So, walking a few blocks down to the pub to await a table will no longer be neccesary, and it seems one can move across the street for dessert as well. They WILL take reservations for parties of 6 and more. But for others, you can't call to be put on the waiting list. You have to show up in person and put your name down. They will then call when the table is ready, and give you 10 minutes to return, if you are outside, or at their new spot across the street from pre-supper drinks.
(5)
Rachel G.

I live in East Boston and have for 11 years. I would not step foot in this restaurant again. The staff is rude and they think their food is better than it really is.
(1)
TJ M.

Thank you, Guy Fieri and Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives! (note that there's probably some vacation bias built into this rating...) The bad news - like a 2 hour wait on a Saturday afternoon - got there like 4 something and ate after 6pm. While we were waiting, we were talking to this one guy who had arrived after us, and turned out lived in the same neighborhood as my friend. So lucky him, we asked him to join us, so he ended up waiting about 15-20m instead of our 2+ hours. The good news? The food was great! Pretty heavy/rich, but still amazing! Enjoyed it a lot, especially the lobster ravioli. The calamari appetizer was good as well.
(5)
Diane V.

It's taken me a little while to return to Rino's because I don't feel like waiting around for two hours before I get to eat. I ended up going back when my in-laws were in town and wanted to try the place my husband and I raved about. A couple of things irritated me this time around and I don't think I'll be heading back to Rino's any time soon. First, (and I've left a tip on Yelp about this) the refills on soda are not free. They don't tell you this ahead of time, and if you're like me you assume refills are on the house because that's how they are EVERYWHERE. Not here. They tally it up on the back of your check (out of sight out of mind I guess? either way I thought that was misleading) and never say a peep about getting charged for each refill. If I'm paying for a soda and need to drink it in moderation it might be nice if they at least warn you ahead of time. For a table for four people, each of us getting a refill or two over the course of appetizers and a meal, it adds up quickly. That brings me to the service. Awful. The people working there treat the customers as if they should be happy to have gotten in for dinner, not the other way around. I get that they're busy and are popular, and people obviously go back so maybe it doesn't matter to them if they lose a few customers who aren't regulars. But I was annoyed that it took forever to get anything when it seemed that the regulars, or people the waitstaff were familiar with, got the royal treatment. Now, onto the problems with the food. My husband ordered the lobster ravioli, and it had shells in it. By this time the waitress was MIA so we just called it a day and got the check when she happened to come back over to check on us from chit chatting with another table. It just wasn't worth it to us to say something and we got the impression that it wouldn't have mattered much anyway. Overall, pretty annoying experience. I'd be willing to trade a bit of quality for improved customer service any day. And luckily we just found Fiorella's in Newton so we don't have to trade quality at all and the customer service there is impeccable.
(2)
Joe D.

I hate to say this because it will just mean more people going there, but the place is as good as advertised. As my son says, "Best Italian north of Boston." Must be patient because the wait is long. Didn't go there for a year because of a run in with the woman who was keeping track of the waiting list, but the food is terrific. You wait for up to two hours to eat and they have a place across the street where you can run up a hefty bar tab while waiting.
(5)
B R.

Back again. we go once a month now. Insanely delicious. every dish anyone had was amazing. It's not fine dining, but the food is better than any fine dining place. Period. It's fun, it has character and the FOOD.....the FOOOODDD !!!!! Yum. For all those other reviewers who claim an "attitude" problem....get a life. It's italian and it's in the city in it's the northeast, go back to Panera and eat your bland crap, I'll gladly take your table.
(5)
Jim M.

A little Gem Just 13 tables completely fill the tiny dining room of this long time East Boston favorite. Upscale Italian food with a modern flair at moderate prices make it a good value. You get a peek into the kitchen through the window and hand made pasta was being lovingly turned out during our lunch, and the attention to detail from the kitchen was impressive. The lettuce in our salads was all hand torn with no knife cuts, a small detail to be sure, but a pleasant surprise. The atmosphere is neighborhood casual where you can wear your Red Sox hat at the table and fit in. Our pasta dishes were both oversized and very well done with fresh handmade pasta offered in 6 different shapes. (A very rare thing). Service was slow, and the only off note about eating here.It took a half hour to get bread on the table because the waitress was waiting for the kitchen to slice the bread. Why not give her a knife and let her slice it herself? The kitchen has more than enough to do. It reminded me of one of the better neighborhood Italian restaurants that spoiled me in North Jersey growing up and tuned me into a tough critic when it comes to Italian restaurants. Well worth another trip back to Eastie. If the wait staff stepped up their game it just might be a 5 star restaurant.
(4)
Amy M.

We went today to Rino's. A Tuesday. We took the train, not a bad walk from Wood Island Station. We arrived around 3 pm. Walked right in. When we left around 4ish, there was a small wait, but nothing crazy. We heard the waitress tell another table Thursday - Friday it can be a 3 hour wait. The food - We went on an empty stomach and had a late lunch/early dinner. I went with lobster ravioli's based on all the reviews and the Diners, Drive Ins and Dives episode. So, so good. Totally worth it and the reviews are right! We also had the Chicken Parm - very tender and well hammered out. We had Brucshetta and Arancini for apps. The Bruschetta was very good, we had to try it, but would not necessarily get it next time, as there is other stuff to try on the menu. The Arancini was AWESOME! Could have had it as a meal! Best I have had since my grandmother passed away. With all that food, there was leftovers and no room for dessert - which was a bummer, since they all looked good. Service - A couple of people have posted the service wasn't good. Ours was just fine. The waitress was attentive enough, water glasses were consistently filled and she checked in enough, without being annoying. I think people have to remember the food is FIVE star, but at he end of the day the restaurant is considered a "Diner, Drive in or Dive." It is not suppose to be considered a FIVE STAR restaurant, with the bells and whistles of service...it does have FIVE STAR food. I will say towards the end of our meal, when a wait began, no one in the restaurant felt rushed to finish and leave. A single top was taking up a four-top for an hour and he was treated with the same care as any other customer in there.
(5)
Christina Z.

The reason I run miles a day. So I can eat at Rino's. It's gotten even better. Fried Calamari Mozzarella Balls - a tad on the soggy side, but I was really stretching to find anything wrong with this meal 2 orders of Gnocci - my absolute favorite, they trump all gnocci everywhere Lobster Ravioli - the standout, heaped with lobster meat and delicious sauce you need to mop your bread in 2 Chicken Marsala with mushrooms and ham, the sauce is like candy 1 Chicken Carozzella - light and lemony and winey delicious 1 Veal Parm - classic Fat kid. Party of one. Okay, there were eight of us.
(5)
Elena E.

Like most people, I saw the Diners Drive-ins and Dives episode with Rino's Place and had to try it. Took me a while to get there since it's out of the way and I knew from other reviewers that it requires a commitment for the wait time. But a friend was visiting and staying near the airport so I used this as an excuse to finally give it a try. There were 4 of us and we put our name on the waiting list around 5:45pm on a Friday evening. We hung out across the street at their bar until we were called at 7pm. Not nearly as long of a wait as I was expecting. We ordered the calamari and stuffed peppers for our appetizer. The calamari was like any other calamari you'd get anywhere. The stuffed peppers though were very good, one of the best dishes of the night. For entrees, I had the lobster ravioli. Very tasty, but definitely heavy and a lot of food. Others had the pasta al forno and pasta bolgonese which were both also very good. Finally, one friend has the pollo saltinboca which was average at best. It did come with a "side" of pasta which was as much pasta as the pasta entrees. But it was just linguine with tomato sauce, so pretty boring. I would suggest sticking to the pasta entrees. All of the entrees were huge and we had enough for dinner the next day and still had leftovers after that. So while it was overall a fun night with good food and wine, I'm giving Rino's 3 stars because it's hard to get to, the long wait times, it's on the expensive side for such standard Italian food (though the servings are enough for several meals), and perhaps besides the lobster ravioli, I didn't think the food was anything I haven't had before and couldn't get at any other standard Italian restaurant. It's worth going to once, but I don't think I'll have the motivation and desire to go again.
(3)
Jennifer B.

My husband and I came here on a road trip to Boston to visit friends, and ever since we saw the episode of DDD with Rino's place, we knew we had to come. Our party of 4 only had about a 40 minute wait, which was way less than I was expecting considering the Yelp reviews (and it was a Friday night!). Wait staff was nice enough. To start, we shared the arancini (YUM!) and had a bottle of Malbec that was also delish. I ordered off the specials menu, and had some sort of spiced sausage with garlic and broccoli rabe and wow was it good. My husband ordered the lobster ravioli, and it definitely lived up to the hype. You can taste the chunks of fresh lobster on top and inside the pasta, and the pasta itself is fresh and homemade. Same thing with the gnocchi--my friend ordered it as a side dish, and they were incredible. Tomato sauce was nice and light. My mouth is watering writing this......I think it's time for another Boston trip just to eat at Rino's!
(5)
Charles B.

Service was outstanding but that's only the start! We had an early dinner and I it was great, fantastic, over the top! I had the Rino's special which is veal and chicken in a mushroom sauce, couldn't be tastier. I also had a half portion of lobster ravioli man these things were the size of my fist and full of fresh lobster! Everything was fresh and perfectly cooked - it's a place I would love to live across from so I could go for lunch and dinner every day.
(5)
Ken D.

So you may have seen or heard that this restaurant was on TV with some crazy haired California dude who goes around trying different places (which this one doesn't qualify as either a diner, a drive-in, or a dive... whut?) but I'll tell ya, when that guy declared that this place's Italian cuisine was the-bomb-dot-com he was on point. Sometimes these places or things get hyped up and don't meet expectations but they certainly don't skimp here. There's not a lot of tables so yeah we had to wait, but there's a pretty cool lounge across the street that you can chill at while you wait, and I got some bruschetta with super-fresh goat cheese on it which was delicious. They call your phone when your table is ready (pretty sweet way of doing it honestly) and we head over, the person I was with tried the lobster ravioli which was on the aforementioned show... Plenty of meaty lobstery goodness in every bite. I was going to get them too but decided to try something different, so got seafood cannelloni - this dish now haunts my dreams as I could possibly eat it at every meal every day. Every sea critter imaginable wrapped in delicious fresh doughy pasta with a wonderful red sauce and enough basil to cause a seizure. Absolute heaven. Did I mention the portions? This thing was TWO of these massive cannelloni where one would have been acceptable. I was taught by my mother to finish everything on my plate but there was just no friggin' way I was eating both. I wish I lived closer. I wish Rino would just decide the city sucks and come to NH. I wish I had seafood cannelloni right now.
(5)
Joe U.

Finally made it inside...worth the wait. Awesome Italian that hasn't let Food Network completely get to its head. Antipasto was pretty good, not great. Eggplant appetizer was very good. Famous lobster ravioli was superb, with the most lobster meat I've had in a prepared dish. The sauce was a little salty, but rich and creamy. The homemade ravioli pasta was awesome. The sausage and broccoli rabe pasta was also very good, especially the texture of the homemade ziti. Beef rib on risotto was very tasty, just a tad salty, and the risotto consistency was a bit drier than what my buddy thought risotto should be. Nonetheless, great flavor all around. The portions were HUGE...didn't realize how generous they were. I have to give service top marks, not for the table service, but the reservation lady Lisa was extremely nice when one member of our party was stuck in traffic for a very long time.
(5)
Kevin P.

Wonderful. Lobster Ravioli was the best.....
(5)
Rick S.

Sometimes what you see on a tv show sticks in your head. I saw this place on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives a while back and have been waiting to try it on one of my Boston trips. Didn't disappoint. Got the chicken and eggplant. Very good. But I was thinking lobster (lobsta ?) ravioli all day and talked myself out of it. Will try it next time. They own a bar across the street to help you cope when there is a wait. Service was stereotypical Boston...slow and a little insulting but in a friendly way (which makes sense to those who visit MA a lot). Hidden gem near Logan Airport.
(4)
Veronica J.

This was the last place our group of four stopped on our way to the airport to end our 6-day Boston trip. We ate SO much amazing food while we were there that it's hard to stack it all against each other. Below are the most fitting ratings I can come up with for Rino's Service: 3 Not the friendliest bunch overall, though some stood out more than others. Also not the most attentive: our waitress walked around holding a baby part of the time, which obviously distracted her (and just how sanitary is that?? Gross), and we were never asked if we wanted anything else when our salad/appetizer was dropped off (we would have loved some balsamic to go with the caprese and the bread). Luckily we went during lunch, pretty much right after they'd opened, so we didn't have to deal with any wait at all, much less a 3+ hr wait like some visitors reported. Food: 3-5 The salads that come with the meals are the most boring, out-of-a-bag-looking-and-tasting dinner salads I've ever seen. If you have a craving for an actual, good salad, don't set yourself up for disappointment like I did. If you choose pasta instead of salad to go with your entree, be prepared for a second course -- it's a HUGE portion, and not too bad. The caprese appetizer we all shared was pretty good, though like I said, it would have been nicer to have been offered balsamic to go with it (it was only dressed with a bit of oil). The real stars of this place are the entrees! Two of us got meat dishes, and both of them were amazingly delicious (pollo marsala and vitello saltinboca). Another got the lobster ravioli, which she thought was the best she'd tasted anywhere. The fourth got one of the current specials, I think it was pumpkin ravioli or gnocchi. She reported that it was just ok; I think she might have found a foreign hair in it, which understandably turned her off. Atmosphere: 4 It's a tiny place, but it has very cute old-world-ish decor. I can definitely see how it fills up quickly and stays full around dinner time & after. Good thing they recently opened a bar right across the street where you can get drinks & apps while you're waiting for your meal. Overall, I give this place 3 stars. Remember: go during lunch, and go for the entrees -- don't bother filling up on anything else first!
(3)
Christina G.

Who knew you could get fantastic Italian outside of the North End? I guess you can, and I found it right here at Rino's. The menu is simple and straightforward as another reviewer put it. They seem to get a little more creative with their specials but the regular menu items stick to more standard and traditional Italian dishes, the difference is they do standard very very well here. Great sauce and perfect homemade pastas seem to be their strong point. The Gnocchi was some of the best I've had and the Pasta Al Forno tasted like a fantastic home cooked meal. That particular dish has mini meatballs in it that tasted just like my mom's, and I've always thought hers were the very best. For an appetizer we started with the Fried Mozzarella, which was huge but an excellent choice. They drizzle theirs with a little basil pesto that gives it some nice added flavor. It was a little pricier than we expected from our first glance at the place, however considering the large portion sizes it wasn't too bad. It's not particularly ambient or beautifully decorated and service was just okay, but who cares when the food is this yummy. It has that hole in the wall feeling, the kind that makes you feel very happy to have "discovered" it. I would definitely return.
(4)
Ben P.

I will never come back to this place. We got to the restaurant at 6:30 pm. There were about 10-12 people waiting outside. I dropped my girlfriend off to put our names on the list while I parked. After about an hour and a half of waiting I went in and asked the very rude hostess how long the wait would be. She said there were two parties of six and two parties of two in front of us. However, there were about four groups of people (by my count) who strolled up to the place and were seated after waiting only 20 minutes. Note: you need six people to make a reservation and none of these parties had six people. They must have been regulars and we were all chumps. Other people who had been waiting noticed that these people were getting seated ahead of them and the hostess had an excuse every time. The waitstaff did nothing in terms of turning parties over. I literally watched two tables get their food in togo containers and pay their bill who then proceeded to stay in their seats and chat for another hour. I even heard one couple say as they were walking out that he felt bad for staying as long as they did while there were so many people waiting outside- ya think! So we finally get our name called at about 9:00 to a round of applause by the people who were standing out there with us the longest (no lie!). We get sat down and the waitress was very to-the-point and not very friendly. We ordered the fried mozzarella balls for an app and I got the chicken parm with the homemade pasta (I've never had homemade pasta but I was disappointed because it was very chewy and I don't like my pasta chewy). Getting a drink refill was like winning the lottery. I had my empty glass on the edge of the table for almost the entire meal. And we didn't see our waitress until she dropped off the check. I stopped another woman and asked her for refills. The food is great but these people suck. They let people ahead of other parties with no regard for how long they have been waiting and the waitstaff was pretty much nonexistent. I won't ever be going back.
(1)
Leslie F.

*** 4 if you order the Lobster Ravioli and have less than a 40 minute wait to be seated in this tiny hole in the wall. ***3 if you have an experience like mine (take-out b/c of a 2 1/2 hour long wait) Toward the end of a recent trip to Boston, I convinced my very reluctant cousin to drive out to the questionable area of East Boston for Lobster Ravioli from Rino's. Guy Fieri has visited this authentic Italian eatery on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives so i just had to go. Apparently Rino's restaurant is no joke because there was a two and a half hour wait! No thank you; after walking my butt off through sweltering hot Boston all day, I was not about to stand on the street side and sweat some more. The only logical solution? Take-out. We ordered the famous lobster ravioli, a ground sausage, pea and mushroom ricotta tortellini and wild mushroom and sage ravioli. My cousin, living above an authentic Italian restaurant, was not so sure Rino's deserved all the hype. Then again, she is not a lobster fanatic. Truth be told, the other pastas were mediocre but the super-stuffed and delicious sauced lobster ravioli was seriously stunning. It is the dish Guy drooled over and it's no wonder why. It would've been lovely to have be so "lucky" to get a table here. The hosts and servers were not very friendly and seemed to care less about their guests (at least those receiving take-out). But again, that lobster ravioli was truly in a league of its own. If I lived in Boston and didn't mind driving, I'd give these rude folks my business any day of the week for that dish.
(3)
Southernpilot S.

Had a very good diner 05-2013. The wait is too long though.
(4)
Angela B.

Amazing. Haven't had Italian food like that since actually being in Italy. The antipasto was probably my favorite out of everything. When simple dishes are done right they stand out above everything. The fried calamari was great. I don't know if they brine it in something to make it less chewy but it was perfect. The bruschetta, the ravioli, and the mellenzane ripieno were all great. I had the gnocchi which were light and fluffy and not the typically heavy little rocks you get in most restaurants. I also tasted my husbands rigatoni and the homemade pasta tasted great and was cooked perfectly. I can't wait to come back. I want to try the bresaola, the frutti di mare, and the matriaciana. I rarely go to a restaurant and hurt myself. But I couldn't stop eating and ate myself into a coma. Well worth the pain.
(5)
John B.

The bad news: we waited two-and-a-half hours to be seated. The good news? It was entirely worth it. By the end of the meal, we felt like family to the staff there, had bellies full of utterly amazing food, and really just had one of the best dining experiences IN MY LIFE. They really need to find a bigger place to meet demand, but then that would probably just ruin the place. Since they don't take reservations for parties smaller than six guests, your best bet is to get there early or late. If you get there in the middle of the dinner rush, yes, you can expect a wait of HOURS. So, your best bet - find some friends or another family and make a reservation. On the night of our visit, a party of ten calmly parked their cars and walked right into the place without waiting a minute. THAT'S the way to do it here. Food-wise, the lobster ravioli is to die for. I almost wept when it was all gone. The Caprese and Brushetta were scrumptious too, and the Bolognese was fantastic. The list of specials is a mile long and augments the already substantial main menu. It was REALLY difficult to choose what to order. Quirk: there is ONE unisex bathroom and you have to walk through the kitchen to get to it. It's actually pretty cool - you get to (briefly) see a real Italian kitchen in all its mechanized glory. So, prepare ahead of time with some planning and get ready to have an incredible dining experience. Heck, Guy liked it so much he gave this place a double time slot on the DDD show. That says a lot. And, I lived in Rome for 3+ years and know what authentic Italian is supposed to taste like. This is the best of that cuisine I've had in the US.
(5)
Paran Y.

I should be impartial to the wait time at a restaurant but in the case of Rino's I cannot. This place wholeheartedly deserves 5 stars. Lobster Ravioli - imagine a ravioli filled with chunks of lobster about ...3 cubic inches, no joke. This bad boy was STUFFED with lobsters. Not enough? How about a sauce with huge lobster chunks in it. Catch my drift? Good, cause it smells like lobster. Calamari - Very good. Nothing too amazing but very tasty Sooo...why the 1 missing star? How about a 3.5 hour wait to get seated. Ouch....we literally walked to a bar, got food, got drinks, and waited until we got hungry again before we had our first bite at Rino's. It didn't help that there weren't that many places around Rino's that are worth going to. Anywho, everyone must come here at least once. Maybe twice for a special person.
(4)
Pat B.

OK, I have finally had the best Italian food in North America. I had the opportunity to finally visit this Mecca on this week and the place was better than I ever imagined. We started with the Shrimp Limoncello. It was served over spinach and was a unique dish to me. The flavors were truly amazing. The shrimp was perfect and the sauce was all wiped up with the bread that was brought. For my meal I ordered the famous Lobster Ravioli. I had seen the dish on DDD and I was worried that they wouldn't have any left. I was in luck. It arrived on a large plate with 8 ravioli that were all as large as I had ever seen. The sauce was Fresh Plum Tomato with Lobster meat and it was unbelievable. The pasta was perfect and each pillow filled with a large amount of lobster meat. Absolutely amazing meal. We arrived and were told that the wait was long. I said it didn't matter. The hostess took my cell phone number and sent us to Kelly's Square Pub to wait. We had a couple of Sam Adam's Lagers and the phone rang. We walked back and were seated. For the reviewers that thought the wait was too long, I say good riddance, that means that I will get my table sooner. Seriously, the place is off the beaten path, you have to go into the kitchen to get to the restroom, the wait is long, but it blows all other restaurants away.
(5)
John B.

Bad service. Bad food. Long wait. Dont waste your time.
(1)
Elisabeth L.

The food was decent, very big portions. I had the gnocci's, I don't recommend them, they serve it with parm. cheese on top, they put it on before they serve it and the cheese gets mixed into the sauce like string. The staff run this place so backwards, we got in line at 3:30 on a saturday, there were 12 couples in line ahead of us. They kept on bringing people in two or three at a time, every 10 or 15 minutes, even though there were still empty tables.
(3)
jenilee p.

Have you ever sat through an Olive Garden commercial and hardcore gagged? The phony family atmosphere, the true Italian food = love message, servers with perfect teeth and straight A smiles? If you're anything like me, the very existence of multiple Olive Gardens puts you off any sort of Italian food - any time, anywhere. Rino's is the absolute antidote to any sort of poison fed us via the "unlimited salad and bread sticks" empire. This tiny restaurant is flawless. Worth the trip to Eastie? You bet. It's basically a small room with a curved diner-style ceiling with no more than twelve tables. For whatever the room may lack in character (if you're friggin blind), it's more than made up for by a handful of some of the most colorful, endearing, and lovely waitstaff I've ever had the pleasure of bantering with. Indeed, my friends, diners here either feel lucky to have arrived at the local restaurant, or are themselves one way or another "part of the family." Upon being seated, grab some wine (they have a really nice bottle of Chianti on the menu for approximately $25), and order up appetizers. Our table's choices: 1) The calamari - Not much to say here. With a squeeze of lemon, each succulent piece was lightly breaded, giving way to perfectly fried seafood. (You know... as in not rubbery.) The large portion was also scattered with rings of pickled banana peppers, one of my favorite things. I can't see how anyone would be disappointed with this dish. In all honesty, I was a little surprised that there were no dipping sauces. But guess what? They didn't need them. 2) Arancini special - Order this. One order comes with four bigger-than-a-golf-ball, smaller-than-a-baseball arancinis. Each risotto ball was crispy on the outside, creamy and a bit sweet on the inside, perfectly matched with a tangy tomato sauce coating the bottom of the plate. The dish was also topped with shaved Parmesan and a bit of parsley. I will order this again, and fight anyone that stands in my way. The Big Show: Eager to see a good version of a dish I constantly "don't get", I ordered the bolognese with a pasta that started with the letter F... (wikipedia has failed me in figuring out the exact type). A heaping shallow bowl of pasta arrives at your table: curly, fresh, homemade pasta... swimming in a hearty sauce of ground veal, pork, and beef. Each bite gives way to bits of onion and carrot, completely infused with that incredibly rich, savory sauce. I don't know if I've ever had pasta prepared to order with so much care. I didn't give a crap about bolognese after being burned time and time again by douche bags that love shitty Italian food. I now give a crap. You did that, Rino's. One of my fellow diners ordered the veal parmigiana. If she had gotten up to go to the bathroom, I would have slid her order into my purse and claimed no knowledge. I think she definitely won the best entree prize, with veal that was pounded until just thin enough: tender, but not so thin that it was overpowered by a crunchy, fantastic breading. Tomato sauce and melted mozzarella wrapped up the best version of veal parmigiana that I've ever tasted. Though the bolognese was good, I will order the veal next time. The rest of our table also had quintessential, pedestal-worthy versions of classic Italian dishes (pollo braciolentini, lamb shank, braised pork with risotto), but clearly I am running out of room to wax poetic. So in conclusion, get to Rino's, and bring some people you like. People you don't like aren't allowed here. In getting here, a few tips: 1) Rino's is walking distance from Airport stop on the blue line. 2) If you must park, especially when there's aluminum chair/trash can warfare in Eastie during the winter, take a look at the school a few blocks away. Sometimes there's a spot there, and then you won't be pissing anyone off. 3) Call before venturing out to the restaurant. Remember, it's small, so don't be surprised if they're not taking anymore reservations, but definitely get on the wait list. Odds are, you'll get out to the restaurant, and you'll have a reasonable (completely worth it) wait before being seated inside. Godspeed diners, and to Olive Garden / Carrabas / Buca di Beppo / Bertuccis / Papa Razzi / Macaroni Grill - you all suck and you know it.
(5)
Noelle J.

Just go you won't be disappointed....WORTH THE WAIT! Scallops in lemoncillo I can't describe it.
(5)
Captain Stanley T.

Home made lobster ravioli worth the trip and lives up to its reputation.
(4)
Michelle S.

This is my FAVORITE restaurant, hands down. I've grown up with off the boat Italian cooking and my family would probably disown me if they knew that I thought that Rino's cooking was better than my Nonna's---but IT IS! Every time I go I say I'm going to order something different, but I can never say no to their gnocchi and chicken/eggplant parm combo. Even their caesar salad is to die for. And a glass of wine is only 5 bucks! I was so happy for them when they were featured on Diners, Drive In's and Dives, but now it's so tough to get in. We've been going for lunch instead of dinner lately which has worked out well. Can't wait to try the new place they opened across the street either! I'm actually starving just after writing this review--too bad it's Sunday and they're not open, otherwise we would have hopped in the car and been on our way!
(5)
Joi T.

Yummy, Yummy ,Yummy I got love in my tummy... From the food, the staff and dÃ©cor Rinos Place is amazing. I went here on Valentine's Day with my friend for a delicious lunch and boy was it delicious. After watching the Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with Guy Fieri I knew I had to try the Lobster Raviolis. The portions were huge and took me 3 days to finish my meal. I usually don't eat reheated food because it never tastes the same but this tasted just like it did when it came out the kitchen. My friend had the Bolognese. Huuuuuuge you can barely make a dent when eating it at the restaurant. I wish I could remember the name of her appetizer but it was French bread cut in half with melted mozzarella cheese and the sauce was made out of anchovies and butter and yum I want it now. We got here before 3:45 pm and didn't mind waiting outside since it was really nice out. The parking can be a bit tricky but they do not have resident parking form what we could find so no worries about tows and tickets. They also do take out if you prefer to eat at home since seating is limited.
(5)
Russ M.

Arrived at 2pm, waited in bar adjacent for only half hour. Really good lobster ravioli, sublime limoncello shrimp, full bodied red wine, excellent service.
(4)
Herb Z.

Fantastic place. Gets a 4 stars because it is such a pain to get in there and eat. Food is a 5 star and beats 99% of the north end restaurants handily.
(4)
Kim T.

I saw this on Food Network and had to try it. Its a small place. Kind of reminds me of the inside of a train. The neighborhood doesnt seem so great but I found parking close by after driving around a few times. I really enjoyed the calamari and took some pasta dishes home for the family to go. We all loved it and the pasta was gone in no time.
(4)
Charli J.

AMAZING! That's is all I have to say about this place. LOVE IT! Of course the lobster Ravioli is the greatest ravioli you will ever had. And that is an understatement. I would pay double the price to eat it! The service is great and the waitresses are always sweet and fast. I also love this appetizer that comes with prosciutto. mozzarella, and tomato. It is awesome. Definitely eat here if you get a chance. Also if you have a party of 6 or more, make reservations. If there is a wait, head across the street and have a drink. They make great cocktails over there.
(5)
Kim M.

This is, by far, the best Italian-homemade pasta-fresh ingredients food restaurant we have ever experienced here in Boston. We have explored so many Italian restaurants in the north end that were delicious, but Rino's Place takes the cake. The Rino's special is fantastic with homemade fettuccini. It melts in your mouth. The portions are gigantic and steaming hot. I can't wait to take our friends here. It's a little restaurant. It probably seats about 25 people, but if you show up for an early dinner, it is quiet and very pleasant. The decaf cappuccino came with chocolate and whip cream all over it. It was delicious. The lobster ravioli was fantastic. Enough to feed a whole family. This is definitely our new place to bring visiting friends.
(5)
Graceypoo M.

I actually decided I would use my frequent flier miles to go to Boston, not just to see my classmates put on a 3.5hours variety show/play, but to also eat at Rino's, per Guy Fieri's recommendation (of DD&D via FoodTV). My friend and I trekked all the way from Longwood Medical Area to Rino's via two trains on the T, but was misdirected by the T-line information guy and a Boston cop as to where we can find Bremen Street. We had to walk through construction sites, underpasses, and unpaved roads. FINALLY, we see Rino's Place--a quaint neighborhood Italian restaurant in a residential area next to the airport grounds. We got there a little past 1pm and thankfully we didn't have to wait. Most of the customers here looked like regulars. The capacity was probably no more than 50 people-- so it was a rather meager establishment. The day's specials were handwritten on a piece of 8.5X11 printer paper and photocopied. I remembered I had to get the "Rino's Special" since I couldn't decide what meat I wanted to get. Rino's Special comes with veal, chicken, and shrimp on your choice of pasta in a mushroom cream sauce. For an extra $5, I can get the dish made with handmade pasta. I jumped on that. My friend got the lobster ravioli. For starters, we also ordered caprese salad and a half order of fried smelt. The main dishes came with a generous portion of salad. They also give you a basket of sliced breads and focaccia. OK... I know caprese salads are super simple, but I swear the way they seasoned theirs made it the BEST caprese salad I have ever had. I really liked the fried smelt too, which came with a drizzle of aioli on them. Our main dishes were HUGE. My dish was friggin' delicious. I actually loved loved loved the huge pieces of mushroom the most in terms of intensity of flavor. The handmade fetuccine pasta was WOW. I was surprised that my friend was also able to put away most of her lobster ravioli (biggest raviolis I have ever seen in my life-3inch diameter). We had to ask for half our dishes to be packed up since we also wanted to get dessert. There were three ladies lunching next to us and they asked us where we were from. The servers joined in the conversation about how we found Rino's place through a TV program. I told them I wrote FoodTV to make sure they changed the error on their website regarding the address of the restaurant. The server was super helpful with choosing chocolate desserts for us. We had the chocolate sorbetti served in a cacao half shell, and some other stracciateli-like dessert. She also told us the EASIEST route to get to Rino's from the Airport Station on the Blue Line--which was literally less than a 5 minute walk vs. the confusing 15minute + trek we went on when we were lost. I've recommended this place to my entire class of 200 people, including faculty and staff members... and to all of you! The best Italian dishes I've ever had and this place isn't even located in the North End, which probably helps to keep prices very reasonable, the portions very generous, and the quality impeccable. Here is an adapted recipe by FoodTV of the dish I had: foodnetwork.com/recipes/â€¦ =8)
(5)
Ari B.

I came here during a trip to Boston with my family. We heard of Rino's because we watched an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives with Guy Fieri and were very impressed with what we saw. Needless to say, I was not disappointed. The portions were big and filling. The food was very fresh, and you could taste every single ingredient that was used. If you're in town, don't leave without tasting the fabulous lobster ravioli!
(4)
Jeffrey K.

Wood Island on the Blue Line! I saw that everyone else yelp really loved this place, so Jen and I went here in Dec 2010 as a nice date for two. I'll say up front that food was absolutely amazing, and the service was fantastic, and I will totally go back there several more times while I'm here. That being said, there're a few problems we had, but really they were just a couple facets of the same problem. They don't take reservations: they that take your phone number, and *call* when a table is ready for you. This poses a problem (a) because on a Friday night their wait can be as much as 3 hours, and (b) if you're taking the T to get there you'll most likely lose service when they call you. And that's exactly what happened to us. We called at 5:30p, and I left my number, and she gave a ball-park wait of 2 hours or more she said. Alright, cool. It's a Friday, you're an awesome place, that even Guy Fieri's been to, no problem. So we get on the T at 6:30p starting from Davis, and arrive at Wood Island at like 7:15p, trying to give a little time for them to call us before hand. I walk in, and ask "Hey, I've got my name down for a 7:30ish reservation?" "Oh, yeah, we tried calling you at 7p, letting you know your table is ready. Since we dind't hear from you, we gave it someone else." Wahn Wahn. So we ended up waiting outside for another half hour ('cause the place is tiny, there's no room to wait inside), and we finally got a table. Again, I'm not sippin haterade, but that's the reason I give this place 4 stars and not a resounding 5. I had a bad waiting experience, but one more time, the food was totally worth the hassle. I recommend this place whole-heartedly, but it might be a good idea to already be on that side of town for a while when you call in for a table, that way you'll have cell reception when they call you. P.S. Rino's is totally closer to the Airport Blue Line stop, but I'd been there a million times for to go to Logan, so I wanted to check off this this stop with Rinos.
(4)
Sarah C.

Rino's Place....a random restaurant in the middle of a bunch of row houses with WONDERFULLY delicious food. I came to Rino's place on a Thursday afternoon at 2:15 and there was a 45 minute wait!!!!!!!!! No joke. I was soo dumbfounded but the hostess took my phone number and told me she'd call when our table was ready. Luckily the wait was only about 30 minutes. There isn't a place to wait inside so we just relaxed in our car. This place is small...and decor isn't exactly modern but I am giving it 5 stars because the food and the price totally makes up for the lack of ambiance. Once seated, they hand you a small menu and then a hand written list of daily specials with about 30 different options. YOU MUST GET THE RICE BALLS. They were soo crunchy on the outside yet extremely moist on the inside. My partner ordered a seafood and pasta dish while I ordered the Rino's Special with chicken. Both of our meals with served with salad and fresh bread. The pasta was SOOO fresh and delicious. The sauces were amazingly unique and not just your standard Italian white wine or garlic-butter. Our portions were large enough to feed 4 people and they cost a whopping $15/each. We were so full we didn't make it to dessert but I can't wait to come back. Downfall is the wait but everything else makes up for it! Enjoy!
(5)
Scott P.

OMG if you don't eat here you are a dope. 7 differnet homemade pastas and portions bigger than your appetite. Don't eat her because you saw it on TV eat here because the food is GREAT and you love good Italian cooking.
(5)
Mike L.

Yes, after seeing the episode of DD&D and visiting a friend in Boston, we decided we had to try this place. It was last Friday night around 6:00pm and we were SO lucky. It ended up being a 10 minute wait. After all the stories and reviews of the wait time, I knew this would be a great night. There was a handwritten sheet of specials (so many). My fianceÃ© ordered the lobster ravioli, our friend ordered the gnocchi, and I went with something a little more classic in the veal parmigiana. After some salads, house riesling, and some convo, the food arrived fresh from the pans looking amazing. No one is lying when they say the portions are monstrous! I'm a big eater and didn't even finish the 2 huge veal cutlets. Overall, this place is a home run. You can taste the freshness in every ingredient; it's amazing. If I'm ever up in the area again, I know where I'm going.
(5)
Al Y.

This place is good but not amazing. I'd watched the Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives episode that featured Rino's, and all the other Yelp reviews seem to think this is the best restaurant on the planet. The food is good--I won't contest that. The food is not, however, this out-of-this-world experience, and it's definitely not worth waiting hours for. Fortunately, we were able to be seated (party of three) within 40 minutes and not two or three hours, despite coming at a relatively busy dinner hour (6:00 PM... but on a weekday). The service was prompt. The servers were nice. We had one mixed-up order, which they very quickly rectified. The wine, oddly enough, was warm, as if it was sitting next to a heater instead of being chilled, as wine usually is. The portions are huge! If you're a very hungry person, you'll love this restaurant. If you're a normal person, you could easily share one entree among three people. Unsurprisingly, we had leftovers. If you don't have a favorite Italian restaurant already, and you happen to be in the neighborhood, and you're starving (ready for large portions), and you don't have to wait hours to get in, this could be the place for you.
(3)
Grant W.

Hands down...BEST MEAL EVER! My brother suggested it since he saw it on Diners, Drive-In's, and Dives. The show doesn't even begin to give the place justice. The atmosphere is quaint and the service was pretty amazing for as busy as they were. It filled up by 4pm, when they open, and stayed filled till we left around 6pm...and yes even in 30 degree weather there was a line. Now for the food. I have eaten in 5 star restaurants all over the world, including some of the most well known restaurants by some of the most well known chefs the world over. But all of them paled in comparison to what Chef Tony put on the table for us. The gnocchi was incredible. The lobster ravioli...wow. I don't even like seafood and I liked it. But the most amazing meal I have ever had goes to the Stuffed Veal Chops. the breading was just perfect, and it was stuffed with prosciutto and spinach. Now that I know what heaven is going to taste like, I need to get right with God so I can get in. lol.
(5)
Juliet P.

If you're looking for an authentic hole in the wall Italian restaurant this is the real deal. in a sea of Italian restaurants this one actually stands out. The Matriciana is my absolute favorite thing on the menu. All of the homemade pasta is terrific. The calamari is even special - I am not sure how they season it but it is really great. the atmosphere and ambience is nothing to write home about (and I actually hate their chairs- VERY uncomfortable and scream 1983) but the food more than makes up for it.
(5)
Caroline D.

What can I say that hasn't already been said about this place? It is great! I went the Friday after Thanksgiving in a party of four and no one was disappointed. We arrived around 5:15 or 5:30 - were told the wait would be an hour - but were sat probably 40 minutes later. We ordered two appetizers and four entrees and loved them all. Leftovers have been delicious too! The food is amazing, no question about it, but I am not the type to wait 2 or 3 hours for dinner, so be smart about when you go. The tables are mostly four tops, so if you have five people you will be waiting longer (and I know this because when I called to ask how long the wait for five people was, at 5:00 they told me we could get seated around 9:00 . . . and suddenly we became a party of 4 - plus a two-year old on our lap). If you can, get a party of 6 so you can make reservations. If you don't have a reservation and are planning on waiting it out, bring something to entertain yourself because there is not much to do in the neighborhood. Enjoy!
(4)
Eric R.

Some of the best Italian food I've ever had, but the small restaurant space makes for a potentially bad experience with long waits. They have a bar across the street for the waiting, which is nice. I went there after seeing them on Guy Fieri's show, and he certainly was correct about how good the food is. But they did not receive 5 stars because of crummy east boston location with no parking and too few tables in an old crummy building.
(4)
Deborah L.

In a word, Overrated. I wonder, though, had I sauntered into this tiny, hidden restaurant in East Boston with no preconceived notions, would this review be entirely different? Rino's was featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" show and ever since I've been jonesing to eat there. I had such high expectations that obviously could not have been met. On the plus side: We had two appetizers that could not have been better. Stuffed mushrooms were savory, and although not the largest, certainly the most tasty. (Better than the Colosseum in Salem, NH.) The paper-thin braciole was wonderfully salty and balanced perfectly with a tart lemony vinagrette on a bed of greens. As advertised: Rino's Special. Two small chicken tenderloins, one veal scaloppini, and one solitary shrimp (come on, just one?!) sauteed with earthy mushrooms over linguini. The chicken and veal were fork-tender and melted in the mouth. Impressive. A touch of brandy cream sauce was surprisingly not too heavy. The dish could benefit from a sprinkle of salt, but other than that, really no complaints. Nice. Worse than expected: The rib-eye pizzaiola was bland. The steak was a bit overcooked and lacked that fatty mouth-feel. The red sauce was disappointing. All in all, Rino's offers a satisfying meal but it's not worth the price. Definitely not worth the LONG wait for one of the (10-12?) small, cramped tables. Buyer beware: there is NOwhere to pahk the cah and NO indoor waiting area whatsoever! Patrons must stand outside on the sidewalk ... I suppose that is doable in nice weather, but this is New England where weather is unpredictable and often uncomfortable. Silly me for cheating on Massimo's in Malden (home of the BEST steak pizzaiola ever). I paid twice the price at Rino's for nothing more than better appetizers? Lesson learned.
(3)
Jeffrey K.

I too had heard about his place on triple "D". I was in Boston for a couple days and had 2 potential evenings to have dinner. I called there the first night at about 5:45pm and was told there was a wait and that it could be a bit. The women asked for my number and told me she would call me when my table was ready. I did not mind as the weather was so bad in Boston with the rain yesterday that we were stuck in traffic and did not think I could get there within the hour. At 6:45 I pulled up in front of the place and THERE IS NO PARKING ANYWHERE!! GOOD LUCK FINDING A SPOT ON THE STREET. Sorry for screaming. We live in PST so eating later was not going to be a problem. At about 7:00 I called the place again and the women was nice, not too nice but certainly not rude. I explained to her that my son was asleep in the backseat and I did not care waiting but wanted an estimate on how much longer. She told me another 1 1/2 hours. Mind you this started at 5:45. I decided I would wait for her call and we went back to the hotel at the airport. 10 min away. At 8 my son was getting hungry and we decided to go elsewhere. At 8:50 my cell rang and it was the place telling me my table was ready. I politely explained my son had gotten hungry and she was nice and we hung up. Ok so I was trying to decide if I should go back today and I am so glad I did. I ate a very light breakfast and a protein bar for lunch and decided to try Rino's at about 4:15 figuring it would be slow. I was alone so I was seated right away however 10 minutes later the place was full and they were telling people an hour wait. A few regulars walked in and got a table but that's it. My server was Kim and she was wonderful. I got some bread which was great and I ordered 1/2 order of the lobster ravioli for appetizer and a Rino special for my entree. For 1 person it is tough you want to try everything. Food was fantastic. I ate half each and they wrapped the rest for the plane ride back. I had to use the restroom and it happens to be in the kitchen so I went back there and Rino was there so I said hello and he was very friendly. I absolutely will be back. 4 stars only because of the parking but well well worth it.
(4)
Koumbaro K.

Haven't been in years since my Auntie Mary took us in 1993. Went looking for an option other than some of the same local haunts to which family takes. Couldn't remember Rino's by name. My search led to a Facebook page "LIKE" just in time to note the growing exposure in part due to Food Network. While fame is a potential hassle for neighbors, such a treat for newbies and not-regulars like us. "Diners, Dives and Drive-Ins" (none of which Rino's is, in our opinion. I'd say cozy casual w/upscale cuisine Italian buca:) highlighted the lobster ravioli - all & more it was cracked up to be. Wow. Can't say enough. Homemade rigatoni in cream sauce with shallots, pancetta molte benne. Linguini bolognese perfectly balanced with pasta, sauce and robust portions of pork and beef. We sampled a polpini in spicey red sauce "that was crazy good. They succeeded where so many fail at Caesar's Salad. Veal parm amazing. Had heard eggplant not as fab. True. Sturdy. Good. But would have preferred straight veal. Our only error - not saving room for dessert. Guess we'll have to return. Hope not to make it another 18yrs:/ I advise going early, going with a party of 6+ in order to qualify for reservation and calling ahead to set aside cannoli which we missed out on. I will ALWAYS make room for cannoli;)
(5)
Mike B.

knowing that the the place is slammed right now we chose to get there for the "blue hair special at 5pm... No wait at all, but shortly thereafter the hostess was telling people 2 1/2 hours. God bless them for being that busy... Im sure they are still having trouble with the new found popularity due to Diners Drive ins, and Dives.. Had a delightful Antipasto, Veal Braciolatini, Pasta al Forno, and a chicken Parm.. The food was good, the service was good the sides of pasta were grossly over cooked Ziti was falling apart, to me this is inexcusable, no italain restaurant should get a strike against them for this. But, it is what it is... The 3 entrees and app with 2 bottles of water was $75... a pretty good value, I would go there again, but damn people, have more pride than to serve pasta in that condition
(3)
Nancy Z.

Sometimes, things are better when you wait for it. Rino's has gotten a lot of exposure, and the longer you wait to come, the more you question how much of the quality has been sacrificed. In this case, the wait on a Friday night at 6pm for two was two hours and the quality was fabulous. The food was delicious and plentiful, while the service was nothing short of comfortable and warm. Amidst all the Italian restaurants in Boston, Rino's somehow manages to set itself apart- it may be the tender and delicate pasta, the light and savory sauce, or the abudance of naturally sweet lobster filling, but whatever the reasoning is, Rino's knows how to make a dish absolutely memorable. There is also an extensive specials list where even a frequent diner can be excited to try new dishes each and every time they visit. Overall, Rino's has met its high expectations of being one of the best Italian restaurants in Boston. I will definitely be coming back, waiting for hours and all.
(5)
Wendy L.

I saw this place on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and decided to try it. There was only 1 table available at 3:30pm on a weekday when we arrived so we were pretty dam lucky to get seated immediately. The server handed us two menus, one looked standard and the other one had about 30+ dishes scribbled on a piece of paper. We ordered the Calamari and Stuffed Mushrooms with Crab for appetizers. For our entrees we got the Rino's Special and the Lobster Ravioli. I wish they typed up the scribbled menu because it was kind of hard to read but thank god we found those Stuffed Mushrooms with Crab because they were SO GOOD. Definitely my favorite dish here. Here is the run down on the food: Calamari- I didn't find this very special, I've had better at other Italian restaurants Stuffed Mushrooms - so flavorful and the breadcrumbs on top added some crunch to it (see picture) Rino's Special - The veal was extremely tender but the white sauce was not as flavorful as I thought Lobster Ravioli - This is definitely the best I've had, the raviolis were stuffed with chunks of lobster with extra chunks of lobster in the sauce This place really gives you generous portions for the price. $17 for that lobster ravioli??? That would have been at least $30 in the North End. It's really cheap for the quality and the amount of food they give you. We had leftovers enough for another meal! Parking was free on the street and the service was great.
(4)
Ashley D.

there exists great italian food outside the north end! there is never anything wrong with homemade pasta and there is therefore nothing wrong with the food at rino's. everything i've ever had here has been amazing and utterly delicious. if you want to start out with an appetizer i would highly recommend the fried calamari. very typical and standard sounding i know but this is honestly the best fried calamari i've had. they incorporate lots of pepperoncini (which are apparently called banana peppers on this side of the country) providing a very unique zesty taste when combined with the marinara dipping sauce. i usually come here before or after airport trips with visitors and i've tried a bunch of different pasta dishes and they are all amazing. collectively we have never ordered a bad thing here. pasta al forno, matriciana, bolognese were all great. i still need to come back a few more times to try the other secondi meat entrees. the only thing keeping me from giving rino's 5 stars is the service. the waiters are great and will joke around with you but there is usually a lack of a hostess and definitely no warm welcome. a few times when we've gone in one of the ladies looked at us like we're bothering them. but if you can get past the cold exterior (especially in addition to waiting outside for at least an hour in the winter) then it's a great place for homemade italian food.
(4)
Brandon Y.

Wonderful! I can't recall ever having pasta like it. Especially Fresno. Pasta was cooked perfectly and the sauces were so subtle yet tasty. Great service And they even got us a cab back to the hotel!
(5)
Lew S.

Finally after three years of trying to get in we made it all the way from New Orleans. Well worth it. Lobster Ravioli was a killer as was the regular ravioli. Veal parm and pasta bolognese were great. Service friendly and prompt. Prices quite reasonable.
(5)
Vinny D.

If there's one thing I've learned about Boston, neighbors treat each other like family. This is a neighborhood restaurant. Neighbors get priority over outsiders. So if you are visiting from out of town, be prepared to wait very long periods of time, and also prepare to be bumped, it is only first come first serve, until a local arrives. They advertise that they only accept reservations for parties of 6 or more. I counted at least 4 parties less than 6 or more, that arrived after we did but got seated ahead of us. So our wait was 2 and a half hours, putting our name in at 6:00 and finally seated by 8:30. We only waited because we figured when you are that far into it, you may as well play it out. We did order some exceptional food. If you are local, or if you don't mind waiting, my only recommendation to change the food, is order your salad dressing on the side, it comes drenched in dressing. So I give it 5 stars for freshness and quality of food, but 1 star on service. They cannot tell you how long the wait is when you arrive, they can only tell you how many parties ahead of you. And that number is variable because of the local factor. So the equation that seems to fit our scenario, and several others that I read, is they will go through 4 parties 'ahead' of you per hour. So if they tell you 8 parties ahead of you, it's a 2 hour wait. 20 parties? A 5 hour wait. I read other reviews throwing this equation off, so don't treat my equation as law for this establishment. If you know how to cook, or want to learn, you can make food this good and fresh at home. If you factor in all the hours you wait and the money you spend, you can probably master most of this cooking yourself and save money. My father can replicate most of the menu, after a little experimentation, he was born in Sicily and knows how all these flavors come together. If you are a local, frequent this place often to ensure it never goes out of business. You have a true neighborhood treasure when it comes to food. If you are an outsider, you'll feel that way when you arrive and after you leave.
(3)
Jerry O.

Went to Rino's on a Thursday night was sent to the bar next door while we waited for a table for two. The bar and service was nice but didn't expect to drink 7 beers and wait two hours for our table. Finally just ordered an appetizer at the bar got the meatballs which were the best I ever had. Finally got the call to head next door to the restaurant and ordered the Chix Parm which was awesome and wife got the homemade pasta with mini meatballs which she said was the best dinner she's ever had.... Hate to say it but the food was worth the two hour wait and our server was great!!!!!!!! Can't wait to eat there again........
(5)
Andrew B.

I waited outside for 25 mins at 3 pm and watched them open the door to seat people lined up outside. Then we got up to the door and waited more. Then she opened the door and said it would be an hour and half wait because all the tables were seated. Hostess needs to take everyones name when they get there instead of making us sit outside in hopes of getting to talk to the hostess.
(2)
Jen Y.

I'm pretty familiar with Eastie - one of my best friends grew up on the street where this restaurant is...it's in the middle of a working class neighborhood and kind of a bitch for parking BUT i give this place props for being super business saavy....the place is small and doesn't take reservations (only for 6+ people) it's basically first come first served. They will take your cell phone number and the idea is when you wait outside you will go across the street to the bar/appetizer joint they have at the opposite corner so you can spend more money ....then when they call you, you can go and have your delicious Italian meal. LOL Genius! I wanted to see what the hype was to this place since I've heard it's great and people wait for hours so i went with a friend to test it out. We went pretty late ( I think they close around 9pm ish so we waited about 45 minutes to get a table). We were waiting with a father-son duo who came all the way from Florida to check out colleges and apparently they don't have good local joints like this back home and they were confused about the location...welcome to beantown bitches! MUHAHAHAHHA Anyhow onto the food. Me and my co-pilot ordered half an order of the mozzarella caprese salad as an app- it was cheesy and yummy ....my guest got the chicken parm which came with a HUGE piece of chicken and I got the POLLO BRACIOLETINI which i substitued the lemon sauce with a red sauce....super yummy! you also get bread which is nice.... I thought the food was pretty good but was it worth all the hype and waiting? -Only if you are really patient and want to wait it out. I was extremely hungry and agitated while waiting so that put me in a less than wonderful mood but it's a cute little joint. The only annoying thing was all the "diners, drive ins and dives" promotions all over the walls and on the staff t-shirts. I personally can't stand looking at Guy Fieri and his annoying blonde spiky hair to tell me where to eat,,,,also the bathroom is super awkward and as many people have mentioned you have to walk through the small kitchen to get to. But again the food is good, so worth all the little nuisances!
(4)
Dennis C.

The lobster ravioli is amazing as advertised, pretty much agree with the other reviews here. Super friendly staffs and great service, couldn't have asked for a nicer experience.
(4)
Tammy M.

Wonderful, warm, authentic, cozy, delicious, real Italian!! In Boston for a long weekend and this was our first stop out of the airport for lunch. Recommended by a family member, Rino's did not disappoint! Everyone was super friendly; they even made room for our luggage at the hostess stand while we ate. After a short wait we were seated at a window table where we had a nice view of the neighborhood. My husband had the lobster ravioli, and I had the unstuffed ravioli. Amazing!! Well worth the short walk from the T. Some of the best authentic Italian food I've ever had the pleasure to try!
(5)
Dave J.

Want Italian? Forget Boston's North End, get on the T and make your way to East Boston and go directly to Rino's Place. It's rare to not find a single flaw in a meal. Rino's Place was one of those rare places that deliver a flawless meal. I had seen Rino's on an re-run episode of Diner, Drive-ins &Dives the previous night while channel surfing. It just so happened that I was going to be in East Boston the following day, I knew where I would be eating the next day. Rino's opens for business at 3:00 in the afternoon on Saturdays. I arrived at 2:45 and there was already a sizable line waiting to get in. By the time the doors opened it was obvious that the more than a few people would be waiting for a table. After reviewing the sizeable menu I decided of an appetizer of octopus, mussels and clams in a red sauce. Since I was alone I got the 1/2 order for $6. For the main course I got the Rino's Special, veal, chicken cutlet, shrimp, mushrooms (shitaki, oyster & porcini) in a cream sauce made with brandy, veal stock, butter and cream. After a short wait may appetizer arrived, the 1/2 order looked like what most places serve as a full order. It looked amazing and tasted even better. The octopus was perfectly cooked, not even a hint of toughness, the mussels and clams also perfect, the sauce was rich and smooth and tasted of fresh tomatoes and was the perfect sauce to bring it all together. Two pieces of crusty bread rounded it out. FYI - the full order would make a perfect sized meal. Next the Rino's Special, once again this was cooked and seasoned to perfection. It's hard to describe how good it truly was. The veal and chicken were tender and juicy, the shrimp not a hint of toughness. The brandy cream sauce was light and complimented the veal, chicken and shrimp instead being overpowering. The mushrooms added an excellent earthy flavor to the dish. Perfection, taking the in the overall meal it's changed how I view Italian food. During the whole meal service was excellent. Don't be intimidated on the worn look of the neighborhood. Seek out Rino's for a very memorable meal; just be forewarned you are very likely to have a significant wait for a table. It's hard to believe that Rino's could receive any negative review. Yet looking at some fellow Yelps there are a few. All that I saw had to do with the long waits. Keep in mind it is a small place and very popular. It's popular for a reason, it's is that good. In life nothing is free, there will most likely be a longer than average wait. This is the price you pay. My advice is to muster your patience, and plan for a wait. You will be rewarded. Note - Reservations are accepted only for parties of 6 or more. Casual dress is ok, remember it's a neighborhood eatery.
(5)
joe t.

Rino's used to be our go-to place for Italian food BGF. (Before Guy Fieri) Our last two visits, however, were very disappointing. The place has become very touristy - cameras, black socks with sandals, you get the picture. The food has declined somewhat in quality, though still decent, but the waitstaff, which used to be warm and friendly, now seems harried and rushed. There is a cold vibe like they just want you to hurry up and get out of there. With all the excellent Italian restaurants in Boston, I'm afraid it is just not worth the 2-4 hour wait to eat here. The fact that they don't accept reservations unless you have a party of 6 or more doesn't help. Sorry to say "goodbye Rino's, you have seen the last of us".
(1)
Michael U.

Full review in the blog: With logistics conveniently planned and with Droid-based Googlemaps in hand a quick walk from the aquarium to the Blue Line toward Wonderland would lead me to East Boston, a place some had told me to avoid, but a place that nonetheless contained a restaurant I didn't feel I could afford to miss - a restaurant featuring Zagat food ratings on par with O-Ya at a bill less than 1/8 the price and a restaurant that was often known to sport 2+ hour lines at dinner despite its location - Rino's Place. Watching Food Network and similar programs rarely (if ever) and having never seen Fieri's show that made Rino's the phenom it has become I surprisingly entered the small ~50 seat space with only one other couple already present and after being encouraged to sit wherever I like I was presented with the menu, wine list, and a glass of water by my server - a tall bald fellow who knew everyone (and was likewise known by everyone) who entered the restaurant that afternoon except for myself. Asked if this was my first visit I affirmed the suspicions to which I was bid "Welcome - the specials menu is gonna take a bit, but if you need anything just give me a holler - bread will be up in a minute" and with that I sat and relaxed at my white tableclothed table sipping my water and listening to the kitchen while the specials menu was hand-written in great detail. With tip-top service throughout the afternoon and water that never reached less than half empty the specials menu took a bit of time to navigate but once my full order was placed it would be mere seconds before the meal would begin - first with a simple house salad topped with zippy house made Italian vinaigrette (the alternative option being an enormous helping of rigatoni with red sauce that could have easily served two, as was ordered by my neighbors who opted against waiting on the specials menu and had their full meal in front of them before the hand written menu was complete.) With the salad relatively straight forward and now knowing the rumor of Rino's portion sizes to be true I slowly ate some greens while reading The Globe's sports page when a warm basket of sliced house made Italian Bread arrived along with packets of butter. Asked if I'd like "some gravy for dipping" I declined (once again, worried about portion sizes as I'd ordered three different dishes) and with a pat of Land O' Lakes Whipped Butter as the alternative condiment I will note that although slightly sweet with an ample crunch this is the sort of bread that is made for dipping - not that it was bad, but more that it was a sort of dense carbohydrate sponge that would prove useful as subsequent plates arrived. Ordering half portions in order to maximize tasting while saving stomach capacity, my first dish to arrive would be a $6 plate of gnocchi described as "homemade potato dumplings sauteed in a fresh plum tomato sauce and topped with fresh mozzarella and baked." With the dumplings clearly handmade and so light they seemed ready to float off the plate and the blend of slightly sweet yet subtly spiced tomato sauce and creamy cheese providing just the right amount of flavor this "half" portion was easily two-fold the size of an average plate of restaurant gnocchi and served piping hot without suffering from the sogginess that maligns lesser preparations it was substantially better than most, as well. With the gnocchi plate mopped clean with a slice of bread my next course would arrive with bread of its own and a flavor profile somewhat similar to the gnocchi, but a lot more spice. Titled simply "Tripe" and described minimally as slowly simmered in Fresh Plum Tomato Sauce served with Toast Points I was told that this was one of the "chef's favorites" and at $6.50 for what was easily half a stomach it again proved vastly better than its price would dictate. Savory, light, rustic, and flecked with spicy notes of black pepper plus pecorino, garlic, and notes of cumin and paprika this was tripe done right and thankfully light despite the significant portion size. Realizing at this point that three half-portions was enough that dessert probably was not in the cards and unable to resist wiping up the tripe sauce with the crunchy garlic bread my final course arrived steaming hot from the salamander oven and as good as the first two courses was it proved to be the best of the night - and amongst the best rustic Italian dishes my Midwestern palate has ever encountered. Described simply as "Layered Eggplant" and ordered largely on the word of my server who called it his favorite "non-meat" dish on the menu this half-eggplant arrived in three thick rounds pan seared to a supple consistency supported by a fried panko crust and sandwiched around whole roasted tomatoes, layers of fresh mozzarella "from a store just down the street," and topped with a thick garlicky basil pesto sauce. To say the least it was delicious, to say more would just be hyperbole - order it.
(5)
DJ N.

I don't give out too many 5 star reviews so you know this place is AMAZING!! I have friends who have eaten here many times and all they do is rave about the food. I had no clue about the Food Network or D3. No clue about the wait. No idea that the service is not exactly great when you eat in. Since my friends are pros, I followed their lead. We didn't eat in. We live about 20 minutes from there so we decided to do take out. The eat in wait time is over 3 hours and the take out wait time is about one hour (on a Saturday night) Here's what we ordered: Lobster Ravioli (2 orders) Lemoncello Shrimp Linguine all Vongole Arancini Our order came with 3 garden salads. Every single dish was EXCELLENT!! LOBSTER RAVIOLI Each lobster ravioli was HUGE and stuffed with chunks of lobster. Not too creamy and not too dry. Just perfect. Also, the tomato cream sauce that it is served with has chunks of lobster in it too! One order would have been enough, but we got 2 so that we would have plenty of leftovers. Each order comes with 8 raviolis and the cost is $15. That is ridiculous!!! Ridiculously awesome!!! SHRIMP LEMONCELLO I actually tried this dish before the lobster ravioli and though there was no way any of the other dishes would be as good. The lemoncello shrimp is OUT OF THIS WORLD!! I wish we got 2 orders of this. The sauce is deeeelicious!! It comes on a bed of lettuce and is just tasty. Order this. I think the price is $12. You will not be disappointed. LINGUINE ALLA VONGOLE Home made pasta was 12-15 huge clams. It was great. This is generally one of my favorite dishes and was done well. The only issue, I would only order this again if I was eating in. The pasta absorbs all of the sauce quickly so by the time you get it home to eat, everything is on the drier side. Not the restaurants fault. Tasty nonetheless. ($15) ARANCINI Delicious balls of rice filled with beef, veal, and pork. I don't eat pork so I ate the rice part. Also, I was able to try the sauce which was very good. My friends love this dish. It's one of their favorites! On my next visit I want to try the chicken parm, calamari, and gnocchi. I'm trying to figure out how I am going to eat all of this food since I'll also be having the lobster rav and lemoncello shrimp again. The total bill was $89 It was an AMAZING CULINARY EXPERIENCE!! Rino's is where it's at!!
(5)
Brian H.

Great neighborhood Italian place. If you order the pasta, look through the server's window -- you'll see the pasta being made while you wait! When we lived in East Boston, my wife and I ordered takeout here several times a week, and we still go back for it. One thing you might not think of otherwise -- if it's available when you're there, try the steak special. You might not have planned on getting steak at an Italian place, but it's spectacular.
(4)
Nicole F.

Went with a huge group so I had a bite of pretty much everything on the menu. It was all amazing.
(5)
Stellina M.

Rino's Place is a family run restaurant with great Italian American food. Among the best Italian restaurant without having to deal with the North End traffic. Try their homemade pasta and seafood dishes!
(4)
Paul R.

If I could give Rino's 6 stars I would! My friend's family has been raving about Rino's and when we planned to visit Boston they were able to secure reservations on Tues PM for 9 of us!! Where to begin??? Appetizers included cured beef, calamari, stuffed peppers, and pan fried mozzarella... Good Lord each dish was perfectly cooked... The calamari with pepperoncini peppers was fried perfectly with light breading. The stuffed peppers and pan fired mozzarella was beyond awesome... We pretty much devoured these Apps! Our dinners ranged from the raviolis (nicknamed elephant ears /huge) to lobster raviolis cooked perfect, various pasta and chicken dinners... I had my favorite the fruit de mare seafood and linguini... My dinner was a piled high yes piles of little necks, mussels, scallops, and shrimp over their home made linguini... I valiantly ate most of the seafood and made a small dent in the pasta. I grew up in East Boston/Winthrop and have had the opportunity to eat at most of the non-tourist Italian restaurants in the area and Rino's by far is the best I've ever experienced. I travel a lot and have had Italian food in San Francisco, NY, NY and even Brazil and nothing even comes close Rino's forget about Italian in Austin, TX my adopted home... I'm sure once I visit Italy I may have to revise but Rino's is off the charts.. Yes Rino's is small and wait times can be long but it's well worth it. Service was excellent and you have to see the tiny kitchen that produces these meals. Yes our to go boxes were full and I can't wait for lunch today!!!
(5)
Jeana T.

Don't get me wrong, the food is amazing, portions crazy big for the value. My problem is the service. I went with my Father and Husband on Monday at around 5:35, we were told the wait was 45 minutes. After an hour and a half 2 friends who happened to put their name in right before us were seated. This gave us hope, after 15 minutes of the party before us being seated we walked out of the lounge (located across the street) to ask what the wait was. There was an empty table - again - more hope. We were told 5 minutes. After 20 minutes we were still waiting, and staring at the empty table. Finally after just shy of 2.5 hours we were seated. I would not have been so upset, had they not been telling us completely false waiting times, and the empty table that stayed empty for 45 minutes. We'll be back, but only with a reservation. I really want to like this place, but I was completely turned off by the insane wait time which ruined the experience for me. 5 star food, but 1.5 star service/overall experience. :(
(2)
Jennifer S.

We put our name on the list and then walked to the place across the street and had drinks and appetizers. We waited 2 hours for our table. When we finally got seated it was 9 pm which is listed as their closing time. I voiced some concern about being rushed with the server we had across the street and she said not yo worry. But as soon as we were seated I realized that I was right. The server was an older man that seemed to want us to hurry up and order and leave. Mind you that we just waited two hours to eat here and the menu is quite pricey we just wanted to enjoy our dinner. The appetizers were wonderful. The portions on the food are huge. When my order came the eggplant was extremely salty and a little burnt tasting. I ate some of the veal which was good but the eggplant was not really edible. I mentioned it up one server when I said I was done eating. She didn't have much to say so I just boxed it and took it home. As we were finishing up the waiter stood behind us staring us down waiting for us to pay making us feel very uncomfortable. I have been here a couple times before and I have only had good things to say before. I tell all my friends about this place in fact. I hope this was a one time occurrence but I would not like to have the same waiter ever again.
(3)
Wheels R.

Yes, it really is that good. Best lobster ravioli I have ever had. Lots of other great things on the menu and the portions are huge. 2 thumbs up .., can't wait to go back.
(5)
Jason L.

I have returned from my Yelp sabbatical, and what better way to reacquaint myself with one of Boston's best places. This is going to be a short review, because honestly, what other superlatives can I inject to persuade people to come to Rino's. It's the real deal here. The chef and the food booth ooze Italy and it shows in the details from the homemade salad dressing to the attentive waitresses. Alas,this was also the day my gf fell out of love with me and fell in love with shrimp limoncello. Do soak up all the sauce and wilted spinach with bread. On my other trips here, I have tried other great appetizers including the pesto eggplant parm. A crispy breaded slab of eggplant is just bathed in fresh basil creaminess, and was a great twist on the classic style. The arancini were also decent. The can't-miss specialty has to be the lobster ravioli -- 8 oversized perfect squares of filling with huge chunks of lobster in the sauce. Youtube DDD and Guy Fieri to see how Chef Tony makes it. The veal marsala with homemade pasta was good, although too "winey" for my taste. Mixed it with some red sauce and it was terrific. Homemade pastas do cost $5 extra, which isn't on the menu, and pushes most of the pasta prices into the 18+ range. Of course, Rino's makes North End seem like Olive Garden, so its worth the trip if you consider yourself truly Baahston. Food (9/10) Service (4/5) Decor (3/5) - recently renovated
(5)
Sheri M.

I haven't eaten at Rino's since I moved away almost three years ago. Sadly, I've always managed to bypass Rino's during my visits home. Not this time! My aunt and I headed over before noon to insure a short wait. As luck would have it, the place was half empty! And FYI, they're building some kind of lounge across the street to accommodate folks when there's a wait. For my reunion visit I ordered the Pasta al Forno with their homemade fusilli. Spectacular! Tons of mini meatballs and chunks of delicious mozzarella. I stuffed myself silly and could only eat half. It heated up well for lunch the next day. As for the service, I was never impressed. For such a small restaurant the servers are adept at making themselves scarce. And when they do make it around to your table they seem to act like they're doing you a favor. But it's always been like that and I don't expect anything better. Rino's hasn't changed much since my first visit as a teenager in 1997. The only difference this time was that a giant poster of Guy Fieri stared at me while I ate. Slightly creepy.
(4)
Tiffany L.

OMG! So because of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives we came here to try the lobster ravioli. We also ordered calamari, shrimp scampi, and the pasta al forno. The portions are huge! We couldn't believe it when the plates came out and we just stared because usually at Italian places the plates are super big the portions are super small. Not the case here, large plates with large portions. Everything we tried was amazing and super tasty. I think this is the best Italian I have ever had, so sad because where I live there isn't anything close to Rino's. The best thing we tried was the lobster ravioli, chunks of lobster and they give you plenty of ravioli! Be prepared for a wait and come early!
(5)
Jennifer H.

So worth the wait! Came here on a random week night and was told the wait was two hours. Boo hoo, try again next time. Went for lunch on a week day and it worked out perfect! No line, no wait. We started off with calamari appetizer, which was great. Large shareable portions and a huge bowl of marinara sauce- good for dipping the bread thats also included. Entrees are standard priced, but the portions are huge! I got the seafood pasta thang with mussels, clams, shrimp, and scallops in white sauce whilst my friend got the lobster raviolis. Of course we did family style and man, everything was so good. They also have very cute authentic desserts but we were already in a food coma. The only trouble with this place is that it is a hidden gem on a one way East Boston street, as if Eastie wasn't confusing enough. Also, make sure you have cash for the toll!
(5)
Bo F.

When you get tired of waiting, Mario's is my preferred Italian Restaurant. Both are great but I won't wait 2 hours to eat when I have an option both get 4/5 stars
(4)
Bill N.

I don't know if it's a Boston thing, but I've been here for a week and I'm tired of servers rolling their eyes at me! Out of all the restaurants I've been too in this area, this place was the worst! The servers suck! Ordered the Lobster ravioli, chicken and broccoli Alfredo, shrimp scallop and lobster pasta, and fried calamari and wild boar sausage for apps. Ravioli was great! Would order that 100x's over again! Alfredo was surprisingly good! They have a really good Alfredo sauce. Seafood pasta was meh. Calamari had a nice garlic flavor to it and the peppers were a nice touch. Sausage was pretty good...I'd order that again. Could've been a 4 or even a 5 if the servers didn't suck balls so hard!
(3)
Damon M.

Yup. Us too. We first heard of Rino's on DD&D and decided, based on the show, to give it a try. Two of us went at about 6PM on a Thursday. We had to wait about 45 minutes, but went across the street to the small bar that's co-owned by Rino's (try the fried bread/egg/mozzarella appetizer - excellent, btw). For dinner, we started with their caprese - fresh mozzarella w/ prosciutto, tomato, basil and olive oil. Outstanding. The prosciutto is just enough to add the salt the mozzarella needed and, in spite of being the middle of winter, the tomato tasted like... tomato! We had the al forno and veal parm entrees - both were outstanding and the portions are huge - the extra $5 for homemade pasta and salad w/ the veal is worth every penny. The salads were basic but fresh - I wasn't a huge fan of the creamy dressing they offered (tho, not sure why I ordered it... I'm not really a fan of creamy italian anyway) but the vinaigrette was quite good. The service was fast and friendly - the place was busy but all the staff kept their sense of humor. I get the impression that tourists who have had problems with the service in the other reviews I've read just aren't used to Boston's version of efficient/friendly. Our only issue is how loud the place was - mostly due to the incredibly rude, obnoxious party of 8 near the door. They had four different conversations going at the same time, at the top of their lungs. That caused everyone else in the place to yell too. We'd have been better off just texting rather than adding to the din. We'll be back.
(4)
Virginia M.

Came to this place when I landed in Boston. Very good comfort Italian food. Had the lobster ravioli, Bruschetta, and octopus. All were prepared wonderfully!
(4)
Kim M.

We tried to make reservation for a party of 6 on a Thursday night but a table was not available so we went early to put our name on the list expecting a 2-hour wait. But to our surprise, we got seated after 40 minutes at around 8:40pm. Almost everything we ordered at the table were excellent: arancini, veal parm, Rino's speecial, veal saltimbocca, veal chop, fusilli with lobster,shrimp and scallop with tomato sauce. The home made fusilli was perfectly cooked, al dente. The veal saltimbocca was one of the best dish here. Dessert was great as well.
(5)
Jenn H.

The type of place where you close your eyes after every bite that tastes good. Meaning you eat with your eyes closed for most of the meal. Came all the way from the opposite coast for the lobster ravioli... I'd do it again. Hospitable staff and friendly waitress. Thank you Rino, for making this :)
(5)
Yuko A.

Make sure you go early or be ready to wait a while...Unfortunately it is a small restaurant so the turnover isn't that quick...I found out this place from one of my girlfriends who swore this was one of the best Italian restaurants she had been to since she had come back from study abroad in Italy....Parking is a little tricky because Rino's is in a neighborhood and the streets have limited parking but don't stress, keep calm, a parking spot will open up. On to the food.....so my bf and I were on a huge calamari binge, and pretty much ordered it at every restaurant we went to...so of course we ordered the fried calamari ($12)...It was HUGE, probably more ideal for a table of 3-4 but we are big eaters so we made a nice dent on it...The calamari was lightly battered, crispy, and not too oily. They were mixed with pepperonicini peppers adding a kick to the dish.. I ordered the gnocchi which were pillowy and had a good balance of potato/flour...It was topped with a plum tomato sauce and melted mozzarella, ($15)...My boyfriend got the special of the day which was a sea bass with pasta...I didn't try it because my plate was so big, but it looked good. Unfortunately, you can't share main dishes...but they do have doggie bags so make sure to bring it home so you can enjoy it the next day. The service was good, nothing special but they were attentive..I can't say its the same when its busy, because we ate really early (5pm)..
(5)
Jesse B.

Since i already reviewed them once (gave them 5 stars) i feel it is only fair to update after a bad experience. I went in for lunch, alone. Salad was over dressed. Ordered the buffalo mozzarella and prosciutto appetizer, it was ok, overly salty, olive oil was overwhelming the flavor of the cheese and prosciutto. Chicken Parm entree was dry, over cooked, cheese was visibly burnt, this piece of chicken should never have been plated and this 2 star review is the result. Homemade ravioli was good. I attempted to take my leftovers with me and waitress brought my bill but neglected to bring my leftovers. In all seriousness I have had better chicken parm and service at the Olive Garden (not to compare Rino's to the Olive Garden). Is Rino's celebrity status going to their head?? Are locals being seated before the tourist?
(2)
Cassie H.

Some of our good friends were back in town and wanted to frequent their favorite Italian restaurant. My husband and I had never heard of it since it's way out in East Boston (where we never have the chance/need to be), but we were game. After my friend told me that we were going to be meeting for Saturday lunch at 3pm, I knew something was up... ...yep, you guessed it - this place (as per other reviews) was reviewed on Diner's, Drive-In's, and Dives, so it has quite a following. They open at 3pm and didn't take reservations for our small group, so we showed up at 2:45pm and waited in line for them to open (our group was probably sixth in the line). The restaurant is small, but it's been re-done since some of the pictures I saw on Yelp reviews. It's quite weird that to go to the bathroom, you walk through the kitchen -- although none of them seem to mind that customers are wandering through looking for the bathroom. The portions are gigantic. We ordered four dishes and the arancini appetizer and all of us took leftovers home. My husband and I actually ate ours for dinner the next day (that's how much we had left over!). The service is friendly and attentive, but despite there being no more line when we had finished our meal, we got the sense that they were trying to rush us out -- I guess they want to be prepared for the next crowd rush. Bottom line? Great-tasting food that might have been made more difficult to enjoy due to its fame. It's a great place to go if you have foodie friends or who follow Food Network, but for more bang for your buck (and wait time), there might be other options.
(3)
Greg K.

My favorite restaurant in the world!! I travel a lot on business and experience a lot of wonderful restaurants across the country plus personal travel across the globe and Rino's Place is the place to be!! Although I live near Los Angeles, the staff knows who I am. Often called a, "pain in the ass" for the waitresses try to get me to try new dishes but I always debate back to my favorite dish, that just melts in your mouth, the Lobster Ravioli. Order this dish and you will immediately understand why it is their signature, not to mention, it will be love at first bite!! I usually began with the Mozzarella Balls and the Lemon Cello Shimp which is absolutely amazing!! These two apps will leave you salivating for more!! Nevertheless, Rino's has a selection of mostly Italian wines to pare well with any choice!! HIGHLY RECOMMED, just don't get in front of me in line!!
(5)
Cathy T.

After seeing Rino's on Food Network, and reading mostly positive reviews I was very anxious to try this place.... And I have to admit it was a disappointment. Pros: Grab cake appetizer was great. A lot of crab! and not excessively filled with bread crumbs like many other crab cakes I have tried. Lobster raviolli did live up to expectations. Packed with lobster, and huge pieces of lobster in the sauce! Sauce was delicious! Cons: SERVICE. This service was just horrible. Everyone there is absolutely rude. The owner (i believe) even came up to us, out of the blue, and started complaining about elderly people! There were clearly elderly people seated all around us. Very unprofessional, I just hope they didnt hear him! And trying to call Rino's, they are the most rude people over the phone, there is absolutely no costumer serivce and they don't seem to be in the business of pleasing their costumers in anyway outside of preparing and delivering their food to them. My salad came and my brother's salad didnt come from about 10 minutes later. It was very strage. And the waitress made a comment along the lines of "this came right from them kitchen" when she dropped my brothers salad off. Okay? Then were did my salad come from? The fried mozzarella appetizer was honestly the worst I have ever had. And I am a good judge on this because I order this appetizer EVERYWHERE. They obviously did not drain the mozzarella before frying it. It was discustingly watery. A dissappointing waste of $11!!! The dinners came a full 30 minutes after we had finished our salads. The waitress said it was because they had so many appetizer orders they wanted to get those prepared and served first. Umm okay???? I mean I dont know restaurant practice or what the norm is, but that just seemed like a strange idea to me. Anyway after finally getting to dine at Rino's after numerous attempts to get in, but being rudely rejected because of a ridiculous wait time, I would have to say it was a dissapointment. I won't make it a prioriety to go back. Maybe in a year or so when I am craving some really good lobster raviolli.
(3)
Stephen R.

If you're making a trip out here from the 'burbs, you might want to reconsider. Certainly a cute little find in Eastie, but after the Food Network exposure, you now have to endure long waits - and there ain't much to do in this little eastie neighborhood while you are waiting. As for our dining experience, service was very friendly.....but the meal......meh. We ordered a bottle of wine which arrived nearly at boiling point. They must store their wine next to the oven. The extensive offerings on the handwritten menu is very enticing. Apps were very good. The entrees were very average, and were served in Cheesecake Factory portions (for some people that's great, but I found it a bit much - was able to make 3 lunches out of my leftovers). I can see why this might be a nice little surprise in a rough-and-tumble residential area in eastie, but I don't think it is special enough to justify the long waits nor did it live up to it's hype.
(2)
Mark B.

effing amazing.
(5)
Dave F.

RIP Rinos. We had some great times together but its time for me to move on. Rinos opened a waiting bar across the street. They no longer take call ahead seating. You have to show up and put your name in. Thats so they can force you to sit across the street and drink for the three hour wait. A year ago they were the best italian restaurant around. Now they might as well move to hanover street in the north end and serve their average overpriced food to tourists. The fusilli I paid an extra $5 for was undercooked. The Rino's special which i loved is thrown together with a lack of flavor and by the time they mixed it with my undercooked pasta there was not enough sauce. Its been great rino's but now that ive found 2 places with better food and better prices theres just not room for you anymore. I mean who needs more then 2 great italian restaurants? Well, thanks for the great memories and great food experiences in the past but we've grown apart. If you ever become that small, local, crowded, unorganized restaurant again with the best food in town then call me, and I'll be happy to sit in my car with some friends and a six pack waiting for four hours like i used to.
(2)
Fenian U.

