“Ciccia Osteria is a gem of authentic Italian cuisine in the heart of Barrio Logan. The chefs, Mario and Francesca, use recipes from Northern Italy and pair them with exquisite wines. They even bake their own panettone, a traditional Christmas cake. The restaurant has a cozy and charming atmosphere, with food made with love. However, parking can be tricky, so I recommend taking an Uber. They accept walk-ins, but make sure to dress warmly in winter, as they only have patio dining.The menu has a variety of dishes to suit every taste, but my personal favorite is the mushroom flan. It is creamy, savory, and simply delicious. I also enjoyed the milanese veal, which was tender and crispy. The smoky old-fashioned cocktail and the roccotta olive oil spread for the fresh bread were also amazing. And of course, I could not resist their lasagne, which was rich and satisfying.Ciccia Osteria is my new go-to place for Italian food in San Diego. I can’t wait to go back and try more of their dishes. If you are looking for a genuine and delightful Italian experience, you should definitely check it out.Ciccia Osteria has earned a Bib Gourmand designation from the Michelin Guide. This means that it offers good quality and good value cooking, which is rare to find these days.Parking: Take an UberWheelchair accessibility: Ease first floor.“
“We had a reservation, we ordered an appetizer, pizza and salad, all came out at the same time quite quickly, and while they were very attentive to our table we felt like we were being kicked out around the 1 hour mark so it was not as relaxing or paced out as we typically prefer. Great bread, pesto and marinara! Good burrata and pizza for 2, would recommend!“
“Visited this spot first night in San Diego, my girlfriend and I were seated right away on a Monday night. The ambience gives a modern vibe with chill and slow r&b/classy music. Our server checked in with us multiple times while another server made sure our cups were never empty or close to empty. Customer service A+. When I read the other reviews I expected the food to live up to the hype of the reviews people left, and the food did not disappoint one bit. Authentic Italian food is the perfect way to describe the food. The diavola pizza was spicy, cheese and tomato sauce was cooked perfect, crust and border was light and crisp, salame was tasteful, 10/10. For the calamari and shrimp, they were fried lightly and rated fresh. I would say the marinara different from most places, I don't really know how to describe it but I would prefer other marinaras at other Italian restaurants. For the penne cremosa, I enjoyed the penne pasta itself as it was not too flimsy or soft, instead the penne noodles were a little more rough. The white cream sauce was not over cooked, not too creamy, just right. However, there is a lot of mushroom in the dish so if you are not big on mushroom it will be a bit overwhelming lol. Not pictured which my girlfriend ordered was the tagliatelle with arrabbiata sauce. I'm not a big red sauce guy, but tasting her pasta I would order that myself. It had a little kick of spice in it and the flavor and seasoning in the sauce was just so appetizing. I would 100% come back to this restaurant and I 100% recommend this restaurant to any new comers and visitors like myself. They definitely deserve 5 stars for not only their authentic food but exceptional customer service.“
“We had reservations and were still seated outside on the patio.... It was windy and chilly. Asked to get our seats changed, but they said no.Food was ok. Bolognese lasagna and burrata caprese appetizer was just ok. Nothing to write home about.I probably won't return.“
“Excellent food. Generous proportions. The ravioli was especially good. Had half and half. Lasagna was other selection. Side salad was very large with a nice variety besides lettuce. Friends each had pizza and they were very pleased with them. One had half of her pizza with clam and garlic and wouldn't choose that again. The other half was especially good.“
“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.“
“Took my husband here for his bday. There was a total of 4 people in my party & everyone loved their food. I deducted a star for atmosphere because we happened to get a table right by the bar entrance & people were whizzing behind us with plates & it seemed like at any moment someone was gonna get smacked in the back of the head with a plate. But other than that it was a great night.“
“Me and my girlfriend had an amazing experience at Concepto Pizza. The sub I ordered was delicious – the flavors were just perfect. It’s not just food; it’s a taste experience that I’d recommend to anyone looking for a great meal. A must-try for sure!“
