The food was excellent several years ago when this restaurant was located on 2nd Street in El Cajon. This location must have a different chef. The manicotti was hard and chewy rolled with 2 layers of pasta sheets, with a thick square slice of rubbery cheese on top. My husband’s meatball sandwich was dry and unflavorful. Our friend’s caesar salad had watered down dressing. The atmosphere was fun, though!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 5
Brittney Allen
This place is one of the best kept secrets in Lakeside. I've lived here for over 15 years and never even knew about this place so when I ate here for the first time, I was floored. The food is amazing and feels so fresh. The service is really nice, plus our waiters and waitresses had really good recommendations. The atmosphere is so nice, feels very comfy yet fancy. Highly recommend eating here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kate Nance
Very good! They are always busy because food is so good! Get there early so u don't have to wait for a table!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ashley K.
Waited over a hour for a table. We watched the host skip over our name and sit others before us. Server got my drink order wrong and my friends food order wrong. The restaurant is not like what it used to be to be unfortunately.
Linda Matheny
Yummy seafood marinara! Wonderful service & food. Haven't been here in a year, but food is still fantastic! Pizzas are fantastic also!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rudy Stegmann
Don’t tell anyone about this place. Keep it quiet so we can all still eat thereKid-friendliness: Meatball (the cat) greets all comers from his spot by the door.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Artichoke Ravioli
Tammie DiMarzo
The food and service is great if you don't mind waiting for a table. The decor is nice but it can get loud.
The whole dining experience is always 5"star. The food is delicious.The staff is very friendly and accommodating. The atmosphere is delightful. Overall, I highly recommend Octavio's for a completely wonderful dining experience.
Very flavorful pizza crust, one of the best pizza around. You can get any custom choice pizza you like
Jessica G.
Great food. I don't like clam chowder soup but I love clam chowder soup from this place
John R.
My wife heard about Ottavio's from a friend who raved about their food, service and value for the money. For this Valentine's Day we chose to dine here and Wow! It was some of the best italian food we have ever had and we are definitely going back. Know that they only take reservations for party of six and more and the wait is worth it. Additionally, the service was outstanding and the check for two was very reasonable- gotta love that! If you live in San Diego proper - know it is worth the drive to Lakeside.
Nanny R.
One of my favorites they have a delicious and tasty food (try Cesar's salad is awesome, besides the great service!
Eric Touchet
We bought pizza dough to make wood fire pizza at home. For $5/ea was a fantastic deal & it was packaged easily to get to once we got home to toss, stretch & prep to be cooked on our Weber Grill with the Pizza Oven assembly.
Excellent food Excellent service!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lasagna
The food was excellent several years ago when this restaurant was located on 2nd Street in El Cajon. This location must have a different chef. The manicotti was hard and chewy rolled with 2 layers of pasta sheets, with a thick square slice of rubbery cheese on top. My husband’s meatball sandwich was dry and unflavorful. Our friend’s caesar salad had watered down dressing. The atmosphere was fun, though!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 5
This place is one of the best kept secrets in Lakeside. I've lived here for over 15 years and never even knew about this place so when I ate here for the first time, I was floored. The food is amazing and feels so fresh. The service is really nice, plus our waiters and waitresses had really good recommendations. The atmosphere is so nice, feels very comfy yet fancy. Highly recommend eating here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very good! They are always busy because food is so good! Get there early so u don't have to wait for a table!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Waited over a hour for a table. We watched the host skip over our name and sit others before us. Server got my drink order wrong and my friends food order wrong. The restaurant is not like what it used to be to be unfortunately.
Yummy seafood marinara! Wonderful service & food. Haven't been here in a year, but food is still fantastic! Pizzas are fantastic also!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Don’t tell anyone about this place. Keep it quiet so we can all still eat thereKid-friendliness: Meatball (the cat) greets all comers from his spot by the door.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Artichoke Ravioli
The food and service is great if you don't mind waiting for a table. The decor is nice but it can get loud.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Eggplant Parmigiana, Seafood Chowder, Ravioli, Gnocchi
The whole dining experience is always 5"star. The food is delicious.The staff is very friendly and accommodating. The atmosphere is delightful. Overall, I highly recommend Octavio's for a completely wonderful dining experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Eggplant Parmigiana, Cannoli Dessert, Ravioli
Excellent food but I have had poor service. Also one time I ordered food to go and they kept me on hold so long I drove there( while still on hold).
Restaurantji Recommends
Very flavorful pizza crust, one of the best pizza around. You can get any custom choice pizza you like
Great food. I don't like clam chowder soup but I love clam chowder soup from this place
My wife heard about Ottavio's from a friend who raved about their food, service and value for the money. For this Valentine's Day we chose to dine here and Wow! It was some of the best italian food we have ever had and we are definitely going back. Know that they only take reservations for party of six and more and the wait is worth it. Additionally, the service was outstanding and the check for two was very reasonable- gotta love that! If you live in San Diego proper - know it is worth the drive to Lakeside.
One of my favorites they have a delicious and tasty food (try Cesar's salad is awesome, besides the great service!
We bought pizza dough to make wood fire pizza at home. For $5/ea was a fantastic deal & it was packaged easily to get to once we got home to toss, stretch & prep to be cooked on our Weber Grill with the Pizza Oven assembly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Garlic Bread