I wish I could say the food here is great,good average or otherwise. My wife and I went over on a Friday night about 5 p.m. we were told that we were third on the list and it would be about an hour's wait and we could get a drink across the street as we waited, which we did. During the first hour we could not help but notice table changes and groups getting seated, certainly more than three tables turned over, After this first hour we asked for an update and were told "hopefully 30 minutes". I asked why is that? she said well your third on the list. I stated I've been third for an hour and had watched several tables turn over how could I possible still be third? Here is the rub, they don't take reservations but if you have a group of 6 they will join any table together and you go to the top of the list. Now I would understand if they had one or two groups of tables available for the six groups but what I witnessed was any and all tables are fair game and it seems regulars know this! My advice is go with a party of six or go somewhere else. In my opinion this is a bit of an unethical seating practice but hey it's there restaurant and my only vote is with my feet! Which I did!
(1)
Kelly A.

Rino's is a terrific old-school Italian place with great food and no pretense. I dined there last night for the second time, and I just couldn't get over how good everything was. I remembered my friend telling me that their eggplant rollatini (they are actually called something else, but that's the basic concept) were good, so my husband and I split an order of those and the gnocchi. The rollatini were probably the best I'd ever had. Alia in Winthrop might give them a run for their money, but I think Rino's would probably win in the end. They were stuffed with smoked mozzarella and ricotta, and the smokiness of the cheese gave them a flavor that was both unusual and divine. The gnocchi were perfect. I am a bit of a gnocchi snob, as I'm only entirely satisfied with the gnocchi that my grandmother makes and the ones I can get at Cantina in the North End, but these joined the elite ranks. They were light and delicious. I don't know why I don't get to Rino's more often, but I will make a point of it now because last night's trip reminded me how good it really is. Their food rivals the best food in the North End, and it's right in Eastie. Awesome.
(5)
Amy H.

AMAZING! AMAZING! AMAZING! We came to Rino's right from the airport, I cannot tell you how great the food was! Oh I can just TASTE the lobster ravioli right now. We had 4 of us we all got something to try and share, hands down I did not eat ANYTHING that was not great. Their veal marsala with homemade pasta, so so so good! Server was great he was this fun cranky Bostonian and I loved it! He was very dry but very funny! We got salad's and alcohol and spent $70 bucks! Best money, worth the money WELL WORTH the tiny space and noise.... Oh I cannot WAIT to come back.
(5)
Janie G.

Hands down the best Italian I've eaten in my life. And I've eaten a lot of Italian living in LA and Florida after leaving my hometown of Boston. Anytime I come home to visit I always leave enough time to stop here before I go to the airport to head back to Fort Lauderdale. The homemade pasta is like no other. Portions are HUGE...keep that in mind. You'll have leftovers for the next week! Small place so plan to wait if you are going on peak. We went on a Monday at 4:15 and the place was packed. People drive far and wide to be here so plan ahead. It is so worth it.
(5)
Brian D.

Have been waiting years to actually get a table here (every time I try it is closed for party's or a 3 hour wait). This time the wait was short and well worth the previous times I could not go. The seafood dishes are large in portion and equally tasteful. It's been a while since I was actually there I forgot to finish my review at the time. But if you have a chance to go. Run do not walk to this great restaurant
(5)
Steve B.

Oh, man! So good! A friend took me here for the first time last night! It's amazing they can push out so much food from such small restaurant. The dishes were huge and incredibly satisfying! I had the VITELLO BRACIOLETINI - veal stuffed with Italian cold cuts and cheese pan seared with mushrooms in a marsala white wine lemon butter sauce. All my favorites in one dish! My only suggestion would be to add some buffalo mozzarella on top of the Bruschetta. Seemed odd not to have cheese on it. I'll definitely be back here!
(4)
Laura G.

Guy was so right about this place! The lobster ravioli was the most amazing dish I've ever eaten in my 32 years of existence! My husband had the stuffed peppers, as well as the baby octopus and mussels appetizers. All amazing. The mussels were huge and flavorful. Portions are gigantic, neither one of us could finish our meals. Expect long waits if you don't make a reservation, however the wait is totally worth it. The only negative I could come up with is that the single bathroom is located in the kitchen.. very weird. I'd rather have been sent across the street to their other property Prima e Doppo.
(5)
Kayla W.

Sketchy area with amazing food. The restaurant is small! But worth the wait. The portions are RIDICULOUS!! Come starving, really. They also have homemade pasta options. Yum yum!
(4)
Stefan Z.

Took my fiancÃ© there for her birthday with some friends and had a blast. The service was ok, but they were pretty packed. Small, family style feel, which we loved. You can't beat the food though. Monster portions and super fresh. I suggest the chicken parm or lobster ravioli. You'll have enough for dinner and lunch the next day. Highly recommend if you've never been.
(5)
Mike M.

One of the rare finds in the Boston metro area. The service here is excellent. The waitresses are very professional, knowledgeable, and respectful. The seating area gives a feeling of authenticity, and elegance. Once inside, you might forget you're in East Boston. The food here makes the restaurants in the North End look like fast food joints. I had the Baked Scrod off of their specials, and my girl had the Chicken Alfredo. Both came with salads which were actually an experience of their own partly because they looked and tasted fresh, and partly because the house dressing here is unforgettable. And bread, which was also very delicious. The way you know you've had authentic Italian is when you can eat it the next day and it tastes even better than it did when you got it. Such was the case with this food. Up until I ate here I lost hope for finding genuinely good Italian food in Boston. So why then, do I give them 4 stars instead of 5? Because certain nights, this place can get crowded. But it's not the crowds that take that last star away, it's the legnth of time one has to wait for a table under those conditions. I am one to take most things lightly and enjoy myself in any situation, but this wait was particularly nerve racking. There's this thing called economic theory that says that if demand is higher then supply, it might be time to raise prices (especially when you don't have any competition). When I do the whole cost benefit analysis between paying more for a nice dinner in a comfortable environment, and waiting outside for over an hour for a seat, I think paying more makes more sense. Anyway, aside from that one thing, the food is what really kept me waiting, and thus i think I would still go back, maybe this time with a board game and some lounge chairs.
(4)
Michaela K.

It isn't a secret that you have to fast the day you decide to go to Rinos. The portions are huge and delicious! Last year my fiancÃ© asked my parents for permission to marry me here. Yesterday we returned to celebrate that anniversary. This is one of my families favorite restaurants ever! Make sure your whole party is there and ready with you when going in, not many tables. Go early! We always go at 4 on a weekday, early dinner, not a long wait, and you need that time to digest your meal! Families favorites are; chicken parm and eggplant parm, shrimp scampi, and lemon Italian ice that is served in a frozen lemon. Staff goes out of the way to make your meal as enjoyable as possible. He wasn't there yesterday but we love being served but Zane, he makes the experience with his great sense of humor!! Save room for dessert and a cappuccino o end your meal!
(5)
GJ B.

I am very happy with Rino's, timing when you go is imperative though. J and I have been twice so far. I have had this dish, which was excellent POLLO CARROZELLA - chicken sauteed in a white wine lemon butter sage sauce topped with fried fresh mozzarella. I also got a shrimp appetizer(limoncello shrimp), but it was a little sweeter than I'd prefer. I look forward to trying the lobster ravioli, limoncello gelato, pork with prunes and potato croquettes, buffalo mozerella w/prosciutto, and gnocchi with melted mozzerella. G
(5)
Jessica W.

The restaurant is always packed! my husband and I stopped by on a Tuesday night, after work and there was still a 1 hr wait! Luckily, the restaurant owns a great little bar across the street where they let you wait :) so sweet! It's pretty easy to find parking around too. The food was great, but the wait was a bit crazy and the food was a little too heavy for me.
(3)
Thuy L.

Love this place! Although I wish the hours weren't so short on the weekends. I've gone once during the weekday and there wasn't a wait. When we went on a Friday around 6 there was no chance of getting in, instead we decided to go Saturday right at opening. I'll keep it simple with the food. The lobster ravioli never fails! I also had the seafood cannelloni, out of this world! The mozzarella and calamari were good choices for appetizers. The winner was the shrimp scampi. If you're in boston, you have to make the trip out here.
(5)
Erica S.

*THE best Italian food you will EVER have. Wear spandex if you can. *MUST* TRIES: Appetizers: Layered Pesto eggplant (if you do not try this you are committing a federal crime) Shrimp Limoncello ( also available with scallops) - grab your straw because the sauce is drinkable. Baked Clams Entrees: LOBSTER RAVIOLI (federal crime #2 if not ordered)- stuffed with so much lobster you think your seeing double Rinos Special (get it with the homemade pasta) Pork with prunes (I hate prunes and could eat this all day long) Very hard to get a table so be prepared to wait - unless you are a party of 6 or more. Worth the wait and an absolute MUST!!!!!!
(5)
Natalie B.

Gnocci is delish! It's always busy, so don't come starving. It's not unusual to have to wait 2+ hours for a table. This is a no-thrills, rough around the edges dining, but worth checking out.
(4)
Shilpa T.

This place was great, and I definitely give it 4 stars for the price and quantity of the food. We got the Gnocchi, the Lobster Ravioli, the Rino's Special (Veal Dish), and the Seafood Cannelloni. The Seafood Cannelloni was like eating a warm summer's night (poetic I know) and was probably one of the more delicious seafood dishes I have had in a while. GET THIS! if you come. The Gnocchi was pillowy and divine, something that should not be missed. It is hard to find good gnocchi like this! The Rino's Special and Lobster Ravioli were good but honestly, not memorable. I would be more inclined to return and order the other two dishes, and maybe try something else. The lobster fritters were delicious, but my friends claimed they thought the lobster was rather tough. The portions here... are huge. Almost wastefully so. Keep this in mind if you are going for dinner with 4 people..... 4 entrees is most definitely overkill for the average person. Price wise, for ~$40 per person with WINE! this meal was a great deal. However, I would have preferred a little less food so that less went to waste. The gnocchi heated up fine the next day, but after a meal like this, you better believe you are tapped out on food for a while. This does NOT affect my review but just NOTE: I have waited a long time some nights for many good meals, however the wait for this meal was so long, and it was so far from home that it didn't make sense to find another dinner joint halfway through the wait. They do NOT give you a time estimate, and by the time we ate around 10pm I was falling asleep in my food. However, if you are on the waitlist, they guarantee you a spot and you CAN wait at the bar across the street.
(4)
David B.

First of all, this is in no way a review of the food at this establishment, for my husband and I never given the chance to partake. Upon arriving at the restaurant, despite there being at least 2 tables being empty and able to accommodate us, we were told that we were 7th on the waiting list and would be seated in "about an hour and a half". If you have read other negative reviews, these numbers should sound familiar. Too coincidental in my book. Unfortunately I discovered this too late. I gave the hostess our cell phone number to let us know when we could be seated. When we asked where we could wait out our time, we were recommended to a bar "about 2 and1/2 blocks away" which ended up being more than that and a complete dive. Clearly Rino's is doing quite well from publicity and word of mouth, but has an either incompetent or blatantly judgmental hostess. Diner beware! And, oh yeah, 6 hours later and we are still waiting for that phone call.
(1)
Hay W.

That lobster ravioli though....cue the saliva. There were HUGE chunks of lobster and the sauce was rich and tasty, as was the filling. We also had the stacked eggplant, wine and lemon chicken with linguini. Zero complaints. The next day we were talking about going back again! My only complaint was that we waited two hours to get in and eat. I think a place that is this busy should have a table limit. Other than that--good service and mouthwatering food leaves little to desire.
(4)
Scott L.

We love this place. Small? Yes. A long line? Yes. But all worth it, it's without a doubt the best lobster ravioli I've ever had anywhere along with a nice wine selection.
(5)
Shanna L.

This is where I would get my last meal on earth if I were on Death Row. I love this place. It never disappoints, except where take out is concerned. When I was a little girl, I used to wait for the bus outside Rino's and read the menu on the window and wonder if it were any good. Yes it is. So good that it eventually received the recognition it deserved and now it is so busy that it is nearly impossible to dine here without devoting three hours of your life. But for special occasions...it's definitely worth it! Everything is so delicious...Veal parm, Lobster Fritters, Bruschetta, Osso Bucco...but my absolute fav until I die...Chicken, Ziti, Broccoli Alfredo. It brings me to my knees. Every single bite makes my body sink down in complete satisfaction. Speechless....for once!
(5)
Sean H.

Hands down one of the most fantastic places Ive ever eaten. If your ever in Boston this is an absolute must visit! Ive eaten here every time Ive been to Boston and it is consistent every time! Consistancey being something I hold very high and Rino's is unbelievable. Everything about eating here is an experience, I only wish I could visit more often!
(5)
T P.

I've lived in Eastie for 4 years and have been meaning to come here since I moved. What a treasure! Excellent food, great staff and GIGANTIC portions. Homemade pasta is fantastic and the eggplant was fantastic. I plan to go back again....and again...and again....
(4)
Jessie M.

The lobster fitters and stuffed mushroom appetizers were amazing. Ring's special was delicious. Great atmosphere, friendly staff and big portions. Loved it!
(5)
Michael F.

So it's our first time to Boston and the first restaurant and what a great place. Awesome food and service. I got the lobster ravioli and it was the best I have had hands down.
(5)
Peter D.

Saw this on diners drive ins and dives and had to check it out. Have been to most places in north end but Rinos is prob the best. Other places might be fancier or in a better location but in terms of quality this place is great. I got the seafood pasta. The seafood was standard but the pasta was unbelievable- as soon as you have it you realize how all pasta should be made. So not advocating the seafood pasta but really any pasta dish there.
(5)
Ion S.

Visiting Boston for the 1st time and my friend saw this on tripadvisor with good reviews. So we went ahead and tried this place today. This place is a joke based on the reviews that I've read. It's a mediocre. Food wasn't that good, inside is dirty. Too pricey and it's not worth it
(1)
Caylee C.

Best Italian we've ever had (without going to Italy!)... And I've eaten at many, many places in The North End. The staff was friendly and the food phenomenal. Lobster in all our lobster dishes- lobster fritters, lobster ravioli and seafood cannelloni was super fresh and large chunks! The sauces were so flavorful. Portions were huge! And I cannot wait to eat my leftovers today! Very good prices, both food and drink. Finished with the crÃ¨me brÃ»lÃ©e and a cappuccino, very rich and delicious. Be prepared to wait a long time on weekend evenings but there's a small bar next door they direct you to to wait. We waited longer than expected, about 2 hours (do not take reservations) but after eating, you realize it was WELL worth the wait! Maybe going early evening, late afternoon is best. We will definitely be back very soon!
(5)
Leah K.

Be advised: at 4:30 on a Saturday, Rino's had a 1 hour wait - there were 7 parties ahead of us. We were able to put our name in and go home...and head back just in time for a drink across the street at Prima e Dopo. Luckily we live around the corner! My in-laws, who we were meeting, said it was hard to find street parking, but know that if there's not any on the block, just keep driving around! East Boston has a lot of parking. Portions are a good 3 servings per person. Yes. I'm eating it for lunch all week! They come with a salad (2 dressing options) and bread. I had a littleneck clam pasta, finished with white wine and butter, and was very happy with it. It was briny and came with many clams in their shells on the side. The homemade linguini was fantastic. My fiancÃ© got the chicken parm, which practically came with 3 chicken breasts! I thought his was amazing (crispy chicken, delicious red sauce, and melted mozzarella). I would absolutely order it next time! Nice wine list and small beer list accompanies the large menu (and even larger specials section)! I had a rose that was pretty dark and acidic, but saw lots of people drinking all sorts of beers and wines. Expect to pay $16+ per entrÃ©e...but you get at least 2 meals out of it.
(5)
Ahmed U.

Great food, great service. Very close to Boston Logan Airport. Must try the Lobster Ravioli.
(4)
Jennifer K.

If u don't want to wait 2 hrs DO NOT GO . She told us over 30 min but the wait was 2.5 hrs !!! We left went to north end after paying 40$ for a cab both ways and she called us at 8 pm to say table ready when we got there at 530!! R u joking??? Too bad cus looks great but DO NOT RISK IT
(1)
jay g.

I'm only updating because of a "review" of this guy from Cali. who didn't give 1 Star to the food but rather because the wait was too long. People have the right to be stupid but some abuse the privilege. Go back to Santa Clarita!!!!!!!!!!
(5)
DireWolf W.

Dank Foods. Great vibe.
(5)
Ryan J.

I without a doubt had to come here, after seeing Guy Fieri feature this Place on Diner's Drive-Ins & Dives. This place was definitely on my list, so instead of taking a Cab (which would've been a 35 -42 minute ride and paying a lot of Money) I decided to take the Subway for the Very first time. I got off at the Orient Heights Station and walked the rest of the way, I realized I got off too far and I even got myself lost a couple times. But the scenery and everything were nice to look at, such a nice Italian Neighborhood. I had to ask about 27 different locals how to get here cuz I didn't know my way around here very well Some were helpful, some weren't. The sun was beating down on me, I was sweating (because I was wearing Jeans instead of Shorts) and my Feet were killing me, but I was still determined to find this place. After about 36 minutes of Walking I found it, I arrived 15 Minutes after they Opened (and to my Surprise I was the 1st Customer of the day) I actually thought I would have to wait across the Street at Prima e Dopo. So they sat me down and I was looking around the restaurant it was really small and there were only 8 Tables. I had a salad to start with (Fresh Salad with their House Dressing) but I didn't want to fill up on that (Portions here are Huge, they make sure you leave with a Full Gut), the thing that I came here for was the Lobster Ravioli. While I was waiting for it to come out, I used the Restroom. In order to do that you have to go in through the Kitchen (which is where I met Chef Tony DiCenso), Such a nice Guy he's says he sees Guy Fieri every once in a while. He even said that Anthony Bourdain was gonna film here when he was doing No Reservations still (But he didn't, it still would've been cool). Once I got back to my Table the Lobster Ravioli came out (the filling was Ricotta and Parmesan Cheese, Parsley and the Lobster Meat. The sauce was Shallots, More Lobster Meat, Brandy, Plum Tomato Sauce, Basil, Cream and a little Butter). I take my knife and I cut open these pouches of Pasta to find Rich, Creamy Ricotta and big Chunks of Lobster. The sauce had some Sweetness from the Tomatoes, Crunch from the Shallots (Double the Meat here, Filling and the Sauce) I loved that they freshly grated some Parmesan on there for Me (I also thought the Portion Size was Perfect, 5 is Definitely enough as opposed to 8 which is what they usually Serve). I also skipped breakfast in order to prepare for this (a lot of Reviews keep saying they get filled up here so I planned it out). Everything here is Scratch-made (no Store Bought, Phony Baloney Stuff here) This is the real deal. I also had the Limoncello Truffle (Gelato with a Lemony Center) and a Cappuccino. If I wasn't so full I also would've got either the Baby Octopus and Mussels or the Rabbit Sausage with Broccoli Rabe (Next Time) I also took a Picture of the Guy Fieri Photo and I also took a Picture with Tony. Everyone was really Nice here (a couple reviews said that the Waiters/Waitresses were Rude and Ignorant), Not me. good thing I came for Lunch and Not Dinner cuz I'd be waiting for 2 or more Hours for Food. They welcomed me in and treated me Good, I'll be sure to come back with Family and Friends. This place is a Hidden Gem !!!
(5)
Erick M.

The place was small but the food was ON POINT! Probably some of the best Italian food I've ever had. Everything was delicious. The service was very good as well.
(5)
Nick C.

Everything was great. Make sure to have an appetizer at the waiting room across the street, highly recommend the pesto eggplant.
(5)
Lindsey M.

Came for lunch with a group of four on a Friday at around 11:30 am. We were pleasantly surprised that there were open tables and there was no wait! We were promptly greeted and seated at a table, our waitress quickly came over with water and menus. One thing that really stuck out to me was the amount of daily specials they offer! The specials menu listed about 10-15 appetizers and about 20 main meal specials. We started with the arancini special, loved that you could order a half portion (2) or a full portion (4). The arancini was excellent; perfectly cooked and the portion size was great. For our main meals we ordered: Chicken marsala, Gnocchi fatti in casa, prosciutto sandwich (note: this is not a panini it is a sub sandwich) and the veal marsala. When the food came out I could not believe the portion sizes, and this was off of the lunch menu! The chicken and veal marsala was great, I also like the option that you can do pasta or a salad. I opted for the salad instead of the pasta and was not disappointed, just make sure ask for the dressing on the side as they do have a heavy hand with it! The prosciutto sandwich looked so amazing, it was stuffed with prosciutto and also handmade fresh mozzarella and topped with tomatoes and basil. This sandwich was huge and half of it had to be taken home. The gnocchi dish was huge and very good. For $12 you can order a lunch version of gnocchi that will also double as your dinner! Rino's has a very small and intimate space, I can understand the waits being very long on the weekends and for dinner. Your best bet is to come during the week for lunch to avoid the long lines. You could also get take out as well, which is a great option if you are not in the mood to wait. Parking is tough around the area, street parking only and there are many handicap parking spots by Rino's. I was very happy with my food and can't wait to return and try more!
(4)
Kristen D.

Wow! Actually found out about this place when my mom asked if I'd been after she saw the episode of Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. I had not even heard of it but asked some friends and they said it was worth the trek over. The first time my bf and I tried going was on Valentine's Day in 2014, but unfortunately everyone else in Boston seemed to have the same idea. Fast-forward to December 2014 and we finally were seated in about five minutes (a Tuesday night) for my birthday dinner. Started with fried smelts for appetizer and I had a ziti with broccoli rabe (and tons of it!) and sausage, he got a frutti di mare over spaghetti. I could not believe how generous the portion of each dish was, especially the clams, mussels and calamari on his plate! All pasta was homemade and cooked to perfection. Flavors of both dishes were phenomenal. This place probably beats any of the North End restaurants I've been to - I wish it were an easier place to get into! I will say that the menu posted online doesn't seem like much - but you will get a separate menu of Specials at the table, which is longer than their regular menu and is where both of our meals came from. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Erica I.

I've never been to a restaurant where you have to wait in line before the place even opens just to be told that the restaurant is full and you have to wait an hour. The calamari and lobster ravioli were great, very generous portions, and the lobster ravioli did have a good amount of lobster in it for $30 (still a bit steep). The arancini could have had more sauce and didn't have much flavor. The tiramisu was a small portion compared to the portions of the entrees and was $7. The bathroom is hidden in the kitchen which is a bit awkward and you have to wait in line in the kitchen so you don't get cut in line. All in all it was an interesting experience. I really wish it was in a nicer area, I was kind of sketched out parking my car on the street. The waitress went from being welcoming and attentive to rushing us and then forgetting about us.
(4)
David P.

Well here is the story with Rino's. We are here 2 years ago and the food was really good so when we were back in town for business we of course came back. So I call to make a reservation and was told the only take them for a party of 6 or more ok cool I understand that. So there was just 2 of us and we heading over to eat when we arrived we were told that they didn't know how long the wait would be and that 10 people were ahead of us. We decided to wait it out thinking with of us we would get in no time. After standing there for an hour looking at 3 empty tables of 2 we went to ask how much longer? At least another hour what??? You have empty tables were a party of 2 how about one of those nope! Why? We still have people ahead of you. But those tables have been empty for an hour? Sorry she says. Well folks I don't know about you but I'm not waiting 2 hours for a table so if you don't mind waiting and looking at empty table why they make you wait come on down and give them a try! But we won't be back! Lots of great restaurant in Boston.
(1)
Maria H.

Best food best people so worth the drive and the wait. Lobster ravioli and hubby had the stuffed pork chop. Best ever!!!
(5)
Jay S.

A real treat, not really a secret anymore but one of Boston's truly authentic Italian restaurants. All the pastas are homemade and the difference is remarkable. The portions are large enough for both lunch and dinner the next day. A wise move would be to bring a group and try several dishes and share them among everyone so you have an opportunity to experience the expansive items on the menu. We had the linguini and calamari and the lobster, shrimp and scallops with linguini. Both were outstanding, loaded with pieces of the shellfish and fresh homemade pasta over a sweet red sauce. Absolutely fantastic. You need to get there early or plan on a 45-minute to an hour wait in the sister lounge next door. a great stop after picking a family member up from Logan.
(5)
Brendan M.

Wow, this place is a gem of a find, arrived in Boston for a flight to NY and was looking for somewhere close. Arrived in an unassuming neighborhood and I am so glad I found it, food amazing, if you are close by or not get over here and try the food. Really nice staff too.
(5)
Ben S.

The food here is ridiculous. And I mean that in the best way possible. Like most, I came here for the lobster ravioli due to the Diners, Drive-ins and Dives episode. This was what I was looking forward to most, food-wise, on my trip to Boston. I was devastated when we got to Boston and I learned that Rino was on vacation and the restaurant was closed for a week. They were reopening the day we were to fly home. I convinced my wife to let us go there before the airport, and I'm so glad I did. We have a one year old son and did not want to disrupt the restaurant, which is rather small. So, we ordered takeout which was prepared perfectly and served with salad and warm bread. There are not enough superlatives to describe how good the lobster ravioli was. Perfectly cooked and filled with the freshest ingredients. It melted in my mouth. My wife thoroughly enjoyed her gnocchi as well. We can't wait to come back to try some of their other specialities. Rino's Place is a MUST when in Boston!
(5)
John W.

I frankly expected more from this popular East Boston restaurant. Living in the Midwest , I had waited more than two years to try Rino's Place. We arrived at 6:00 pm on a Thursday night and had to wait more than two hours to be seated. I realize the restaurant is small but couldn't help but feel we were kept waiting longer than we should have. After being seated we were waited on promptly. The bread was adequate and the salads were just OK, nothing special. My Lobster Ravioli was good as were the other main dishes. The portions were huge. It was just the excessive wait time that soured the entire evening. It would have helped if the hostess would have given us an accurate estimate of the expected wait time. With all the great restaurants in Boston, I don't know if I'll be back.
(3)
Ina C.

This place is a legend in its own mind. I've eaten there before and while the food is good, they hostess clearly is rude and misrepresents. If it's going to be two hours, tell me so I can make a decision if its worth the wait; not. She will lead you on for hours if you put up with it making you believe you're next. I don't need to beg anyone to take my money. There are plenty of very wonderful restaurants in Boston who treat you nicely and give you good food as well. I don't need the abuse, thank you very much.
(1)
Jonah Y.

This place is my new favorite restaurant. Outstanding food and service. Came here with a fellow foodie and we were not disappointed. The appetizers are amazing, arancini are to die for, we actually got an order of the lobster ravioli as an app because we heard they were amazing. They exceeded our expectations. Our entree's were equally exceptional. Fresh pasta with fresh seafood is the best combination on earth and Rino's place successfully prepared the best meal I've ever had. Word to the wise, we went there on a Wednesday night and we waited over an hour. They own the building across the street and have you wait over there. It wasn't too bad because they have a full bar with a great beer selection. They send you a text message when your table is ready. So worth the wait. I can't wait to bring my wife. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Senor P.

Who would rate Rino's less than 5 stars? THE best Italian spot in Boston. Downside: small. Upside: delicious.
(5)
Angelika S.

BEST FOOD EVER! This is not an exaggeration. Me and my boyfriend planned a trip to Boston for a soccer game and the whole two months all he could talk about was how we're eating at "Rino's", which he had seen featured on the Food Network. Therefore our first night in Boston we headed straight for Rino's. When we arrived at Rino's we loved the location of the restaurant. We were told the wait would be a minimum of an hour and a half but we were willing to wait since we made it all this way. We decided to hang out in a cute little pub right across from them where they had awesome service and delicious beer. We waited for about 2 and a half hours until we got called in. Rino's was well worth the wait. To be honest we could have waited longer and we would still have been over ecstatic with the Rino's. I got the fruit di marre and my boyfriend got the spaghetti and meatballs and also the lobster ravioli (yes he order two plates for himself) and we were amazed with the food. Everything about it was perfect, the pasta, the sauces, the seafood, the meat. It was amazing. The service was awesome very polite staff and it was a reasonably priced menu. Next time we come to Boston we are heading straight to Rino's again no question about it. If you've ever been to Boston or live there and never tried Rino's I feel sorry for you, if you ever go there please take my word on it and go you will never ever regret waiting that amount of time for food.
(5)
Nancy M.

1 star because I've experienced better BECAUSE on a Thursday evening, yes in July, we couldn't get a table. Well we could have if we had waited out the 2+ hour list that our name was on. So Judy, social hostess/owner(?) of the neighborhood, sent us two + blocks away at their newest establishment to wait out the hour +. We returned after the hour + and the wait was still indefinite. So while this may be a fantastic place it's too small to wait that long to eat what may be their exceptional grub.
(1)
Caroline F.

Worth the hype and worth the wait. Like many others, we first saw Rino's Place on The Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Since that day many moons ago, we have fantasized about the handmade Lobster Ravioli. Finally finding ourselves in Boston last week, we made Rino's Place a priority. And it was AMAZEBALLS. It was about a two hour wait for a table, so we went for drinks across the street at a cordial bar (also owned by Rino's). I had two delightful espresso martinis. My only complaint was that two of them on an empty stomach hit me hard, and by the time I realized it their kitchen was closed and they couldn't bring me any bread or crackers. So I was tipsy and starving by the time we were seated at Rino's. But... that is my fault and my problem, not theirs. Ambiance was intimate and cozy. Service was on top of things. Food was perfection. And huge. Like, ginormous. I swear, they had to have put more than an entire lobster in the lobster ravioli I delighted in. I ate two of my 8 raviolis before I was too full to continue. But I took it back to our hotel and continued to eat the leftovers for the next two days. Delicious. Perfection. Rich, buttery, tasty, and just frickin' lovely. Creamy tomato sauce with a hint of brandy... Makes my mouth water just thinking back on it. The best Italian food I have ever had. Ever. Including in Italy.
(5)
FoodSnob D.

Man oh man oh man. So I seen this spot on the food network a long time ago and never forgot it. I told myself if I EVER go to Boston I'm gonna eat here. So when my plan landed I headed straight there. It took me ONE HOUR to find parking but that's because they are located in a residential area. Long story short (because I don't do long reviews) the lobster ravioli would make u slap someone's Italian grandmama then hug and kiss her later! (Calm down... I don't support cruelty to the elderly it's a figure of speech). The lobster was the most fresh I ever had in my life! The seasoning and flavoring in the sauce (gravy) was beyond memorable! It was a pretty healthy serving as well!! Service was slow but everyone was soooo nice sweet and accommodating. One word to describe this spot BELLISSIMA!!
(5)
Julia K.

If you want the real deal italian food, you have to come to Rino's. It's a bit out of the way if you are coming from central Boston, but it is totally worth the trip and likely 45 min wait! The portions are generous and the prices are affordable. The lobster ravioli is freshly made with large lump pieces of lobster with a rich and velvity tomato cream sauce. The seafood pasta was also delicious. It came with a vast array of different seafood with a lightly spicy tomato sauce. I would suggest to sub regular pasta for freshly made pasta - it makes a huge difference!
(5)
Emily C.

This place is a super cute little Italian restaurant not to far from Logan Airport. The thing that struck me most is that they have absolutely MASSIVE portions!! We didn't even come close to finishing our food and took home tons of leftovers. And the food itself is really delicious and authentic, and their salads are so good too (loved the creamy Italian dressing). My boyfriend and I got: 1) Fried Calamari (appetizer) The platter of calamari was really large -- a good deal for $13. It was amazing, especially if you squeeze a little lemon juice onto it. 2) Lobster Ravioli (entree) The largest ravioli I have ever seen in my life. My boyfriend was a huge fan of this dish, and I really enjoyed the creamy plum tomato sauce. 3) Matriciana (entree) Delicious rigatoni in ridiculous quantities. Didn't like this sauce as much as the ravioli's, but every time you bite into a rigatoni, delicious sauce squirts out. Would definitely recommend to anyone who is in the area or craving good Italian food but doesn't want to go to the North End.
(5)
Louis F.

One word !!!!! Amazing!!! Always a great experience! Great local scene and local flavor , having grown up in the east Boston area , so nice to go home to so many great memories !!
(5)
Debra W.

The. Best. Seafood. Ever. Rino's is incredible and worth the wait. They have a bar across the street, so grab a drink there first (or after) but don't miss the main show. Honestly, this is the freshest and most delicious Italian around, and my new favorite place for seafood in Boston. Baby octopus and mussells to start (even the half-size is generous)..talk about tender. Then, all the fruits of the sea you can imagine, in massive quantity and utmost quality, server over perfectly al dente homemade linguine..this fruitte de mare is 'the' best I've ever had. Bar none. With friendly staff, warm environment, and a personal check-in by Rino himself, this place gets full marks.
(5)
Shelley T.

I already want to go back. The longggg wait time (over 2 1/2 hours) would deter me from going any time soon. However by the time we did sit the food was so worth it. The food is AMAZING ! Every portion is HUGE ! I'd recommend anything. The lobster ravs are the best I've ever had. But I would try something else next time for sure. ---- They have it down to a science though, go next door.....Eat and drink before you get to the main restaurant (spending more money) because the wait is so long. Then by the time you sit down, you've waited so long, and even though you may not be too hungry anymore.....your DEFINITELY going to order a meal now that you've waited this long and all the hipe. So now you order (spending more money) and then barely finish your HUGE portion. It's great food. But the line is really long. You can absolutely call and get take-out and eat it at home.......I promise it will taste just the same, and you will save money on the tip. The appetizer and cocktail place across the street (Prima e Dopo) is the same ownership so it's just as delicious to go there for apps and drinks before or even just for the night if that's all you are looking for. By the time we had a few drinks and apps we were already $70 dollars in, and hadn't even eaten next door yet. I'd come back just to this place alone, the food is just as good but limited menu and more appetizer type plates (Same owners). They have the option of half or full order of most apps which is really cool. You HAVE TO TRY the meatballs. They are almost as good, if not better than my 100% Italian Grandmother. Also the stuffed mozzarella is sooo good. I would suggest going for lunch or not when your starving. Be prepared to wait but they will call your cell so you can even go for a nice walk around east boston if you wanted.
(5)
Fred M.

Had a wonderful dinner there with great appetizers (tried one of each and all were terrific), an awesome Fruitti di Mare (enough for two huge hungry men with enough pasta for a meal in itself for 2). Delicious lobster ravioli. One of the best Italian meals I've had in Boston in my life and I've been everywhere in the North End. Off the beaten path but worth a trip for sure.
(4)
Ashley G.

This place in unreal. After recently moving to Eastie from the North End, I was a little sad to leave pasta heaven. Luckily, my cousin took to me Rino's. Get ready to wait, even on a Monday, we had to wait an hour. Luckily there is a cute bar right across the street owned by the same family that you can wait in and have a yummy drink and chat with the super friendly staff. The host even called over to the bar to let us know when our table was ready. My cousin and I each got a pasta dish and shared a bottle of wine. My pasta special was amazing with a creamy tomato sauce, onions and pancetta. My cousin loved her dish too with meatballs and cheese. The portions were HUGE, we filled up and had leftovers for days. The meal was super affordable, I have paid double in the North End for less yummy food. The dÃ©cor and ambiance is nothing special, but this place is totally worth a trip for the food.
(5)
Lori B.

I have a love/hate relationship with Rino's. The chef/owner works his tail off to make delicious food--and it used to be truly delicious. The portions are generous. But that's not the litmus test of a good restaurant. And you wouldn't find any of this food in Italy. But I used to love going to Rino's for the comfort of quality Italian-American food. Then Guy Fieri showed up with Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, and Rino's got a little taste of fame and couldn't keep up. The service is always surly. And we once waited 4 hours for a table because visitors from out of town wanted to go. Really? Four hours? The "hostess" was less than "hosttess-ly." I've avoided the place like the plague since. I live 20 minutes away. I consider it a tourist trap now. There really are better places to get good Italian/American cuisine (tho you can't beat Chef Anthony's lobster ravioli). Lori
(3)
Natasha H.

This place was recommended by a co-worker and, after finding the DDD segment and seeing all the handmade pasta, my mom and I decided to try it. We arrived around 11:30 in the morning and were able to walk right in. No hostess was at the hostess station and those sitting at tables kept looking at us like we were strange for WAITING for a hostess. Not sure if we were expected to seat ourselves or not, but I didn't see a sign stating for us to do so. Our waiter was very pleasant and personable. He was very attentive (and not bad to look at, either). I ordered the lobster ravioli, which came with 8 large raviolis filled with big chunks of lobster. The sauce was perfect and I did not have to add any seasoning. My mother ordered the Rino's special. While it was good, she had to add A LOT of seasoning to get it to where she wanted it (and I mean A LOT). The portions are huge and the prices are decent. I've been told that if you try to go at dinnertime you should be prepared for at least a 2 hour wait. Early lunch on a Tuesday, however, seems to be a great time to walk right on in! Bottom line: Would I go back? Yes. Was it as fabulous as I expected? No. Good, yes...but I found it didn't quite measure up to the hype.
(3)
Sarah M.

Came back to Rino's and we still love it! This time we had a 5 and 3 year old and they love it as well. Big daddy had the roast pork with plum sauce, I had the chix piccata, 5yo had a bowl of mixed seafood (clams, mussels and baby octopus), 3yo had homemade spaghetti w/bolognese. Portions are huge, food is awesome and service is friendly. On point, Rino's, on point.
(5)
Adam K.

This place was great! I visited last weekend, and we arrived roughly a half hour before they opened their doors at 3pm. There was only one other couple there, and the place was filled within ten minutes of opening. Food- Possibly the best italian i've ever had. We ordered the lobster ravioli, duck sausage, and Octopus. The two things that really stood out for me were the heaps of fresh ingredients (duck, lobster, etc...) and the wonderful sauces they came in. the duck sausage was particularly good! Service- Our server was very attentive, fast, and most importantly, a great sense of humor. He had us going the entire time. Love this place, and would go again.
(5)
Michael W.

Yes you have to wait, and yes they don't take call ahead - but if you go to a place like this you understand it and have to except it - docking stars for that isn't fair (I'm a restaurant manager so I'm generally more forgiving and more picky at the same time). The service: Friendly and warm, comfortably paced, didn't have to ask for more water refills. Never felt rushed and had a fantastic conversation with our waitress at the end of the evening. The food: my wife and I shared: MOZZARELLA - fresh mozzarella breaded and pan seared topped with a fresh plum tomato sauce $11 4 Giant Fresh Mozzarella Balls lightly breaded with just enough plum tomato sauce, fork and knife type giant. Had a nice crunch to them still, warm and soft inside. My wife: POLLO PARMIGGIANA - pan fried breaded chicken cutlet topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese $14 Not overdone with cheese, flavorful, and could only finish half of it. Me: POLLO BRACIOLETINI - chicken breast stuffed with Italian cold cuts and cheese pan seared with mushrooms. Finished in a marsala white wine lemon butter sauce $15 Delicious, the mushrooms were not slimy or too soft, the sauce was sweet and had a lot of dimension to it. The chicken soft on the inside, slight crisp on the outside and you could really taste all the meats and cheese inside. I too only finished half of mine (I'm 6'2" and 220 lbs, not a small guy). We saw a pork tenderloin with a cherry glace on it that we need to go back and try. The space is tight, but once you're sitting it's fine, the dishes are huge and can take up a lot of space on the table. The food however is worth the wait for a table, and it did take a bit of time to come out - but as long as you're there with good company it's worth it!
(4)
Meg C.

I have to admit the only reason I tried this place was because of diners drive ins and dives. The lobster ravioli has me coming back. I've waited over two hours the first time coming here, now I never wait because I just order take out to eat at home instead. Parking is hard to find as well. The shrimp limoncello is also delicious as well. It's worth the try!
(4)
Amy T.

Yes, the wait time is forever. Yes, it's family own, so the feel good atmosphere. Yes, our server didn't know much about the wine. Yes, the lobster gnocchi has the portion fit for a herd of cow and the quality fit for a king. Yes, even if it's just once, you should go.
(4)
Nick D.

Worth the wait. Best lobster raviolois i've ever had. It is a smaller restaurant so it can be difficult getting at table at night, but always worth it!
(5)
Rob L.

Believe the hype! This place was that good that I came back for seconds during my trip to Boston. The food is the best Italian that I've had while going out to eat. Although the bartender across the street definitely helped, it was an easy choice to come back at the end of our trip. Lobster ravioli was as good as advertised. The fresh pasta is a winner. You definitely get what you pay for when you get here. The prices might seem steep but come here hungry cause you get a decent amount of food. Even the appetizers were huge. This place is off the beaten path and we found the best way to get there is taking the T or the subway. It's only a few blocks away. Expect to wait over an hour but just go to the bar them opened across the street and visit Joseph and Tammy. They'll treat you well.
(5)
Jill F.

My dad has been talking about going to Rino's Place for years, literally... years (since he saw it on the Food Network). Being impossible to shop for, i decided my Christmas gift this year would be dinner at Rino's! We drove up from Connecticut on a Saturday night and were shocked to find no wait at 5pm (thank you Patriots play off game, apparently no wait at 5pm on a Saturday is a once in a lifetime opportunity at Rino's). I knew Rino's would be good, but i was skeptical that it would live up to the hype, and the four hours of total drive time we put in to get there. Well, it did. Our waitress was exceptional, a true Italian who felt more like a dinner host than a waitress; never rushing us, always taking time to check in, and very knowledgeable about all things Rino's. We started with three appetizers; the calamari (excellent and very tender), the clams & mussels (very fresh with the star being the red sauce!), and the special layered eggplant with creamy pesto sauce (yes i will be combining cream with pesto next time i make it). For entrees, we ordered the pistachio encrusted lamb, seafood pasta (my dad was able to self select the seafood he wanted included), open seafood ravioli, and lobster ravioli. Another great thing about Rino's is the portion sizes are so large that really everyone can share without feeling like they just sacrificed a precious bite. And, yes... every bite is pretty precious. We took home enough food to probably make 3-4 more servings and without any room to spare, i was the only one 'brave' enough to tackle dessert. Well, not that brave i just got the pineapple sorbet which comes in an actual pineapple shell (despite being extremely full i rationalized this decision by telling myself that pineapple is a good digestive aid). With a bottle of wine, a few sodas and coffee added to the above our bill totaled about $220 plus tip we were at $275 for four people - more expensive than i thought it would be, but we all ordered expensive dishes and a large quantity of appetizers. My dad and i agreed it was better than any meal we ate on a trip to Italy a few years ago, so i do think the price tag for Rino's was worth it (much cheaper than a plane ticket to Europe). Thanks for a great meal/experience Rino's!
(5)
Mike L.

Are you kidding me!!!!???? People who talk shit about this place suck at life. I had an awesome experience of extremely great food, an active atmosphere and oh, did I say great food!? We left there full and satisfied. I'm Italian so there was much loud talk. Highly recommend.
(5)
James H.

Food, service, atmosphere and reasonable prices. What more could one ask for? Homemade pasta and a great selection of wines. Desert was off the hook. HUGE PORTIONS!!!
(5)
Paul M.

Been there three times, and all three times the food was unbelievable. Homemade pastas, great sauces, and consistency put it right on the top of the Boston Italian restaurant scene. Though all meals I have tried/sampled were great, the standout is most certainly the lobster raviolis....a MUST have! The lines can be long, but there is a bar across the street owned by Rino's which you can have a drink and/or appetizers while waiting for your seats. All in all, this place is an Italian food lovers dream.
(5)
Kat A.

Yeah, the waiting sucks (minus the one star)......but the food really is so good. Portions are big! The eggplant appetizer had us fighting over the last bite.
(4)
Dan H.

Some friends decided to take me to Rino's for my birthday. Nobody had eaten there so we were all excited. We walked in to get a table and told the hostess Judy that 1 more person would be joining our party and we needed a table for 4. She said it was fine and we could have a drink across the street and she would call when the table was ready. We waited about 20 minutes and she called us to come back. When we walked into the place, she sat us at a table and then demanded to know where the fourth person was. We tried to explain he was on his way but she was very rude, told us she should have never seated us and demanded we call him right then and there. She hovered over us until the call was made. She then told us he has 10 minutes to get and we were not allowed to order anything. Then Judy came back 5 minutes later harassing us again and forced us to text our friend and tell him to hurry up. She again waited at our table for the reply. The weird thing is, there were 3 tables available to seat people at all times. The waitress was then given permission to take out order. We ordered a bottle of wine an apps. By the time they were brought to the table our friend had arrived. The apps were good. We put in our order and I left for the bathroom. The bathroom is actually in the kitchen. It's small and dirty and you have to walk on a very slippery floor to get there. The cooks are all from El Salvador. I went back to my table to see that salad was served to everyone but me. Not only that but only 2 people had silverware to eat it. I sat and waited for 10 minutes until I got up and walked to the back where the waitresses were chatting. Standing next to them, I was ignored and finally they just walked away from me. I bothered a girl who was folding napkins at a table to get me my salad and silverware. She brought it over and just threw it on the table, didn't clear my dirty plates from the apps, and walked away. I cleared my own plates and placed them on another table. The service was some of the worst I have ever experienced. First being treated terribly by Judy the hostess. It left me feeling very uncomfortable and embarrassed. I wanted to leave but my friends insisted on staying. Nobody smiles. When anything was brought to the table we would say thank you, etc..and there was never a response, only a very miserable looking face on a person that quickly walked away from us. The food itself was good. Was it worth the price? NO. The service was horrendous. I've had much better authentic Italian food here in Rhode Island. This place is highly overrated.
(1)
Alexis B.

First off, let me agree with the majority of other reviewers here and say that the food at Rino's is fabulous. I have been a fan for years, and have never been disappointed in what I have ordered there. The lobster ravioli, the homemade pasta, the stuffed eggplant appetizer, everything is delicious, reasonably-priced, and will often provide you with enough food for days. However, I am decidedly NOT a fan of the hostess(es?) and the way they deal with walk-ins. It is a very small restaurant, and you will almost undoubtedly have to wait for a table since they do not take reservations for groups smaller than 6. Personally I have never waited LESS than an hour, and for the past year most of my experiences have involved ordering takeout (which is great and painless). However, this past week I decided to risk the wait to dine-in with a friend who had never had the pleasure, and it was definitely not a very pleasurable experience. In short, I feel that the absolute refusal on the part of the hostess to give any estimate whatsoever of the time you will have to wait is at the very least unfortunate and at worst perhaps a little ethically questionable, considering they own the bar/"waiting room" across the street that you are almost forced to patronize and spend money in. We showed up at 5:20pm to see about a table for two, and were told there were eight parties in front of us, but the hostess refused to give any estimate of the wait time--"It depends on how quickly people eat." Now, I may be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure that is the case in EVERY busy restaurant. If you aren't brand new to the restaurant business, though (and Rino's is far from new!), one would think that you would have SOME idea of the turnover rate, and be at least able to give customers a BALLPARK of how long they may have to wait, especially if that wait is likely to be extreme! As I said, we had eight parties in front of us at 5:20pm. After two hours, two (admittedly tasty) appetizers and three drinks each--$75 spent--across the street, we felt we HAD to be close (and we did not want to be too full to enjoy the enormous portions!) so we walked back over to check again, only to find that there were STILL four parties ahead of us. We chose to stick it out after waiting that long, and we did not get seated until 8:15, THREE HOURS after our initial arrival. I have no problem waiting for a table, but I don't think anyone in their right mind expects to wait three hours, and I don't think any meal is worth a wait like that, no matter how delicious. Furthermore, as we were sitting down, someone else inquired about the wait for a table, and we overheard the hostess responding that it should be begin to improve since "this is around when people start to give up and drop out." From this a suspicious person might then surmise that a possible reason for refusing to give any estimate of wait times could be that hungry, hopeful customers would very likely deign to have a drink or two at the bar while they wait, and then even if those customers give up 2+ hours in, Rino's will still have managed to make SOME money off of them via profitable alcohol purchases, whereas if that hostess had told us up front that "it could be 2-3 hours," we might very well have given up immediately and Rino's would not have gotten any money from us! The alternative would seem to be that the hostess simply does not pay any attention to the turnover rate and is thus incapable of even guessing...either way, not a ringing endorsement of the restaurant's management and its respect for its customers Bottom line is the food at Rino's remains fantastic, very possibly the best Italian food anywhere in Boston, but if you intend to eat at a normal (popular) hour, unless (a) you have a friend or relative who lives in the neighborhood and wants to host you beforehand or (b) you have more than six people in your party and can make a reservation, I HIGHLY suggest calling in a take-out order. Finding a great Italian meal in Boston should not involve wasting so much time that you could have just driven to an Italian restaurant in New York.
(3)
Claire R.

Amazing place. Homemade pasta is out of this world. Absolutely love their lobster ravioli too!
(5)
Tom C.

Amazing food and the portions are HUGE! Very, very long wait and they pack you in like sardines, but it was worth it. The neighborhood is sketchy so please be sure to take a cab after dark. There is really nothing around this restaurant so plan to either leave or go next door to their bar for the duration of the wait. 3/4 in my party had the lobster ravioli- the cream sauce was delicious and they were full of lobster. As a 23 year old with a monster appetite, I never order raviolis out because it is simply not enough. RINO'S is the exception to this. Little pricey but its worth it. GO!
(4)
Amy K.

go here for your last meal on Earth. INCREDIBLE.
(5)
Sam P.

Went here for a "late lunch, early dinner" on a Tuesday afternoon with my husband. We did not have to wait to be seated, but the place was full the entire time and people did have to wait around 3.30. We were hungry and also given this was our first time, decided to order a few different things. For apps we had a meatball, stuffed mushrooms and scallops. WOW. The meatball was one of the best we have ever tasted, moist and delish served with marinara. The mushrooms were stuffed with crabmeat and served with a light lemony sauce and a lemon wedge. A really great dish. The scallops were served with spinach and a lemoncello cream sauce. Absolutely amazing. Our waiter brought us bread to sop up the sauce and we ate every last bit! The entrÃ©es come with a salad. After all those apps we were going to skip the salad, but were too late and they came out. Just a regular salad but the dressing was very tasty. We had to try the lobster ravioli after reading all the great reviews, and then had the seafood cannelloni. Neither dish disappointed. The ravioli had A LOT of lobster and a delicious creamy red sauce. The cannelloni had shrimp, scallops and lobster and three sauces; a lobster sauce, marinara and pesto. We obviously couldn't finish it all, but took the rest to go. The food would be excellent in any fine dining restaurant and they could charge double in the north end (please don't!!). The service was fine, no complaints, but they were super busy, so not too attentive. We did however never want for anything, so no complaints. The price was amazing for what we got. We paid $63 for this whole meal of lobster and scallops and the like... you just cant beat that! I only wish we could be back all the time and not have to wait :) Thanks Rino's, we will be back!!
(5)
Cam G.

Amazing. The price is low but the portions are huge. It's family style Italian. The waitstaff is awesome and I would love to come back. Living in the North End of boston I thought that was the only place for great Italian food. I was wrong. I'll be sure to be coming back!
(5)
Joanna F.

Aaaaand my husband has found his new favorite restaurant. We came in on a Thursday night. My friend put our name in around 5:45 and we still had a 1.5 hour wait, so be warned. Once we finally got seated, our server was warm and inviting. We tried the arancini for an app which were excellent. I had the pasta al forno for my entree. It was good, but not the best pasta dish I've ever had. My husband got the pasta bolognese which was very flavorful. I think the biggest thing Rino's has going for it is that the prices are low, the portions are massive and the food is very good for the price. My husband and I both got two meals out of our order and that's saying something since I generally have never seen my husband not finish his entire plate of food. Considering my friends live around the corner (thus making waiting for a table much nicer since we can do it in a cozy apartment) I will be back fairly regularly!
(4)
Christina C.

I've lived in Boston for 6 years and heard about this place but never went until today. I'm confident it'll be one of my go-tos now. The food was amazing and the prices are reasonable for the ridiculous amount of food you get. We had the butternut squash ravioli and shrimp scampi to start which were both amazing. I had the homemade gnocci for my meal and I barely made a dent in it, but it was still delicious! The food here certainly beats nearly every North End restaurant I've tried. The service was good too. Cons: -We waited over an hour at 7:30pm on a Wednesday. The hostess just tells you how many parties are before you, no estimated wait time. There's a bar across the street though, which is convenient even though that's pretty much your only option (owned by the same people). -You need to find street parking in East Boston. -It's a small space with no frills. If you're looking for great homemade Italian food and generous portions, this is the place to go as long as you're not looking for anything fancy and you don't mind the wait.
(4)
Elisa T.

I fully expected this place to blow me away with their Italian food, and sadly it did not. I have had better at other local restaurants outside of the city, or in the North End. I ordered the well-reviewed lobster ravioli and had to send it back to the kitchen it was so salty....practically inedible due to the amount of salt. The waitress was very pleasant about it and brought me gnocchi bolognese, which was much better. My husbands meal did not look appealing on the plate, or taste very good. Overall our favorite part was our buffalo mozz appetizer with prosciutto...just perfect. This restaurant is not bad, just no where near as good as it's reputation. We had come once before only to wait 3 hours and then go home because a table still had not become available. My advice would be to look elsewhere for a Saturday night and check this place out for lunch.
(3)
Meg F.

My fiancÃ© and I just went for our second time to rinos. We both really enjoyed our food both times. The portions are HUGE!!! My chicken parm could have been shared by three people and the same goes for my pasta that came with it. I had homemade gnocchi on the side in pink sauce and I think I maybe enjoyed it even more than my chicken lol. We also shared fried mozzarella which was the only thing we did finish eating lol. Definitely worth a stop :)
(4)
Francine W.

lobster ravioli. huge chunks of lobster. huge. gnocchi. the end.
(5)
Shawn B.

Super place with an outstanding menu with a wide variety Antipasti, Pastas, and Meats. A number dishes are unique variations on traditional Italian recipes.
(4)
Jeanne G.

We had a horrible experience here last night. The beet salad was great the haddock was good. My husbands short ribs over pasta was tasteless. The service was lacking and the wait staff kept bringing food over to us which belonged to the people beside us. They even presented us with their bill!!! When we finally got our bill it was wrong. After several attempts to fix this the manager Diane told us never to come back. Even the table next to us was appalled at the way she treated us!!
(1)
Jen H.

WoW, WoW, WoW! Every dish I got tonight was absolutely fabulous and when they came, they FLOOD! The wait was over two hours long on a Friday night by 8pm, so come early or come on a weekday! Here's the gist: Get here, sign in, leave your number, go find a bar nearby, drink, wait, receive a call, and EAT! The restaurant is small to keep the quality here as high as possible to the owner's desire. You will absolutely be stuffed coming out of this restaurant, so get one less dish than you think you want to order. Here's the link to the menu: rinosplace.com/menu.html My order and take on it: CALAMARI - calamari battered & fried and finished in a spicy pepper ring sauce $12 (OMG, the best calamari I have ever had because the taste is sooo complete! There's is no marinara or any sort of sauce needed for this dish. I don't know what it is, but the spicy pepper ring brings this dish a whole level up. Don't be scared, it's not spicy at all!) VITELLO MARSALA - scallopini of veal sauteed with mushrooms and ham. Finished in a marsala wine sauce $12 (Veal is beaten down to a pulp with a layer of ham on top and another layer of cheese on top of that. It's so tender! Marsala sauce is perfect with this...if you don't want to carbo load, get any of the Marsala dishes depending what kind of meat you're craving for...yum! GNOCCHI - homemade potato dumplings sauteed in a fresh plum tomato sauce and topped with fresh mozzarella and baked $15 (OMG, I could make this dish into four meals...it's so filling, but so worth it! The dish is perfectly cheesy and bouncy!) LOBSTER RAVIOLI - Their star dish of Rino's and featured on FOOD network. It's absolutely the best lobster ravioli I have ever had and it's something you must get and share among your party. DO IT! Frutti Di Mare - Seafood overload beyond belief. They do not skimp on their portion on this dish and it's so fresh! You get to pick whatever type of pasta you desire to complement this dish and I went with the fusilli pasta, yum! Tiramisu - Perfect end to the meal and it's so creamy and delicious! You might as well pair it off with a cup of cappuccino or coffee :) Overall, my dinner was a phenomenal experience at Rino's. I'm glad I got to try this restaurant and I can't wait to come back to Rino's sometime soon again. PS. Parking is a pain here because it's packed in the residential area of Boston East, so carpool or take the T. The walk from the T is a bit far to Rino's, but it's doable! Close on Sunday, hours below: Monday: 4pm - 9pm / Tuesday - Thursday: 11am - 9pm / Friday: 11am - 10pm / Saturday: 3pm - 10pm
(5)
Allen T.

Wow. Neighborhood gem for sure. But not sure where all the clientele come from. Seems very local but its in a sketch neighborhood. Based on other reviews I got the lobster ravioli which was phenomenal in flavor and quantity. Even the house pinot grigio was pretty nice which doesn't happen often at more swanky places. Everyone seems to leave with leftovers. Doesn't work obviously for the traveler but if you could take home leftovers then what a deal! I will find a way to come back to try other dishes.
(5)
Angera M.

Food here was delicious. They don't take RSVP so come early. We got there at 5:30, put our names down and went to their bar next door to get drinks and apps. Hostess was so cute, she called us when our table was ready and seated us promptly. Dinner was Fabulous, everyone was so nice. This place was so much better than any restaurant in the north end!!!! Ps. Did I mention that the hostess was adorable?!
(5)
Stefan S.

Fantastic food. Also heard about this place from the Food Network, and with an opportunity to be back in Boston I had to go. As others stated, there is a wait. We had 6 parties in front of us, so we went across to their sister bar, Prima E Dopo, where they have Peroni on tap, which was a pleasant surprise. 20 minutes later, was surprised to get a call and was seated a lot earlier than expected. The food was absolutely spectacular and lived up to the billing. Started out with an appetizer of scallops made in a limoncello sauce which was wonderful and easily the best scallops I've ever eaten. For the main course, I has their famed lobster ravioli with massive pieces of ravioli and succulent lobster. It was the best ravioli of any kind I've ever had. Two of my bests in one meal and I was over the moon. My friends also had a cannelloni and a side of gnocchi (which in true Italian style was the size of an entire course), which I tried and was fantastic. Prices were great for the food, under $20 even for the lobster ravioli. Portions are massive too, we all over-ate because the food was so good and could barely move for the rest of the day. Atmosphere was also very fitting, tiny home-feeling Italian-place with our waitress giving our party some good-natured scolding when we acted up or could not make up our minds. Would highly recommend and will come back every chance I'm in Boston. Locals are lucky, they have a gem.
(5)
Steven M.

Came @ 3pm on Friday. Got seated right away. Had the 1/2 order of Lobster Ravioli. ..KILLER!! Also ordered the veal & eggplant parmigiano. Also killer, but WAY too much food. Doggybag.
(5)
Shiri B.

My family wanted to go to Rino's for my sisters birthday. I called them a week before to make a reservation for 7pm. They said that they couldn't take reservations but that we should call the day of at 5. We got to the restaurant at 4:15 and put our name on the list. They took our number and said that they will call when our table is ready. At 5:15 we checked in with them to see how much longer the wait would be. They told us that there should be a table for us in about an hour. We waited, and waited, and they called us at 9:30!!!!!! They close at 10. If they don't have a table available they should have told us at 4:15!!!! Terrible customer service!!!!!!
(1)
Carrie P.

We still haven't been able to get in to eat here! The first time we came after dropping someone at the airport and waited for 2.5 hrs. They never called my phone to say we had a table. Second time we tried earlier in the day and the wait was 2 hrs and again we didn't get a call. Both times I called to check on our table and was told soon be patent. A place that is this popular should either expand or take reservations, not just for large groups!
(2)
Stephanie G.

Everything about Rinos is fantastic (except for the wait), but because of how good it is, I still can't deduct a star. Fantastic food and great service - the servers are so friendly and on point. Their seafood dishes, especially the frutti di mare, are out of this world (I get it with house made fusilli pasta). Tip: if the wait is long, go across the street for drinks (same owner). They have great drinks specials and also offer food if you need to grab a bite before your meal. Do yourselves a favor and GO!
(5)
Russell H.

Great food but be prepared to wait. Rinos' Place was featured on DD& D. They don't take reservations unless you have 6 people. Otherwise you put your name on a list and you wait and you wait. They own the bar across the street so people can have a drink and appetizers . We ate half our dinner here. Rinos is an Italian restaurant located in a Latin neighborhood. There aren't any malls or movie theaters to pass the time while you are waiting. I'm talking 2-3 hours for your table. Having said that. The experience and food at the bar and in the restaurant were top notch. The serving size was enormous. Everyone had take home bags. If you are traveling. Eat here in the middle of your trip so you can enjoy your meal the next day.
(5)
Marion M.

What can I say that hasn't already been said? Rino's Place lives up to what you have heard and seen, not only the excellent, freshly-made food but the atmosphere is intimate and inviting. The food is that good and the waitstaff very attentive, I don't think you can go wrong here. The pasta dishes were flavorful and satisfying, nothing was missing. It deserves its reputation. We were lucky enough to meet Chef Anthony across the street at his other location, Prima e Dopo (Before and After), which he opened to give people a place to hang out while waiting for the table at Rino's. So now the long wait for your table is sweetened by giving you someplace to enjoy a drink, appetizer, and dessert afterwards. Such a smart move, keeping the customers happy.
(5)
Dessa R.

Don't be discouraged by the empty liquor bottles and scratched out lottery tickets that pave the path to Rino's. It's certainly is not a barometer for the high quality meal you are about to enjoy. But first, you will need to wait an hour or two. After all, there are only 15 tables or so in Rino's, and they do not take reservations. So you'll just have to roll the dice and see where the chips land. In our case, it took it was about 1.5 hours. Thankfully, there was a bar across the street that could accommodate us, and it was there we sipped our cocktails begrudgingly, trying to ignore the misery and strewn trash of East Boston that was framed by the window. Our pager went off just as we decided to give up and eat elsewhere. This was a most auspicious twist of fate, because the experience walking through the door of Rino's couldn't have been more different than what awaited just outside. It was warm and intimate, with an open kitchen, wafting intoxicating smells that beckoned me closer, cartoon style. I ordered the ever-famous lobster ravioli. My date ordered the veal parmigiana with gnocchi. The ravioli were huge, with no shortage of lobster chunks or fresh ricotta. The pasta that contained the magical filling was fresh and housemade and the accompanying sauce was delectable, piping hot. The veal was tender, the sauce amazingly fresh, and the gnocchi had perfetto texture. When we left, we were fully sated, and just tipsy and happy enough to kick aside all the broken syringes all the way back to the car, which amazingly, had not been stolen. Okay, before anyone gets all upset, I may have exaggerated the desperation of the area for humor, but seriously- TLDR; Painfully long wait. Food is awesome. East Boston is sketchy.
(4)
Julie B.

I had very high expectations for Rino's and it *almost* lived up to the hype. I thought that coming in late on a Tuesday night would save us the wait, but I was wrong. We ended up having about a 45-60 minute wait and were sent to a pub down the street to wait. About an hour later the hostess called us and told us to come back over. The restaurant is really small -- about 10-12 tables. The bathroom is actually in the kitchen, and there's definitely no room to be standing around dilly dallying. Our server was...interesting. I think this is the kind of place where everyone knows each other, so the waitstaff is less "how may I help you?" and more "whaddaya want?" His jokes and nudging started out funny, but eventually it got a little weird and just too much. We started off with some wine and bread, and then together ordered: - Stuffed mushrooms - I liked them but others weren't too big of fans - Mellezane ripieno (similar to eggplant rollatini) - I thought this was fantastic -- it came out piping hot and super cheesy) - Frutti di mare - this was a shellfish lover's dream. It was packed with mussels, clams, scallops etc. The homemade fettuccine was delicious and plentiful. - Lobster ravioli - not my favorite -- VERY rich and lots of lobster, but too overpowering for me. If I had ordered it I wouldn't have been able to eat more than 2 pieces. - Rino's special - I didn't try this but my friend seemed to like it. This came with pasta and 3 types of meat -- an insane amount of food. All the entrees came with decent sized house salads beforehand. The entrees were gigantic and we really just had ordered far too much food. I was so full when I left, but on the upside, was eating leftovers all week. Overall I really did like Rino's. It wasn't the best Italian I've ever had but it was certainly worth the trip to East Boston.
(4)
Nicole M.

If this is a sign of things to come in my new neighborhood, I'm going to freaking love living in East Boston. I took my dad, who was in town visiting from out of state. We went early, mid-week, in the hopes of not having a terrible wait, fully expecting to enjoy some drinks across the street first. But instead we got a table right away and had one of the better old school Italian meals I've had in a LONG time. I have 5 words for you: upgrade to the fresh pasta. All entrees come with spaghetti, but instead, we both paid extra for the fresh pasta on the side and those $5 were worth gold. Service was excellent, food to die for, and we both took leftovers home that fed us another two nights. So yeah, portions are huge. And the bill was not. My dad said he's got a yearly bet going with his buddy, and in the past when he's one, his friend takes my dad to an Italian spot in the Bronx. My dad said this year he's coming back to Rino's. And he's tough to please, nevermind win over. Just go.
(5)
Jason V.

Can't see myself giving anything less than s perfect 5 stars. We had lobster ravioli, chicken parm and an array of apps, everything absolutely delicious. The prices are very fair too, you definitely get what you pay for here.
(5)
Laura S.

By far, the best Italian food in all of Boston. The homemade pasta is delicious and fresh. The bolognese, chicken parmigiana and ravioli's are excellent. The portions are huge and you will have left overs for days. Thankfully, I live in the area so I can put my name on the list early, but even around 5:00pm there is usually already a wait. They also offer takeout, which is a great option if you don't want to wait.
(5)
Kim B.

I'm from southern CA and was told to definitely go for the lobster ravioli at Rino's in E. Boston. Had the opportunity to be in Boston last week, so we went there for dinner on a Wed. night. It's located in a residential neighborhood of row houses. Big down side is that they don't take reservations for a small group and they're super popular. Parking is difficult as well. We had a 1-1/2 hour wait and did what everyone else does: drinks and appetizers at their other place across the street. Everything is excellent! Appetizers of meatballs and shrimp scampi were so flavorful. Rino's lobster ravioli's pasta and sauce are the best I've tasted. The entrees are super size, especially the chicken parmesan; it's 6" high! The salad that comes with the entrees is average; nothing special. Desserts look extraordinary, but it got to be so late and we were too full. I managed to take the ravioli leftovers home to CA, and it tasted great. I want to come back for a dessert at lunchtime next time.
(4)
David E.

Best Italian in Boston. Don't bother with the North End, Saratoga St. in East Boston is where to go. Take the Blue like to Airport Station and walk down the street two blocks and...yeah wait at the bar for a while unless you are early or lucky. My buddy and I do Rinos for each others birthdays and we know to get there at 11 on the dot. The decor is very simple and the space is tight, but the food and the service would make up for much worse digs. I have never had a bad meal at Rino's and they have the best Bruschetta I've ever had. I don't know where Rino gets his tomatoes, but they are so flavorful. The Rabbit sausage and Lemon-cello scallops are wonderful appetizers. Ok look everything is better at Rino's just go.
(5)
Ed C.

Great food reasonably priced. Second time there, had an amazing waiter Anthony ! Got in line at 2:00 PM on a Sat, they open at 3:00 PM. Great meal, service - Loved it ! Lobster Ravioli, Veal chop, Pasta - Great stuff. Will be back soon.
(5)
Denise B.

Great food . Fresh and delicious ! Worth the wait. Desserts are a great ending to a fulfilling meal
(5)
Laser s.

REALLY??! People waiting FIVE AND A HALF HOURS for a table?? You have GOT to be kidding me. I still can't believe what I am reading. Folks, I'll let you in on a little secret: as I've said before, there are literally hundreds of great Italian restaurants in and around Boston. Ones where you can make reservations.for yes, a party of 2. Ones that treat you respectfully. Ones where you can relax instead of feeling rushed. Why are you people standing in line for this place??
(2)
Me K.

One and done! It was great to go for bragging rights! Lobster raviolis were good but not good enough to go back. Rino's special was good but a little salty. Biggest disappointment was the marinara on the pasta it tasted fishy. I've had better marinara sauce at Five North in the North end! Sauce that you savor in your mouth or should I say gravy! Tip if you do go try lunch time in the middle of the week to avoid the crowds!
(3)
Aaron K.

The food is legit. Best Italian food I have ever had. Quality and quantity. The lobster ravioli is everything you could dream of it and more. Huge chunks of lobster in every bite. More lobster floating around in the beautiful cream sauce. The sauce has the perfect kick, it's not bland tomato sauce. Wife had scallops shrimp and lobster over fettucine. This was regular tomato sauce which was also good. The seafood was plentiful and fresh. The pasta was too al dente but it made for great leftovers the next night. Everything is homemade and delicious. Our party of 6 put our names in at 7:30 PM on a Friday didn't get seated until just about 10PM. This is my only complaint. I don't think any place is worth this much of a wait or inconvenience. But this place is so good I would come at an odd ball time to come back for that lobster ravioli dish. Or maybe gather a party of 6 and make reservations well ahead of the date we want to come (making reservations a couple weeks in advance did not work). Truly some excellent Italian food that you must try.
(5)
Brady W.

Absoloutey the best Italian food. From the hostess Judy to the servers, flat best food and service! Great job ladies!!!! Thanks for making us feel at home!
(5)
Brett N.

Why 4 stars? Because it was worth the thorough inconvenience it took for us to get to Rino's. --- --- --- I had a tough decision. And I made the wrong one. I had the gnocchi, because I had never even heard of it before and was feeling adventurous. The runner-up to my decision was the Lobster Ravioli. My friend ordered said Ravioli. I tried it. Whoops, that's a mistake you don't forget about, even 6 months later. That being said, my Gnocchi was solid and the other two in our party enjoyed their meals...but that Lobster Ravioli was ridiculous. Rino's opened its doors at 11, but our flight landed in Boston at 9. By the time we grabbed our bags, took a train and walked through East Boston with all of our luggage, it was only about 10. So we camped out and waited for an hour because we heard that it got crowded pretty quickly. By 11, there were only two others waiting to get in so I assumed that it must have just been a slow day. However, before we even had our food, every single seat was taken and there was a wait. I guess when you're on DDD, it's pretty decent for business!
(4)
Kira P.

One of the best Italian meals that I've had in the states. We went for lunch and I got the chicken parm. You get 2 huge cutlets, thin, and fried with a crispy outside. Lunch comes with pasta or salad, I got the salad but my husband got the pasta, the house marinara is thin and flavorful like they actually make it in southern Italy. We will definitely come back. The place is very tiny though so I can understand frustration waiting at dinner.
(5)
Mike B.

You will wait to get in but it is worth it. EXCELLENT, GO. Enough said
(5)
Sarah M.

I will be back someday when I actually want to treat myself to pasta again. I had the scallops, shrimp and lobster tail in marinara with fresh pasta and it was pretty amazeballs. The sauce was perfect. Service was awesome, and atmosphere was full of smiles, laughter and happiness. Only reason I give it a 4 is because I could have used more sauce and less salad dressing. My salad was soggy. I highly recommend this place and splurge for the fresh pasta. Well worth it and worth the wait if there is one.. even out in the cold.. i promise.
(4)
Eric F.

Wow...I can't remember the last time I left a delicious meal with over half my entree remaining! 4.5 stars rounded up without hesitation for some outstanding Italian food that came VERY generously portioned =D My bro and I made the trek out from the South End and the stars must've been in perfect alignment b/c we caught every train with a sub-60 second wait. Funny enough, most of the aforementioned dishes from fellow Yelpers are off the specials list and we began with half orders of the Shrimp Limoncello and Wild Mushroom Ravioli. The former turned out to be the one small miss of the meal as the sauce was bland and the three shrimp were far overdone. For a moment, they tasted as if they'd been sitting around for a while, but the chef's passion for food seems far too strong to let such a thing happen so he has the benefit of the doubt here. The ravioli was very tasty though - firm, al dente casings opening up to fresh, earthy flavors within. On mains, we trusted good ol' Guy to lead us in the right direction so we opted for the Lobster Ravioli and Rino's Special. Before I get to the crustacean'ed pasta dish, I'll say that the special was most delicious. Classic Italian flavors characterized by EVOO and a healthy dose of cream and butter. All the meats were very tender (you almost don't even need a knife), the wild mushrooms were fantastic and the homemade pappardelle had excellent texture. Now the lobster ravioli...this is seriously a one-of-a-kind dish. $25 for the most hugemongous ravioli you'll ever encounter stuffed full of and surrounded in sauce by every last ounce of flesh (literally) squeezed out of a 1.25-1.5 lb lobster! It goes without saying that the quality:cost is through the roof and reaching for the stars. It's also more than enough for two meals unless you've been starving yourself all day in preparation ;) Desserts came in the form of Tiramisu and Coppa Spagnola, both pretty good though complete afterthoughts compared to the apps and mains. In terms of logistics, one just needs to plan accordingly and be aware that Rino's works similarly to comparable Italian hotspots like Giacomo's and Neptune Oyster. We were seated within 10 min around 5 pm on a Tuesday night and things were still totally manageable (ie. no crazy lines out the door, etc.) by the time we left around 7 pm. If you must come during prime hours, do your research and have a plan so you won't have to whine about 2-3 hour waits. I'll also add that the staff is great and comes without the brashness often seen at places in the North End. After all is said and done, Rino's is def a must-visit and pretty easy to get to being just a short walk from the Blue line. Buon appetito =D
(5)
Chris T.

Best Italian food I have ever had. The Lobster Ravioli will blow your mind. Took about 2 hours to even be seated, But well worth the wait. Just walk your ass across the street and get drunk while you wait if you get bored.
(5)
Star B.

Rino's Place Excellent food but unfortunately had to take it to go due to 18 people waiting ahead of us. It's a very small place but don't know if Guy Fieri did it justice visiting them since you may get a call for an available table within 4-5 hours. However, if you're a couple and wouldn't mind hanging in the downtown area, then take your food to go for quality time together which is what we did go for it. However, I say defieneintly try them. We ordered the calamari, pollo e melanzane and the seafood cannelloni. Not a great spot for a first date, nor would you enjoy the few hours wait any given day. And they only take reservations for a group of 6. That sucks.
(4)
Nenna F.

You won't believe me when I write this but here it goes... I flew into Boston after being rerouted during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. My original flight was from Berlin and so I only had my passport on me. Given all that had been going on, it seemed that a rental car was my only option for the night unless I wanted to sleep in the airport. Well, I couldn't take it as I can't make good decisions on an empty stomach...so I said Fuck It! I'm in Boston let me get some Italian food. I yelped and Rino's came up. Well, if you know Boston as I don't this spot was on a street that looked like some from a Ben Affleck movie. Told the cabbie to let me out after he messed up directions...I took my luggage and went into the place. I asked for a table and I quickly got 1 for me and my luggage. Then as I situated myself before sitting I see this interracial couple starring at me...They said you can sit with us in the THICK ASS BOSTON accent. I sat, we ordered, and conversation pursued. They asked about my luggage and I told them my ordeal about Hurricane Sandy. Get this! They Freaking offered me a place to stay for the night. How cool was this? And at the end of the dinner, they paid for my food. We later left to the bar across from Rino (which was opened for the overflow apparently). Seems like I got lucky all the way around: No waitlist at Rino's, Open Face Crab Ravioli, Gratitude Meal, A Pumpkin Spice Beer, a clean bed for the night, and then ultimately a flight out in the AM...#GRATITUDE See you soon!
(5)
Stephanie C.

I would eat here everyday for the rest of my life if I lived in Boston. Really! Rino's Place has the best Chicken Parmesan I've ever had. The chicken was breaded and flavored to perfection, the marinara sauce was homemade the spaghetti al dente. Great dish to try if you're looking for something familiar and comforting. But now let's talk about a dish that will take you to drool city and back again with every single bite. The Lobster Ravioli. Yes! The Lobster Ravioli. Chunks of fresh lobster meat mixed with ricotta cheese and encased in fresh, homemade pasta, covered in a cream sauce with even more chunks of lobster meat! This is the dish I dream of and still talk about a month after my trip to Boston. The only negative thing is the wait. I think my fiance and I waited outside for about an hour, no biggie, but there really isn't a place to sit except the curb. However, all can be fixed if you call ahead for reservations. In short, if you're going to Boston eat here, and if you're in Boston eat here now lol! - Brownie Out
(5)
Tina W.

It's difficult to imagine a meal that melts (in your mouth) away the hours you've waited for your table, but Rino's dishes do just that! We enjoyed most succulent meals! The service from Lucia was flawless: She was very attentive and enhanced our most pleasurable dining experience. We'll be back!
(5)
Dan M.

This was suggested by my sister, so we decided to give it a try. Mama Mia this is one of the best Italian Restaurants we have been to...we started with the stuffed mushrooms, then on to the caprese salad. After enjoying a beer or two we were ready for the main courses. Lobster ravioli and Fruitti de mare. Food was excellent, service was wonderful. This is a small place so you may have to wait but believe me, it is well worth the wait. You are not rushed and everything was made to order and piping hot when served. Located in a neighborhood so parking is at a premium but available on the street. Bottom line Rino's is a must when visiting Boston.
(5)
Lisa O.

Came here with my husband on Friday Nov. 21st after a long lovely day at the MFA. We had seen the DDD episode, read the reviews and were excited to go. We checked in with Judi, gave her our cell and went to wait across the street at their little bar. Nice little place, was not over crowded, had a glass of wine and a beer and the 1/2 app of meatballs, yummy with a great sauce and a 1/2 app of this mozzerella stuffed bread, OMG amazing. Then again, this place deserves its own review apart from Rinos. We got the call, finished our drinks and headed over. Seated at the worst table i the place, right in the middle, ok, we can deal, stick a matchbook under the leg so our water doesn't spill, and watch out that you don't get bumped into all night. Waiting, waiting, for someone to notice we are there. Finally got a drink order in and said we are all set to order dinner, had apps across the street. (thank goodness we did, same apps not available at Rino's) I was going to get the lobster ravioli, but saw on the specials a seafood special, scallops, shrimp and lobster tails over pasta. Hubby ordered another special, rib-eye. You rarely get offered steak at an Italian place, so he went for it. Big mistake. Our waitress finally brought the bread, made a a big deal about it, so I was expecting I don't know, maybe something other than ice cold sliced bread. Really? Our food came quickly which is great, because you had to let it cool down for 5 minutes. Seriously too hot to touch. This smacks of microwave. Yes I said it MICROWAVE. Food does not come to a table too hot to eat for 5 minutes unless it was microwaved. (I think Guy Fieri himself said that) All our proteins were overcooked. Lobster was like rubber, scallops were chewy, there was one piece of shrimp. Steak ordered medium rare, was medium well. And a terrible cut to boot. The sauce on my pasta was a watery mess. Where was that yummy sauce from across the street? Our waitress was trying to be funny, even remarked on the over cooked steak but did not offer to do anything about it. We decided to ask to just wrap up the 10 pounds of leftovers so we could get out of there. I couldn't even bring myself to try them the next day, into the trash. Maybe the lobster ravioli is amazing and I should have ordered that. I assumed getting a "special" would be a treat. This place, like most places in the North End are extremely over rated. I enjoy meals a Paparazzi more, at least they have excellent steak and cook it properly.
(2)
Caitlin C.

We arrived for a table before 6pm. It is now 8:20. We have not been seated. Bad review for those who are concerned why they do not accept reservations... for the fool! Go somewhere else if you have an expectation of service. Or food.
(1)
Nick G.