“Celebrated my birthday on Saturday and truly enjoyed everything about the experience. I ordered a special pasta from Italy with prawns which I hadn't seen on the menu before and was wonderful. The dish was messy because I got into those prawn shells to get every last bite and waiter provided fresh hot towels to clean me up. Love the eggplant appetizer and bread which I get every time. The restaurant gave me an exquisite dessert as a birthday surprise. A lovely meal and my companions enjoyed their meals as well.“
“Second visit - glad we went back! Just as great as the first visit. Had a wonderful time last night during restaurant week. Excellent option!s! We chose the restaurant week menu - one veal, and upgraded one meal to try the seafood special - sea bass. Delicious. Rice ball appetizers and meatballs. The almond tort for dessert was amazing. Service was excellent even though restaurant was full. Food timing perfect and servers were friendly and fun.“
“Wow! My husband and I live nearby, and tonight, we went here for the third time. It has become our Valentine’s Day tradition. Italian food is my favorite and my husband and I have actually traveled to Italy, so we do know good Italian food. I really do think that this place has the best Italian food I’ve had here in SD. Their menu has a ton of options, the prices are very fair, the staff is amazing, and the atmosphere is adorable and charming. My husband and I look forward to going for lunch sometime when his work schedule allows! Don’t miss out on this gem!“
“Ok I don’t write reviews for local places because I am on the run all the time. HOWEVER, when something blows me away I like to promote them. OMG the gnocchi bread amazingness is unbelievable! I have had gnocchi before even in Italy but severed in a bread bowl OMFG that is amazing. The vibe is trendy low key. I think this is my new favorite restaurant in San Diego! P.S. wife had sushi and said it was delicious (I hate fish so no idea there but she likes it for reasons unknown to me?). Perfect date night or couples who have different palates. Just a great place you should go!“
“Wow heard about Alexander's and went there after my wife's Art on 30th show. Unbelievable italian and we will be going back frequently. None of our meals weren’t anything but fantastic! Now parking is another thing - uber if you can.“
“Traveling from out of state and found this lovely small owned restaurant. Wonderful customer service, good is all cooked fresh and it’s such a welcoming environment! Definitely recommendParking: Lots of parking spots!Kid-friendliness: Has a highchair, very interactive with them“
“Great food, great people, great restaurant. Here is the best Italian food and vibe you can get in San Diego County. I recommend this place to anyone who will listen. This might be the only true New York/New Jersey-esque Italian restaurant in Southern California. It's the kind of place you want your Italian restaurant to be. It's the kind of place you'll feel glad to bring a first date, or your grandma, or a friend from out of town.Pietro's even catered my rehearsal dinner and it was a real hit. Can't recommend this place higher!“
“This is one of the cutest little restaurants I have been to in a while. The owner is so friendly and kind and made the experience of dining in 10 times more enjoyable. We got the Milano pizza and Lucca’s salad and it was absolutely divine. The pizza crust was the perfect ration of a crispy exterior and soft inside. The salad was lightly dressed with clean, fresh, ingredients which was really refreshing. We drove over 20 minutes to try this adorable restaurant and I am extremely glad that we did. I cannot wait to be dining here in the future.“
“Food is very flavorful. We ordered a salad that was freshly chopped with crunchy vegetables and great salad dressing. The cheesebread was perfectly crispy and packed with cheezy flavor! P-I-Z-Z-A was heaven! So good! We saw some pasta dishes being brought out and can't wait to come back and try it!I would have given an all over 5 stars, as the reatuarant is super clean & nice, but some kind of music/TV would add just the right touch.Bravo!“
“As always, Giardino doesn't disappoint! We had a family meal with 8 of us and everyone loved every bite. Tuesday Chilean sea bass is delicate and melts in your mouth, the braised short ribs are perfect and tender, the calamari is top notch but my favorite appetizer is the sausage. It's soooo yum! Let's not forget dessert, the tiramisu is house made and delectable and the pistachio cake is indulgent and delicious! The staff is quick, friendly, and really the vibe is feeling as if you're with family. The owner is a treasure and really wants to ensure you're enjoying your meal and accepts all feedback. Don't hesitate to try this restaurant!!“
“A clean, pleasant place with excellent dishes. I am a frequent customer, of everything we have consumed I can only give good references. I think that if you are looking for a nice place with good dishes at reasonable prices, Italgo is the perfect restaurant.“
