Whenever I'm visiting home, a stop by Sortino's is always a must. Its not fine dining, by any means nor does it try to be, but I am never disappointed with my meal there and I love the kitschy and casual atmosphere. My dad claims this is the closest he's ever found to his Nonna's Italian cooking!
(5)
darren l.
Wow! Not into the badly overpriced food at Cedar Point so left at 8 and headed to this gem. Food was outstanding with enough choices to keep everyone happy. Large portions and reasonable prices. The house special Chica-Chica Boom was amazing. Friendly, but a bit slow. Don't miss the Godfather themed basement!
(5)
Meghann T.
All you need to know is this: If you choose the Olive Garden over Sortino's, you're going to have a bad time. I look forward to each visit here at Sortino's; the staff are very friendly and accomodating. It helps that they maintain a close-knit staff; it makes your experience more personable. Every dinner item is beyond fantastic; I can't say enough great things about Sortino's and their menu. Don't forget to order cannolis to go!
(5)
Amy D.
I felt like this was just so-so Italian food. I got the carbonara and wasn't very pleased with it. My brother however got the veal and said it was pretty good. My mom said her spaghetti and perch were just okay. Our service was good though and our waitress was very attentive. Also, some of the yelp reviews said that this was a good place for children and I have to disagree. We took my niece and she was well behaved, but I was hoping for a booth in the corner or something like that which they didn't have. And you are sitting right near the bar area so I didn't think it was all that great for kids.
(3)
Sarah W.
My husband has been taking me to this restaurant for years, it's our favorite place to eat. The food is always good. The service is excellent. Nice atmosphere. The wings are the best I've ever had. The bartender makes the best drinks, you have to try the pink squirrels...so good. We LOVE it!!
(5)
Jack S.
Great food, good for families. When we arrived not sure if it would be good for kids. The owner came out (it was pretty crowded) and talked to us and kids which made us very comfortable. The decor was also very nice.
(5)
Jeff F.
We stopped here after a long day at Cedar Point. Asked a group of 3 on the way out how they liked it and gave their approval. Chuck at the bar was great, and they have 57 bottles to choose from. Salad that came with my Carbonara was one of the best house salads I've had in a long time. Pasta entree was very good but no way I could finish it all! All around great place, don't miss it.
(5)
Kelley B.
What a fantastic find! Thank you YELP! My fiancee and I had just finished a marathon day at Cedar Point and neither of us wanting any more junk food decided to look for a decent restaurant for dinner. Failing to find our first choice nearby (Indian), we decided on the other "I"... We hadn't seen a review in 2013 so please let me make one! First off, finding the place was a bit hard, as it sits way back off the road (trust your GPS, I didn't!) We enter, and pushed a button since we're members but were immediately allowed "access" in. Started off with the cheese bread app, and the sauce was to die for! So amazing and rustic, and very homemade tasting! I had the chicken lamone and he had the chicken parm. Both were excellent and ENORMOUS portions to boot! Salad with the meal was standard, but that slice of pepperoni on top had some kick! Got a few cannolis for the road. Everything was fresh tasting and we really enjoyed our meals. Service was a bit slow for the amount of people in there. We will definitely be back on our next trip up to CP later on this summer. Thanks Yelp for pointing me to this place. Price for 2 drinks, 2 dinners, 1 dessert, plus tip was under $60. Highly recommend!
(5)
Wiliam C.
Was traveling to the area on business and saw the reviews on Yelp. Was not in the mood for chain food and decided to give it a shot. They have their own garden and bocce court, what's not to love right. Had to be buzzed in the place or use a card. Was trying to force the door at first....:). Seems like an old speakeasy in prohibition days as the neighborhood is mostly houses....great casual environment. Asked waitress if it was a bad neighborhood and she smiled. Food was great. Had cold appetizer plate to start with artichokes, a medley of peppers, and olives, and some mozzarella cheese. Huge portion for $7. Had veal bambino next and I ordered the Italian wedding soup and angel hair pasta. Mini meatballs in soup were so good I wish I ordered them separately. Owner came by and introduced himself. Really nice guy and nice touch. Place has great charm and would definitely go back. Service could be a tad happier though.....
(4)
Phillip B.
Excellent place to eat! Atmosphere is very unique. Definitely try the mozzaluna & 'Pasta Mafia', you will not be sorry
(5)
Heidi H.
Excellent place to eat. Owner is often present and visits with patrons. Huge portion sizes.
(5)
Mattie C.
Another awesome find on the Cedar Point trip identified through a friend's "yelp app." I am starting to think I should get one of those fancy phones myself for the yelp app alone! After a 12-hour day at Cedar Point, we came here to enjoy a big hearty meal and relax. There was about a 10-minute wait and they motioned for us to go downstairs and enjoy some drinks and appetizers while we waited. I thought the basement area was really cool, and the appetizers were free! They had cheese and crackers and olives and some kind of artichoke dish out. It was my first time tasting an artichoke and I didn't like it, but the cheese and crackers were high quality and great. They had huge comfy leather couches to lounge on, and there was graffiti all over the walls of previous visitors. The bathrooms had some funny pictures. I loved the atmosphere down there, and in fact loved the atmosphere of the entire restaurant - the decor, the service, the clientele - everyone seemed to be having fun and it had a warm homey feel. Upstairs they had a barrel of peanuts you could eat at your table, and an "honor wine" in the middle of the table to take from for $5 a glass. All our meals (I think everyone got some type of pasta dish) came with a nice crisp salad, and the bread they brought to the table was warm. My meal: "Build-Your-Own" Angel Hair Pasta with broccoli and mushrooms. Delicious! I also got a sangria and it was perfect - not too much ice and not too "fruit-punchy" for my taste. I have had some disappointing sangria experiences recently, so was pleased that this place did it just right. Great place, and highly recommended! If I lived around here I would come time and time again for the fun atmosphere, delicious food and plenty of surprising free treats! A++++!!