I found this place on the FOOD Network TV Show: Diners Drive-Ins and Dives (here's a link to the clip youtube.com/watch?v=az2qâ€¦ ), and knew I would have to make a stop here during my business trip to Boston. I read up on the place before coming, and planned on coming early since a lot of reviewers complained about long wait times. I showed up at about 11:05 (they open at 11:00am) and voila, I was seated and waited upon immediately. Going all out since I wanted to get the most of my experience in the short time I was there for, I ordered a Calamari Fritti and a Melenzane Parmigiano as starters (but only picked at both to leave room for the entree -ordering them both to-go knowing full well I wouldn't finish). The calamari was excellent, full of flavor, fried perfectly, and perfect use of pepper in the dough. The Melenzane Parmigiano was alright, full of a cheesy tomatoey punch, but the calamari was a clear winner of the appetizers for me. Then for the entree, I went with the most popular dish on their menu, and for good reason, the Lobster Ravioli. It was excellent. Five Stars! Bug chunks of lobster all stuffed into a homemade ravioli pasta, topped with a creamy sauce that complemented the lobster, just fantastic. Very rich though, just a warning in case you don't like big flavor punches in the mouth as much as I do. A lot of other people complained about the service, and in particular about the rudeness of the staff and I have to say I experienced quite the opposite. My waitress was extremely polite, however there was a bit of confusion at the beginning over who exactly was serving my table, but I'll just attribute that to me being there practically at their opening. The chef though, out of nowhere went crazy at one point in time and began screaming at the top of his lungs a loud string of profanities. I don't know what that was about, but I guess that's what you get when you're looking for authentic Italian, an authentic Italian temper lol. One of the locals described this place as "the kind of place you can eat at and take your time, and know that they aren't gonna hurry you out of the place. I know there's gonna be a wait, and I'm okay with that. There's nothing fast about this place, and I don't mind." All in all, I highly recommend this place, and maybe come early like I did, it worked out well for me.
(5)
veronica l.

The food might be good like a lot of people are saying bit they have the Worst customer service and careless about their customers. The hostess are very rude and wont care about you. I tried to come here the last couple weeks and always left upset of how rude the hostess are. Will not recommend this place and will not come back. I will advise not to waste your money.
(1)
Bindi D.

As they say in DDD, lobster ravioli is the alpha and omega of life with a lobster. Downright succulent, large, and just wonderful. They do not skimp on the meat!
(5)
Abir H.

Had a hard time deciding if i should give them a 3 or 4 star rating. After hearing about this place for months and the line that people had to wait in to get a table i was very excited about going. We went on a Wednesday and there was no line outside. Its a basic restaurant. We tried a few starters, the brasola wasn't good, the bruchetta was soggy but the arugula salad was good. Portions are HUGE! Funny enough on the menu it says that people aren't allowed to share. I don't know how they pull that off. The soup, lobster ravioli, and rino's special were good. Wasn't impressed with the dessert menu.
(3)
Allen L.

Great fresh Italian food. Loved our first time here and will look forward to returning soon. We stopped in on a Tuesday evening around 7, put our name in. We were told 'it shouldn't be too long' and we were 8th on the list. Having read the other reviews, I knew we were in for a wait. So we headed across the street for a glass of wine or 2.. Just about an hour and a half wait as it turned out. We ordered limoncello scallops for appetizer. Just fantastic. Seared scallops in a saffron limoncello sauce with spinach. I will definitely order this again. I had the frutti dimare with fresh fussili pasta and my wife had the lobster ravioli. The seafood was fresh and not overcooked....the pasta amazingly fresh and the sauces just right. Plenty of food, we both took portions home and it made for another meal the next evening. As we were rather late i dining, many desserts were not available. I ordered the peach sorbet. Very refreshing. Definitely a 5 star rating for the food and dining experience. I've discounted just a little for the wait time and lack of reservation option. I knew and anticipated this ahead of time. We had the evening open and so prepared to just enjoy the time. The lack of dessert selection at the late time was not unexpected (from reading other reviews) but none the less disappointing. However, I do appreciate that as the desserts are fresh made, and as a small place, there may not be a lot left at the end of the evening. Very much looking forward to returning and sampling more of the offerings.
(4)
Mike F.

If you have not heard about Rino's Place yet from a friend, let me tell you it is the most delightful Italian Restaurant I've have been to in years. Fantastic Portioning, Quality and most of all authentic classic dishes and some special items you'll die for! I recommend the Veal Chop, the Lobster Ravioli, and when asked upgrade to the fresh homemade Pasta's for 5 bucks. All the items I've tasted are top notch... I could go on and on. Call ahead for reservation (minimum 6) or you'll wait over an hour at dinner. Menu is on the wbsite. Nitely Specials galore!
(5)
K. E.

First things first, I had leftovers not once, but twice, from my dining experience at Rino's, so when they say the portions are BIG, they mean the portions are really really big! And I'm no slouch in the eating department. After hearing about this place for years, we decided to finally try it (group of 4). We arrived a little before 5:00 and had about 13 parties ahead of us. We waited at the bar across the street (genius idea by the owner of Rino's), Prima e Dopo, had a few drinks and apps, and 2 hours later we were happily seated at a table in Rino's Place. The service was great, the food was delicious, and it's not overpriced. The antipasto is excellent for an appetizer, lots of variety and flavor. I had the scallops, shrimp and lobster tail for my entree - the fusilli alone made this a great dish. I also tried my friend's bolognese and it was super tasty. Would I come back? Yes!! It might take me a while though since it's definitely in an out of the way spot (at least for me) and parking can be tough. But if you are feeling adventurous, go to Eastie and try Rino's Place!
(5)
Joe T.

Love the food and the staff was just as splendid. Eat these appetizers fried calamari, and the shrimp scampi. The shrimp scampi was so good that the scampi sauce on the toasted bread made the shrimp the costar! I mean the scampi sauce was so good that the shrimp were almost irrelevant.
(5)
Andrew W.

Alright, I admit, I was sold on trying Rino's Place after seeing their segment on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives". It was the first destination on our vacation to the New England area after leaving Logan Airport. As is common in city life, it could be difficult to find parking - we got lucky after about five minutes of searching. Fortunately for us, we arrived slightly before the dinner rush, so there was no wait to speak of either. I can see why many reviewers have been noting the long wait times though - the seating was very limited, and the made-from-scratch menu items do take a fair amount of time to prepare. Rino's must have truly been an essential local institution, as we were seated adjacent to a table of local-level politicians that were wining and dining. Nevertheless, we may have set our expectations a bit too high on this one - the main dishes we ordered (the Pollo Marsala and the Vitello Carozella) were good, but not extraordinary. Perhaps I erred on ordering a meal with light and delicate flavors when I was hoping for something more bold and robust - not sure. To their credit, the tiramisu was excellent and the pricing was very reasonable.
(3)
Brad D.

My parents fell prey to the hype that Guy Fieri, (the Falstaff of the Food Network,) seems to have brought about for this place. We arrived at 4:30 on a Thursday to "beat the wait..." After being told by the "hostess" that there was no need to worry, if my Moms was arriving in the next few minutes, there was plenty of space - we should just go have a drink across the street and return soon, and we'd be fine. Low and behold - my Moms DID get there a few minutes later - but when we returned for our "not a problem" empty table, all of sudden there were "three people ahead of you." Say wha?! I inquired how was this possible as just minutes ago we were assured there was no wait and sent away. I was told "Well, when you were gone, more people came and put their names in." I am sure that you, Dear Reader, understand my frustration and outage - if we NEEDED to put our name in, why didn't you SAY SO?! To which she just shrugged and said "I know!" Unclear as to which game she was playing, (totally clueless or incredibly rude,) I decided to keep the New Yorker in my heart caged for a bit longer, smiled and said "Thanks for letting me know." I figured - "Hey, 3 tables, how long could that take, right?" ANSWER: THREE HOURS. I hate to keep boring y'all with parallels to my dating life here - but it's JUST SO RELEVANT. If you're nice and accommodating and wait for other people to work shit out - you get screwed. So the moral of the story is - don't believe a word you're told at this place and if your girlfriend abruptly starts therapy and finds out some creepy shit about her Dad she "forgot," turn around and leave. In both cases. Just walk out. That said, if you have no life and want to throw 3 hours of your precious time into the gutter of a filthy East Boston street - have at it! It's probably the BEST and freshest Italian food in the entire city. Lobster Ravioli to die for. Don't let the fact that some bleach-blonde d-bag with his own tv show ruined the place deter you from accepting it's awesome food. Just get it to go if you can- and go far, far away. (I would say Three and a Half if we had halfsies, but alas...)
(4)
Samantha E.

Make a reservation! Dear god! My family didn't and we had to wait 3 hours (yes, this is not an exaggeration) for a table. We arrived around 6:15 and were not seated until around 9:20! Luckily we had a DVD to watch in the car. haha. Once we were finally inside the tiny little restaurant we ordered straight away. For appetizers we had bruschetta and shrimp scampi and they were soooo amazing! The scampi had sooo much garlic and the sauce soaked the bread pieces through. Although I am not big on tomatos, I could not stop eating the bruschetta. So simple and delicious!!!!! For entrees we got the lobster ravioli, gnocchi, chicken carrozella, veal carrozella, and chicken bracioletini. My mom could not stop saying that this was the best meal of her life. Everything was mind blowing and the portions were enough for 3 meals. We did not have a single complaint and agreed it was well worth the wait. The staff was so pleasant and chatted with us about our wait and said they never would have waited that long. Be sure to come to Rino's, just make a reservation!
(5)
Levi T.

I wrote a good review of Rino's in 2011. Much different the second time around - unbelievably rude greeter and waitstaff. It's obvious to me that the celebrity status of the restaurant has altered its perception of the customer. There are Italian restaurants in the North End that are a) just as Italian, b) just as good, c) just as authentic as Rino's so I recommend trying them. What separates Rino's from the others is Rino's celebrity. That's it. Really. When you honestly compare Rino's to the food available in the North End, Rino's is not worth the wait. It's just as good but not worth the wait. We were a party of five so weren't allowed to make a reservation. We plan our trips to Boston 7-8 months in advance so a reservation that early would not be a problem. We waited for 95 minutes while parties of less than 5 were seated ahead of us. Apparently, in order to seat more than four, they have to put two tables together. If you have more than four, it requires two tables but a group of five can't make a reservation, unlike a group of 6, which can. Very strange. All I saw were two and four tops. My guess is that Rino's doesn't want a party of five taking up six seats (leaving one empty) when they put a two and four top together. A party of six, however, fills it up nicely. We never ate. At the 95 minute mark, we were told that it would be at least another 2 hours. Off we went. We originally put our name on the wait list at 5:13PM. We did receive a call that a table was available at 8:48PM. It was ignored. One option would be to show up with Guy Fieri. He apparently can get in pretty easy. I give two stars because I know the food is still good - the young ladies running the front of the house could use some people skills, though. One wonders if the owners know how ordinary customers are actually treated.
(2)
Sebastian N.

Amazing homemade Italian food. This is that red sauce your looking for in Boston. Heads up, portion sizes are HUGE. Ordered the lobster ravioli and it was delicious. The cheese ravioli my wife ordered however, were even better (and they're as bit as your face). Perfect place to stop when near the airport. I'll be back.
(5)
James Z.

Heading to Rino's Place, I promised myself that I would not allow my expectations to influence the experience, after hearing endless raving reviews, and watching Guy Fieri spend an excessive amount of time visiting Rino's Place on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives. After waiting for an hour and forty-five minutes, I went from abstemious and auspicious to esurient and peeved. When the food arrived, I realized Nirvana. This was, without hyperbole, by far the best meal I had ever been blessed with. I ordered the Lobster Ravioli (homemade ingredients for the pasta and chunks of seemingly endless lobster loveliness). The portion was overwhelming--in part due to the Appetizer/Dessert bar across the street, Prima e Dopo, most patrons are forwarded to for several hours before being seated. The other five in my group were lost for words for their meals I was lucky enough to sample, which included the Gnocchi Bolognese (literally melts in your mouth) and Veal Marsala (wine reduction perfection). If you have time to wait for the best meal you will have most likely in your lifetime--and don't need to be anywhere else for three hours--get your behind to this place ASAP.
(5)
Adam S.

Best Italian in the city. I'm from NY, so I know Italian. And this is def at the top of everything I've ever had. And we are talking about years of research :) The lobster ravioli is unreal and the ravioli are the size of your fist. Any kind of mozzarella app is a must try. And my all time favorite is the Rino's Special which is veal, chicken, and shrimp with mushrooms in a brandy cream sauce. I like it over the homemade rigatoni. All in all if you live in the Boston area a trip to Rino's is a must. Just come early so you can get a table!
(5)
Brian H.

Amazing food and great service. Get there early!! I'd go again loved it!!!
(5)
Tammy D.

I recently visited Boston and went to Rino's Place to eat. We ordered the fried calamari appetizer and hands down it was the best fried calamari I've ever eaten. I ordered the lobster ravioli and they were so good. I wish I could have eaten more. I forgot what my husband ordered but it was equally delicious. I can't wait to go back to Boston so I can go there again. Defiantly worthy the money!!
(5)
Rick L.

I went there for lunch today and arrived early (1115), by the time I left it was packed. I got the Rino Special (Veal, Chicken, and Shrimp). Delicious! I also paid extra for the homemade pasta...always worth it. My friend got the Chicken Parm and that was equally delicious. The portions are huge (even at lunch) so it's like 2 meals. Great friendly service. I travel to Boston quite a bit and I will be back!
(4)
Mariana S.

I could be on this site all day raving about this restaurant...It was absolutely amazing. These are the restaurants I aim for, little tiny family owned restaurant. Everything was fresh and the homemade pasta....YUM! Lobster Ravioli was bursting with chunks of flavorful lobster. Bruschetta was so good and flavorful. Our whole dinner party was raving about how good everything was. I am coming back very very soon. If you have not tried this....YOU MUST!
(5)
Allison C.

I've wanted to go to this restaurant for 5 years. We tried a couple of times on a Friday night and couldn't get in. But I decided that for my birthday, we would plan in advance and make it happen. Fortunately, my birthday was on a Thursday, and when we got there at 5:15, we got a table right away. The hostess and our waitress were so friendly, they really contributed to the fun evening we had at the restaurant. We split an order of lobster ravioli as an appetizer, and I was blown away. I've never had lobster ravioli that were that huge and with so much lobster. And the sauce was so delicious, I almost licked the plate. I had Rino's special with chicken, veal and shrimp for my main course. The sauce and wild mushrooms was fabulous, and the veal was so tender. There was so much food that I had to take some of it home. Since we had birthday cake at home, we passed on dessert. I had a wonderful and memorable time at Rino's. We plan to come back again (also at 5pm) and try ordering from the regular menu since even those more traditional dishes look fabulous.
(5)
Alec S.

I've lived in nearby Chelsea for about a year and everyone always asks me if I've been to Rino's....well now I can finally say that I have! This past Saturday, I ventured to this tiny East Boston gem in a group of four. Knowing that it can get quite packed, we arrived around 2:45PM, right beofre the 3PM opening. There was already a line with about 15 people ahead of us. They do a staggered seating as to not overwhlem the kitchen (very smart), and we were able to be seated a little after 3:15. We were given menus and water right away, greeted by our waitress (who was hilarious, friendly, and helpful). I've heard some people mention that the wait staff can be rude, but they really need to lighten up. I felt like I was getting a home cooked meal with the family expierence. The food was unreal. I started out with the pumpkin ravioli and had some bites of the wild boar sauces that came with broccoli rabe. Everything was delicious - the sauce that came with the ravioli was the best I've had with a fall-themed dish. For an entree, I tried the seafood Cannelloni, which two giant pieces of pasta filled with ricotta, scallop, shrimp, and chunks of lobster. There was no way in hell I could finish it, but boy was it delicious fresh and still great re-heated the next day. I left incredibly stuffed, satisfied, and wanted to come back ASAP. I have heard the wait can be intense, especially for dinners, but you owe yourself a favor and eat at Rino's.
(5)
Galavanting G.

Why are you people waiting so long for this place? The staff is rude and disrespectful. You can get this quality of italian food ANYWHERE in eastern MA in various towns. We are lucky we have so many quality italian food restaurants. You can thank the stupid Food Network for helping this place out. What used to be 1 hour or less waits are now 2+. Not worth it at all. And remember, while you're waiting in line or in the lounge across the street starving, I'll be sitting comfortably at my place drinking wine and enjoying my food.
(2)
Hammy E.

This is my favorite restaurant in Boston. I am a big fan of Gnocchi with tomato sauce and Rino's has the best homemade gnocchi. It is so fluffy and tender that it melts in your mouth. In addition the red sauce is really good and the baked cheese over the top is so yummy. I have tried the chicken marsala and chicken parm which were good as well, but I come back for the gnocchi. I love the bar next door too. They make the best cosmo in town:)
(5)
Susan L.

This place really does live up to the Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives hype! They take reservations for groups of at least 6 people. My friend made a reservation for 6 people at 7:00 on a Wednesday but we weren't actually seated until closer to 7:30 since we were waiting for our table to open. Anyway, onto what actually matters-THE FOOD! We ordered 2 Apps and 4 Entrees for 6 of us: ***LOBSTER RAVIOLI - My tastebuds melted when I tried their lobster ravioli. These pieces of ravioli were fat and filled with lobster and heavenly cheesy deliciousness. You know it's delicious when you don't regret forcing the last piece into your already protruding stomach at the end of the meal. (Not that I did that, of course) ***OPEN LASAGNA - Assortment of seafood on top of their homemade lasagna noodles with a tomato-cream sauce. The amount of seafood in this dish was very generous, I actually didn't think there was enough pasta! I also ate the last of this. I just couldn't let it go to waste! - Calamari (Appetizer) - The dinner appetizer contains a pepper sauce mix which is delicious. You just can't mess up calamari! - Arincini balls(Appetizer) - Okay. Wasn't what I expected from arincini. Not enough cheese! - Some dish with alfredo sauce and chicken with penne? (forgot the name) - I don't usually like overly creamy and heavy dishes like alfredo. Good if you like alfredo sauce! - Steak with fusilli pasta (forgot the name) - Steak and pasta was good but nothing spectacular. I'm not exaggerating when I say the portions are GINORMOUS. One entree alone can feed 2-3 HUNGRY people. You definitely get the bang for your buck! And if you can - always pay extra for their homemade pasta. You won't regret it. I'm glad I have finally tried Rino's Place and it is definitely worth the trek to East Boston for the lobster ravioli and the open lasagna.
(5)
Anthony A.

Some of my favorite pasta in boston. Got it to go and it was so tasty; got the pancetta rigatoni.... Can't wait to check out the restaurant itself And something else on the menu
(5)
Gita N.

Excellent food but there was a very long wait and the waitresses would forget about drink refills for a while. The food comes in huge portions however and can last a few meals! The bread was not toasted or even warm even though we were told the bread came fresh out of the oven and was sliced just moments before.
(4)
Michael C.

Rino's has some great Italian food. I've been here to eat once and attempted to go a second time. My friend and I got the Chicken/Eggplant Parm combo and the Gnocchi's. I would say that both were great, but sometimes it is hard for a lot of Italian food to really stand out from the crowd, but this place is definitely near the top in terms of food quality. Service was also very good (while dining), but they made my friend wait outside in the freezing cold till I parked my car. Their waiting area is almost non-existent, but she was the only one waiting and they could have just sat her. This is more of a warning than a criticism of the restaurant itself. Rino's has been a victim of its own success and suffers from some poor planning. I stopped by on a Monday night at 8:30, half the tables were empty. We walked in for a table for 3 and they said that all the empty tables were waiting on reservations and that there was a 2 hour wait?! They asked us if we wanted to wait the 2 hours, it sounded a lot more like they were asking us to not dine there that night. I would go back, especially since I liked the food and I live close by. I need to let the hype die down a little before I return.
(3)
Hayley M.

I couldn't decide if I wanted to start my review with "Yum!" or "Wow!" so... WOW YUM! I can honestly say I did not hear about Rino's from Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, but apparently it was featured on the show. A colleague recommended it for a going-away lunch, which we wanted to be a little nicer than our typical lunches out of the office. Rino's is about the size of a studio apartment. It is very small. We went to lunch (a party of 8 people) at like 11:30. We made a reservation but tried to get there even earlier to ensure our table. Everything was amazing! -The waitstaff was friendly, joking, and totally authentically Italian. -The food was wonderful. Most ordered the Rino's Special, which is chicken, seafood, and veal over pasta with a mushroom brandy cream sauce. One guy had the chicken and eggplant parm, and I ordered the Gamberi, (scampi) shrimp sauteed with extra virgin olive oil and garlic. The sizes were unreal. SO MUCH FOOD. One guy had ordered the ravioli as his pasta, and they brought him a separate dish because there was so much food. It was all delicious. -The ambiance was lovely. It was warm, smelled like Italian food, and while they fit as many tables as will fit in the restaurant, it wasn't too crowded. Get there early and get yourself a seat at Rino's!
(5)
June O.

Have you ever been to a place where the food is so amazing that the complimentary salad is a joy to eat? Welcome to Rino's! I'll be honest. I heard of Rino's when it was featured on "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives." I'm not sure which "D" Rino's is, but it's definitely D for Divinely Delicious!! (Sorry~super duper cheesy!!!) I called at around 7:30 and was told that there was a "2-3 hour wait." I was undaunted, and we headed out to Rino's. After being extremely lost, we managed to find it on a random neighborhood corner, and was promptly told we would have to wait another hour. It was worth it! Everything was divine. My boyfriend had the cheese ravioli. The plate had 3 pieces of ravioli-each the rough size of softball. I had the Rino's special, which was so richly delicious that each bite was an overwhelming burst of flavor. Our friends had the eggplant parmesan, which was so thinly sliced and layered that it had the texture of meat without the slimy eggplant feel. The best part of the meal was the appetizers. The salad was room temperature and so fresh it tasted like it was just picked out in a garden. The breaded mozzarella balls disappeared in 30 seconds. I can't even describe the wonders of those mozzarella balls!!! However, the highlight of my evening was when my boyfriend (who hates to travel any further than down the street to eat) paused just long enough to tell me that we are going back sometime next week, even if it means playing hooky from law school! Thank you Rino's!!!!
(5)
Matt A.

What a hole and a scam. a bar that is across the street? really? Special that are run out of? Rude staff? Basic Italian food I could make on a rolling bus on a hot plate/ Food you could make? Why bother?
(1)
Sophie P.

There was a very very long wait to eat here but it was worth it. Amazing food and pleasant atmosphere. My husband ordered the ravioli and I had parmesan chicken. Hard coming back home and attempting to eat Italian food after eating REAL Italian food on the East Coast. Thankfully I make good homemade sauce! I highly recommend this place if you are ever in Boston!
(5)
Rufus G.

I want to give this place 5 stars, but here's the thing about Rino's... It's great food for the most LUDICROUS wait time EVER! The place itself is super small. I know that the producers of Diners, Drive Ins & Dives alert all businesses that they should expect more business once they appear on a highly rated and followed program. they did not listen. I don't know how anyone gets a table. They have a bar across the street where they don't serve main courses, just appetizers? If you don't get there when they first open, good luck. You'll be waiting a while. You're better off on getting a bunch of friends together so you can make a reservation, they take them for parties of 6 or more, otherwise you'll be wasting your time waiting. My opinion is if you really want to eat here, get it to go, same great taste with a fraction of the wait. I was a party of one and wanted to eat there. I had to wait 2 1/2 hours, and ever time I walked in they had an small empty table for an hour and a half of that time. But pointing that out to the hostess (who was very nice) was useless as she couldn't formulate a full sentence on why it was vacant. Thankfully she went to the back and the waiter there saw this and managed to seat me and I ate and left, but poor hostess skills were in full effect. After all that, what can I say, Lobster Ravioli was amazing, comes with a salad and bread. But more than enough sauce in the Ravioli for dipping and you'll do so, it is to die for. If you plan on coming just make sure you have no other plans for your evening, especially on a Saturday night. Would have gotten five stars if not for the incompetence up front and the wait. Would I come back, sure, just order ahead and get it to go.
(3)
Brent G.

I live in East Boston and always wanted to try this spot. My group of 5 waited 2 1/2 hours and was unable to get a table. This restaurant just pushes people to Prima e Dopo (same owners) where they serve light apps and have a full bar. The hostess completely mislead my group into believing a table was coming shortly. If we were told up front it could be 1-2 hours we would have just gone somewhere else. What a scam, huge disappointment and negative dining experience.
(1)
Dmitri M.

Don't fill up waiting across the street because you're going to have a huge plate of delicious food soon enough!
(5)
Debbie J.

I researched "best Italian restaurants in Boston" and this place showed up a few times. My husband and I were not disappointed! The staff was warm and friendly, the food outstanding, and the prices very reasonable. My husband ordered the veal and eggplant and said that it was as good or better than most of the meals we had had in Italy. He also said that the veal was one of the top 3 best he had ever eaten. And considering that my husband is Italian, grew up in an Italian family eating homemade Italian dishes, this is a HUGE compliment! The serving sizes are gigantic and one dish can easily be shared by two. We both agreed that we would travel back to Boston simply to eat at this restaurant again!
(5)
J R.

I have to say that I love the food and atmosphere at Rino's. Every time I visit my son in Boston, I always try and stop for Dinner. The food is the best & I really like the waitstaff. What I really just don't understand is why they refuse to take reservations for groups less than 6 people. I just don't know why the owner of a business that depends on it's customers would make them wait, outside in all weather conditions, for hours on end, just to wait for a table. Even when my family arrives early, like 4:00, we end up sitting on the curb for an hour and a half to two hours waiting for our name to be called. I know they opened up a little place across the street, but sometimes you just don't feel like drinking for two hours before dinner. To the owners of Rino's, wish you could come up with a better system for your loyal customers.
(3)
L M.

We go with friends several times throughout the year by gathering 6 people and making a reservation. This typically works well and is the only way that I would come here as there is no way I would wait over two hours to be seated at any restaurant. Food is excellent (5 + star). The lobster ravioli is a masterpiece and I have never had anything bad here. The wait staff here has probably been here a long time and it shows. They are indifferent or even rude to many people and consider this to be part of the charm. This is probably a result of the booming business as they feel overly secure in their jobs. I know many people who have come for the first time and wait for several hours only to be treated badly when they do sit down, so they never return. Rino's needs to fix the wait staff. Its a common theme in many reviews and management should respond.
(4)
Plucky M.

We went here on a Wednesday night while visiting Boston. We arrived at 4:45pm. We were put on the waiting list and headed across the street to their companion Bar to wait. We ordered waters and the Torretta. It was grilled eggplant stacked with fresh mozzarella and homemade red sauce. Baked and topped with pink pesto. It was AMAZING. Yum! When it was finally our turn to go to the restaurant (90 minutes later) I ordered Chicken Parm with a side of freshly made Fettuccine Alfredo and my husband got some chicken, mushroom thing with a side of Gnocchi. Sadly, you are NOT allowed to share portions and the portions are ridiculous. Far too large. My Chicken Parm was just okay. Nothing special. One notch above Olive Garden. My Fettuccine Alfredo was tragic. The homemade pasta was over-worked and too thick and the sauce was watery. My husband's entree was great, but his Gnocchi was, oddly, too big. It wrecked the whole Gnocchi experience. If we went back to Boston I would move heaven and earth to go to the bar and get a full order of the Torretta. It was amazing. But skip the restaurant itself.
(2)
Rachel P.

Rino's has indisputably delicious food. If it were a little bigger it would get 5 stars. You show up & put your name in and can expect to wait an hour or two, even on a random Tuesday night, it's that good. However, you can wait at their sister bar across the street, Primi e Dopo, and have a drink and appetizer while you wait, so it's tough to complain too much. I've been several times, limoncello shrimp appetizer is fantastic, the lobster ravioli has huge chunks of meat, and the limoncello ice cream crunchy dessert thing is a perfect finish. I think it's the best restaurant in Eastie!
(4)
Greg Y.

My wife and I went here for lunch on a recomendation from our baby's day care provider. Being that I live in the area and surounded by Italian restuants I wasn't too excited about going to another. I am so excited I did though. The food was so good I considered having my way with the left overs in an alley if I could find it. We returned at a later date but the wait was just too long as we had our first overnight babysiter in 6 years, it would have been a 3+ hour wait and people were waiting. One of the families that were waiting had a toddler and the wife was pregnant, if you have kids you know how difficult that would be. There is a bar across the street that they own and will call the bar to let you know your table is ready. We called once for resevations and you need to be a party of 6 or more. It's old school and they don't rush through tables so be prepared to wait and enjoy your food legally. I can't wait to eat here again, we're considering having a 4th child just to make the party of 6 resevation requirement.
(5)
Stephie W.

Came here with two friends at 4pm on a Saturday, thinking that'd be early enough. Nope! There were already 20 tables ahead of us, and we didn't get seated until 9:30pm. Rino's only takes reservations for parties of 6 or more, so reserve beforehand with a group of friends to avoid the wait. On the bright side, they call you and give you 10 minutes to claim your table off the waitlist, so we spent 5+ hours wandering East Boston, which was pretty fun. Onto the food! Their fried mozzarella was so fresh and stretchy, and the marinara sauce added a perfect touch. After the first bite, I didn't quite mind the wait anymore. The bresaola, served over a fresh arugula salad, was fine, but I'm not the biggest fan of cured meats. Everyone keeps raving about the lobster ravioli, for good reason! The ravioli were stuffed nice and fat, and they came accompanied by a lovely cream sauce and extra hunks of lobster. The frutti di mare came with scallops, shrimp, and not one, not two, but THREE lobster tails. Holy smokes! It's a seafood celebration in your mouth. The sauce was more tangy than I expected, so make sure you're in the mood for something acidic before ordering this. My less adventurous roommate settled on the chicken broccoli alfredo. I tried a piece of his chicken, and it was more tender, juicy, and melt-in-your-mouth than I could've ever imagined. I eat a lot, but let me tell you, the portions here are huge! Spend the extra few dollars for the homemade pasta--you won't regret it. It has a lovely texture that you just can't get from the dried stuff. Service could have been a bit better. The waiters were friendly, but they stopped refilling our water halfway through the meal. I was so thirsty by the end. tl;dr: Avoid the wait with a reservation. Homemade pasta always. Generous portions. Abso-freaking-lutely delicious.
(5)
John L.

Best lobster ravioli I've had to date. Not great for large groups, but perfect for a date or a group of four. It's not a very large place, so I assume it fills up quickly during dinner so call ahead.
(4)
Ron D.

Just saw this place on a show about great resturants and this place is now on my bucket list. Used to limit my Italian eating to the north end. Not anymore
(4)
Daniel H.

We arrived at 4pm put our names on the wait list that had 21 tables ahead of us. So we left our name and phone number. I asked about how long does it take for 21 tables and the women said you never know, not something like well generally about 2-3 hours you know something to guide you. So we are thinking maybe it goes quicker than we think since she didn't want to give a time frame. This place can hold about 50 people at a time. When 530pm came around we wanted to get a figure of where we were in the wait list so we called and we had 13 tables ahead of us. This place is in a residential area so there is nothing to do they have a little bar next door that can hold about 30 people comfortably and if you want to get drunk before going to eat that's it. So when 630pm came around we called and now we had 7 tables in front of us ok making progress but I'm kind of mad because they could have told us that it would be this long of a wait we could of gone home and come back to be honest but come 740pm I had to go ask because this whole time I was paying for a babysitter they said we had 2 tables ahead of us ok cool I'm thinking another 20-30 minutes so we continue to sit in our car. Now at this point I'm kind of irritated so I had to go in and ask at 830pm the women there now tells me that there is 2 tables ahead of me BUT there is also 2 reservations that need to sit before the 2 in front of me sit so that could be at least 12 people and the other 2 parties ahead of me (they only take reservations for 6 or more people) are you kidding me I have been paying for a sitter. So now we are really mad and we decided to leave because even if we did sit we would of probably had a bad experience because our babysitter cost will be more than our bill. So at 9pm we get the call that we can sit 5 HOURS LATER I never answered because I probably would of told them that they have horrible customer service she could of said it can take up to 4 hours to sit in our case it was 5 hours for a table of two seriously not worth it or it would of been if they told us we could of gone to the shops or something not sit in our car for hours and waste $80 on a babysitter. So sad to say we never got the try the food.
(1)
Jessica R.

Exremely overrated. My boyfriend convinced me to try this place because it was on the Food network and highly-reviewed both on Zagat and Yelp. So he made a reservation at 8:20pm on a Friday night and the woman told him it would be about an hour wait. LIES! We didn't get seated until 10:45pm -_- At around 10:20pm I was ready to leave and head to the North End for some food at Giacomos but what do you know....the bridge was closed so we were trapped like rats! Thus we decided to stay...... I ordered the chicken cazzaralo (which is chicken, pasta, in a white butter sauce). The food was so blah, the sauce was watery, and tasteless. I was very upset after waiting almost 3 hours. I ordered the chocolate truffle for dessert which was the only positive thing about this entire place. My waitress was very polite and friendly but I feel like everyone else was kind of snobby because they think there restaurant was on Food Network they're the best thing on earth. Not to mention this place is not cheap! We spent $60 and did not eat well!
(2)
Kristin G.

This is hands-down the best Italian food I've had in a very, very long time. The food is outrageously delicious. I got the chicken parm, and it was HUGE. I seriously could only eat 1/2 of it. The pasta was super fresh and the sauce was delicious, and i'm pretty picky about sauces. My friends ordered a mussels/clam dish and calamari, respectively, and both of them loved it. We started with the Bruschetta- I agree with Louis H- best i have ever eaten. Huge chunks of tomatoes, delicious olive oil. Also- the house wine (cabernet) was delicious. Just FYI. I could go on and on about this place.The service was great. The only negative was the wait- they only take reservations for parties of 6 and over. We got there around 5:45 and finally sat down at 7:15. There isn't much else to do in East Boston (at least not that we know- enlighten me!) so we ended up driving around for a bit and then waiting in the car. But it was totally worth it. I'll def. be back!
(5)
erica c.

This is the closest thing to The food I had in Italy. Everything down to the soups are excelent. I would love to keep this place my little secret to avoid longer waits in the future but it's too good not to talk about. Plus I love the people who work there and the cheap wine.
(5)
peter b.

if your into continent-sized platters of rich, creamy food, this is the place for you. although, on the upside: the homemade pasta is actually quite good and worth a little extra wait-time. softball-esque deep fried mozzarella and the crispy eggplant appetizers? potentially all the food you'll need for days. bottom line, I enjoyed the curvature of the ceiling and the moretti beer. and did not go hungry.
(3)
Sean C.

we were in Boston for some family business, and wanted italian. Yelp pointed us to this place, which had the important factors of good food and local vibe. its true, a very neighborhoody place. love it. a very impressive menu. so many special to choose from. i see a lot of raves about the service at this place. our waiter was some old guy, and the first thing he said to us was "do you know what you want"? what I'd like is a little enthusiasm from the waitstaff, but whatever. for apps, ordered the calamari - which was served with pepper rings, not marinara. i'd never seen this before, but really enjoyed it. the rings were nice and vinegary. also had the bruschetta, which was very nice. the bread was toasted just right. for entrees had the veal parm, which was very nice and big portion, and m'lady ordered the long neck clams with red sauce and home made pasta. also very good. we took half of everything home, because their was so much. ordered a glass of wine, finished it, nobody ever asked if i wanted a second. would have rated it higher, but the lack of attention from staff knocks you down, paisan.
(3)
Ebony F.

Its as good as you want it to be!!! The staff is really nice, the diners are all so excited to be there, and the food is so filling and tasty. Reasonable prices and a lot of wine options...what an amazing way to spend my first night in Boston!!
(5)
Melissa T.

We love this restaurant! We always bring out of town guests, it is always a winner. In 9 years I have never had a bad meal and the specials are yummy. The portions are large so you always have some for later. Who needs to go to the North End when we have this gem!
(5)
Mcslimj B.

Very good, value-priced Italian-American red-sauce joint, but the specials are the reason to go: they're much more authentic, interesting, and beautifully done. I often chat up local chefs about their favorite restaurants, usually over drinks at late-night watering holes. I haven't met Jose Duarte (chef/owner of the North End's excellent Taranta) this way, but I gleaned a tip from his recent interview in Boston Magazine. I figured if Duarte likes Rino's Place, a 46-seat Eastie trattoria, it must be worthwhile. Chefs are good sources: Rino's is that rare full-service restaurant that's cheap enough for my "On the Cheap" column in The Boston Phoenix, yet still serves terrific food. The familiar Italian-American fare it offers is admirably done, and when chef/owner and Abruzzo native Anthony DiCenso stretches out with his specials, the results can be astonishing. An example of how DiCenso can amaze and beguile is his baby osso bucco ($14), a special of three gently braised veal-shank slices in a glossy pan-juice reduction with carrots, served over superb, perfectly done Milanese-style risotto with real saffron, accompanied by lightly batter-fried broccoli florets: just phenomenal. Italian bread is good (especially with shank marrow), the side salad overdressed. Another special, escarole and polpette soup ($5), is a brimming bowl of fine chicken-stock broth loaded with little pork-veal-beef meatballs and scrambled egg. Duarte's recommendation of calamari ($11/lunch; $17/dinner) features oodles of sliced, sautÃ©ed squid in a perfect, simple marinara and a lot of garlic, served over house-made linguine. ("Request it spicy" is another excellent Duarte suggestion.) Lunchtime panini are large subs on good Italian rolls, with options like the excellent prosciutto with mozzarella, basil, and EVOO ($8). True to its Italian-American focus, Rino's offers fried chicken, veal, and eggplant cutlets in canonical preparations like francese, saltimbocca, and marsala. Typical is the pollo parmigiana ($10/lunch; $14/dinner), an enormous chicken-breast cutlet in a tasty, greaseless bread-crumb coating, marinara, and mozzarella, with a side of house-made linguine. The toothsome texture of fresh rigatoni also elevates the superb matriciana ($15), richly sauced with good pancetta, onions, tomatoes, and cream in a staggering pound-and-a-half portion. Desserts include a featherweight but huge square of slightly oversweet tiramisu ($7). The wine list is short, modest, and serviceable, exemplified by a 2005 Vestini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo ($6/glass; $24/bottle). Service in the loud, often-packed room is abrupt but friendly. Red-sauce Italian-American rarely wows me, especially in portions big enough for two normal meals, but when it's done with this much craft, and I can order those fantastic, more-authentic specials, I have to say, "Thanks, Jose!"
(4)
Ric D.

It's not much on atmosphere, but the food is "to die for." I ordered a dish that my wife normally doesn't like. But she tried it and thought it was great! Everything is just delicious. Forget the North End. This is the place to go.
(5)
Nichan S.

I debated between 4 or 5 stars but settled on 5. Why? The total experience. We have been seeing it on Phantom Gourmet, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and waited for a special occasion to try it. We were aware of the reputation for long waits (small restaurant, small tables). We went at 3p.m. on a Saturday afternoon for a late lunch, early dinner and were seated right away (they open at 3p.m. on Sat.) 1. The food, we enjoyed everything that was ordered for out party of six which included the antipasto dela casa, Lobster Raviolis, Pork Chop Milanese, Rino's special, Pollo Braciolentini, pollo e melanzane, finishing with the chocolate cake. The food was as we expected, wonderful, 2. The ambiance, it's a small place, the wait staff and hostess were very friendly and accommodating. Chef Anthony stopped by a number of tables including ours briefly to say hello and check that everyone was happy. They don't rush you trying to turn tables, they seem to appreciate that you came and want you to enjoy yourself. 3. The portions, they are huge. We even asked the waitress if anyone ever finishes and she said on rare occasions 4. This place has been open for 24 years, they are doing it right. It's located in a diverse neighborhood and parking is scarce.
(5)
Jennifer R.

One word "outstanding". The food is simply amazing. Every chance I get to go here I do. Go early or you will have a long wait. Love it!!
(5)
CHRIS P.

Ok...So let's start with the food,the reason you go to Rinos...Having seen it on Diners,Dives & Drive-ins I HAD to try it & the food is AWESUM...everything is made fresh to order so you WAIT for everything...I had a stuffed chicken dish off the special menu and wasn't let down...ok now why I deducted 1 star...I got there at 6pm & walked out at 10:15....it took 3 Hours (there's only about 10 tables) for a table and I almost passed out it was so damn Africa hot in there...they have Ac but it wasn't doing anything,I was sweating so bad the semi rude bus girl asked If I was ok....so if your in south bean town DEF check out Rino's but pack a snack and a giant palm leaf cause your gunna be waiting & HOT!
(4)
Dani A.

Absolutely delicious!! Came here on a Monday night around 5:30, and my boyfriend and I were told it would be a 45-60 minute wait. No sweat, we walked down the street to grab a mini bottle of wine, and within 30 minutes they called me to inform me our table was ready. We shared the calamari as an app - delectable. I got the eggplant/chicken parmigiana. I would recommend getting just the chicken because the eggplant it came with was just a teeeeny bit lacking in cheese and sauce. But the chicken made up for it. Not to mention, I got a HUGE plate of Fusilli and a salad for only an extra $5. I'm not sure why people have not enjoyed the service there - i thought it was great. Our server was engaging, but not overbearing. It did take us a little time to get the check, but I would much rather wait 10 minutes than be rushed out of the door. I'll be making many trips back here!
(5)
Leah M.

Went back again and had the best gnocchi I have ever, ever had. Great service again! Can't wait to go back! Go to Kelly's Square Pub for a few drinks while you wait for your table. It's right by Rino's.
(5)
Rebecca F.

2nd stop on our Diners Drive-ins and Dives trip to Boston! I had a VERY HARD TIME rating this place. It shines in the kitchen department, but they really need to fire at least some of their wait staff. Rino's is very small -- they can only seat 12-15 tables. They do not take reservations except for parties over 6. Now that they're famous, they are busier than ever. Do not expect an easy time getting in. We arrived at about 8:15, and were seated around 9:30. Rino's is supposed to close at 9, so we felt lucky to get in. I think we were the last party to be seated. We started eating around 10ish. First of all, the food: If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would. We had the famous lobster ravioli, and I fear I will never be able to eat lobster ravioli anywhere else. Each big homemade ravioli was stuffed full of sizable lobster chunks and cheese. The sauce also had large lobster chunks in it. All told, there had to be about 1/4 to 1/3 pound of lobster on my plate, which is amazing in and of itself, especially for the price! We looked around at what everyone else was eating, and everything looked amazing. Huge portions, too. My advice: don't get any appetizers unless you plan to take most of your entree home. You'll probably take some home anyway; even though we tried very hard to eat all of our ravioli, there was just no way. Dessert was out of the question. Now for the service: BAD. The service deserves 2 stars, and that might even be a bit too kind. I should be fair: the hostess who took our name and got us on the list was nice enough, but I've had better waitresses pretty much everywhere else -- even in bad restaurants. When our name was called, we were shown our table, but I couldn't sit down across from my husband as I wanted. Why? Because our waitress was standing where the chair was, and she was talking to her gal pals at the next table. This is a small place, so it's not like she didn't know I was there. I stood there for a while, thinking "she'll be done in a minute". But no.... I felt kinda stupid standing there, so I ended up sitting next to my husband, which was fine. The waitress came to serve us, and she was kind enough when she had a moment to talk to us, but neglected to refill our drinks as needed and check in on us. She spent quite a lot of time at the next table talking to her friends. I don't know if it was because we were the last people seated and they wanted to get out of there (we were not the last people to leave), or what. The point is that our waitress seemed like she could care less. I've noticed that other reviewers feel the same way about the service. Perhaps they think that because they're famous and business is booming, service doesn't matter? It's sad, because the food is awesome. We are not gutsy enough to leave bad tips (we left the minimum 15%), but perhaps others will follow the advice of a friend of mine and "Leave 'em 5 cents so that they get the message!". Other notes: If you are wheelchair-bound, you will likely not be able to eat here. Only a few steps into the restaurant, but the restroom is small and it's tough to navigate through the kitchen to get there. There is a bar across the street where you can wait for your table. I think it's owned by the same people.
(4)
Adriana C.

Tasty food, good service, nice selection on the menu. Get there early because it is very popular and you will end up waiting for a long time to be seated. Note, there is no bar or lounge to wait in....you will be on the street.
(5)
Sandy H.

We attempted to try this place, but weren't willing to wait the 3 hours we were told. So after our 2nd attempt, we wised up and called at 5:30pm on a Thursday night to put our names down on the waiting list before we drove out to East Boston. Parking wasn't a problem. Although we were 4th on the waiting list, we didn't get seated until 6:45pm. I have to say that the portions here are HUGE. We shared a half order of arancini to start and they were delicious. I mean, anything deep fried is just good. I ordered a half-order of their eggplant appetizer with pesto and mozzarella (amazing and very rich) and their baby octopus, clams, and mussels appetizer (good, as expected). My fiance ordered the chicken parm (I've never been a fan) and opted for the salad instead of the pasta. The salad was sub par, but he loved the chicken parm. We took over half his chicken parm home and more than half of my eggplant appetizer. For $55 with tax and tip, we had a glass of wine, beer, 3 half appetizers, entree, desert, and enough food for dinner the next night.
(5)
Janet H.

My clients took me for dinner and I can't wait to go back! The food was the best Italian food I have ever had - Janet Halloran
(5)
Jamie D.

I'll put it this way: this hole in the wall probably gets 2 stars from me, at best, for ambience and atmosphere. The first time I went, they were packed and the only table that was available wabbled enough to send your beverage sliding around - avoid the middle tables!! Fortunately a stable table opened up before the entrees came out. Also, one tiny bathroom, through the kitchen - some people like that stuff in a restaurant, but I'm not so inclined. And service was nothing askew from the experience at most places where the specials are handwritten: blunt. That said, the food is incredible enough to keep this rating an emphatic 5 stars. Highly recommend. Homemade pastas and sauces, big portions, simply awesome. I tried the eggplant parm and it was the kind of thing that took me back to being a child, having like Nana's eggplant parm for the first time, like I've never had it before. It was that good. I had chicken marsala - off the meters. The sauce was witchcraft. Another time, I forget which pasta I tried with their alfredo sauce and chicken, but this is like a staple Italian restaurant item and even that was simply way above average. The consistency of the pastas and sauces is, to my taste, perfect. I haven't tried any of the desserts yet (again, meals are plenty large), but I hear they do justice to the entrees. I'm always drawn away by the knowing that you really will wait upwards of an hour for a seat most of the time. The earlier you can get here, the better, making it less ideal for date night. I couldn't imagine bringing a group - which is shameful, because the food is shout-from-the-rooftops good.
(5)
Susan L.

There's a reason this place is so busy--the food we ate there was "to die" for, even though it involved a very long wait across the street at another restaurant, where I had an equally good chocolate martini (Prima e Poco, I think it was called). My friend had short ribs, which were melt in your mouth good, and so plentiful they formed the basis of a home-cooked meal a couple of days later. I had the Lobster Ravioli, also plentiful and good reheated. Next time, though, I'll make a reservation, and remember to have an appetizer with my drink, so I can remember more about the experience of dining at Rino's!
(5)
A B.

I was traveling to Boston for work and was on my own for dinner. I found this place through Diners, Drive-ins & Dives. And I have to say...it was fantastic!! I got there a bit on the later side (8:50 pm...they stop seating at 9:00 pm) because my Garmin had trouble navigating near the airport. But the hostess was super nice & seated me right away. I ordered the lobster ravioli and it was the B-E-S-T lobster ravioli E-V-E-R!! I would definitely come back here again. I saw the other reviews about some of the servers - my server was awesome. The bus-girl seemed to have a bit of an attitude, but it was also closing time & they were packed, so maybe it was just one of those days. Great job, Rino's Place!! I hope to visit again soon.
(5)
Brian W.

I have been to Rino's four times now. I am a bit torn writing this review though. On the one hand, the food here is simply incredible. The prices, although high for the neighborhood, are completely justified and not at all out of line for the quantity, and quality you receive. I don't think I have gotten anything there that has been less than delicious with my favorite being the mushroom ravioli app, lobster ravioli entree and stuffed eggplant. Also, there is a "regular" menu which I assume is what most neighborhood people, who go there regularly and not just for a treat, order from. The prices are much lower and the fare is more standard. I'm sure though that the food quality is the same. The service is also above average. I have gotten the same smart-mouthed, old school waitress three times and she is great. She makes you feel really welcome in a truly Boston way. My only complaint is with the rediculous hostess. It is impossible to get a straight answer from her. Their policies are ever changing (without notice)and she lacks any ability to estimate wait times. To make it worse, there is no waiting area, bar or even a bar nearby. It has been an issue every time I have gone and she has caused me not to even try to go at least 3 times. Last time I went with my wife we called at 5 and were told it was only a 30 minute wait. When we got there, 15 minutes later, she told us the wait was an hour and a half with 6 parties on the list ahead of us. I said 'it was only 30 minutes when we called 15 minutes ago' to which she replied, yeah, thats the way it is. The place is tiny so as I walked out I looked at each table and could tell that something like 5 of the 12 tables were in various stages of eating their meals and 2 others had their checks. I got outside and told my wife I thought 20 - 25 was more accurate. 20 minutes later we were seated. Last week I wanted to go with a business group and, although their website says they do take reservations for 6 ppl or more, she told us they didn't anymore and to call ahead. Then when we called ahead on our way out the door, she told us they don't do call ahead and the wait was 1.5 hours. She said next time we should make a reservation and I told her she already told us they didn't take them to which she replied "well, we are full with reservations for the month." Mind you this was mid way through August. Needless to say, we didn't go. After doing some figuring (always dangerous), I think the deal is that they may over-state the wait on purpose to drive away tourists and keep spots open for the neighborhood people. I know this is counter intuitive, but this is not exactly in a neighborhood your average tourist would wander thourh on their way to go shopping. It is in the middle of a residential area near the airport. 2 years from now, when no one is talking about DDD anymore, this place will still have to pay the bills by servind their local following. I get that. I just wish I could get a straight answer... and that I knew the secret password.
(5)
Ona K.

Rather than bask in the glory of the dopey, obnoxious Guy Feeeeee-eddie's visit, perhaps Rino's should be paying attention to its waitrons and kitchen staff. For example, early Tuesday night when there were empty tables, we saw our waitron at approximate 30-minute intervals. Why? Was she snuggled around the corner and compulsively texting? Hiding out back smoking meth? She had ONE table to tend to! A meat dish that was ordered medium was delivered very well done. The to-go containers had big pieces of broken white plastic in the bottom. And worst of all, a pumpkin raviolo was thrown into the container with salad and oil and vinegar dressing. Why? Was someone in a hurry to go home? More than likely, too lazy to perform correctly, as though it would make a difference when the work day was done. These are highlights of the negative dining experience, not nearly all that was lacking in service and product. RIP, Rino's. We knew you when. After this week's visit, and a similar, but not quite as bad, previous visit, we will not be back. One would think with all the hype and press, that the service as well as food preparation and care would be top-notch. To the contrary, it was abysmal. Did you think we were stupid tourists who would not know better or loyal locals you want to dissuade from visiting and taking up celebrity space?
(1)
Minerva P.

It was a race to the finish last night. We were rushing in our rental car trying to make our reservation. This is very difficult when you don't know the area and you are counting on the GPS system to work. Of course every time we went through a tunnel we lost the signal. Once there we were so happy they had held our table. This was my daughter's treat night and I wanted to bring her here with her friends. The food was to die for. The waitress warm and caring made sure to tell me they would watch out for my daughter if she returned on her own. We ordered different plates: Risotto, Pasta Matriciana, of course the Lobster Ravioli and I had the Roast Pork Tenderloin with the Prune and Walnut Sauce. Forgot to mention that the appetizers were off the wall. A beautiful antipasto that looked as if it had been painted on to the plate and the stuffed eggplant was melt in your mouth flavor. The evening ended and the memory of the flavors meld into my plate of leftovers. I may not be coming back to Boston very soon but the adventure ot this meal will linger in my palette and my long term memory.
(5)
wes o.

Unbelievable Italian food. We love going here. The food is all done from scratch! Portions big enough for a bear. It's true yes you might have to wait for a table, but hey that's what makes it a great restaurant !
(5)
B. B.

Dined here in mid-Nov 2012 after seeing the place on DD and D. We waited 2 1/2 hours for this very loud and ok experience. Waitress was great and we appreciated her help. Food was fine but not special, not for a long wait. Salads are bag lettuce, antipasti was good, my chicken parm was average. The place was very loud with some tables full of patrons just yelling at each other for a conversation. Restroom should be condemned. Dirty dirty. I think it was worth the first visit but not worth a second mistake.
(3)
CW W.

Heard about this place on Diners, Drive ins and Dives. East Boston is not an area I would normally think of for delicious Italian cuisine but apparently it is. Few negative things but minor and really not much you can do about it but deal. The place is about a 10min walk from the blue line airport stop. Driving wise, sounds like it might be a little nightmare unless you already lived in the area. Parking, most likely wouldn't have been a problem but I didn't really see that many empty spots on the street (so does not have their own parking lot). Then there's the interesting way they handle when there is a wait. The restaurant opened at 4pm and we arrived at 4:40pm to a packed place. We saw it was a pretty small place and asked to be put on the waiting list. The manager said there were 6 parties in front of us and took down my cell number. He said to stay in the area and just be back here within 10mins of his call. We thought this was kinda strange. I told him we wouldn't be going anywhere because we don't know this area and we just came from the train. This guy doesn't mess around, basically if he calls you and you're NOT back in 10mins you just lost your spot. Lucky for us we went from 7th place to 2nd and was seated within 10mins. Ok no more negative stuff all positive from here. When you walk in, the aroma from the kitchen starts you drooling. I felt like I was at home for the holidays and all the aunts were in the kitchen cooking yummy dishes for us cousins. We started off with 1/2 orders of the arancini and prosciutto wrapped asparagus. The arancini was SO good we almost ordered another. The asparagus simple but melt in your mouth wonder. I then ordered the lobster ravioli which were 'ginormous'. I got 9 of them and they were about the size of my hand. Each filled with a velvety mixture of cheese and lobster under a lobster cream sauce that I could have drank from the bowl. My boyfriend got the gnocchi, again bigger than the normal size I've seen. Overall portions were so big we barely made a dent but happily got it wrapped up for a future meal. We didn't stay for dessert since we were taking the train and didn't want to stay out too late but next time we might drive so we can try some of those out. I highly recommend checking out Ringo's, prices were fair, atmosphere was pleasantly casual, service was super friendly and the food was really, really delish!
(4)
Tina C.

I'd rate four stars for food and zero for the wait. We prepared ourselves for a very long wait, but 3.5 hours? Those lobster ravs were certainly delicious, but I don't think any food is worth a half day of sitting around waiting for someone to call your name. The only place in the neighborhood to wait, across the street, is also owned by the Rino's owners. So guess what? It's packed full of people spending loads of money on drinks and pizza while they wait for hours to be seated across the street. Nice for them! Some people were actually staggering drunk by the time their names were called for dinner. In any case, the servers in both locations were very nice and sympathetic (all the ones we talked to said there's no way in hell they'd wait that long for a table), and the food was wonderful. But I'd never do it again. If you can, call in for takeout!
(3)
Kristen R.

I was raised in an Italian family and grew up eating at only Italian restaurants. In comparison to the food I have experienced, this place is the best. My family members that travel to Italy often and that pride themselves in cooking Italian food agree. There is just no comparison and there is certainly no reason to pay double in the North End for food that is 1/2 as good. Enjoy!
(5)
Ty H.

I've probably been to Rino's five times. It's the best Italian spot in Boston without even a question. The North End, in it's entirety, should kneel at the feet of whomever runs this fabulous establishment and falate him for his greatness, because they're all bitches to this pimp of the kitchen. In terms of Italian food, the food tastes like it was cooked by the culinary hand of God himself. I can't explain it better than that. I've had half the stuff on the menu there. Everything is awesome. But nothings fussy. Everything's like five ingredients, max. but everything is fresher than all get out. They respect the food, and they respect the flavors, and the heritage of what they do. This is a proud family doing fantastic food the way it should be done. It does things to your soul. You can taste the love they put into it. Everything is home made, including the pasta. You will NEVER, EVER get a single piece of pasta that is overcooked- perfect al dente, EVERY time. You'll never get an off flavored clam, an overly rare meatball, a spot of cheese on your rigatoni that isn't perfectly melted, slightly brown, but never burnt. They churn out plate after plate of absolutely perfect, simple, Italian food, time and time again. it's a casual joint- come as you are. But you can tell, these people know they're absolutely boss at what they do, but they have no pretense about it. the food speaks for itself, and it is simply the best Italian in Boston. Every dish exits the kitchen dead on perfect. If Gordon Ramsay worked there, he'd be fucking silent- That level of perfect. Don't let the tunnel scare you. make the trek to Eastie and partake in this religious food experience. These people take pride in making some spectacular authentic Italian food, and that pride, and those fresh ingredients, and that love...that family bond, is immediately evident after the first bite of any given dish on their menu. It's nothing short of superb. And it's cheap. My girlfriend and I ate 3 courses with booze for $51 bucks not including tip. You'll NEVER find food that good for that cheap anywhere. Make this a destination. if you're a religious foodie, this is your fucking Mecca. Church, preach, tabernacle. Take your ass to the promised land, and I'll show you heaven. Since Zimmern and Bourdain have made their cameos, the chances of getting a walk in table are about the same of winning the Powerball. Reservations at this point are an absolute necessity since their press blew up, but they don't cop a hint of 'tude despite this. However, without a res, rest assured you'll have forty parties in front of you from opening till close. Do not disregard this advice. if you take anything I say seriously, take that seriously. make a reservation But I'd camp in a tent on a sidewalk to eat here again. It's casual yet romantic, almost homey. It's a bit loud. But the food man. For every shortcoming it has, of which there are few, after your first bite, you're just going to exclaim, "Fuck it, this was worth it."
(5)
Jolene S.

We had a great meal on Saturday night at Rino's. The only problem, it took 3.5 hours to get a table (after calling in at 5:30). My folks drove in from NYC to try this place out. The waitstaff did their best and cracked jokes the whole night. The frutti di mare and pork tenderloin were oustanding. The calamari greatly benefitted from marinara sauce. I wasn't wowed by the lobster ravioli (only exceptional because of the size and quantity of lobster filling). You should spring for dessert (which is shipped in from Italy, like a lot of the things served here). Might order some take-out and avoid the crazy wait in the future! Still fun to do once.
(3)
Heather D.

All-in-all, great Italian food! I have to agree with the others who've downgraded them for the wait times. I felt very bad when, as a party of 2, they seated us at a table for 4 when there were several parties of 4+ still waiting outside. I appreciate the strict adherence to the apparent 'first come, first serve' policy but it still felt a little wrong. However, being that they closed at 9:00pm and we were seated around 8:00pm, most everyone from outside was seated by the time we received our salads, so it was all good in the end. The salads (which came included with the meal) were pretty good-- despite the iceberg base, it included a significant portion of darker greens, onions and tomatoes; the house vinaigrette was delicious. Husband got the gnocchi with bolognese (a special request that they were happy to accommodate). I got the lobster ravioli. Both dishes were excellent and huge, and very, VERY fairly priced! To be honest, they could charge a lot more and get away with it. Regarding the portion size, we felt a little bit like Man vs Food after we both successfully finished our meals. Note, we did NOT get an appetizer, and we maintain that you have to be a gluttonous fool to think you handle more than the entree and salad lol!! Having said that, we wished we had 5 more stomachs so that we could try many other items on the menu....they all sounded SO good. Happy side note: they fill the wine glasses higher than anywhere I've ever seen, making it by far the best wine value ever!! This is definitely consistent with the overall Rino's theme: value value value! Overall, strongly recommended. Do plan to wait unless you make it a late lunch.....and perhaps then you may not have much competition.
(4)
Brian P.

What can you say about this place that hasn't been said. The wait is a pain, so unless you have a party of 6 or more, just go during the week, and grab some drinks across the street. Once you get it, it is well worth the wait. My girlfriend and I always get the same thing. The fried calamari is always a nice way to start our meal. Then I get the Lobster Rav, and she gets the Frutti di mare, both of which are amazing and taste great the next day for lunch as well. I wish they had bigger bottles of prosecco but other then that I love this place...
(5)
Adam S.

I thought to myself, "self, why bother writing a review? They're all the same" This place is fantastic. My family was in town and wanted to go here because this show was featured on Dines, Drive-In's, Dives with ya man Guy. We made our way down to East Boston as the airplanes flew over the rooftops. The restaurant is on the corner and luckily we got parking right across the street. The place is small, only about a dozen tables. However, the food was big. Skipping all the stuff in between, the bolognese was delicious, especially dipping the nice crusty italian bread in the sauce. My mother got the veal scallopine wrapped with prosciutto and mozzarella. Had a bite of that and it melted in my mouth. Appetizers were incredieble too. hand-breaded mozzarella balls that came lightly fried and big on taste. Another great selection was the eggplant baked with ricotta and smoked mozzarella. this was fantastic. What more can I say, everything was great including the staff. We left stuffed and with leftovers for tomorrow's night dinner. Our waiter told us normally on Saturdays, there's about a three hour wait sometimes and the line is wrapped around the building. Keep that in mind when thinking about coming here on the weekends unless it's real early.
(5)
Michael S.

What a FRICKEN good place to eat good, real Italian food! OMG! Thanks Mom for this suggestion! I saw the same episode on Food Network but after my other Guy Fieri (Diners, Drive-In's, and Dives) experience, I was skeptical. This put Guy back up there in my book! I do have to say to anyone planning to eat here, get a group of 6 or more and MAKE A RESERVATION and show up on time! Or be prepared to wait up to 3 hours or more for a table or join up with other people standing outside waiting for a table. You have been warned! Enough with that, We took the T there but it looked like there was plenty of parking. When I walked in the door I was waiting for a hostess and the gentleman next to me asked, how long I had been waiting, I said I just got there. He said he had already been waiting and hour and 45 minutes and told him that I had a reservation and my table was in the corner. The hostess came over and greeted us and sat us. Our waitress was friendly and a spicy Italian girl! We ordered a bottle of wine, Bruchetta, and Calamari. Also came the bread and was fresh and hot, normally I would say anything about the bread but it was good. I ordered the Lobster Ravioli and there was so much lobster for 8 ravioli's I took 3 home. If you know me, I don't take much food home. It was cook perfectly! My wife had Pork Tenderloin with black cherry's and amazing potatoes. Oh so good! My mother had Veal Saltinboca and again wonderful, sweet and salty. Other dishes were Chicken Parm, enough to feed 2 or 3 people per order but were ordered 2. Eggplant Parm, again huge. Both dishes were cooked to perfection. Everyone got homemade pasta and sauce, I cant remember when Ive had such good pasta. It also came with a salad but who cares about that! We also ordered 3 desserts because we saw them going to another table earlier that we had to give them a try. We ordered 3 to split and were not disappointed; as full as everyone was we still chowed down the Italian Ice Cream thing, (I cant remember the name of them, but it was imported from Italy) we ordered the Limoncello, Cappuccino, and a Chocolate Ganache and polished them off completely. Well remember that guy who I met when I first walked in who had been waiting, he finally got sat as we were getting our dinner. (Another hour and a half for him) We all took left overs home and had a great lunch the next day. Overall it was a great night with family. We'll probably do it again next time my parents are in town unless my Mom sees another great recommendation.
(5)
Paul A.

Trying to get a table is rather impossible if your in a hurry or have no reservation.I take friends with me and book a reservation about a month in advance. They will accept out reservations for pastors of 6 or more. They are small and have few tables. They have beer and wine available. Their food is outstanding! Fresh and expertly prepared. I recommend their shrimp scamp with toast drilling with fresh garlic. (Recommend no kissing on first date). I also recommend veal saltimbucca or parmesan. Enough to take home for seconds. Definitely worth the visit and time. They also opened a place to relax across the street for appetizers and/or desserts. Highly recommended. Finally, a visit without trying their famous lobster ravioli is wasted. All in all, a very satisfying and filling experience.
(5)
Jemilee M.

This place is absolutely worth the drive, parking hunting in Easty and the three hour wait (weekends only) thanks to the rave reviews from Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. I've been going there for a while and had always loved their food. But I tended to stick to my favorite dish the Seafood Scampi because it is so so good. However, when I saw the DDD episode and how the owner makes the lobster ravioli I had to go back and try it. Let me preface with the fact that I don't like to order the lobster ravioli anywhere because you tend to get the red and white stripped ravioli's that are mass produced at some factory and you get a ton of in the city. At Rino's not only is every pasta handmade but the ravioli's are stuffed with heaping portions of roughly chopped lobster. I actually had a whole knuckle in one of my ravioli's mixed in with more lobster meat. Also, the sauce is a delicious tomato cream sauce sprinkled with more lobster. I couldn't finish the dish and was estatic with the yummy leftovers the next day. But that could have been because I loved my two apetizers a little too much, Shrimp Scampi & Eggplant Pesto = Get it all and be happy! By the way, they only take reservations for groups of 6 or more. They open at 3 on Saturdays now (on the website it still says 4) and the line starts to form at 2:30. Best time to go - weekday
(5)
Dietmar S.

the food absolutely fantastic - even better than Tripple D's review. Great sauces. The lobster ravioli are unlike any I've ever had. I would ask for a thinner pasta next time. Portions are very generous (we ordered 1 appetizer and 2 entrees and it made a total of 3 meals for 2). A MUST try. Only one problem - capacity. Be prepared to wait, especially on weekends. Reservations are taken for 6+ (last week there was a 4 week wait). The service was very friendly as was the owner.
(5)
Joseph C.

This is a fabulous italian restaurant. It is small so it is advisable to make a reservation. The selection of appetizers are great (try the calimari) but be careful to save room for the main course. I recommend the osso bucco or saltimbocca both are sublime. For the best in italian food including the North End try Rino's.
(5)
Tom S.

always awesome !!
(5)
Jenny S.

It's been a while since I last ate at Rino's, and I can't believe how busy they've gotten. The food is still good, but it's just not worth the wait. Our party of three waited two and a half hours to get seated! And one more thing, the pasta may be fresh, but the desserts are not.
(3)
Ken N.

Lobster ravioli was excellent! Worth the visit from california. Great service, friendly staff. Good local gem. Make sure to plan your visit though, the lines can get long outside. We got lucky and it was between Lunch and Dinner, so no wait.
(4)
Tim S.

I've heard so much about this place that I was really expecting greatness. The arancini and half order or Lobster ravioli were very good as appetizers. For my personal taste, there was too much cream with the lobster ravioli but I can see why this is a signature dish. No deductions. My disappointment was with my linguine Vongole. This is a dish I have had at many restaurants locally and internationally including Italy. Unfortunately, Rino's version would score toward the bottom of the pack. The clams were slightly overcooked, it lacked depth (red pepper, pancetta, parsley?) and the over-all saltiness of the dish was overpowering. The home-made linguine was great and had a fantastic al-dente texture for fresh pasta but it was off the charts in terms of salt. Maybe the dish was seasoned twice by mistake or the pasta water was on it's last legs but I can't give Rino's more than three stars due to a dish I am left with the impression that I should have sent back but didn't (I can count on one hand the times I have sent food back in my 40years). Anyway, their are a lot of things I liked about Rino's including the atmosphere and service. I will gladly give them another shot based on my appetizers and the authentic, hand-written specials menu. Unfortunately my initial impression was diminished by an underwhelming entree.
(3)
Enay V.

We showed up at 2:53 on a Saturday. There were a few people in line ahead of us already. Two groups shy of us is where it stopped for the first seating. We thought we'd have to wait but just then, a party cancelled & we all got seated - awesome! We ordered the mozzarella and mushroom raviolis as appetizers - both were awesome. For our entrees, we got veal parm with eggplant, lobster raviolis, gnocchi, and cheese tortellini. I think the gnocchi was too mushy & too huge - I've had homemade gnocchi but never that size or texture (could be a completely different recipe) so I didn't care for it too much - plus, it needed more "gravy." The veal parm was outstanding as was the lobster raviolis (chunky filling is always better). The big surprise was the tortellini with sausage, peas, and mushrooms in a cream sauce - that was, IMO, the best. Service was outstanding - menu was huge - and the time it took for our food was perfect! Just get there early - they only take reservations for parties of six or more.
(4)
Warren A.

Holy cow! What a great place. The food is great. I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu. Yes, you can call ahead to put your name on a wait list but you may still have to wait once you get there. Big deal. Relax and get ready for a great meal. Take a book with you in case you need to camp out in your car for a bit waiting for a table. The place is a tiny Mom and Pop type place with maybe a dozen tables - just what we look for. Lots of local color. The waitress was a lot of fun - a real sport. I will definitely go back any time I am in Boston - Loved it.
(5)
Heather D.

Ok, I know Rino's is now a huge trendy hit since it's been featured on the Food Network, but let me tell you, the lines were just as long before! The food is amazing, better Italian than I've had anywhere, honestly. Portions are huge and my favorite meal is the cheese ravioli. You get 3 raviolis the size of your face, homemade pasta. Outstanding! Rino's is small and they don't take reservations. You can call ahead and put your name on the "list", but it doesn't do any good. When you arrive, you still have to wait an hour, maybe two. And while you wait, you get to stare at people through the big picture windows as they eat slowly, drink casually and pretend they can't see you salivating all over the glass. No one is rushed to make room for more customers. You will hate this, until you are the one inside eating. If it's closing time and your name still hasn't been called, they will stay open later to serve you. Make it a point to try Rino's. I know, it's not as exciting anymore now that it's no longer a hidden gem, but I wouldn't steer you wrong. Do it.
(5)
Jason B.

A fabulous hidden jewel in a neighborhood that seems to be struggling to hold onto it's "up-and-coming" status - they still haven't solved the problem of the filthy animals that populate some of these streets, and their proclivity for festooning the streets with trash. HOWEVER. Rino's Place does one thing, and they do it well. Italian Food. Really. Good. Italian. Food. Food: Beyond great. Anyone who knows real italian food has to make a trip through the tunnel to this place. Have you ever had risotto? Do you even know what it's supposed to taste like? I defy Mario "Everything Sucks Outside Of Tuscany" to taste their mushroom risotto and find ANYTHING wrong with it. Bella! The gnocchi - a hint of sweetness, firm and full of flavor. Hand-made pasta!! Holy awesome. And by the way - did I mention it's not going to break the bank? It's not "cheap" by any means, but this is hands-down the best value gourmet cooking. Decor: old-worldy, neighborhood-y italian kitsch. Cute, but nothing to write home about. Atmosphere: Well, it's crammed into a little storefront in Eastie, and the door opening and closing in the winter makes this place a LIIIITTTLE bit coold, but it's got all the elements of a neighborhoody, in-the-knowy, family bistro. Cozy and inviting, though the tables are a little crowded - probably so they can get as many people in here as possible! Service: Could have used a bit more attention from the bored, angry-looking waiter who was the size of a house and looked like he was the family enforcer. Other servers looked like they were hustling though, so maybe this is hit-or-miss. Call for a reservation, or be prepared to walk a few blocks into Day Square for a drink at one of the bars there. But anyone looking to check out great Eye-talian has got to give this place a shot!
(4)
Jason V.

Awesome place and worth the wait, lobster ravoli were great. The owner Tony was a very nice guy and extremely friendly. Our wait for a 7pm Friday night was about 1.5 hours and flew by after a few drinks across the street at their bar.
(5)
Emma S.

I'm hesitant to even write a glowing review of Rinos, as I would like to be able to get a table there without a 470 hour wait. Yet the food is just too freakin amazing. The eggplant parm is perhaps my favorite, and one order is enough for 4 meals, no kidding, and I can eat, and eat and eat. Rino's is an Eastie classic, and it would be nice if it were still an Eastie secret...
(5)
Skip F.

One of the top three best Italian meals I have ever had. The other two were in Italy and Costa Rica. I saw Guy Fieri, eating heartily here on his show Diner's, Drive-Ins and Dives. I am not sure was sold me to try it out more, Guy's enthusiasm or the when I was talking to a friend about it on the T, and fellow commute said he eats there about twice a week. This guy was 6'3", perhaps 275- 300 lbs. Before, Rino's Place, I went to East Boston for Logan Airport, exclusively. Small, so there is limited seating. They accept reservations for parties of 6 people or more, so we submitted our name at 8:30 pm and were seated at 10:00 pm. It was worth the wait. The waitstaff was friendly and engaging. Stopping by the table to check on the experience an appropriate amount of times. One even recognized me from a previous visit within the same week. When I ordered the Lobster Ravioli, she added,"Again?" offering a pleasant smile. I winked back and smiled a "Yes, M'aam.". So far in my five visits I have not ordered anything but the Arancini appetizer and the Lobster Ravioli, and a glass of wine. This is the type of place that one day I will be seated and my food will just appear. Samples from other dinners tasted delicious. My advice, make the trip. Go early on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday if you are reliant on public transportation. So long as your name is in before they close you will be fed.
(5)
D. G.

It's about the food stupid! I have to be honest, even though I'm relatively local...I had no idea this place existed until seeing it on 3D a few months ago. I've been to many of the North End's most popular Italian restaurants and the food at Rino's can compete with any of them. Visited on a Sat night in May and not surprisingly we waited about 2h 15m. The wait is ridiculous but if you've got time it's worth the wait. We put in our name on the reservation list, left our cell # and were directed across the street to the cafe which ironically is also owned by Rino's :). Had a few drinks and an app there and after about 1.5 hrs checked in a couple of times with the hostess at Rino's to see how our reservation was coming along. Finally, our number was up and we were seated. We started with the fried calamari and it was yummy. Nice light batter and not too greasy. A good sized salad comes with the entrees; we had our's with the house dressing which was very good. For the main course my wife and I had the Lobster Ravioli which was as good as advertised. The portions were huge...we seriously could've split this entree. Gigantic raviolis stuffed with lobster/cheese and topped with a sherry cream sauce and chunks of lobster. You can just tell that everything was made to order and from scratch...it was delicious. Our other party member got some eggplant and smoked mozz appetizer for dinner and thought it was good but did make a comment that it was on the salty side. (with all the good looking dishes they have on the menu I have no idea why she ordered an app for dinner). Now to the service. Note: if being treated like a king/queen is important to you then avoid this place. Rino's is all about the food....not the service. If you have a big ego and expect to be sucked up to and called sir then this is not the place for you. If that is what you are looking for then you should go Strega or Davio's...not Rino's. Again...it's about the food stupid. I think you get the idea...great food, excellent value, and below avg. service....my kind of place.
(4)
Larry G.

Not even there yet. Trying to beat the wait, which I can't!! Mmmm...Gnocchi? Carbonara??? I'm jealous. I need my Rino's NOW!!
(4)
Ken J.

Came from Las Vegas and it was everything and more. Cheryl, our waitress was dynamite! Lisa, the hostess was friendly and charming. Tammy from their bar across the way was a doll. We met Tony the head chef and owner and he was awesome!! This place is a must visit ...I had the Lobster Ravioli and it was the best I have ever had, there was huge chunks of lobster in the sauce as well as inside the ravioli. My wife had the Lobster, Shrimp and Scallops over pasta and that was very good also. We started with the fried calamari and that was some of the best calamari we have ever had. I am looking forward to my next trip to Boston so I can revisit one of the very best restaurants I have ever eaten at!!!
(5)
Stephen L.

Talk about a hidden gem. This restaurant is by far the best Italian restaunt I've ever been to. The pricing is generous and the food is DELICIOUS. First, let me tell you about the cons 1. They don't take reservations, BUT you can always put your name down on a wait list if there is one that has started. 2. Their website does NOT display their whole menu, as they have a seperate menu that changes daily and it's actually longer then the menu that they have on their website! Now on to the Pros. 1. The staff there is very friendly and very knowledeable of their food 2, The pricing is good and the portion of the food is VERY generous 3. The owner of the restaurant is the chef, so you know you'll get the best food that you can get. Nothing like a home cook meal. Lamb Chop (not on website) ~ Oh so delicious and so full of flavor. By far the best Lamb I've had yet Lobster Ravioli ~ The ravioli itself is huge and you can ACTUALLY taste the lobster in there! Most other places that have lobster ravioli are just too damn small! Antipasto Della Casa ~ talk about getting a steal, the portion of this serving is very generous and could feed 4-6 people. The ham is oh so fresh. Bruschetta ~ $6 and you get 6 large bruschettas with very generous servings of diced tomatoes on top. Gnochhi ~ Best Gnochhi I've ever had, hands down. Oh gosh, there's so much more that I could write about, but most of their stuff I've had is on their "specials" menu. Honestly, I'd rather not write a review about this place, since I selfishly want to keep this place a secret for myself, but I can't help it. I honestly think you haven't had true Italian food, until you've been to Rinos.
(5)
Karl G.

So damn good! I was in the neighborhood, the place was crowed so I did take out. I had lobstah ravioli and gahlic bread. Man o man it was freakin delicious. There was a lot of sweet and tender meat crammed into those raviolis. The sauce was rich. There was so much I could only eat half. I'm not a wussy about eating. I just didnt want to overdo it if you know what I mean. I finished the salad which came with the meal and the house dressing was just right. The garlic bread is recommended if you are going to hunt vampires. Its loaded and dripping with butter. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Alexis B.

Don't get me wrong - I LOVE Rino's. The food is always delicious, the staff is always efficient and knowledgeable, and it's conveniently located around the corner from my apartment. We've been going there for a few years now, and have never had a disappointing visit. But Guy Fiere, I curse thee! Ever since the restaurant was featured on the Food Network, it has gone from "worth the wait" to "too stressful to enjoy." Last night was the first time I had been there since they opened the new bar across the street (genius!). I showed up to put my name on the list for a table of four around 5:30 p.m., went back to my apartment to get ready and meet up with the rest of my party, and then hit the bar around 7:00 p.m. to have a few drinks while we waited for our table. And waited. And waited. And waited. The bar, Prima e Dopo, is very nice and cozy, has a great list of cocktails (some for as low as $5, a rarity in Boston), and has a sophisticated decor while retaining the casual neighborhood feel of the main dining room. However, even the nicest, coziest, cheapest bar in the world doesn't entirely take the edge off of waiting three-and-a-half hours for a table on a Thursday night. And that's how long it took. By the time we actually got seated around 9 p.m., the experience of the restaurant was completely beside the point. It felt like we had been on a long odyssey and would have been happy with a few crusts of bread. Conditions like these do not leave one in the frame of mind to really appreciate the endless list of phenomenal dishes (lobster ravioli! matriciana! calamari! anything and everything). I have always felt that Rino's was hands-down the best Italian place in Boston, and part of its charm was the fact that it was a little neighborhood place, always busy but still accessible. No more - the dining-in experience has lost its appeal. I'll stick to carry-out from now on.
(3)
Abby B.

I've eaten here twice and both times were fantastic. Wonderful staff, wonderful food. Can't go wrong with the homemade pasta and the lobster ravioli. Yum. Great prices, huge portions (I suggest splitting your dish with at least 1 other person!). Parking is no problem as you don't need a permit to park in the area. They take reservations for parties of 6 or more, no less. They will let you leave your name on the list and give you a call when your table is ready. I haven't waited more than 15 mins for a table. Go on a Wednesday or Thursday night to avoid the crowds. I wouldn't wait for hours to eat at Rino's, or any other place, really.
(5)
Lisa T.