“Hannah's Gourmet in San Diego, California, deserves a solid 5 stars! Their vanilla lattes are superb, striking a perfect balance of coffee and vanilla. The green chilaquiles are an absolute delight—crispy tortilla chips, vibrant green sauce, and fresh ingredients create an unforgettable Mexican-inspired experience. The cozy ambiance and attentive staff complete the fantastic dining experience. Don't miss it for an authentic culinary journey!“
“Michelle, our server was super cool and suggested dishes that tuened out to be delicious. We ordered the classic Benedict’s, ricotta corn cakes (gf), and sausage & eggs. Overall, a positive dining experience with friendly service and tasty food.“
“ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! Food was delicious , service was just perfect, and everything was so clean. The Botani family will make you feel like your apart of the family. They even have halal pepperoni and sausage which i loveeee!! They are very respectful and polite, i have no complaints. I will definitely come back!!“
“Best pizza in southern California bar none. The Alfredo pizzas are amazing, so are the deluxe and Mexican pizzas. I ordered an Alfredo special pizza with eggplant parmesan, which they were glad to do and it was super delicious. THE best pizza joint I've ever been to, highly recommended.“
“My wife and I used to go there on occasion with my in-laws when we lived in Lakeside. We now live in Texas but were back in S.D. on business and we decided to go there as my wife and I had been craving their delicious food. As usual our meals were GREAT and the servings are so generous we all went home with doggie bags. It's meals like these that make us miss S.D. even more. Pasquale is the owner and never fails to say hello and thank us for coming which is always nice of him.Thank you Pasquale and your great food and fine Italian Restaurant. See you next time were in S.D.“
“This place is good food at a good price served by good people. Bring your family enjoy the food and tip well they deserve it. The only reason I gave them less than five stars all the way down is because, sure there are places with better food. But they're not trying to be fine dining, they're a family restaurant who makes great food. The Camholts chicken sandwich is my new favorite, it's just the right amount of tender chicken meat topped with bacon and basically a salad between two halves of a toasted sesame torpedo roll... Mmmmm yummy!“
Pizza • $$
“We LOVE coming here. We reserve a table every week and always have the most amazing time, especially when Juan is our server. He is, by far, the best of the best. He makes us feel like valued guests and goes above and beyond to ensure we are well taken care of. The food and the comfort here is such a a blessing to our community. We're so happy for this location and will be loyal patrons for years to come.“
“Drove by this place dozens of times and never thought anything. I then came across great reviews online from a san diego food page so decided to try it out. Ordered a small “works” which comes with pepperoni, mushrooms, sausage, and onions. Picked up the pizza and drove under 10 mins to get home. The pizza was hot and fresh with tons of flavor. I really didn’t need to use the cheese and peppers that I received on the side as every bite burst with flavor. The dough has great taste and a nice crunch. Sauce and all ingredients used hit the mark. I will recommend and also be back to try a different pizza!!“
“This is STRICTLY about the food. As a pizza connoisseur hailing from the nyc/nj area. I can say the best description for this pizza is a cross between Costco and Chuckie Cheese. Not bad just nothing to rave about. It's like you buy it to Shut your kids up about pizza, not because you're craving it and want it yourself. The Garlic bread was also an interesting take. It was just buttered toast not the traditional Italian bread you'd expect as an actual Italian pizza spot.Sincerely an East Coast Pizza Connoisseur.“
“Great food, efficient service. Worth the stop for pizza or sandwiches. Excellent Gyro Plate. The fries are hot n crispy, the meat tender, the soft roll stuffed full of lettuce, tomato and a creamy dill sauce. The wait was not overly long as busy as they were.“
“Impeccable service. I love this place for date night & I always recommend it to friends and family for a nice night out. Last time I was here I got the lamb shank (incredible). Honorable mention to Tony who helped me with a special occasion!“
“2 weeks ago had eggplant parm. Amazing. Today had manicotti. Gooey inside and crispy top. Good Shared mushrooms and garlic bread appetizer. Enough for 6 people. Carole was very attentive and fun, again. Sooo much food in dinner portions. Even lunch specials have some leftovers!“