(5)
Ron N.
Excellent food, service and atmosphere! We had the whole family here in this Italian family style restaurant. The restaurant has an unique feel to it. One of the owners came out to our table and greeted us with a smile. It was an awesome experiance. Enjoy.
(5)
Patrizia M.
I tend to be a little harsh on Italian restaurants since I come from an Italian family. The decor sent me back to when I was little and visited family in Italy. Loved the free olives and cheeses that they serve while you wait for your table. The salad and bruschetta was good but that's all. Everything else was dripping in oil and very bland tasting. I had white clam sauce and I have never had it made with celery( yuck)!! I asked the waitress if the desserts were homemade and she said yes, I must of offended her because after that she was very short with me. Needless to say the desserts did not taste homemade and she didn't even bring a coffee spoon for our coffee. We tried to flag her down but was ignored. Will never go back!!!!
(1)
Michael H.
I went here with my girlfriend after a long day at cedar point. We were initially skeptical to try a local spot instead of chains we are familiar with back home. We were very pleasantly surprised, the food was great (wedding soup, beef ravioli and cheese ravioli between us) and the service was impeccable! The owner makes an effort to greet every patron and introduce himself personally, something which you just don't see any more. Some commenters have said it's a bit gimmicky, but the depth of the decorations really makes this a fun little shrine to Italian-American culture. Highly recommend, will not disappoint!
(5)
Drew H.
We had a fantastic dining experience with awesome food and drinks and atmosphere was fun. Our server was very good with knowledge of every meal and deal. The food was hot and plentiful and we will be back again and again. Be sure to visit the downstairs banquet area just to look around and see all the names written on the walls and ceilings of past guests. The head of the godfather on the big table is quite a sight. The ladies room has a fun surprise according to my wife and everyone upstairs knows when the ladies get curious.
(5)
Todd H.
Now called "Sortino's Little Italy", this place is fantastic. Essentially, it's the same as when it was just the 800 Club, but I see why they would do the name change to help bring in tourist traffic. Every dish I have had here was plentiful and delicious. And I am a fan of quality over quantity for food, but here, it's both. Wife has gotten Chk Parm and I have gotten several of the veal dishes and all of it was great. FYI, you have to buzz the doorbell to get in if you don't have a card, but don't let that stop you. It adds to the atmosphere and makes you feel like your going someplace special!
(4)
Nina O.
There is a gimmicky entry, requiring you to be buzzed in. Once in, the space is well decorated, except for all the TVs. You are either a restaurant or you are a sports bar. Pick one. The food was passable, not exceptional, and service was pretty slow. That seems to be a theme in Sandusky, I suspect they are tired of all the tourists. The lasagna was good, although the sauce was very sweet. Some people really like it that way, not me.
(3)
Sarah B.
My party of three were very much looking forward to enjoying one of their many extraordinary pasta dishes and wonderful service at the best Italian restaurant around, but were VERY disappointed this time! We've been there over a dozen times and never experienced what unfolded in those 2+ hours! First, they brought out a glass with food in it, which I know happens BUT the waitress stopped at other tables before returning to take our order & bringing a new glass. Secondly, they recycled their bread & butter pats to us - disgusting!!! Lastly, we didn't get our entrees until 1.5 hours later!!! The bartender was very helpful and apologetic "blaming" it on a large dinner party and short-staff. George, the owner did send out complimentary meatballs. In the end, the food was good and hot when we finally received it. If you go, CALL ahead to verify there are no large parties at the time you make reservations. It will be awhile before we go back.
(2)
Kris A.
We could kiss Yelp for finding this gem, when we couldn't figure out where to go for BFF girls night out, birthday night... It is weird to get there as they share a sign with the Rodeway Inn and if you drive in there make sure you look to the left and you will see the beautiful old stone building. The atmosphere is fun and old school eclectic from the signs, huge old bar and beautiful belt driven pulley fans. We shared a taste of each others meals, since there were 4 meals and 3 appetizers, I don't have the time to review them separately. Highlight, Pasta Butana, typically we shy off shirmp dishes at Italian places, most places give you a lot of sauce, noodles and 5 small shrimp, not here, large shrimp 8 pieces, sauce was flavorful, not heavy or greasy and beautifully herbed. Pasta capri had a beautiful olive oil sauce and garlic. All plates delicious, priced well and ample quantities. On a side note, the owner personally visited us during our meal, he was a delight and shared his passion for his recipes, love of his home in the US as well as his visits to Italy for inspiration regularly. He even came back again and showed us pics on the wall of the restaurants history and his Ellis Island pic with his sisters. Delightful place!
(5)
Anita B.
Dying for the pasta Sortino and your excellent Sortino vineyard red. Wish we were closer !
(5)
Cathy Z.
Great food and service! Best Italian wedding soup ever!! They make their own wine. The owner himself waited on our group....
(5)
Nick P.
More than thrilled. We were the last customers in, and the last to leave. I got the pasta soprano: a spicy creamy mixture heavy on the flavor, with ground beef and Italian sausage hiding throughout the mix. Delicious food, but more than that, we had fantastic service even at the end of the day when everyone was ready to go home. The entry door is a little off-putting, you do have to buzz to be let in, but it is totally worth it. A good one selection a nice menu and fantastic cannoli. Definitely worth a look if you are in the Sandusky area
(5)
Hil M.