Excellent food. But, I came here as a single diner and ordered a bottle of wine, expecting to take the rest of it home, as per Mass law. But, apparently they don't have the license for it - but I didn't find that out until the end of my meal when I asked to have it packaged up. :( Boo. They should have known to mention it. I also asked for pink sauce and got red, and waited 10 minutes for someone to take my drink order when a couple who sat down next to me was waited on right away. So, that's why 3 and not 4 stars...
(3)
CC S.

In Boston for a short vacation. Hubby saw this place on DDD. Food was very good. Not the best I've ever had but good. Be prepared to wait and don't go by the time frame they give you. We were told 2 hours and waited 3 1/2 on a mid week night. Went to their bar across the street and it was great for the first couple of hours but how much can you drink if you are not eating anything except a small bar pie (very good by the way). Apps were excellent: Calamari delicious and spicy. Stuffed mushrooms tasty. Eggplant app also delicious. Dinner was not so consistent. Lobster ravioli was too rich for me but hubby liked it. My son and I had fettuccine with our dinners and it was under cooked (and I like al dente). Son had Rino's special which was good. Daughter had rigatoni dish with veal which was really good. I had the mixed seafood dish and it was just ok. Surprised that the shrimp and scallops were overcooked but it was the end of the night and maybe the kitchen was ready to go. Portions are huge so bring a cooler to take it home. Probably wouldn't go back unless we had 6 people, a reservation and they had at least some idea of a seating time . Don't mind waiting a couple of hours but 3 1/2 hours is too much for me since there is no place to go except the bar across the street. I bet it was a great place before DDD fame.
(4)
Kayla B.

great homemade fresh italian food. worth the wait. the lobster ravioli is a personal favorite;
(4)
Kim D.

This is one of my favorite places in Boston. Forget Italian places in the North End...this is the real deal. I've been coming here for years and the only drawback is that is has gotten so popular it can be hard to get a table. Even though you can sometimes wait hours to get a table, it is worth the wait. I like that it is small because it ensures that the food is always fresh and cooked to order. The staff is super friendly too. Hint: be sure to ask for homemade pasta because some of the dishes don't automatically come with it.
(5)
Tim B.

This was probably the best Italian food in Boston. Blows away the north end. The wait is very long (thanks to food network) but worth every minute. Staff very friendly!! Food AMAZING! Only downfall is the wait but thats what happens when you put a gem on TV.
(4)
Sarah D.

Heard about Rino's on Phantom Gourmet, and I cant say how glad I am that I happened to be watching that day. The Lobster Ravioli was probably the best meal of my life. Everything is imported from Italy. It is amazing, On the downside they don't take reservations for parties of 2 and we had to wait over an hour, it was still worth it. I just recommend going with a group (and reservations), or going EARLY. You will not regret it.
(5)
Anna W.

It should really say something when a line forms to eat at this place over a half hour before it even opens! Hubs and I decided on a late lunch here one weekend afternoon. We should have checked first what time it opened, because we just assumed it would be open. We got there around 2:30 and we were wrong -- it wasn't open until 3:00. But, you wouldn't know that by driving up to it. There was already a line formed in front of the restaurant, so we thought it was already open and those people were just waiting for a table. Nope! When I got in line, we were like the sixth party, and there was still a half hour to go! By the time the restaurant opened its doors, all the tables were filled. The place is small... tiny, as a matter of fact. It reminded me of Ten Tables in JP. It probably seated 20-30 people maximum. The inside looks like a railroad car... very cute. Due to the limited space, the tables were a little close together. We had people behind us, in front of us, and to the side of us. Every time a chair was pulled out, we got hit... you know the deal. The menu is quite extensive. In addition to their regular menu, they also give you a hand-written menu of specials that changes daily. I found the selections on the special menu to be better than those on the regular menu. We ended up ordering an appetizer of arancini, and then we each got a pasta dish. The bread was OK, but nothing special. Same with the salad. The arancini though, was AMAZING! They were a little bigger than a golf ball, and even though we only got a half order, it was more than enough for two of us. We had to wait an exorbitantly long time for our entrees to come, but it was worth it! We both got fusilli, and in addition to being homemade, it was downright delicious. The portion was ENORMOUS! I mean, truly truly gigantic. If we had known this in advance, the two of us could have just split an entree (but, please note that I do believe they charge you to split an entree, so it'd be worth it to get two instead and take home the leftovers). The sauce, veggies, meat... everything was just so fresh and yummy. We both attempted to eat as much as we could, but after 15 minutes, gave up and took the rest home. I ended up having my pasta for three straight days at lunch before I was able to finish the whole serving. Service was friendly, but slow. The people to the left of us finished their whole entire meal and left before we even got our entrees. Turnover was pretty quick... most people left in 30-45 minutes, and there was a constant line of people waiting outside to get a table. Thankfully, it was a nice day out. The staff there did tell us that the owners also purchased the retail space across the street and plan on making that a bar/lounge area so that guests can enjoy a drink or two there while waiting for a table. Sounds like a great idea to me.... they should really get on that! The reason this place has been so mobbed recently is because it was featured on the Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. Although, honestly, this place is none of those three. It's just a small, cozy, family-run restaurant that is true to its roots. But, give it a few months and maybe the hype will die down. Until then, get there early to secure a table!
(5)
Kevin M.

Always great. The servings are very big so be hungry. The last time I was there we had six people so I had the antipasto for the first time. It was awesome.
(5)
David S.

Our dinner was awesome. Lobster Ravioli for the wife, and I had the Rino's Special. We loved them both, and half way through we switched plates and kept going. Zane, our great server, suggested a bottle of chianti that would go well with both, and it certainly did (and really glad the nearby Hampton Inn provides door-to-door shuttle service-- you know, due to parking...and that bottle). Until I got there, I wasn't aware of the TV history of the place, as it was recommended by a acquaintance who had eaten there within the past several months, so I didn't have any preconception about the place. The pasta is the freshest I've had in recent memory, and was unsurpassed in taste and presentation. Highly recommend. Just keep in mind, it is a small place, and it is well controlled. If you are in a hurry to get in, or an impatient type, maybe you should go somewhere else until you have the time to wait outside. It's worth it!
(5)
RRS R.

You know you are at an Italian's Italian restraint when they are closed on Sunday, Why my WASP friend asks, because they are home making the Sunday gravy for their own family. It is the homemade pastas and feel that make this place incredible Dishes of interest Eggplant Rolitini (Very Filling Beware), Pasta AL Forno, Special: Gnocchi with chunks of veal It is simple and straight forward but so well done. Rino's is better than most North End Italian restaurants but at East Boston prices. The portions are generous too. Wine list is a deal not fancy but does the job
(5)
Steve S.

"FAGETABOUTIT!!!!!!!!!!! This place is.........."off the hook", absolutely the best meal I have eaten in any restaraunt. The service was perfect. Went there with a party of 8 our reservation was on schedule, and from the time we sat down it was perfect. The atmosphere is as it was eating at my grandparents house many years ago very warm and cozy. All I can do is echo the other great reviews. GOOD GOOD GOOD. The Calamari is THE best ever.
(5)
Julie F.

We went here on my birthday. We had to take the blue line and a bus, but it was definitely worth it. The people on the bus knew where we were going, and they promised us we love it. We got there around 5:30, and the restaurant was just starting to fill up. It's a small place, and people were definitely coming to eat here. I got the calamari and the gnocchi. It was divine. Better food than the North End. The waitresses were really friendly, and they spoke Italian to us. I only think marinara sauce is so-so, but the marinara sauce here was to die for. I really want to go back there soon.
(5)
George N.

Simply outstanding. We went at 4 pm on a weekday to avoid the wait. The home made pasta was simply out of this world. Everything we had was just fantastic. Would go there all the time were it not for the wait.
(5)
June P.

The homemade pasta, in particular the fusilli is superb. All the dishes are exquisite. I generally order the ravioli special as one of my appetizers. The fish cannot get any fresher. Just about every meal is cooked to perfection. And, you can not ask for a greater wait staff. This is by far my favorite restaurant. It really is certainly worth the wait to get in. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Rick M.

YELP ADMINISTRATION: PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE THIS COMMENT!!!!!! This is an updated review from a past visit..... Anyone thinking of going to this restaurant really needs to know what to expect...I'd suggest you READ THIS REVIEW. On March 19 I posted a comment regarding the absolutely terrible experience my family had at Rino's. Out of curiosity because I don't use YELP often I checked back 2 months later and found that comment was gone. On May 14 I then posted another comment. These posts are listed below, so DO YOURSELF A FAVOR and read them. So why am I bringing this up today, over 2 months later??? Because "today" I received a very nasty, sarcastic and condescending email from Anna Dicenso, the owner of Rino's, regarding my comment in May. It is a perfect representation of what to expect in dealing with this restaurant....especially if you 'dare' to point out their scheming and manipulative ways. Multiple comments have been posted here about the hostess working from two different seating lists. In my original posts, I questioned why that is and why I was never informed of that, especially when the hostess told us the wait would be very short. Well, now, thanks to Anna, it is confirmed they manipulate the seating. In a sarcastic email response to me Anna wrote: "Be my guest and tell the world that the wait is horrendous, because honestly it is. I will in no means have you slander me, my manger Cheryl, our hostess Debra or my restaurante. If you would like to get seated rather quickly may I suggest you go visits Burger King. I responded to your post to try to help you understand the way we run things, sorry if you can't grasp it!!!" So there it is!!! If you dare tell the truth about your experience with this business and point out to potential customers in the YELP community their deceiving ways the owner considers it slander. Not constructive feedback that she can use to make the experience better. Not a training tool to help the staff perform to a higher level of service. Anna even goes so far to attempt to insult me, THE CUSTOMER, by saying I can't 'grasp' what she's trying to do when they manipulate the multiple seating lists they have. Imagine!? An owner of a business talking to a customer like this?! How many people reading this could do that in the company they work for? How many business owners or managers reading this would tolerate someone working for them to 'ever' talk to a customer like that?? This should be all you need to know if you think you'll have a classy, high level customer centered experience visiting this restaurant. Anna, thank you for your email. It is nice to see you admit that dining at Rino's is all about you. And as for me Anna, I obviously "get" exactly what you're doing and have you figured out given your nasty response to me. I'm very happy eating my Whopper and sharing with as many people as I possibly can what you and your business are all about.
(1)
Mike K.

All that they say it is... Get the homemade noodles... Happy birthday to my dear wife Loan... I've pretty much been all around the world and this is quite possibly the best food I have ever eaten.
(5)
Connie L.

We arrived at 3:30 pm on a Saturday, put our names on the waitlist, made our way to Kelly's Pub, and sat down to dinner at 5:30 pm. The 2 hour wait was totally worth it, though! We ordered the shrimp limoncella, which was amazing - my boyfriend sopped up all the sauce on the plate. We also ordered the bufalo mozarella with tomato and proscuito, which was tasty, fresh, and light. We ordered the veal carrozolla with fusilli with dinner. As other Yelpers have mentioned, the portions are huge! The fusilli side dish could have comprised an entire meal in and out of itself. Everything was very tasty and fresh. The waitstaff was knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about the food. Prices are reasonable given the quality and quantity of food. We ordered two appetizers, two entrees, and two cappucinos for a total of $80. I would recommend coming here on a weekday if you have the time. Closed on Sundays.
(5)
Rob O.

Best Italian food in Boston hands down. Waited a long time to get seated but we all felt it was well worth it. Everything we ordered was fresh, homemade, and delicious. The only downside is the huge wait. I'd recommend getting a party of six or more together and make a reservation well in advance. The food is nothing short of epic. If you're in Boston and like Italian, you MUST try Rino's.
(5)
Christine M.

Fantastic! I have gone during lunchtime and the wait was not bad, 10-15 mins. I hear the wait for dinner can be hours and I can understand why. I got the veal parm and it was the best veal I've ever had. The homemade linguine was cooked perfectly and the sauce was delicious. Awesome food for short money!
(5)
Katherine D.

I was in East Boston last night and I decided to check this place out. It is a small restaurant in the middle of a residential area, almost hard to find. As soon as I came in, I was greeted and given a table right away. Service was a little slow, but once you are sitting, it is a nice place to spend time in. The wine list was ok but nothing to brag about. I ordered the chicken parm which I thought was fantastic! The place was a little noisy but thats ok. Overall, it's a tiny place, very crowded but sooo worth it!!!
(4)
Chris G.

Best lobster ravioli I've ever had. I wouldn't say I am a lobster ravioli connoisseur, but it is pretty obvious this is top notch. The raviolis are plump and filled with lobster meat. The portions are huge. Overall, the food is really good. The wait is incredibly long. You need a party of 6 or more in order to make a reservation.
(4)
Lawrence L.

i have nothing to say, just go
(5)
Joanna U.

Abrasive service, amazing food! The lobster ravioli is indeed everything I ever dreamed of! The portions were absolutely huge! I also had the calamari, it was ok but paled in comparison next to the ravioli. At first I thought maybe the servers were understaffed justifying their aloofness. I'm still unsure on that. Perhaps Bostonians are just too abrasive for my taste in general. But the service was my only complaint. They didn't seem to want to be there or enjoy what they are doing. Overall, it was a great little place with great food, but lacking in the hospitaliano! Their desserts looked amazing, but one after the other they were out of the only three desserts I was craving, bet they are good though!
(4)
Brian C.

I've come to Rino's several times in the past, and I've always enjoyed the food and the ambience, even if I've had to wait outside in the heat or the cold. The food always made it worth it. Our latest experience, however, has totally turned me off, and I will never be back. I went with my mother, my fiancee, and her mother and sister. We're all short, and our mothers are both extremely tiny. My mom is 4'11" and eats like a bird. My fiancee's mother is the same (no future basketball players in our family...). At 5'4", I was the tallest of our group. Given the size of the portions, I figured we'd share. We saw the note on the menu saying that entrees can't be split, but we figured they'd say something if they weren't ok with it. We ordered, our waitress waited a sec to see if anything else was coming, and that was it. We'd selected additional entrees if she wanted us to order one each, but she seemed to be ok with it and left without saying a word. The food was, of course, absolutely delicious. The 1-star rating comes from the fact that as the waitress brought our check, she rudely remarked quite loudly that they normally don't allow shared entrees, but that she'd let it slide this time. I pointed to our party and commented that they were tiny (even with the shared portions, we were still taking a LOT of food home), but she was indignant and reiterated that it was their policy. She returned to the back where the other waitresses were standing and started talking to the other servers about our table. It was extremely obvious, as they talked and stared at our table while we were finalizing the bill. I would have been fine if she'd asked us to order more entrees at the beginning, but to take a condescending tone at the end of the meal and then to blatantly talk about us with the other servers was unacceptable. If she was really doing us a favor, she certainly didn't make us feel that way. And to make it worse, she made no attempt to be discreet about it, speaking loudly enough for other tables to hear. It ruined a great evening, and it soured our mood for the entire ride home. The food is good, but the servers need to learn some tact. I loved bringing people here, but I'd rather take guests to the Olive Garden than come here again. I've never felt so humiliated. Totally ruined what was supposed to be a celebratory evening.
(1)
Ro P.

I wish I could give 6 stars. The food is so delicious. They only take reservations for 6 or more so you might have to wait up to 1 hour. It's totally worth it though!
(5)
M R.

I don't want to see the line get any longer, but this place is great. Caveat: I live in DC, where we don't have good neighborhood Italian, and even the high-end places are not that great. 'Nother caveat: I'm not Italian but have lived and travelled quite a bit in Italy. This is not exactly food you'd get in Italian places in most of Italy, but it's also not exactly Italian-American - it's high quality, high flavor, fresh ingredients, and American huge portions. Usually the first stop in Boston after we pick up the rental car. Oh, yeah, service has always been REALLY friendly - maybe another artifact of being outside DC.
(5)
Srijan R.

I can only give 4 stars because i've only tried one dish here. But that one dish was the best lobster ravioli i've had in all the restaurants that I've been to, which includes the North End. They give very, very healthy portions of lobster in this very large meal and was totally worth the visit. I would book in advance as it is not the largest of restaurants
(4)
zane b.

In response to the 2/15/11 post: I have been an employee of Rino's for 14 years. In all due respect to the author of that review there must have been some confusion regarding the owner randomly going to your table and stating negative remarks about elderly diners. In all the years I have worked for the family I have never once witnessed the owner doing such.. My years there are a testament to how he treats his staff as well as his patrons. In fact: The owner is extremely customer orientated and expects nothing less from his employees. His policy is that all that enter Rino's whether to dine, purchase take out, get a menu, etc. will be treated with dignity, respect and as he states the customer is always correct no matter what. As a diner that day or night you must have notice that we are extremely busy and time does not permit him to randomly leave the kitchen. However, if he is requested by a patron to make an appearance at the table he will do so. Concerning the salads: Speculating at this time one must have ordered a Caesar salad as well as a house salad. Caesar salads do to take additional time to prepare. Reason being is that the dressing is made to order and then topped with fresh Parmesan cheese. I am not excusing the time delay and I do apologize as you state that is unacceptable. Thank you for your review and all reviews. Reviews are an important tool for any business and we appreciate them. They do help us in serving you better. Thank you.
(5)
Pat M.

I saw this also on the food network. I waited 9 months to finally get there. I'll say this ... I've been to Italy ...Venice and Rome and I was there 4-5 years ago and I still remember the greatest food that I've ever eaten in Italy. Rino's has the best Italian food that I've eaten except for Italy itself. Theres nothing I can say that already hasant been said. You will not be disappointed. I will return and I an in southern Connecticut almost 2 hours from Boston and I am already planning a trip back. I got there early on a Saturday afternoon and got in. It's well worth the wait unless you want mcdonalds fast food.
(5)
Ut T.

Being in East Boston, had to try this place out to see what the hype was about. First thing, this place needs to learn how to organize seating and close out checks! While waiting outside, parties of 2 were seated at 4-seat tables, parties of 4 were at 6-seat tables. other tables were empty while several parties (us included) waited patiently. Also, since we can see everything from outside, we saw parties ready to leave but the waitresses would not pick up anyone's bill. When they did, they never came back? Maybe they need a calculator in the back, because someone doesn't know how to wrap things up in a timely manner?!? Whatever....about the food. Finally got seated and started tasting. -Calamari - very big portion. It was good, but not spectacular. -Salad - unassuming. -Lobster ravioli- it was fine, but again, nothing special. -Mushroom ravioli- see above -All in all, hype was not confirmed. People can try for themselves and make their own mind, but I will not be coming back.
(2)
frank s.

Incredible!!! I went with a party of 4 and we made the most of our ordering potential by sharing everything. To start we had the limencello shrimp (Wow) and the eggplant which was spectacular. The flavors were clearly in love with one another. Next we had the chicken Marsala which was great but didn't come close to the veal de (something) and was as close to perfection as it gets. Then we topped it off with lobster raviolis which you can't leave without tasting. The dish was an instant love BAM! I highly recommend sharing this dish along with another because it is bold. To close we had the tiramisu which was also great. This was the best meal I have had outside of Italy and my grandmothers kitchen.
(5)
Stephanie L.

Rino's Place is a MUST-HAVE when in Boston. Truly the best authentic Italian cuisine one can consume, tucked away, DEEP in the neighborhood! I will forewarn you though, arrive early; any time after a 7pm arrival, one runs the risk of having to endure a 2 hour wait before getting seated! We did!...And, know this: We'd wait for it again too...It really is that good!
(5)
Dina V.

There are a lot of things about this place that would normally turn me away. One being the location, its in East Boston, enough said. Despite the location, my boyfriend and I were really excited for the food. My almost 2 hour trip (due to traffic) to get there wasn't worth it bc of the way we were treated. We knew the place was small and would have a long wait. It didn't bother us. He parked the car a block away while I ran inside to give my name. The hostess took my name and number and told me there were 4 parties ahead of me, which was fine. We were outside for about an hour and a half in the cold, but I won't complain about; it went by fairly quickly. One after another, the lady (hostess) came outside to get parties or even signaled through the window (which I thought was odd). So, naturally, I'm thinking, ok, she will get us when we're ready. We're the only people outside and notice a table opened up. I wait and wait and notice no one was coming out. I look at my phone and noticed 2 missed calls. Bc the airport is minutes away, neither of us heard my phone ring. I walked inside and immediately was given attitude. "I called you twice". I said "I know, I'm sorry. I didn't hear my phone ring. It's loud out there" "Well, I gave your table away" was the response I got. Like oh well, tough luck. I look at the empty table and she repeats herself so we went outside. Normally in a situation like this I would've lost it, but I held my cool. 5-10 minutes goes by and no one enters the building. Then the hostess comes outside, rudely and loudly says my name. I am literally a foot in front of her. We get sat at the same exact table that would've been ours 10 minutes earlier. It took the waiter almost 15 minutes to come over to us to greet (which wasn't much of a greeting and to get our drink/food order. We ordered 2 salads with vinegarette dressing which I enjoyed (this is huge considering I hate eating vegetables), although there wasn't enough dressing. Just a blob in the middle. For an appetizer, we ordered the schrimp scampi. It was delish! There was a lot of garlic in it but it didn't ruin the dish. For an entree I had the pollo carrozella. And for $5 more, you can get their homemade pasta. Worth it. I love pasta! I've honestly never had homemade pasta before. This dish was really good. My boyfriend had the lobster ravioli. My experience with ordering ravioli of any kind at a restaurant, you usually get a small portion. But I was surprised to see how much was in his plate. Of course, I had a bite and it was amazing. There was a lot of lobster meat stuffed in each and the sauce complimented it well. Our server didn't really pay attention to us, which was disappointing as I like chat with people, especially people serving me my food. He came by and asked "you ok?". It threw me off. I used to be a server and would never just ask "you ok?". I mean what are you asking me really? Am I feeling ok? I mean, it was vague and not friendly. The second time he said that, I asked for a refill on water. He came by, filled our glasses and said "I'm going to leave this here." I was insulted. I thought, ok, is he leaving the pitcher on the table bc he doesn't want to come by anymore? I'm sorry if I only asked for a refill once and didn't order a second wine bc apparently white wine is supposed to be served warm now. Took him forever to come by with a check and took him even longer to pick up the check. Unfortunately I left him a 20% tip. I wish I didn't. Oh, the person the hostess "gave our table to" showed up as we were finishing our dinners. Unreal. Bottom line, I don't care how amazing your food is... if your staff and service doesn't come close, then you need to reevaluate who you hire and how things are done. Too bad Guy Fieri on Triple D didn't rate them on service. We will not be back. I can get the same food in the North End with better service not to mention, the scenery is better.
(2)
Vicky R.

Exactly what I expected ....a bit of a wait.....semi friendly service but OH SO worth it!
(5)
Rich M.

Visiting Boston from California and Rino's Place was our first stop for dinner after watching the segment on DDD. We called in at 4:30pm to be put on the waitlist for 8:15. We were told to be in the area half an hour early. We were late and parking when they called my cell phone to tell us our table was ready!! No waiting in the freezing cold! We sat down and the waitress recommended the fried calamari which came with no dipping sauce. That was weird since in California it always comes with sauce... It did not need dipping sauce because it was phenomenal! For dinner, I had the Rino's special with Gnocci which was amazingly tender and wonderfully tasty! The best part of the night was our waitress, Lucia. She stopped long enough to give our 20 year old daughter much needed life advice (which was greatly appreciated!!) It was like eating with family :-D
(5)
Al T.

we have a relative out of state who saw them featured on food network and was eager to try it on her next visit to Boston. I was worried that it would disappoint -- quite the contrary. Food was outstanding. Service was excellent though it did take time for the entrees because of the hand made pasta. No reservations accepted - you must put your name on a list in person and are called when a table is ready. to pass the time we waited at bar across the street.
(5)
J J.

Just got done watching DDD and man oh man was I salivating! From Tonys cute underbite, to the passion he puts into all of his magnificent dishes, it makes me wanna plan a visit to Boston just for this place! I'm jealous of you locals!
(5)
Molly W.

Orders( all entrees): Lobster ravioli (4.5 stars) Rino's special (4.5 stars) Frutte di mari (4 stars) Braised pork with risotto (5 stars) I lucked out and my (awesome!) friend offered to get in line for everyone. When I saw him, I could tell he had been there for a LONG time. Bummer. There's a quaint little bar across the street owned by the same people if you need a place to hang out and grab a drink during the wait. The place is typical of a down-home Italian restaurant with lots of large wooden tables and walls. Service was also friendly and fast except for the hostess who seemed a bit cold and borderline mean. We finally sat down around 9 pm and had a fantastic meal. The homemade pasta was excellent, the sauces were great, and the portions were enormous. I like sauces on the heavier and stronger side so I really enjoyed the lobster ravioli which had large chunks of lobster in it. I was so excited to try one that the picture I took showed one ravioli missing and a happy me! Rino's special is not that appetizing to look at because it's just a monotonous brown but the 3 different types of meat were awesome! The braised pork with risotto was my favorite of the night. The pork literally fell off the bone and was super fatty and flavorful and the risotto was the best I've ever had. I thought the frutte di mari was good but not phenomenal like 2 of my friends thought but hey, everyone has different tastes. We ended with 2 of their ice cream balls--cappuccino and truffle--which are basically large scoops of ice cream with a hard chocolate shell. What a great way to end an awesome feast! I can't wait to go back (with reservations next time).
(5)
David A.

I have been back at Rino's a few times since my first review. More of the same, the food is simply amazing (I lived in Italy for 15 years and this is the best Italian food I have had outside of the sunny peninsula)- I strongly recommend the Shrimp Limoncello appetizer- arguably the best dish you can have in all of Boston. Any of the pasta specials are phenomenal (they tend to not really change the specials which is fine) and they have good desserts and very good values for wine. The only issue is the service, they really have an attitude because they know they food is so good. The waits are very unpredictable (you can be told it is 2 hours but then it is 40 minutes or vice versa), other then the older gentleman I have not had good experiences with any of the waitresses, I do not expect top notch service but they can spare me the whole attitude. Even takeout has its challenges, I just wish they would really try to treat customers with dignity and respect- we know you have amazing food but that does not make it okay to treat people badly. Things will improve with the waits once they open the lounge accross teh street but I hope they do try to work on the attitude of the female wait staff (the older gentleman is so much more customer focused). Despire what yelp states you can only make reservations for parties of 6 or more..
(4)
Effie H.

All I can say is, yum! My boyfriend and I went around 6:30 on a Saturday for the first time. I was thinking this time would "beat the rush" but in fact we were there during peak time. We went in, left our name and cell# and the hostess said it was going to be around an hour. I figured it was going to be a while wait, the place has maybe 10 tables. After about an hour we went back to the place and was standing outside with other folks waiting. Complaints were everywhere about how long it was taking. Now, traditional Italians are very much like Greeks (I am Greek). During dinner, you relax, drink, eat, and talk...for a long time. =-) Unless you are patient, I wouldn't bother coming on a saturday. We were seated after about 1hr & 45mins. I was not surprised at how long it took. But let me tell you, it was worth it! For the long wait the chef sent over bruschetta. The food was hot and fresh. No fake stuff here. The calamari was fantastic. With that said, relax and go to Rino's.
(5)
Akeem S.

Calamari was excellent! Pasta dishes were pretty good too. Worth the three-four hour wait? I don't know.
(4)
Jeff S.

Fantastic food. 5 stars for the food. Minus one for the drama and hoops that need to bs jumped through to actually get a table. The chicken corozzo (?sp), eggplant/pesto appetizer, pasta bolognese are particular favorites.
(4)
Ted L.

I couldn't get enough of the Lobster Ravioli! I drove straight from the airport to Rino's during a recent business trip to Boston and had a wonderful experience.
(5)
Mely A.

This place was pretty damn good but there is a lot better, especially in the city! I guess they are famed for their homemade pasta but it was pretty thick and chewy. The sauces and lobster ravioli are really, really good. The servings are out of control HUGE and they don't let you share or offer half portions. Being from out of town this probably wasn't a good choice for our last dinner considering we were a group of 10 and had to throw away so much food. Even the waitress was like WOW this is so much food to toss. The atmosphere is nice, small little place. The staff is scary but friendly. Make a reservation, it's not worth the 1hr/ 2hr wait I heard people wait.
(3)
Zayda O.

What can I say but if you told me tomorrow you will die, I would have my last supper at rino''s. what would I have???? that would take some time to decide. the homemade pasta is divine. it on of those places that looks unassuming from the outside and before the internet and sites like yelp you had to know someone from estie to know about rino's. the waitress are fun, unpretentious the only bad thing I could point out because of its gaining popularity the wait can sometimes be long, but in my opinion worth it. I have never been disappointed.
(5)
Marly T.

There was so much to choose from. We didn't know what to order..so we ordered like three half orders of appetizers. We had shrimp in this creamy sauce. (To die for!) Stuffed mushrooms and Layered eggplant...yummy! Everything we ordered was soo good. I tried their special seafood pasta...huge portions... a lot of seafood...very good!! I would definitely come back here! (Salivating while typing this!)
(5)
Leslie R.

I haven't stopped talking about this place since my first visit this summer. In fact, I have dreams about this food. Hands down the best italian food I have ever had. This is a five star restaurant without the pretentious atmosphere and high prices. All dishes are more then generous portions, pasta is made to order and ingredients are fresh. The list of specials (both appetizers and meals) seem longer then the actual menu. Great variety and extremely reasonable prices. The space is small; maybe 10-15 tables. No actual bar (though beer and wine is served) so don't expect a place to go and sit while waiting for your table. And you will wait! The first time I went, it was about two hours before we were seated. It's a long time but well worth it. The only exception being for parties of six or more because you are then able to make a reservation. The hostess directed us to Kelly's Pub, about a block away, for drinks while we waited. This was great, and even better, Rino's will call your cell phone when your table is being set (they give you about 10 minutes to get back). Otherwise, prepare to wait standing on the street or in your car-you won't be alone! The staff here is amazing-authentic, welcoming and passionate. They work all together, so you interact with almost all of them throughout your meal. The mozzarella and layered eggplant appetizers could have carried the meal alone; the most amazing starters I've ever had. Then your meals arrive and you realize it just gets better. The roast pork special is delicious and cooked perfectly; chicken parmesan is tender and juicy and the lobster raviolis are out of this world. They offer a fairly unique dessert menu and is worth taking a look at. Having recently moved to the west coast, when I plan my trips back home Rino's is definitely on the itinerary! A great, casual place that will quickly become a favorite!
(5)
Edson D.

This place is a complete fever! Among the best meals I've ever had. Fresh, made to order pasta? Who does that?
(5)
D M.

My family saw this place on food network and had to try it while passing through Boston. Lobster Ravioli was everything we thought it would be! Lots of lobster and way to much for one person to finish! We also had octupus and shrimp liminchello which was out of this world! Wish this place was right around our neighborhood!
(5)
Whitney A.

Ok so my colleague was ready to take me here @10:30a.m. and now I know why! I had the lobster ravioli and it was a taste of awesome deliciousness! The sense of place is 5 star b/c it's in a house, not the N. End w/o parking! I cannot wait to take a visitor there. If I just ate lunch I cannot wait to try rino 4 dinner with a glass of Chianti!
(4)
Helen E.

Damn... The Lobster Ravioli is too die for. After watching Triple D, I needed to try it. My husband ran a rouge mission to Boston and acquired some to appease my guilty pleasures. And it did. It was packets of chopped lobster goodness combined with magical sauce. The sauce is what makes the dish. It lingers on the palette and makes one want more. And I want more. This could be a costly love affair as I live in another country and hitting Rino's for a quickie is not always possible. But I will get more - trust me - :).
(4)
Erica B.

What an incredible place-- perfect for an early lunch to miss the crowds.
(5)
Mike D.

Rino's homemade pasta is awesome. That's what I had, and it was super legit. If that's all you read, that's fine. We got here at 3:15pm on Saturday and the restaurant was filled, and we were second on the list. Bummer. Luckily, the owner has opened his bar across the street to handle the waiting list and overflow. It's a nice little bar with a TV or two, some great drinks, and some really good appetizers. We had bruschetta, chicken wings, and a flatbread pizza....all were very good. So we finally got called at around 4:30pm and we had a fantastic meal. The homemade pasta was excellent, the sauces were great, and the portions were enormous. We all took at least half of our meals home. It was very reasonably priced, especially considering the portion size. The staff we dealt with were helpful, witty, and engaging. I think the way to do it is come early like we did when you are not that hungry yet, and just grab a few drinks across the street while you wait, or call a month in advance and book for a party of 6+. I think many of the bad reviews on here are from folks that have very unrealistic expectations coming in to a neighborhood restaurant with an excellent reputation that only seats 40 people.
(4)
Bob L.

Had a very enjoyable meal experience @Rino's on Saturday night. First, get five of your best friends to go with you so you can get a reservation. We got seated a few minutes after our 7pm reservation time. Many others had been waiting since 4pm for the dining experience. A comfy dining room, but not too crowded. Great service staff. Great appetizers, buffalo mozzarella with prosciutto on tomato and basil, fired calamari with peppers, arancini with marinara sauce. All made with fresh ingredients and great portion size. Entrees included lobster ravioli which the table shared too, with 5 left for the person eating that dish. Rino's Special on paparadelle had great flavor with lots of fresh mixed mushrooms and perfectly cooked veal, chicken and shrimp with a creamy marsala like sauce. The seafood cannelloni was huge and the shrimp, scallop and lobster tail on rigatoni was also very good. all had ample portions leftover to take home for next day lunch. Finished off evening with panna cotta and decaf cappuccino. Definitely would go back again. Although not cheap, very affordable for the level of food presented. If you don't want to wait, order take out and enjoy the same food at home :)
(5)
jeff o.

5 stars for the best Italian food I've ever had. The seafood cannelloni was absolutely delicious. The prices are very reasonable, $75 for two which included a bottle of wine. My only gripe was the wait. but definitely worth it. have (or get) a party of 6 and they will take your reservation. They opened Saturday at 3pm and the line started before that. We got there at 3:30 and only had to wait about an hour and a half. We went down to their suggested pub and had a cocktail. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
K H.

The food was amazing. Had the lobster ravioli and it did NOT fail! However... MAKE A RESERVATION!!! I repeat, make a reservation. The wait was 2.5 hours and while they have their quaint bar across the street where you can wait and drink and "appetize" (AMAZING calamari!!), that's still a long time to wait. SO. I got creative. They said it would be 30 minutes when I asked about having it "to go". And after over an hour and 15 minutes... I was still waiting. In the bar. Which was empty besides the staff, another patron and myself. The last patron received a call that his table was ready, he'd arrived 45 minutes after I had, with no reservation, and was how being seated?? Not cool. AND, 3/4 of the staff? Super friendly. But lovely looks and attitude were prevalent with others. I asked one server a question about the lobster carcass she was carrying and she clearly did NOT give a hoot, she answered in an extremely annoyed tone and wouldn't even look at me. Busy or not, that cost her less than 20 seconds. Whatever. The food was still amazing. I'd still highly recommend it but, like I said, make a reservation! This place was on Diners, Drive Ins & Dives. That just made it even more popular!
(4)
deanna d.

Food gets a five star... Service is definetely slacking. LOVE all the dishes and apps!!!
(5)
Ken W.

Finally was able to get in it, First time wife and I showed up at 4pm on a Saturday - told "3 hr wait" at 4pm, I could not believe it, how good could this place be to have a 3 hour wait. Called to make reservations 3 weeks in advance for our Dinner Crew on a Saturday night, was told the first opening they had was 7 weeks out at 9pm. Once again, SHOCKED!!! -this was just getting silly Had a reason to go to Eastie with the wife today and I said, what the hell, lets give it a try, we were the first ones in the place. I was VERY HAPPY. Had the Lobster Ravioli, FANTASTIC, wife had the Veal Marsala WOW!!!, we shared a bit and I must say the Veal was without a doubt the best I've ever tasted by far. Can't wait to go back with the Dinner Crew, going to make reservations for Sept in a few weeks. I think the wife and I will visit a few more times on a weeknight early. LOVED IT.
(5)
Carrie M.

This started out with the potential for one star, no lie. First, we had a special gift certificate that did not indicate any restrictions as to when it could be used, just to show it upon arriving. When we show it, they say it can't be used on weekends. After pointing out that this isn't specified here, and that others I have purchased do specify it, they say they'll honor it. Second, the wait we were told was 20 - 30 minutes. Because this is a small place located in a more residential area. She took our cell number for the wait list so that we could sit in the car since it was chilly that night. Twenty minutes pass, then thirty, forty...you get the picture. After like forty-five minutes, we were told just five more. Fifteen minutes later we were seated. So at this point we're starving, and slightly annoyed. But she's been super nice the whole time we were waiting, so we're giving it the benefit of the doubt. The food I'm seeing on other people's plates looks amazing. This is also the type of place with a ton of regulars, which is usually a really good sign. We look at the menu and I decide on eggplant parm (for me the true test of good Italian) and the bf goes for sausage with broccoli rabe and garlic. The pasta is fresh made and there's like seven kinds to choose from. The wine starts at five dollars a glass, and they don't skimp on filling it. Lift from the table with care or else it may spill. Yeah, like that full. We learn from the owner that the restaurant has been there for twenty-two years, and that she and her husband took it over from his parents about twelve years ago. He does all the cooking, and she tells us he's an excellent chef and that we'll love the food. The meals arrive and she wasn't lying. This is the best eggplant parm I've ever had. And the portion was probably the equivalent of four meals, but yet I ate half of it there and the other half the next day. The waitress comes to get our food and boxes it up to go. She asks me if I want a little extra sauce put on top so that it will heat up better. Seriously? Such a simple gesture, but one that totally made me happy (and definitely made my leftovers better the next day). The owner was standing behind me at one point, and I turned to her and let her know that the food was worth the wait. It's the type of place that I can't wait to go back to because I want to try more, yet at the same time the eggplant was so good that I have a hard time straying from it. Solution? I'll just go with more people next time so I get to try more food!
(4)
Xin S.

We came with very high expectations and Rino's still exceeded them. We had an absolutely wonderful meal and experience here with friends. We were luckily able to get a reservation (for a party of 6+) but overheard others being told there were 33 tables ahead of them at ~7pm on a Saturday... yowza!! There's nothing I can say that hasn't been said already, I'll just chime in and say the lobster ravioli is out of this world good. There was likely a whole lobster in that dish! The Rino's special was equally delicious: chicken, veal, shrimp, and a mushroom variety in a very flavorful cream sauce. Absolutely come here at least once to experience it! Round up 6 friends, it's worth it!!
(5)
Donald L.

This place is EXCELLENT! My wife and I went here to have dinner and had a wonderful time, had EXCELLENT food and the staff gave us wonderful service. I cannot recommend this restaurant strongly enough!
(5)
Bill B.

Our second visit to Rino's was similar to the exemplary food experience of our first visit. This time around there were fewer patrons and better service. On this visit we choose fried calamari as an appetizer. Excellent preparation, generous portion, and a great sauce that included spicy peppers, rather than the customary marinara or cocktail sauce. For entrees, my wife ordered veal with eggplant; I chose calamari marinara. Both were very good. No disappointments. Some things to note, though. My entree was a pasta dish; my wife's entree included a side of pasta. My pasta was homemade; my wife's was not. Also, the red sauce is good but its more a tomato sauce than a marinara, which is my preference. Neither is better; its all about one's "gravy" preference. Once again, the broccoli rabe was SO good.
(4)
L. G.

this place is great you will def get your money worth with the portions. It would have gotten 5 stars but finding parking was hard and you can not call ahead to make a reservation. But I would def eat here again soon.
(4)
H L.

Went here for lunch based on DD&D episode. Food was excellent. Menu is much larger than what is on their website - none of what we ate is listed on their website. Started with the buffalo mozzarella with fresh tomato and prosciutto. Wife got the Rino's Special which was good, especially if you like different kinds of meat with mushroom cream sauce. I got the Lobster Ravioli which was outstanding. Will go back again when I'm in town.
(5)
Bill O.

Huge plates, all homemade delicious sauces and pastas. Hard to get in but best Italian restaurant atmosphere around. Chicken parm the size of your head. Savory tomato vodka sauces. Great specials.
(5)
Lisa D.

Not impressed at all. We waited an hour - Could not go in because there was no ramp for my partner to get in with his wheelchair. The staff was not very friendly & couldn't leave garlic out of anything aside from the white sauce (due to an allergy). The white sauce was super bland, both my partner & I were actually very speculative that there wasn't any sauce on the pasta at all, in fact. $50 for half ass service, in an inaccessible restaurant, with no allergy accommodations & a meal that would've tasted better from the Olive Garden at half the price? No thanks.
(1)
D P.

By far the BEST Italian food I've had, next to my own mother's, in a long long time. I find the North End in Boston to be too yuppified, too touristy. It's the 'Legal Seafood' of Italian food. Who would have thought you'd find a great Italian place in a predominantly Latino neighborhood. Rino's has been there for over 20 years. And they have a little place right across the street that you can wait at and have a drink or two while waiting for a table. The two drawbacks to this place, and this is why I didn't give it 5 stars is, it's really really noisy, and they don't take reservations for under six people. But it's definitely worth a try, get there early though. The pasta is all homemade. The bolognese sauce is perfection, and just like my mother's. The arancini are the best, outside of Italy I've ever had, the calamari is fantastic. I had a chicken saltimboca that I could cut with the side of my fork, which means they pound out their cutlets, a must when preparing this dish. I had a panecotta for dessert, it melted in my mouth, so smooth and delicious. I will definitely visit this place again, and again, and again, and again......
(4)
Jack P.

Amazing food, and worth every minute you have to wait! Just know that unless you have reservations for a large party, you are going to wait. But it's sooooo good, so just plan on it. You put your name and cell phone on the list and have to be there within 5 minutes of being called. In the meantime you can wander around and do something else. The flavors are amazing! The lobster ravioli is phenomenal, as is the seafood canneloni, pumpkin ravioli, calamari, eggplant pesto appetizer, and seafood-stuffed haddock. Don't waist the space in your stomach eating the bread or the salad. The portions are enormous, enough for 3 meals. But the main reason I love this place is because the flavors are just out of this world. And yes, they bought the building accross the street and opened a bar so their customers would have a place they can go to wait and wouldn't have to wait outside doing nothing. The bar serves great mixed drinks!
(5)
Dave G.

Amazing! Fresh homemade pasta, great service, best Italian restaurant in Boston!
(5)
Michelle E.

Awesome! Very small, so get there early. They do offer take out. Homemade pasta. Very good. I got shrimp, scallop,& lobster tail with fettucini. I ate about 1/3. Huge portions. Cost was $28. Not bad. Highly recommend!
(5)
Kate S.

Really good food. It is simple and straight forward but so well done. The chicken Parm is so moist, it isn't even the same dish you get at other places. Rino's is better than most North End italian restaurants but at East Boston prices. The portions are generous too. And the atmosphere is very friendly.
(5)
Chuck S.

Wow! Food is awesome. No more needs to be said. A little hard to find but well worth it, prices very reasonable and large portions.
(4)
Jonathan B.

This place was awesome! The food was delish. Had the Lobster Ravioli, which is a house specialty. I have to say, it was the best I had ever had. The service could have been a little better, but heh... the quality of the outstanding food made up for it. Cant wait to go back.
(5)
Karen D.

love the ravioli !!!
(5)
Whitney T.

These reviews are right on - HUGE portions, friendly service, good food at a great price. Don't expect anything special for bread or salad, but it's worth saving room for your entree. I have been twice recently, on Monday and Tuesday nights, and there has been no wait. The trickiest thing was parking - we had to drive around the block a few times, and I imagine it is much worse on weekends.
(5)
kevin m.

I totally agree with Jude W, Aaron J, & Headerz K 's reviews of this scam disguised as a restaurant. We went for lunch on 4/27/12 - arrived at 12:15 - 4 of 12 tables empty yet we're told there's 3 parties in front of us on the wait. Shockingly, we're shown the place across the street -Prima e Dopo - and told we can get a drink. Not everyone starts having cocktails at noon. And I agree with the others about the who cares attitude found at the door. I guess Prima e Dopo translates to " first dope who comes in". We also wait 1.25 hrs and watch as the locals slide in & get immediate seating. They take your cell # for the wait list but never use it.. We stay in our car and watch party after party get seated- way beyond the 3 we're told. It doesn't take long to figure our the game here. When the hostess sees us watching her herd parties across the street from the bar to the restaurant for the 5th/6th time, she motions us to come in. Waiter (Marco ?- goatee,shaved head) treated us like dirt. Waited 15 minutes + before he even came to table.He clears table & put down paper napkin & a fork- nothing else. Finally returns and takes order & never comes back to the table. Busboy gets us water & salad - one on a plate, one in a salad bowl. Tells us they ran out of bread - more will be coming out of oven soon. When bread finally arrives, it's ice cold ! - Must be a new kind of refrigerator oven. Never got knives until we asked after the salad is served. Salad itself was a lifeless lettuce setup you'd find anywhere. Meanwhile, Marco stays up by the kitchen and hugs his pals when they come in. After 45 minutes of no food with newer arrived parties already being served their main course, ( a single diner came in after us, ordered, served and finished his meal while we still waited),we asked about our order. Hostess looked at us like we were trying to rob the place.Still, no Marco to our table. Another waitress came over and gives us the what's your problem attitude. Our simple problem - no food after 2 hours of the Rino's experience. At that point, we threw in the towel and left. We saw the table next to us- they both ordered the halibut special - we looked at their fish- obviously overcooked and dry as a bone. Place is busy with carry out orders. They are getting many tourists who want to know where Guy Fiere sat and take photos outside of someplace you'd never give a second look to if it hadn't been on TV. They're running a real scam by deliberately keeping tables open for the friends/locals while pushing the wait times back for the tourists/clueless so you'll go to the only place available to wait within blocks of the restaurant to wait to be called. And that's at lunch, imagine how they can fleece the dinner crowd. They should change the name of the place from Rino's to RICO - as in corrupt operation like the feds say !
(1)
Kim C.

Hands down the BEST Italian restaurant in the city. All the pastas are home made and the gnocchi is the best I have ever had. I have never once been disappointed with a meal in over 8 years of dinners at Rino's. Prices are decent, a little high for East Boston, but considering the portion size and quality of the food it is well worth the price. There is a small wine list that is reasonable. It is very basic decor, no fancy white table cloths. The staff is very friendly and can talk you through the entire menu if you have any questions or just cannot decide what you would like. The gnocchi is out of this world. The vongole with white sauce is another to die for dish. Pollo e melanzane is the best of both worlds when you can't choose between chicken or eggplant parm. There is always a lengthy daily specials list and if it on the list, definitely try the chicken broccoli rabe with fusilli pasta. The restaurant is very small so you can almost always count on a wait. Rino's was recently highlighted on the Food Network and while I am happy to see the restaurant get much deserved attention, it means long lines and waits. There is not a waiting area inside the restaurant, so you will need to wait in your car - or your apartment for us locals. They will take your phone number and call you when your table is ready. They do not take reservations unless you have a large group - over 6ppl I believe - so you want to get there early. That is really the only draw back, but the food is well worth the wait.
(5)
Laura H.

My review in no way reflects the food at this restaurant, because we actually never made it that far. We arrived at 9pm on a Saturday to find many groups of people who had been waiting 4 hours. I understand it was a Saturday night, but when we called for directions, the lady on the phone in no way hinted that there would probably be no chance of us eating that night. Now I understand the food must be good, but 4 hours of waiting is pretty ridiculous. Also, do not walk from the T to this restaurant. The area is not the best area of Boston, and we even had food thrown at us from a passing car. There's 1000+ restaurants in Boston so we will not be returning to try the food.
(1)
Brian D.

A lifelong friend of mine has had an ongoing love affair with Rino's for as long as I can remember. To make it feel like he is not cheating he is guilted into coming back to Rino's religiously - weekly. I've been with him on several occasions and a few times on my own and I have some mixed up impressions of this spot. First, it is in a really hard to find area of East Boston. I've managed to find it alone by driving in circles and swearing at myself in the mirror a few times. That being said if you are smart enough to just cab it from Downtown you can be there in 10 minutes. Second, the place looked for years like it probably had for years before that - which I kind of liked it made it feel really old school. Now, very recently in fact it has gotten a little more North End. My favorite part here is that to go the hopper you have to pass through the kitchen and you can see the whole family slaving away in there - pretty cool (and a tight squeeze). Third, the food - it has not disappointed me to date though the price has gone up significantly in the last year or so. Rino's antipasto is a staple, huge serving good for 3 or more people. The pasta is fresh, the seafood almost always awesome and Rino insists on always having a fresh line up of authentic ever changing Italian specialties on the menu - this is what you should really try out. I'm a little jilted on the prices b/c the place was always such a bargain but I am sure their rent is through the roof these days so it is almost forgiven and it is still not as pricey as the North End. Fourth, the wine - they have a nice rounded Italian wine list that is rarely overpriced. I can usually find a few favorites, which for me is a little tough because almost everything on a wine list gives me heart burn so I am really, really particular. Overall, a spot worthy of being a eating haunt BUT a few inconsistencies in pricing and menu availability over the years have left me slightly jaded. My friend might want to make it all night long with Rino's, but I'm sure as hell not putting out without a little sweet talk.
(3)
George P.

Please don't tell anyone about this place.
(5)
Eve L.

Wow, what a great little find this was. I barely remember that East Boston exists most of the time, and so I certainly wouldn't have ever found this off-the-beaten-path spot if my friends hadn't bought a condo 2 blocks away. Their food was AMAZING. The wild mushroom ravioli on the specials menu was fantastic, as was the gnocchi. And unlike most Italian restaurants in the North End and elsewhere, they didn't serve you 5 raviolis and call that dinner. The servings were quite generous.
(5)
Donna G.

THIS RATING IS NOT BECAUSE OF THE FOOD!!! I REPEAT THIS IS NOT BECAUSE OF THE FOOD!!!! The reason I scored this rating is because of our experience. I read most all of the reviews and made the decision to eat an early dinner around 4:00 pm. When we got there, we scored and the place was 1/4 full. We picked our table and ordered. There was a table of 6 males who were locals; discussing local politics. Rino's Place is small, and these guys started dropping the F bombs right and left. Then one of the males started telling about when he worked for a morgue and what excretion happens in a human body when it dies...REALLY!!! I'm trying to enjoy my wonderful meal over here and they are loud and using horrible language this isn't okay ...Finally a woman who was picking up her to go order told the wait staff they need to calm that table down. Note to everyone...when you are in a small place like Rino's keep you language in check and your volume down.
(1)
Christie L.

I've put off writing this review for awhile because I really wanted to like this place more than I did. We had seen Rino's on TV and thought the Lobster Rav looked amazing. Since that's my go to dish, we had to try it out. We went on a Monday around 5:30pm after leaving the airport (literally 5 minutes away) and that must be the time to go - when we got there, there was only one table left, but throughout our meal it really emptied out and there were only a few tables full. The server was nice, but super slow. It seemed like there were always a ton of servers hanging out behind the server stand talking rather than waiting on people. The salads and bread were just ok, but they never affect my review of a restaurant. I got the Lobster Rav and my bf got the Frutti di Mare. He asked the waitress if the sauce was spicy and she said no, but they could make it spicy. When our food came, he found that the way they made it 'spicy' was just to add a bunch of pepper to the dish - not the spice he was looking for. The seafood itself was good and fresh. I don't know if it was just because of my bf's request or what, but my rav had a TON of pepper on it too. It was all I could see or taste on the plate. There were huge chunks of lobster, but I couldn't even get a good read on the sauce. When we left , I asked for more sauce on the side to take home to hopefully counteract the pepper. I have to say, the leftovers were much better and the sauce was good, but by then, the dish had to be microwaved so it already lost quality. Overall, I had counted on loving the place, but I don't see myself returning to wait in one of the long lines....with all the great reviews though, maybe we'll swing by after the airport to try it again.
(3)
Brenda T.

I can't say enough good things about this place, but I'll try to list them: Fantastic service!! We went in and the small cozy front room was full, but the hostess was awesome and took our name and number and sent us to a bar down the street. Sure enough after about 20 min. we got the call and our table was ready. Our server was super quick and accommodating with our special request that wasn't on the menu. Which is surprising after seeing their extensive list of specials. Best fettuccine alfredo EVER!!! the noodles were even homemade Nice price for the portion sizes - HUGE Fantastic calamari - seasoned just right I have to mention looking over at another table and seeing a meatball the size of a baseball Thank you Reno's for such a superb dining experience from start to finish.
(5)
Linda W.

One of my favorite places. Outstanding service, portions and prices. Just make sure you're not in a rush because you usually need to wait (even with a reservation).
(5)
Zachary A.

The food at Rino's Place is awesome. I've been coming here for close to 10 years and the only thing that's changed is the prices. The food is super fresh and very authentic. The restaurant itself sits below a classic Boston 3-Family. The staff knows whats going on and takes care of their people. One dish worth checking out would be the Veal Carrozella.
(5)
Kris G.

Try homemade pasta and lobster ravioli. try rinos special it has veal, chicken, shrimp, and fresh pasta. also try pork tenderloin with cherries.
(3)
Mary Jane J.

Yes, you will wait a very long time (try not to get drunk while you wait at their lounge across the street) but it is WORTH IT! Best eggplant I have ever had in my life. My husband's firestation was a block down so sometimes I use visiting him as an excuse to get takeout when he was on an overnight shift :o) Service is good, they all seem like a family which I truly respect. The prices are good, especially considering their portions are huge. Not a Guy Fieri fan and hate the poster of him on the wall but this place is definitely a gem in Boston and possibly the best Italian food I've ever had.
(5)
Jonathan B.

Place was fantastic. The staff was great and knowledgeable about the menu. The bread and the dipping sauce arrived at the table and I knew this was going to be good. Had a nice salad with their creamy Italian. They have a daily special menu that is constantly changing from what I understand! I am a sucker for lamb entrees. I had The Lamb Chops in a Balsamic Honey/Cherry Reduction. The Lamb was cooked to perfection. It came with asparagus that had been drizzled in a buttery oily and pepper and garlic. It was to die for. The meal also came with a potato croquet that was cooked to a perfect golden brown. I am going back soon. Next time I want to go with like 4 other people and order 4 different entrees and have them serve it to us family style. I want to try the Ravioli's, Meatballs, Chicken Parm and The Veal. I wonder if I asked nicely if they would serve a there sirloin with the balsamic reduction sauce. Only had too wait about 10 minutes for a table. I figured parking would be an issue it was not. I parked easily on Bennington Street. It was only a 2 minute walk. I will never figure out why people eat at chains. In closing better then anything I have ever eaten in The North End. Half the money and none of the pretentious attitude you tend to get in North End Eateries.
(5)
Sean H.

Terrific food, great value. Big beautiful chunks of lobster in the ravioli. Had the mussel/clam app, eggplant pesto app, and the chicken carozella with great homemade pasta. Wish one could eat like this everyday! Worth the trip.
(5)
Juliana P.

Okay, not really a diner, drive in, or dive but I came because of the show and WOW! Absolutely amazing!(The show is not always this spot on...) The secret is to not wait in line...either call ahead for take out or head across the street for their other appetizer/dessert establishment (probably also has a long line). Not much for atmosphere, but I would TOTALLY drive out of my way for the food here. VERY resonably priced and super fresh. I got the lobster ravioli twice as it is the best I've EVER had--$25 for 8 HUGE ravioli's, big chunks of lobster, and a salad and bread to boot. The only downside of ordering out is missing daily specials--my dad sampled 3 different ones for $6 each and was very satisfied. I've also had the oven-baked pasta with little meat balls and it was amazing. Two forks up.
(5)
Kristina D.

This place is horrible. We got to the restaurant at 4:45 and waited nearly an hour and a half for a table. The food was fine but the service was awful!!!!
(1)
Janie G.

Hands down the best Italian I've eaten in my life. And I've eaten a lot of Italian living in LA and Florida after leaving my hometown of Boston. Anytime I come home to visit I always leave enough time to stop here before I go to the airport to head back to Fort Lauderdale. The homemade pasta is like no other. Portions are HUGE...keep that in mind. You'll have leftovers for the next week! Small place so plan to wait if you are going on peak. We went on a Monday at 4:15 and the place was packed. People drive far and wide to be here so plan ahead. It is so worth it.
(5)
Michaela K.

It isn't a secret that you have to fast the day you decide to go to Rinos. The portions are huge and delicious! Last year my fiancÃ© asked my parents for permission to marry me here. Yesterday we returned to celebrate that anniversary. This is one of my families favorite restaurants ever! Make sure your whole party is there and ready with you when going in, not many tables. Go early! We always go at 4 on a weekday, early dinner, not a long wait, and you need that time to digest your meal! Families favorites are; chicken parm and eggplant parm, shrimp scampi, and lemon Italian ice that is served in a frozen lemon. Staff goes out of the way to make your meal as enjoyable as possible. He wasn't there yesterday but we love being served but Zane, he makes the experience with his great sense of humor!! Save room for dessert and a cappuccino o end your meal!
(5)
GJ B.

I am very happy with Rino's, timing when you go is imperative though. J and I have been twice so far. I have had this dish, which was excellent POLLO CARROZELLA - chicken sauteed in a white wine lemon butter sage sauce topped with fried fresh mozzarella. I also got a shrimp appetizer(limoncello shrimp), but it was a little sweeter than I'd prefer. I look forward to trying the lobster ravioli, limoncello gelato, pork with prunes and potato croquettes, buffalo mozerella w/prosciutto, and gnocchi with melted mozzerella. G
(5)
Jessica W.

The restaurant is always packed! my husband and I stopped by on a Tuesday night, after work and there was still a 1 hr wait! Luckily, the restaurant owns a great little bar across the street where they let you wait :) so sweet! It's pretty easy to find parking around too. The food was great, but the wait was a bit crazy and the food was a little too heavy for me.
(3)
Thuy L.

Love this place! Although I wish the hours weren't so short on the weekends. I've gone once during the weekday and there wasn't a wait. When we went on a Friday around 6 there was no chance of getting in, instead we decided to go Saturday right at opening. I'll keep it simple with the food. The lobster ravioli never fails! I also had the seafood cannelloni, out of this world! The mozzarella and calamari were good choices for appetizers. The winner was the shrimp scampi. If you're in boston, you have to make the trip out here.
(5)
Erica S.

*THE best Italian food you will EVER have. Wear spandex if you can. *MUST* TRIES: Appetizers: Layered Pesto eggplant (if you do not try this you are committing a federal crime) Shrimp Limoncello ( also available with scallops) - grab your straw because the sauce is drinkable. Baked Clams Entrees: LOBSTER RAVIOLI (federal crime #2 if not ordered)- stuffed with so much lobster you think your seeing double Rinos Special (get it with the homemade pasta) Pork with prunes (I hate prunes and could eat this all day long) Very hard to get a table so be prepared to wait - unless you are a party of 6 or more. Worth the wait and an absolute MUST!!!!!!
(5)
Natalie B.

Gnocci is delish! It's always busy, so don't come starving. It's not unusual to have to wait 2+ hours for a table. This is a no-thrills, rough around the edges dining, but worth checking out.
(4)
Brian D.

Have been waiting years to actually get a table here (every time I try it is closed for party's or a 3 hour wait). This time the wait was short and well worth the previous times I could not go. The seafood dishes are large in portion and equally tasteful. It's been a while since I was actually there I forgot to finish my review at the time. But if you have a chance to go. Run do not walk to this great restaurant
(5)
Michelle C.

Still lovin this place...my new favorite is the chicken Milanese special. They don't always have it but when they do, I suggest you order it! The portions continue to be gigantic and the fresh pasta is always amazing. The waitresses are the best. So friendly and especially sweet to my little toddler who loves the pasta, especially the raviolis the size of his head! They now have a new place across the street so when you're waiting for hours for your table, you can have a drink and stay warm! FYI, they don't take ressys unless you have at least 6 guests.
(5)
Shilpa T.

This place was great, and I definitely give it 4 stars for the price and quantity of the food. We got the Gnocchi, the Lobster Ravioli, the Rino's Special (Veal Dish), and the Seafood Cannelloni. The Seafood Cannelloni was like eating a warm summer's night (poetic I know) and was probably one of the more delicious seafood dishes I have had in a while. GET THIS! if you come. The Gnocchi was pillowy and divine, something that should not be missed. It is hard to find good gnocchi like this! The Rino's Special and Lobster Ravioli were good but honestly, not memorable. I would be more inclined to return and order the other two dishes, and maybe try something else. The lobster fritters were delicious, but my friends claimed they thought the lobster was rather tough. The portions here... are huge. Almost wastefully so. Keep this in mind if you are going for dinner with 4 people..... 4 entrees is most definitely overkill for the average person. Price wise, for ~$40 per person with WINE! this meal was a great deal. However, I would have preferred a little less food so that less went to waste. The gnocchi heated up fine the next day, but after a meal like this, you better believe you are tapped out on food for a while. This does NOT affect my review but just NOTE: I have waited a long time some nights for many good meals, however the wait for this meal was so long, and it was so far from home that it didn't make sense to find another dinner joint halfway through the wait. They do NOT give you a time estimate, and by the time we ate around 10pm I was falling asleep in my food. However, if you are on the waitlist, they guarantee you a spot and you CAN wait at the bar across the street.
(4)
David B.

First of all, this is in no way a review of the food at this establishment, for my husband and I never given the chance to partake. Upon arriving at the restaurant, despite there being at least 2 tables being empty and able to accommodate us, we were told that we were 7th on the waiting list and would be seated in "about an hour and a half". If you have read other negative reviews, these numbers should sound familiar. Too coincidental in my book. Unfortunately I discovered this too late. I gave the hostess our cell phone number to let us know when we could be seated. When we asked where we could wait out our time, we were recommended to a bar "about 2 and1/2 blocks away" which ended up being more than that and a complete dive. Clearly Rino's is doing quite well from publicity and word of mouth, but has an either incompetent or blatantly judgmental hostess. Diner beware! And, oh yeah, 6 hours later and we are still waiting for that phone call.
(1)
Hay W.

That lobster ravioli though....cue the saliva. There were HUGE chunks of lobster and the sauce was rich and tasty, as was the filling. We also had the stacked eggplant, wine and lemon chicken with linguini. Zero complaints. The next day we were talking about going back again! My only complaint was that we waited two hours to get in and eat. I think a place that is this busy should have a table limit. Other than that--good service and mouthwatering food leaves little to desire.
(4)
Scott L.

We love this place. Small? Yes. A long line? Yes. But all worth it, it's without a doubt the best lobster ravioli I've ever had anywhere along with a nice wine selection.
(5)
Shanna L.

This is where I would get my last meal on earth if I were on Death Row. I love this place. It never disappoints, except where take out is concerned. When I was a little girl, I used to wait for the bus outside Rino's and read the menu on the window and wonder if it were any good. Yes it is. So good that it eventually received the recognition it deserved and now it is so busy that it is nearly impossible to dine here without devoting three hours of your life. But for special occasions...it's definitely worth it! Everything is so delicious...Veal parm, Lobster Fritters, Bruschetta, Osso Bucco...but my absolute fav until I die...Chicken, Ziti, Broccoli Alfredo. It brings me to my knees. Every single bite makes my body sink down in complete satisfaction. Speechless....for once!
(5)
Sean H.

Hands down one of the most fantastic places Ive ever eaten. If your ever in Boston this is an absolute must visit! Ive eaten here every time Ive been to Boston and it is consistent every time! Consistancey being something I hold very high and Rino's is unbelievable. Everything about eating here is an experience, I only wish I could visit more often!
(5)
T P.

I've lived in Eastie for 4 years and have been meaning to come here since I moved. What a treasure! Excellent food, great staff and GIGANTIC portions. Homemade pasta is fantastic and the eggplant was fantastic. I plan to go back again....and again...and again....
(4)
Jessie M.

The lobster fitters and stuffed mushroom appetizers were amazing. Ring's special was delicious. Great atmosphere, friendly staff and big portions. Loved it!
(5)
Michael F.

So it's our first time to Boston and the first restaurant and what a great place. Awesome food and service. I got the lobster ravioli and it was the best I have had hands down.
(5)
Peter D.

Saw this on diners drive ins and dives and had to check it out. Have been to most places in north end but Rinos is prob the best. Other places might be fancier or in a better location but in terms of quality this place is great. I got the seafood pasta. The seafood was standard but the pasta was unbelievable- as soon as you have it you realize how all pasta should be made. So not advocating the seafood pasta but really any pasta dish there.
(5)
Ion S.

Visiting Boston for the 1st time and my friend saw this on tripadvisor with good reviews. So we went ahead and tried this place today. This place is a joke based on the reviews that I've read. It's a mediocre. Food wasn't that good, inside is dirty. Too pricey and it's not worth it
(1)
Caylee C.

Best Italian we've ever had (without going to Italy!)... And I've eaten at many, many places in The North End. The staff was friendly and the food phenomenal. Lobster in all our lobster dishes- lobster fritters, lobster ravioli and seafood cannelloni was super fresh and large chunks! The sauces were so flavorful. Portions were huge! And I cannot wait to eat my leftovers today! Very good prices, both food and drink. Finished with the crÃ¨me brÃ»lÃ©e and a cappuccino, very rich and delicious. Be prepared to wait a long time on weekend evenings but there's a small bar next door they direct you to to wait. We waited longer than expected, about 2 hours (do not take reservations) but after eating, you realize it was WELL worth the wait! Maybe going early evening, late afternoon is best. We will definitely be back very soon!
(5)
Leah K.

Be advised: at 4:30 on a Saturday, Rino's had a 1 hour wait - there were 7 parties ahead of us. We were able to put our name in and go home...and head back just in time for a drink across the street at Prima e Dopo. Luckily we live around the corner! My in-laws, who we were meeting, said it was hard to find street parking, but know that if there's not any on the block, just keep driving around! East Boston has a lot of parking. Portions are a good 3 servings per person. Yes. I'm eating it for lunch all week! They come with a salad (2 dressing options) and bread. I had a littleneck clam pasta, finished with white wine and butter, and was very happy with it. It was briny and came with many clams in their shells on the side. The homemade linguini was fantastic. My fiancÃ© got the chicken parm, which practically came with 3 chicken breasts! I thought his was amazing (crispy chicken, delicious red sauce, and melted mozzarella). I would absolutely order it next time! Nice wine list and small beer list accompanies the large menu (and even larger specials section)! I had a rose that was pretty dark and acidic, but saw lots of people drinking all sorts of beers and wines. Expect to pay $16+ per entrÃ©e...but you get at least 2 meals out of it.
(5)
Ahmed U.

Great food, great service. Very close to Boston Logan Airport. Must try the Lobster Ravioli.
(4)
Ryan J.

I without a doubt had to come here, after seeing Guy Fieri feature this Place on Diner's Drive-Ins & Dives. This place was definitely on my list, so instead of taking a Cab (which would've been a 35 -42 minute ride and paying a lot of Money) I decided to take the Subway for the Very first time. I got off at the Orient Heights Station and walked the rest of the way, I realized I got off too far and I even got myself lost a couple times. But the scenery and everything were nice to look at, such a nice Italian Neighborhood. I had to ask about 27 different locals how to get here cuz I didn't know my way around here very well Some were helpful, some weren't. The sun was beating down on me, I was sweating (because I was wearing Jeans instead of Shorts) and my Feet were killing me, but I was still determined to find this place. After about 36 minutes of Walking I found it, I arrived 15 Minutes after they Opened (and to my Surprise I was the 1st Customer of the day) I actually thought I would have to wait across the Street at Prima e Dopo. So they sat me down and I was looking around the restaurant it was really small and there were only 8 Tables. I had a salad to start with (Fresh Salad with their House Dressing) but I didn't want to fill up on that (Portions here are Huge, they make sure you leave with a Full Gut), the thing that I came here for was the Lobster Ravioli. While I was waiting for it to come out, I used the Restroom. In order to do that you have to go in through the Kitchen (which is where I met Chef Tony DiCenso), Such a nice Guy he's says he sees Guy Fieri every once in a while. He even said that Anthony Bourdain was gonna film here when he was doing No Reservations still (But he didn't, it still would've been cool). Once I got back to my Table the Lobster Ravioli came out (the filling was Ricotta and Parmesan Cheese, Parsley and the Lobster Meat. The sauce was Shallots, More Lobster Meat, Brandy, Plum Tomato Sauce, Basil, Cream and a little Butter). I take my knife and I cut open these pouches of Pasta to find Rich, Creamy Ricotta and big Chunks of Lobster. The sauce had some Sweetness from the Tomatoes, Crunch from the Shallots (Double the Meat here, Filling and the Sauce) I loved that they freshly grated some Parmesan on there for Me (I also thought the Portion Size was Perfect, 5 is Definitely enough as opposed to 8 which is what they usually Serve). I also skipped breakfast in order to prepare for this (a lot of Reviews keep saying they get filled up here so I planned it out). Everything here is Scratch-made (no Store Bought, Phony Baloney Stuff here) This is the real deal. I also had the Limoncello Truffle (Gelato with a Lemony Center) and a Cappuccino. If I wasn't so full I also would've got either the Baby Octopus and Mussels or the Rabbit Sausage with Broccoli Rabe (Next Time) I also took a Picture of the Guy Fieri Photo and I also took a Picture with Tony. Everyone was really Nice here (a couple reviews said that the Waiters/Waitresses were Rude and Ignorant), Not me. good thing I came for Lunch and Not Dinner cuz I'd be waiting for 2 or more Hours for Food. They welcomed me in and treated me Good, I'll be sure to come back with Family and Friends. This place is a Hidden Gem !!!
(5)
Erick M.

The place was small but the food was ON POINT! Probably some of the best Italian food I've ever had. Everything was delicious. The service was very good as well.
(5)
Nick C.

Everything was great. Make sure to have an appetizer at the waiting room across the street, highly recommend the pesto eggplant.
(5)
Larry S.

We saw this place on Diners Drive-ins and Dives about four years ago. It was all we were hoping for. This food was a culinary delight. I'm glad my wife broke me from licking my plate years ago. Best Italian I've ever had!!!
(5)
BJ S.

Totally worth the wait! The food is delicious! I have gone several times and have not been disappointed. The eggplant appetizer is incredible - thin layers of eggplant stacked high; lobster ravioli; chicken with lemon, capers and wonderful homemade pasta! My mouth is watering just writing about the delectable food at Rino's! Service was friendly and efficient!
(5)
Tammy M.

Wonderful, warm, authentic, cozy, delicious, real Italian!! In Boston for a long weekend and this was our first stop out of the airport for lunch. Recommended by a family member, Rino's did not disappoint! Everyone was super friendly; they even made room for our luggage at the hostess stand while we ate. After a short wait we were seated at a window table where we had a nice view of the neighborhood. My husband had the lobster ravioli, and I had the unstuffed ravioli. Amazing!! Well worth the short walk from the T. Some of the best authentic Italian food I've ever had the pleasure to try!
(5)
Jennifer K.

If u don't want to wait 2 hrs DO NOT GO . She told us over 30 min but the wait was 2.5 hrs !!! We left went to north end after paying 40$ for a cab both ways and she called us at 8 pm to say table ready when we got there at 530!! R u joking??? Too bad cus looks great but DO NOT RISK IT
(1)
jay g.

I'm only updating because of a "review" of this guy from Cali. who didn't give 1 Star to the food but rather because the wait was too long. People have the right to be stupid but some abuse the privilege. Go back to Santa Clarita!!!!!!!!!!
(5)
DireWolf W.

Dank Foods. Great vibe.
(5)
Lindsey M.

Came for lunch with a group of four on a Friday at around 11:30 am. We were pleasantly surprised that there were open tables and there was no wait! We were promptly greeted and seated at a table, our waitress quickly came over with water and menus. One thing that really stuck out to me was the amount of daily specials they offer! The specials menu listed about 10-15 appetizers and about 20 main meal specials. We started with the arancini special, loved that you could order a half portion (2) or a full portion (4). The arancini was excellent; perfectly cooked and the portion size was great. For our main meals we ordered: Chicken marsala, Gnocchi fatti in casa, prosciutto sandwich (note: this is not a panini it is a sub sandwich) and the veal marsala. When the food came out I could not believe the portion sizes, and this was off of the lunch menu! The chicken and veal marsala was great, I also like the option that you can do pasta or a salad. I opted for the salad instead of the pasta and was not disappointed, just make sure ask for the dressing on the side as they do have a heavy hand with it! The prosciutto sandwich looked so amazing, it was stuffed with prosciutto and also handmade fresh mozzarella and topped with tomatoes and basil. This sandwich was huge and half of it had to be taken home. The gnocchi dish was huge and very good. For $12 you can order a lunch version of gnocchi that will also double as your dinner! Rino's has a very small and intimate space, I can understand the waits being very long on the weekends and for dinner. Your best bet is to come during the week for lunch to avoid the long lines. You could also get take out as well, which is a great option if you are not in the mood to wait. Parking is tough around the area, street parking only and there are many handicap parking spots by Rino's. I was very happy with my food and can't wait to return and try more!
(4)
Kristen D.

Wow! Actually found out about this place when my mom asked if I'd been after she saw the episode of Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. I had not even heard of it but asked some friends and they said it was worth the trek over. The first time my bf and I tried going was on Valentine's Day in 2014, but unfortunately everyone else in Boston seemed to have the same idea. Fast-forward to December 2014 and we finally were seated in about five minutes (a Tuesday night) for my birthday dinner. Started with fried smelts for appetizer and I had a ziti with broccoli rabe (and tons of it!) and sausage, he got a frutti di mare over spaghetti. I could not believe how generous the portion of each dish was, especially the clams, mussels and calamari on his plate! All pasta was homemade and cooked to perfection. Flavors of both dishes were phenomenal. This place probably beats any of the North End restaurants I've been to - I wish it were an easier place to get into! I will say that the menu posted online doesn't seem like much - but you will get a separate menu of Specials at the table, which is longer than their regular menu and is where both of our meals came from. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Erica I.

I've never been to a restaurant where you have to wait in line before the place even opens just to be told that the restaurant is full and you have to wait an hour. The calamari and lobster ravioli were great, very generous portions, and the lobster ravioli did have a good amount of lobster in it for $30 (still a bit steep). The arancini could have had more sauce and didn't have much flavor. The tiramisu was a small portion compared to the portions of the entrees and was $7. The bathroom is hidden in the kitchen which is a bit awkward and you have to wait in line in the kitchen so you don't get cut in line. All in all it was an interesting experience. I really wish it was in a nicer area, I was kind of sketched out parking my car on the street. The waitress went from being welcoming and attentive to rushing us and then forgetting about us.
(4)
David P.

Well here is the story with Rino's. We are here 2 years ago and the food was really good so when we were back in town for business we of course came back. So I call to make a reservation and was told the only take them for a party of 6 or more ok cool I understand that. So there was just 2 of us and we heading over to eat when we arrived we were told that they didn't know how long the wait would be and that 10 people were ahead of us. We decided to wait it out thinking with of us we would get in no time. After standing there for an hour looking at 3 empty tables of 2 we went to ask how much longer? At least another hour what??? You have empty tables were a party of 2 how about one of those nope! Why? We still have people ahead of you. But those tables have been empty for an hour? Sorry she says. Well folks I don't know about you but I'm not waiting 2 hours for a table so if you don't mind waiting and looking at empty table why they make you wait come on down and give them a try! But we won't be back! Lots of great restaurant in Boston.
(1)
Maria H.

Best food best people so worth the drive and the wait. Lobster ravioli and hubby had the stuffed pork chop. Best ever!!!
(5)
Jay S.

A real treat, not really a secret anymore but one of Boston's truly authentic Italian restaurants. All the pastas are homemade and the difference is remarkable. The portions are large enough for both lunch and dinner the next day. A wise move would be to bring a group and try several dishes and share them among everyone so you have an opportunity to experience the expansive items on the menu. We had the linguini and calamari and the lobster, shrimp and scallops with linguini. Both were outstanding, loaded with pieces of the shellfish and fresh homemade pasta over a sweet red sauce. Absolutely fantastic. You need to get there early or plan on a 45-minute to an hour wait in the sister lounge next door. a great stop after picking a family member up from Logan.
(5)
Brendan M.

Wow, this place is a gem of a find, arrived in Boston for a flight to NY and was looking for somewhere close. Arrived in an unassuming neighborhood and I am so glad I found it, food amazing, if you are close by or not get over here and try the food. Really nice staff too.
(5)
Ben S.

The food here is ridiculous. And I mean that in the best way possible. Like most, I came here for the lobster ravioli due to the Diners, Drive-ins and Dives episode. This was what I was looking forward to most, food-wise, on my trip to Boston. I was devastated when we got to Boston and I learned that Rino was on vacation and the restaurant was closed for a week. They were reopening the day we were to fly home. I convinced my wife to let us go there before the airport, and I'm so glad I did. We have a one year old son and did not want to disrupt the restaurant, which is rather small. So, we ordered takeout which was prepared perfectly and served with salad and warm bread. There are not enough superlatives to describe how good the lobster ravioli was. Perfectly cooked and filled with the freshest ingredients. It melted in my mouth. My wife thoroughly enjoyed her gnocchi as well. We can't wait to come back to try some of their other specialities. Rino's Place is a MUST when in Boston!
(5)
John W.

I frankly expected more from this popular East Boston restaurant. Living in the Midwest , I had waited more than two years to try Rino's Place. We arrived at 6:00 pm on a Thursday night and had to wait more than two hours to be seated. I realize the restaurant is small but couldn't help but feel we were kept waiting longer than we should have. After being seated we were waited on promptly. The bread was adequate and the salads were just OK, nothing special. My Lobster Ravioli was good as were the other main dishes. The portions were huge. It was just the excessive wait time that soured the entire evening. It would have helped if the hostess would have given us an accurate estimate of the expected wait time. With all the great restaurants in Boston, I don't know if I'll be back.
(3)
Ina C.

This place is a legend in its own mind. I've eaten there before and while the food is good, they hostess clearly is rude and misrepresents. If it's going to be two hours, tell me so I can make a decision if its worth the wait; not. She will lead you on for hours if you put up with it making you believe you're next. I don't need to beg anyone to take my money. There are plenty of very wonderful restaurants in Boston who treat you nicely and give you good food as well. I don't need the abuse, thank you very much.
(1)
Jonah Y.

This place is my new favorite restaurant. Outstanding food and service. Came here with a fellow foodie and we were not disappointed. The appetizers are amazing, arancini are to die for, we actually got an order of the lobster ravioli as an app because we heard they were amazing. They exceeded our expectations. Our entree's were equally exceptional. Fresh pasta with fresh seafood is the best combination on earth and Rino's place successfully prepared the best meal I've ever had. Word to the wise, we went there on a Wednesday night and we waited over an hour. They own the building across the street and have you wait over there. It wasn't too bad because they have a full bar with a great beer selection. They send you a text message when your table is ready. So worth the wait. I can't wait to bring my wife. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Senor P.

Who would rate Rino's less than 5 stars? THE best Italian spot in Boston. Downside: small. Upside: delicious.
(5)
Angelika S.