“The food is phenomenal. The service is wonderful. The marinara made me sing Puccini and the alfredo made me weep like Pagliacci. The garlic bread alone is why San Diego doesn't have any vampires. Please do yourself a favor and eat here. At least weekly.“
“This restaurant was a perfectly cozy place to bring our extended family (including two toddlers) to during the Thanksgiving weekend. Reservations were easy to make, the waiter was knowledgeable, prompt, and kind, and the food was delicious from appetizers to their spritzes and main course. Parking was easy, the restrooms were clean and we left happily full and well-served within 90 minutes, which is pretty awesome for a full restaurant!“
“Great food. I used to live in Chicago near the original one, and this certainly compares. I must also say they have really great happy hour specials to keep from breaking the bank. I've been here several times, and their only real weakness is the service. They definitely have California vibes on the front. Sometimes it's been very bad, but sometimes it's been very good. It just depends on when you go, I guess. Either way, I would recommend grabbing an Italian beef or pizza at this place for sure.“
“We are becoming regulars at this place! We’re from Chicago so it’s so nice to have lefties here in San Diego. We usually get the Chicago stuffed pizza. Their Italian beefs are great. I also like the onion rings and fried mushrooms. Love the Chicago memorabilia all over the restaurant, has a really nice atmosphere and outdoor seating area, and the employees are always friendly and helpful Lauren comes by and says hi. She owns the place she’s there every day doing quality control you can’t go wrong with Lefty’s.“
“Comfortable and pleasant dining area, courteous staff. Pizza is delicious! It has a tasty crust, fresh ingredients.They do not offer pizza by the slice, so I ordered the Rolling Hills as a 12” thinking I would eat some there and take the rest home. I ended up eating the whole pie, it was great!“
“Pros: Customer service was great, even got a history of the restaurant from the son of the founder, who came over from Naples and started the restaurant 50 years ago. The pizzas were great. Authentic italian. Cons: (2) two topping, large pizzas were $50. Felt like that was a bit much.“
“Food is really great but yeah service was slow. My daughter had the seafood spaghetti, my husband had the lasagna, i had the build your own pesto pasta. Their pesto pasta was really good. The dried tomatoes on it was so good. Pesto sauce was creamy. I had shrimp and meatballs on it. Chicken and shrimp would have been better. The build your own pasta is good for two especially if you're having 2 kinds of meat. Their meatballs was big and good, that would be great with the spaghetti not pesto.“
“The BEST pizza in town. Was going to snap a photo of the pizza I ordered but it was too good not to eat in the moment. Ordered a half pesto half margarita pizza and it was amazing. Pizza was thin, crust had the perfect crunch, and the best part was that it wasn’t greasy and you feel light after eating it.“
“My kids love coming here! We go very often and the food is good they prices are reasonable and not too expensive. The service has always been very quick for us and we usually have a party of 7-8 people. The waitress takes good care of you and is very attentive to their clients. They have an arcade and also a pool tables are available. It’s fun for the kids and adults.“
“Great place, great service. Daryle was my server very friendly and pleasant. I would highly recommend it. Especially the desserts. If I come back to El Cajon, I will come back to this restaurant.I had a salad with house made italian dressing. Very delicious.I ordered the 3 special dish, chicken parmesan, and beef ravioli. Great serving size, I couldn't finish because I wanted dessert.I had frittole with maple syrup. Wow, definitely the best for last.“
“Excellent espresso, excellent everything. The woodfire Italian pizzas are a must, especially during their happy hour. Very friendly and welcoming staff. They carry one of our favorite Italian beers there, Peroni. Love this place so damn much.“
“Sorry it’s been a while since I’ve posted about a cool and unique or super good place Do you like old school delis that are super freaking good? Do you like not spending an arm and a leg for a meal in and around San Diego. If you’re like me then you need some BMH in your life!!!Had the Baja Spice today!As always on the Portnoy Scale of Sangweech I dub the Baja Spice a solid 8.3 !!!Literally everything I needed in my life today!!! Unfortunately I neglected to take a pic of the Sando. Luckily I’ll be back soon!Amazing experience like always!“
“Smells like heaven in there. My nostrils were asulted with the smell as soon as I walked in that building. The staff are all chillers, and that lasagna was soo good! I wished we had dined in because the atmosphere was simply pleasant. I want more. It's worth it for the price.“