I've had way better Italian than Sortino's. It is too Americanized. Heavy handed on the sweet tomato sauce and the portion sized are ridiculously big. Our experience might have been better if our waitress had not been so busy and could have made recommendations for us. If I were to go there again I would order the angel hair pasta tossed in olive oil. Simple, but the best thing we had.
(2)
Christina M.
Although some might say Sortino's is a bit heavy handed with the mafia theme, don't let that deter you from coming to the restaurant. This is a big place that serves up good food with friendly service, and it was a welcome rest after a long day hanging out at Cedar Point. The night my husband and I went seemed to cater to retired folks and locals. However, it was a pleasant experience even as a young tourist, and I liked that they have both indoor and outdoor seating options, with a huge lot for parking. The bread and salad that came with the meal was yummy. I enjoyed my ravioli, which was flavorful and tasted homemade. I can't stand it when you order ravioli from a place and it taste like the frozen stuff you can get at the supermarket. This was not the case here. The girls who work here are friendly and offer really quick and attentive service. The owner made it a point to greet everyone who sat down at his restaurant, which was kind of cool too.
(4)
G. T.
Sortino's is amazing!!! I felt at home. Finally I was able to eat authentic Italian food. I came in Sandusky in October, and my wife was looking for an Italian restaurant. She made the best decision ever!!! Not only the food is amazing, but also the atmosphere is really nice. They show you how much they care for their costumers with personal attention. We decide to come back in Sandusky for a couple of days mostly because we wanted to eat great Italian food.
(5)
Jonathan B.
Wednesday evening 7:30 slow service. It's 8:28 pm and we are still waiting for dinner to arrive! The salad was good and I recommend the celery seed dressing. Dinner has just arrived....the portions are HUGE! Have to say it looks impressive I just hope it's not my hunger making it seem so delicious. Had the chicken park. The pasta was cooked perfect but the sauce lacked everything. No flavor at all very very bland. Reminded me of hunts tomato sauce that you buy at the grocery store. Meh. Not worth the cost that is for certain. I hate giving bad reviews but honestly I don't have much good to say here.
(3)
Travis U.
I hoped to review their food. Unfortunately, their hours are wrong on their website. It says they close at 12:00, we showed up at 10:53 and were told they were closed. For service, they fail miserably and that's all I can review based on.
(1)
Bex C.
Visiting from Texas, saw this place on Yelp, and it was the best choice ever. Food was amazingly delicious and it was a large amount of food as well. A must go! I haven't had good Italian in a really long time! Very nice people and a great atmosphere.
(4)
Eric C.
This place is way too cheezy for me, and the food isn't anything special. Even so, it's way better than Olive Garden. If you're going to consider Olive Garden, please come here. Anyhoo... The atmosphere plays on way too much fake gangster crap. The logo steals from the Soprano's, the place is filled with pictures and memorabilia of various mob movies, and there's just a lot of tacky Italian stuff that just rubs me the wrong way. That aside, service is fine and they took care of us. They even made a special plate of gluten free pasta for my mom. I give them 1 star for the theme/appearance, but 5 stars for the hospitality. As far as the bar goes.... it's not really a drinker's paradise. The house wine is fine--it's standard generic Italian table wine. The kind of stuff Italian grandparents used to make in the basement (which I actually enjoy a lot). The price for the wine is fine if you're eating in--it's not a good take-out price. The bar itself doesn't have much in the way of mid and top shelf items and the staff really didn't seem to know much about the booze. It wasn't a huge deal though as I was able to walk up to the bar and figure out the best option for whiskey (Gentleman Jack, in this case). The limoncello was great and they make it in-house. The food was bland. Texture wise, everything seemed good, it was just lacking basic things like salt. Although, I did enjoy the giant meatballs--they tasted great. The pasta seems like average dried pasta, but it was cooked perfectly. Although, something I ate gave me amazing farts. My wife got in on the fart action too. It was a non-stop symphony of gas into the next morning. Farts are funny, and I laughed a lot that night, but it would have caused problems if we didn't spend the rest of the night in our house. Overall, it wasn't horrible, but the atmosphere really irked me and the food just didn't do anything for me. It's better than Olive Garden, but it's not something I want to seek out on a regular basis. That being said, I see a lot of people do like it. If you dig on this sort of atmosphere and you like large bowls of pasta, hit this place up.
(2)
Ally E.
Everything on the menu is phenomenal! My favorite is the veal parm. I also love the homemade celery seed dressing and wedding soup. I don't think you can go wrong with anything on this menu! Also try dessert, tiramisu or cannoli!
(5)
Carrie H.
We wanted to try a local restaurant and decided on this one. We were a little concerned walking into it if kids were welcome - they indeed are and there's a kids menu. Food was amazing. Portions were large. Atmosphere is laid back and fun. Service was good and friendly. If we ever return to Sandusky, this will be our go to pick.
(5)
Blane T.
Easily the best Italian food that I have had in my life. Between the satirical feel of a "mobster" owned restaurant, extremely friendly service, and a menu that will not disappoint this gem is a guaranteed stop whenever I am in Sandusky.
(5)
Chad F.
I have always enjoyed this place the atmosphere is welcoming and always enjoyable! A must visit anytime you are in town
(5)
Brent C.
Love the ceiling fans run by belts, the tin ceilings, and the Godfather in the basement is awesome. Really neat atmosphere. Huge portions. Great desserts. Very good service. Great place for a family.
(4)
Joe H.