BEST FOOD EVER! This is not an exaggeration. Me and my boyfriend planned a trip to Boston for a soccer game and the whole two months all he could talk about was how we're eating at "Rino's", which he had seen featured on the Food Network. Therefore our first night in Boston we headed straight for Rino's. When we arrived at Rino's we loved the location of the restaurant. We were told the wait would be a minimum of an hour and a half but we were willing to wait since we made it all this way. We decided to hang out in a cute little pub right across from them where they had awesome service and delicious beer. We waited for about 2 and a half hours until we got called in. Rino's was well worth the wait. To be honest we could have waited longer and we would still have been over ecstatic with the Rino's. I got the fruit di marre and my boyfriend got the spaghetti and meatballs and also the lobster ravioli (yes he order two plates for himself) and we were amazed with the food. Everything about it was perfect, the pasta, the sauces, the seafood, the meat. It was amazing. The service was awesome very polite staff and it was a reasonably priced menu. Next time we come to Boston we are heading straight to Rino's again no question about it. If you've ever been to Boston or live there and never tried Rino's I feel sorry for you, if you ever go there please take my word on it and go you will never ever regret waiting that amount of time for food.
(5)
Nancy M.

1 star because I've experienced better BECAUSE on a Thursday evening, yes in July, we couldn't get a table. Well we could have if we had waited out the 2+ hour list that our name was on. So Judy, social hostess/owner(?) of the neighborhood, sent us two + blocks away at their newest establishment to wait out the hour +. We returned after the hour + and the wait was still indefinite. So while this may be a fantastic place it's too small to wait that long to eat what may be their exceptional grub.
(1)
Caroline F.

Worth the hype and worth the wait. Like many others, we first saw Rino's Place on The Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Since that day many moons ago, we have fantasized about the handmade Lobster Ravioli. Finally finding ourselves in Boston last week, we made Rino's Place a priority. And it was AMAZEBALLS. It was about a two hour wait for a table, so we went for drinks across the street at a cordial bar (also owned by Rino's). I had two delightful espresso martinis. My only complaint was that two of them on an empty stomach hit me hard, and by the time I realized it their kitchen was closed and they couldn't bring me any bread or crackers. So I was tipsy and starving by the time we were seated at Rino's. But... that is my fault and my problem, not theirs. Ambiance was intimate and cozy. Service was on top of things. Food was perfection. And huge. Like, ginormous. I swear, they had to have put more than an entire lobster in the lobster ravioli I delighted in. I ate two of my 8 raviolis before I was too full to continue. But I took it back to our hotel and continued to eat the leftovers for the next two days. Delicious. Perfection. Rich, buttery, tasty, and just frickin' lovely. Creamy tomato sauce with a hint of brandy... Makes my mouth water just thinking back on it. The best Italian food I have ever had. Ever. Including in Italy.
(5)
Amy H.

AMAZING! AMAZING! AMAZING! We came to Rino's right from the airport, I cannot tell you how great the food was! Oh I can just TASTE the lobster ravioli right now. We had 4 of us we all got something to try and share, hands down I did not eat ANYTHING that was not great. Their veal marsala with homemade pasta, so so so good! Server was great he was this fun cranky Bostonian and I loved it! He was very dry but very funny! We got salad's and alcohol and spent $70 bucks! Best money, worth the money WELL WORTH the tiny space and noise.... Oh I cannot WAIT to come back.
(5)
Steve B.

Oh, man! So good! A friend took me here for the first time last night! It's amazing they can push out so much food from such small restaurant. The dishes were huge and incredibly satisfying! I had the VITELLO BRACIOLETINI - veal stuffed with Italian cold cuts and cheese pan seared with mushrooms in a marsala white wine lemon butter sauce. All my favorites in one dish! My only suggestion would be to add some buffalo mozzarella on top of the Bruschetta. Seemed odd not to have cheese on it. I'll definitely be back here!
(4)
Laura G.

Guy was so right about this place! The lobster ravioli was the most amazing dish I've ever eaten in my 32 years of existence! My husband had the stuffed peppers, as well as the baby octopus and mussels appetizers. All amazing. The mussels were huge and flavorful. Portions are gigantic, neither one of us could finish our meals. Expect long waits if you don't make a reservation, however the wait is totally worth it. The only negative I could come up with is that the single bathroom is located in the kitchen.. very weird. I'd rather have been sent across the street to their other property Prima e Doppo.
(5)
Kayla W.

Sketchy area with amazing food. The restaurant is small! But worth the wait. The portions are RIDICULOUS!! Come starving, really. They also have homemade pasta options. Yum yum!
(4)
FoodSnob D.

Man oh man oh man. So I seen this spot on the food network a long time ago and never forgot it. I told myself if I EVER go to Boston I'm gonna eat here. So when my plan landed I headed straight there. It took me ONE HOUR to find parking but that's because they are located in a residential area. Long story short (because I don't do long reviews) the lobster ravioli would make u slap someone's Italian grandmama then hug and kiss her later! (Calm down... I don't support cruelty to the elderly it's a figure of speech). The lobster was the most fresh I ever had in my life! The seasoning and flavoring in the sauce (gravy) was beyond memorable! It was a pretty healthy serving as well!! Service was slow but everyone was soooo nice sweet and accommodating. One word to describe this spot BELLISSIMA!!
(5)
Julia K.

If you want the real deal italian food, you have to come to Rino's. It's a bit out of the way if you are coming from central Boston, but it is totally worth the trip and likely 45 min wait! The portions are generous and the prices are affordable. The lobster ravioli is freshly made with large lump pieces of lobster with a rich and velvity tomato cream sauce. The seafood pasta was also delicious. It came with a vast array of different seafood with a lightly spicy tomato sauce. I would suggest to sub regular pasta for freshly made pasta - it makes a huge difference!
(5)
Emily C.

This place is a super cute little Italian restaurant not to far from Logan Airport. The thing that struck me most is that they have absolutely MASSIVE portions!! We didn't even come close to finishing our food and took home tons of leftovers. And the food itself is really delicious and authentic, and their salads are so good too (loved the creamy Italian dressing). My boyfriend and I got: 1) Fried Calamari (appetizer) The platter of calamari was really large -- a good deal for $13. It was amazing, especially if you squeeze a little lemon juice onto it. 2) Lobster Ravioli (entree) The largest ravioli I have ever seen in my life. My boyfriend was a huge fan of this dish, and I really enjoyed the creamy plum tomato sauce. 3) Matriciana (entree) Delicious rigatoni in ridiculous quantities. Didn't like this sauce as much as the ravioli's, but every time you bite into a rigatoni, delicious sauce squirts out. Would definitely recommend to anyone who is in the area or craving good Italian food but doesn't want to go to the North End.
(5)
Louis F.

One word !!!!! Amazing!!! Always a great experience! Great local scene and local flavor , having grown up in the east Boston area , so nice to go home to so many great memories !!
(5)
Alex B.

Here I am hitting up another spot that has been presented to me by the food network and I am extremely glad I did. Once the Food Network features your restaurant you can expect long waits and service might not seem as important. However, although I saw the segment on here from Diners Drive-ins and Dives a long while ago, everything described seemed to remain in tact. The restaurant itself has a very welcoming feel and our waitress was very friendly and had on a huge smile every time she came to our table. . Picture what other people are saying about the lobster ravioli in their reviews and then imagine something even better because that is what you will get. Giant hand made ravioli, with real fresh lobster, and fresh ricotta and covered with a pink (maybe vodka sauce?). Yummm. I also tried a seafood cannelloni dish. The rolled pasta was about the side of 2 empty paper towel rolls and stuffed with a massive amount of ricotta, shrimp, scallops, and lobster tail. It lasted me 2 meals. Appetizers aren't really necessary as you will probably determine from seeing other tables main courses being brought out. All in all two entrees with salads and a bottle of wine ran me less than significantly lower quality Italian food in the heart of Boston. Definitely, a great place to bring a date. Keep in mind the online menu is about half of what is really on the menu once you sit down. So, deal with the wait the same way i did (grab a drink at a nearby bar, walk around the huge park that is two blocks away, or put your name on the list and go take care of errands). If you have no patience I was told sometimes you can get lucky if you go at those times between lunch and dinner 3-4PM. But even then there might be a wait so man up and deal with it. The meal is definitely worth it. Additionally, they will take reservations for parties of 6 or more so that is one other option.
(5)
Brent V.

Asparagus app is the best wrapped in Parma ham is to die for. Lobster pasta is the best I have ever had. Very friendly staff that helps make the food that much better. Will make the stop ever time I am on Boston. 5 minutes from the airport.
(5)
Glen B.

Exceeded expectations! Food was terrific. Started with an antipasti. Huge portions for 2 to split. Great variety with meats, cheese and vegetables. I had the Ravioli with Bolognese. Ravioli was cooked perfect. The Bolognese was great (did not have pancetta, which I like in my Bolognese). Huge portions. Wine list could be expanded. Service was great. Hostess was so friendly and always smiling, checking if we needed anything a couple of times.
(5)
Stephen M.

I journeyed to East Boston because I saw Rino's on the teevee. I saw them making the gnocchi from scratch and I thought "I need to try some of those!" So off I went. I arrived at 3:45 on a Saturday afternoon, expecting the restaurant to open at 4:00. It was in fact, already open. Apparently only a handful of people were aware of this because I was able to walk in to a half-empty restaurant and was seated immediately. Service was a little slow at the get-go. It took a while to receive a menu and then significantly longer to get my drink. Things were not off to an altogether great start. They have a standard typed menu as well as a handwritten single page menu which lists the current specials. I decided on the Arancini for an appetizer with the gnocchi as my entree. The salad arrived first and it was drowning in the house vinagrette. I picked on the greens at the top of the plate and left the bottom-dwellers. Along with the salad, they delivered a bread basket. The bread was your run of the mill italian bread, served at room temperature. The arancini arrived fairly quickly (half-order is $5.00). The presentation was nice with the two rice balls placed on a rectangular plate, surrounded by their ultra-tasty plum tomato sauce. These bad boys were tasty. Steaming hot and full of flavor. The gnocchi arrive approximately 15 minutes later. The bowl was enormous. And it was filled with gnocchi, bathed in a bath of tomato sauce and mozzarella. The taste was terrific. Very flavorful and rich. I managed to eat about a third of the dish and took the rest home. By the time I left at 5:00, there was a waiting list to get into the small 50-seat restaurant. Will I come back again? Sure. Will I make a special trip for it? Probably not. However, that cheesecake from Spinelli's is another story...
(3)
Chuckie T.

What's to be said. This place is the real deal. Makes the North End look like it's being run by Chef Boyardee - not saying much as the NE has been in decline for quite a while. Anyway, the only real issue is coming back. Managed to get 6 people to agree to go, so we secured a reservation. Not going to wait in line for 3hrs, so this may be a one and done. Tragic. The bar they own across the street is nice - so that helps.
(5)
Amy D.

Been meaning to write this review since Saturday but haven't gotten around to it until now. I planned a whole day for my family who came into the city from about an hour away to check out Rino's because I've heard great things and my family always appreciates some real Italian food. We got there at 2:30, about half an hour before they opened, to ensure we could get seated without a long wait. However, we walked up the restaurant and there was a sign on the window "Closed for vacation. We will be back Monday." Really? I understand people take vacations, but you close down your whole restaurant? Not even that, but I checked their website before going to make sure of the hours and there was absolutely no mention of it being closed that weekend. I would think that would be the least you would do when you shut down your restaurant... but I guess not. So needless to say, my family was pretty disappointed. We ended up going to Rossetti's in Lynn instead (there's one in Winthrop, too!).. highly highly recommended if you're in that area!
(1)
Melaina C.

No..the homemade..extremely fresh food is not overrated. It is just as good as it looks on triple D. Yes, it will take longer than most places...that's because it is being made fresh. Yes, you will have a wait..could be 2 hours..that's bc they have 10 tables. If u know all of this in advance..u will be less annoyed. The service could be better...but honestly it wasn't terrible. The food over powers any crappy service. Chicken and eggplant parm...delish. Eggplant in basil pesto cream sauce delish..lobster rav..delish. Upgrade the pasta to a side of the homemade pasta..it is worth the $5 and it will come with a salad. The portions are huge..don't be cheap! I upgraded to the fresh gnocchi and it was to die for. So light..so fluffy. The sauce is fantastic. Ordered tiramisu for dessert...excellent! Go there!
(5)
Jonathan F.

Amazing food, you simply cannot top the quality, portion size, or taste. It would be 5 stars if the service were more customer oriented. Right now it seems to be more paycheck oriented - the employees have a click and you are a bother.
(4)
Kat T.

I usually do not write reviews, relegated to just reading others' posts. But, my terrible experience last night compelled me to prepare those that seek out this restaurant based on undeserved reviews and advertisements on the Food Network. Truth be told, this does feel like your mom and pop neighborhood home-cooked Italian eatery, but the food is just as good as suggested. Maybe it was magnified by the huge hype and endless hours of waiting, multiplied by the rudeness of the lady in control of the list, but the food was just not that amazing. The Lobster Ravioli was too heavy and a bit too salty. Albeit, there were large chunks of lobster but two raviolis later I could not eat any more and not because of being full. The ravioli skins were also too thick and hard to chew probably from making them so large to contain all the lobster filling. Next, the chicken parmesan was pretty good. But, nothing mind blowing. It was good but in the time waiting I could have flown to Italy for a much better meal. As a warning be prepared to possibly not even get a seat until the kitchen is almost closed because of their need to seat reservations first. And, these can slip in at any time even if they call in last minute. For us, we made the trek to sign our name before 5 pm and were told we would have seating between 7-8pm. However, calling around subsequent times in a 2-hour period the numbers of parties before us had not changed and we were not seated until almost 10 pm, told repeatedly that a new reservation had come in. They may need to rethink their system of seating customers. In summary, this place is just not worth the wait and probably not worth take-out either. I have had much better food and service.
(2)
Cris L.

This isn't your typical restaurant. Where else do you arrive at 5, put your name in for a table for two, give your phone number, and go down the street to a bar for the 2.5-3 hours it takes to get your table? The place is tiny but the food is legit good. The lobster ravioli is simply amazing. The food is reasonably priced for the quality. Overall, you can't go wrong here. But for one small detail.... Can't you just take reservations? I don't want to run back simply because of how long the wait is. Please?
(4)
Natalie T.

After waiting for an empty reservation spot for this place, some friends and I finally went. It was a lot smaller than I expected! but the food was perfect! Simple Italian menu with something for everyone.
(5)
Annie I.

GO HERE NOW. Order the lobster ravioli. Repeat every 3/4 months of your life.
(5)
Gloria P.

Wait wasn't as long as last time. Appetizer was good shrimp dipped in an egg batter in a honey balsamic glaze. The Rino special was good but the sauce was missing something. Service was good friendly and attentive.
(4)
Rubin K.

BEST ITALIAN FOOD!! This place changed the way I saw Italian food, and I can never go back. I used to not crave Italian food because I think it's so easy to make, but so difficult to make well and I don't think i ever really had great Italian food until I came here. It was quite the trek to make it out here, getting lost and going the wrong direction because I couldn't orient myself with the iphone...it was a mess to say the least and my friend almost missed their flight. This place is really close to the airport. But once we got here, holy crap. The waiter was funny and made fun of one of my friends for mispronouncing gnocchi. I ended up getting the Pasta Al Forno (with Fusilli per the recommendation of the waiter). I can't say enough good things...once you go homemade pasta there is no going back. It is so tender and delicious and the sauce was incredible. And the cheese melted so perfectly, but not overpoweringly gooey. My friend got the homemade spaghetti with bolognese...also another incredible dish. Another friend got the Gnocchi...let's just say you can't go wrong with anything here. I loved them all. The only problem is now I have to find a place in CA that is able to make Italian food like that.
(5)
Doan Q.

Rino's is a victim of their own greatness. They were featured on Triple D and now people are flocking there. Hey, I'm one of them. It only has 10-12 tables. I like it that way. You just have to be strategic about when you go. Enough of my ranting to those negative reviewers though. Rino's has to be the best Italian food I have had outside of Italy. I went last year for my Birthday and my bf and I can not stop talking about it. The arrancini balls were tasty. They oozed with cheese but weren't too salty.The pasta is homemade and you can taste the freshness. They also do a great job on their sauces. We clearly had to get Rino's Special and Lobster Ravioli. We're very glad we did too. Rino's does Italian right. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Elizabeth K.

Food was DELIGHTFUL. Customer Service - eh. This place is constantly PACKED. I read the reviews, I saw the Diner's Drive-Ins and Dive's episode and knew this was just the place to take my mother for her birthday. We are both big fans of Italian food and wait or not we were going to eat here! We showed up at 5 pm and took the last table, everyone else had over a half an hour wait after we arrived. The food was FANTASTIC. It was delightful. To die for. Order the lobster raviolis. The server just didn't care. Didn't ask us questions, didn't check on us didn't even ask us how the food was. And when he wanted to know if we were interested in dessert and we said no just the check please, he brought us the dessert menu. Im bummed the service wasn't great. The food I would go back for, just won't expect the friendly attention I expected.
(3)
M R.

I waited 2.5 hour to get in the place about 45min to get our meal. The food is that good! Had the Lobster Ravioli, I would wait all over again
(5)
Anne W.

After a few weeks of anticipation.. I finally made it to Rino's on a snowy night in Boston. This place is true to the word of what everybody says... it is small.. you'll probably wait forever.. in fact, we waited two hours before we got our table... putting our name in at 5 pm. There is no bar at this spot. I have no idea why other reviews say there is.. it's a small spot. Not only that.. the bathroom is found through the kitchen. So.. you get a look into the place... it is slippery as they wash dishes right there. The wait service was friendly. I actually liked it... they teased our group as we had an English girl in our group.. and I did not think they rushed us at all. On to the main event.. the food: Steamed mussels and clams: Really delicious... they use a lot of butter and garlic in the sauce and is heavenly. You probably will end up getting bread to mop this up... Free bread on the table: Meh.. it wasn't bad.. it wasn't good. Just standard. Stuffed mushrooms: They are small mushroom caps.. it was good to share amongst a table. I didn't think they were phenomenal. Very.. seafoody tasting... and a lot of butter. Good thing I only ate half. Eggplant App: This is topped with pesto.. so if you don't like, beware... I think it was on par with what the stuffed mushrooms were like. Not out of this world but definitely the half portion could serve the six of us. Fruitti de mare: I thought this dish was phenomenal! The pasta was al dente... with a lot of seafood flavor. Loved the amount of shellfish in this dish. Amazingly delicious. Lobster Ravioli: I'm going to be honest.. it was good.. but I was not in love with this dish. The ravioli is quite big.. and there are pieces of lobster in the sauce... but I guess I am not a big fan of all the cheese in ravioli. It was good though. Fettucini Alfredo: This was really good... loved how al dente the dish was... And the alfredo sauce was thick. I didn't try anything else.. but yes.. portions are large. We all took food home. I would go again.. but only if I go at 5 pm for a table. I hate being starved out without a bar around...
(4)
Vince O.

The real deal. A straight 1 - 2 punch knock out! From the host (Lisa - I believe), to Lois (our server) and the cooking staff.... my hat goes off to you... not only customer service was top-shelf...but the food you prepared for us made my stomach lining weep... The lobster ravioli's were on hit, and the wife had the pork tenderloin ( she said this was the best she has ever devoured - EVER) We came late and it was probably for the best. I had a chance to take pictures with some of the kitchen staff and we were able to 'shoot the breeze' with Lois. I recommend this place whole heartedly...Come patronize this fine establishment.
(5)
Barry R.

WORTH THE WAIT & WORTHY OF PRAISE Rino's is a small neighborhood Italian joint in East Boston, MA. I was searching "hidden gems" online, and all links pointed towards Rino's. Among the reviews was the suggestion of the best lobster ravioli I'll ever try. That was enough for me. Arriving on a Tuesday at about 7:45pm, we were told the wait would be about 45 minutes. The hostess sent us to a nearby pub for a drink, which we did. By the time an hour had gone by, we were seated. They stop seating at 9pm (Tuesday - Thursday, 10pm other nights), but then stay open until everyone is fed. Nobody is rushed out the door to turn over tables quicker. The menu has a LOT of options. The staff's T-shirts and a huge signed poster on the wall soon made it clear that this gem was no longer hidden... it had been featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives. One friend ordered veal marsala, another ordered rack of lamb, and I went with the lobster ravioli. In fairness, it was easily the best lobster ravioli I'd ever had worldwide. Just the best in Massachusetts or Maine (we are lobster folks, ya know) would have been praise enough, but these really were the best I've ever had. No lack of lobster, and the pasta was perfect. Great sauce. My veal marsala companion could only rave. My rack of lamb pal spends more time in Rome than home in MA. He is incapable of complimenting anyone's Italian food in the USA, but he cleaned that plate better than a dog could have licked it. I would gladly return to try their Lemoncello Shrimp, and a variety of other items. Next month, they open a place across the street called BEFORE AND AFTER. So, walking a few blocks down to the pub to await a table will no longer be neccesary, and it seems one can move across the street for dessert as well. They WILL take reservations for parties of 6 and more. But for others, you can't call to be put on the waiting list. You have to show up in person and put your name down. They will then call when the table is ready, and give you 10 minutes to return, if you are outside, or at their new spot across the street from pre-supper drinks.
(5)
Rachel G.

I live in East Boston and have for 11 years. I would not step foot in this restaurant again. The staff is rude and they think their food is better than it really is.
(1)
TJ M.

Thank you, Guy Fieri and Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives! (note that there's probably some vacation bias built into this rating...) The bad news - like a 2 hour wait on a Saturday afternoon - got there like 4 something and ate after 6pm. While we were waiting, we were talking to this one guy who had arrived after us, and turned out lived in the same neighborhood as my friend. So lucky him, we asked him to join us, so he ended up waiting about 15-20m instead of our 2+ hours. The good news? The food was great! Pretty heavy/rich, but still amazing! Enjoyed it a lot, especially the lobster ravioli. The calamari appetizer was good as well.
(5)
Diane V.

It's taken me a little while to return to Rino's because I don't feel like waiting around for two hours before I get to eat. I ended up going back when my in-laws were in town and wanted to try the place my husband and I raved about. A couple of things irritated me this time around and I don't think I'll be heading back to Rino's any time soon. First, (and I've left a tip on Yelp about this) the refills on soda are not free. They don't tell you this ahead of time, and if you're like me you assume refills are on the house because that's how they are EVERYWHERE. Not here. They tally it up on the back of your check (out of sight out of mind I guess? either way I thought that was misleading) and never say a peep about getting charged for each refill. If I'm paying for a soda and need to drink it in moderation it might be nice if they at least warn you ahead of time. For a table for four people, each of us getting a refill or two over the course of appetizers and a meal, it adds up quickly. That brings me to the service. Awful. The people working there treat the customers as if they should be happy to have gotten in for dinner, not the other way around. I get that they're busy and are popular, and people obviously go back so maybe it doesn't matter to them if they lose a few customers who aren't regulars. But I was annoyed that it took forever to get anything when it seemed that the regulars, or people the waitstaff were familiar with, got the royal treatment. Now, onto the problems with the food. My husband ordered the lobster ravioli, and it had shells in it. By this time the waitress was MIA so we just called it a day and got the check when she happened to come back over to check on us from chit chatting with another table. It just wasn't worth it to us to say something and we got the impression that it wouldn't have mattered much anyway. Overall, pretty annoying experience. I'd be willing to trade a bit of quality for improved customer service any day. And luckily we just found Fiorella's in Newton so we don't have to trade quality at all and the customer service there is impeccable.
(2)
Joe D.

I hate to say this because it will just mean more people going there, but the place is as good as advertised. As my son says, "Best Italian north of Boston." Must be patient because the wait is long. Didn't go there for a year because of a run in with the woman who was keeping track of the waiting list, but the food is terrific. You wait for up to two hours to eat and they have a place across the street where you can run up a hefty bar tab while waiting.
(5)
B R.

Back again. we go once a month now. Insanely delicious. every dish anyone had was amazing. It's not fine dining, but the food is better than any fine dining place. Period. It's fun, it has character and the FOOD.....the FOOOODDD !!!!! Yum. For all those other reviewers who claim an "attitude" problem....get a life. It's italian and it's in the city in it's the northeast, go back to Panera and eat your bland crap, I'll gladly take your table.
(5)
Jim M.

A little Gem Just 13 tables completely fill the tiny dining room of this long time East Boston favorite. Upscale Italian food with a modern flair at moderate prices make it a good value. You get a peek into the kitchen through the window and hand made pasta was being lovingly turned out during our lunch, and the attention to detail from the kitchen was impressive. The lettuce in our salads was all hand torn with no knife cuts, a small detail to be sure, but a pleasant surprise. The atmosphere is neighborhood casual where you can wear your Red Sox hat at the table and fit in. Our pasta dishes were both oversized and very well done with fresh handmade pasta offered in 6 different shapes. (A very rare thing). Service was slow, and the only off note about eating here.It took a half hour to get bread on the table because the waitress was waiting for the kitchen to slice the bread. Why not give her a knife and let her slice it herself? The kitchen has more than enough to do. It reminded me of one of the better neighborhood Italian restaurants that spoiled me in North Jersey growing up and tuned me into a tough critic when it comes to Italian restaurants. Well worth another trip back to Eastie. If the wait staff stepped up their game it just might be a 5 star restaurant.
(4)
Amy M.

We went today to Rino's. A Tuesday. We took the train, not a bad walk from Wood Island Station. We arrived around 3 pm. Walked right in. When we left around 4ish, there was a small wait, but nothing crazy. We heard the waitress tell another table Thursday - Friday it can be a 3 hour wait. The food - We went on an empty stomach and had a late lunch/early dinner. I went with lobster ravioli's based on all the reviews and the Diners, Drive Ins and Dives episode. So, so good. Totally worth it and the reviews are right! We also had the Chicken Parm - very tender and well hammered out. We had Brucshetta and Arancini for apps. The Bruschetta was very good, we had to try it, but would not necessarily get it next time, as there is other stuff to try on the menu. The Arancini was AWESOME! Could have had it as a meal! Best I have had since my grandmother passed away. With all that food, there was leftovers and no room for dessert - which was a bummer, since they all looked good. Service - A couple of people have posted the service wasn't good. Ours was just fine. The waitress was attentive enough, water glasses were consistently filled and she checked in enough, without being annoying. I think people have to remember the food is FIVE star, but at he end of the day the restaurant is considered a "Diner, Drive in or Dive." It is not suppose to be considered a FIVE STAR restaurant, with the bells and whistles of service...it does have FIVE STAR food. I will say towards the end of our meal, when a wait began, no one in the restaurant felt rushed to finish and leave. A single top was taking up a four-top for an hour and he was treated with the same care as any other customer in there.
(5)
Elena E.

Like most people, I saw the Diners Drive-ins and Dives episode with Rino's Place and had to try it. Took me a while to get there since it's out of the way and I knew from other reviewers that it requires a commitment for the wait time. But a friend was visiting and staying near the airport so I used this as an excuse to finally give it a try. There were 4 of us and we put our name on the waiting list around 5:45pm on a Friday evening. We hung out across the street at their bar until we were called at 7pm. Not nearly as long of a wait as I was expecting. We ordered the calamari and stuffed peppers for our appetizer. The calamari was like any other calamari you'd get anywhere. The stuffed peppers though were very good, one of the best dishes of the night. For entrees, I had the lobster ravioli. Very tasty, but definitely heavy and a lot of food. Others had the pasta al forno and pasta bolgonese which were both also very good. Finally, one friend has the pollo saltinboca which was average at best. It did come with a "side" of pasta which was as much pasta as the pasta entrees. But it was just linguine with tomato sauce, so pretty boring. I would suggest sticking to the pasta entrees. All of the entrees were huge and we had enough for dinner the next day and still had leftovers after that. So while it was overall a fun night with good food and wine, I'm giving Rino's 3 stars because it's hard to get to, the long wait times, it's on the expensive side for such standard Italian food (though the servings are enough for several meals), and perhaps besides the lobster ravioli, I didn't think the food was anything I haven't had before and couldn't get at any other standard Italian restaurant. It's worth going to once, but I don't think I'll have the motivation and desire to go again.
(3)
Jennifer B.

My husband and I came here on a road trip to Boston to visit friends, and ever since we saw the episode of DDD with Rino's place, we knew we had to come. Our party of 4 only had about a 40 minute wait, which was way less than I was expecting considering the Yelp reviews (and it was a Friday night!). Wait staff was nice enough. To start, we shared the arancini (YUM!) and had a bottle of Malbec that was also delish. I ordered off the specials menu, and had some sort of spiced sausage with garlic and broccoli rabe and wow was it good. My husband ordered the lobster ravioli, and it definitely lived up to the hype. You can taste the chunks of fresh lobster on top and inside the pasta, and the pasta itself is fresh and homemade. Same thing with the gnocchi--my friend ordered it as a side dish, and they were incredible. Tomato sauce was nice and light. My mouth is watering writing this......I think it's time for another Boston trip just to eat at Rino's!
(5)
Ken D.

So you may have seen or heard that this restaurant was on TV with some crazy haired California dude who goes around trying different places (which this one doesn't qualify as either a diner, a drive-in, or a dive... whut?) but I'll tell ya, when that guy declared that this place's Italian cuisine was the-bomb-dot-com he was on point. Sometimes these places or things get hyped up and don't meet expectations but they certainly don't skimp here. There's not a lot of tables so yeah we had to wait, but there's a pretty cool lounge across the street that you can chill at while you wait, and I got some bruschetta with super-fresh goat cheese on it which was delicious. They call your phone when your table is ready (pretty sweet way of doing it honestly) and we head over, the person I was with tried the lobster ravioli which was on the aforementioned show... Plenty of meaty lobstery goodness in every bite. I was going to get them too but decided to try something different, so got seafood cannelloni - this dish now haunts my dreams as I could possibly eat it at every meal every day. Every sea critter imaginable wrapped in delicious fresh doughy pasta with a wonderful red sauce and enough basil to cause a seizure. Absolute heaven. Did I mention the portions? This thing was TWO of these massive cannelloni where one would have been acceptable. I was taught by my mother to finish everything on my plate but there was just no friggin' way I was eating both. I wish I lived closer. I wish Rino would just decide the city sucks and come to NH. I wish I had seafood cannelloni right now.
(5)
Joe U.

Finally made it inside...worth the wait. Awesome Italian that hasn't let Food Network completely get to its head. Antipasto was pretty good, not great. Eggplant appetizer was very good. Famous lobster ravioli was superb, with the most lobster meat I've had in a prepared dish. The sauce was a little salty, but rich and creamy. The homemade ravioli pasta was awesome. The sausage and broccoli rabe pasta was also very good, especially the texture of the homemade ziti. Beef rib on risotto was very tasty, just a tad salty, and the risotto consistency was a bit drier than what my buddy thought risotto should be. Nonetheless, great flavor all around. The portions were HUGE...didn't realize how generous they were. I have to give service top marks, not for the table service, but the reservation lady Lisa was extremely nice when one member of our party was stuck in traffic for a very long time.
(5)
Kevin P.

Wonderful. Lobster Ravioli was the best.....
(5)
Veronica J.

This was the last place our group of four stopped on our way to the airport to end our 6-day Boston trip. We ate SO much amazing food while we were there that it's hard to stack it all against each other. Below are the most fitting ratings I can come up with for Rino's Service: 3 Not the friendliest bunch overall, though some stood out more than others. Also not the most attentive: our waitress walked around holding a baby part of the time, which obviously distracted her (and just how sanitary is that?? Gross), and we were never asked if we wanted anything else when our salad/appetizer was dropped off (we would have loved some balsamic to go with the caprese and the bread). Luckily we went during lunch, pretty much right after they'd opened, so we didn't have to deal with any wait at all, much less a 3+ hr wait like some visitors reported. Food: 3-5 The salads that come with the meals are the most boring, out-of-a-bag-looking-and-tasting dinner salads I've ever seen. If you have a craving for an actual, good salad, don't set yourself up for disappointment like I did. If you choose pasta instead of salad to go with your entree, be prepared for a second course -- it's a HUGE portion, and not too bad. The caprese appetizer we all shared was pretty good, though like I said, it would have been nicer to have been offered balsamic to go with it (it was only dressed with a bit of oil). The real stars of this place are the entrees! Two of us got meat dishes, and both of them were amazingly delicious (pollo marsala and vitello saltinboca). Another got the lobster ravioli, which she thought was the best she'd tasted anywhere. The fourth got one of the current specials, I think it was pumpkin ravioli or gnocchi. She reported that it was just ok; I think she might have found a foreign hair in it, which understandably turned her off. Atmosphere: 4 It's a tiny place, but it has very cute old-world-ish decor. I can definitely see how it fills up quickly and stays full around dinner time & after. Good thing they recently opened a bar right across the street where you can get drinks & apps while you're waiting for your meal. Overall, I give this place 3 stars. Remember: go during lunch, and go for the entrees -- don't bother filling up on anything else first!
(3)
Christina G.

Who knew you could get fantastic Italian outside of the North End? I guess you can, and I found it right here at Rino's. The menu is simple and straightforward as another reviewer put it. They seem to get a little more creative with their specials but the regular menu items stick to more standard and traditional Italian dishes, the difference is they do standard very very well here. Great sauce and perfect homemade pastas seem to be their strong point. The Gnocchi was some of the best I've had and the Pasta Al Forno tasted like a fantastic home cooked meal. That particular dish has mini meatballs in it that tasted just like my mom's, and I've always thought hers were the very best. For an appetizer we started with the Fried Mozzarella, which was huge but an excellent choice. They drizzle theirs with a little basil pesto that gives it some nice added flavor. It was a little pricier than we expected from our first glance at the place, however considering the large portion sizes it wasn't too bad. It's not particularly ambient or beautifully decorated and service was just okay, but who cares when the food is this yummy. It has that hole in the wall feeling, the kind that makes you feel very happy to have "discovered" it. I would definitely return.
(4)
Stephanie C.

I would eat here everyday for the rest of my life if I lived in Boston. Really! Rino's Place has the best Chicken Parmesan I've ever had. The chicken was breaded and flavored to perfection, the marinara sauce was homemade the spaghetti al dente. Great dish to try if you're looking for something familiar and comforting. But now let's talk about a dish that will take you to drool city and back again with every single bite. The Lobster Ravioli. Yes! The Lobster Ravioli. Chunks of fresh lobster meat mixed with ricotta cheese and encased in fresh, homemade pasta, covered in a cream sauce with even more chunks of lobster meat! This is the dish I dream of and still talk about a month after my trip to Boston. The only negative thing is the wait. I think my fiance and I waited outside for about an hour, no biggie, but there really isn't a place to sit except the curb. However, all can be fixed if you call ahead for reservations. In short, if you're going to Boston eat here, and if you're in Boston eat here now lol! - Brownie Out
(5)
Tina W.

It's difficult to imagine a meal that melts (in your mouth) away the hours you've waited for your table, but Rino's dishes do just that! We enjoyed most succulent meals! The service from Lucia was flawless: She was very attentive and enhanced our most pleasurable dining experience. We'll be back!
(5)
Dan M.

This was suggested by my sister, so we decided to give it a try. Mama Mia this is one of the best Italian Restaurants we have been to...we started with the stuffed mushrooms, then on to the caprese salad. After enjoying a beer or two we were ready for the main courses. Lobster ravioli and Fruitti de mare. Food was excellent, service was wonderful. This is a small place so you may have to wait but believe me, it is well worth the wait. You are not rushed and everything was made to order and piping hot when served. Located in a neighborhood so parking is at a premium but available on the street. Bottom line Rino's is a must when visiting Boston.
(5)
Lynne H.

Wish I could post a real review, but after waiting for 3 and a half hours, we left. We called at 4, told the wait would be 2.5 hours. At almost 3 hours, we checked and were told it was going to be another 1.5 hours. That was at 7:15, so you do the math - eating at 9:30? We had a 45+ minute commute home after, so we just couldn't wait any longer. I wish the hostess had been honest from the start and told us it was a 3-4 hour wait, then we could have gone to the North End and had a nice meal . . .
(1)
Ben P.

I will never come back to this place. We got to the restaurant at 6:30 pm. There were about 10-12 people waiting outside. I dropped my girlfriend off to put our names on the list while I parked. After about an hour and a half of waiting I went in and asked the very rude hostess how long the wait would be. She said there were two parties of six and two parties of two in front of us. However, there were about four groups of people (by my count) who strolled up to the place and were seated after waiting only 20 minutes. Note: you need six people to make a reservation and none of these parties had six people. They must have been regulars and we were all chumps. Other people who had been waiting noticed that these people were getting seated ahead of them and the hostess had an excuse every time. The waitstaff did nothing in terms of turning parties over. I literally watched two tables get their food in togo containers and pay their bill who then proceeded to stay in their seats and chat for another hour. I even heard one couple say as they were walking out that he felt bad for staying as long as they did while there were so many people waiting outside- ya think! So we finally get our name called at about 9:00 to a round of applause by the people who were standing out there with us the longest (no lie!). We get sat down and the waitress was very to-the-point and not very friendly. We ordered the fried mozzarella balls for an app and I got the chicken parm with the homemade pasta (I've never had homemade pasta but I was disappointed because it was very chewy and I don't like my pasta chewy). Getting a drink refill was like winning the lottery. I had my empty glass on the edge of the table for almost the entire meal. And we didn't see our waitress until she dropped off the check. I stopped another woman and asked her for refills. The food is great but these people suck. They let people ahead of other parties with no regard for how long they have been waiting and the waitstaff was pretty much nonexistent. I won't ever be going back.
(1)
Leslie F.

*** 4 if you order the Lobster Ravioli and have less than a 40 minute wait to be seated in this tiny hole in the wall. ***3 if you have an experience like mine (take-out b/c of a 2 1/2 hour long wait) Toward the end of a recent trip to Boston, I convinced my very reluctant cousin to drive out to the questionable area of East Boston for Lobster Ravioli from Rino's. Guy Fieri has visited this authentic Italian eatery on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives so i just had to go. Apparently Rino's restaurant is no joke because there was a two and a half hour wait! No thank you; after walking my butt off through sweltering hot Boston all day, I was not about to stand on the street side and sweat some more. The only logical solution? Take-out. We ordered the famous lobster ravioli, a ground sausage, pea and mushroom ricotta tortellini and wild mushroom and sage ravioli. My cousin, living above an authentic Italian restaurant, was not so sure Rino's deserved all the hype. Then again, she is not a lobster fanatic. Truth be told, the other pastas were mediocre but the super-stuffed and delicious sauced lobster ravioli was seriously stunning. It is the dish Guy drooled over and it's no wonder why. It would've been lovely to have be so "lucky" to get a table here. The hosts and servers were not very friendly and seemed to care less about their guests (at least those receiving take-out). But again, that lobster ravioli was truly in a league of its own. If I lived in Boston and didn't mind driving, I'd give these rude folks my business any day of the week for that dish.
(3)
Southernpilot S.

Had a very good diner 05-2013. The wait is too long though.
(4)
Christina Z.

The reason I run miles a day. So I can eat at Rino's. It's gotten even better. Fried Calamari Mozzarella Balls - a tad on the soggy side, but I was really stretching to find anything wrong with this meal 2 orders of Gnocci - my absolute favorite, they trump all gnocci everywhere Lobster Ravioli - the standout, heaped with lobster meat and delicious sauce you need to mop your bread in 2 Chicken Marsala with mushrooms and ham, the sauce is like candy 1 Chicken Carozzella - light and lemony and winey delicious 1 Veal Parm - classic Fat kid. Party of one. Okay, there were eight of us.
(5)
Angela B.

Amazing. Haven't had Italian food like that since actually being in Italy. The antipasto was probably my favorite out of everything. When simple dishes are done right they stand out above everything. The fried calamari was great. I don't know if they brine it in something to make it less chewy but it was perfect. The bruschetta, the ravioli, and the mellenzane ripieno were all great. I had the gnocchi which were light and fluffy and not the typically heavy little rocks you get in most restaurants. I also tasted my husbands rigatoni and the homemade pasta tasted great and was cooked perfectly. I can't wait to come back. I want to try the bresaola, the frutti di mare, and the matriaciana. I rarely go to a restaurant and hurt myself. But I couldn't stop eating and ate myself into a coma. Well worth the pain.
(5)
John B.

The bad news: we waited two-and-a-half hours to be seated. The good news? It was entirely worth it. By the end of the meal, we felt like family to the staff there, had bellies full of utterly amazing food, and really just had one of the best dining experiences IN MY LIFE. They really need to find a bigger place to meet demand, but then that would probably just ruin the place. Since they don't take reservations for parties smaller than six guests, your best bet is to get there early or late. If you get there in the middle of the dinner rush, yes, you can expect a wait of HOURS. So, your best bet - find some friends or another family and make a reservation. On the night of our visit, a party of ten calmly parked their cars and walked right into the place without waiting a minute. THAT'S the way to do it here. Food-wise, the lobster ravioli is to die for. I almost wept when it was all gone. The Caprese and Brushetta were scrumptious too, and the Bolognese was fantastic. The list of specials is a mile long and augments the already substantial main menu. It was REALLY difficult to choose what to order. Quirk: there is ONE unisex bathroom and you have to walk through the kitchen to get to it. It's actually pretty cool - you get to (briefly) see a real Italian kitchen in all its mechanized glory. So, prepare ahead of time with some planning and get ready to have an incredible dining experience. Heck, Guy liked it so much he gave this place a double time slot on the DDD show. That says a lot. And, I lived in Rome for 3+ years and know what authentic Italian is supposed to taste like. This is the best of that cuisine I've had in the US.
(5)
Paran Y.

I should be impartial to the wait time at a restaurant but in the case of Rino's I cannot. This place wholeheartedly deserves 5 stars. Lobster Ravioli - imagine a ravioli filled with chunks of lobster about ...3 cubic inches, no joke. This bad boy was STUFFED with lobsters. Not enough? How about a sauce with huge lobster chunks in it. Catch my drift? Good, cause it smells like lobster. Calamari - Very good. Nothing too amazing but very tasty Sooo...why the 1 missing star? How about a 3.5 hour wait to get seated. Ouch....we literally walked to a bar, got food, got drinks, and waited until we got hungry again before we had our first bite at Rino's. It didn't help that there weren't that many places around Rino's that are worth going to. Anywho, everyone must come here at least once. Maybe twice for a special person.
(4)
Pat B.

OK, I have finally had the best Italian food in North America. I had the opportunity to finally visit this Mecca on this week and the place was better than I ever imagined. We started with the Shrimp Limoncello. It was served over spinach and was a unique dish to me. The flavors were truly amazing. The shrimp was perfect and the sauce was all wiped up with the bread that was brought. For my meal I ordered the famous Lobster Ravioli. I had seen the dish on DDD and I was worried that they wouldn't have any left. I was in luck. It arrived on a large plate with 8 ravioli that were all as large as I had ever seen. The sauce was Fresh Plum Tomato with Lobster meat and it was unbelievable. The pasta was perfect and each pillow filled with a large amount of lobster meat. Absolutely amazing meal. We arrived and were told that the wait was long. I said it didn't matter. The hostess took my cell phone number and sent us to Kelly's Square Pub to wait. We had a couple of Sam Adam's Lagers and the phone rang. We walked back and were seated. For the reviewers that thought the wait was too long, I say good riddance, that means that I will get my table sooner. Seriously, the place is off the beaten path, you have to go into the kitchen to get to the restroom, the wait is long, but it blows all other restaurants away.
(5)
John B.

Bad service. Bad food. Long wait. Dont waste your time.
(1)
Elisabeth L.

The food was decent, very big portions. I had the gnocci's, I don't recommend them, they serve it with parm. cheese on top, they put it on before they serve it and the cheese gets mixed into the sauce like string. The staff run this place so backwards, we got in line at 3:30 on a saturday, there were 12 couples in line ahead of us. They kept on bringing people in two or three at a time, every 10 or 15 minutes, even though there were still empty tables.
(3)
jenilee p.

Have you ever sat through an Olive Garden commercial and hardcore gagged? The phony family atmosphere, the true Italian food = love message, servers with perfect teeth and straight A smiles? If you're anything like me, the very existence of multiple Olive Gardens puts you off any sort of Italian food - any time, anywhere. Rino's is the absolute antidote to any sort of poison fed us via the "unlimited salad and bread sticks" empire. This tiny restaurant is flawless. Worth the trip to Eastie? You bet. It's basically a small room with a curved diner-style ceiling with no more than twelve tables. For whatever the room may lack in character (if you're friggin blind), it's more than made up for by a handful of some of the most colorful, endearing, and lovely waitstaff I've ever had the pleasure of bantering with. Indeed, my friends, diners here either feel lucky to have arrived at the local restaurant, or are themselves one way or another "part of the family." Upon being seated, grab some wine (they have a really nice bottle of Chianti on the menu for approximately $25), and order up appetizers. Our table's choices: 1) The calamari - Not much to say here. With a squeeze of lemon, each succulent piece was lightly breaded, giving way to perfectly fried seafood. (You know... as in not rubbery.) The large portion was also scattered with rings of pickled banana peppers, one of my favorite things. I can't see how anyone would be disappointed with this dish. In all honesty, I was a little surprised that there were no dipping sauces. But guess what? They didn't need them. 2) Arancini special - Order this. One order comes with four bigger-than-a-golf-ball, smaller-than-a-baseball arancinis. Each risotto ball was crispy on the outside, creamy and a bit sweet on the inside, perfectly matched with a tangy tomato sauce coating the bottom of the plate. The dish was also topped with shaved Parmesan and a bit of parsley. I will order this again, and fight anyone that stands in my way. The Big Show: Eager to see a good version of a dish I constantly "don't get", I ordered the bolognese with a pasta that started with the letter F... (wikipedia has failed me in figuring out the exact type). A heaping shallow bowl of pasta arrives at your table: curly, fresh, homemade pasta... swimming in a hearty sauce of ground veal, pork, and beef. Each bite gives way to bits of onion and carrot, completely infused with that incredibly rich, savory sauce. I don't know if I've ever had pasta prepared to order with so much care. I didn't give a crap about bolognese after being burned time and time again by douche bags that love shitty Italian food. I now give a crap. You did that, Rino's. One of my fellow diners ordered the veal parmigiana. If she had gotten up to go to the bathroom, I would have slid her order into my purse and claimed no knowledge. I think she definitely won the best entree prize, with veal that was pounded until just thin enough: tender, but not so thin that it was overpowered by a crunchy, fantastic breading. Tomato sauce and melted mozzarella wrapped up the best version of veal parmigiana that I've ever tasted. Though the bolognese was good, I will order the veal next time. The rest of our table also had quintessential, pedestal-worthy versions of classic Italian dishes (pollo braciolentini, lamb shank, braised pork with risotto), but clearly I am running out of room to wax poetic. So in conclusion, get to Rino's, and bring some people you like. People you don't like aren't allowed here. In getting here, a few tips: 1) Rino's is walking distance from Airport stop on the blue line. 2) If you must park, especially when there's aluminum chair/trash can warfare in Eastie during the winter, take a look at the school a few blocks away. Sometimes there's a spot there, and then you won't be pissing anyone off. 3) Call before venturing out to the restaurant. Remember, it's small, so don't be surprised if they're not taking anymore reservations, but definitely get on the wait list. Odds are, you'll get out to the restaurant, and you'll have a reasonable (completely worth it) wait before being seated inside. Godspeed diners, and to Olive Garden / Carrabas / Buca di Beppo / Bertuccis / Papa Razzi / Macaroni Grill - you all suck and you know it.
(5)
Noelle J.

Just go you won't be disappointed....WORTH THE WAIT! Scallops in lemoncillo I can't describe it.
(5)
Captain Stanley T.

Home made lobster ravioli worth the trip and lives up to its reputation.
(4)
Michelle S.

This is my FAVORITE restaurant, hands down. I've grown up with off the boat Italian cooking and my family would probably disown me if they knew that I thought that Rino's cooking was better than my Nonna's---but IT IS! Every time I go I say I'm going to order something different, but I can never say no to their gnocchi and chicken/eggplant parm combo. Even their caesar salad is to die for. And a glass of wine is only 5 bucks! I was so happy for them when they were featured on Diners, Drive In's and Dives, but now it's so tough to get in. We've been going for lunch instead of dinner lately which has worked out well. Can't wait to try the new place they opened across the street either! I'm actually starving just after writing this review--too bad it's Sunday and they're not open, otherwise we would have hopped in the car and been on our way!
(5)
Charles B.

Service was outstanding but that's only the start! We had an early dinner and I it was great, fantastic, over the top! I had the Rino's special which is veal and chicken in a mushroom sauce, couldn't be tastier. I also had a half portion of lobster ravioli man these things were the size of my fist and full of fresh lobster! Everything was fresh and perfectly cooked - it's a place I would love to live across from so I could go for lunch and dinner every day.
(5)
Joi T.

Yummy, Yummy ,Yummy I got love in my tummy... From the food, the staff and dÃ©cor Rinos Place is amazing. I went here on Valentine's Day with my friend for a delicious lunch and boy was it delicious. After watching the Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with Guy Fieri I knew I had to try the Lobster Raviolis. The portions were huge and took me 3 days to finish my meal. I usually don't eat reheated food because it never tastes the same but this tasted just like it did when it came out the kitchen. My friend had the Bolognese. Huuuuuuge you can barely make a dent when eating it at the restaurant. I wish I could remember the name of her appetizer but it was French bread cut in half with melted mozzarella cheese and the sauce was made out of anchovies and butter and yum I want it now. We got here before 3:45 pm and didn't mind waiting outside since it was really nice out. The parking can be a bit tricky but they do not have resident parking form what we could find so no worries about tows and tickets. They also do take out if you prefer to eat at home since seating is limited.
(5)
Graceypoo M.

I actually decided I would use my frequent flier miles to go to Boston, not just to see my classmates put on a 3.5hours variety show/play, but to also eat at Rino's, per Guy Fieri's recommendation (of DD&D via FoodTV). My friend and I trekked all the way from Longwood Medical Area to Rino's via two trains on the T, but was misdirected by the T-line information guy and a Boston cop as to where we can find Bremen Street. We had to walk through construction sites, underpasses, and unpaved roads. FINALLY, we see Rino's Place--a quaint neighborhood Italian restaurant in a residential area next to the airport grounds. We got there a little past 1pm and thankfully we didn't have to wait. Most of the customers here looked like regulars. The capacity was probably no more than 50 people-- so it was a rather meager establishment. The day's specials were handwritten on a piece of 8.5X11 printer paper and photocopied. I remembered I had to get the "Rino's Special" since I couldn't decide what meat I wanted to get. Rino's Special comes with veal, chicken, and shrimp on your choice of pasta in a mushroom cream sauce. For an extra $5, I can get the dish made with handmade pasta. I jumped on that. My friend got the lobster ravioli. For starters, we also ordered caprese salad and a half order of fried smelt. The main dishes came with a generous portion of salad. They also give you a basket of sliced breads and focaccia. OK... I know caprese salads are super simple, but I swear the way they seasoned theirs made it the BEST caprese salad I have ever had. I really liked the fried smelt too, which came with a drizzle of aioli on them. Our main dishes were HUGE. My dish was friggin' delicious. I actually loved loved loved the huge pieces of mushroom the most in terms of intensity of flavor. The handmade fetuccine pasta was WOW. I was surprised that my friend was also able to put away most of her lobster ravioli (biggest raviolis I have ever seen in my life-3inch diameter). We had to ask for half our dishes to be packed up since we also wanted to get dessert. There were three ladies lunching next to us and they asked us where we were from. The servers joined in the conversation about how we found Rino's place through a TV program. I told them I wrote FoodTV to make sure they changed the error on their website regarding the address of the restaurant. The server was super helpful with choosing chocolate desserts for us. We had the chocolate sorbetti served in a cacao half shell, and some other stracciateli-like dessert. She also told us the EASIEST route to get to Rino's from the Airport Station on the Blue Line--which was literally less than a 5 minute walk vs. the confusing 15minute + trek we went on when we were lost. I've recommended this place to my entire class of 200 people, including faculty and staff members... and to all of you! The best Italian dishes I've ever had and this place isn't even located in the North End, which probably helps to keep prices very reasonable, the portions very generous, and the quality impeccable. Here is an adapted recipe by FoodTV of the dish I had: foodnetwork.com/recipes/â€¦ =8)
(5)
Ari B.

I came here during a trip to Boston with my family. We heard of Rino's because we watched an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives with Guy Fieri and were very impressed with what we saw. Needless to say, I was not disappointed. The portions were big and filling. The food was very fresh, and you could taste every single ingredient that was used. If you're in town, don't leave without tasting the fabulous lobster ravioli!
(4)
Russ M.

Arrived at 2pm, waited in bar adjacent for only half hour. Really good lobster ravioli, sublime limoncello shrimp, full bodied red wine, excellent service.
(4)
Herb Z.

Fantastic place. Gets a 4 stars because it is such a pain to get in there and eat. Food is a 5 star and beats 99% of the north end restaurants handily.
(4)
Kim T.

I saw this on Food Network and had to try it. Its a small place. Kind of reminds me of the inside of a train. The neighborhood doesnt seem so great but I found parking close by after driving around a few times. I really enjoyed the calamari and took some pasta dishes home for the family to go. We all loved it and the pasta was gone in no time.
(4)
Nenna F.

You won't believe me when I write this but here it goes... I flew into Boston after being rerouted during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. My original flight was from Berlin and so I only had my passport on me. Given all that had been going on, it seemed that a rental car was my only option for the night unless I wanted to sleep in the airport. Well, I couldn't take it as I can't make good decisions on an empty stomach...so I said Fuck It! I'm in Boston let me get some Italian food. I yelped and Rino's came up. Well, if you know Boston as I don't this spot was on a street that looked like some from a Ben Affleck movie. Told the cabbie to let me out after he messed up directions...I took my luggage and went into the place. I asked for a table and I quickly got 1 for me and my luggage. Then as I situated myself before sitting I see this interracial couple starring at me...They said you can sit with us in the THICK ASS BOSTON accent. I sat, we ordered, and conversation pursued. They asked about my luggage and I told them my ordeal about Hurricane Sandy. Get this! They Freaking offered me a place to stay for the night. How cool was this? And at the end of the dinner, they paid for my food. We later left to the bar across from Rino (which was opened for the overflow apparently). Seems like I got lucky all the way around: No waitlist at Rino's, Open Face Crab Ravioli, Gratitude Meal, A Pumpkin Spice Beer, a clean bed for the night, and then ultimately a flight out in the AM...#GRATITUDE See you soon!
(5)
Kris G.

Try homemade pasta and lobster ravioli. try rinos special it has veal, chicken, shrimp, and fresh pasta. also try pork tenderloin with cherries.
(3)
Mary Jane J.

Yes, you will wait a very long time (try not to get drunk while you wait at their lounge across the street) but it is WORTH IT! Best eggplant I have ever had in my life. My husband's firestation was a block down so sometimes I use visiting him as an excuse to get takeout when he was on an overnight shift :o) Service is good, they all seem like a family which I truly respect. The prices are good, especially considering their portions are huge. Not a Guy Fieri fan and hate the poster of him on the wall but this place is definitely a gem in Boston and possibly the best Italian food I've ever had.
(5)
Jonathan B.

Place was fantastic. The staff was great and knowledgeable about the menu. The bread and the dipping sauce arrived at the table and I knew this was going to be good. Had a nice salad with their creamy Italian. They have a daily special menu that is constantly changing from what I understand! I am a sucker for lamb entrees. I had The Lamb Chops in a Balsamic Honey/Cherry Reduction. The Lamb was cooked to perfection. It came with asparagus that had been drizzled in a buttery oily and pepper and garlic. It was to die for. The meal also came with a potato croquet that was cooked to a perfect golden brown. I am going back soon. Next time I want to go with like 4 other people and order 4 different entrees and have them serve it to us family style. I want to try the Ravioli's, Meatballs, Chicken Parm and The Veal. I wonder if I asked nicely if they would serve a there sirloin with the balsamic reduction sauce. Only had too wait about 10 minutes for a table. I figured parking would be an issue it was not. I parked easily on Bennington Street. It was only a 2 minute walk. I will never figure out why people eat at chains. In closing better then anything I have ever eaten in The North End. Half the money and none of the pretentious attitude you tend to get in North End Eateries.
(5)
Sean H.

Terrific food, great value. Big beautiful chunks of lobster in the ravioli. Had the mussel/clam app, eggplant pesto app, and the chicken carozella with great homemade pasta. Wish one could eat like this everyday! Worth the trip.
(5)
Juliana P.

Okay, not really a diner, drive in, or dive but I came because of the show and WOW! Absolutely amazing!(The show is not always this spot on...) The secret is to not wait in line...either call ahead for take out or head across the street for their other appetizer/dessert establishment (probably also has a long line). Not much for atmosphere, but I would TOTALLY drive out of my way for the food here. VERY resonably priced and super fresh. I got the lobster ravioli twice as it is the best I've EVER had--$25 for 8 HUGE ravioli's, big chunks of lobster, and a salad and bread to boot. The only downside of ordering out is missing daily specials--my dad sampled 3 different ones for $6 each and was very satisfied. I've also had the oven-baked pasta with little meat balls and it was amazing. Two forks up.
(5)
Shelley T.

I already want to go back. The longggg wait time (over 2 1/2 hours) would deter me from going any time soon. However by the time we did sit the food was so worth it. The food is AMAZING ! Every portion is HUGE ! I'd recommend anything. The lobster ravs are the best I've ever had. But I would try something else next time for sure. ---- They have it down to a science though, go next door.....Eat and drink before you get to the main restaurant (spending more money) because the wait is so long. Then by the time you sit down, you've waited so long, and even though you may not be too hungry anymore.....your DEFINITELY going to order a meal now that you've waited this long and all the hipe. So now you order (spending more money) and then barely finish your HUGE portion. It's great food. But the line is really long. You can absolutely call and get take-out and eat it at home.......I promise it will taste just the same, and you will save money on the tip. The appetizer and cocktail place across the street (Prima e Dopo) is the same ownership so it's just as delicious to go there for apps and drinks before or even just for the night if that's all you are looking for. By the time we had a few drinks and apps we were already $70 dollars in, and hadn't even eaten next door yet. I'd come back just to this place alone, the food is just as good but limited menu and more appetizer type plates (Same owners). They have the option of half or full order of most apps which is really cool. You HAVE TO TRY the meatballs. They are almost as good, if not better than my 100% Italian Grandmother. Also the stuffed mozzarella is sooo good. I would suggest going for lunch or not when your starving. Be prepared to wait but they will call your cell so you can even go for a nice walk around east boston if you wanted.
(5)
Fred M.

Had a wonderful dinner there with great appetizers (tried one of each and all were terrific), an awesome Fruitti di Mare (enough for two huge hungry men with enough pasta for a meal in itself for 2). Delicious lobster ravioli. One of the best Italian meals I've had in Boston in my life and I've been everywhere in the North End. Off the beaten path but worth a trip for sure.
(4)
Ashley G.

This place in unreal. After recently moving to Eastie from the North End, I was a little sad to leave pasta heaven. Luckily, my cousin took to me Rino's. Get ready to wait, even on a Monday, we had to wait an hour. Luckily there is a cute bar right across the street owned by the same family that you can wait in and have a yummy drink and chat with the super friendly staff. The host even called over to the bar to let us know when our table was ready. My cousin and I each got a pasta dish and shared a bottle of wine. My pasta special was amazing with a creamy tomato sauce, onions and pancetta. My cousin loved her dish too with meatballs and cheese. The portions were HUGE, we filled up and had leftovers for days. The meal was super affordable, I have paid double in the North End for less yummy food. The dÃ©cor and ambiance is nothing special, but this place is totally worth a trip for the food.
(5)
Lori B.

I have a love/hate relationship with Rino's. The chef/owner works his tail off to make delicious food--and it used to be truly delicious. The portions are generous. But that's not the litmus test of a good restaurant. And you wouldn't find any of this food in Italy. But I used to love going to Rino's for the comfort of quality Italian-American food. Then Guy Fieri showed up with Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, and Rino's got a little taste of fame and couldn't keep up. The service is always surly. And we once waited 4 hours for a table because visitors from out of town wanted to go. Really? Four hours? The "hostess" was less than "hosttess-ly." I've avoided the place like the plague since. I live 20 minutes away. I consider it a tourist trap now. There really are better places to get good Italian/American cuisine (tho you can't beat Chef Anthony's lobster ravioli). Lori
(3)
Natasha H.

This place was recommended by a co-worker and, after finding the DDD segment and seeing all the handmade pasta, my mom and I decided to try it. We arrived around 11:30 in the morning and were able to walk right in. No hostess was at the hostess station and those sitting at tables kept looking at us like we were strange for WAITING for a hostess. Not sure if we were expected to seat ourselves or not, but I didn't see a sign stating for us to do so. Our waiter was very pleasant and personable. He was very attentive (and not bad to look at, either). I ordered the lobster ravioli, which came with 8 large raviolis filled with big chunks of lobster. The sauce was perfect and I did not have to add any seasoning. My mother ordered the Rino's special. While it was good, she had to add A LOT of seasoning to get it to where she wanted it (and I mean A LOT). The portions are huge and the prices are decent. I've been told that if you try to go at dinnertime you should be prepared for at least a 2 hour wait. Early lunch on a Tuesday, however, seems to be a great time to walk right on in! Bottom line: Would I go back? Yes. Was it as fabulous as I expected? No. Good, yes...but I found it didn't quite measure up to the hype.
(3)
Michael W.

Yes you have to wait, and yes they don't take call ahead - but if you go to a place like this you understand it and have to except it - docking stars for that isn't fair (I'm a restaurant manager so I'm generally more forgiving and more picky at the same time). The service: Friendly and warm, comfortably paced, didn't have to ask for more water refills. Never felt rushed and had a fantastic conversation with our waitress at the end of the evening. The food: my wife and I shared: MOZZARELLA - fresh mozzarella breaded and pan seared topped with a fresh plum tomato sauce $11 4 Giant Fresh Mozzarella Balls lightly breaded with just enough plum tomato sauce, fork and knife type giant. Had a nice crunch to them still, warm and soft inside. My wife: POLLO PARMIGGIANA - pan fried breaded chicken cutlet topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese $14 Not overdone with cheese, flavorful, and could only finish half of it. Me: POLLO BRACIOLETINI - chicken breast stuffed with Italian cold cuts and cheese pan seared with mushrooms. Finished in a marsala white wine lemon butter sauce $15 Delicious, the mushrooms were not slimy or too soft, the sauce was sweet and had a lot of dimension to it. The chicken soft on the inside, slight crisp on the outside and you could really taste all the meats and cheese inside. I too only finished half of mine (I'm 6'2" and 220 lbs, not a small guy). We saw a pork tenderloin with a cherry glace on it that we need to go back and try. The space is tight, but once you're sitting it's fine, the dishes are huge and can take up a lot of space on the table. The food however is worth the wait for a table, and it did take a bit of time to come out - but as long as you're there with good company it's worth it!
(4)
Meg C.

I have to admit the only reason I tried this place was because of diners drive ins and dives. The lobster ravioli has me coming back. I've waited over two hours the first time coming here, now I never wait because I just order take out to eat at home instead. Parking is hard to find as well. The shrimp limoncello is also delicious as well. It's worth the try!
(4)
Amy T.

Yes, the wait time is forever. Yes, it's family own, so the feel good atmosphere. Yes, our server didn't know much about the wine. Yes, the lobster gnocchi has the portion fit for a herd of cow and the quality fit for a king. Yes, even if it's just once, you should go.
(4)
Nick D.

Worth the wait. Best lobster raviolois i've ever had. It is a smaller restaurant so it can be difficult getting at table at night, but always worth it!
(5)
Rob L.

Believe the hype! This place was that good that I came back for seconds during my trip to Boston. The food is the best Italian that I've had while going out to eat. Although the bartender across the street definitely helped, it was an easy choice to come back at the end of our trip. Lobster ravioli was as good as advertised. The fresh pasta is a winner. You definitely get what you pay for when you get here. The prices might seem steep but come here hungry cause you get a decent amount of food. Even the appetizers were huge. This place is off the beaten path and we found the best way to get there is taking the T or the subway. It's only a few blocks away. Expect to wait over an hour but just go to the bar them opened across the street and visit Joseph and Tammy. They'll treat you well.
(5)
Kristina D.

This place is horrible. We got to the restaurant at 4:45 and waited nearly an hour and a half for a table. The food was fine but the service was awful!!!!
(1)
Debra W.

The. Best. Seafood. Ever. Rino's is incredible and worth the wait. They have a bar across the street, so grab a drink there first (or after) but don't miss the main show. Honestly, this is the freshest and most delicious Italian around, and my new favorite place for seafood in Boston. Baby octopus and mussells to start (even the half-size is generous)..talk about tender. Then, all the fruits of the sea you can imagine, in massive quantity and utmost quality, server over perfectly al dente homemade linguine..this fruitte de mare is 'the' best I've ever had. Bar none. With friendly staff, warm environment, and a personal check-in by Rino himself, this place gets full marks.
(5)
Jill F.

My dad has been talking about going to Rino's Place for years, literally... years (since he saw it on the Food Network). Being impossible to shop for, i decided my Christmas gift this year would be dinner at Rino's! We drove up from Connecticut on a Saturday night and were shocked to find no wait at 5pm (thank you Patriots play off game, apparently no wait at 5pm on a Saturday is a once in a lifetime opportunity at Rino's). I knew Rino's would be good, but i was skeptical that it would live up to the hype, and the four hours of total drive time we put in to get there. Well, it did. Our waitress was exceptional, a true Italian who felt more like a dinner host than a waitress; never rushing us, always taking time to check in, and very knowledgeable about all things Rino's. We started with three appetizers; the calamari (excellent and very tender), the clams & mussels (very fresh with the star being the red sauce!), and the special layered eggplant with creamy pesto sauce (yes i will be combining cream with pesto next time i make it). For entrees, we ordered the pistachio encrusted lamb, seafood pasta (my dad was able to self select the seafood he wanted included), open seafood ravioli, and lobster ravioli. Another great thing about Rino's is the portion sizes are so large that really everyone can share without feeling like they just sacrificed a precious bite. And, yes... every bite is pretty precious. We took home enough food to probably make 3-4 more servings and without any room to spare, i was the only one 'brave' enough to tackle dessert. Well, not that brave i just got the pineapple sorbet which comes in an actual pineapple shell (despite being extremely full i rationalized this decision by telling myself that pineapple is a good digestive aid). With a bottle of wine, a few sodas and coffee added to the above our bill totaled about $220 plus tip we were at $275 for four people - more expensive than i thought it would be, but we all ordered expensive dishes and a large quantity of appetizers. My dad and i agreed it was better than any meal we ate on a trip to Italy a few years ago, so i do think the price tag for Rino's was worth it (much cheaper than a plane ticket to Europe). Thanks for a great meal/experience Rino's!
(5)
Mike L.

Are you kidding me!!!!???? People who talk shit about this place suck at life. I had an awesome experience of extremely great food, an active atmosphere and oh, did I say great food!? We left there full and satisfied. I'm Italian so there was much loud talk. Highly recommend.
(5)
James H.

Food, service, atmosphere and reasonable prices. What more could one ask for? Homemade pasta and a great selection of wines. Desert was off the hook. HUGE PORTIONS!!!
(5)
Paul M.

Been there three times, and all three times the food was unbelievable. Homemade pastas, great sauces, and consistency put it right on the top of the Boston Italian restaurant scene. Though all meals I have tried/sampled were great, the standout is most certainly the lobster raviolis....a MUST have! The lines can be long, but there is a bar across the street owned by Rino's which you can have a drink and/or appetizers while waiting for your seats. All in all, this place is an Italian food lovers dream.
(5)
Kat A.

Yeah, the waiting sucks (minus the one star)......but the food really is so good. Portions are big! The eggplant appetizer had us fighting over the last bite.
(4)
Sarah M.

Came back to Rino's and we still love it! This time we had a 5 and 3 year old and they love it as well. Big daddy had the roast pork with plum sauce, I had the chix piccata, 5yo had a bowl of mixed seafood (clams, mussels and baby octopus), 3yo had homemade spaghetti w/bolognese. Portions are huge, food is awesome and service is friendly. On point, Rino's, on point.
(5)
Adam K.

This place was great! I visited last weekend, and we arrived roughly a half hour before they opened their doors at 3pm. There was only one other couple there, and the place was filled within ten minutes of opening. Food- Possibly the best italian i've ever had. We ordered the lobster ravioli, duck sausage, and Octopus. The two things that really stood out for me were the heaps of fresh ingredients (duck, lobster, etc...) and the wonderful sauces they came in. the duck sausage was particularly good! Service- Our server was very attentive, fast, and most importantly, a great sense of humor. He had us going the entire time. Love this place, and would go again.
(5)
Stefan Z.

Took my fiancÃ© there for her birthday with some friends and had a blast. The service was ok, but they were pretty packed. Small, family style feel, which we loved. You can't beat the food though. Monster portions and super fresh. I suggest the chicken parm or lobster ravioli. You'll have enough for dinner and lunch the next day. Highly recommend if you've never been.
(5)
Dan H.

Some friends decided to take me to Rino's for my birthday. Nobody had eaten there so we were all excited. We walked in to get a table and told the hostess Judy that 1 more person would be joining our party and we needed a table for 4. She said it was fine and we could have a drink across the street and she would call when the table was ready. We waited about 20 minutes and she called us to come back. When we walked into the place, she sat us at a table and then demanded to know where the fourth person was. We tried to explain he was on his way but she was very rude, told us she should have never seated us and demanded we call him right then and there. She hovered over us until the call was made. She then told us he has 10 minutes to get and we were not allowed to order anything. Then Judy came back 5 minutes later harassing us again and forced us to text our friend and tell him to hurry up. She again waited at our table for the reply. The weird thing is, there were 3 tables available to seat people at all times. The waitress was then given permission to take out order. We ordered a bottle of wine an apps. By the time they were brought to the table our friend had arrived. The apps were good. We put in our order and I left for the bathroom. The bathroom is actually in the kitchen. It's small and dirty and you have to walk on a very slippery floor to get there. The cooks are all from El Salvador. I went back to my table to see that salad was served to everyone but me. Not only that but only 2 people had silverware to eat it. I sat and waited for 10 minutes until I got up and walked to the back where the waitresses were chatting. Standing next to them, I was ignored and finally they just walked away from me. I bothered a girl who was folding napkins at a table to get me my salad and silverware. She brought it over and just threw it on the table, didn't clear my dirty plates from the apps, and walked away. I cleared my own plates and placed them on another table. The service was some of the worst I have ever experienced. First being treated terribly by Judy the hostess. It left me feeling very uncomfortable and embarrassed. I wanted to leave but my friends insisted on staying. Nobody smiles. When anything was brought to the table we would say thank you, etc..and there was never a response, only a very miserable looking face on a person that quickly walked away from us. The food itself was good. Was it worth the price? NO. The service was horrendous. I've had much better authentic Italian food here in Rhode Island. This place is highly overrated.
(1)
Alexis B.

First off, let me agree with the majority of other reviewers here and say that the food at Rino's is fabulous. I have been a fan for years, and have never been disappointed in what I have ordered there. The lobster ravioli, the homemade pasta, the stuffed eggplant appetizer, everything is delicious, reasonably-priced, and will often provide you with enough food for days. However, I am decidedly NOT a fan of the hostess(es?) and the way they deal with walk-ins. It is a very small restaurant, and you will almost undoubtedly have to wait for a table since they do not take reservations for groups smaller than 6. Personally I have never waited LESS than an hour, and for the past year most of my experiences have involved ordering takeout (which is great and painless). However, this past week I decided to risk the wait to dine-in with a friend who had never had the pleasure, and it was definitely not a very pleasurable experience. In short, I feel that the absolute refusal on the part of the hostess to give any estimate whatsoever of the time you will have to wait is at the very least unfortunate and at worst perhaps a little ethically questionable, considering they own the bar/"waiting room" across the street that you are almost forced to patronize and spend money in. We showed up at 5:20pm to see about a table for two, and were told there were eight parties in front of us, but the hostess refused to give any estimate of the wait time--"It depends on how quickly people eat." Now, I may be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure that is the case in EVERY busy restaurant. If you aren't brand new to the restaurant business, though (and Rino's is far from new!), one would think that you would have SOME idea of the turnover rate, and be at least able to give customers a BALLPARK of how long they may have to wait, especially if that wait is likely to be extreme! As I said, we had eight parties in front of us at 5:20pm. After two hours, two (admittedly tasty) appetizers and three drinks each--$75 spent--across the street, we felt we HAD to be close (and we did not want to be too full to enjoy the enormous portions!) so we walked back over to check again, only to find that there were STILL four parties ahead of us. We chose to stick it out after waiting that long, and we did not get seated until 8:15, THREE HOURS after our initial arrival. I have no problem waiting for a table, but I don't think anyone in their right mind expects to wait three hours, and I don't think any meal is worth a wait like that, no matter how delicious. Furthermore, as we were sitting down, someone else inquired about the wait for a table, and we overheard the hostess responding that it should be begin to improve since "this is around when people start to give up and drop out." From this a suspicious person might then surmise that a possible reason for refusing to give any estimate of wait times could be that hungry, hopeful customers would very likely deign to have a drink or two at the bar while they wait, and then even if those customers give up 2+ hours in, Rino's will still have managed to make SOME money off of them via profitable alcohol purchases, whereas if that hostess had told us up front that "it could be 2-3 hours," we might very well have given up immediately and Rino's would not have gotten any money from us! The alternative would seem to be that the hostess simply does not pay any attention to the turnover rate and is thus incapable of even guessing...either way, not a ringing endorsement of the restaurant's management and its respect for its customers Bottom line is the food at Rino's remains fantastic, very possibly the best Italian food anywhere in Boston, but if you intend to eat at a normal (popular) hour, unless (a) you have a friend or relative who lives in the neighborhood and wants to host you beforehand or (b) you have more than six people in your party and can make a reservation, I HIGHLY suggest calling in a take-out order. Finding a great Italian meal in Boston should not involve wasting so much time that you could have just driven to an Italian restaurant in New York.
(3)
Claire R.

Amazing place. Homemade pasta is out of this world. Absolutely love their lobster ravioli too!
(5)
Tom C.

Amazing food and the portions are HUGE! Very, very long wait and they pack you in like sardines, but it was worth it. The neighborhood is sketchy so please be sure to take a cab after dark. There is really nothing around this restaurant so plan to either leave or go next door to their bar for the duration of the wait. 3/4 in my party had the lobster ravioli- the cream sauce was delicious and they were full of lobster. As a 23 year old with a monster appetite, I never order raviolis out because it is simply not enough. RINO'S is the exception to this. Little pricey but its worth it. GO!
(4)
Amy K.

go here for your last meal on Earth. INCREDIBLE.
(5)
Sam P.

Went here for a "late lunch, early dinner" on a Tuesday afternoon with my husband. We did not have to wait to be seated, but the place was full the entire time and people did have to wait around 3.30. We were hungry and also given this was our first time, decided to order a few different things. For apps we had a meatball, stuffed mushrooms and scallops. WOW. The meatball was one of the best we have ever tasted, moist and delish served with marinara. The mushrooms were stuffed with crabmeat and served with a light lemony sauce and a lemon wedge. A really great dish. The scallops were served with spinach and a lemoncello cream sauce. Absolutely amazing. Our waiter brought us bread to sop up the sauce and we ate every last bit! The entrÃ©es come with a salad. After all those apps we were going to skip the salad, but were too late and they came out. Just a regular salad but the dressing was very tasty. We had to try the lobster ravioli after reading all the great reviews, and then had the seafood cannelloni. Neither dish disappointed. The ravioli had A LOT of lobster and a delicious creamy red sauce. The cannelloni had shrimp, scallops and lobster and three sauces; a lobster sauce, marinara and pesto. We obviously couldn't finish it all, but took the rest to go. The food would be excellent in any fine dining restaurant and they could charge double in the north end (please don't!!). The service was fine, no complaints, but they were super busy, so not too attentive. We did however never want for anything, so no complaints. The price was amazing for what we got. We paid $63 for this whole meal of lobster and scallops and the like... you just cant beat that! I only wish we could be back all the time and not have to wait :) Thanks Rino's, we will be back!!
(5)
Cam G.

Amazing. The price is low but the portions are huge. It's family style Italian. The waitstaff is awesome and I would love to come back. Living in the North End of boston I thought that was the only place for great Italian food. I was wrong. I'll be sure to be coming back!
(5)
Joanna F.

Aaaaand my husband has found his new favorite restaurant. We came in on a Thursday night. My friend put our name in around 5:45 and we still had a 1.5 hour wait, so be warned. Once we finally got seated, our server was warm and inviting. We tried the arancini for an app which were excellent. I had the pasta al forno for my entree. It was good, but not the best pasta dish I've ever had. My husband got the pasta bolognese which was very flavorful. I think the biggest thing Rino's has going for it is that the prices are low, the portions are massive and the food is very good for the price. My husband and I both got two meals out of our order and that's saying something since I generally have never seen my husband not finish his entire plate of food. Considering my friends live around the corner (thus making waiting for a table much nicer since we can do it in a cozy apartment) I will be back fairly regularly!
(4)
Christina C.

I've lived in Boston for 6 years and heard about this place but never went until today. I'm confident it'll be one of my go-tos now. The food was amazing and the prices are reasonable for the ridiculous amount of food you get. We had the butternut squash ravioli and shrimp scampi to start which were both amazing. I had the homemade gnocci for my meal and I barely made a dent in it, but it was still delicious! The food here certainly beats nearly every North End restaurant I've tried. The service was good too. Cons: -We waited over an hour at 7:30pm on a Wednesday. The hostess just tells you how many parties are before you, no estimated wait time. There's a bar across the street though, which is convenient even though that's pretty much your only option (owned by the same people). -You need to find street parking in East Boston. -It's a small space with no frills. If you're looking for great homemade Italian food and generous portions, this is the place to go as long as you're not looking for anything fancy and you don't mind the wait.
(4)
Elisa T.

I fully expected this place to blow me away with their Italian food, and sadly it did not. I have had better at other local restaurants outside of the city, or in the North End. I ordered the well-reviewed lobster ravioli and had to send it back to the kitchen it was so salty....practically inedible due to the amount of salt. The waitress was very pleasant about it and brought me gnocchi bolognese, which was much better. My husbands meal did not look appealing on the plate, or taste very good. Overall our favorite part was our buffalo mozz appetizer with prosciutto...just perfect. This restaurant is not bad, just no where near as good as it's reputation. We had come once before only to wait 3 hours and then go home because a table still had not become available. My advice would be to look elsewhere for a Saturday night and check this place out for lunch.
(3)
Meg F.

My fiancÃ© and I just went for our second time to rinos. We both really enjoyed our food both times. The portions are HUGE!!! My chicken parm could have been shared by three people and the same goes for my pasta that came with it. I had homemade gnocchi on the side in pink sauce and I think I maybe enjoyed it even more than my chicken lol. We also shared fried mozzarella which was the only thing we did finish eating lol. Definitely worth a stop :)
(4)
Francine W.

lobster ravioli. huge chunks of lobster. huge. gnocchi. the end.
(5)
Shawn B.

Super place with an outstanding menu with a wide variety Antipasti, Pastas, and Meats. A number dishes are unique variations on traditional Italian recipes.
(4)
Jen H.

