Bello Cucina

15 E Minnesota St, St Joseph
(320) 363-4534

Recent Reviews

Benjamin D.

We were just there tonight 4-13-24, the food was good but the service was probably the worst I've ever experienced. We got sat at a table and it took at least 45 minutes for the waitress to serve us but we had to flag another waitress down to let her know we weren't get anything. I had to go to the bar and order my drinks and sat back down .Sat back in our booth waiting to be served. The server really wasn't having it because she did get chastised from my wife about poor service. Long story short I'm 50 and been too many restaurants and this was the poorest service we've ever received. Unfortunately we will be going to Olive Garden

Mike Henning

First time here and the food was amazing. Server was friendly and the food arrived hot, fresh and fast. We will add this to our rotation of locally owned places to dine.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

M Evenson

Staff not attentive when calling in a take out order. Their menu states they have gluten free options but got severely sick after ordering and clearly eating the takeout container labeled gluten free. Unfortunately, not a trusted restaurant for those individuals who are gluten free/celiac.

Michael Horgen

Disappointing! Pointed out all concerns in a nice and polite manner to assist, not to harm, but to improve and offer some constructive, honest feedback. The owner was upset and responded by insinuating I was a Political-Hack Democrat and was simply attacking him based upon my unknown political affiliation. (Not a Dem, BTW!)We all want the best, and I'm sure the Owner is a proud, strong, and dedicated person with talent and an awesome opportunity to share these talents within the community. What he doesn't seem to grasp or care about is the honesty and professional manner in which the review was given.It was my parents' 59th wedding anniversary and my birthday celebration that night. My parents are hard-core Democrats and absolutely LOVE this place, obviously not politically motivated. I, however, have worked and voted for both Dem. and Rep. President's during my Federal Govt. career here in DC. I'm also a service-connected disabled veteran. (Suggesting I unquestionably love my country). All President's are country-loving, honorable, and giving people.I'm a supporter of local businesses rather than national chain restaurants. So, whether you're a Dem., Ind. or Rep, this has nothing to do with the food!After some research, I've come to learn that there have been some past partisan issues with signage of one-sided political campaigns. I never attacked his restaurant based upon a political agenda, only the actual delivered food to our table. Now, I will add that my mother's meal was outstanding, and I recommended it on the original review. Balanced, if you will. So my folks know the Owners' political affiliation, and as they are hard-core Democrats they LOVE this place and frequent it often! 2 of the 3 meals were bad. My folks eat there 1 to 2 times a month. I've been there maybe 4-5 times over the past few years, and I've had EXCELLENT food in the past. This time, it was poorly executed with little love or attention given to the basics: burned and overcooked meatballs, overcooked, and super dry chicken.To respond with accusations and no facts, in my opinion, is silly, irrational, and doesn't help anyone. Owning my own business in MN for 10 years before moving to DC for work. This owner should know better than to intentionally irritate people while working hard to make a living and support himself and his staff with paying, happy, returning customers. You NEVER EVER attack criticism; rather, thank them for caring enough to send him a message trying to help. Reputation is everything for small business owners.The competition in town (the other nice place to have a fantastic meal) is Krewe. He should be happy for this new business owners' contributions to the local economy and plenty of paid taxes. I don't believe Krewe has an Italian-styled menu choice. It's totally different, and therefore, a non-competing business; simply a different choice and, may I add, more expensive too. But to be honest, their food has always been excellent and amazing at Krewe the 4-5 times I've eaten there since they opened.The Staff at Bello Cucina were busy but at all times were helpful, welcoming, kind, and super polite! MN Nice!In closing, I'll share a Pentagon phrase we use often: BLUF = "Bottom Line Up Front." This restaurant was not up to par with their food. Food also makes a restaurant successful, regardless of poor service or not! The food was very disappointing. If you go; I highly suggest you Tip-toe in and DON'T criticize or suggest anything from your travels, education, local, state, or global experiences you dummies and Dems! UGH!!!