It was good. Was there for a business/social dinner. The menu was fixed for the group, so I couldn't pick. However, the food I had was very, very good. We were in the basement, which was quite fun, especially watching who was going in/out of the ladies' restroom (inside joke, you have to be there to appreciate). Service was good and friendly. I plan to go back there and dine in the 'regular' dining room if I get the opportunity ...it's definitely worth repeat business.
(3)
JM R.
Our family of 5 stayed at Kalahari for a long weekend and we wanted to get a way for a nice dinner. We were happy with this choice! The service was outstanding and the food was delicious! We first ordered calamari for an appetizer, which came with capers and peppers. My husband had the regular size lake perch dinner. We could've easily split the fish, there was so much. So you may want to consider getting petite size. I had eggplant parm appetizer, which was huge. It wasn't my favorite eggplant parm, but still very good. The kids ordered kids meals. This is where my only complaint would be. Their meals were $6 each and didn't come with fries, sides or drinks. So it started adding up with drinks and fries. Other than that, we really liked it and will definitely go back if we are in the area.
(4)
Colleen M.
Average Italian fare at best. I'm not sure what I missed that other reviewers experienced but the food we ate tonight was nothing spectacular. The service was great, we were seated as soon as we were buzzed into the unassuming entrance. We ordered cheese ravioli and the pasta diavolo which both came with the worst side salad I've literally ever eaten. It was a plate full of white iceberg lettuce with a piece of meat on top. I'm vegetarian so that was a little off putting. Our meals came in a timely manner but we realized our cheese ravioli was covered in meat sauce. Again, being vegetarian this was completely disgusting and surprising considering we thought we had ordered a meat-free dish. Our server quickly brought out a new plate of raviloi with a plain sauce which was appreciated. Once our meals were correct they weren't bad but definitely not better than average. We live in Philadelphia where Italian food is stellar so reading these five star reviews I was expecting a different caliber of Italian food. Perhaps for Sandusky this is top notch, but I was disappointed.
(2)
James A.
Great place to come have dinner and a drink. George, the owner has wonderful hospitality and always makes you feel right at home. Food is excellent, the full bar is excellent, and the Sortino brand wines are stellar!! You will love it here!
(5)
Hope M.
A hidden treasure just down the road from the Cedar Point entrance. Great atmosphere, like an old speakeasy. Food and service outstanding. Chicken limone out of this world! Save room for a cannoli for dessert.
(5)
Karen H.
The best part of the experience was the teenaged waitress. Walked in at 7:00 or so. Got the last table. Food..... 2 meals were good, 2 were so-so and one was downright awful. I have never waited so long to get food. The apparent regulars that got seated while we eating our salads got their dinners before us. They either favor the regulars or the more senior waitresses. It was painfully obvious that our lovely little teenaged server was embarrassed. I felt so bad for her I couldn't complain. The older gentlemen greeting regulars avoided us like the plague. We are your typical middle class family consisting of 2 parents and 3 young adult children. Our server brought out 5 cannolies on the house to apologize for the long wait for food. Kudos to that young lady. She is the only bright spot in the place! We usually go to Danny Boys but my middle son wanted to try somewhere new. You will see me at Danny Boys this week. I'd go to Olive Garden before this place.
(2)
Lester A.
Leave the gun, take the cannoli! This place has the best dessert this side of Lake Erie! Don't forget to being your jacket if you visit in January. Great selection of spirits and wine... But don't come looking for the cheap stuff... Fuh get dah bout it!
(4)
Amanda L.
Terrible. We had a party of 10-12 people on 11/1/11. Service was incredibly slow. Our dinners took over 2 hours to arrive and when they finally did you could tell they had been sitting under the warmer. Other meals were actually cold. In addition, from start to finish, it took about 20 minutes for all the members of our party to receive their meals! Finally, when we asked the server what the problem was the manager came over and informed us that the Tuesday night cook was the problem but if we were willing to come back she'd comp a drink for us...how nice. A free drink isn't enough to get my business again.
(1)
Peter S.
My wife and kids wanted a local Italian Ristorante and this was the place. You must buzz in to the Sortino's Club. Service was fantastic! Wine selection was great and very well priced. The Arancini Balls and Calamari were excellent! We met the owner, "George", who was just a delight/friendly down to earth Sandusky, OH guy to talk to. They have a "Children's Meal" menu, for those family events, but plenty to choose for everyone from the main menu. The atmosphere was casual and an at home feeling. Food was prepared well and tasted excellent. The fresh cut French Fries made me feel like a kid again! The Chicken Limone and Angel Hair with fresh tomatoes/olives/basil was awesome! Their brand name "Sortino's" wine was well balanced, and we took a bottle home to go!. This is a must "return" if you like true Italian! You must check out the "Godfather Board Room" in the basement!
(5)
Jen M.
This was my second time at Sortino's. I just love the Soprano's-esque atmosphere and food. This time I ordered the side salad with the house celery seed dressing (weird pink color) but great flavor. Generous portion for a side salad. The I got the Mama's Big Ass 6-cheese ravioli with the tomato oregano sauce. Those raviolis were big ass! I asked for extra sauce on the side and they actually gave me meat sauce. I am not normally a meat sauce kind of girl but I thought it was WAY better than the tomato sauce. I found the tomato sauce to be under seasoned. We ordered the Italian chips as an appetizer and they were greasy and loaded with garlic. I think I will skip those next time. Always fast service (maybe too fast because the food piled up way too quickly on our table before we had a chance to enjoy each course) so that is my only dig. Owner makes his rounds to ensure you are loving every minute of it. Mangia!
(4)
L B.
This one is our favorite. A fun atmosphere, good service and the food is excellent. And the prices are very reasonable. The owner is there and adds to the fun. Having been there many times, I can't recommend highly enough.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Anna K.