WoW, WoW, WoW! Every dish I got tonight was absolutely fabulous and when they came, they FLOOD! The wait was over two hours long on a Friday night by 8pm, so come early or come on a weekday! Here's the gist: Get here, sign in, leave your number, go find a bar nearby, drink, wait, receive a call, and EAT! The restaurant is small to keep the quality here as high as possible to the owner's desire. You will absolutely be stuffed coming out of this restaurant, so get one less dish than you think you want to order. Here's the link to the menu: rinosplace.com/menu.html My order and take on it: CALAMARI - calamari battered & fried and finished in a spicy pepper ring sauce $12 (OMG, the best calamari I have ever had because the taste is sooo complete! There's is no marinara or any sort of sauce needed for this dish. I don't know what it is, but the spicy pepper ring brings this dish a whole level up. Don't be scared, it's not spicy at all!) VITELLO MARSALA - scallopini of veal sauteed with mushrooms and ham. Finished in a marsala wine sauce $12 (Veal is beaten down to a pulp with a layer of ham on top and another layer of cheese on top of that. It's so tender! Marsala sauce is perfect with this...if you don't want to carbo load, get any of the Marsala dishes depending what kind of meat you're craving for...yum! GNOCCHI - homemade potato dumplings sauteed in a fresh plum tomato sauce and topped with fresh mozzarella and baked $15 (OMG, I could make this dish into four meals...it's so filling, but so worth it! The dish is perfectly cheesy and bouncy!) LOBSTER RAVIOLI - Their star dish of Rino's and featured on FOOD network. It's absolutely the best lobster ravioli I have ever had and it's something you must get and share among your party. DO IT! Frutti Di Mare - Seafood overload beyond belief. They do not skimp on their portion on this dish and it's so fresh! You get to pick whatever type of pasta you desire to complement this dish and I went with the fusilli pasta, yum! Tiramisu - Perfect end to the meal and it's so creamy and delicious! You might as well pair it off with a cup of cappuccino or coffee :) Overall, my dinner was a phenomenal experience at Rino's. I'm glad I got to try this restaurant and I can't wait to come back to Rino's sometime soon again. PS. Parking is a pain here because it's packed in the residential area of Boston East, so carpool or take the T. The walk from the T is a bit far to Rino's, but it's doable! Close on Sunday, hours below: Monday: 4pm - 9pm / Tuesday - Thursday: 11am - 9pm / Friday: 11am - 10pm / Saturday: 3pm - 10pm
(5)
Allen T.

Wow. Neighborhood gem for sure. But not sure where all the clientele come from. Seems very local but its in a sketch neighborhood. Based on other reviews I got the lobster ravioli which was phenomenal in flavor and quantity. Even the house pinot grigio was pretty nice which doesn't happen often at more swanky places. Everyone seems to leave with leftovers. Doesn't work obviously for the traveler but if you could take home leftovers then what a deal! I will find a way to come back to try other dishes.
(5)
Angera M.

Food here was delicious. They don't take RSVP so come early. We got there at 5:30, put our names down and went to their bar next door to get drinks and apps. Hostess was so cute, she called us when our table was ready and seated us promptly. Dinner was Fabulous, everyone was so nice. This place was so much better than any restaurant in the north end!!!! Ps. Did I mention that the hostess was adorable?!
(5)
Jeanne G.

We had a horrible experience here last night. The beet salad was great the haddock was good. My husbands short ribs over pasta was tasteless. The service was lacking and the wait staff kept bringing food over to us which belonged to the people beside us. They even presented us with their bill!!! When we finally got our bill it was wrong. After several attempts to fix this the manager Diane told us never to come back. Even the table next to us was appalled at the way she treated us!!
(1)
Deanna C.

We come to Rino's somewhat frequently and it's delicious! Last time I had the seafood manicotti and I didn't want to stop eating it. I highly recommend this authentic italian food! Wish it was a little bigger inside but I can't take a star away for that. I would be shocked if you were not pleased.
(5)
Dennis B.

I stopped by for lunch one day as I was in the area on bisiness. I was undecided between the Lobster Ravioli and the Chicken Parm. The waiter suggested the Lobster Ravioli. TILT........amazing....I thoroughly enjoyed it.........so I am in the area again. ........and I am after the Chicken Parm........I order the Lobster Ravioli just to see if it was as good......now less excited I can be more objective......TILT.......tremendous again......I promised myself I will eat the Chicken Parm the next time. The service was excellent and the bread was delicious.......this is a very good stop if you like Italian cooking.
(5)
Andrew P.

Slightly expensive $30 lobster ravioli but by far the best I have ever have. Coming from the fishing capital of the country (New Bedford) it takes a great dish for me to give that kind of compliment
(5)
Stefan S.

Fantastic food. Also heard about this place from the Food Network, and with an opportunity to be back in Boston I had to go. As others stated, there is a wait. We had 6 parties in front of us, so we went across to their sister bar, Prima E Dopo, where they have Peroni on tap, which was a pleasant surprise. 20 minutes later, was surprised to get a call and was seated a lot earlier than expected. The food was absolutely spectacular and lived up to the billing. Started out with an appetizer of scallops made in a limoncello sauce which was wonderful and easily the best scallops I've ever eaten. For the main course, I has their famed lobster ravioli with massive pieces of ravioli and succulent lobster. It was the best ravioli of any kind I've ever had. Two of my bests in one meal and I was over the moon. My friends also had a cannelloni and a side of gnocchi (which in true Italian style was the size of an entire course), which I tried and was fantastic. Prices were great for the food, under $20 even for the lobster ravioli. Portions are massive too, we all over-ate because the food was so good and could barely move for the rest of the day. Atmosphere was also very fitting, tiny home-feeling Italian-place with our waitress giving our party some good-natured scolding when we acted up or could not make up our minds. Would highly recommend and will come back every chance I'm in Boston. Locals are lucky, they have a gem.
(5)
Steven M.

Came @ 3pm on Friday. Got seated right away. Had the 1/2 order of Lobster Ravioli. ..KILLER!! Also ordered the veal & eggplant parmigiano. Also killer, but WAY too much food. Doggybag.
(5)
Shiri B.

My family wanted to go to Rino's for my sisters birthday. I called them a week before to make a reservation for 7pm. They said that they couldn't take reservations but that we should call the day of at 5. We got to the restaurant at 4:15 and put our name on the list. They took our number and said that they will call when our table is ready. At 5:15 we checked in with them to see how much longer the wait would be. They told us that there should be a table for us in about an hour. We waited, and waited, and they called us at 9:30!!!!!! They close at 10. If they don't have a table available they should have told us at 4:15!!!! Terrible customer service!!!!!!
(1)
Carrie P.

We still haven't been able to get in to eat here! The first time we came after dropping someone at the airport and waited for 2.5 hrs. They never called my phone to say we had a table. Second time we tried earlier in the day and the wait was 2 hrs and again we didn't get a call. Both times I called to check on our table and was told soon be patent. A place that is this popular should either expand or take reservations, not just for large groups!
(2)
Russell H.

Great food but be prepared to wait. Rinos' Place was featured on DD& D. They don't take reservations unless you have 6 people. Otherwise you put your name on a list and you wait and you wait. They own the bar across the street so people can have a drink and appetizers . We ate half our dinner here. Rinos is an Italian restaurant located in a Latin neighborhood. There aren't any malls or movie theaters to pass the time while you are waiting. I'm talking 2-3 hours for your table. Having said that. The experience and food at the bar and in the restaurant were top notch. The serving size was enormous. Everyone had take home bags. If you are traveling. Eat here in the middle of your trip so you can enjoy your meal the next day.
(5)
Marion M.

What can I say that hasn't already been said? Rino's Place lives up to what you have heard and seen, not only the excellent, freshly-made food but the atmosphere is intimate and inviting. The food is that good and the waitstaff very attentive, I don't think you can go wrong here. The pasta dishes were flavorful and satisfying, nothing was missing. It deserves its reputation. We were lucky enough to meet Chef Anthony across the street at his other location, Prima e Dopo (Before and After), which he opened to give people a place to hang out while waiting for the table at Rino's. So now the long wait for your table is sweetened by giving you someplace to enjoy a drink, appetizer, and dessert afterwards. Such a smart move, keeping the customers happy.
(5)
Dessa R.

Don't be discouraged by the empty liquor bottles and scratched out lottery tickets that pave the path to Rino's. It's certainly is not a barometer for the high quality meal you are about to enjoy. But first, you will need to wait an hour or two. After all, there are only 15 tables or so in Rino's, and they do not take reservations. So you'll just have to roll the dice and see where the chips land. In our case, it took it was about 1.5 hours. Thankfully, there was a bar across the street that could accommodate us, and it was there we sipped our cocktails begrudgingly, trying to ignore the misery and strewn trash of East Boston that was framed by the window. Our pager went off just as we decided to give up and eat elsewhere. This was a most auspicious twist of fate, because the experience walking through the door of Rino's couldn't have been more different than what awaited just outside. It was warm and intimate, with an open kitchen, wafting intoxicating smells that beckoned me closer, cartoon style. I ordered the ever-famous lobster ravioli. My date ordered the veal parmigiana with gnocchi. The ravioli were huge, with no shortage of lobster chunks or fresh ricotta. The pasta that contained the magical filling was fresh and housemade and the accompanying sauce was delectable, piping hot. The veal was tender, the sauce amazingly fresh, and the gnocchi had perfetto texture. When we left, we were fully sated, and just tipsy and happy enough to kick aside all the broken syringes all the way back to the car, which amazingly, had not been stolen. Okay, before anyone gets all upset, I may have exaggerated the desperation of the area for humor, but seriously- TLDR; Painfully long wait. Food is awesome. East Boston is sketchy.
(4)
Julie B.

I had very high expectations for Rino's and it *almost* lived up to the hype. I thought that coming in late on a Tuesday night would save us the wait, but I was wrong. We ended up having about a 45-60 minute wait and were sent to a pub down the street to wait. About an hour later the hostess called us and told us to come back over. The restaurant is really small -- about 10-12 tables. The bathroom is actually in the kitchen, and there's definitely no room to be standing around dilly dallying. Our server was...interesting. I think this is the kind of place where everyone knows each other, so the waitstaff is less "how may I help you?" and more "whaddaya want?" His jokes and nudging started out funny, but eventually it got a little weird and just too much. We started off with some wine and bread, and then together ordered: - Stuffed mushrooms - I liked them but others weren't too big of fans - Mellezane ripieno (similar to eggplant rollatini) - I thought this was fantastic -- it came out piping hot and super cheesy) - Frutti di mare - this was a shellfish lover's dream. It was packed with mussels, clams, scallops etc. The homemade fettuccine was delicious and plentiful. - Lobster ravioli - not my favorite -- VERY rich and lots of lobster, but too overpowering for me. If I had ordered it I wouldn't have been able to eat more than 2 pieces. - Rino's special - I didn't try this but my friend seemed to like it. This came with pasta and 3 types of meat -- an insane amount of food. All the entrees came with decent sized house salads beforehand. The entrees were gigantic and we really just had ordered far too much food. I was so full when I left, but on the upside, was eating leftovers all week. Overall I really did like Rino's. It wasn't the best Italian I've ever had but it was certainly worth the trip to East Boston.
(4)
Nicole M.

If this is a sign of things to come in my new neighborhood, I'm going to freaking love living in East Boston. I took my dad, who was in town visiting from out of state. We went early, mid-week, in the hopes of not having a terrible wait, fully expecting to enjoy some drinks across the street first. But instead we got a table right away and had one of the better old school Italian meals I've had in a LONG time. I have 5 words for you: upgrade to the fresh pasta. All entrees come with spaghetti, but instead, we both paid extra for the fresh pasta on the side and those $5 were worth gold. Service was excellent, food to die for, and we both took leftovers home that fed us another two nights. So yeah, portions are huge. And the bill was not. My dad said he's got a yearly bet going with his buddy, and in the past when he's one, his friend takes my dad to an Italian spot in the Bronx. My dad said this year he's coming back to Rino's. And he's tough to please, nevermind win over. Just go.
(5)
Jason V.

Can't see myself giving anything less than s perfect 5 stars. We had lobster ravioli, chicken parm and an array of apps, everything absolutely delicious. The prices are very fair too, you definitely get what you pay for here.
(5)
Laura S.

By far, the best Italian food in all of Boston. The homemade pasta is delicious and fresh. The bolognese, chicken parmigiana and ravioli's are excellent. The portions are huge and you will have left overs for days. Thankfully, I live in the area so I can put my name on the list early, but even around 5:00pm there is usually already a wait. They also offer takeout, which is a great option if you don't want to wait.
(5)
Kim B.

I'm from southern CA and was told to definitely go for the lobster ravioli at Rino's in E. Boston. Had the opportunity to be in Boston last week, so we went there for dinner on a Wed. night. It's located in a residential neighborhood of row houses. Big down side is that they don't take reservations for a small group and they're super popular. Parking is difficult as well. We had a 1-1/2 hour wait and did what everyone else does: drinks and appetizers at their other place across the street. Everything is excellent! Appetizers of meatballs and shrimp scampi were so flavorful. Rino's lobster ravioli's pasta and sauce are the best I've tasted. The entrees are super size, especially the chicken parmesan; it's 6" high! The salad that comes with the entrees is average; nothing special. Desserts look extraordinary, but it got to be so late and we were too full. I managed to take the ravioli leftovers home to CA, and it tasted great. I want to come back for a dessert at lunchtime next time.
(4)
David E.

Best Italian in Boston. Don't bother with the North End, Saratoga St. in East Boston is where to go. Take the Blue like to Airport Station and walk down the street two blocks and...yeah wait at the bar for a while unless you are early or lucky. My buddy and I do Rinos for each others birthdays and we know to get there at 11 on the dot. The decor is very simple and the space is tight, but the food and the service would make up for much worse digs. I have never had a bad meal at Rino's and they have the best Bruschetta I've ever had. I don't know where Rino gets his tomatoes, but they are so flavorful. The Rabbit sausage and Lemon-cello scallops are wonderful appetizers. Ok look everything is better at Rino's just go.
(5)
Ed C.

Great food reasonably priced. Second time there, had an amazing waiter Anthony ! Got in line at 2:00 PM on a Sat, they open at 3:00 PM. Great meal, service - Loved it ! Lobster Ravioli, Veal chop, Pasta - Great stuff. Will be back soon.
(5)
Denise B.

Great food . Fresh and delicious ! Worth the wait. Desserts are a great ending to a fulfilling meal
(5)
Laser s.

REALLY??! People waiting FIVE AND A HALF HOURS for a table?? You have GOT to be kidding me. I still can't believe what I am reading. Folks, I'll let you in on a little secret: as I've said before, there are literally hundreds of great Italian restaurants in and around Boston. Ones where you can make reservations.for yes, a party of 2. Ones that treat you respectfully. Ones where you can relax instead of feeling rushed. Why are you people standing in line for this place??
(2)
Me K.

One and done! It was great to go for bragging rights! Lobster raviolis were good but not good enough to go back. Rino's special was good but a little salty. Biggest disappointment was the marinara on the pasta it tasted fishy. I've had better marinara sauce at Five North in the North end! Sauce that you savor in your mouth or should I say gravy! Tip if you do go try lunch time in the middle of the week to avoid the crowds!
(3)
Aaron K.

The food is legit. Best Italian food I have ever had. Quality and quantity. The lobster ravioli is everything you could dream of it and more. Huge chunks of lobster in every bite. More lobster floating around in the beautiful cream sauce. The sauce has the perfect kick, it's not bland tomato sauce. Wife had scallops shrimp and lobster over fettucine. This was regular tomato sauce which was also good. The seafood was plentiful and fresh. The pasta was too al dente but it made for great leftovers the next night. Everything is homemade and delicious. Our party of 6 put our names in at 7:30 PM on a Friday didn't get seated until just about 10PM. This is my only complaint. I don't think any place is worth this much of a wait or inconvenience. But this place is so good I would come at an odd ball time to come back for that lobster ravioli dish. Or maybe gather a party of 6 and make reservations well ahead of the date we want to come (making reservations a couple weeks in advance did not work). Truly some excellent Italian food that you must try.
(5)
Brady W.

Absoloutey the best Italian food. From the hostess Judy to the servers, flat best food and service! Great job ladies!!!! Thanks for making us feel at home!
(5)
Brett N.

Why 4 stars? Because it was worth the thorough inconvenience it took for us to get to Rino's. --- --- --- I had a tough decision. And I made the wrong one. I had the gnocchi, because I had never even heard of it before and was feeling adventurous. The runner-up to my decision was the Lobster Ravioli. My friend ordered said Ravioli. I tried it. Whoops, that's a mistake you don't forget about, even 6 months later. That being said, my Gnocchi was solid and the other two in our party enjoyed their meals...but that Lobster Ravioli was ridiculous. Rino's opened its doors at 11, but our flight landed in Boston at 9. By the time we grabbed our bags, took a train and walked through East Boston with all of our luggage, it was only about 10. So we camped out and waited for an hour because we heard that it got crowded pretty quickly. By 11, there were only two others waiting to get in so I assumed that it must have just been a slow day. However, before we even had our food, every single seat was taken and there was a wait. I guess when you're on DDD, it's pretty decent for business!
(4)
Kira P.

One of the best Italian meals that I've had in the states. We went for lunch and I got the chicken parm. You get 2 huge cutlets, thin, and fried with a crispy outside. Lunch comes with pasta or salad, I got the salad but my husband got the pasta, the house marinara is thin and flavorful like they actually make it in southern Italy. We will definitely come back. The place is very tiny though so I can understand frustration waiting at dinner.
(5)
Mike B.

You will wait to get in but it is worth it. EXCELLENT, GO. Enough said
(5)
Sarah M.

I will be back someday when I actually want to treat myself to pasta again. I had the scallops, shrimp and lobster tail in marinara with fresh pasta and it was pretty amazeballs. The sauce was perfect. Service was awesome, and atmosphere was full of smiles, laughter and happiness. Only reason I give it a 4 is because I could have used more sauce and less salad dressing. My salad was soggy. I highly recommend this place and splurge for the fresh pasta. Well worth it and worth the wait if there is one.. even out in the cold.. i promise.
(4)
Eric F.

Wow...I can't remember the last time I left a delicious meal with over half my entree remaining! 4.5 stars rounded up without hesitation for some outstanding Italian food that came VERY generously portioned =D My bro and I made the trek out from the South End and the stars must've been in perfect alignment b/c we caught every train with a sub-60 second wait. Funny enough, most of the aforementioned dishes from fellow Yelpers are off the specials list and we began with half orders of the Shrimp Limoncello and Wild Mushroom Ravioli. The former turned out to be the one small miss of the meal as the sauce was bland and the three shrimp were far overdone. For a moment, they tasted as if they'd been sitting around for a while, but the chef's passion for food seems far too strong to let such a thing happen so he has the benefit of the doubt here. The ravioli was very tasty though - firm, al dente casings opening up to fresh, earthy flavors within. On mains, we trusted good ol' Guy to lead us in the right direction so we opted for the Lobster Ravioli and Rino's Special. Before I get to the crustacean'ed pasta dish, I'll say that the special was most delicious. Classic Italian flavors characterized by EVOO and a healthy dose of cream and butter. All the meats were very tender (you almost don't even need a knife), the wild mushrooms were fantastic and the homemade pappardelle had excellent texture. Now the lobster ravioli...this is seriously a one-of-a-kind dish. $25 for the most hugemongous ravioli you'll ever encounter stuffed full of and surrounded in sauce by every last ounce of flesh (literally) squeezed out of a 1.25-1.5 lb lobster! It goes without saying that the quality:cost is through the roof and reaching for the stars. It's also more than enough for two meals unless you've been starving yourself all day in preparation ;) Desserts came in the form of Tiramisu and Coppa Spagnola, both pretty good though complete afterthoughts compared to the apps and mains. In terms of logistics, one just needs to plan accordingly and be aware that Rino's works similarly to comparable Italian hotspots like Giacomo's and Neptune Oyster. We were seated within 10 min around 5 pm on a Tuesday night and things were still totally manageable (ie. no crazy lines out the door, etc.) by the time we left around 7 pm. If you must come during prime hours, do your research and have a plan so you won't have to whine about 2-3 hour waits. I'll also add that the staff is great and comes without the brashness often seen at places in the North End. After all is said and done, Rino's is def a must-visit and pretty easy to get to being just a short walk from the Blue line. Buon appetito =D
(5)
Lisa O.

Came here with my husband on Friday Nov. 21st after a long lovely day at the MFA. We had seen the DDD episode, read the reviews and were excited to go. We checked in with Judi, gave her our cell and went to wait across the street at their little bar. Nice little place, was not over crowded, had a glass of wine and a beer and the 1/2 app of meatballs, yummy with a great sauce and a 1/2 app of this mozzerella stuffed bread, OMG amazing. Then again, this place deserves its own review apart from Rinos. We got the call, finished our drinks and headed over. Seated at the worst table i the place, right in the middle, ok, we can deal, stick a matchbook under the leg so our water doesn't spill, and watch out that you don't get bumped into all night. Waiting, waiting, for someone to notice we are there. Finally got a drink order in and said we are all set to order dinner, had apps across the street. (thank goodness we did, same apps not available at Rino's) I was going to get the lobster ravioli, but saw on the specials a seafood special, scallops, shrimp and lobster tails over pasta. Hubby ordered another special, rib-eye. You rarely get offered steak at an Italian place, so he went for it. Big mistake. Our waitress finally brought the bread, made a a big deal about it, so I was expecting I don't know, maybe something other than ice cold sliced bread. Really? Our food came quickly which is great, because you had to let it cool down for 5 minutes. Seriously too hot to touch. This smacks of microwave. Yes I said it MICROWAVE. Food does not come to a table too hot to eat for 5 minutes unless it was microwaved. (I think Guy Fieri himself said that) All our proteins were overcooked. Lobster was like rubber, scallops were chewy, there was one piece of shrimp. Steak ordered medium rare, was medium well. And a terrible cut to boot. The sauce on my pasta was a watery mess. Where was that yummy sauce from across the street? Our waitress was trying to be funny, even remarked on the over cooked steak but did not offer to do anything about it. We decided to ask to just wrap up the 10 pounds of leftovers so we could get out of there. I couldn't even bring myself to try them the next day, into the trash. Maybe the lobster ravioli is amazing and I should have ordered that. I assumed getting a "special" would be a treat. This place, like most places in the North End are extremely over rated. I enjoy meals a Paparazzi more, at least they have excellent steak and cook it properly.
(2)
Caitlin C.

We arrived for a table before 6pm. It is now 8:20. We have not been seated. Bad review for those who are concerned why they do not accept reservations... for the fool! Go somewhere else if you have an expectation of service. Or food.
(1)
Nick G.

I found this place on the FOOD Network TV Show: Diners Drive-Ins and Dives (here's a link to the clip youtube.com/watch?v=az2qâ€¦ ), and knew I would have to make a stop here during my business trip to Boston. I read up on the place before coming, and planned on coming early since a lot of reviewers complained about long wait times. I showed up at about 11:05 (they open at 11:00am) and voila, I was seated and waited upon immediately. Going all out since I wanted to get the most of my experience in the short time I was there for, I ordered a Calamari Fritti and a Melenzane Parmigiano as starters (but only picked at both to leave room for the entree -ordering them both to-go knowing full well I wouldn't finish). The calamari was excellent, full of flavor, fried perfectly, and perfect use of pepper in the dough. The Melenzane Parmigiano was alright, full of a cheesy tomatoey punch, but the calamari was a clear winner of the appetizers for me. Then for the entree, I went with the most popular dish on their menu, and for good reason, the Lobster Ravioli. It was excellent. Five Stars! Bug chunks of lobster all stuffed into a homemade ravioli pasta, topped with a creamy sauce that complemented the lobster, just fantastic. Very rich though, just a warning in case you don't like big flavor punches in the mouth as much as I do. A lot of other people complained about the service, and in particular about the rudeness of the staff and I have to say I experienced quite the opposite. My waitress was extremely polite, however there was a bit of confusion at the beginning over who exactly was serving my table, but I'll just attribute that to me being there practically at their opening. The chef though, out of nowhere went crazy at one point in time and began screaming at the top of his lungs a loud string of profanities. I don't know what that was about, but I guess that's what you get when you're looking for authentic Italian, an authentic Italian temper lol. One of the locals described this place as "the kind of place you can eat at and take your time, and know that they aren't gonna hurry you out of the place. I know there's gonna be a wait, and I'm okay with that. There's nothing fast about this place, and I don't mind." All in all, I highly recommend this place, and maybe come early like I did, it worked out well for me.
(5)
veronica l.

The food might be good like a lot of people are saying bit they have the Worst customer service and careless about their customers. The hostess are very rude and wont care about you. I tried to come here the last couple weeks and always left upset of how rude the hostess are. Will not recommend this place and will not come back. I will advise not to waste your money.
(1)
Bindi D.

As they say in DDD, lobster ravioli is the alpha and omega of life with a lobster. Downright succulent, large, and just wonderful. They do not skimp on the meat!
(5)
Abir H.

Had a hard time deciding if i should give them a 3 or 4 star rating. After hearing about this place for months and the line that people had to wait in to get a table i was very excited about going. We went on a Wednesday and there was no line outside. Its a basic restaurant. We tried a few starters, the brasola wasn't good, the bruchetta was soggy but the arugula salad was good. Portions are HUGE! Funny enough on the menu it says that people aren't allowed to share. I don't know how they pull that off. The soup, lobster ravioli, and rino's special were good. Wasn't impressed with the dessert menu.
(3)
Stephanie G.

Everything about Rinos is fantastic (except for the wait), but because of how good it is, I still can't deduct a star. Fantastic food and great service - the servers are so friendly and on point. Their seafood dishes, especially the frutti di mare, are out of this world (I get it with house made fusilli pasta). Tip: if the wait is long, go across the street for drinks (same owner). They have great drinks specials and also offer food if you need to grab a bite before your meal. Do yourselves a favor and GO!
(5)
Chris T.

Best Italian food I have ever had. The Lobster Ravioli will blow your mind. Took about 2 hours to even be seated, But well worth the wait. Just walk your ass across the street and get drunk while you wait if you get bored.
(5)
Allen L.

Great fresh Italian food. Loved our first time here and will look forward to returning soon. We stopped in on a Tuesday evening around 7, put our name in. We were told 'it shouldn't be too long' and we were 8th on the list. Having read the other reviews, I knew we were in for a wait. So we headed across the street for a glass of wine or 2.. Just about an hour and a half wait as it turned out. We ordered limoncello scallops for appetizer. Just fantastic. Seared scallops in a saffron limoncello sauce with spinach. I will definitely order this again. I had the frutti dimare with fresh fussili pasta and my wife had the lobster ravioli. The seafood was fresh and not overcooked....the pasta amazingly fresh and the sauces just right. Plenty of food, we both took portions home and it made for another meal the next evening. As we were rather late i dining, many desserts were not available. I ordered the peach sorbet. Very refreshing. Definitely a 5 star rating for the food and dining experience. I've discounted just a little for the wait time and lack of reservation option. I knew and anticipated this ahead of time. We had the evening open and so prepared to just enjoy the time. The lack of dessert selection at the late time was not unexpected (from reading other reviews) but none the less disappointing. However, I do appreciate that as the desserts are fresh made, and as a small place, there may not be a lot left at the end of the evening. Very much looking forward to returning and sampling more of the offerings.
(4)
Mike F.

If you have not heard about Rino's Place yet from a friend, let me tell you it is the most delightful Italian Restaurant I've have been to in years. Fantastic Portioning, Quality and most of all authentic classic dishes and some special items you'll die for! I recommend the Veal Chop, the Lobster Ravioli, and when asked upgrade to the fresh homemade Pasta's for 5 bucks. All the items I've tasted are top notch... I could go on and on. Call ahead for reservation (minimum 6) or you'll wait over an hour at dinner. Menu is on the wbsite. Nitely Specials galore!
(5)
K. E.

First things first, I had leftovers not once, but twice, from my dining experience at Rino's, so when they say the portions are BIG, they mean the portions are really really big! And I'm no slouch in the eating department. After hearing about this place for years, we decided to finally try it (group of 4). We arrived a little before 5:00 and had about 13 parties ahead of us. We waited at the bar across the street (genius idea by the owner of Rino's), Prima e Dopo, had a few drinks and apps, and 2 hours later we were happily seated at a table in Rino's Place. The service was great, the food was delicious, and it's not overpriced. The antipasto is excellent for an appetizer, lots of variety and flavor. I had the scallops, shrimp and lobster tail for my entree - the fusilli alone made this a great dish. I also tried my friend's bolognese and it was super tasty. Would I come back? Yes!! It might take me a while though since it's definitely in an out of the way spot (at least for me) and parking can be tough. But if you are feeling adventurous, go to Eastie and try Rino's Place!
(5)
Joe T.

Love the food and the staff was just as splendid. Eat these appetizers fried calamari, and the shrimp scampi. The shrimp scampi was so good that the scampi sauce on the toasted bread made the shrimp the costar! I mean the scampi sauce was so good that the shrimp were almost irrelevant.
(5)
Andrew W.

Alright, I admit, I was sold on trying Rino's Place after seeing their segment on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives". It was the first destination on our vacation to the New England area after leaving Logan Airport. As is common in city life, it could be difficult to find parking - we got lucky after about five minutes of searching. Fortunately for us, we arrived slightly before the dinner rush, so there was no wait to speak of either. I can see why many reviewers have been noting the long wait times though - the seating was very limited, and the made-from-scratch menu items do take a fair amount of time to prepare. Rino's must have truly been an essential local institution, as we were seated adjacent to a table of local-level politicians that were wining and dining. Nevertheless, we may have set our expectations a bit too high on this one - the main dishes we ordered (the Pollo Marsala and the Vitello Carozella) were good, but not extraordinary. Perhaps I erred on ordering a meal with light and delicate flavors when I was hoping for something more bold and robust - not sure. To their credit, the tiramisu was excellent and the pricing was very reasonable.
(3)
Brad D.

My parents fell prey to the hype that Guy Fieri, (the Falstaff of the Food Network,) seems to have brought about for this place. We arrived at 4:30 on a Thursday to "beat the wait..." After being told by the "hostess" that there was no need to worry, if my Moms was arriving in the next few minutes, there was plenty of space - we should just go have a drink across the street and return soon, and we'd be fine. Low and behold - my Moms DID get there a few minutes later - but when we returned for our "not a problem" empty table, all of sudden there were "three people ahead of you." Say wha?! I inquired how was this possible as just minutes ago we were assured there was no wait and sent away. I was told "Well, when you were gone, more people came and put their names in." I am sure that you, Dear Reader, understand my frustration and outage - if we NEEDED to put our name in, why didn't you SAY SO?! To which she just shrugged and said "I know!" Unclear as to which game she was playing, (totally clueless or incredibly rude,) I decided to keep the New Yorker in my heart caged for a bit longer, smiled and said "Thanks for letting me know." I figured - "Hey, 3 tables, how long could that take, right?" ANSWER: THREE HOURS. I hate to keep boring y'all with parallels to my dating life here - but it's JUST SO RELEVANT. If you're nice and accommodating and wait for other people to work shit out - you get screwed. So the moral of the story is - don't believe a word you're told at this place and if your girlfriend abruptly starts therapy and finds out some creepy shit about her Dad she "forgot," turn around and leave. In both cases. Just walk out. That said, if you have no life and want to throw 3 hours of your precious time into the gutter of a filthy East Boston street - have at it! It's probably the BEST and freshest Italian food in the entire city. Lobster Ravioli to die for. Don't let the fact that some bleach-blonde d-bag with his own tv show ruined the place deter you from accepting it's awesome food. Just get it to go if you can- and go far, far away. (I would say Three and a Half if we had halfsies, but alas...)
(4)
Star B.

Rino's Place Excellent food but unfortunately had to take it to go due to 18 people waiting ahead of us. It's a very small place but don't know if Guy Fieri did it justice visiting them since you may get a call for an available table within 4-5 hours. However, if you're a couple and wouldn't mind hanging in the downtown area, then take your food to go for quality time together which is what we did go for it. However, I say defieneintly try them. We ordered the calamari, pollo e melanzane and the seafood cannelloni. Not a great spot for a first date, nor would you enjoy the few hours wait any given day. And they only take reservations for a group of 6. That sucks.
(4)
Samantha E.

Make a reservation! Dear god! My family didn't and we had to wait 3 hours (yes, this is not an exaggeration) for a table. We arrived around 6:15 and were not seated until around 9:20! Luckily we had a DVD to watch in the car. haha. Once we were finally inside the tiny little restaurant we ordered straight away. For appetizers we had bruschetta and shrimp scampi and they were soooo amazing! The scampi had sooo much garlic and the sauce soaked the bread pieces through. Although I am not big on tomatos, I could not stop eating the bruschetta. So simple and delicious!!!!! For entrees we got the lobster ravioli, gnocchi, chicken carrozella, veal carrozella, and chicken bracioletini. My mom could not stop saying that this was the best meal of her life. Everything was mind blowing and the portions were enough for 3 meals. We did not have a single complaint and agreed it was well worth the wait. The staff was so pleasant and chatted with us about our wait and said they never would have waited that long. Be sure to come to Rino's, just make a reservation!
(5)
Levi T.

I wrote a good review of Rino's in 2011. Much different the second time around - unbelievably rude greeter and waitstaff. It's obvious to me that the celebrity status of the restaurant has altered its perception of the customer. There are Italian restaurants in the North End that are a) just as Italian, b) just as good, c) just as authentic as Rino's so I recommend trying them. What separates Rino's from the others is Rino's celebrity. That's it. Really. When you honestly compare Rino's to the food available in the North End, Rino's is not worth the wait. It's just as good but not worth the wait. We were a party of five so weren't allowed to make a reservation. We plan our trips to Boston 7-8 months in advance so a reservation that early would not be a problem. We waited for 95 minutes while parties of less than 5 were seated ahead of us. Apparently, in order to seat more than four, they have to put two tables together. If you have more than four, it requires two tables but a group of five can't make a reservation, unlike a group of 6, which can. Very strange. All I saw were two and four tops. My guess is that Rino's doesn't want a party of five taking up six seats (leaving one empty) when they put a two and four top together. A party of six, however, fills it up nicely. We never ate. At the 95 minute mark, we were told that it would be at least another 2 hours. Off we went. We originally put our name on the wait list at 5:13PM. We did receive a call that a table was available at 8:48PM. It was ignored. One option would be to show up with Guy Fieri. He apparently can get in pretty easy. I give two stars because I know the food is still good - the young ladies running the front of the house could use some people skills, though. One wonders if the owners know how ordinary customers are actually treated.
(2)
Sebastian N.

Amazing homemade Italian food. This is that red sauce your looking for in Boston. Heads up, portion sizes are HUGE. Ordered the lobster ravioli and it was delicious. The cheese ravioli my wife ordered however, were even better (and they're as bit as your face). Perfect place to stop when near the airport. I'll be back.
(5)
James Z.

Heading to Rino's Place, I promised myself that I would not allow my expectations to influence the experience, after hearing endless raving reviews, and watching Guy Fieri spend an excessive amount of time visiting Rino's Place on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives. After waiting for an hour and forty-five minutes, I went from abstemious and auspicious to esurient and peeved. When the food arrived, I realized Nirvana. This was, without hyperbole, by far the best meal I had ever been blessed with. I ordered the Lobster Ravioli (homemade ingredients for the pasta and chunks of seemingly endless lobster loveliness). The portion was overwhelming--in part due to the Appetizer/Dessert bar across the street, Prima e Dopo, most patrons are forwarded to for several hours before being seated. The other five in my group were lost for words for their meals I was lucky enough to sample, which included the Gnocchi Bolognese (literally melts in your mouth) and Veal Marsala (wine reduction perfection). If you have time to wait for the best meal you will have most likely in your lifetime--and don't need to be anywhere else for three hours--get your behind to this place ASAP.
(5)
Adam S.

Best Italian in the city. I'm from NY, so I know Italian. And this is def at the top of everything I've ever had. And we are talking about years of research :) The lobster ravioli is unreal and the ravioli are the size of your fist. Any kind of mozzarella app is a must try. And my all time favorite is the Rino's Special which is veal, chicken, and shrimp with mushrooms in a brandy cream sauce. I like it over the homemade rigatoni. All in all if you live in the Boston area a trip to Rino's is a must. Just come early so you can get a table!
(5)
Brian H.

Amazing food and great service. Get there early!! I'd go again loved it!!!
(5)
Tammy D.

I recently visited Boston and went to Rino's Place to eat. We ordered the fried calamari appetizer and hands down it was the best fried calamari I've ever eaten. I ordered the lobster ravioli and they were so good. I wish I could have eaten more. I forgot what my husband ordered but it was equally delicious. I can't wait to go back to Boston so I can go there again. Defiantly worthy the money!!
(5)
Rick L.

I went there for lunch today and arrived early (1115), by the time I left it was packed. I got the Rino Special (Veal, Chicken, and Shrimp). Delicious! I also paid extra for the homemade pasta...always worth it. My friend got the Chicken Parm and that was equally delicious. The portions are huge (even at lunch) so it's like 2 meals. Great friendly service. I travel to Boston quite a bit and I will be back!
(4)
Mariana S.

I could be on this site all day raving about this restaurant...It was absolutely amazing. These are the restaurants I aim for, little tiny family owned restaurant. Everything was fresh and the homemade pasta....YUM! Lobster Ravioli was bursting with chunks of flavorful lobster. Bruschetta was so good and flavorful. Our whole dinner party was raving about how good everything was. I am coming back very very soon. If you have not tried this....YOU MUST!
(5)
Pete V.

This place is worth waiting for. As seen on diners drives and dives. It isa awesome food and you get a whole bunch of it. Parking stinks so you are gonna walk, you need the exersise. They have a bar across the street to sit and drink while you are waiting. Great place try it
(5)
Allison C.

I've wanted to go to this restaurant for 5 years. We tried a couple of times on a Friday night and couldn't get in. But I decided that for my birthday, we would plan in advance and make it happen. Fortunately, my birthday was on a Thursday, and when we got there at 5:15, we got a table right away. The hostess and our waitress were so friendly, they really contributed to the fun evening we had at the restaurant. We split an order of lobster ravioli as an appetizer, and I was blown away. I've never had lobster ravioli that were that huge and with so much lobster. And the sauce was so delicious, I almost licked the plate. I had Rino's special with chicken, veal and shrimp for my main course. The sauce and wild mushrooms was fabulous, and the veal was so tender. There was so much food that I had to take some of it home. Since we had birthday cake at home, we passed on dessert. I had a wonderful and memorable time at Rino's. We plan to come back again (also at 5pm) and try ordering from the regular menu since even those more traditional dishes look fabulous.
(5)
Alec S.

I've lived in nearby Chelsea for about a year and everyone always asks me if I've been to Rino's....well now I can finally say that I have! This past Saturday, I ventured to this tiny East Boston gem in a group of four. Knowing that it can get quite packed, we arrived around 2:45PM, right beofre the 3PM opening. There was already a line with about 15 people ahead of us. They do a staggered seating as to not overwhlem the kitchen (very smart), and we were able to be seated a little after 3:15. We were given menus and water right away, greeted by our waitress (who was hilarious, friendly, and helpful). I've heard some people mention that the wait staff can be rude, but they really need to lighten up. I felt like I was getting a home cooked meal with the family expierence. The food was unreal. I started out with the pumpkin ravioli and had some bites of the wild boar sauces that came with broccoli rabe. Everything was delicious - the sauce that came with the ravioli was the best I've had with a fall-themed dish. For an entree, I tried the seafood Cannelloni, which two giant pieces of pasta filled with ricotta, scallop, shrimp, and chunks of lobster. There was no way in hell I could finish it, but boy was it delicious fresh and still great re-heated the next day. I left incredibly stuffed, satisfied, and wanted to come back ASAP. I have heard the wait can be intense, especially for dinners, but you owe yourself a favor and eat at Rino's.
(5)
Galavanting G.

Why are you people waiting so long for this place? The staff is rude and disrespectful. You can get this quality of italian food ANYWHERE in eastern MA in various towns. We are lucky we have so many quality italian food restaurants. You can thank the stupid Food Network for helping this place out. What used to be 1 hour or less waits are now 2+. Not worth it at all. And remember, while you're waiting in line or in the lounge across the street starving, I'll be sitting comfortably at my place drinking wine and enjoying my food.
(2)
Hammy E.

This is my favorite restaurant in Boston. I am a big fan of Gnocchi with tomato sauce and Rino's has the best homemade gnocchi. It is so fluffy and tender that it melts in your mouth. In addition the red sauce is really good and the baked cheese over the top is so yummy. I have tried the chicken marsala and chicken parm which were good as well, but I come back for the gnocchi. I love the bar next door too. They make the best cosmo in town:)
(5)
Susan L.

This place really does live up to the Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives hype! They take reservations for groups of at least 6 people. My friend made a reservation for 6 people at 7:00 on a Wednesday but we weren't actually seated until closer to 7:30 since we were waiting for our table to open. Anyway, onto what actually matters-THE FOOD! We ordered 2 Apps and 4 Entrees for 6 of us: ***LOBSTER RAVIOLI - My tastebuds melted when I tried their lobster ravioli. These pieces of ravioli were fat and filled with lobster and heavenly cheesy deliciousness. You know it's delicious when you don't regret forcing the last piece into your already protruding stomach at the end of the meal. (Not that I did that, of course) ***OPEN LASAGNA - Assortment of seafood on top of their homemade lasagna noodles with a tomato-cream sauce. The amount of seafood in this dish was very generous, I actually didn't think there was enough pasta! I also ate the last of this. I just couldn't let it go to waste! - Calamari (Appetizer) - The dinner appetizer contains a pepper sauce mix which is delicious. You just can't mess up calamari! - Arincini balls(Appetizer) - Okay. Wasn't what I expected from arincini. Not enough cheese! - Some dish with alfredo sauce and chicken with penne? (forgot the name) - I don't usually like overly creamy and heavy dishes like alfredo. Good if you like alfredo sauce! - Steak with fusilli pasta (forgot the name) - Steak and pasta was good but nothing spectacular. I'm not exaggerating when I say the portions are GINORMOUS. One entree alone can feed 2-3 HUNGRY people. You definitely get the bang for your buck! And if you can - always pay extra for their homemade pasta. You won't regret it. I'm glad I have finally tried Rino's Place and it is definitely worth the trek to East Boston for the lobster ravioli and the open lasagna.
(5)
Anthony A.

Some of my favorite pasta in boston. Got it to go and it was so tasty; got the pancetta rigatoni.... Can't wait to check out the restaurant itself And something else on the menu
(5)
Gita N.

Excellent food but there was a very long wait and the waitresses would forget about drink refills for a while. The food comes in huge portions however and can last a few meals! The bread was not toasted or even warm even though we were told the bread came fresh out of the oven and was sliced just moments before.
(4)
Michael C.

Rino's has some great Italian food. I've been here to eat once and attempted to go a second time. My friend and I got the Chicken/Eggplant Parm combo and the Gnocchi's. I would say that both were great, but sometimes it is hard for a lot of Italian food to really stand out from the crowd, but this place is definitely near the top in terms of food quality. Service was also very good (while dining), but they made my friend wait outside in the freezing cold till I parked my car. Their waiting area is almost non-existent, but she was the only one waiting and they could have just sat her. This is more of a warning than a criticism of the restaurant itself. Rino's has been a victim of its own success and suffers from some poor planning. I stopped by on a Monday night at 8:30, half the tables were empty. We walked in for a table for 3 and they said that all the empty tables were waiting on reservations and that there was a 2 hour wait?! They asked us if we wanted to wait the 2 hours, it sounded a lot more like they were asking us to not dine there that night. I would go back, especially since I liked the food and I live close by. I need to let the hype die down a little before I return.
(3)
Hayley M.

I couldn't decide if I wanted to start my review with "Yum!" or "Wow!" so... WOW YUM! I can honestly say I did not hear about Rino's from Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, but apparently it was featured on the show. A colleague recommended it for a going-away lunch, which we wanted to be a little nicer than our typical lunches out of the office. Rino's is about the size of a studio apartment. It is very small. We went to lunch (a party of 8 people) at like 11:30. We made a reservation but tried to get there even earlier to ensure our table. Everything was amazing! -The waitstaff was friendly, joking, and totally authentically Italian. -The food was wonderful. Most ordered the Rino's Special, which is chicken, seafood, and veal over pasta with a mushroom brandy cream sauce. One guy had the chicken and eggplant parm, and I ordered the Gamberi, (scampi) shrimp sauteed with extra virgin olive oil and garlic. The sizes were unreal. SO MUCH FOOD. One guy had ordered the ravioli as his pasta, and they brought him a separate dish because there was so much food. It was all delicious. -The ambiance was lovely. It was warm, smelled like Italian food, and while they fit as many tables as will fit in the restaurant, it wasn't too crowded. Get there early and get yourself a seat at Rino's!
(5)
June O.

Have you ever been to a place where the food is so amazing that the complimentary salad is a joy to eat? Welcome to Rino's! I'll be honest. I heard of Rino's when it was featured on "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives." I'm not sure which "D" Rino's is, but it's definitely D for Divinely Delicious!! (Sorry~super duper cheesy!!!) I called at around 7:30 and was told that there was a "2-3 hour wait." I was undaunted, and we headed out to Rino's. After being extremely lost, we managed to find it on a random neighborhood corner, and was promptly told we would have to wait another hour. It was worth it! Everything was divine. My boyfriend had the cheese ravioli. The plate had 3 pieces of ravioli-each the rough size of softball. I had the Rino's special, which was so richly delicious that each bite was an overwhelming burst of flavor. Our friends had the eggplant parmesan, which was so thinly sliced and layered that it had the texture of meat without the slimy eggplant feel. The best part of the meal was the appetizers. The salad was room temperature and so fresh it tasted like it was just picked out in a garden. The breaded mozzarella balls disappeared in 30 seconds. I can't even describe the wonders of those mozzarella balls!!! However, the highlight of my evening was when my boyfriend (who hates to travel any further than down the street to eat) paused just long enough to tell me that we are going back sometime next week, even if it means playing hooky from law school! Thank you Rino's!!!!
(5)
Matt A.

What a hole and a scam. a bar that is across the street? really? Special that are run out of? Rude staff? Basic Italian food I could make on a rolling bus on a hot plate/ Food you could make? Why bother?
(1)
Sophie P.

There was a very very long wait to eat here but it was worth it. Amazing food and pleasant atmosphere. My husband ordered the ravioli and I had parmesan chicken. Hard coming back home and attempting to eat Italian food after eating REAL Italian food on the East Coast. Thankfully I make good homemade sauce! I highly recommend this place if you are ever in Boston!
(5)
Sheryl E.

My sister and I have been wanting to try Rino's for quite awhile. Today was perfect , she had a 2pm flight out of Logan and we got there at 10:45 and we were first in line for lunch. Parking was easy. The waitress, Lois, was very nice and attentive! She suggested the scallop limoncello for an app and it was delish! For an entree my sister had the lobster ravioli and I had the pork tenderloin , both excellent!! The bread was great, but try not to eat much as the portions were big. Would have liked to try dessert but too full. Drive to airport was 10 minutes.Perfect meal for an end to our New England vacation!
(5)
Tinna H.

Their homemade pasta is SOOO GOOD. The portions are huge, so you really get your money's worth. They don't skimp on the seafood when it comes to any of those dishes! There is a wait on a Friday night, so get in early and put your name down! This was a great recommendation from our friend graceypoo, and if I'm in Boston again, guess where I'm filling up on amazing food?
(5)
Jonah M.

Rinos is a hidden gem located in east boston. It was featured on the food network a few years back. I ordered the shrimp scampi for my appetizer and the lobster ravioli for the main course. The shrimp scampi was very good but the highlight of the meal was the lobster ravioli. They load up the dish with lots of lobster meat and the pink sauce is extremely creamy. I have been to rinos 3 times and each time ordered the lobster ravioli. If you are a fan of lobster rinos is a must! Getting a table on a Friday or Saturday night is tough but they own the bar across the street which is a nIce place to wait and enjoy a cocktail.
(4)
Rufus G.

I want to give this place 5 stars, but here's the thing about Rino's... It's great food for the most LUDICROUS wait time EVER! The place itself is super small. I know that the producers of Diners, Drive Ins & Dives alert all businesses that they should expect more business once they appear on a highly rated and followed program. they did not listen. I don't know how anyone gets a table. They have a bar across the street where they don't serve main courses, just appetizers? If you don't get there when they first open, good luck. You'll be waiting a while. You're better off on getting a bunch of friends together so you can make a reservation, they take them for parties of 6 or more, otherwise you'll be wasting your time waiting. My opinion is if you really want to eat here, get it to go, same great taste with a fraction of the wait. I was a party of one and wanted to eat there. I had to wait 2 1/2 hours, and ever time I walked in they had an small empty table for an hour and a half of that time. But pointing that out to the hostess (who was very nice) was useless as she couldn't formulate a full sentence on why it was vacant. Thankfully she went to the back and the waiter there saw this and managed to seat me and I ate and left, but poor hostess skills were in full effect. After all that, what can I say, Lobster Ravioli was amazing, comes with a salad and bread. But more than enough sauce in the Ravioli for dipping and you'll do so, it is to die for. If you plan on coming just make sure you have no other plans for your evening, especially on a Saturday night. Would have gotten five stars if not for the incompetence up front and the wait. Would I come back, sure, just order ahead and get it to go.
(3)
Brent G.

I live in East Boston and always wanted to try this spot. My group of 5 waited 2 1/2 hours and was unable to get a table. This restaurant just pushes people to Prima e Dopo (same owners) where they serve light apps and have a full bar. The hostess completely mislead my group into believing a table was coming shortly. If we were told up front it could be 1-2 hours we would have just gone somewhere else. What a scam, huge disappointment and negative dining experience.
(1)
Dmitri M.

Don't fill up waiting across the street because you're going to have a huge plate of delicious food soon enough!
(5)
Debbie J.

I researched "best Italian restaurants in Boston" and this place showed up a few times. My husband and I were not disappointed! The staff was warm and friendly, the food outstanding, and the prices very reasonable. My husband ordered the veal and eggplant and said that it was as good or better than most of the meals we had had in Italy. He also said that the veal was one of the top 3 best he had ever eaten. And considering that my husband is Italian, grew up in an Italian family eating homemade Italian dishes, this is a HUGE compliment! The serving sizes are gigantic and one dish can easily be shared by two. We both agreed that we would travel back to Boston simply to eat at this restaurant again!
(5)
J R.

I have to say that I love the food and atmosphere at Rino's. Every time I visit my son in Boston, I always try and stop for Dinner. The food is the best & I really like the waitstaff. What I really just don't understand is why they refuse to take reservations for groups less than 6 people. I just don't know why the owner of a business that depends on it's customers would make them wait, outside in all weather conditions, for hours on end, just to wait for a table. Even when my family arrives early, like 4:00, we end up sitting on the curb for an hour and a half to two hours waiting for our name to be called. I know they opened up a little place across the street, but sometimes you just don't feel like drinking for two hours before dinner. To the owners of Rino's, wish you could come up with a better system for your loyal customers.
(3)
L M.

We go with friends several times throughout the year by gathering 6 people and making a reservation. This typically works well and is the only way that I would come here as there is no way I would wait over two hours to be seated at any restaurant. Food is excellent (5 + star). The lobster ravioli is a masterpiece and I have never had anything bad here. The wait staff here has probably been here a long time and it shows. They are indifferent or even rude to many people and consider this to be part of the charm. This is probably a result of the booming business as they feel overly secure in their jobs. I know many people who have come for the first time and wait for several hours only to be treated badly when they do sit down, so they never return. Rino's needs to fix the wait staff. Its a common theme in many reviews and management should respond.
(4)
Plucky M.

We went here on a Wednesday night while visiting Boston. We arrived at 4:45pm. We were put on the waiting list and headed across the street to their companion Bar to wait. We ordered waters and the Torretta. It was grilled eggplant stacked with fresh mozzarella and homemade red sauce. Baked and topped with pink pesto. It was AMAZING. Yum! When it was finally our turn to go to the restaurant (90 minutes later) I ordered Chicken Parm with a side of freshly made Fettuccine Alfredo and my husband got some chicken, mushroom thing with a side of Gnocchi. Sadly, you are NOT allowed to share portions and the portions are ridiculous. Far too large. My Chicken Parm was just okay. Nothing special. One notch above Olive Garden. My Fettuccine Alfredo was tragic. The homemade pasta was over-worked and too thick and the sauce was watery. My husband's entree was great, but his Gnocchi was, oddly, too big. It wrecked the whole Gnocchi experience. If we went back to Boston I would move heaven and earth to go to the bar and get a full order of the Torretta. It was amazing. But skip the restaurant itself.
(2)
Rachel P.

Rino's has indisputably delicious food. If it were a little bigger it would get 5 stars. You show up & put your name in and can expect to wait an hour or two, even on a random Tuesday night, it's that good. However, you can wait at their sister bar across the street, Primi e Dopo, and have a drink and appetizer while you wait, so it's tough to complain too much. I've been several times, limoncello shrimp appetizer is fantastic, the lobster ravioli has huge chunks of meat, and the limoncello ice cream crunchy dessert thing is a perfect finish. I think it's the best restaurant in Eastie!
(4)
Marc P.

I think I died and went to pasta heaven! Calamari with peppers / eggplant with pesto and homemade pasta with scallops, lobster and shrimp. OH! And tiramisu!
(5)
Rich G.

Went there for lunch on Friday, struggled to get a table for 5 around 11:30 with no reservations. Luckily there where able to accommodate us because the food was excellent and at very reasonable prices. The place is small but puts out great food. The pasta is excellent. Parking is only on the street.
(5)
Michael S.

This review would be 5 stars if the wait wasn't so long. Went last night for fourth time and food was the same as last times...excellent! We had lobster ravioli and arancini balls for appetizers...both delicious. I went with Rino special for meal, couldn't have been happier. In my opinion better Italian at this place than any place in the north end and been to most places with high reviews. Wait was well over an hour and if the food wasn't this good would have left but its still too long especially for a Tuesday night. Please Rino's get a larger place!
(4)
Greg Y.

My wife and I went here for lunch on a recomendation from our baby's day care provider. Being that I live in the area and surounded by Italian restuants I wasn't too excited about going to another. I am so excited I did though. The food was so good I considered having my way with the left overs in an alley if I could find it. We returned at a later date but the wait was just too long as we had our first overnight babysiter in 6 years, it would have been a 3+ hour wait and people were waiting. One of the families that were waiting had a toddler and the wife was pregnant, if you have kids you know how difficult that would be. There is a bar across the street that they own and will call the bar to let you know your table is ready. We called once for resevations and you need to be a party of 6 or more. It's old school and they don't rush through tables so be prepared to wait and enjoy your food legally. I can't wait to eat here again, we're considering having a 4th child just to make the party of 6 resevation requirement.
(5)
Bela S.

I was seriously on the fence on rating this one. The food was great, fairly priced, but the service was horrible. Read more if you are interested. Otherwise, just know that we won't be back, except for maybe take-out. We arrived on a Saturday around 2:45 (open at 3) and there was already a line. They started seating right at 3 o'clock. We didn't get a table right away due to there having been a couple of reservations ahead of us (the entire place seats maybe 40). We followed the crowd the to bar across the street, owned by the same people. At the bar we had a couple of drinks, and ordered a pizza appetizer. About five minutes after ordering the pizza (maybe 45 minutes after sitting in the bar) we got the call. The waitress told us they would bring the pizza over when it was done. One we were seated, the waiter took our order. We already knew what we wanted because we had the menu pulled up on our phones. Shortly after placing orders, the pizza arrived in a box. We each pulled out a slice and were promptly asked not to eat any more because they don't serve that at this restaurant and "other patrons may ask about it". Say what? You own both places, have people deliver a pizza over to us at our table, and reprimand us for actually wanting to eat it? Ok... Aside from that, every other table got bread. Our bread never came. One of us ordered a glass of wine. We had to remind the waiter half way into our meal that said wine had been ordered. We did get a single refill on our waters after we had all mostly finished our meals. I am not sure if we pissed these guys off with the pizza, or if they were just completely forgetful of our table, but at the end of the day, the service was severely lacking. The food did redeem this place from one or two stars. Gnocchi, Stuffed Peppers, Chicken Parmesan, and Lobster Ravioli were the entrees. The Gnocchi was the most tender I have ever had. Lobster Ravioli was meaty and delicious. I didn't sample much of the chicken or peppers, but am told they were delicious as well. You guys can cook. I think your reputation there is proven with the incredibly long lines. But your lack of tact for service has me putting two thumbs down. To Rino's Place staff: I can totally understand a policy of not allowing outside food at your tables. Please understand that when you own (and advertise on your website) that place across the street AND you are having people make deliveries to us from there, we are not going to associate this as "outside food". Some suggestions. 1. If you absolutely MUST see the order to its end, let patrons know that it will be delivered but that it's not something to be eaten inside the restaurant. 2. That first one is tactless right? Ok, here's an idea. Cancel the darn order and eat the cost of the pizza. I saw your cooks snacking on stuff in the kitchen. This is perfectly fine. Let them eat it. Food doesn't go to waste AND you have one fewer PO'd customer. 3. (The best option IMO) If you are going to make these deliveries, just allow us to eat the dang pizza. If you have a different menu, maybe, I don't know, add it to your menu of appetizers.
(3)
Sally L.

The pasta here is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! The best lobster ravioli in town... by a landslide. It's $30, which seems a little much, but the portions are large, so it makes up for it. There's usually a wait. I've been there around 3pm on a Sunday and waited 1.5 hours and recently on a Tuesday night around 8:40pm and waited about 30-40 minutes. Definitely one of my go-to places if I am ever craving pasta.
(4)
Stephie W.

Came here with two friends at 4pm on a Saturday, thinking that'd be early enough. Nope! There were already 20 tables ahead of us, and we didn't get seated until 9:30pm. Rino's only takes reservations for parties of 6 or more, so reserve beforehand with a group of friends to avoid the wait. On the bright side, they call you and give you 10 minutes to claim your table off the waitlist, so we spent 5+ hours wandering East Boston, which was pretty fun. Onto the food! Their fried mozzarella was so fresh and stretchy, and the marinara sauce added a perfect touch. After the first bite, I didn't quite mind the wait anymore. The bresaola, served over a fresh arugula salad, was fine, but I'm not the biggest fan of cured meats. Everyone keeps raving about the lobster ravioli, for good reason! The ravioli were stuffed nice and fat, and they came accompanied by a lovely cream sauce and extra hunks of lobster. The frutti di mare came with scallops, shrimp, and not one, not two, but THREE lobster tails. Holy smokes! It's a seafood celebration in your mouth. The sauce was more tangy than I expected, so make sure you're in the mood for something acidic before ordering this. My less adventurous roommate settled on the chicken broccoli alfredo. I tried a piece of his chicken, and it was more tender, juicy, and melt-in-your-mouth than I could've ever imagined. I eat a lot, but let me tell you, the portions here are huge! Spend the extra few dollars for the homemade pasta--you won't regret it. It has a lovely texture that you just can't get from the dried stuff. Service could have been a bit better. The waiters were friendly, but they stopped refilling our water halfway through the meal. I was so thirsty by the end. tl;dr: Avoid the wait with a reservation. Homemade pasta always. Generous portions. Abso-freaking-lutely delicious.
(5)
John L.

Best lobster ravioli I've had to date. Not great for large groups, but perfect for a date or a group of four. It's not a very large place, so I assume it fills up quickly during dinner so call ahead.
(4)
Ron D.

Just saw this place on a show about great resturants and this place is now on my bucket list. Used to limit my Italian eating to the north end. Not anymore
(4)
Dee L.

Love it here!! My parents are VERY picky eatters especially my dad and they loved it here! Everything was flavorful and cooked al dente. Everything was reasonably priced and the portion was HUGE. We came here late lunch at 1:30-2 and it was a 15 minute wait/shorter. However the place is very small and if you have to wait outside (which is bad when its a but chilly). The lobster ravoli was perfect!! Stuffed alot, big piecew of lobster and the sauce was so flavorful!! Must try! My parents said "its the best italian restaurant i ever had in my whole life". Home made pasta (what more can you ask for?) (btw the bathroom is in the kitchen... Which is weird but the place is good so who cares)
(5)
Flade E.

I have been a fan of Rino's for many years. I love the food! It is fresh, plentiful, and delightful. However, I had a similar experience to some of the other reviewers. My husband and I arrived around 6 pm on a Monday night. There were 3 tables for 2 that were open. There were 3 parties ahead of me, which had 3 in the party. As you can imagine, I was fairly excited. I asked the hostess how long the wait would be, and she said, not long, only a few minutes. In my mind, that meant about 15. I went to the bar across the street, and waited....for 2.5 hours. The entire time, the bartender kept asking if we wanted another drink. We would hesitate for 20-25 minutes, assuming we'd be called at any moment...nope...then we ordered 1 drink to share. This continued for the 2.5 hours. People around us who had never been to Rino's asked us if this was common. I told them to expect to wait about an hour. Several of the groups in the bar around us left, as they too were told it would be a short wait, and they were now very long in to their unexpected stay at the bar. When we were finally called for our table, one of the original empty tables was still empty. I asked if the kitchen was short on workers that evening, and the waitress said no. The dining room was definitely not filled at 100% when we sat down, nor when we left. Not sure what the deal was. I don't mind waiting IF I know there will be a wait. Then it is my choice to stay or not. Being told a few minutes, and then waiting 2.5 hours is ridiculous. It's insulting. I live in a 220 unit condo building in Boston. Recently similar comments about Rino's were posted on the internal blog. I hope Rino's considers their policy and the impact on their customers as they are starting to create waves of unhappiness in the local community. Again, the food is fabulous. Be prepared to wait.
(3)
Kell B.

This place is a hidden gem. It is in a residential neighborhood and would be very easy to drive parking. Parking is difficult, but the food is well worth a little hassle. Very authentic Italian from the decor to the food your served. The raviolis are huge and when I say huge I mean HUGE. And they give you 3! There About 5x the size of a normal one but soo delicious. They make what I assume is homemade salad dressings which both the house and creamy Italian were some of the best dressings I've had in a while. They have concurred both the white gravy and red gravy perfectly! If you want a taste of homemade Italian I highly recommend going here!
(4)
B M.

I live less than a block from Rhino's so I've been many times; mainly because friends who visit always want to check it out. But in my opinion it's not worth a 2-1/2 hour wait. They do not take reservations for less than 6 and you can't put your name in over the phone. This is clearly a ploy to get people to spend several hours at their bar across the street spending money on drinks and apps. THE FOOD: Yes it is very good and reasonably priced. The last time I went we got a Chicken Marsala, Veal Parm, Bolognese and Eggplant Parm (which is one of the best things on the menu). The salad was just ok and you have to pay extra for that if you get the homemade pasta but it's definitely worth it. The bread was a little hard and we didn't get oil to dip it in which in my opinion should be standard in any italian restaurant. The portions are ridiculously large so the three days of leftovers are great! THE SERVICE: Usually just isn't very good. But let's call it what it is a "Diner Drive-in or Dive". The hostess usually isn't very polite and often annoyed from hours of people asking where they are in the que. The servers are usually nice but often rushing to get people in and out of there. My recommendation would be to go on a week night or get take-out if you really want to try the food. If you're looking for a nice night out, go to the north end or one of the million better Italian restaurants in the Boston area.
(3)
Darika S.

Oh my god, so good! Totally worth finding this place. Yes there will be a wait, but they have a sister bar across the street so get a glass and be patient, make reservations if you can. All of the servings are humongous! We had the eggplant app I think it was there special that day and we got some calamari too. The calamari was nice and crispy, the eggplant dish was really good with cheese and I believe there was pesto in it too. I, of course, got the lobster ravioli. Homemade pasta with lots of fresh lobster. And they give you like 9 huge pieces, it really serves 2, but if you must eat it all, you might be full for next 2 days. Loved the food here, my favorite meal in Boston so far!
(5)
Thomas R.

The portions are absolutely massive. I had about 4 meals out of one order of chicken parm with pasta. The food is a B. It's not the best you'll ever have but it's very good and the value is fantastic. The service was good once we finally got in there. If you have the benefit of planning ahead with a large group, they will take reservations.
(4)
Khanh V.

Boston is known for great Italian food. So naturally I took my out of town friends to North End! When we got there, parking was insane so I immediately searched Yelp for help! Alternatively, I found Rino's Place! It's in a secluded neighborhood away from North End but well worth the trek. It's small but has a cozy, rustic feel. The homemade pasta was the best thing I've ever ate! All of their pastas are homemade, unlike most restaurants that only have a select a few. I now understand what it means when people say it's not about the sauce! The linguine with clams and eggplant parmigiana with penne pasta were FANTASTIC!! The portions are huge, but they do not let you share. My other friend ordered the veal which he thought was not great. The service, on the other hand, was lacking. When we first walked in, there was not a wait but no one approached or welcomed us. We ended up standing at the door awkwardly until we approached the waitress. Once we sat down, we were given one menu for three people. After we ordered, we realized, after glancing at the next table, we were not introduced or given the menu with the specials. The waitress had a separate hand written menu with at least 15 items that were not on the standard menu. Overall I loved the food at Rino's. I've tried several Italian restaurants through out Boston to find great homemade pasta and have not found any as comparable! This place is a must try if you are in Boston, but don't expect the service to be anymore than unwelcoming.
(3)
Harry D.

After moving to East Boston nearly 2 months ago, the first thing I heard was you should definitely try rhinos. Rinos is an establishment that is well-known not only the neighborhood but throughout the city, and now I know why. I had the gnocchi with an amazing sauce a bottle wine and oysters. Absolutely delicious!! The portions were so huge I had no room for dessert definitely leftovers.
(5)
Johnnie A.

cab ride from our hotel to Rinos was $25 with tip. $5 to get back on the T and its pretty easy. This place is in a neighborhood. Ok now the food bomb my wife had lobster ravioli not only was the lobster in the ravioli there were chunks all over the whole dish. I had the cheese ravioli they were great and huge only 3 on my plate but I had to take a to go box. Small cozy place.we had to wait a while to be seated so the hostess suggested us go have a drink and try the meatball appetizer across the street. It dwas very good too The she called my cell when are table was ready. So glad we waited it was well worth the wait
(5)
Gabriela C.

What can I say that already hasn't been said? favorite restaurant, and best food in the area hands down. Put in our names at 630pm with the expectations of eating around 930pm (wasn't our first rodeo), so we had a bottle of wine before even going to Prima e Dopo across the street knowing how long the wait was. We got in a little after 930, ordered the mussels and calamari appetizer. Their traditional pomodoro gravy that comes with it has perfect flavor, unreal. then came our orders of lobster ravioli's and all was right in the world. service is amazing if you're a regular, which i have noticed. other than that its a welcome, order taking, and goodbye. fine with me so long as i can eat their lobster rav for the rest of my life
(5)
TJ M.

To be upfront, this is not a food-rating. This is to warn others about the "strategy" the owners seem to employ. The restaurant opens at 4pm, and I arrived with my date for dinner early - at 5:15pm on Monday, Dec. 29th. (They don't take reservations for parties less than 6 people). Despite there being 2 free tables when we entered the tiny space, we were told that we were #17 on the wait list. The hostess suggested that we simply step across the street for a drink and some bruschetta at a bar that I understand the owners of Rino's Place now own. She took my cell phone number and told me she would call me when our table was ready. It's now 31/2 hours later and they have never called me back. Fortunately, we decided not to wait in that bar, but simply walked around the neighborhood for 30 minutes before deciding not to wait any longer. When we passed by the restaurant 30 minutes later at least one of the 2 tables that was vacant earlier was STILL vacant. I'm not sure what games they are playing. In my opinion, a place like this doesn't deserve the patronage. The food may be good. They food may be great. But I'll never step foot inside the place again.
(1)
Joe C.

Aweful. They said wait across the street, they own that rest too. They said it won't be long. They lied. Ruined our Saturday night. Line too long, just be honest, don't tell us it is worth the wait, without giving an estimated time. Food isn't that great either. They treat you like cattle, they lie to you and they don't appologize. Terrible terrible.never go there again. Much better restaurants in Boston than this one. They are arrogant, rude, and they don't care, they take your money gladly though. So we tried again. Anna the owner said please give us another chance. We made a reservation 6 weeks ago for 630 PM. We again waited across the street at their owned bar/waiting room. Had drinks without food, and waited almost an hour. I asked several times and the rude hostess told me a few more minutes and we had a reservation made and assured by the owner. This is like a horror show, a real Hell hole. I was again lied to. Finally, I made a reservation at a great place mama Maria's in the north end. I told the hostess we just could not wait any longer. This place is a scam. Go across the street spend money and wait even though the owner made the reservation personally. How bad is that. We left had a great meal with great service at mama Maria's. I tell you this Rino's place is the very worst place I have ever been to. Do not spend your money here. The one and only reason it is popular is the TV show. It is just horrid and we did have dinner once here and the food was routine red sauce at best. Not worth the wait, ever. I tried because they asked me to and it was terrible, a real horror show.
(1)
Hiro T.

One word...RIDICULOUS!!! But, in a good way, in terms of food. I ordered the lobster ravioli that came highly recommended by another fellow Yelper. The dish was amazing. First off, there is literally a cube of lobster in EACH ravioli. I'm talking pieces so big you wonder how they fit them into the ravioli wrapper. But, the dish gets better because there are lobster chunks in the sauce as well. That's right, lobster covered in the creamy deliciousness that is the perfect compliment to this amazing dish. The portion was also very large, and would normally, I believe, feed two people. The other dishes on the menu also looked incredibly delicious. Did also have the calamari, but unfortunately had the order for carry-out, so the calamari was a little soggy upon arrival at the final destination. The calamari did have some good seasoning, but was a fairly average dish. As stated above, we had the food for carry-out, but even finding a parking spot just to run in and pick up the food was a hassle. The restaurant itself is very small and cozy, but again it is VERY SMALL. There was no room for us to stand even to pick up our orders. The location is somewhat T accessible, but is on the blue line. The four star rating comes not from the food, but more from the location and the interior set up of the restaurant. Overall thoughts: If you come to Boston, or live here for a few years, (yeah, you know who you are...students) and don't come to RIno's, you've just made the biggest mistake of your life. Everyone should eat this food AT LEAST once!
(4)
Lannie L.

Friday night. Arrival: 6 pm. 12 parties ahead. (middle tables mysteriously empty the entire evening) Gave up at 7 pm. Got the phone call that the table was ready at 8:23 pm. By that time, we went down the street, gorged on Brazilian BBQ at Oliveira's, and FINISHED our meal. Though I'm sure the food may have been worth the wait and trek, I wouldn't know. Maybe next time, Rino's...maybe your lunch hours are better.
(2)
Ann B.

Great!
(3)
Mary T.

We wanted our last meal in Boston to be outstanding (especially after our lackluster dinner the evening before). After deciding on Italian, it was hard not to play it safe and return to Giacomo's - I'm glad I like to do things the hard way. The restaurant is small, maybe 10 tables tops. We got lucky and scored one of the last tables upon walking in without a reservation. I noticed they were featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives; I'm not really sure what category Rino's falls into, because while simple inside it doesn't scream diner or dive (and certainly not drive-in). We opted for two items off of the specials menu - lobster ravioli and frutti di mare. Overall, the specials menu is more appealing than the regular one. In hindsight, we should have seen if half orders were possible, skipped all bread and salad, and fasted before dinner. Our plates were enormous! The frutti di mare came in what I would consider a salad bowl (as in the kind you make a salad in, not the size you eat from). Of the two dishes, we loved the ravioli - finishing it off - and only liked the frutti di mare. If I recall the ravioli was $24 and the frutti di mare $28, which were very good values. The ravioli, served in a pink sauce, was stuffed with chunks of lobster and had more lobster over the top of the dish. It was rich, but not overly so, and delicious. Coming from the midwest, where lobster ravioli is expensive and disappointingly sparse on lobster, this was a real treat. The frutti di mare was teeming with seafood, which was my favorite part. The only problem (a good one to have) is that there was so much seafood, it was almost impossible to eat the pasta with the seafood - it was buried under a mountain of mussels, clams, scallops and shrimp. Bottom line: 4.5 stars. Next time I'm back in Boston, Rino's in on my short list - even if it is a bit out of the way. TIP: It's a reasonable walk from the Airport blue line stop.
(4)
Chris N.

The best Italian food, period. The only place I could bring my Italian grandmother that she would say is better than her cooking. Wanted to deduct a star for the ridiculous wait that they always have, but couldn't because the food is just that good.
(5)
Jeffrey K.

Wood Island on the Blue Line! I saw that everyone else yelp really loved this place, so Jen and I went here in Dec 2010 as a nice date for two. I'll say up front that food was absolutely amazing, and the service was fantastic, and I will totally go back there several more times while I'm here. That being said, there're a few problems we had, but really they were just a couple facets of the same problem. They don't take reservations: they that take your phone number, and *call* when a table is ready for you. This poses a problem (a) because on a Friday night their wait can be as much as 3 hours, and (b) if you're taking the T to get there you'll most likely lose service when they call you. And that's exactly what happened to us. We called at 5:30p, and I left my number, and she gave a ball-park wait of 2 hours or more she said. Alright, cool. It's a Friday, you're an awesome place, that even Guy Fieri's been to, no problem. So we get on the T at 6:30p starting from Davis, and arrive at Wood Island at like 7:15p, trying to give a little time for them to call us before hand. I walk in, and ask "Hey, I've got my name down for a 7:30ish reservation?" "Oh, yeah, we tried calling you at 7p, letting you know your table is ready. Since we dind't hear from you, we gave it someone else." Wahn Wahn. So we ended up waiting outside for another half hour ('cause the place is tiny, there's no room to wait inside), and we finally got a table. Again, I'm not sippin haterade, but that's the reason I give this place 4 stars and not a resounding 5. I had a bad waiting experience, but one more time, the food was totally worth the hassle. I recommend this place whole-heartedly, but it might be a good idea to already be on that side of town for a while when you call in for a table, that way you'll have cell reception when they call you. P.S. Rino's is totally closer to the Airport Blue Line stop, but I'd been there a million times for to go to Logan, so I wanted to check off this this stop with Rinos.
(4)
Sarah C.

Rino's Place....a random restaurant in the middle of a bunch of row houses with WONDERFULLY delicious food. I came to Rino's place on a Thursday afternoon at 2:15 and there was a 45 minute wait!!!!!!!!! No joke. I was soo dumbfounded but the hostess took my phone number and told me she'd call when our table was ready. Luckily the wait was only about 30 minutes. There isn't a place to wait inside so we just relaxed in our car. This place is small...and decor isn't exactly modern but I am giving it 5 stars because the food and the price totally makes up for the lack of ambiance. Once seated, they hand you a small menu and then a hand written list of daily specials with about 30 different options. YOU MUST GET THE RICE BALLS. They were soo crunchy on the outside yet extremely moist on the inside. My partner ordered a seafood and pasta dish while I ordered the Rino's Special with chicken. Both of our meals with served with salad and fresh bread. The pasta was SOOO fresh and delicious. The sauces were amazingly unique and not just your standard Italian white wine or garlic-butter. Our portions were large enough to feed 4 people and they cost a whopping $15/each. We were so full we didn't make it to dessert but I can't wait to come back. Downfall is the wait but everything else makes up for it! Enjoy!
(5)
Scott P.

OMG if you don't eat here you are a dope. 7 differnet homemade pastas and portions bigger than your appetite. Don't eat her because you saw it on TV eat here because the food is GREAT and you love good Italian cooking.
(5)
Mike L.

Yes, after seeing the episode of DD&D and visiting a friend in Boston, we decided we had to try this place. It was last Friday night around 6:00pm and we were SO lucky. It ended up being a 10 minute wait. After all the stories and reviews of the wait time, I knew this would be a great night. There was a handwritten sheet of specials (so many). My fianceÃ© ordered the lobster ravioli, our friend ordered the gnocchi, and I went with something a little more classic in the veal parmigiana. After some salads, house riesling, and some convo, the food arrived fresh from the pans looking amazing. No one is lying when they say the portions are monstrous! I'm a big eater and didn't even finish the 2 huge veal cutlets. Overall, this place is a home run. You can taste the freshness in every ingredient; it's amazing. If I'm ever up in the area again, I know where I'm going.
(5)
Al Y.

This place is good but not amazing. I'd watched the Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives episode that featured Rino's, and all the other Yelp reviews seem to think this is the best restaurant on the planet. The food is good--I won't contest that. The food is not, however, this out-of-this-world experience, and it's definitely not worth waiting hours for. Fortunately, we were able to be seated (party of three) within 40 minutes and not two or three hours, despite coming at a relatively busy dinner hour (6:00 PM... but on a weekday). The service was prompt. The servers were nice. We had one mixed-up order, which they very quickly rectified. The wine, oddly enough, was warm, as if it was sitting next to a heater instead of being chilled, as wine usually is. The portions are huge! If you're a very hungry person, you'll love this restaurant. If you're a normal person, you could easily share one entree among three people. Unsurprisingly, we had leftovers. If you don't have a favorite Italian restaurant already, and you happen to be in the neighborhood, and you're starving (ready for large portions), and you don't have to wait hours to get in, this could be the place for you.
(3)
Grant W.

Hands down...BEST MEAL EVER! My brother suggested it since he saw it on Diners, Drive-In's, and Dives. The show doesn't even begin to give the place justice. The atmosphere is quaint and the service was pretty amazing for as busy as they were. It filled up by 4pm, when they open, and stayed filled till we left around 6pm...and yes even in 30 degree weather there was a line. Now for the food. I have eaten in 5 star restaurants all over the world, including some of the most well known restaurants by some of the most well known chefs the world over. But all of them paled in comparison to what Chef Tony put on the table for us. The gnocchi was incredible. The lobster ravioli...wow. I don't even like seafood and I liked it. But the most amazing meal I have ever had goes to the Stuffed Veal Chops. the breading was just perfect, and it was stuffed with prosciutto and spinach. Now that I know what heaven is going to taste like, I need to get right with God so I can get in. lol.
(5)
Juliet P.

If you're looking for an authentic hole in the wall Italian restaurant this is the real deal. in a sea of Italian restaurants this one actually stands out. The Matriciana is my absolute favorite thing on the menu. All of the homemade pasta is terrific. The calamari is even special - I am not sure how they season it but it is really great. the atmosphere and ambience is nothing to write home about (and I actually hate their chairs- VERY uncomfortable and scream 1983) but the food more than makes up for it.
(5)
Caroline D.

What can I say that hasn't already been said about this place? It is great! I went the Friday after Thanksgiving in a party of four and no one was disappointed. We arrived around 5:15 or 5:30 - were told the wait would be an hour - but were sat probably 40 minutes later. We ordered two appetizers and four entrees and loved them all. Leftovers have been delicious too! The food is amazing, no question about it, but I am not the type to wait 2 or 3 hours for dinner, so be smart about when you go. The tables are mostly four tops, so if you have five people you will be waiting longer (and I know this because when I called to ask how long the wait for five people was, at 5:00 they told me we could get seated around 9:00 . . . and suddenly we became a party of 4 - plus a two-year old on our lap). If you can, get a party of 6 so you can make reservations. If you don't have a reservation and are planning on waiting it out, bring something to entertain yourself because there is not much to do in the neighborhood. Enjoy!
(4)
Eric R.

Some of the best Italian food I've ever had, but the small restaurant space makes for a potentially bad experience with long waits. They have a bar across the street for the waiting, which is nice. I went there after seeing them on Guy Fieri's show, and he certainly was correct about how good the food is. But they did not receive 5 stars because of crummy east boston location with no parking and too few tables in an old crummy building.
(4)
Deborah L.