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 2

Recommended dishes: Tiramisu Cheesecake

Cori Tschida

Oh. My. Goodness. I LOVED the food. No salad with your meal, that an extra $5.50, but worth it.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

nate s

I really enjoyed our service, food & that atmosphere last night. It was my first time here in years and i got the all you can eat crab thats currently offered Wednesday 3pm-7:45pm. My wife got the “ Italian Sausage Cannelloni…” She absolutely loved it. I thought the crab legs were not only better than Red Lobster by a ling shot, i was recently on an Alaskan cruise, ate at a famous fresh crab place for a ripoff $75/lb and was satisfied.. however the crab here was delicious, AND, better than what i had in Alaska. It had a very very light smoky fire flavor , wow. 10/10 satisfied. The 2 gals serving us were exceptional. Thank you.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Silvia Ramirez

Nice place, but the food was not very good. I ordered wild mushroom papardelle, and when it came it looked more like a soup than a pasta, the sauce was super salty and the esparagus and the pasta were overcooked. My husband ordered the Rigatoni Tuscany the flavor was very good, the only thing we noticed was that the menu stated it came with goat cheese, but it came with a big ball of butter on top, not sure if that was supposed to be the cheese, but goat cheese has a very particular taste that is hard to miss, so this pasta didn't had any cheese, but the taste was ok, and it was well cooked al dente. The garlic bread was like a rock, we almost couldn't eat it. Then the waitress served the wine without letting us taste it first, which was strange, the sangiovesse wine was very good, but normally we get the opportunity to try it before, just a small detail on the service side... They only had one option of italian red wine. The town is beautiful.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 2

Service: 4

Liz C.

We really enjoyed our meal... great food and great service! Two of us follow a gluten free diet and they were able to provide lots of GF options. We'll definitely be back!

Daniel Gonzalez

Excellent place good job

rich cipala

Very good!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Tim Sweet

1st time there. Great place. Waitress was spot on.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Bob S.

Back again, same great experience. Happy hour with 1/2 price drinks to start. All food choices were excellent. Stuffed mushroom appetizer, spaghetti and meatballs, and tonight's special smoked prime rib. All delicious, same great service as last time. Still worth the drive for us and look forward to out next visit

Chris W.

Ok, so I was VERY on the fence about taking a date here after reading all the reviews here on Yelp. But this was a place she chose and wanted to try. Making the reservation was quick and easy. I also inquired about accommodating a dairy allergy. (Which seemed to me to be a tall order for an Italian joint). The hostess assured me that many selections could be made to order in a way without the dairy. Come the night of the date we were promptly seated. The wait staff was attentive. We did have a bit of a hiccup when mentioning the dairy allergy to the waitress. She didn't think we could be accommodated after all and wasn't sure why we were told that, but was cheerful about it and said she would ask the chef. When she returned she did offer a few dishes that would work. The food was good and came out promptly. The prices were reasonable for what we had. I think the ambience lacks a bit for a date night. Maybe dimmer lights or better separation for the tables? I felt like we were basically on top of the table next to us. Maybe remove one for more space? But overall a pleasant experience. Wouldn't mind going back.

Dad

The food was ok. I had the new york strip steak medium and it was cooked correctly - bland even though covered in onion and mushrooms. Side mashed potato was fine, vegetables were slightly overcooked, bread sticks unremarkable - seamed to be made offsite cooked locally, the Duck wonton was the best part of the meal. My six companions offered similar reviews. Overpriced for the offerings, will not wist again.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 3

Brittany Reuss

Had reservations on NYE for 2 and was seated promptly at 7:30. The restaurant looked to be a relatively slow, yet a cozy intimate atmosphere. We were looking forward to a lovely holiday Italian dinner. However, we were extremely disappointed in the quality of food, service, and overall experience. Waitress (Amanda?) was not attentive nor responsive. It was very clear she did not want to be there. Food was very mediocre (lobster augratin, margarita pizza, Cesar salad, spaghetti and meatballs, and shrimp scampi pasta). Do not recommend, I will not be going back.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 2

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