Whenever I'm visiting home, a stop by Sortino's is always a must. Its not fine dining, by any means nor does it try to be, but I am never disappointed with my meal there and I love the kitschy and casual atmosphere. My dad claims this is the closest he's ever found to his Nonna's Italian cooking!
(5)darren l.
Wow! Not into the badly overpriced food at Cedar Point so left at 8 and headed to this gem. Food was outstanding with enough choices to keep everyone happy. Large portions and reasonable prices. The house special Chica-Chica Boom was amazing. Friendly, but a bit slow. Don't miss the Godfather themed basement!
(5)Meghann T.
All you need to know is this: If you choose the Olive Garden over Sortino's, you're going to have a bad time. I look forward to each visit here at Sortino's; the staff are very friendly and accomodating. It helps that they maintain a close-knit staff; it makes your experience more personable. Every dinner item is beyond fantastic; I can't say enough great things about Sortino's and their menu. Don't forget to order cannolis to go!
(5)Amy D.
I felt like this was just so-so Italian food. I got the carbonara and wasn't very pleased with it. My brother however got the veal and said it was pretty good. My mom said her spaghetti and perch were just okay. Our service was good though and our waitress was very attentive. Also, some of the yelp reviews said that this was a good place for children and I have to disagree. We took my niece and she was well behaved, but I was hoping for a booth in the corner or something like that which they didn't have. And you are sitting right near the bar area so I didn't think it was all that great for kids.
(3)Sarah W.
My husband has been taking me to this restaurant for years, it's our favorite place to eat. The food is always good. The service is excellent. Nice atmosphere. The wings are the best I've ever had. The bartender makes the best drinks, you have to try the pink squirrels...so good. We LOVE it!!
(5)Jack S.
Great food, good for families. When we arrived not sure if it would be good for kids. The owner came out (it was pretty crowded) and talked to us and kids which made us very comfortable. The decor was also very nice.
(5)Jeff F.
We stopped here after a long day at Cedar Point. Asked a group of 3 on the way out how they liked it and gave their approval. Chuck at the bar was great, and they have 57 bottles to choose from. Salad that came with my Carbonara was one of the best house salads I've had in a long time. Pasta entree was very good but no way I could finish it all! All around great place, don't miss it.
(5)Kelley B.
What a fantastic find! Thank you YELP! My fiancee and I had just finished a marathon day at Cedar Point and neither of us wanting any more junk food decided to look for a decent restaurant for dinner. Failing to find our first choice nearby (Indian), we decided on the other "I"... We hadn't seen a review in 2013 so please let me make one! First off, finding the place was a bit hard, as it sits way back off the road (trust your GPS, I didn't!) We enter, and pushed a button since we're members but were immediately allowed "access" in. Started off with the cheese bread app, and the sauce was to die for! So amazing and rustic, and very homemade tasting! I had the chicken lamone and he had the chicken parm. Both were excellent and ENORMOUS portions to boot! Salad with the meal was standard, but that slice of pepperoni on top had some kick! Got a few cannolis for the road. Everything was fresh tasting and we really enjoyed our meals. Service was a bit slow for the amount of people in there. We will definitely be back on our next trip up to CP later on this summer. Thanks Yelp for pointing me to this place. Price for 2 drinks, 2 dinners, 1 dessert, plus tip was under $60. Highly recommend!
(5)Wiliam C.
Was traveling to the area on business and saw the reviews on Yelp. Was not in the mood for chain food and decided to give it a shot. They have their own garden and bocce court, what's not to love right. Had to be buzzed in the place or use a card. Was trying to force the door at first....:). Seems like an old speakeasy in prohibition days as the neighborhood is mostly houses....great casual environment. Asked waitress if it was a bad neighborhood and she smiled. Food was great. Had cold appetizer plate to start with artichokes, a medley of peppers, and olives, and some mozzarella cheese. Huge portion for $7. Had veal bambino next and I ordered the Italian wedding soup and angel hair pasta. Mini meatballs in soup were so good I wish I ordered them separately. Owner came by and introduced himself. Really nice guy and nice touch. Place has great charm and would definitely go back. Service could be a tad happier though.....
(4)Phillip B.
Excellent place to eat! Atmosphere is very unique. Definitely try the mozzaluna & 'Pasta Mafia', you will not be sorry
(5)Heidi H.
Excellent place to eat. Owner is often present and visits with patrons. Huge portion sizes.
(5)Mattie C.
Another awesome find on the Cedar Point trip identified through a friend's "yelp app." I am starting to think I should get one of those fancy phones myself for the yelp app alone! After a 12-hour day at Cedar Point, we came here to enjoy a big hearty meal and relax. There was about a 10-minute wait and they motioned for us to go downstairs and enjoy some drinks and appetizers while we waited. I thought the basement area was really cool, and the appetizers were free! They had cheese and crackers and olives and some kind of artichoke dish out. It was my first time tasting an artichoke and I didn't like it, but the cheese and crackers were high quality and great. They had huge comfy leather couches to lounge on, and there was graffiti all over the walls of previous visitors. The bathrooms had some funny pictures. I loved the atmosphere down there, and in fact loved the atmosphere of the entire restaurant - the decor, the service, the clientele - everyone seemed to be having fun and it had a warm homey feel. Upstairs they had a barrel of peanuts you could eat at your table, and an "honor wine" in the middle of the table to take from for $5 a glass. All our meals (I think everyone got some type of pasta dish) came with a nice crisp salad, and the bread they brought to the table was warm. My meal: "Build-Your-Own" Angel Hair Pasta with broccoli and mushrooms. Delicious! I also got a sangria and it was perfect - not too much ice and not too "fruit-punchy" for my taste. I have had some disappointing sangria experiences recently, so was pleased that this place did it just right. Great place, and highly recommended! If I lived around here I would come time and time again for the fun atmosphere, delicious food and plenty of surprising free treats! A++++!!