In a word, Overrated. I wonder, though, had I sauntered into this tiny, hidden restaurant in East Boston with no preconceived notions, would this review be entirely different? Rino's was featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" show and ever since I've been jonesing to eat there. I had such high expectations that obviously could not have been met. On the plus side: We had two appetizers that could not have been better. Stuffed mushrooms were savory, and although not the largest, certainly the most tasty. (Better than the Colosseum in Salem, NH.) The paper-thin braciole was wonderfully salty and balanced perfectly with a tart lemony vinagrette on a bed of greens. As advertised: Rino's Special. Two small chicken tenderloins, one veal scaloppini, and one solitary shrimp (come on, just one?!) sauteed with earthy mushrooms over linguini. The chicken and veal were fork-tender and melted in the mouth. Impressive. A touch of brandy cream sauce was surprisingly not too heavy. The dish could benefit from a sprinkle of salt, but other than that, really no complaints. Nice. Worse than expected: The rib-eye pizzaiola was bland. The steak was a bit overcooked and lacked that fatty mouth-feel. The red sauce was disappointing. All in all, Rino's offers a satisfying meal but it's not worth the price. Definitely not worth the LONG wait for one of the (10-12?) small, cramped tables. Buyer beware: there is NOwhere to pahk the cah and NO indoor waiting area whatsoever! Patrons must stand outside on the sidewalk ... I suppose that is doable in nice weather, but this is New England where weather is unpredictable and often uncomfortable. Silly me for cheating on Massimo's in Malden (home of the BEST steak pizzaiola ever). I paid twice the price at Rino's for nothing more than better appetizers? Lesson learned.
(3)
Rebecca F.

2nd stop on our Diners Drive-ins and Dives trip to Boston! I had a VERY HARD TIME rating this place. It shines in the kitchen department, but they really need to fire at least some of their wait staff. Rino's is very small -- they can only seat 12-15 tables. They do not take reservations except for parties over 6. Now that they're famous, they are busier than ever. Do not expect an easy time getting in. We arrived at about 8:15, and were seated around 9:30. Rino's is supposed to close at 9, so we felt lucky to get in. I think we were the last party to be seated. We started eating around 10ish. First of all, the food: If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would. We had the famous lobster ravioli, and I fear I will never be able to eat lobster ravioli anywhere else. Each big homemade ravioli was stuffed full of sizable lobster chunks and cheese. The sauce also had large lobster chunks in it. All told, there had to be about 1/4 to 1/3 pound of lobster on my plate, which is amazing in and of itself, especially for the price! We looked around at what everyone else was eating, and everything looked amazing. Huge portions, too. My advice: don't get any appetizers unless you plan to take most of your entree home. You'll probably take some home anyway; even though we tried very hard to eat all of our ravioli, there was just no way. Dessert was out of the question. Now for the service: BAD. The service deserves 2 stars, and that might even be a bit too kind. I should be fair: the hostess who took our name and got us on the list was nice enough, but I've had better waitresses pretty much everywhere else -- even in bad restaurants. When our name was called, we were shown our table, but I couldn't sit down across from my husband as I wanted. Why? Because our waitress was standing where the chair was, and she was talking to her gal pals at the next table. This is a small place, so it's not like she didn't know I was there. I stood there for a while, thinking "she'll be done in a minute". But no.... I felt kinda stupid standing there, so I ended up sitting next to my husband, which was fine. The waitress came to serve us, and she was kind enough when she had a moment to talk to us, but neglected to refill our drinks as needed and check in on us. She spent quite a lot of time at the next table talking to her friends. I don't know if it was because we were the last people seated and they wanted to get out of there (we were not the last people to leave), or what. The point is that our waitress seemed like she could care less. I've noticed that other reviewers feel the same way about the service. Perhaps they think that because they're famous and business is booming, service doesn't matter? It's sad, because the food is awesome. We are not gutsy enough to leave bad tips (we left the minimum 15%), but perhaps others will follow the advice of a friend of mine and "Leave 'em 5 cents so that they get the message!". Other notes: If you are wheelchair-bound, you will likely not be able to eat here. Only a few steps into the restaurant, but the restroom is small and it's tough to navigate through the kitchen to get there. There is a bar across the street where you can wait for your table. I think it's owned by the same people.
(4)
Adriana C.

Tasty food, good service, nice selection on the menu. Get there early because it is very popular and you will end up waiting for a long time to be seated. Note, there is no bar or lounge to wait in....you will be on the street.
(5)
Charli J.

AMAZING! That's is all I have to say about this place. LOVE IT! Of course the lobster Ravioli is the greatest ravioli you will ever had. And that is an understatement. I would pay double the price to eat it! The service is great and the waitresses are always sweet and fast. I also love this appetizer that comes with prosciutto. mozzarella, and tomato. It is awesome. Definitely eat here if you get a chance. Also if you have a party of 6 or more, make reservations. If there is a wait, head across the street and have a drink. They make great cocktails over there.
(5)
Kim M.

This is, by far, the best Italian-homemade pasta-fresh ingredients food restaurant we have ever experienced here in Boston. We have explored so many Italian restaurants in the north end that were delicious, but Rino's Place takes the cake. The Rino's special is fantastic with homemade fettuccini. It melts in your mouth. The portions are gigantic and steaming hot. I can't wait to take our friends here. It's a little restaurant. It probably seats about 25 people, but if you show up for an early dinner, it is quiet and very pleasant. The decaf cappuccino came with chocolate and whip cream all over it. It was delicious. The lobster ravioli was fantastic. Enough to feed a whole family. This is definitely our new place to bring visiting friends.
(5)
Rocco R.

All I can say is, growing up in Eastie, this place was, is, and will always be my favorite Italian restaurant in Boston, if not the whole country. The chicken parm is so big that the ziti comes on a separate side plate, not underneath the chicken like at most places. The lobster rav's...unreal.
(5)
Sandy H.

We attempted to try this place, but weren't willing to wait the 3 hours we were told. So after our 2nd attempt, we wised up and called at 5:30pm on a Thursday night to put our names down on the waiting list before we drove out to East Boston. Parking wasn't a problem. Although we were 4th on the waiting list, we didn't get seated until 6:45pm. I have to say that the portions here are HUGE. We shared a half order of arancini to start and they were delicious. I mean, anything deep fried is just good. I ordered a half-order of their eggplant appetizer with pesto and mozzarella (amazing and very rich) and their baby octopus, clams, and mussels appetizer (good, as expected). My fiance ordered the chicken parm (I've never been a fan) and opted for the salad instead of the pasta. The salad was sub par, but he loved the chicken parm. We took over half his chicken parm home and more than half of my eggplant appetizer. For $55 with tax and tip, we had a glass of wine, beer, 3 half appetizers, entree, desert, and enough food for dinner the next night.
(5)
Janet H.

My clients took me for dinner and I can't wait to go back! The food was the best Italian food I have ever had - Janet Halloran
(5)
Jamie D.

I'll put it this way: this hole in the wall probably gets 2 stars from me, at best, for ambience and atmosphere. The first time I went, they were packed and the only table that was available wabbled enough to send your beverage sliding around - avoid the middle tables!! Fortunately a stable table opened up before the entrees came out. Also, one tiny bathroom, through the kitchen - some people like that stuff in a restaurant, but I'm not so inclined. And service was nothing askew from the experience at most places where the specials are handwritten: blunt. That said, the food is incredible enough to keep this rating an emphatic 5 stars. Highly recommend. Homemade pastas and sauces, big portions, simply awesome. I tried the eggplant parm and it was the kind of thing that took me back to being a child, having like Nana's eggplant parm for the first time, like I've never had it before. It was that good. I had chicken marsala - off the meters. The sauce was witchcraft. Another time, I forget which pasta I tried with their alfredo sauce and chicken, but this is like a staple Italian restaurant item and even that was simply way above average. The consistency of the pastas and sauces is, to my taste, perfect. I haven't tried any of the desserts yet (again, meals are plenty large), but I hear they do justice to the entrees. I'm always drawn away by the knowing that you really will wait upwards of an hour for a seat most of the time. The earlier you can get here, the better, making it less ideal for date night. I couldn't imagine bringing a group - which is shameful, because the food is shout-from-the-rooftops good.
(5)
Susan L.

There's a reason this place is so busy--the food we ate there was "to die" for, even though it involved a very long wait across the street at another restaurant, where I had an equally good chocolate martini (Prima e Poco, I think it was called). My friend had short ribs, which were melt in your mouth good, and so plentiful they formed the basis of a home-cooked meal a couple of days later. I had the Lobster Ravioli, also plentiful and good reheated. Next time, though, I'll make a reservation, and remember to have an appetizer with my drink, so I can remember more about the experience of dining at Rino's!
(5)
Aaron J.

Food is not worth the wait - and they will seat 50 locals and townies before you, so you must get there very early and wait for them, but again, its not worth the wait to say you've eatin at this place thats been on TV. The hostess says you're X in line, and then 2 hours later you've moved 3 spots on the list but you're at the bar across the street (which they own too...) and you've seen plenty of people come in and come out...something is not right there. The way they deal with their success could be their downfall eventually...
(1)
A B.

I was traveling to Boston for work and was on my own for dinner. I found this place through Diners, Drive-ins & Dives. And I have to say...it was fantastic!! I got there a bit on the later side (8:50 pm...they stop seating at 9:00 pm) because my Garmin had trouble navigating near the airport. But the hostess was super nice & seated me right away. I ordered the lobster ravioli and it was the B-E-S-T lobster ravioli E-V-E-R!! I would definitely come back here again. I saw the other reviews about some of the servers - my server was awesome. The bus-girl seemed to have a bit of an attitude, but it was also closing time & they were packed, so maybe it was just one of those days. Great job, Rino's Place!! I hope to visit again soon.
(5)
Brian W.

I have been to Rino's four times now. I am a bit torn writing this review though. On the one hand, the food here is simply incredible. The prices, although high for the neighborhood, are completely justified and not at all out of line for the quantity, and quality you receive. I don't think I have gotten anything there that has been less than delicious with my favorite being the mushroom ravioli app, lobster ravioli entree and stuffed eggplant. Also, there is a "regular" menu which I assume is what most neighborhood people, who go there regularly and not just for a treat, order from. The prices are much lower and the fare is more standard. I'm sure though that the food quality is the same. The service is also above average. I have gotten the same smart-mouthed, old school waitress three times and she is great. She makes you feel really welcome in a truly Boston way. My only complaint is with the rediculous hostess. It is impossible to get a straight answer from her. Their policies are ever changing (without notice)and she lacks any ability to estimate wait times. To make it worse, there is no waiting area, bar or even a bar nearby. It has been an issue every time I have gone and she has caused me not to even try to go at least 3 times. Last time I went with my wife we called at 5 and were told it was only a 30 minute wait. When we got there, 15 minutes later, she told us the wait was an hour and a half with 6 parties on the list ahead of us. I said 'it was only 30 minutes when we called 15 minutes ago' to which she replied, yeah, thats the way it is. The place is tiny so as I walked out I looked at each table and could tell that something like 5 of the 12 tables were in various stages of eating their meals and 2 others had their checks. I got outside and told my wife I thought 20 - 25 was more accurate. 20 minutes later we were seated. Last week I wanted to go with a business group and, although their website says they do take reservations for 6 ppl or more, she told us they didn't anymore and to call ahead. Then when we called ahead on our way out the door, she told us they don't do call ahead and the wait was 1.5 hours. She said next time we should make a reservation and I told her she already told us they didn't take them to which she replied "well, we are full with reservations for the month." Mind you this was mid way through August. Needless to say, we didn't go. After doing some figuring (always dangerous), I think the deal is that they may over-state the wait on purpose to drive away tourists and keep spots open for the neighborhood people. I know this is counter intuitive, but this is not exactly in a neighborhood your average tourist would wander thourh on their way to go shopping. It is in the middle of a residential area near the airport. 2 years from now, when no one is talking about DDD anymore, this place will still have to pay the bills by servind their local following. I get that. I just wish I could get a straight answer... and that I knew the secret password.
(5)
Ona K.

Rather than bask in the glory of the dopey, obnoxious Guy Feeeeee-eddie's visit, perhaps Rino's should be paying attention to its waitrons and kitchen staff. For example, early Tuesday night when there were empty tables, we saw our waitron at approximate 30-minute intervals. Why? Was she snuggled around the corner and compulsively texting? Hiding out back smoking meth? She had ONE table to tend to! A meat dish that was ordered medium was delivered very well done. The to-go containers had big pieces of broken white plastic in the bottom. And worst of all, a pumpkin raviolo was thrown into the container with salad and oil and vinegar dressing. Why? Was someone in a hurry to go home? More than likely, too lazy to perform correctly, as though it would make a difference when the work day was done. These are highlights of the negative dining experience, not nearly all that was lacking in service and product. RIP, Rino's. We knew you when. After this week's visit, and a similar, but not quite as bad, previous visit, we will not be back. One would think with all the hype and press, that the service as well as food preparation and care would be top-notch. To the contrary, it was abysmal. Did you think we were stupid tourists who would not know better or loyal locals you want to dissuade from visiting and taking up celebrity space?
(1)
Minerva P.

It was a race to the finish last night. We were rushing in our rental car trying to make our reservation. This is very difficult when you don't know the area and you are counting on the GPS system to work. Of course every time we went through a tunnel we lost the signal. Once there we were so happy they had held our table. This was my daughter's treat night and I wanted to bring her here with her friends. The food was to die for. The waitress warm and caring made sure to tell me they would watch out for my daughter if she returned on her own. We ordered different plates: Risotto, Pasta Matriciana, of course the Lobster Ravioli and I had the Roast Pork Tenderloin with the Prune and Walnut Sauce. Forgot to mention that the appetizers were off the wall. A beautiful antipasto that looked as if it had been painted on to the plate and the stuffed eggplant was melt in your mouth flavor. The evening ended and the memory of the flavors meld into my plate of leftovers. I may not be coming back to Boston very soon but the adventure ot this meal will linger in my palette and my long term memory.
(5)
wes o.

Unbelievable Italian food. We love going here. The food is all done from scratch! Portions big enough for a bear. It's true yes you might have to wait for a table, but hey that's what makes it a great restaurant !
(5)
B. B.

Dined here in mid-Nov 2012 after seeing the place on DD and D. We waited 2 1/2 hours for this very loud and ok experience. Waitress was great and we appreciated her help. Food was fine but not special, not for a long wait. Salads are bag lettuce, antipasti was good, my chicken parm was average. The place was very loud with some tables full of patrons just yelling at each other for a conversation. Restroom should be condemned. Dirty dirty. I think it was worth the first visit but not worth a second mistake.
(3)
CW W.

Heard about this place on Diners, Drive ins and Dives. East Boston is not an area I would normally think of for delicious Italian cuisine but apparently it is. Few negative things but minor and really not much you can do about it but deal. The place is about a 10min walk from the blue line airport stop. Driving wise, sounds like it might be a little nightmare unless you already lived in the area. Parking, most likely wouldn't have been a problem but I didn't really see that many empty spots on the street (so does not have their own parking lot). Then there's the interesting way they handle when there is a wait. The restaurant opened at 4pm and we arrived at 4:40pm to a packed place. We saw it was a pretty small place and asked to be put on the waiting list. The manager said there were 6 parties in front of us and took down my cell number. He said to stay in the area and just be back here within 10mins of his call. We thought this was kinda strange. I told him we wouldn't be going anywhere because we don't know this area and we just came from the train. This guy doesn't mess around, basically if he calls you and you're NOT back in 10mins you just lost your spot. Lucky for us we went from 7th place to 2nd and was seated within 10mins. Ok no more negative stuff all positive from here. When you walk in, the aroma from the kitchen starts you drooling. I felt like I was at home for the holidays and all the aunts were in the kitchen cooking yummy dishes for us cousins. We started off with 1/2 orders of the arancini and prosciutto wrapped asparagus. The arancini was SO good we almost ordered another. The asparagus simple but melt in your mouth wonder. I then ordered the lobster ravioli which were 'ginormous'. I got 9 of them and they were about the size of my hand. Each filled with a velvety mixture of cheese and lobster under a lobster cream sauce that I could have drank from the bowl. My boyfriend got the gnocchi, again bigger than the normal size I've seen. Overall portions were so big we barely made a dent but happily got it wrapped up for a future meal. We didn't stay for dessert since we were taking the train and didn't want to stay out too late but next time we might drive so we can try some of those out. I highly recommend checking out Ringo's, prices were fair, atmosphere was pleasantly casual, service was super friendly and the food was really, really delish!
(4)
Tina C.

I'd rate four stars for food and zero for the wait. We prepared ourselves for a very long wait, but 3.5 hours? Those lobster ravs were certainly delicious, but I don't think any food is worth a half day of sitting around waiting for someone to call your name. The only place in the neighborhood to wait, across the street, is also owned by the Rino's owners. So guess what? It's packed full of people spending loads of money on drinks and pizza while they wait for hours to be seated across the street. Nice for them! Some people were actually staggering drunk by the time their names were called for dinner. In any case, the servers in both locations were very nice and sympathetic (all the ones we talked to said there's no way in hell they'd wait that long for a table), and the food was wonderful. But I'd never do it again. If you can, call in for takeout!
(3)
Kristen R.

I was raised in an Italian family and grew up eating at only Italian restaurants. In comparison to the food I have experienced, this place is the best. My family members that travel to Italy often and that pride themselves in cooking Italian food agree. There is just no comparison and there is certainly no reason to pay double in the North End for food that is 1/2 as good. Enjoy!
(5)
Rick S.

Sometimes what you see on a tv show sticks in your head. I saw this place on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives a while back and have been waiting to try it on one of my Boston trips. Didn't disappoint. Got the chicken and eggplant. Very good. But I was thinking lobster (lobsta ?) ravioli all day and talked myself out of it. Will try it next time. They own a bar across the street to help you cope when there is a wait. Service was stereotypical Boston...slow and a little insulting but in a friendly way (which makes sense to those who visit MA a lot). Hidden gem near Logan Airport.
(4)
Ty H.

I've probably been to Rino's five times. It's the best Italian spot in Boston without even a question. The North End, in it's entirety, should kneel at the feet of whomever runs this fabulous establishment and falate him for his greatness, because they're all bitches to this pimp of the kitchen. In terms of Italian food, the food tastes like it was cooked by the culinary hand of God himself. I can't explain it better than that. I've had half the stuff on the menu there. Everything is awesome. But nothings fussy. Everything's like five ingredients, max. but everything is fresher than all get out. They respect the food, and they respect the flavors, and the heritage of what they do. This is a proud family doing fantastic food the way it should be done. It does things to your soul. You can taste the love they put into it. Everything is home made, including the pasta. You will NEVER, EVER get a single piece of pasta that is overcooked- perfect al dente, EVERY time. You'll never get an off flavored clam, an overly rare meatball, a spot of cheese on your rigatoni that isn't perfectly melted, slightly brown, but never burnt. They churn out plate after plate of absolutely perfect, simple, Italian food, time and time again. it's a casual joint- come as you are. But you can tell, these people know they're absolutely boss at what they do, but they have no pretense about it. the food speaks for itself, and it is simply the best Italian in Boston. Every dish exits the kitchen dead on perfect. If Gordon Ramsay worked there, he'd be fucking silent- That level of perfect. Don't let the tunnel scare you. make the trek to Eastie and partake in this religious food experience. These people take pride in making some spectacular authentic Italian food, and that pride, and those fresh ingredients, and that love...that family bond, is immediately evident after the first bite of any given dish on their menu. It's nothing short of superb. And it's cheap. My girlfriend and I ate 3 courses with booze for $51 bucks not including tip. You'll NEVER find food that good for that cheap anywhere. Make this a destination. if you're a religious foodie, this is your fucking Mecca. Church, preach, tabernacle. Take your ass to the promised land, and I'll show you heaven. Since Zimmern and Bourdain have made their cameos, the chances of getting a walk in table are about the same of winning the Powerball. Reservations at this point are an absolute necessity since their press blew up, but they don't cop a hint of 'tude despite this. However, without a res, rest assured you'll have forty parties in front of you from opening till close. Do not disregard this advice. if you take anything I say seriously, take that seriously. make a reservation But I'd camp in a tent on a sidewalk to eat here again. It's casual yet romantic, almost homey. It's a bit loud. But the food man. For every shortcoming it has, of which there are few, after your first bite, you're just going to exclaim, "Fuck it, this was worth it."
(5)
Heather D.

All-in-all, great Italian food! I have to agree with the others who've downgraded them for the wait times. I felt very bad when, as a party of 2, they seated us at a table for 4 when there were several parties of 4+ still waiting outside. I appreciate the strict adherence to the apparent 'first come, first serve' policy but it still felt a little wrong. However, being that they closed at 9:00pm and we were seated around 8:00pm, most everyone from outside was seated by the time we received our salads, so it was all good in the end. The salads (which came included with the meal) were pretty good-- despite the iceberg base, it included a significant portion of darker greens, onions and tomatoes; the house vinaigrette was delicious. Husband got the gnocchi with bolognese (a special request that they were happy to accommodate). I got the lobster ravioli. Both dishes were excellent and huge, and very, VERY fairly priced! To be honest, they could charge a lot more and get away with it. Regarding the portion size, we felt a little bit like Man vs Food after we both successfully finished our meals. Note, we did NOT get an appetizer, and we maintain that you have to be a gluttonous fool to think you handle more than the entree and salad lol!! Having said that, we wished we had 5 more stomachs so that we could try many other items on the menu....they all sounded SO good. Happy side note: they fill the wine glasses higher than anywhere I've ever seen, making it by far the best wine value ever!! This is definitely consistent with the overall Rino's theme: value value value! Overall, strongly recommended. Do plan to wait unless you make it a late lunch.....and perhaps then you may not have much competition.
(4)
Michael S.

What a FRICKEN good place to eat good, real Italian food! OMG! Thanks Mom for this suggestion! I saw the same episode on Food Network but after my other Guy Fieri (Diners, Drive-In's, and Dives) experience, I was skeptical. This put Guy back up there in my book! I do have to say to anyone planning to eat here, get a group of 6 or more and MAKE A RESERVATION and show up on time! Or be prepared to wait up to 3 hours or more for a table or join up with other people standing outside waiting for a table. You have been warned! Enough with that, We took the T there but it looked like there was plenty of parking. When I walked in the door I was waiting for a hostess and the gentleman next to me asked, how long I had been waiting, I said I just got there. He said he had already been waiting and hour and 45 minutes and told him that I had a reservation and my table was in the corner. The hostess came over and greeted us and sat us. Our waitress was friendly and a spicy Italian girl! We ordered a bottle of wine, Bruchetta, and Calamari. Also came the bread and was fresh and hot, normally I would say anything about the bread but it was good. I ordered the Lobster Ravioli and there was so much lobster for 8 ravioli's I took 3 home. If you know me, I don't take much food home. It was cook perfectly! My wife had Pork Tenderloin with black cherry's and amazing potatoes. Oh so good! My mother had Veal Saltinboca and again wonderful, sweet and salty. Other dishes were Chicken Parm, enough to feed 2 or 3 people per order but were ordered 2. Eggplant Parm, again huge. Both dishes were cooked to perfection. Everyone got homemade pasta and sauce, I cant remember when Ive had such good pasta. It also came with a salad but who cares about that! We also ordered 3 desserts because we saw them going to another table earlier that we had to give them a try. We ordered 3 to split and were not disappointed; as full as everyone was we still chowed down the Italian Ice Cream thing, (I cant remember the name of them, but it was imported from Italy) we ordered the Limoncello, Cappuccino, and a Chocolate Ganache and polished them off completely. Well remember that guy who I met when I first walked in who had been waiting, he finally got sat as we were getting our dinner. (Another hour and a half for him) We all took left overs home and had a great lunch the next day. Overall it was a great night with family. We'll probably do it again next time my parents are in town unless my Mom sees another great recommendation.
(5)
Paul A.

Trying to get a table is rather impossible if your in a hurry or have no reservation.I take friends with me and book a reservation about a month in advance. They will accept out reservations for pastors of 6 or more. They are small and have few tables. They have beer and wine available. Their food is outstanding! Fresh and expertly prepared. I recommend their shrimp scamp with toast drilling with fresh garlic. (Recommend no kissing on first date). I also recommend veal saltimbucca or parmesan. Enough to take home for seconds. Definitely worth the visit and time. They also opened a place to relax across the street for appetizers and/or desserts. Highly recommended. Finally, a visit without trying their famous lobster ravioli is wasted. All in all, a very satisfying and filling experience.
(5)
Brian P.

What can you say about this place that hasn't been said. The wait is a pain, so unless you have a party of 6 or more, just go during the week, and grab some drinks across the street. Once you get it, it is well worth the wait. My girlfriend and I always get the same thing. The fried calamari is always a nice way to start our meal. Then I get the Lobster Rav, and she gets the Frutti di mare, both of which are amazing and taste great the next day for lunch as well. I wish they had bigger bottles of prosecco but other then that I love this place...
(5)
Adam S.

I thought to myself, "self, why bother writing a review? They're all the same" This place is fantastic. My family was in town and wanted to go here because this show was featured on Dines, Drive-In's, Dives with ya man Guy. We made our way down to East Boston as the airplanes flew over the rooftops. The restaurant is on the corner and luckily we got parking right across the street. The place is small, only about a dozen tables. However, the food was big. Skipping all the stuff in between, the bolognese was delicious, especially dipping the nice crusty italian bread in the sauce. My mother got the veal scallopine wrapped with prosciutto and mozzarella. Had a bite of that and it melted in my mouth. Appetizers were incredieble too. hand-breaded mozzarella balls that came lightly fried and big on taste. Another great selection was the eggplant baked with ricotta and smoked mozzarella. this was fantastic. What more can I say, everything was great including the staff. We left stuffed and with leftovers for tomorrow's night dinner. Our waiter told us normally on Saturdays, there's about a three hour wait sometimes and the line is wrapped around the building. Keep that in mind when thinking about coming here on the weekends unless it's real early.
(5)
Jemilee M.

This place is absolutely worth the drive, parking hunting in Easty and the three hour wait (weekends only) thanks to the rave reviews from Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. I've been going there for a while and had always loved their food. But I tended to stick to my favorite dish the Seafood Scampi because it is so so good. However, when I saw the DDD episode and how the owner makes the lobster ravioli I had to go back and try it. Let me preface with the fact that I don't like to order the lobster ravioli anywhere because you tend to get the red and white stripped ravioli's that are mass produced at some factory and you get a ton of in the city. At Rino's not only is every pasta handmade but the ravioli's are stuffed with heaping portions of roughly chopped lobster. I actually had a whole knuckle in one of my ravioli's mixed in with more lobster meat. Also, the sauce is a delicious tomato cream sauce sprinkled with more lobster. I couldn't finish the dish and was estatic with the yummy leftovers the next day. But that could have been because I loved my two apetizers a little too much, Shrimp Scampi & Eggplant Pesto = Get it all and be happy! By the way, they only take reservations for groups of 6 or more. They open at 3 on Saturdays now (on the website it still says 4) and the line starts to form at 2:30. Best time to go - weekday
(5)
Dietmar S.

the food absolutely fantastic - even better than Tripple D's review. Great sauces. The lobster ravioli are unlike any I've ever had. I would ask for a thinner pasta next time. Portions are very generous (we ordered 1 appetizer and 2 entrees and it made a total of 3 meals for 2). A MUST try. Only one problem - capacity. Be prepared to wait, especially on weekends. Reservations are taken for 6+ (last week there was a 4 week wait). The service was very friendly as was the owner.
(5)
Joseph C.

This is a fabulous italian restaurant. It is small so it is advisable to make a reservation. The selection of appetizers are great (try the calimari) but be careful to save room for the main course. I recommend the osso bucco or saltimbocca both are sublime. For the best in italian food including the North End try Rino's.
(5)
Tom S.

always awesome !!
(5)
Jenny S.

It's been a while since I last ate at Rino's, and I can't believe how busy they've gotten. The food is still good, but it's just not worth the wait. Our party of three waited two and a half hours to get seated! And one more thing, the pasta may be fresh, but the desserts are not.
(3)
Ken N.

Lobster ravioli was excellent! Worth the visit from california. Great service, friendly staff. Good local gem. Make sure to plan your visit though, the lines can get long outside. We got lucky and it was between Lunch and Dinner, so no wait.
(4)
Tim S.

I've heard so much about this place that I was really expecting greatness. The arancini and half order or Lobster ravioli were very good as appetizers. For my personal taste, there was too much cream with the lobster ravioli but I can see why this is a signature dish. No deductions. My disappointment was with my linguine Vongole. This is a dish I have had at many restaurants locally and internationally including Italy. Unfortunately, Rino's version would score toward the bottom of the pack. The clams were slightly overcooked, it lacked depth (red pepper, pancetta, parsley?) and the over-all saltiness of the dish was overpowering. The home-made linguine was great and had a fantastic al-dente texture for fresh pasta but it was off the charts in terms of salt. Maybe the dish was seasoned twice by mistake or the pasta water was on it's last legs but I can't give Rino's more than three stars due to a dish I am left with the impression that I should have sent back but didn't (I can count on one hand the times I have sent food back in my 40years). Anyway, their are a lot of things I liked about Rino's including the atmosphere and service. I will gladly give them another shot based on my appetizers and the authentic, hand-written specials menu. Unfortunately my initial impression was diminished by an underwhelming entree.
(3)
Enay V.

We showed up at 2:53 on a Saturday. There were a few people in line ahead of us already. Two groups shy of us is where it stopped for the first seating. We thought we'd have to wait but just then, a party cancelled & we all got seated - awesome! We ordered the mozzarella and mushroom raviolis as appetizers - both were awesome. For our entrees, we got veal parm with eggplant, lobster raviolis, gnocchi, and cheese tortellini. I think the gnocchi was too mushy & too huge - I've had homemade gnocchi but never that size or texture (could be a completely different recipe) so I didn't care for it too much - plus, it needed more "gravy." The veal parm was outstanding as was the lobster raviolis (chunky filling is always better). The big surprise was the tortellini with sausage, peas, and mushrooms in a cream sauce - that was, IMO, the best. Service was outstanding - menu was huge - and the time it took for our food was perfect! Just get there early - they only take reservations for parties of six or more.
(4)
Warren A.

Holy cow! What a great place. The food is great. I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu. Yes, you can call ahead to put your name on a wait list but you may still have to wait once you get there. Big deal. Relax and get ready for a great meal. Take a book with you in case you need to camp out in your car for a bit waiting for a table. The place is a tiny Mom and Pop type place with maybe a dozen tables - just what we look for. Lots of local color. The waitress was a lot of fun - a real sport. I will definitely go back any time I am in Boston - Loved it.
(5)
Heather D.

Ok, I know Rino's is now a huge trendy hit since it's been featured on the Food Network, but let me tell you, the lines were just as long before! The food is amazing, better Italian than I've had anywhere, honestly. Portions are huge and my favorite meal is the cheese ravioli. You get 3 raviolis the size of your face, homemade pasta. Outstanding! Rino's is small and they don't take reservations. You can call ahead and put your name on the "list", but it doesn't do any good. When you arrive, you still have to wait an hour, maybe two. And while you wait, you get to stare at people through the big picture windows as they eat slowly, drink casually and pretend they can't see you salivating all over the glass. No one is rushed to make room for more customers. You will hate this, until you are the one inside eating. If it's closing time and your name still hasn't been called, they will stay open later to serve you. Make it a point to try Rino's. I know, it's not as exciting anymore now that it's no longer a hidden gem, but I wouldn't steer you wrong. Do it.
(5)
Jason B.

A fabulous hidden jewel in a neighborhood that seems to be struggling to hold onto it's "up-and-coming" status - they still haven't solved the problem of the filthy animals that populate some of these streets, and their proclivity for festooning the streets with trash. HOWEVER. Rino's Place does one thing, and they do it well. Italian Food. Really. Good. Italian. Food. Food: Beyond great. Anyone who knows real italian food has to make a trip through the tunnel to this place. Have you ever had risotto? Do you even know what it's supposed to taste like? I defy Mario "Everything Sucks Outside Of Tuscany" to taste their mushroom risotto and find ANYTHING wrong with it. Bella! The gnocchi - a hint of sweetness, firm and full of flavor. Hand-made pasta!! Holy awesome. And by the way - did I mention it's not going to break the bank? It's not "cheap" by any means, but this is hands-down the best value gourmet cooking. Decor: old-worldy, neighborhood-y italian kitsch. Cute, but nothing to write home about. Atmosphere: Well, it's crammed into a little storefront in Eastie, and the door opening and closing in the winter makes this place a LIIIITTTLE bit coold, but it's got all the elements of a neighborhoody, in-the-knowy, family bistro. Cozy and inviting, though the tables are a little crowded - probably so they can get as many people in here as possible! Service: Could have used a bit more attention from the bored, angry-looking waiter who was the size of a house and looked like he was the family enforcer. Other servers looked like they were hustling though, so maybe this is hit-or-miss. Call for a reservation, or be prepared to walk a few blocks into Day Square for a drink at one of the bars there. But anyone looking to check out great Eye-talian has got to give this place a shot!
(4)
Skip F.

One of the top three best Italian meals I have ever had. The other two were in Italy and Costa Rica. I saw Guy Fieri, eating heartily here on his show Diner's, Drive-Ins and Dives. I am not sure was sold me to try it out more, Guy's enthusiasm or the when I was talking to a friend about it on the T, and fellow commute said he eats there about twice a week. This guy was 6'3", perhaps 275- 300 lbs. Before, Rino's Place, I went to East Boston for Logan Airport, exclusively. Small, so there is limited seating. They accept reservations for parties of 6 people or more, so we submitted our name at 8:30 pm and were seated at 10:00 pm. It was worth the wait. The waitstaff was friendly and engaging. Stopping by the table to check on the experience an appropriate amount of times. One even recognized me from a previous visit within the same week. When I ordered the Lobster Ravioli, she added,"Again?" offering a pleasant smile. I winked back and smiled a "Yes, M'aam.". So far in my five visits I have not ordered anything but the Arancini appetizer and the Lobster Ravioli, and a glass of wine. This is the type of place that one day I will be seated and my food will just appear. Samples from other dinners tasted delicious. My advice, make the trip. Go early on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday if you are reliant on public transportation. So long as your name is in before they close you will be fed.
(5)
D. G.

It's about the food stupid! I have to be honest, even though I'm relatively local...I had no idea this place existed until seeing it on 3D a few months ago. I've been to many of the North End's most popular Italian restaurants and the food at Rino's can compete with any of them. Visited on a Sat night in May and not surprisingly we waited about 2h 15m. The wait is ridiculous but if you've got time it's worth the wait. We put in our name on the reservation list, left our cell # and were directed across the street to the cafe which ironically is also owned by Rino's :). Had a few drinks and an app there and after about 1.5 hrs checked in a couple of times with the hostess at Rino's to see how our reservation was coming along. Finally, our number was up and we were seated. We started with the fried calamari and it was yummy. Nice light batter and not too greasy. A good sized salad comes with the entrees; we had our's with the house dressing which was very good. For the main course my wife and I had the Lobster Ravioli which was as good as advertised. The portions were huge...we seriously could've split this entree. Gigantic raviolis stuffed with lobster/cheese and topped with a sherry cream sauce and chunks of lobster. You can just tell that everything was made to order and from scratch...it was delicious. Our other party member got some eggplant and smoked mozz appetizer for dinner and thought it was good but did make a comment that it was on the salty side. (with all the good looking dishes they have on the menu I have no idea why she ordered an app for dinner). Now to the service. Note: if being treated like a king/queen is important to you then avoid this place. Rino's is all about the food....not the service. If you have a big ego and expect to be sucked up to and called sir then this is not the place for you. If that is what you are looking for then you should go Strega or Davio's...not Rino's. Again...it's about the food stupid. I think you get the idea...great food, excellent value, and below avg. service....my kind of place.
(4)
Larry G.

Not even there yet. Trying to beat the wait, which I can't!! Mmmm...Gnocchi? Carbonara??? I'm jealous. I need my Rino's NOW!!
(4)
Jolene S.

We had a great meal on Saturday night at Rino's. The only problem, it took 3.5 hours to get a table (after calling in at 5:30). My folks drove in from NYC to try this place out. The waitstaff did their best and cracked jokes the whole night. The frutti di mare and pork tenderloin were oustanding. The calamari greatly benefitted from marinara sauce. I wasn't wowed by the lobster ravioli (only exceptional because of the size and quantity of lobster filling). You should spring for dessert (which is shipped in from Italy, like a lot of the things served here). Might order some take-out and avoid the crazy wait in the future! Still fun to do once.
(3)
Ken J.

Came from Las Vegas and it was everything and more. Cheryl, our waitress was dynamite! Lisa, the hostess was friendly and charming. Tammy from their bar across the way was a doll. We met Tony the head chef and owner and he was awesome!! This place is a must visit ...I had the Lobster Ravioli and it was the best I have ever had, there was huge chunks of lobster in the sauce as well as inside the ravioli. My wife had the Lobster, Shrimp and Scallops over pasta and that was very good also. We started with the fried calamari and that was some of the best calamari we have ever had. I am looking forward to my next trip to Boston so I can revisit one of the very best restaurants I have ever eaten at!!!
(5)
Stephen L.

Talk about a hidden gem. This restaurant is by far the best Italian restaunt I've ever been to. The pricing is generous and the food is DELICIOUS. First, let me tell you about the cons 1. They don't take reservations, BUT you can always put your name down on a wait list if there is one that has started. 2. Their website does NOT display their whole menu, as they have a seperate menu that changes daily and it's actually longer then the menu that they have on their website! Now on to the Pros. 1. The staff there is very friendly and very knowledeable of their food 2, The pricing is good and the portion of the food is VERY generous 3. The owner of the restaurant is the chef, so you know you'll get the best food that you can get. Nothing like a home cook meal. Lamb Chop (not on website) ~ Oh so delicious and so full of flavor. By far the best Lamb I've had yet Lobster Ravioli ~ The ravioli itself is huge and you can ACTUALLY taste the lobster in there! Most other places that have lobster ravioli are just too damn small! Antipasto Della Casa ~ talk about getting a steal, the portion of this serving is very generous and could feed 4-6 people. The ham is oh so fresh. Bruschetta ~ $6 and you get 6 large bruschettas with very generous servings of diced tomatoes on top. Gnochhi ~ Best Gnochhi I've ever had, hands down. Oh gosh, there's so much more that I could write about, but most of their stuff I've had is on their "specials" menu. Honestly, I'd rather not write a review about this place, since I selfishly want to keep this place a secret for myself, but I can't help it. I honestly think you haven't had true Italian food, until you've been to Rinos.
(5)
Alexis B.

Don't get me wrong - I LOVE Rino's. The food is always delicious, the staff is always efficient and knowledgeable, and it's conveniently located around the corner from my apartment. We've been going there for a few years now, and have never had a disappointing visit. But Guy Fiere, I curse thee! Ever since the restaurant was featured on the Food Network, it has gone from "worth the wait" to "too stressful to enjoy." Last night was the first time I had been there since they opened the new bar across the street (genius!). I showed up to put my name on the list for a table of four around 5:30 p.m., went back to my apartment to get ready and meet up with the rest of my party, and then hit the bar around 7:00 p.m. to have a few drinks while we waited for our table. And waited. And waited. And waited. The bar, Prima e Dopo, is very nice and cozy, has a great list of cocktails (some for as low as $5, a rarity in Boston), and has a sophisticated decor while retaining the casual neighborhood feel of the main dining room. However, even the nicest, coziest, cheapest bar in the world doesn't entirely take the edge off of waiting three-and-a-half hours for a table on a Thursday night. And that's how long it took. By the time we actually got seated around 9 p.m., the experience of the restaurant was completely beside the point. It felt like we had been on a long odyssey and would have been happy with a few crusts of bread. Conditions like these do not leave one in the frame of mind to really appreciate the endless list of phenomenal dishes (lobster ravioli! matriciana! calamari! anything and everything). I have always felt that Rino's was hands-down the best Italian place in Boston, and part of its charm was the fact that it was a little neighborhood place, always busy but still accessible. No more - the dining-in experience has lost its appeal. I'll stick to carry-out from now on.
(3)
Abby B.

I've eaten here twice and both times were fantastic. Wonderful staff, wonderful food. Can't go wrong with the homemade pasta and the lobster ravioli. Yum. Great prices, huge portions (I suggest splitting your dish with at least 1 other person!). Parking is no problem as you don't need a permit to park in the area. They take reservations for parties of 6 or more, no less. They will let you leave your name on the list and give you a call when your table is ready. I haven't waited more than 15 mins for a table. Go on a Wednesday or Thursday night to avoid the crowds. I wouldn't wait for hours to eat at Rino's, or any other place, really.
(5)
CC S.

In Boston for a short vacation. Hubby saw this place on DDD. Food was very good. Not the best I've ever had but good. Be prepared to wait and don't go by the time frame they give you. We were told 2 hours and waited 3 1/2 on a mid week night. Went to their bar across the street and it was great for the first couple of hours but how much can you drink if you are not eating anything except a small bar pie (very good by the way). Apps were excellent: Calamari delicious and spicy. Stuffed mushrooms tasty. Eggplant app also delicious. Dinner was not so consistent. Lobster ravioli was too rich for me but hubby liked it. My son and I had fettuccine with our dinners and it was under cooked (and I like al dente). Son had Rino's special which was good. Daughter had rigatoni dish with veal which was really good. I had the mixed seafood dish and it was just ok. Surprised that the shrimp and scallops were overcooked but it was the end of the night and maybe the kitchen was ready to go. Portions are huge so bring a cooler to take it home. Probably wouldn't go back unless we had 6 people, a reservation and they had at least some idea of a seating time . Don't mind waiting a couple of hours but 3 1/2 hours is too much for me since there is no place to go except the bar across the street. I bet it was a great place before DDD fame.
(4)
Kayla B.

great homemade fresh italian food. worth the wait. the lobster ravioli is a personal favorite;
(4)
Kim D.

This is one of my favorite places in Boston. Forget Italian places in the North End...this is the real deal. I've been coming here for years and the only drawback is that is has gotten so popular it can be hard to get a table. Even though you can sometimes wait hours to get a table, it is worth the wait. I like that it is small because it ensures that the food is always fresh and cooked to order. The staff is super friendly too. Hint: be sure to ask for homemade pasta because some of the dishes don't automatically come with it.
(5)
Tim B.

This was probably the best Italian food in Boston. Blows away the north end. The wait is very long (thanks to food network) but worth every minute. Staff very friendly!! Food AMAZING! Only downfall is the wait but thats what happens when you put a gem on TV.
(4)
Sarah D.

Heard about Rino's on Phantom Gourmet, and I cant say how glad I am that I happened to be watching that day. The Lobster Ravioli was probably the best meal of my life. Everything is imported from Italy. It is amazing, On the downside they don't take reservations for parties of 2 and we had to wait over an hour, it was still worth it. I just recommend going with a group (and reservations), or going EARLY. You will not regret it.
(5)
Anna W.

It should really say something when a line forms to eat at this place over a half hour before it even opens! Hubs and I decided on a late lunch here one weekend afternoon. We should have checked first what time it opened, because we just assumed it would be open. We got there around 2:30 and we were wrong -- it wasn't open until 3:00. But, you wouldn't know that by driving up to it. There was already a line formed in front of the restaurant, so we thought it was already open and those people were just waiting for a table. Nope! When I got in line, we were like the sixth party, and there was still a half hour to go! By the time the restaurant opened its doors, all the tables were filled. The place is small... tiny, as a matter of fact. It reminded me of Ten Tables in JP. It probably seated 20-30 people maximum. The inside looks like a railroad car... very cute. Due to the limited space, the tables were a little close together. We had people behind us, in front of us, and to the side of us. Every time a chair was pulled out, we got hit... you know the deal. The menu is quite extensive. In addition to their regular menu, they also give you a hand-written menu of specials that changes daily. I found the selections on the special menu to be better than those on the regular menu. We ended up ordering an appetizer of arancini, and then we each got a pasta dish. The bread was OK, but nothing special. Same with the salad. The arancini though, was AMAZING! They were a little bigger than a golf ball, and even though we only got a half order, it was more than enough for two of us. We had to wait an exorbitantly long time for our entrees to come, but it was worth it! We both got fusilli, and in addition to being homemade, it was downright delicious. The portion was ENORMOUS! I mean, truly truly gigantic. If we had known this in advance, the two of us could have just split an entree (but, please note that I do believe they charge you to split an entree, so it'd be worth it to get two instead and take home the leftovers). The sauce, veggies, meat... everything was just so fresh and yummy. We both attempted to eat as much as we could, but after 15 minutes, gave up and took the rest home. I ended up having my pasta for three straight days at lunch before I was able to finish the whole serving. Service was friendly, but slow. The people to the left of us finished their whole entire meal and left before we even got our entrees. Turnover was pretty quick... most people left in 30-45 minutes, and there was a constant line of people waiting outside to get a table. Thankfully, it was a nice day out. The staff there did tell us that the owners also purchased the retail space across the street and plan on making that a bar/lounge area so that guests can enjoy a drink or two there while waiting for a table. Sounds like a great idea to me.... they should really get on that! The reason this place has been so mobbed recently is because it was featured on the Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. Although, honestly, this place is none of those three. It's just a small, cozy, family-run restaurant that is true to its roots. But, give it a few months and maybe the hype will die down. Until then, get there early to secure a table!
(5)
Kevin M.

Always great. The servings are very big so be hungry. The last time I was there we had six people so I had the antipasto for the first time. It was awesome.
(5)
Karl G.

So damn good! I was in the neighborhood, the place was crowed so I did take out. I had lobstah ravioli and gahlic bread. Man o man it was freakin delicious. There was a lot of sweet and tender meat crammed into those raviolis. The sauce was rich. There was so much I could only eat half. I'm not a wussy about eating. I just didnt want to overdo it if you know what I mean. I finished the salad which came with the meal and the house dressing was just right. The garlic bread is recommended if you are going to hunt vampires. Its loaded and dripping with butter. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
David S.

Our dinner was awesome. Lobster Ravioli for the wife, and I had the Rino's Special. We loved them both, and half way through we switched plates and kept going. Zane, our great server, suggested a bottle of chianti that would go well with both, and it certainly did (and really glad the nearby Hampton Inn provides door-to-door shuttle service-- you know, due to parking...and that bottle). Until I got there, I wasn't aware of the TV history of the place, as it was recommended by a acquaintance who had eaten there within the past several months, so I didn't have any preconception about the place. The pasta is the freshest I've had in recent memory, and was unsurpassed in taste and presentation. Highly recommend. Just keep in mind, it is a small place, and it is well controlled. If you are in a hurry to get in, or an impatient type, maybe you should go somewhere else until you have the time to wait outside. It's worth it!
(5)
RRS R.

You know you are at an Italian's Italian restraint when they are closed on Sunday, Why my WASP friend asks, because they are home making the Sunday gravy for their own family. It is the homemade pastas and feel that make this place incredible Dishes of interest Eggplant Rolitini (Very Filling Beware), Pasta AL Forno, Special: Gnocchi with chunks of veal It is simple and straight forward but so well done. Rino's is better than most North End Italian restaurants but at East Boston prices. The portions are generous too. Wine list is a deal not fancy but does the job
(5)
Steve S.

"FAGETABOUTIT!!!!!!!!!!! This place is.........."off the hook", absolutely the best meal I have eaten in any restaraunt. The service was perfect. Went there with a party of 8 our reservation was on schedule, and from the time we sat down it was perfect. The atmosphere is as it was eating at my grandparents house many years ago very warm and cozy. All I can do is echo the other great reviews. GOOD GOOD GOOD. The Calamari is THE best ever.
(5)
Julie F.

We went here on my birthday. We had to take the blue line and a bus, but it was definitely worth it. The people on the bus knew where we were going, and they promised us we love it. We got there around 5:30, and the restaurant was just starting to fill up. It's a small place, and people were definitely coming to eat here. I got the calamari and the gnocchi. It was divine. Better food than the North End. The waitresses were really friendly, and they spoke Italian to us. I only think marinara sauce is so-so, but the marinara sauce here was to die for. I really want to go back there soon.
(5)
George N.

Simply outstanding. We went at 4 pm on a weekday to avoid the wait. The home made pasta was simply out of this world. Everything we had was just fantastic. Would go there all the time were it not for the wait.
(5)
June P.

The homemade pasta, in particular the fusilli is superb. All the dishes are exquisite. I generally order the ravioli special as one of my appetizers. The fish cannot get any fresher. Just about every meal is cooked to perfection. And, you can not ask for a greater wait staff. This is by far my favorite restaurant. It really is certainly worth the wait to get in. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Rick M.

YELP ADMINISTRATION: PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE THIS COMMENT!!!!!! This is an updated review from a past visit..... Anyone thinking of going to this restaurant really needs to know what to expect...I'd suggest you READ THIS REVIEW. On March 19 I posted a comment regarding the absolutely terrible experience my family had at Rino's. Out of curiosity because I don't use YELP often I checked back 2 months later and found that comment was gone. On May 14 I then posted another comment. These posts are listed below, so DO YOURSELF A FAVOR and read them. So why am I bringing this up today, over 2 months later??? Because "today" I received a very nasty, sarcastic and condescending email from Anna Dicenso, the owner of Rino's, regarding my comment in May. It is a perfect representation of what to expect in dealing with this restaurant....especially if you 'dare' to point out their scheming and manipulative ways. Multiple comments have been posted here about the hostess working from two different seating lists. In my original posts, I questioned why that is and why I was never informed of that, especially when the hostess told us the wait would be very short. Well, now, thanks to Anna, it is confirmed they manipulate the seating. In a sarcastic email response to me Anna wrote: "Be my guest and tell the world that the wait is horrendous, because honestly it is. I will in no means have you slander me, my manger Cheryl, our hostess Debra or my restaurante. If you would like to get seated rather quickly may I suggest you go visits Burger King. I responded to your post to try to help you understand the way we run things, sorry if you can't grasp it!!!" So there it is!!! If you dare tell the truth about your experience with this business and point out to potential customers in the YELP community their deceiving ways the owner considers it slander. Not constructive feedback that she can use to make the experience better. Not a training tool to help the staff perform to a higher level of service. Anna even goes so far to attempt to insult me, THE CUSTOMER, by saying I can't 'grasp' what she's trying to do when they manipulate the multiple seating lists they have. Imagine!? An owner of a business talking to a customer like this?! How many people reading this could do that in the company they work for? How many business owners or managers reading this would tolerate someone working for them to 'ever' talk to a customer like that?? This should be all you need to know if you think you'll have a classy, high level customer centered experience visiting this restaurant. Anna, thank you for your email. It is nice to see you admit that dining at Rino's is all about you. And as for me Anna, I obviously "get" exactly what you're doing and have you figured out given your nasty response to me. I'm very happy eating my Whopper and sharing with as many people as I possibly can what you and your business are all about.
(1)
Connie L.

We arrived at 3:30 pm on a Saturday, put our names on the waitlist, made our way to Kelly's Pub, and sat down to dinner at 5:30 pm. The 2 hour wait was totally worth it, though! We ordered the shrimp limoncella, which was amazing - my boyfriend sopped up all the sauce on the plate. We also ordered the bufalo mozarella with tomato and proscuito, which was tasty, fresh, and light. We ordered the veal carrozolla with fusilli with dinner. As other Yelpers have mentioned, the portions are huge! The fusilli side dish could have comprised an entire meal in and out of itself. Everything was very tasty and fresh. The waitstaff was knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about the food. Prices are reasonable given the quality and quantity of food. We ordered two appetizers, two entrees, and two cappucinos for a total of $80. I would recommend coming here on a weekday if you have the time. Closed on Sundays.
(5)
Rob O.

Best Italian food in Boston hands down. Waited a long time to get seated but we all felt it was well worth it. Everything we ordered was fresh, homemade, and delicious. The only downside is the huge wait. I'd recommend getting a party of six or more together and make a reservation well in advance. The food is nothing short of epic. If you're in Boston and like Italian, you MUST try Rino's.
(5)
Christine M.

Fantastic! I have gone during lunchtime and the wait was not bad, 10-15 mins. I hear the wait for dinner can be hours and I can understand why. I got the veal parm and it was the best veal I've ever had. The homemade linguine was cooked perfectly and the sauce was delicious. Awesome food for short money!
(5)
Katherine D.

I was in East Boston last night and I decided to check this place out. It is a small restaurant in the middle of a residential area, almost hard to find. As soon as I came in, I was greeted and given a table right away. Service was a little slow, but once you are sitting, it is a nice place to spend time in. The wine list was ok but nothing to brag about. I ordered the chicken parm which I thought was fantastic! The place was a little noisy but thats ok. Overall, it's a tiny place, very crowded but sooo worth it!!!
(4)
Chris G.

Best lobster ravioli I've ever had. I wouldn't say I am a lobster ravioli connoisseur, but it is pretty obvious this is top notch. The raviolis are plump and filled with lobster meat. The portions are huge. Overall, the food is really good. The wait is incredibly long. You need a party of 6 or more in order to make a reservation.
(4)
Brian C.

I've come to Rino's several times in the past, and I've always enjoyed the food and the ambience, even if I've had to wait outside in the heat or the cold. The food always made it worth it. Our latest experience, however, has totally turned me off, and I will never be back. I went with my mother, my fiancee, and her mother and sister. We're all short, and our mothers are both extremely tiny. My mom is 4'11" and eats like a bird. My fiancee's mother is the same (no future basketball players in our family...). At 5'4", I was the tallest of our group. Given the size of the portions, I figured we'd share. We saw the note on the menu saying that entrees can't be split, but we figured they'd say something if they weren't ok with it. We ordered, our waitress waited a sec to see if anything else was coming, and that was it. We'd selected additional entrees if she wanted us to order one each, but she seemed to be ok with it and left without saying a word. The food was, of course, absolutely delicious. The 1-star rating comes from the fact that as the waitress brought our check, she rudely remarked quite loudly that they normally don't allow shared entrees, but that she'd let it slide this time. I pointed to our party and commented that they were tiny (even with the shared portions, we were still taking a LOT of food home), but she was indignant and reiterated that it was their policy. She returned to the back where the other waitresses were standing and started talking to the other servers about our table. It was extremely obvious, as they talked and stared at our table while we were finalizing the bill. I would have been fine if she'd asked us to order more entrees at the beginning, but to take a condescending tone at the end of the meal and then to blatantly talk about us with the other servers was unacceptable. If she was really doing us a favor, she certainly didn't make us feel that way. And to make it worse, she made no attempt to be discreet about it, speaking loudly enough for other tables to hear. It ruined a great evening, and it soured our mood for the entire ride home. The food is good, but the servers need to learn some tact. I loved bringing people here, but I'd rather take guests to the Olive Garden than come here again. I've never felt so humiliated. Totally ruined what was supposed to be a celebratory evening.
(1)
Ro P.

I wish I could give 6 stars. The food is so delicious. They only take reservations for 6 or more so you might have to wait up to 1 hour. It's totally worth it though!
(5)
M R.

I don't want to see the line get any longer, but this place is great. Caveat: I live in DC, where we don't have good neighborhood Italian, and even the high-end places are not that great. 'Nother caveat: I'm not Italian but have lived and travelled quite a bit in Italy. This is not exactly food you'd get in Italian places in most of Italy, but it's also not exactly Italian-American - it's high quality, high flavor, fresh ingredients, and American huge portions. Usually the first stop in Boston after we pick up the rental car. Oh, yeah, service has always been REALLY friendly - maybe another artifact of being outside DC.
(5)
Srijan R.

I can only give 4 stars because i've only tried one dish here. But that one dish was the best lobster ravioli i've had in all the restaurants that I've been to, which includes the North End. They give very, very healthy portions of lobster in this very large meal and was totally worth the visit. I would book in advance as it is not the largest of restaurants
(4)
Lawrence L.

i have nothing to say, just go
(5)
Joanna U.

Abrasive service, amazing food! The lobster ravioli is indeed everything I ever dreamed of! The portions were absolutely huge! I also had the calamari, it was ok but paled in comparison next to the ravioli. At first I thought maybe the servers were understaffed justifying their aloofness. I'm still unsure on that. Perhaps Bostonians are just too abrasive for my taste in general. But the service was my only complaint. They didn't seem to want to be there or enjoy what they are doing. Overall, it was a great little place with great food, but lacking in the hospitaliano! Their desserts looked amazing, but one after the other they were out of the only three desserts I was craving, bet they are good though!
(4)
Mike K.

All that they say it is... Get the homemade noodles... Happy birthday to my dear wife Loan... I've pretty much been all around the world and this is quite possibly the best food I have ever eaten.
(5)
zane b.

In response to the 2/15/11 post: I have been an employee of Rino's for 14 years. In all due respect to the author of that review there must have been some confusion regarding the owner randomly going to your table and stating negative remarks about elderly diners. In all the years I have worked for the family I have never once witnessed the owner doing such.. My years there are a testament to how he treats his staff as well as his patrons. In fact: The owner is extremely customer orientated and expects nothing less from his employees. His policy is that all that enter Rino's whether to dine, purchase take out, get a menu, etc. will be treated with dignity, respect and as he states the customer is always correct no matter what. As a diner that day or night you must have notice that we are extremely busy and time does not permit him to randomly leave the kitchen. However, if he is requested by a patron to make an appearance at the table he will do so. Concerning the salads: Speculating at this time one must have ordered a Caesar salad as well as a house salad. Caesar salads do to take additional time to prepare. Reason being is that the dressing is made to order and then topped with fresh Parmesan cheese. I am not excusing the time delay and I do apologize as you state that is unacceptable. Thank you for your review and all reviews. Reviews are an important tool for any business and we appreciate them. They do help us in serving you better. Thank you.
(5)
Pat M.

I saw this also on the food network. I waited 9 months to finally get there. I'll say this ... I've been to Italy ...Venice and Rome and I was there 4-5 years ago and I still remember the greatest food that I've ever eaten in Italy. Rino's has the best Italian food that I've eaten except for Italy itself. Theres nothing I can say that already hasant been said. You will not be disappointed. I will return and I an in southern Connecticut almost 2 hours from Boston and I am already planning a trip back. I got there early on a Saturday afternoon and got in. It's well worth the wait unless you want mcdonalds fast food.
(5)
Ut T.

Being in East Boston, had to try this place out to see what the hype was about. First thing, this place needs to learn how to organize seating and close out checks! While waiting outside, parties of 2 were seated at 4-seat tables, parties of 4 were at 6-seat tables. other tables were empty while several parties (us included) waited patiently. Also, since we can see everything from outside, we saw parties ready to leave but the waitresses would not pick up anyone's bill. When they did, they never came back? Maybe they need a calculator in the back, because someone doesn't know how to wrap things up in a timely manner?!? Whatever....about the food. Finally got seated and started tasting. -Calamari - very big portion. It was good, but not spectacular. -Salad - unassuming. -Lobster ravioli- it was fine, but again, nothing special. -Mushroom ravioli- see above -All in all, hype was not confirmed. People can try for themselves and make their own mind, but I will not be coming back.
(2)
frank s.

Incredible!!! I went with a party of 4 and we made the most of our ordering potential by sharing everything. To start we had the limencello shrimp (Wow) and the eggplant which was spectacular. The flavors were clearly in love with one another. Next we had the chicken Marsala which was great but didn't come close to the veal de (something) and was as close to perfection as it gets. Then we topped it off with lobster raviolis which you can't leave without tasting. The dish was an instant love BAM! I highly recommend sharing this dish along with another because it is bold. To close we had the tiramisu which was also great. This was the best meal I have had outside of Italy and my grandmothers kitchen.
(5)
Stephanie L.

Rino's Place is a MUST-HAVE when in Boston. Truly the best authentic Italian cuisine one can consume, tucked away, DEEP in the neighborhood! I will forewarn you though, arrive early; any time after a 7pm arrival, one runs the risk of having to endure a 2 hour wait before getting seated! We did!...And, know this: We'd wait for it again too...It really is that good!
(5)
Dina V.

There are a lot of things about this place that would normally turn me away. One being the location, its in East Boston, enough said. Despite the location, my boyfriend and I were really excited for the food. My almost 2 hour trip (due to traffic) to get there wasn't worth it bc of the way we were treated. We knew the place was small and would have a long wait. It didn't bother us. He parked the car a block away while I ran inside to give my name. The hostess took my name and number and told me there were 4 parties ahead of me, which was fine. We were outside for about an hour and a half in the cold, but I won't complain about; it went by fairly quickly. One after another, the lady (hostess) came outside to get parties or even signaled through the window (which I thought was odd). So, naturally, I'm thinking, ok, she will get us when we're ready. We're the only people outside and notice a table opened up. I wait and wait and notice no one was coming out. I look at my phone and noticed 2 missed calls. Bc the airport is minutes away, neither of us heard my phone ring. I walked inside and immediately was given attitude. "I called you twice". I said "I know, I'm sorry. I didn't hear my phone ring. It's loud out there" "Well, I gave your table away" was the response I got. Like oh well, tough luck. I look at the empty table and she repeats herself so we went outside. Normally in a situation like this I would've lost it, but I held my cool. 5-10 minutes goes by and no one enters the building. Then the hostess comes outside, rudely and loudly says my name. I am literally a foot in front of her. We get sat at the same exact table that would've been ours 10 minutes earlier. It took the waiter almost 15 minutes to come over to us to greet (which wasn't much of a greeting and to get our drink/food order. We ordered 2 salads with vinegarette dressing which I enjoyed (this is huge considering I hate eating vegetables), although there wasn't enough dressing. Just a blob in the middle. For an appetizer, we ordered the schrimp scampi. It was delish! There was a lot of garlic in it but it didn't ruin the dish. For an entree I had the pollo carrozella. And for $5 more, you can get their homemade pasta. Worth it. I love pasta! I've honestly never had homemade pasta before. This dish was really good. My boyfriend had the lobster ravioli. My experience with ordering ravioli of any kind at a restaurant, you usually get a small portion. But I was surprised to see how much was in his plate. Of course, I had a bite and it was amazing. There was a lot of lobster meat stuffed in each and the sauce complimented it well. Our server didn't really pay attention to us, which was disappointing as I like chat with people, especially people serving me my food. He came by and asked "you ok?". It threw me off. I used to be a server and would never just ask "you ok?". I mean what are you asking me really? Am I feeling ok? I mean, it was vague and not friendly. The second time he said that, I asked for a refill on water. He came by, filled our glasses and said "I'm going to leave this here." I was insulted. I thought, ok, is he leaving the pitcher on the table bc he doesn't want to come by anymore? I'm sorry if I only asked for a refill once and didn't order a second wine bc apparently white wine is supposed to be served warm now. Took him forever to come by with a check and took him even longer to pick up the check. Unfortunately I left him a 20% tip. I wish I didn't. Oh, the person the hostess "gave our table to" showed up as we were finishing our dinners. Unreal. Bottom line, I don't care how amazing your food is... if your staff and service doesn't come close, then you need to reevaluate who you hire and how things are done. Too bad Guy Fieri on Triple D didn't rate them on service. We will not be back. I can get the same food in the North End with better service not to mention, the scenery is better.
(2)
Vicky R.

Exactly what I expected ....a bit of a wait.....semi friendly service but OH SO worth it!
(5)
Rich M.

Visiting Boston from California and Rino's Place was our first stop for dinner after watching the segment on DDD. We called in at 4:30pm to be put on the waitlist for 8:15. We were told to be in the area half an hour early. We were late and parking when they called my cell phone to tell us our table was ready!! No waiting in the freezing cold! We sat down and the waitress recommended the fried calamari which came with no dipping sauce. That was weird since in California it always comes with sauce... It did not need dipping sauce because it was phenomenal! For dinner, I had the Rino's special with Gnocci which was amazingly tender and wonderfully tasty! The best part of the night was our waitress, Lucia. She stopped long enough to give our 20 year old daughter much needed life advice (which was greatly appreciated!!) It was like eating with family :-D
(5)
Molly W.

Orders( all entrees): Lobster ravioli (4.5 stars) Rino's special (4.5 stars) Frutte di mari (4 stars) Braised pork with risotto (5 stars) I lucked out and my (awesome!) friend offered to get in line for everyone. When I saw him, I could tell he had been there for a LONG time. Bummer. There's a quaint little bar across the street owned by the same people if you need a place to hang out and grab a drink during the wait. The place is typical of a down-home Italian restaurant with lots of large wooden tables and walls. Service was also friendly and fast except for the hostess who seemed a bit cold and borderline mean. We finally sat down around 9 pm and had a fantastic meal. The homemade pasta was excellent, the sauces were great, and the portions were enormous. I like sauces on the heavier and stronger side so I really enjoyed the lobster ravioli which had large chunks of lobster in it. I was so excited to try one that the picture I took showed one ravioli missing and a happy me! Rino's special is not that appetizing to look at because it's just a monotonous brown but the 3 different types of meat were awesome! The braised pork with risotto was my favorite of the night. The pork literally fell off the bone and was super fatty and flavorful and the risotto was the best I've ever had. I thought the frutte di mari was good but not phenomenal like 2 of my friends thought but hey, everyone has different tastes. We ended with 2 of their ice cream balls--cappuccino and truffle--which are basically large scoops of ice cream with a hard chocolate shell. What a great way to end an awesome feast! I can't wait to go back (with reservations next time).
(5)
David A.

I have been back at Rino's a few times since my first review. More of the same, the food is simply amazing (I lived in Italy for 15 years and this is the best Italian food I have had outside of the sunny peninsula)- I strongly recommend the Shrimp Limoncello appetizer- arguably the best dish you can have in all of Boston. Any of the pasta specials are phenomenal (they tend to not really change the specials which is fine) and they have good desserts and very good values for wine. The only issue is the service, they really have an attitude because they know they food is so good. The waits are very unpredictable (you can be told it is 2 hours but then it is 40 minutes or vice versa), other then the older gentleman I have not had good experiences with any of the waitresses, I do not expect top notch service but they can spare me the whole attitude. Even takeout has its challenges, I just wish they would really try to treat customers with dignity and respect- we know you have amazing food but that does not make it okay to treat people badly. Things will improve with the waits once they open the lounge accross teh street but I hope they do try to work on the attitude of the female wait staff (the older gentleman is so much more customer focused). Despire what yelp states you can only make reservations for parties of 6 or more..
(4)
Effie H.

All I can say is, yum! My boyfriend and I went around 6:30 on a Saturday for the first time. I was thinking this time would "beat the rush" but in fact we were there during peak time. We went in, left our name and cell# and the hostess said it was going to be around an hour. I figured it was going to be a while wait, the place has maybe 10 tables. After about an hour we went back to the place and was standing outside with other folks waiting. Complaints were everywhere about how long it was taking. Now, traditional Italians are very much like Greeks (I am Greek). During dinner, you relax, drink, eat, and talk...for a long time. =-) Unless you are patient, I wouldn't bother coming on a saturday. We were seated after about 1hr & 45mins. I was not surprised at how long it took. But let me tell you, it was worth it! For the long wait the chef sent over bruschetta. The food was hot and fresh. No fake stuff here. The calamari was fantastic. With that said, relax and go to Rino's.
(5)
Akeem S.

Calamari was excellent! Pasta dishes were pretty good too. Worth the three-four hour wait? I don't know.
(4)
Jeff S.

Fantastic food. 5 stars for the food. Minus one for the drama and hoops that need to bs jumped through to actually get a table. The chicken corozzo (?sp), eggplant/pesto appetizer, pasta bolognese are particular favorites.
(4)
Ted L.

I couldn't get enough of the Lobster Ravioli! I drove straight from the airport to Rino's during a recent business trip to Boston and had a wonderful experience.
(5)
Mely A.

This place was pretty damn good but there is a lot better, especially in the city! I guess they are famed for their homemade pasta but it was pretty thick and chewy. The sauces and lobster ravioli are really, really good. The servings are out of control HUGE and they don't let you share or offer half portions. Being from out of town this probably wasn't a good choice for our last dinner considering we were a group of 10 and had to throw away so much food. Even the waitress was like WOW this is so much food to toss. The atmosphere is nice, small little place. The staff is scary but friendly. Make a reservation, it's not worth the 1hr/ 2hr wait I heard people wait.
(3)
Zayda O.

What can I say but if you told me tomorrow you will die, I would have my last supper at rino''s. what would I have???? that would take some time to decide. the homemade pasta is divine. it on of those places that looks unassuming from the outside and before the internet and sites like yelp you had to know someone from estie to know about rino's. the waitress are fun, unpretentious the only bad thing I could point out because of its gaining popularity the wait can sometimes be long, but in my opinion worth it. I have never been disappointed.
(5)
Marly T.

There was so much to choose from. We didn't know what to order..so we ordered like three half orders of appetizers. We had shrimp in this creamy sauce. (To die for!) Stuffed mushrooms and Layered eggplant...yummy! Everything we ordered was soo good. I tried their special seafood pasta...huge portions... a lot of seafood...very good!! I would definitely come back here! (Salivating while typing this!)
(5)
Al T.

we have a relative out of state who saw them featured on food network and was eager to try it on her next visit to Boston. I was worried that it would disappoint -- quite the contrary. Food was outstanding. Service was excellent though it did take time for the entrees because of the hand made pasta. No reservations accepted - you must put your name on a list in person and are called when a table is ready. to pass the time we waited at bar across the street.
(5)
J J.

Just got done watching DDD and man oh man was I salivating! From Tonys cute underbite, to the passion he puts into all of his magnificent dishes, it makes me wanna plan a visit to Boston just for this place! I'm jealous of you locals!
(5)
Leslie R.

I haven't stopped talking about this place since my first visit this summer. In fact, I have dreams about this food. Hands down the best italian food I have ever had. This is a five star restaurant without the pretentious atmosphere and high prices. All dishes are more then generous portions, pasta is made to order and ingredients are fresh. The list of specials (both appetizers and meals) seem longer then the actual menu. Great variety and extremely reasonable prices. The space is small; maybe 10-15 tables. No actual bar (though beer and wine is served) so don't expect a place to go and sit while waiting for your table. And you will wait! The first time I went, it was about two hours before we were seated. It's a long time but well worth it. The only exception being for parties of six or more because you are then able to make a reservation. The hostess directed us to Kelly's Pub, about a block away, for drinks while we waited. This was great, and even better, Rino's will call your cell phone when your table is being set (they give you about 10 minutes to get back). Otherwise, prepare to wait standing on the street or in your car-you won't be alone! The staff here is amazing-authentic, welcoming and passionate. They work all together, so you interact with almost all of them throughout your meal. The mozzarella and layered eggplant appetizers could have carried the meal alone; the most amazing starters I've ever had. Then your meals arrive and you realize it just gets better. The roast pork special is delicious and cooked perfectly; chicken parmesan is tender and juicy and the lobster raviolis are out of this world. They offer a fairly unique dessert menu and is worth taking a look at. Having recently moved to the west coast, when I plan my trips back home Rino's is definitely on the itinerary! A great, casual place that will quickly become a favorite!
(5)
Edson D.

This place is a complete fever! Among the best meals I've ever had. Fresh, made to order pasta? Who does that?
(5)
D M.

My family saw this place on food network and had to try it while passing through Boston. Lobster Ravioli was everything we thought it would be! Lots of lobster and way to much for one person to finish! We also had octupus and shrimp liminchello which was out of this world! Wish this place was right around our neighborhood!
(5)
Whitney A.

Ok so my colleague was ready to take me here @10:30a.m. and now I know why! I had the lobster ravioli and it was a taste of awesome deliciousness! The sense of place is 5 star b/c it's in a house, not the N. End w/o parking! I cannot wait to take a visitor there. If I just ate lunch I cannot wait to try rino 4 dinner with a glass of Chianti!
(4)
Helen E.

Damn... The Lobster Ravioli is too die for. After watching Triple D, I needed to try it. My husband ran a rouge mission to Boston and acquired some to appease my guilty pleasures. And it did. It was packets of chopped lobster goodness combined with magical sauce. The sauce is what makes the dish. It lingers on the palette and makes one want more. And I want more. This could be a costly love affair as I live in another country and hitting Rino's for a quickie is not always possible. But I will get more - trust me - :).
(4)
Erica B.

What an incredible place-- perfect for an early lunch to miss the crowds.
(5)
Mike D.

Rino's homemade pasta is awesome. That's what I had, and it was super legit. If that's all you read, that's fine. We got here at 3:15pm on Saturday and the restaurant was filled, and we were second on the list. Bummer. Luckily, the owner has opened his bar across the street to handle the waiting list and overflow. It's a nice little bar with a TV or two, some great drinks, and some really good appetizers. We had bruschetta, chicken wings, and a flatbread pizza....all were very good. So we finally got called at around 4:30pm and we had a fantastic meal. The homemade pasta was excellent, the sauces were great, and the portions were enormous. We all took at least half of our meals home. It was very reasonably priced, especially considering the portion size. The staff we dealt with were helpful, witty, and engaging. I think the way to do it is come early like we did when you are not that hungry yet, and just grab a few drinks across the street while you wait, or call a month in advance and book for a party of 6+. I think many of the bad reviews on here are from folks that have very unrealistic expectations coming in to a neighborhood restaurant with an excellent reputation that only seats 40 people.
(4)
Bob L.

Had a very enjoyable meal experience @Rino's on Saturday night. First, get five of your best friends to go with you so you can get a reservation. We got seated a few minutes after our 7pm reservation time. Many others had been waiting since 4pm for the dining experience. A comfy dining room, but not too crowded. Great service staff. Great appetizers, buffalo mozzarella with prosciutto on tomato and basil, fired calamari with peppers, arancini with marinara sauce. All made with fresh ingredients and great portion size. Entrees included lobster ravioli which the table shared too, with 5 left for the person eating that dish. Rino's Special on paparadelle had great flavor with lots of fresh mixed mushrooms and perfectly cooked veal, chicken and shrimp with a creamy marsala like sauce. The seafood cannelloni was huge and the shrimp, scallop and lobster tail on rigatoni was also very good. all had ample portions leftover to take home for next day lunch. Finished off evening with panna cotta and decaf cappuccino. Definitely would go back again. Although not cheap, very affordable for the level of food presented. If you don't want to wait, order take out and enjoy the same food at home :)
(5)
jeff o.

5 stars for the best Italian food I've ever had. The seafood cannelloni was absolutely delicious. The prices are very reasonable, $75 for two which included a bottle of wine. My only gripe was the wait. but definitely worth it. have (or get) a party of 6 and they will take your reservation. They opened Saturday at 3pm and the line started before that. We got there at 3:30 and only had to wait about an hour and a half. We went down to their suggested pub and had a cocktail. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
K H.

The food was amazing. Had the lobster ravioli and it did NOT fail! However... MAKE A RESERVATION!!! I repeat, make a reservation. The wait was 2.5 hours and while they have their quaint bar across the street where you can wait and drink and "appetize" (AMAZING calamari!!), that's still a long time to wait. SO. I got creative. They said it would be 30 minutes when I asked about having it "to go". And after over an hour and 15 minutes... I was still waiting. In the bar. Which was empty besides the staff, another patron and myself. The last patron received a call that his table was ready, he'd arrived 45 minutes after I had, with no reservation, and was how being seated?? Not cool. AND, 3/4 of the staff? Super friendly. But lovely looks and attitude were prevalent with others. I asked one server a question about the lobster carcass she was carrying and she clearly did NOT give a hoot, she answered in an extremely annoyed tone and wouldn't even look at me. Busy or not, that cost her less than 20 seconds. Whatever. The food was still amazing. I'd still highly recommend it but, like I said, make a reservation! This place was on Diners, Drive Ins & Dives. That just made it even more popular!
(4)
deanna d.

Food gets a five star... Service is definetely slacking. LOVE all the dishes and apps!!!
(5)
Ken W.

Finally was able to get in it, First time wife and I showed up at 4pm on a Saturday - told "3 hr wait" at 4pm, I could not believe it, how good could this place be to have a 3 hour wait. Called to make reservations 3 weeks in advance for our Dinner Crew on a Saturday night, was told the first opening they had was 7 weeks out at 9pm. Once again, SHOCKED!!! -this was just getting silly Had a reason to go to Eastie with the wife today and I said, what the hell, lets give it a try, we were the first ones in the place. I was VERY HAPPY. Had the Lobster Ravioli, FANTASTIC, wife had the Veal Marsala WOW!!!, we shared a bit and I must say the Veal was without a doubt the best I've ever tasted by far. Can't wait to go back with the Dinner Crew, going to make reservations for Sept in a few weeks. I think the wife and I will visit a few more times on a weeknight early. LOVED IT.
(5)
Mike M.

One of the rare finds in the Boston metro area. The service here is excellent. The waitresses are very professional, knowledgeable, and respectful. The seating area gives a feeling of authenticity, and elegance. Once inside, you might forget you're in East Boston. The food here makes the restaurants in the North End look like fast food joints. I had the Baked Scrod off of their specials, and my girl had the Chicken Alfredo. Both came with salads which were actually an experience of their own partly because they looked and tasted fresh, and partly because the house dressing here is unforgettable. And bread, which was also very delicious. The way you know you've had authentic Italian is when you can eat it the next day and it tastes even better than it did when you got it. Such was the case with this food. Up until I ate here I lost hope for finding genuinely good Italian food in Boston. So why then, do I give them 4 stars instead of 5? Because certain nights, this place can get crowded. But it's not the crowds that take that last star away, it's the legnth of time one has to wait for a table under those conditions. I am one to take most things lightly and enjoy myself in any situation, but this wait was particularly nerve racking. There's this thing called economic theory that says that if demand is higher then supply, it might be time to raise prices (especially when you don't have any competition). When I do the whole cost benefit analysis between paying more for a nice dinner in a comfortable environment, and waiting outside for over an hour for a seat, I think paying more makes more sense. Anyway, aside from that one thing, the food is what really kept me waiting, and thus i think I would still go back, maybe this time with a board game and some lounge chairs.
(4)
Jason V.

Awesome place and worth the wait, lobster ravoli were great. The owner Tony was a very nice guy and extremely friendly. Our wait for a 7pm Friday night was about 1.5 hours and flew by after a few drinks across the street at their bar.
(5)
Emma S.

I'm hesitant to even write a glowing review of Rinos, as I would like to be able to get a table there without a 470 hour wait. Yet the food is just too freakin amazing. The eggplant parm is perhaps my favorite, and one order is enough for 4 meals, no kidding, and I can eat, and eat and eat. Rino's is an Eastie classic, and it would be nice if it were still an Eastie secret...
(5)
Carrie M.