(5)Ron N.
Excellent food, service and atmosphere! We had the whole family here in this Italian family style restaurant. The restaurant has an unique feel to it. One of the owners came out to our table and greeted us with a smile. It was an awesome experiance. Enjoy.
(5)Patrizia M.
I tend to be a little harsh on Italian restaurants since I come from an Italian family. The decor sent me back to when I was little and visited family in Italy. Loved the free olives and cheeses that they serve while you wait for your table. The salad and bruschetta was good but that's all. Everything else was dripping in oil and very bland tasting. I had white clam sauce and I have never had it made with celery( yuck)!! I asked the waitress if the desserts were homemade and she said yes, I must of offended her because after that she was very short with me. Needless to say the desserts did not taste homemade and she didn't even bring a coffee spoon for our coffee. We tried to flag her down but was ignored. Will never go back!!!!
(1)Michael H.
I went here with my girlfriend after a long day at cedar point. We were initially skeptical to try a local spot instead of chains we are familiar with back home. We were very pleasantly surprised, the food was great (wedding soup, beef ravioli and cheese ravioli between us) and the service was impeccable! The owner makes an effort to greet every patron and introduce himself personally, something which you just don't see any more. Some commenters have said it's a bit gimmicky, but the depth of the decorations really makes this a fun little shrine to Italian-American culture. Highly recommend, will not disappoint!
(5)Drew H.
We had a fantastic dining experience with awesome food and drinks and atmosphere was fun. Our server was very good with knowledge of every meal and deal. The food was hot and plentiful and we will be back again and again. Be sure to visit the downstairs banquet area just to look around and see all the names written on the walls and ceilings of past guests. The head of the godfather on the big table is quite a sight. The ladies room has a fun surprise according to my wife and everyone upstairs knows when the ladies get curious.
(5)Todd H.
Now called "Sortino's Little Italy", this place is fantastic. Essentially, it's the same as when it was just the 800 Club, but I see why they would do the name change to help bring in tourist traffic. Every dish I have had here was plentiful and delicious. And I am a fan of quality over quantity for food, but here, it's both. Wife has gotten Chk Parm and I have gotten several of the veal dishes and all of it was great. FYI, you have to buzz the doorbell to get in if you don't have a card, but don't let that stop you. It adds to the atmosphere and makes you feel like your going someplace special!
(4)Nina O.
There is a gimmicky entry, requiring you to be buzzed in. Once in, the space is well decorated, except for all the TVs. You are either a restaurant or you are a sports bar. Pick one. The food was passable, not exceptional, and service was pretty slow. That seems to be a theme in Sandusky, I suspect they are tired of all the tourists. The lasagna was good, although the sauce was very sweet. Some people really like it that way, not me.
(3)Sarah B.
My party of three were very much looking forward to enjoying one of their many extraordinary pasta dishes and wonderful service at the best Italian restaurant around, but were VERY disappointed this time! We've been there over a dozen times and never experienced what unfolded in those 2+ hours! First, they brought out a glass with food in it, which I know happens BUT the waitress stopped at other tables before returning to take our order & bringing a new glass. Secondly, they recycled their bread & butter pats to us - disgusting!!! Lastly, we didn't get our entrees until 1.5 hours later!!! The bartender was very helpful and apologetic "blaming" it on a large dinner party and short-staff. George, the owner did send out complimentary meatballs. In the end, the food was good and hot when we finally received it. If you go, CALL ahead to verify there are no large parties at the time you make reservations. It will be awhile before we go back.
(2)Kris A.
We could kiss Yelp for finding this gem, when we couldn't figure out where to go for BFF girls night out, birthday night... It is weird to get there as they share a sign with the Rodeway Inn and if you drive in there make sure you look to the left and you will see the beautiful old stone building. The atmosphere is fun and old school eclectic from the signs, huge old bar and beautiful belt driven pulley fans. We shared a taste of each others meals, since there were 4 meals and 3 appetizers, I don't have the time to review them separately. Highlight, Pasta Butana, typically we shy off shirmp dishes at Italian places, most places give you a lot of sauce, noodles and 5 small shrimp, not here, large shrimp 8 pieces, sauce was flavorful, not heavy or greasy and beautifully herbed. Pasta capri had a beautiful olive oil sauce and garlic. All plates delicious, priced well and ample quantities. On a side note, the owner personally visited us during our meal, he was a delight and shared his passion for his recipes, love of his home in the US as well as his visits to Italy for inspiration regularly. He even came back again and showed us pics on the wall of the restaurants history and his Ellis Island pic with his sisters. Delightful place!
(5)Anita B.
Dying for the pasta Sortino and your excellent Sortino vineyard red. Wish we were closer !
(5)Cathy Z.
Great food and service! Best Italian wedding soup ever!! They make their own wine. The owner himself waited on our group....
(5)Nick P.
More than thrilled. We were the last customers in, and the last to leave. I got the pasta soprano: a spicy creamy mixture heavy on the flavor, with ground beef and Italian sausage hiding throughout the mix. Delicious food, but more than that, we had fantastic service even at the end of the day when everyone was ready to go home. The entry door is a little off-putting, you do have to buzz to be let in, but it is totally worth it. A good one selection a nice menu and fantastic cannoli. Definitely worth a look if you are in the Sandusky area
(5)Hil M.