This started out with the potential for one star, no lie. First, we had a special gift certificate that did not indicate any restrictions as to when it could be used, just to show it upon arriving. When we show it, they say it can't be used on weekends. After pointing out that this isn't specified here, and that others I have purchased do specify it, they say they'll honor it. Second, the wait we were told was 20 - 30 minutes. Because this is a small place located in a more residential area. She took our cell number for the wait list so that we could sit in the car since it was chilly that night. Twenty minutes pass, then thirty, forty...you get the picture. After like forty-five minutes, we were told just five more. Fifteen minutes later we were seated. So at this point we're starving, and slightly annoyed. But she's been super nice the whole time we were waiting, so we're giving it the benefit of the doubt. The food I'm seeing on other people's plates looks amazing. This is also the type of place with a ton of regulars, which is usually a really good sign. We look at the menu and I decide on eggplant parm (for me the true test of good Italian) and the bf goes for sausage with broccoli rabe and garlic. The pasta is fresh made and there's like seven kinds to choose from. The wine starts at five dollars a glass, and they don't skimp on filling it. Lift from the table with care or else it may spill. Yeah, like that full. We learn from the owner that the restaurant has been there for twenty-two years, and that she and her husband took it over from his parents about twelve years ago. He does all the cooking, and she tells us he's an excellent chef and that we'll love the food. The meals arrive and she wasn't lying. This is the best eggplant parm I've ever had. And the portion was probably the equivalent of four meals, but yet I ate half of it there and the other half the next day. The waitress comes to get our food and boxes it up to go. She asks me if I want a little extra sauce put on top so that it will heat up better. Seriously? Such a simple gesture, but one that totally made me happy (and definitely made my leftovers better the next day). The owner was standing behind me at one point, and I turned to her and let her know that the food was worth the wait. It's the type of place that I can't wait to go back to because I want to try more, yet at the same time the eggplant was so good that I have a hard time straying from it. Solution? I'll just go with more people next time so I get to try more food!
(4)
Daniel H.

We arrived at 4pm put our names on the wait list that had 21 tables ahead of us. So we left our name and phone number. I asked about how long does it take for 21 tables and the women said you never know, not something like well generally about 2-3 hours you know something to guide you. So we are thinking maybe it goes quicker than we think since she didn't want to give a time frame. This place can hold about 50 people at a time. When 530pm came around we wanted to get a figure of where we were in the wait list so we called and we had 13 tables ahead of us. This place is in a residential area so there is nothing to do they have a little bar next door that can hold about 30 people comfortably and if you want to get drunk before going to eat that's it. So when 630pm came around we called and now we had 7 tables in front of us ok making progress but I'm kind of mad because they could have told us that it would be this long of a wait we could of gone home and come back to be honest but come 740pm I had to go ask because this whole time I was paying for a babysitter they said we had 2 tables ahead of us ok cool I'm thinking another 20-30 minutes so we continue to sit in our car. Now at this point I'm kind of irritated so I had to go in and ask at 830pm the women there now tells me that there is 2 tables ahead of me BUT there is also 2 reservations that need to sit before the 2 in front of me sit so that could be at least 12 people and the other 2 parties ahead of me (they only take reservations for 6 or more people) are you kidding me I have been paying for a sitter. So now we are really mad and we decided to leave because even if we did sit we would of probably had a bad experience because our babysitter cost will be more than our bill. So at 9pm we get the call that we can sit 5 HOURS LATER I never answered because I probably would of told them that they have horrible customer service she could of said it can take up to 4 hours to sit in our case it was 5 hours for a table of two seriously not worth it or it would of been if they told us we could of gone to the shops or something not sit in our car for hours and waste $80 on a babysitter. So sad to say we never got the try the food.
(1)
Jessica R.

Exremely overrated. My boyfriend convinced me to try this place because it was on the Food network and highly-reviewed both on Zagat and Yelp. So he made a reservation at 8:20pm on a Friday night and the woman told him it would be about an hour wait. LIES! We didn't get seated until 10:45pm -_- At around 10:20pm I was ready to leave and head to the North End for some food at Giacomos but what do you know....the bridge was closed so we were trapped like rats! Thus we decided to stay...... I ordered the chicken cazzaralo (which is chicken, pasta, in a white butter sauce). The food was so blah, the sauce was watery, and tasteless. I was very upset after waiting almost 3 hours. I ordered the chocolate truffle for dessert which was the only positive thing about this entire place. My waitress was very polite and friendly but I feel like everyone else was kind of snobby because they think there restaurant was on Food Network they're the best thing on earth. Not to mention this place is not cheap! We spent $60 and did not eat well!
(2)
Kristin G.

This is hands-down the best Italian food I've had in a very, very long time. The food is outrageously delicious. I got the chicken parm, and it was HUGE. I seriously could only eat 1/2 of it. The pasta was super fresh and the sauce was delicious, and i'm pretty picky about sauces. My friends ordered a mussels/clam dish and calamari, respectively, and both of them loved it. We started with the Bruschetta- I agree with Louis H- best i have ever eaten. Huge chunks of tomatoes, delicious olive oil. Also- the house wine (cabernet) was delicious. Just FYI. I could go on and on about this place.The service was great. The only negative was the wait- they only take reservations for parties of 6 and over. We got there around 5:45 and finally sat down at 7:15. There isn't much else to do in East Boston (at least not that we know- enlighten me!) so we ended up driving around for a bit and then waiting in the car. But it was totally worth it. I'll def. be back!
(5)
erica c.

This is the closest thing to The food I had in Italy. Everything down to the soups are excelent. I would love to keep this place my little secret to avoid longer waits in the future but it's too good not to talk about. Plus I love the people who work there and the cheap wine.
(5)
peter b.

if your into continent-sized platters of rich, creamy food, this is the place for you. although, on the upside: the homemade pasta is actually quite good and worth a little extra wait-time. softball-esque deep fried mozzarella and the crispy eggplant appetizers? potentially all the food you'll need for days. bottom line, I enjoyed the curvature of the ceiling and the moretti beer. and did not go hungry.
(3)
Sean C.

we were in Boston for some family business, and wanted italian. Yelp pointed us to this place, which had the important factors of good food and local vibe. its true, a very neighborhoody place. love it. a very impressive menu. so many special to choose from. i see a lot of raves about the service at this place. our waiter was some old guy, and the first thing he said to us was "do you know what you want"? what I'd like is a little enthusiasm from the waitstaff, but whatever. for apps, ordered the calamari - which was served with pepper rings, not marinara. i'd never seen this before, but really enjoyed it. the rings were nice and vinegary. also had the bruschetta, which was very nice. the bread was toasted just right. for entrees had the veal parm, which was very nice and big portion, and m'lady ordered the long neck clams with red sauce and home made pasta. also very good. we took half of everything home, because their was so much. ordered a glass of wine, finished it, nobody ever asked if i wanted a second. would have rated it higher, but the lack of attention from staff knocks you down, paisan.
(3)
Mcslimj B.

Very good, value-priced Italian-American red-sauce joint, but the specials are the reason to go: they're much more authentic, interesting, and beautifully done. I often chat up local chefs about their favorite restaurants, usually over drinks at late-night watering holes. I haven't met Jose Duarte (chef/owner of the North End's excellent Taranta) this way, but I gleaned a tip from his recent interview in Boston Magazine. I figured if Duarte likes Rino's Place, a 46-seat Eastie trattoria, it must be worthwhile. Chefs are good sources: Rino's is that rare full-service restaurant that's cheap enough for my "On the Cheap" column in The Boston Phoenix, yet still serves terrific food. The familiar Italian-American fare it offers is admirably done, and when chef/owner and Abruzzo native Anthony DiCenso stretches out with his specials, the results can be astonishing. An example of how DiCenso can amaze and beguile is his baby osso bucco ($14), a special of three gently braised veal-shank slices in a glossy pan-juice reduction with carrots, served over superb, perfectly done Milanese-style risotto with real saffron, accompanied by lightly batter-fried broccoli florets: just phenomenal. Italian bread is good (especially with shank marrow), the side salad overdressed. Another special, escarole and polpette soup ($5), is a brimming bowl of fine chicken-stock broth loaded with little pork-veal-beef meatballs and scrambled egg. Duarte's recommendation of calamari ($11/lunch; $17/dinner) features oodles of sliced, sautÃ©ed squid in a perfect, simple marinara and a lot of garlic, served over house-made linguine. ("Request it spicy" is another excellent Duarte suggestion.) Lunchtime panini are large subs on good Italian rolls, with options like the excellent prosciutto with mozzarella, basil, and EVOO ($8). True to its Italian-American focus, Rino's offers fried chicken, veal, and eggplant cutlets in canonical preparations like francese, saltimbocca, and marsala. Typical is the pollo parmigiana ($10/lunch; $14/dinner), an enormous chicken-breast cutlet in a tasty, greaseless bread-crumb coating, marinara, and mozzarella, with a side of house-made linguine. The toothsome texture of fresh rigatoni also elevates the superb matriciana ($15), richly sauced with good pancetta, onions, tomatoes, and cream in a staggering pound-and-a-half portion. Desserts include a featherweight but huge square of slightly oversweet tiramisu ($7). The wine list is short, modest, and serviceable, exemplified by a 2005 Vestini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo ($6/glass; $24/bottle). Service in the loud, often-packed room is abrupt but friendly. Red-sauce Italian-American rarely wows me, especially in portions big enough for two normal meals, but when it's done with this much craft, and I can order those fantastic, more-authentic specials, I have to say, "Thanks, Jose!"
(4)
Nichan S.

I debated between 4 or 5 stars but settled on 5. Why? The total experience. We have been seeing it on Phantom Gourmet, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and waited for a special occasion to try it. We were aware of the reputation for long waits (small restaurant, small tables). We went at 3p.m. on a Saturday afternoon for a late lunch, early dinner and were seated right away (they open at 3p.m. on Sat.) 1. The food, we enjoyed everything that was ordered for out party of six which included the antipasto dela casa, Lobster Raviolis, Pork Chop Milanese, Rino's special, Pollo Braciolentini, pollo e melanzane, finishing with the chocolate cake. The food was as we expected, wonderful, 2. The ambiance, it's a small place, the wait staff and hostess were very friendly and accommodating. Chef Anthony stopped by a number of tables including ours briefly to say hello and check that everyone was happy. They don't rush you trying to turn tables, they seem to appreciate that you came and want you to enjoy yourself. 3. The portions, they are huge. We even asked the waitress if anyone ever finishes and she said on rare occasions 4. This place has been open for 24 years, they are doing it right. It's located in a diverse neighborhood and parking is scarce.
(5)
Jennifer R.

One word "outstanding". The food is simply amazing. Every chance I get to go here I do. Go early or you will have a long wait. Love it!!
(5)
CHRIS P.

Ok...So let's start with the food,the reason you go to Rinos...Having seen it on Diners,Dives & Drive-ins I HAD to try it & the food is AWESUM...everything is made fresh to order so you WAIT for everything...I had a stuffed chicken dish off the special menu and wasn't let down...ok now why I deducted 1 star...I got there at 6pm & walked out at 10:15....it took 3 Hours (there's only about 10 tables) for a table and I almost passed out it was so damn Africa hot in there...they have Ac but it wasn't doing anything,I was sweating so bad the semi rude bus girl asked If I was ok....so if your in south bean town DEF check out Rino's but pack a snack and a giant palm leaf cause your gunna be waiting & HOT!
(4)
Dani A.

Absolutely delicious!! Came here on a Monday night around 5:30, and my boyfriend and I were told it would be a 45-60 minute wait. No sweat, we walked down the street to grab a mini bottle of wine, and within 30 minutes they called me to inform me our table was ready. We shared the calamari as an app - delectable. I got the eggplant/chicken parmigiana. I would recommend getting just the chicken because the eggplant it came with was just a teeeeny bit lacking in cheese and sauce. But the chicken made up for it. Not to mention, I got a HUGE plate of Fusilli and a salad for only an extra $5. I'm not sure why people have not enjoyed the service there - i thought it was great. Our server was engaging, but not overbearing. It did take us a little time to get the check, but I would much rather wait 10 minutes than be rushed out of the door. I'll be making many trips back here!
(5)
Leah M.

Went back again and had the best gnocchi I have ever, ever had. Great service again! Can't wait to go back! Go to Kelly's Square Pub for a few drinks while you wait for your table. It's right by Rino's.
(5)
Ebony F.

Its as good as you want it to be!!! The staff is really nice, the diners are all so excited to be there, and the food is so filling and tasty. Reasonable prices and a lot of wine options...what an amazing way to spend my first night in Boston!!
(5)
Melissa T.

We love this restaurant! We always bring out of town guests, it is always a winner. In 9 years I have never had a bad meal and the specials are yummy. The portions are large so you always have some for later. Who needs to go to the North End when we have this gem!
(5)
Ric D.

It's not much on atmosphere, but the food is "to die for." I ordered a dish that my wife normally doesn't like. But she tried it and thought it was great! Everything is just delicious. Forget the North End. This is the place to go.
(5)
Bill B.

Our second visit to Rino's was similar to the exemplary food experience of our first visit. This time around there were fewer patrons and better service. On this visit we choose fried calamari as an appetizer. Excellent preparation, generous portion, and a great sauce that included spicy peppers, rather than the customary marinara or cocktail sauce. For entrees, my wife ordered veal with eggplant; I chose calamari marinara. Both were very good. No disappointments. Some things to note, though. My entree was a pasta dish; my wife's entree included a side of pasta. My pasta was homemade; my wife's was not. Also, the red sauce is good but its more a tomato sauce than a marinara, which is my preference. Neither is better; its all about one's "gravy" preference. Once again, the broccoli rabe was SO good.
(4)
L. G.

this place is great you will def get your money worth with the portions. It would have gotten 5 stars but finding parking was hard and you can not call ahead to make a reservation. But I would def eat here again soon.
(4)
H L.

Went here for lunch based on DD&D episode. Food was excellent. Menu is much larger than what is on their website - none of what we ate is listed on their website. Started with the buffalo mozzarella with fresh tomato and prosciutto. Wife got the Rino's Special which was good, especially if you like different kinds of meat with mushroom cream sauce. I got the Lobster Ravioli which was outstanding. Will go back again when I'm in town.
(5)
Bill O.

Huge plates, all homemade delicious sauces and pastas. Hard to get in but best Italian restaurant atmosphere around. Chicken parm the size of your head. Savory tomato vodka sauces. Great specials.
(5)
Lisa D.

Not impressed at all. We waited an hour - Could not go in because there was no ramp for my partner to get in with his wheelchair. The staff was not very friendly & couldn't leave garlic out of anything aside from the white sauce (due to an allergy). The white sauce was super bland, both my partner & I were actually very speculative that there wasn't any sauce on the pasta at all, in fact. $50 for half ass service, in an inaccessible restaurant, with no allergy accommodations & a meal that would've tasted better from the Olive Garden at half the price? No thanks.
(1)
D P.

By far the BEST Italian food I've had, next to my own mother's, in a long long time. I find the North End in Boston to be too yuppified, too touristy. It's the 'Legal Seafood' of Italian food. Who would have thought you'd find a great Italian place in a predominantly Latino neighborhood. Rino's has been there for over 20 years. And they have a little place right across the street that you can wait at and have a drink or two while waiting for a table. The two drawbacks to this place, and this is why I didn't give it 5 stars is, it's really really noisy, and they don't take reservations for under six people. But it's definitely worth a try, get there early though. The pasta is all homemade. The bolognese sauce is perfection, and just like my mother's. The arancini are the best, outside of Italy I've ever had, the calamari is fantastic. I had a chicken saltimboca that I could cut with the side of my fork, which means they pound out their cutlets, a must when preparing this dish. I had a panecotta for dessert, it melted in my mouth, so smooth and delicious. I will definitely visit this place again, and again, and again, and again......
(4)
Xin S.

We came with very high expectations and Rino's still exceeded them. We had an absolutely wonderful meal and experience here with friends. We were luckily able to get a reservation (for a party of 6+) but overheard others being told there were 33 tables ahead of them at ~7pm on a Saturday... yowza!! There's nothing I can say that hasn't been said already, I'll just chime in and say the lobster ravioli is out of this world good. There was likely a whole lobster in that dish! The Rino's special was equally delicious: chicken, veal, shrimp, and a mushroom variety in a very flavorful cream sauce. Absolutely come here at least once to experience it! Round up 6 friends, it's worth it!!
(5)
Donald L.

This place is EXCELLENT! My wife and I went here to have dinner and had a wonderful time, had EXCELLENT food and the staff gave us wonderful service. I cannot recommend this restaurant strongly enough!
(5)
Lisa T.

Excellent food. But, I came here as a single diner and ordered a bottle of wine, expecting to take the rest of it home, as per Mass law. But, apparently they don't have the license for it - but I didn't find that out until the end of my meal when I asked to have it packaged up. :( Boo. They should have known to mention it. I also asked for pink sauce and got red, and waited 10 minutes for someone to take my drink order when a couple who sat down next to me was waited on right away. So, that's why 3 and not 4 stars...
(3)
Jack P.

Amazing food, and worth every minute you have to wait! Just know that unless you have reservations for a large party, you are going to wait. But it's sooooo good, so just plan on it. You put your name and cell phone on the list and have to be there within 5 minutes of being called. In the meantime you can wander around and do something else. The flavors are amazing! The lobster ravioli is phenomenal, as is the seafood canneloni, pumpkin ravioli, calamari, eggplant pesto appetizer, and seafood-stuffed haddock. Don't waist the space in your stomach eating the bread or the salad. The portions are enormous, enough for 3 meals. But the main reason I love this place is because the flavors are just out of this world. And yes, they bought the building accross the street and opened a bar so their customers would have a place they can go to wait and wouldn't have to wait outside doing nothing. The bar serves great mixed drinks!
(5)
Dave G.

Amazing! Fresh homemade pasta, great service, best Italian restaurant in Boston!
(5)
Michelle E.

Awesome! Very small, so get there early. They do offer take out. Homemade pasta. Very good. I got shrimp, scallop,& lobster tail with fettucini. I ate about 1/3. Huge portions. Cost was $28. Not bad. Highly recommend!
(5)
Kate S.

Really good food. It is simple and straight forward but so well done. The chicken Parm is so moist, it isn't even the same dish you get at other places. Rino's is better than most North End italian restaurants but at East Boston prices. The portions are generous too. And the atmosphere is very friendly.
(5)
Chuck S.

Wow! Food is awesome. No more needs to be said. A little hard to find but well worth it, prices very reasonable and large portions.
(4)
Jonathan B.

This place was awesome! The food was delish. Had the Lobster Ravioli, which is a house specialty. I have to say, it was the best I had ever had. The service could have been a little better, but heh... the quality of the outstanding food made up for it. Cant wait to go back.
(5)
kevin m.

I totally agree with Jude W, Aaron J, & Headerz K 's reviews of this scam disguised as a restaurant. We went for lunch on 4/27/12 - arrived at 12:15 - 4 of 12 tables empty yet we're told there's 3 parties in front of us on the wait. Shockingly, we're shown the place across the street -Prima e Dopo - and told we can get a drink. Not everyone starts having cocktails at noon. And I agree with the others about the who cares attitude found at the door. I guess Prima e Dopo translates to " first dope who comes in". We also wait 1.25 hrs and watch as the locals slide in & get immediate seating. They take your cell # for the wait list but never use it.. We stay in our car and watch party after party get seated- way beyond the 3 we're told. It doesn't take long to figure our the game here. When the hostess sees us watching her herd parties across the street from the bar to the restaurant for the 5th/6th time, she motions us to come in. Waiter (Marco ?- goatee,shaved head) treated us like dirt. Waited 15 minutes + before he even came to table.He clears table & put down paper napkin & a fork- nothing else. Finally returns and takes order & never comes back to the table. Busboy gets us water & salad - one on a plate, one in a salad bowl. Tells us they ran out of bread - more will be coming out of oven soon. When bread finally arrives, it's ice cold ! - Must be a new kind of refrigerator oven. Never got knives until we asked after the salad is served. Salad itself was a lifeless lettuce setup you'd find anywhere. Meanwhile, Marco stays up by the kitchen and hugs his pals when they come in. After 45 minutes of no food with newer arrived parties already being served their main course, ( a single diner came in after us, ordered, served and finished his meal while we still waited),we asked about our order. Hostess looked at us like we were trying to rob the place.Still, no Marco to our table. Another waitress came over and gives us the what's your problem attitude. Our simple problem - no food after 2 hours of the Rino's experience. At that point, we threw in the towel and left. We saw the table next to us- they both ordered the halibut special - we looked at their fish- obviously overcooked and dry as a bone. Place is busy with carry out orders. They are getting many tourists who want to know where Guy Fiere sat and take photos outside of someplace you'd never give a second look to if it hadn't been on TV. They're running a real scam by deliberately keeping tables open for the friends/locals while pushing the wait times back for the tourists/clueless so you'll go to the only place available to wait within blocks of the restaurant to wait to be called. And that's at lunch, imagine how they can fleece the dinner crowd. They should change the name of the place from Rino's to RICO - as in corrupt operation like the feds say !
(1)
Kim C.

Hands down the BEST Italian restaurant in the city. All the pastas are home made and the gnocchi is the best I have ever had. I have never once been disappointed with a meal in over 8 years of dinners at Rino's. Prices are decent, a little high for East Boston, but considering the portion size and quality of the food it is well worth the price. There is a small wine list that is reasonable. It is very basic decor, no fancy white table cloths. The staff is very friendly and can talk you through the entire menu if you have any questions or just cannot decide what you would like. The gnocchi is out of this world. The vongole with white sauce is another to die for dish. Pollo e melanzane is the best of both worlds when you can't choose between chicken or eggplant parm. There is always a lengthy daily specials list and if it on the list, definitely try the chicken broccoli rabe with fusilli pasta. The restaurant is very small so you can almost always count on a wait. Rino's was recently highlighted on the Food Network and while I am happy to see the restaurant get much deserved attention, it means long lines and waits. There is not a waiting area inside the restaurant, so you will need to wait in your car - or your apartment for us locals. They will take your phone number and call you when your table is ready. They do not take reservations unless you have a large group - over 6ppl I believe - so you want to get there early. That is really the only draw back, but the food is well worth the wait.
(5)
Laura H.

My review in no way reflects the food at this restaurant, because we actually never made it that far. We arrived at 9pm on a Saturday to find many groups of people who had been waiting 4 hours. I understand it was a Saturday night, but when we called for directions, the lady on the phone in no way hinted that there would probably be no chance of us eating that night. Now I understand the food must be good, but 4 hours of waiting is pretty ridiculous. Also, do not walk from the T to this restaurant. The area is not the best area of Boston, and we even had food thrown at us from a passing car. There's 1000+ restaurants in Boston so we will not be returning to try the food.
(1)
Brian D.

A lifelong friend of mine has had an ongoing love affair with Rino's for as long as I can remember. To make it feel like he is not cheating he is guilted into coming back to Rino's religiously - weekly. I've been with him on several occasions and a few times on my own and I have some mixed up impressions of this spot. First, it is in a really hard to find area of East Boston. I've managed to find it alone by driving in circles and swearing at myself in the mirror a few times. That being said if you are smart enough to just cab it from Downtown you can be there in 10 minutes. Second, the place looked for years like it probably had for years before that - which I kind of liked it made it feel really old school. Now, very recently in fact it has gotten a little more North End. My favorite part here is that to go the hopper you have to pass through the kitchen and you can see the whole family slaving away in there - pretty cool (and a tight squeeze). Third, the food - it has not disappointed me to date though the price has gone up significantly in the last year or so. Rino's antipasto is a staple, huge serving good for 3 or more people. The pasta is fresh, the seafood almost always awesome and Rino insists on always having a fresh line up of authentic ever changing Italian specialties on the menu - this is what you should really try out. I'm a little jilted on the prices b/c the place was always such a bargain but I am sure their rent is through the roof these days so it is almost forgiven and it is still not as pricey as the North End. Fourth, the wine - they have a nice rounded Italian wine list that is rarely overpriced. I can usually find a few favorites, which for me is a little tough because almost everything on a wine list gives me heart burn so I am really, really particular. Overall, a spot worthy of being a eating haunt BUT a few inconsistencies in pricing and menu availability over the years have left me slightly jaded. My friend might want to make it all night long with Rino's, but I'm sure as hell not putting out without a little sweet talk.
(3)
George P.

Please don't tell anyone about this place.
(5)
Eve L.

Wow, what a great little find this was. I barely remember that East Boston exists most of the time, and so I certainly wouldn't have ever found this off-the-beaten-path spot if my friends hadn't bought a condo 2 blocks away. Their food was AMAZING. The wild mushroom ravioli on the specials menu was fantastic, as was the gnocchi. And unlike most Italian restaurants in the North End and elsewhere, they didn't serve you 5 raviolis and call that dinner. The servings were quite generous.
(5)
Donna G.

THIS RATING IS NOT BECAUSE OF THE FOOD!!! I REPEAT THIS IS NOT BECAUSE OF THE FOOD!!!! The reason I scored this rating is because of our experience. I read most all of the reviews and made the decision to eat an early dinner around 4:00 pm. When we got there, we scored and the place was 1/4 full. We picked our table and ordered. There was a table of 6 males who were locals; discussing local politics. Rino's Place is small, and these guys started dropping the F bombs right and left. Then one of the males started telling about when he worked for a morgue and what excretion happens in a human body when it dies...REALLY!!! I'm trying to enjoy my wonderful meal over here and they are loud and using horrible language this isn't okay ...Finally a woman who was picking up her to go order told the wait staff they need to calm that table down. Note to everyone...when you are in a small place like Rino's keep you language in check and your volume down.
(1)
Karen D.

love the ravioli !!!
(5)
Whitney T.

These reviews are right on - HUGE portions, friendly service, good food at a great price. Don't expect anything special for bread or salad, but it's worth saving room for your entree. I have been twice recently, on Monday and Tuesday nights, and there has been no wait. The trickiest thing was parking - we had to drive around the block a few times, and I imagine it is much worse on weekends.
(5)
Christie L.

I've put off writing this review for awhile because I really wanted to like this place more than I did. We had seen Rino's on TV and thought the Lobster Rav looked amazing. Since that's my go to dish, we had to try it out. We went on a Monday around 5:30pm after leaving the airport (literally 5 minutes away) and that must be the time to go - when we got there, there was only one table left, but throughout our meal it really emptied out and there were only a few tables full. The server was nice, but super slow. It seemed like there were always a ton of servers hanging out behind the server stand talking rather than waiting on people. The salads and bread were just ok, but they never affect my review of a restaurant. I got the Lobster Rav and my bf got the Frutti di Mare. He asked the waitress if the sauce was spicy and she said no, but they could make it spicy. When our food came, he found that the way they made it 'spicy' was just to add a bunch of pepper to the dish - not the spice he was looking for. The seafood itself was good and fresh. I don't know if it was just because of my bf's request or what, but my rav had a TON of pepper on it too. It was all I could see or taste on the plate. There were huge chunks of lobster, but I couldn't even get a good read on the sauce. When we left , I asked for more sauce on the side to take home to hopefully counteract the pepper. I have to say, the leftovers were much better and the sauce was good, but by then, the dish had to be microwaved so it already lost quality. Overall, I had counted on loving the place, but I don't see myself returning to wait in one of the long lines....with all the great reviews though, maybe we'll swing by after the airport to try it again.
(3)
Jeffrey K.

I too had heard about his place on triple "D". I was in Boston for a couple days and had 2 potential evenings to have dinner. I called there the first night at about 5:45pm and was told there was a wait and that it could be a bit. The women asked for my number and told me she would call me when my table was ready. I did not mind as the weather was so bad in Boston with the rain yesterday that we were stuck in traffic and did not think I could get there within the hour. At 6:45 I pulled up in front of the place and THERE IS NO PARKING ANYWHERE!! GOOD LUCK FINDING A SPOT ON THE STREET. Sorry for screaming. We live in PST so eating later was not going to be a problem. At about 7:00 I called the place again and the women was nice, not too nice but certainly not rude. I explained to her that my son was asleep in the backseat and I did not care waiting but wanted an estimate on how much longer. She told me another 1 1/2 hours. Mind you this started at 5:45. I decided I would wait for her call and we went back to the hotel at the airport. 10 min away. At 8 my son was getting hungry and we decided to go elsewhere. At 8:50 my cell rang and it was the place telling me my table was ready. I politely explained my son had gotten hungry and she was nice and we hung up. Ok so I was trying to decide if I should go back today and I am so glad I did. I ate a very light breakfast and a protein bar for lunch and decided to try Rino's at about 4:15 figuring it would be slow. I was alone so I was seated right away however 10 minutes later the place was full and they were telling people an hour wait. A few regulars walked in and got a table but that's it. My server was Kim and she was wonderful. I got some bread which was great and I ordered 1/2 order of the lobster ravioli for appetizer and a Rino special for my entree. For 1 person it is tough you want to try everything. Food was fantastic. I ate half each and they wrapped the rest for the plane ride back. I had to use the restroom and it happens to be in the kitchen so I went back there and Rino was there so I said hello and he was very friendly. I absolutely will be back. 4 stars only because of the parking but well well worth it.
(4)
Koumbaro K.

Haven't been in years since my Auntie Mary took us in 1993. Went looking for an option other than some of the same local haunts to which family takes. Couldn't remember Rino's by name. My search led to a Facebook page "LIKE" just in time to note the growing exposure in part due to Food Network. While fame is a potential hassle for neighbors, such a treat for newbies and not-regulars like us. "Diners, Dives and Drive-Ins" (none of which Rino's is, in our opinion. I'd say cozy casual w/upscale cuisine Italian buca:) highlighted the lobster ravioli - all & more it was cracked up to be. Wow. Can't say enough. Homemade rigatoni in cream sauce with shallots, pancetta molte benne. Linguini bolognese perfectly balanced with pasta, sauce and robust portions of pork and beef. We sampled a polpini in spicey red sauce "that was crazy good. They succeeded where so many fail at Caesar's Salad. Veal parm amazing. Had heard eggplant not as fab. True. Sturdy. Good. But would have preferred straight veal. Our only error - not saving room for dessert. Guess we'll have to return. Hope not to make it another 18yrs:/ I advise going early, going with a party of 6+ in order to qualify for reservation and calling ahead to set aside cannoli which we missed out on. I will ALWAYS make room for cannoli;)
(5)
Brenda T.

I can't say enough good things about this place, but I'll try to list them: Fantastic service!! We went in and the small cozy front room was full, but the hostess was awesome and took our name and number and sent us to a bar down the street. Sure enough after about 20 min. we got the call and our table was ready. Our server was super quick and accommodating with our special request that wasn't on the menu. Which is surprising after seeing their extensive list of specials. Best fettuccine alfredo EVER!!! the noodles were even homemade Nice price for the portion sizes - HUGE Fantastic calamari - seasoned just right I have to mention looking over at another table and seeing a meatball the size of a baseball Thank you Reno's for such a superb dining experience from start to finish.
(5)
Linda W.

One of my favorite places. Outstanding service, portions and prices. Just make sure you're not in a rush because you usually need to wait (even with a reservation).
(5)
Zachary A.

The food at Rino's Place is awesome. I've been coming here for close to 10 years and the only thing that's changed is the prices. The food is super fresh and very authentic. The restaurant itself sits below a classic Boston 3-Family. The staff knows whats going on and takes care of their people. One dish worth checking out would be the Veal Carrozella.
(5)
Mike B.

knowing that the the place is slammed right now we chose to get there for the "blue hair special at 5pm... No wait at all, but shortly thereafter the hostess was telling people 2 1/2 hours. God bless them for being that busy... Im sure they are still having trouble with the new found popularity due to Diners Drive ins, and Dives.. Had a delightful Antipasto, Veal Braciolatini, Pasta al Forno, and a chicken Parm.. The food was good, the service was good the sides of pasta were grossly over cooked Ziti was falling apart, to me this is inexcusable, no italain restaurant should get a strike against them for this. But, it is what it is... The 3 entrees and app with 2 bottles of water was $75... a pretty good value, I would go there again, but damn people, have more pride than to serve pasta in that condition
(3)
Nancy Z.

Sometimes, things are better when you wait for it. Rino's has gotten a lot of exposure, and the longer you wait to come, the more you question how much of the quality has been sacrificed. In this case, the wait on a Friday night at 6pm for two was two hours and the quality was fabulous. The food was delicious and plentiful, while the service was nothing short of comfortable and warm. Amidst all the Italian restaurants in Boston, Rino's somehow manages to set itself apart- it may be the tender and delicate pasta, the light and savory sauce, or the abudance of naturally sweet lobster filling, but whatever the reasoning is, Rino's knows how to make a dish absolutely memorable. There is also an extensive specials list where even a frequent diner can be excited to try new dishes each and every time they visit. Overall, Rino's has met its high expectations of being one of the best Italian restaurants in Boston. I will definitely be coming back, waiting for hours and all.
(5)
Wendy L.

I saw this place on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and decided to try it. There was only 1 table available at 3:30pm on a weekday when we arrived so we were pretty dam lucky to get seated immediately. The server handed us two menus, one looked standard and the other one had about 30+ dishes scribbled on a piece of paper. We ordered the Calamari and Stuffed Mushrooms with Crab for appetizers. For our entrees we got the Rino's Special and the Lobster Ravioli. I wish they typed up the scribbled menu because it was kind of hard to read but thank god we found those Stuffed Mushrooms with Crab because they were SO GOOD. Definitely my favorite dish here. Here is the run down on the food: Calamari- I didn't find this very special, I've had better at other Italian restaurants Stuffed Mushrooms - so flavorful and the breadcrumbs on top added some crunch to it (see picture) Rino's Special - The veal was extremely tender but the white sauce was not as flavorful as I thought Lobster Ravioli - This is definitely the best I've had, the raviolis were stuffed with chunks of lobster with extra chunks of lobster in the sauce This place really gives you generous portions for the price. $17 for that lobster ravioli??? That would have been at least $30 in the North End. It's really cheap for the quality and the amount of food they give you. We had leftovers enough for another meal! Parking was free on the street and the service was great.
(4)
Ashley D.

there exists great italian food outside the north end! there is never anything wrong with homemade pasta and there is therefore nothing wrong with the food at rino's. everything i've ever had here has been amazing and utterly delicious. if you want to start out with an appetizer i would highly recommend the fried calamari. very typical and standard sounding i know but this is honestly the best fried calamari i've had. they incorporate lots of pepperoncini (which are apparently called banana peppers on this side of the country) providing a very unique zesty taste when combined with the marinara dipping sauce. i usually come here before or after airport trips with visitors and i've tried a bunch of different pasta dishes and they are all amazing. collectively we have never ordered a bad thing here. pasta al forno, matriciana, bolognese were all great. i still need to come back a few more times to try the other secondi meat entrees. the only thing keeping me from giving rino's 5 stars is the service. the waiters are great and will joke around with you but there is usually a lack of a hostess and definitely no warm welcome. a few times when we've gone in one of the ladies looked at us like we're bothering them. but if you can get past the cold exterior (especially in addition to waiting outside for at least an hour in the winter) then it's a great place for homemade italian food.
(4)
Brandon Y.

Wonderful! I can't recall ever having pasta like it. Especially Fresno. Pasta was cooked perfectly and the sauces were so subtle yet tasty. Great service And they even got us a cab back to the hotel!
(5)
Lew S.

Finally after three years of trying to get in we made it all the way from New Orleans. Well worth it. Lobster Ravioli was a killer as was the regular ravioli. Veal parm and pasta bolognese were great. Service friendly and prompt. Prices quite reasonable.
(5)
Vinny D.

If there's one thing I've learned about Boston, neighbors treat each other like family. This is a neighborhood restaurant. Neighbors get priority over outsiders. So if you are visiting from out of town, be prepared to wait very long periods of time, and also prepare to be bumped, it is only first come first serve, until a local arrives. They advertise that they only accept reservations for parties of 6 or more. I counted at least 4 parties less than 6 or more, that arrived after we did but got seated ahead of us. So our wait was 2 and a half hours, putting our name in at 6:00 and finally seated by 8:30. We only waited because we figured when you are that far into it, you may as well play it out. We did order some exceptional food. If you are local, or if you don't mind waiting, my only recommendation to change the food, is order your salad dressing on the side, it comes drenched in dressing. So I give it 5 stars for freshness and quality of food, but 1 star on service. They cannot tell you how long the wait is when you arrive, they can only tell you how many parties ahead of you. And that number is variable because of the local factor. So the equation that seems to fit our scenario, and several others that I read, is they will go through 4 parties 'ahead' of you per hour. So if they tell you 8 parties ahead of you, it's a 2 hour wait. 20 parties? A 5 hour wait. I read other reviews throwing this equation off, so don't treat my equation as law for this establishment. If you know how to cook, or want to learn, you can make food this good and fresh at home. If you factor in all the hours you wait and the money you spend, you can probably master most of this cooking yourself and save money. My father can replicate most of the menu, after a little experimentation, he was born in Sicily and knows how all these flavors come together. If you are a local, frequent this place often to ensure it never goes out of business. You have a true neighborhood treasure when it comes to food. If you are an outsider, you'll feel that way when you arrive and after you leave.
(3)
Jerry O.

Went to Rino's on a Thursday night was sent to the bar next door while we waited for a table for two. The bar and service was nice but didn't expect to drink 7 beers and wait two hours for our table. Finally just ordered an appetizer at the bar got the meatballs which were the best I ever had. Finally got the call to head next door to the restaurant and ordered the Chix Parm which was awesome and wife got the homemade pasta with mini meatballs which she said was the best dinner she's ever had.... Hate to say it but the food was worth the two hour wait and our server was great!!!!!!!! Can't wait to eat there again........
(5)
Andrew B.

I waited outside for 25 mins at 3 pm and watched them open the door to seat people lined up outside. Then we got up to the door and waited more. Then she opened the door and said it would be an hour and half wait because all the tables were seated. Hostess needs to take everyones name when they get there instead of making us sit outside in hopes of getting to talk to the hostess.
(2)
Jen Y.

I'm pretty familiar with Eastie - one of my best friends grew up on the street where this restaurant is...it's in the middle of a working class neighborhood and kind of a bitch for parking BUT i give this place props for being super business saavy....the place is small and doesn't take reservations (only for 6+ people) it's basically first come first served. They will take your cell phone number and the idea is when you wait outside you will go across the street to the bar/appetizer joint they have at the opposite corner so you can spend more money ....then when they call you, you can go and have your delicious Italian meal. LOL Genius! I wanted to see what the hype was to this place since I've heard it's great and people wait for hours so i went with a friend to test it out. We went pretty late ( I think they close around 9pm ish so we waited about 45 minutes to get a table). We were waiting with a father-son duo who came all the way from Florida to check out colleges and apparently they don't have good local joints like this back home and they were confused about the location...welcome to beantown bitches! MUHAHAHAHHA Anyhow onto the food. Me and my co-pilot ordered half an order of the mozzarella caprese salad as an app- it was cheesy and yummy ....my guest got the chicken parm which came with a HUGE piece of chicken and I got the POLLO BRACIOLETINI which i substitued the lemon sauce with a red sauce....super yummy! you also get bread which is nice.... I thought the food was pretty good but was it worth all the hype and waiting? -Only if you are really patient and want to wait it out. I was extremely hungry and agitated while waiting so that put me in a less than wonderful mood but it's a cute little joint. The only annoying thing was all the "diners, drive ins and dives" promotions all over the walls and on the staff t-shirts. I personally can't stand looking at Guy Fieri and his annoying blonde spiky hair to tell me where to eat,,,,also the bathroom is super awkward and as many people have mentioned you have to walk through the small kitchen to get to. But again the food is good, so worth all the little nuisances!
(4)
Dennis C.

The lobster ravioli is amazing as advertised, pretty much agree with the other reviews here. Super friendly staffs and great service, couldn't have asked for a nicer experience.
(4)
Dave J.

Want Italian? Forget Boston's North End, get on the T and make your way to East Boston and go directly to Rino's Place. It's rare to not find a single flaw in a meal. Rino's Place was one of those rare places that deliver a flawless meal. I had seen Rino's on an re-run episode of Diner, Drive-ins &Dives the previous night while channel surfing. It just so happened that I was going to be in East Boston the following day, I knew where I would be eating the next day. Rino's opens for business at 3:00 in the afternoon on Saturdays. I arrived at 2:45 and there was already a sizable line waiting to get in. By the time the doors opened it was obvious that the more than a few people would be waiting for a table. After reviewing the sizeable menu I decided of an appetizer of octopus, mussels and clams in a red sauce. Since I was alone I got the 1/2 order for $6. For the main course I got the Rino's Special, veal, chicken cutlet, shrimp, mushrooms (shitaki, oyster & porcini) in a cream sauce made with brandy, veal stock, butter and cream. After a short wait may appetizer arrived, the 1/2 order looked like what most places serve as a full order. It looked amazing and tasted even better. The octopus was perfectly cooked, not even a hint of toughness, the mussels and clams also perfect, the sauce was rich and smooth and tasted of fresh tomatoes and was the perfect sauce to bring it all together. Two pieces of crusty bread rounded it out. FYI - the full order would make a perfect sized meal. Next the Rino's Special, once again this was cooked and seasoned to perfection. It's hard to describe how good it truly was. The veal and chicken were tender and juicy, the shrimp not a hint of toughness. The brandy cream sauce was light and complimented the veal, chicken and shrimp instead being overpowering. The mushrooms added an excellent earthy flavor to the dish. Perfection, taking the in the overall meal it's changed how I view Italian food. During the whole meal service was excellent. Don't be intimidated on the worn look of the neighborhood. Seek out Rino's for a very memorable meal; just be forewarned you are very likely to have a significant wait for a table. It's hard to believe that Rino's could receive any negative review. Yet looking at some fellow Yelps there are a few. All that I saw had to do with the long waits. Keep in mind it is a small place and very popular. It's popular for a reason, it's is that good. In life nothing is free, there will most likely be a longer than average wait. This is the price you pay. My advice is to muster your patience, and plan for a wait. You will be rewarded. Note - Reservations are accepted only for parties of 6 or more. Casual dress is ok, remember it's a neighborhood eatery.
(5)
joe t.

Rino's used to be our go-to place for Italian food BGF. (Before Guy Fieri) Our last two visits, however, were very disappointing. The place has become very touristy - cameras, black socks with sandals, you get the picture. The food has declined somewhat in quality, though still decent, but the waitstaff, which used to be warm and friendly, now seems harried and rushed. There is a cold vibe like they just want you to hurry up and get out of there. With all the excellent Italian restaurants in Boston, I'm afraid it is just not worth the 2-4 hour wait to eat here. The fact that they don't accept reservations unless you have a party of 6 or more doesn't help. Sorry to say "goodbye Rino's, you have seen the last of us".
(1)
Michael U.

Full review in the blog: With logistics conveniently planned and with Droid-based Googlemaps in hand a quick walk from the aquarium to the Blue Line toward Wonderland would lead me to East Boston, a place some had told me to avoid, but a place that nonetheless contained a restaurant I didn't feel I could afford to miss - a restaurant featuring Zagat food ratings on par with O-Ya at a bill less than 1/8 the price and a restaurant that was often known to sport 2+ hour lines at dinner despite its location - Rino's Place. Watching Food Network and similar programs rarely (if ever) and having never seen Fieri's show that made Rino's the phenom it has become I surprisingly entered the small ~50 seat space with only one other couple already present and after being encouraged to sit wherever I like I was presented with the menu, wine list, and a glass of water by my server - a tall bald fellow who knew everyone (and was likewise known by everyone) who entered the restaurant that afternoon except for myself. Asked if this was my first visit I affirmed the suspicions to which I was bid "Welcome - the specials menu is gonna take a bit, but if you need anything just give me a holler - bread will be up in a minute" and with that I sat and relaxed at my white tableclothed table sipping my water and listening to the kitchen while the specials menu was hand-written in great detail. With tip-top service throughout the afternoon and water that never reached less than half empty the specials menu took a bit of time to navigate but once my full order was placed it would be mere seconds before the meal would begin - first with a simple house salad topped with zippy house made Italian vinaigrette (the alternative option being an enormous helping of rigatoni with red sauce that could have easily served two, as was ordered by my neighbors who opted against waiting on the specials menu and had their full meal in front of them before the hand written menu was complete.) With the salad relatively straight forward and now knowing the rumor of Rino's portion sizes to be true I slowly ate some greens while reading The Globe's sports page when a warm basket of sliced house made Italian Bread arrived along with packets of butter. Asked if I'd like "some gravy for dipping" I declined (once again, worried about portion sizes as I'd ordered three different dishes) and with a pat of Land O' Lakes Whipped Butter as the alternative condiment I will note that although slightly sweet with an ample crunch this is the sort of bread that is made for dipping - not that it was bad, but more that it was a sort of dense carbohydrate sponge that would prove useful as subsequent plates arrived. Ordering half portions in order to maximize tasting while saving stomach capacity, my first dish to arrive would be a $6 plate of gnocchi described as "homemade potato dumplings sauteed in a fresh plum tomato sauce and topped with fresh mozzarella and baked." With the dumplings clearly handmade and so light they seemed ready to float off the plate and the blend of slightly sweet yet subtly spiced tomato sauce and creamy cheese providing just the right amount of flavor this "half" portion was easily two-fold the size of an average plate of restaurant gnocchi and served piping hot without suffering from the sogginess that maligns lesser preparations it was substantially better than most, as well. With the gnocchi plate mopped clean with a slice of bread my next course would arrive with bread of its own and a flavor profile somewhat similar to the gnocchi, but a lot more spice. Titled simply "Tripe" and described minimally as slowly simmered in Fresh Plum Tomato Sauce served with Toast Points I was told that this was one of the "chef's favorites" and at $6.50 for what was easily half a stomach it again proved vastly better than its price would dictate. Savory, light, rustic, and flecked with spicy notes of black pepper plus pecorino, garlic, and notes of cumin and paprika this was tripe done right and thankfully light despite the significant portion size. Realizing at this point that three half-portions was enough that dessert probably was not in the cards and unable to resist wiping up the tripe sauce with the crunchy garlic bread my final course arrived steaming hot from the salamander oven and as good as the first two courses was it proved to be the best of the night - and amongst the best rustic Italian dishes my Midwestern palate has ever encountered. Described simply as "Layered Eggplant" and ordered largely on the word of my server who called it his favorite "non-meat" dish on the menu this half-eggplant arrived in three thick rounds pan seared to a supple consistency supported by a fried panko crust and sandwiched around whole roasted tomatoes, layers of fresh mozzarella "from a store just down the street," and topped with a thick garlicky basil pesto sauce. To say the least it was delicious, to say more would just be hyperbole - order it.
(5)
DJ N.

I don't give out too many 5 star reviews so you know this place is AMAZING!! I have friends who have eaten here many times and all they do is rave about the food. I had no clue about the Food Network or D3. No clue about the wait. No idea that the service is not exactly great when you eat in. Since my friends are pros, I followed their lead. We didn't eat in. We live about 20 minutes from there so we decided to do take out. The eat in wait time is over 3 hours and the take out wait time is about one hour (on a Saturday night) Here's what we ordered: Lobster Ravioli (2 orders) Lemoncello Shrimp Linguine all Vongole Arancini Our order came with 3 garden salads. Every single dish was EXCELLENT!! LOBSTER RAVIOLI Each lobster ravioli was HUGE and stuffed with chunks of lobster. Not too creamy and not too dry. Just perfect. Also, the tomato cream sauce that it is served with has chunks of lobster in it too! One order would have been enough, but we got 2 so that we would have plenty of leftovers. Each order comes with 8 raviolis and the cost is $15. That is ridiculous!!! Ridiculously awesome!!! SHRIMP LEMONCELLO I actually tried this dish before the lobster ravioli and though there was no way any of the other dishes would be as good. The lemoncello shrimp is OUT OF THIS WORLD!! I wish we got 2 orders of this. The sauce is deeeelicious!! It comes on a bed of lettuce and is just tasty. Order this. I think the price is $12. You will not be disappointed. LINGUINE ALLA VONGOLE Home made pasta was 12-15 huge clams. It was great. This is generally one of my favorite dishes and was done well. The only issue, I would only order this again if I was eating in. The pasta absorbs all of the sauce quickly so by the time you get it home to eat, everything is on the drier side. Not the restaurants fault. Tasty nonetheless. ($15) ARANCINI Delicious balls of rice filled with beef, veal, and pork. I don't eat pork so I ate the rice part. Also, I was able to try the sauce which was very good. My friends love this dish. It's one of their favorites! On my next visit I want to try the chicken parm, calamari, and gnocchi. I'm trying to figure out how I am going to eat all of this food since I'll also be having the lobster rav and lemoncello shrimp again. The total bill was $89 It was an AMAZING CULINARY EXPERIENCE!! Rino's is where it's at!!
(5)
Paul R.

If I could give Rino's 6 stars I would! My friend's family has been raving about Rino's and when we planned to visit Boston they were able to secure reservations on Tues PM for 9 of us!! Where to begin??? Appetizers included cured beef, calamari, stuffed peppers, and pan fried mozzarella... Good Lord each dish was perfectly cooked... The calamari with pepperoncini peppers was fried perfectly with light breading. The stuffed peppers and pan fired mozzarella was beyond awesome... We pretty much devoured these Apps! Our dinners ranged from the raviolis (nicknamed elephant ears /huge) to lobster raviolis cooked perfect, various pasta and chicken dinners... I had my favorite the fruit de mare seafood and linguini... My dinner was a piled high yes piles of little necks, mussels, scallops, and shrimp over their home made linguini... I valiantly ate most of the seafood and made a small dent in the pasta. I grew up in East Boston/Winthrop and have had the opportunity to eat at most of the non-tourist Italian restaurants in the area and Rino's by far is the best I've ever experienced. I travel a lot and have had Italian food in San Francisco, NY, NY and even Brazil and nothing even comes close Rino's forget about Italian in Austin, TX my adopted home... I'm sure once I visit Italy I may have to revise but Rino's is off the charts.. Yes Rino's is small and wait times can be long but it's well worth it. Service was excellent and you have to see the tiny kitchen that produces these meals. Yes our to go boxes were full and I can't wait for lunch today!!!
(5)
Jeana T.

Don't get me wrong, the food is amazing, portions crazy big for the value. My problem is the service. I went with my Father and Husband on Monday at around 5:35, we were told the wait was 45 minutes. After an hour and a half 2 friends who happened to put their name in right before us were seated. This gave us hope, after 15 minutes of the party before us being seated we walked out of the lounge (located across the street) to ask what the wait was. There was an empty table - again - more hope. We were told 5 minutes. After 20 minutes we were still waiting, and staring at the empty table. Finally after just shy of 2.5 hours we were seated. I would not have been so upset, had they not been telling us completely false waiting times, and the empty table that stayed empty for 45 minutes. We'll be back, but only with a reservation. I really want to like this place, but I was completely turned off by the insane wait time which ruined the experience for me. 5 star food, but 1.5 star service/overall experience. :(
(2)
Jennifer S.

We put our name on the list and then walked to the place across the street and had drinks and appetizers. We waited 2 hours for our table. When we finally got seated it was 9 pm which is listed as their closing time. I voiced some concern about being rushed with the server we had across the street and she said not yo worry. But as soon as we were seated I realized that I was right. The server was an older man that seemed to want us to hurry up and order and leave. Mind you that we just waited two hours to eat here and the menu is quite pricey we just wanted to enjoy our dinner. The appetizers were wonderful. The portions on the food are huge. When my order came the eggplant was extremely salty and a little burnt tasting. I ate some of the veal which was good but the eggplant was not really edible. I mentioned it up one server when I said I was done eating. She didn't have much to say so I just boxed it and took it home. As we were finishing up the waiter stood behind us staring us down waiting for us to pay making us feel very uncomfortable. I have been here a couple times before and I have only had good things to say before. I tell all my friends about this place in fact. I hope this was a one time occurrence but I would not like to have the same waiter ever again.
(3)
Wheels R.

Yes, it really is that good. Best lobster ravioli I have ever had. Lots of other great things on the menu and the portions are huge. 2 thumbs up .., can't wait to go back.
(5)
Jason L.

I have returned from my Yelp sabbatical, and what better way to reacquaint myself with one of Boston's best places. This is going to be a short review, because honestly, what other superlatives can I inject to persuade people to come to Rino's. It's the real deal here. The chef and the food booth ooze Italy and it shows in the details from the homemade salad dressing to the attentive waitresses. Alas,this was also the day my gf fell out of love with me and fell in love with shrimp limoncello. Do soak up all the sauce and wilted spinach with bread. On my other trips here, I have tried other great appetizers including the pesto eggplant parm. A crispy breaded slab of eggplant is just bathed in fresh basil creaminess, and was a great twist on the classic style. The arancini were also decent. The can't-miss specialty has to be the lobster ravioli -- 8 oversized perfect squares of filling with huge chunks of lobster in the sauce. Youtube DDD and Guy Fieri to see how Chef Tony makes it. The veal marsala with homemade pasta was good, although too "winey" for my taste. Mixed it with some red sauce and it was terrific. Homemade pastas do cost $5 extra, which isn't on the menu, and pushes most of the pasta prices into the 18+ range. Of course, Rino's makes North End seem like Olive Garden, so its worth the trip if you consider yourself truly Baahston. Food (9/10) Service (4/5) Decor (3/5) - recently renovated
(5)
Sheri M.

I haven't eaten at Rino's since I moved away almost three years ago. Sadly, I've always managed to bypass Rino's during my visits home. Not this time! My aunt and I headed over before noon to insure a short wait. As luck would have it, the place was half empty! And FYI, they're building some kind of lounge across the street to accommodate folks when there's a wait. For my reunion visit I ordered the Pasta al Forno with their homemade fusilli. Spectacular! Tons of mini meatballs and chunks of delicious mozzarella. I stuffed myself silly and could only eat half. It heated up well for lunch the next day. As for the service, I was never impressed. For such a small restaurant the servers are adept at making themselves scarce. And when they do make it around to your table they seem to act like they're doing you a favor. But it's always been like that and I don't expect anything better. Rino's hasn't changed much since my first visit as a teenager in 1997. The only difference this time was that a giant poster of Guy Fieri stared at me while I ate. Slightly creepy.
(4)
Tiffany L.

OMG! So because of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives we came here to try the lobster ravioli. We also ordered calamari, shrimp scampi, and the pasta al forno. The portions are huge! We couldn't believe it when the plates came out and we just stared because usually at Italian places the plates are super big the portions are super small. Not the case here, large plates with large portions. Everything we tried was amazing and super tasty. I think this is the best Italian I have ever had, so sad because where I live there isn't anything close to Rino's. The best thing we tried was the lobster ravioli, chunks of lobster and they give you plenty of ravioli! Be prepared for a wait and come early!
(5)
Jennifer H.

So worth the wait! Came here on a random week night and was told the wait was two hours. Boo hoo, try again next time. Went for lunch on a week day and it worked out perfect! No line, no wait. We started off with calamari appetizer, which was great. Large shareable portions and a huge bowl of marinara sauce- good for dipping the bread thats also included. Entrees are standard priced, but the portions are huge! I got the seafood pasta thang with mussels, clams, shrimp, and scallops in white sauce whilst my friend got the lobster raviolis. Of course we did family style and man, everything was so good. They also have very cute authentic desserts but we were already in a food coma. The only trouble with this place is that it is a hidden gem on a one way East Boston street, as if Eastie wasn't confusing enough. Also, make sure you have cash for the toll!
(5)
Bo F.

When you get tired of waiting, Mario's is my preferred Italian Restaurant. Both are great but I won't wait 2 hours to eat when I have an option both get 4/5 stars
(4)
Bill N.

I don't know if it's a Boston thing, but I've been here for a week and I'm tired of servers rolling their eyes at me! Out of all the restaurants I've been too in this area, this place was the worst! The servers suck! Ordered the Lobster ravioli, chicken and broccoli Alfredo, shrimp scallop and lobster pasta, and fried calamari and wild boar sausage for apps. Ravioli was great! Would order that 100x's over again! Alfredo was surprisingly good! They have a really good Alfredo sauce. Seafood pasta was meh. Calamari had a nice garlic flavor to it and the peppers were a nice touch. Sausage was pretty good...I'd order that again. Could've been a 4 or even a 5 if the servers didn't suck balls so hard!
(3)
Damon M.

Yup. Us too. We first heard of Rino's on DD&D and decided, based on the show, to give it a try. Two of us went at about 6PM on a Thursday. We had to wait about 45 minutes, but went across the street to the small bar that's co-owned by Rino's (try the fried bread/egg/mozzarella appetizer - excellent, btw). For dinner, we started with their caprese - fresh mozzarella w/ prosciutto, tomato, basil and olive oil. Outstanding. The prosciutto is just enough to add the salt the mozzarella needed and, in spite of being the middle of winter, the tomato tasted like... tomato! We had the al forno and veal parm entrees - both were outstanding and the portions are huge - the extra $5 for homemade pasta and salad w/ the veal is worth every penny. The salads were basic but fresh - I wasn't a huge fan of the creamy dressing they offered (tho, not sure why I ordered it... I'm not really a fan of creamy italian anyway) but the vinaigrette was quite good. The service was fast and friendly - the place was busy but all the staff kept their sense of humor. I get the impression that tourists who have had problems with the service in the other reviews I've read just aren't used to Boston's version of efficient/friendly. Our only issue is how loud the place was - mostly due to the incredibly rude, obnoxious party of 8 near the door. They had four different conversations going at the same time, at the top of their lungs. That caused everyone else in the place to yell too. We'd have been better off just texting rather than adding to the din. We'll be back.
(4)
Virginia M.

Came to this place when I landed in Boston. Very good comfort Italian food. Had the lobster ravioli, Bruschetta, and octopus. All were prepared wonderfully!
(4)
Kim M.

We tried to make reservation for a party of 6 on a Thursday night but a table was not available so we went early to put our name on the list expecting a 2-hour wait. But to our surprise, we got seated after 40 minutes at around 8:40pm. Almost everything we ordered at the table were excellent: arancini, veal parm, Rino's speecial, veal saltimbocca, veal chop, fusilli with lobster,shrimp and scallop with tomato sauce. The home made fusilli was perfectly cooked, al dente. The veal saltimbocca was one of the best dish here. Dessert was great as well.
(5)
Jenn H.

The type of place where you close your eyes after every bite that tastes good. Meaning you eat with your eyes closed for most of the meal. Came all the way from the opposite coast for the lobster ravioli... I'd do it again. Hospitable staff and friendly waitress. Thank you Rino, for making this :)
(5)
Yuko A.

Make sure you go early or be ready to wait a while...Unfortunately it is a small restaurant so the turnover isn't that quick...I found out this place from one of my girlfriends who swore this was one of the best Italian restaurants she had been to since she had come back from study abroad in Italy....Parking is a little tricky because Rino's is in a neighborhood and the streets have limited parking but don't stress, keep calm, a parking spot will open up. On to the food.....so my bf and I were on a huge calamari binge, and pretty much ordered it at every restaurant we went to...so of course we ordered the fried calamari ($12)...It was HUGE, probably more ideal for a table of 3-4 but we are big eaters so we made a nice dent on it...The calamari was lightly battered, crispy, and not too oily. They were mixed with pepperonicini peppers adding a kick to the dish.. I ordered the gnocchi which were pillowy and had a good balance of potato/flour...It was topped with a plum tomato sauce and melted mozzarella, ($15)...My boyfriend got the special of the day which was a sea bass with pasta...I didn't try it because my plate was so big, but it looked good. Unfortunately, you can't share main dishes...but they do have doggie bags so make sure to bring it home so you can enjoy it the next day. The service was good, nothing special but they were attentive..I can't say its the same when its busy, because we ate really early (5pm)..
(5)
Jesse B.

Since i already reviewed them once (gave them 5 stars) i feel it is only fair to update after a bad experience. I went in for lunch, alone. Salad was over dressed. Ordered the buffalo mozzarella and prosciutto appetizer, it was ok, overly salty, olive oil was overwhelming the flavor of the cheese and prosciutto. Chicken Parm entree was dry, over cooked, cheese was visibly burnt, this piece of chicken should never have been plated and this 2 star review is the result. Homemade ravioli was good. I attempted to take my leftovers with me and waitress brought my bill but neglected to bring my leftovers. In all seriousness I have had better chicken parm and service at the Olive Garden (not to compare Rino's to the Olive Garden). Is Rino's celebrity status going to their head?? Are locals being seated before the tourist?
(2)
Cassie H.

Some of our good friends were back in town and wanted to frequent their favorite Italian restaurant. My husband and I had never heard of it since it's way out in East Boston (where we never have the chance/need to be), but we were game. After my friend told me that we were going to be meeting for Saturday lunch at 3pm, I knew something was up... ...yep, you guessed it - this place (as per other reviews) was reviewed on Diner's, Drive-In's, and Dives, so it has quite a following. They open at 3pm and didn't take reservations for our small group, so we showed up at 2:45pm and waited in line for them to open (our group was probably sixth in the line). The restaurant is small, but it's been re-done since some of the pictures I saw on Yelp reviews. It's quite weird that to go to the bathroom, you walk through the kitchen -- although none of them seem to mind that customers are wandering through looking for the bathroom. The portions are gigantic. We ordered four dishes and the arancini appetizer and all of us took leftovers home. My husband and I actually ate ours for dinner the next day (that's how much we had left over!). The service is friendly and attentive, but despite there being no more line when we had finished our meal, we got the sense that they were trying to rush us out -- I guess they want to be prepared for the next crowd rush. Bottom line? Great-tasting food that might have been made more difficult to enjoy due to its fame. It's a great place to go if you have foodie friends or who follow Food Network, but for more bang for your buck (and wait time), there might be other options.
(3)
Greg K.

My favorite restaurant in the world!! I travel a lot on business and experience a lot of wonderful restaurants across the country plus personal travel across the globe and Rino's Place is the place to be!! Although I live near Los Angeles, the staff knows who I am. Often called a, "pain in the ass" for the waitresses try to get me to try new dishes but I always debate back to my favorite dish, that just melts in your mouth, the Lobster Ravioli. Order this dish and you will immediately understand why it is their signature, not to mention, it will be love at first bite!! I usually began with the Mozzarella Balls and the Lemon Cello Shimp which is absolutely amazing!! These two apps will leave you salivating for more!! Nevertheless, Rino's has a selection of mostly Italian wines to pare well with any choice!! HIGHLY RECOMMED, just don't get in front of me in line!!
(5)
Cathy T.

After seeing Rino's on Food Network, and reading mostly positive reviews I was very anxious to try this place.... And I have to admit it was a disappointment. Pros: Grab cake appetizer was great. A lot of crab! and not excessively filled with bread crumbs like many other crab cakes I have tried. Lobster raviolli did live up to expectations. Packed with lobster, and huge pieces of lobster in the sauce! Sauce was delicious! Cons: SERVICE. This service was just horrible. Everyone there is absolutely rude. The owner (i believe) even came up to us, out of the blue, and started complaining about elderly people! There were clearly elderly people seated all around us. Very unprofessional, I just hope they didnt hear him! And trying to call Rino's, they are the most rude people over the phone, there is absolutely no costumer serivce and they don't seem to be in the business of pleasing their costumers in anyway outside of preparing and delivering their food to them. My salad came and my brother's salad didnt come from about 10 minutes later. It was very strage. And the waitress made a comment along the lines of "this came right from them kitchen" when she dropped my brothers salad off. Okay? Then were did my salad come from? The fried mozzarella appetizer was honestly the worst I have ever had. And I am a good judge on this because I order this appetizer EVERYWHERE. They obviously did not drain the mozzarella before frying it. It was discustingly watery. A dissappointing waste of $11!!! The dinners came a full 30 minutes after we had finished our salads. The waitress said it was because they had so many appetizer orders they wanted to get those prepared and served first. Umm okay???? I mean I dont know restaurant practice or what the norm is, but that just seemed like a strange idea to me. Anyway after finally getting to dine at Rino's after numerous attempts to get in, but being rudely rejected because of a ridiculous wait time, I would have to say it was a dissapointment. I won't make it a prioriety to go back. Maybe in a year or so when I am craving some really good lobster raviolli.
(3)
Stephen R.

If you're making a trip out here from the 'burbs, you might want to reconsider. Certainly a cute little find in Eastie, but after the Food Network exposure, you now have to endure long waits - and there ain't much to do in this little eastie neighborhood while you are waiting. As for our dining experience, service was very friendly.....but the meal......meh. We ordered a bottle of wine which arrived nearly at boiling point. They must store their wine next to the oven. The extensive offerings on the handwritten menu is very enticing. Apps were very good. The entrees were very average, and were served in Cheesecake Factory portions (for some people that's great, but I found it a bit much - was able to make 3 lunches out of my leftovers). I can see why this might be a nice little surprise in a rough-and-tumble residential area in eastie, but I don't think it is special enough to justify the long waits nor did it live up to it's hype.
(2)
Mark B.

effing amazing.
(5)
Dave F.

RIP Rinos. We had some great times together but its time for me to move on. Rinos opened a waiting bar across the street. They no longer take call ahead seating. You have to show up and put your name in. Thats so they can force you to sit across the street and drink for the three hour wait. A year ago they were the best italian restaurant around. Now they might as well move to hanover street in the north end and serve their average overpriced food to tourists. The fusilli I paid an extra $5 for was undercooked. The Rino's special which i loved is thrown together with a lack of flavor and by the time they mixed it with my undercooked pasta there was not enough sauce. Its been great rino's but now that ive found 2 places with better food and better prices theres just not room for you anymore. I mean who needs more then 2 great italian restaurants? Well, thanks for the great memories and great food experiences in the past but we've grown apart. If you ever become that small, local, crowded, unorganized restaurant again with the best food in town then call me, and I'll be happy to sit in my car with some friends and a six pack waiting for four hours like i used to.
(2)
Fenian U.

I wish I could say the food here is great,good average or otherwise. My wife and I went over on a Friday night about 5 p.m. we were told that we were third on the list and it would be about an hour's wait and we could get a drink across the street as we waited, which we did. During the first hour we could not help but notice table changes and groups getting seated, certainly more than three tables turned over, After this first hour we asked for an update and were told "hopefully 30 minutes". I asked why is that? she said well your third on the list. I stated I've been third for an hour and had watched several tables turn over how could I possible still be third? Here is the rub, they don't take reservations but if you have a group of 6 they will join any table together and you go to the top of the list. Now I would understand if they had one or two groups of tables available for the six groups but what I witnessed was any and all tables are fair game and it seems regulars know this! My advice is go with a party of six or go somewhere else. In my opinion this is a bit of an unethical seating practice but hey it's there restaurant and my only vote is with my feet! Which I did!
(1)
Kelly A.

Rino's is a terrific old-school Italian place with great food and no pretense. I dined there last night for the second time, and I just couldn't get over how good everything was. I remembered my friend telling me that their eggplant rollatini (they are actually called something else, but that's the basic concept) were good, so my husband and I split an order of those and the gnocchi. The rollatini were probably the best I'd ever had. Alia in Winthrop might give them a run for their money, but I think Rino's would probably win in the end. They were stuffed with smoked mozzarella and ricotta, and the smokiness of the cheese gave them a flavor that was both unusual and divine. The gnocchi were perfect. I am a bit of a gnocchi snob, as I'm only entirely satisfied with the gnocchi that my grandmother makes and the ones I can get at Cantina in the North End, but these joined the elite ranks. They were light and delicious. I don't know why I don't get to Rino's more often, but I will make a point of it now because last night's trip reminded me how good it really is. Their food rivals the best food in the North End, and it's right in Eastie. Awesome.
(5)
Andy H.

People worship this place. I'm not quite sure why. You can certainly tell it was a hot spot for the locals before these guys were on TV. The locals are not at all happy about it either. You can tell who the locals are because they scowl at you as you wait on the sidewalk. We put our name in at 5:30 on a weeknight (4 people). We were seated around 8. Our dinner was served at 9:15. There was a group of 12 ahead of us that we had to wait for their entrees to be cooked. Yes, we knew the wait would be long, but we expected revelations and fireworks when the food came. The truth is the food is actually very good. I had pork tenderloin with a cherry balsamic sauce. My fellow diners had chicken parm, lobster rav, and a seafood pasta dish whose name escapes me. Nothing about the night made me say "Wow, lets come back tomorrow and wait another 3 hours to be served!". The service is meh, we had a loud Italian woman who was funny and informative, but also slightly pushy and impatient. Hey, they're allowed to be, there's a two hour wait! Also annoying are the people outside who haven't eaten yet peaking underneath the half-drawn curtains to look at what you are eating as well as how far along you are. Without fail, every time a table leaves, two or more impatient people rush in before the table is clean and reset "Is that us? Thats our table right?" Its like the school cafeteria all over again. Overall, Rino's has a great racket going. Lucrative? probably. Could they be doing more? Absolutely. They are trying desperately to cling to this image that they are a small, cozy, family friendly place when they could do so much more business if they choose. All in all, I'm glad we got that out of the way, we ate at Rino's. I'd consider it a feat of endurance. Won't be back anytime soon.
(3)
John R.

I just discovered Rino's after meeting Chef/Owner Tony. I love this place it's in my top 5 Italian restaurants. He makes a Pork medallion encrusted with pistachio's in a honey, cherry sauce that is amazing! I can't say enough about this place you have to try and see for yourself.
(5)
Cynda R.

Yea yea, the food is good, maybe even great at times but the service! TERRIBLE!! Our reason for going there was for a bday celebration and the arancini....When we were seating we told them we were there specifically for the arancini and asked them to hold 4 for the table. Their response "Oh we never run out don't worry". Well after waiting 45 minutes for menus and our wine we ordered. Guess what, the waitress returned to let us know that they are out of arancini's. Overall the service was very slow but the food was good. Great calamari, shrimp in lemoncello sauce and mushroom raviolis....but really, with the wait and the service issue there are other places to go with great food too and more attentive wait staff!
(3)
Barry L.

Arrived at RIno's last night 2-3-12 8:10 PM just the two of us. There was no one waiting outside of this 12 table restaurant. There were (2) two person tables available, so we put our name and cell number in and went outside to wait. After 30 minutes another couple walked in and put their name down and was told that there were 17 tables ahead of them, they were told go have a drink down the street and we will call you. After learning about this information we decided to go to Santarpios down the street for pizza, lamb and homemade sausage, there was a wait there as well. We completed our dinner and it was now two hours later 10:15 PM and about to go home. We never had received a call from Rino's, so I called them and they said "Oh we will be calling you soon." Ya OK, its 2 hours later and after 10:15 pm we might have dinner now, Not Really!!! The food might be good at Rino's but we will never be back to find out. Make sure when you put your name and cell number in that you ask how long the wait will be, a bit disappointment to wait two hours and not get a called before that.
(1)
B S.

YOU HAVE TO TRY IT!!!!!!! I wish i lived closer, but i will def. take a flight back out to Boston to just eat here again. The only thing i recommend is you arrive early the wait was quite long but totally worth it. We met the chef Anthony while waiting in his restaurant across the street. He was so sweet and kind, he took a min to chat with us and tell us about Rino Place and his dishes and what the specials were for the day. We ate the limoncelo shrimp it was to die for and the stuffed mushroom caps we recommend squirting lemon on both dishes it made it even that more yummy if thats even possible. AS a main we had the lobster ravioli which had so much lobster meat and the rino special with homemade pasta. We didnt need to eat dinner after that lunch and we get to enjoy the leftovers tomorrow which is a huge bonus!!! the portions are enough for two and the salad was dressed perfectly!!
(5)
Daniel W.

Cant say enough good things! The food is out of this world. It is a little hole in the wall and parking is a nightmare but it is worth the inconveniences for sure. 10 visits and loved everyone. Best gnocchi ever. A+
(5)
Ryan L.

Ok anyone who gives less than 4 stars for this place should just go get italian food at Papa Ginos because that's where they belong. Rino's is a fantastic hidden gem and what they can do with olive oil in their food is amazing. the calamari was drizzled in olive oil and it was one of the best calamari dishes I've had. the portions are decent and the prices are reasonable. I would much rather go to Rinos than go to the overrated North End. Yes the parking a little difficult but really, it's no harder than the North End.
(5)
John O.

Was a great place before it was "discovered"! No longer worth the wait of 1-1/2 hour when you get there at 6:00 PM. The crowds will drive away the regular clients. As Yogi Berra said " Nobody goes there any more it is too crowded".
(5)
Brian H.

Great neighborhood Italian place. If you order the pasta, look through the server's window -- you'll see the pasta being made while you wait! When we lived in East Boston, my wife and I ordered takeout here several times a week, and we still go back for it. One thing you might not think of otherwise -- if it's available when you're there, try the steak special. You might not have planned on getting steak at an Italian place, but it's spectacular.
(4)
Nicole F.

Went with a huge group so I had a bite of pretty much everything on the menu. It was all amazing.
(5)
Stellina M.

Rino's Place is a family run restaurant with great Italian American food. Among the best Italian restaurant without having to deal with the North End traffic. Try their homemade pasta and seafood dishes!
(4)
Siobhan W.

When my boyfriend's mom suggested Rino's Place for her birthday, I was a little skeptical. I arrived in East Boston expecting some over-the-top "Italian" restaurant full of clientele who enjoy quantity with little regard for quality. Boy was I wrong. Rino's was a charming, neighborhood restaurant barely big enough to have a bathroom - it was through the kitchen. The food was amazing. After we'd gotten through the wine list, we ordered calamari and stuffed mushrooms for appetizers. After tasting the refreshing light, yet crispy calamari, I immediately turned to my boyfriend and said, "this is the best calamari I've ever had." To my surprise, he looked up, and said, "it really is, isn't it?" The mushrooms were also quite good - not at all oily. The entrees were just as fantastic - I had haddock stuffed with lobster, scallops and cous-cous, which came with asparagus and a heaping side of pasta. My boyfriend had the chicken saltimbocca, which he thought was a little heavy, but I think that had something to do with the number of stuffed mushrooms he'd had. I tasted it, and thought the sauce was the perfect combination of butter and marsala. To be honest, the salads before dinner left a little to be desired, but that was a minor fault considering how good the rest of the food was. I had the pasta for lunch the next day, and to my complete surprise, it tasted as good cold as it had hot the night before. Wouldn't hesitate to go back to Rino's - if you're craving Italian food, and I mean good, authentic Italian food, this is the prefect location.
(5)
Sunday K.

Their specials were high-school girl handwriting photocopies, which was the only non-awesome thing about the decor and presentation. I split the calamari (too big for two people) the wild mushroom ravioli (subtle tastes, excellent), and the tiramisu (just the right size to split, I definitely could have eaten it on my own). My hubs had a pork tenderloin that involved cherries in the sauce (I tasted - it was delicious) that came with asparagus (well cooked, great flavor) and mashed potatoes that were rolled in tiny crispies of something that made for a novel but delicious texture. He also had a beer. Our grand total was $61. We'll definitely go again.
(4)
Ron A.

I used to love coming to this place back in the day. When they first opened it was a great neighborhood joint that was a cut above Jeveli's , good food, friendly service and a great neighborhood vibe. Now..meh! Still good food, but the service was horrible! I was in between jobs (I'm a chauffeur) so I thought I'd treat myself to a nice meal. My waiter was the only male waiter amongst all the hot guidettes that work there, but he seemed more interested in flirting than paying attention to one guy eating alone. That's just wrong. Being in the service business for over 26 years, you try to look for all the reasons you might get bad service, but in this guy's case, there were none. The place was not crowded, I was alone, and it took this guy 10 minutes before he took my order. When my meal came, he asked if I wanted grated cheese, and while I watched him apply the cheese to other diners' meals, he merely dropped the grater on my table. I guess he realized I would not be running up the bill with wine, so my soda sat unattended to after I had finished my third bite with no inquiry if I wanted another and after he dropped off my meal, I never saw him again until check time. I waited 5 minutes for my check and another 5 for him to bring back my CC. So, good food with nothing to wash it down with, a waiter who seemed more involved in socializing than attending to a lone diner, and 3 other waitresses who walked by my empty glass on the edge of table and none bothering to ask me if I want a refill. And this was a Monday night! Just another place that has let success go to it's head.
(2)
Sarah R.

Tiny, tiny little place in a residential neighborhood of Eastie. Definitely 5 stars for the food.. we split bruschetta, delishhh (honestly bruschetta is so simple but they made this amazing. Although the menu says "no splitting plates", one of us ordered the gnocchi, and the other ordered chicken parm, and we picked off each other's plates. The chicken parm was hands down, THE BEST chicken parm i have ever had. I would drive the hour to boston and wait another hour just for that chicken parm. The gnocchi, yeah they were light and fluffy, but almost a teeeeny bit gummy, definitely not the best i have ever had. also, there wasn't enough red sauce on either plate, and the gnocchi were covered in so much cheese you couldn't taste sauce. a little disappointing. also, we were never offered bread!! the waitress was slightly rude, and seemed bothered when we had to ask for water refills. come on rino's. jack up the customer service please.
(3)
Maura M.

I love this restaurant! The food is fabulous and the service is excellent! This a great little gem in East Boston. I think it's better than the Italian Restaurants in The North End. I've never had a meal there that I didn't thoroughly enjoy. The portions are absolutely enormous. I can usually get 2 extra meals out of my leftovers (and I'm not a little eater).
(5)
r. j. m.

there is only one word to describe this place - WOW! a friend who lives in east boston urged our group of 8 to go before the diners, drive-ins & dives espisode aired as she knew we wouldn't get in after - i'm sure she was right! we started with appetizers - calamari, arancini & squash ravioli - all were amazing! a few in the party ordered the gnocchi (i was a might jealous once i saw and tasted) but i absolutely loved my seafood pasta! i asked for it fra diavlo but didn't really feel the heat. for me the hotter the better, but i'm sure restaurants are hesitant to really add too much spice. the homemade pasta was to die for & the portions are quite large. it made for a wonderful midnight snack :) i'd jump at the change to go again but already don't know what i'd try next because everything looked fantastic! the place was packed the whole time we were there, people were waiting to get in & take-out orders were flying out of the place. my only advice to rino's is to find a larger location - everyone must to eat here!!
(5)
Danielle F.

Small, fantastic, authentic Italian Restaurant away from the hectic, crowded North End. Daily Specials as well as Italian Favorites such as Chicken Marsala, Fruti di Mare, Shrimp Scampi, and homemade out of this world Gnocchi! Take it from an Italian, their food is exceptional. Good wine selection, very reasonable prices.
(4)
Kevin L.

Rino's Place served up one of the best meals I've ever had, never mind the best Italian meal I've ever had. Very small dining area means it fills up really quickly so you have to get there early especially if you have a big party, but it is definitely worth it. The atmosphere combines the impression of the formal classiness you associate with nice Italian restaurants and the feel that you are at a private party with all of your closest family members. The food was absolutely delicious starting with the appetizers. I had the Peperoni Ripiene to start things which were roasted red peppers stuffed with ricotta cheese, sausage and broccoli rapi baked in a fresh plum tomato sauce topped with basil olive oil. Every bite was so good and I got some high expectations for any entrÃ©e to top it. Luckily, Rino's delivered again with the Vitello Bracioletini, which was veal stuffed with Italian cold cuts and cheese, pan seared with mushrooms in a Marsala white wine lemon butter sauce. The mix of flavors was blended perfectly to make an exceptional dish that left me quite satisfied. Finally, you can never go wrong with tiramisu, but they also had an extensive dessert menu which offered something for every taste. Rino's menu had all of the classic dishes and more, and their broad specials menu had a lot of different intriguing dishes. Despite their great food, the best part of Rino's is the exceptional service and atmosphere. A very attentive wait staff was there for any request or question and was also very entertaining too. At the end of the meal our waitress gave even more evidence to Rino's treatment of all patrons as regulars. She looked us each in the face and asked our names before giving us hers, saying that even if she couldn't memorize our names this time she'd look for our faces the next time we can make it back. Considering their delicious food, phenomenal service, and very reasonable prices, I'll definitely be going back there again.
(5)

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Address : 258 Saratoga St
Boston, MA, 02128
Phone (617) 567-7412
Website https://www.rinosplace.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :4:00 pm - 9:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

Claim Restaurant

Italian Cuisine

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.

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Rino’s Place

258 Saratoga St, Boston, MA, 02128

Rino’s Place Menu

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