I've had way better Italian than Sortino's. It is too Americanized. Heavy handed on the sweet tomato sauce and the portion sized are ridiculously big. Our experience might have been better if our waitress had not been so busy and could have made recommendations for us. If I were to go there again I would order the angel hair pasta tossed in olive oil. Simple, but the best thing we had.
(2)Christina M.
Although some might say Sortino's is a bit heavy handed with the mafia theme, don't let that deter you from coming to the restaurant. This is a big place that serves up good food with friendly service, and it was a welcome rest after a long day hanging out at Cedar Point. The night my husband and I went seemed to cater to retired folks and locals. However, it was a pleasant experience even as a young tourist, and I liked that they have both indoor and outdoor seating options, with a huge lot for parking. The bread and salad that came with the meal was yummy. I enjoyed my ravioli, which was flavorful and tasted homemade. I can't stand it when you order ravioli from a place and it taste like the frozen stuff you can get at the supermarket. This was not the case here. The girls who work here are friendly and offer really quick and attentive service. The owner made it a point to greet everyone who sat down at his restaurant, which was kind of cool too.
(4)G. T.
Sortino's is amazing!!! I felt at home. Finally I was able to eat authentic Italian food. I came in Sandusky in October, and my wife was looking for an Italian restaurant. She made the best decision ever!!! Not only the food is amazing, but also the atmosphere is really nice. They show you how much they care for their costumers with personal attention. We decide to come back in Sandusky for a couple of days mostly because we wanted to eat great Italian food.
(5)Jonathan B.
Wednesday evening 7:30 slow service. It's 8:28 pm and we are still waiting for dinner to arrive! The salad was good and I recommend the celery seed dressing. Dinner has just arrived....the portions are HUGE! Have to say it looks impressive I just hope it's not my hunger making it seem so delicious. Had the chicken park. The pasta was cooked perfect but the sauce lacked everything. No flavor at all very very bland. Reminded me of hunts tomato sauce that you buy at the grocery store. Meh. Not worth the cost that is for certain. I hate giving bad reviews but honestly I don't have much good to say here.
(3)Travis U.
I hoped to review their food. Unfortunately, their hours are wrong on their website. It says they close at 12:00, we showed up at 10:53 and were told they were closed. For service, they fail miserably and that's all I can review based on.
(1)Bex C.
Visiting from Texas, saw this place on Yelp, and it was the best choice ever. Food was amazingly delicious and it was a large amount of food as well. A must go! I haven't had good Italian in a really long time! Very nice people and a great atmosphere.
(4)Eric C.
This place is way too cheezy for me, and the food isn't anything special. Even so, it's way better than Olive Garden. If you're going to consider Olive Garden, please come here. Anyhoo... The atmosphere plays on way too much fake gangster crap. The logo steals from the Soprano's, the place is filled with pictures and memorabilia of various mob movies, and there's just a lot of tacky Italian stuff that just rubs me the wrong way. That aside, service is fine and they took care of us. They even made a special plate of gluten free pasta for my mom. I give them 1 star for the theme/appearance, but 5 stars for the hospitality. As far as the bar goes.... it's not really a drinker's paradise. The house wine is fine--it's standard generic Italian table wine. The kind of stuff Italian grandparents used to make in the basement (which I actually enjoy a lot). The price for the wine is fine if you're eating in--it's not a good take-out price. The bar itself doesn't have much in the way of mid and top shelf items and the staff really didn't seem to know much about the booze. It wasn't a huge deal though as I was able to walk up to the bar and figure out the best option for whiskey (Gentleman Jack, in this case). The limoncello was great and they make it in-house. The food was bland. Texture wise, everything seemed good, it was just lacking basic things like salt. Although, I did enjoy the giant meatballs--they tasted great. The pasta seems like average dried pasta, but it was cooked perfectly. Although, something I ate gave me amazing farts. My wife got in on the fart action too. It was a non-stop symphony of gas into the next morning. Farts are funny, and I laughed a lot that night, but it would have caused problems if we didn't spend the rest of the night in our house. Overall, it wasn't horrible, but the atmosphere really irked me and the food just didn't do anything for me. It's better than Olive Garden, but it's not something I want to seek out on a regular basis. That being said, I see a lot of people do like it. If you dig on this sort of atmosphere and you like large bowls of pasta, hit this place up.
(2)Ally E.
Everything on the menu is phenomenal! My favorite is the veal parm. I also love the homemade celery seed dressing and wedding soup. I don't think you can go wrong with anything on this menu! Also try dessert, tiramisu or cannoli!
(5)Carrie H.
We wanted to try a local restaurant and decided on this one. We were a little concerned walking into it if kids were welcome - they indeed are and there's a kids menu. Food was amazing. Portions were large. Atmosphere is laid back and fun. Service was good and friendly. If we ever return to Sandusky, this will be our go to pick.
(5)Blane T.
Easily the best Italian food that I have had in my life. Between the satirical feel of a "mobster" owned restaurant, extremely friendly service, and a menu that will not disappoint this gem is a guaranteed stop whenever I am in Sandusky.
(5)Chad F.
I have always enjoyed this place the atmosphere is welcoming and always enjoyable! A must visit anytime you are in town
(5)Brent C.
Love the ceiling fans run by belts, the tin ceilings, and the Godfather in the basement is awesome. Really neat atmosphere. Huge portions. Great desserts. Very good service. Great place for a family.
(4)Joe H.
It was good. Was there for a business/social dinner. The menu was fixed for the group, so I couldn't pick. However, the food I had was very, very good. We were in the basement, which was quite fun, especially watching who was going in/out of the ladies' restroom (inside joke, you have to be there to appreciate). Service was good and friendly. I plan to go back there and dine in the 'regular' dining room if I get the opportunity ...it's definitely worth repeat business.
(3)JM R.
Our family of 5 stayed at Kalahari for a long weekend and we wanted to get a way for a nice dinner. We were happy with this choice! The service was outstanding and the food was delicious! We first ordered calamari for an appetizer, which came with capers and peppers. My husband had the regular size lake perch dinner. We could've easily split the fish, there was so much. So you may want to consider getting petite size. I had eggplant parm appetizer, which was huge. It wasn't my favorite eggplant parm, but still very good. The kids ordered kids meals. This is where my only complaint would be. Their meals were $6 each and didn't come with fries, sides or drinks. So it started adding up with drinks and fries. Other than that, we really liked it and will definitely go back if we are in the area.
(4)Colleen M.
Average Italian fare at best. I'm not sure what I missed that other reviewers experienced but the food we ate tonight was nothing spectacular. The service was great, we were seated as soon as we were buzzed into the unassuming entrance. We ordered cheese ravioli and the pasta diavolo which both came with the worst side salad I've literally ever eaten. It was a plate full of white iceberg lettuce with a piece of meat on top. I'm vegetarian so that was a little off putting. Our meals came in a timely manner but we realized our cheese ravioli was covered in meat sauce. Again, being vegetarian this was completely disgusting and surprising considering we thought we had ordered a meat-free dish. Our server quickly brought out a new plate of raviloi with a plain sauce which was appreciated. Once our meals were correct they weren't bad but definitely not better than average. We live in Philadelphia where Italian food is stellar so reading these five star reviews I was expecting a different caliber of Italian food. Perhaps for Sandusky this is top notch, but I was disappointed.
(2)James A.
Great place to come have dinner and a drink. George, the owner has wonderful hospitality and always makes you feel right at home. Food is excellent, the full bar is excellent, and the Sortino brand wines are stellar!! You will love it here!
(5)Hope M.
A hidden treasure just down the road from the Cedar Point entrance. Great atmosphere, like an old speakeasy. Food and service outstanding. Chicken limone out of this world! Save room for a cannoli for dessert.
(5)Karen H.
The best part of the experience was the teenaged waitress. Walked in at 7:00 or so. Got the last table. Food..... 2 meals were good, 2 were so-so and one was downright awful. I have never waited so long to get food. The apparent regulars that got seated while we eating our salads got their dinners before us. They either favor the regulars or the more senior waitresses. It was painfully obvious that our lovely little teenaged server was embarrassed. I felt so bad for her I couldn't complain. The older gentlemen greeting regulars avoided us like the plague. We are your typical middle class family consisting of 2 parents and 3 young adult children. Our server brought out 5 cannolies on the house to apologize for the long wait for food. Kudos to that young lady. She is the only bright spot in the place! We usually go to Danny Boys but my middle son wanted to try somewhere new. You will see me at Danny Boys this week. I'd go to Olive Garden before this place.
(2)Lester A.
Leave the gun, take the cannoli! This place has the best dessert this side of Lake Erie! Don't forget to being your jacket if you visit in January. Great selection of spirits and wine... But don't come looking for the cheap stuff... Fuh get dah bout it!
(4)Amanda L.
Terrible. We had a party of 10-12 people on 11/1/11. Service was incredibly slow. Our dinners took over 2 hours to arrive and when they finally did you could tell they had been sitting under the warmer. Other meals were actually cold. In addition, from start to finish, it took about 20 minutes for all the members of our party to receive their meals! Finally, when we asked the server what the problem was the manager came over and informed us that the Tuesday night cook was the problem but if we were willing to come back she'd comp a drink for us...how nice. A free drink isn't enough to get my business again.
(1)Peter S.
My wife and kids wanted a local Italian Ristorante and this was the place. You must buzz in to the Sortino's Club. Service was fantastic! Wine selection was great and very well priced. The Arancini Balls and Calamari were excellent! We met the owner, "George", who was just a delight/friendly down to earth Sandusky, OH guy to talk to. They have a "Children's Meal" menu, for those family events, but plenty to choose for everyone from the main menu. The atmosphere was casual and an at home feeling. Food was prepared well and tasted excellent. The fresh cut French Fries made me feel like a kid again! The Chicken Limone and Angel Hair with fresh tomatoes/olives/basil was awesome! Their brand name "Sortino's" wine was well balanced, and we took a bottle home to go!. This is a must "return" if you like true Italian! You must check out the "Godfather Board Room" in the basement!
(5)Jen M.
This was my second time at Sortino's. I just love the Soprano's-esque atmosphere and food. This time I ordered the side salad with the house celery seed dressing (weird pink color) but great flavor. Generous portion for a side salad. The I got the Mama's Big Ass 6-cheese ravioli with the tomato oregano sauce. Those raviolis were big ass! I asked for extra sauce on the side and they actually gave me meat sauce. I am not normally a meat sauce kind of girl but I thought it was WAY better than the tomato sauce. I found the tomato sauce to be under seasoned. We ordered the Italian chips as an appetizer and they were greasy and loaded with garlic. I think I will skip those next time. Always fast service (maybe too fast because the food piled up way too quickly on our table before we had a chance to enjoy each course) so that is my only dig. Owner makes his rounds to ensure you are loving every minute of it. Mangia!
(4)L B.
This one is our favorite. A fun atmosphere, good service and the food is excellent. And the prices are very reasonable. The owner is there and adds to the fun. Having been there many times, I can't recommend highly enough.
(5)