Been there many times and pizza always spot on. Pasta dishes were always excellent. Service was never a problem. Sat inside as well as outdoors. It is noisy being the location but this is Manhattan!
Caelan V.
While I was really looking forward to eating here, I have unfortunately never been more disappointed in a restaurant. I booked Lil Frankie's for Valentine's Day this year and my partner and I were let down in every way possible. First, the food was very underwhelming and overpriced. Despite the pasta averaging about $20, it was not handmade, but rather tasted just like store-bought boxed pasta. The pizza was fine, but very small and not at all worth the price. Even more disappointing was the ambiance, as we were stuck at the very back of the restaurant in a small hallway where the lights were flickering and it was so crowded that our food was knocked off the table by someone at the table next to us. To top it all off, our waitress was rude and completely inattentive and only brought us our bill after we asked for it three times. There is absolutely no reason to go to Lil Frankie's, and I will never understand why it is so popular.
Marc G.
My daughter decided I had to check this place out. She said I would love it!! She was so right. Located in Manhattan and easy to get to. Such a cool Italian restaurant. It had a great vibe that was so nice for an Italian restaurant in NYC. They have plenty of seating and take reservations. We started with some Italian bread with Olives that they bring out when you are checking the menu. Server had our glasses of Vino in no time. For appetizers we ordered some cheesy garlic bread and a shareable Caesar salad. So good. Menu has so many options for the pasta lover. All made in house. We ordered the Mussels Linguini with marinara my favorite and Lemon Pasta. Both were large portions and very tasty. They also had Steaks available as well as chicken parmigiana. For pizza lovers they have some of the best brick oven pizzas. To keep the prices down they are cash only. Perfect for someone who wants to save some money and leave full:) I will definitely be back. If you are around come check them out. Open until 2am as well. Enjoy!
D Scott
Can't beat this for a late night pasta and wine craving.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Scott Laine
We walked into Lil' Frankie's, having not been for a few years, and we are SO glad we returned. For many years, it was our go-to for weekend lunches, pizza with our daughter, and late-night dinners with friends.This particular Saturday at 7 pm, the joint was already jumping. There are various rooms at Lil' Frankie's; your experience might differ depending on where you sit. Everyone enters adjacent to the bar, which, if memory serves, is first come, first serve. Adjacent to the bar is the main dining room with seats in the hall and the back; Frank would put tables on the ceiling if he could figure out how. Through an adjacent door is the Pizza oven room with a few large booths and some other tables, and then you enter "the back," which is a long and narrow seating area with an outside patio. Don't worry; it doesn't matter where you sit; you are here for the food.We ordered a bottle of wine ASAP (Gavi, a dry Italian) and the fried calamari. It was exceptional; I might even go so far as to say the Calimari alone is worth the trip. Crisp and crunch with a soft, delicate interior is difficult to achieve with squid. The tomato sauce is tangy with just the right sweetness, and suffice it to say, a huge hit is our table.Not wanting to mess around, we filled the table. Two chicken parmigiana, a spaghetti limone and a pizza prosciutto Di Parma w/ agugala. On the side, we had the Spinach al Forno and some steamed broccoli (which was a little soggy). Otherwise, everything was exceptional, and we loved every bite.Make reservations as soon as possible and make them often. Don't forget because you will be the one who loses out.
Ambience was amazing love lil frankie's will definitely be going back, 10/10 recommend this if you are in the east village
Bob Zen
Overall, the food was very good - would likely dine here again if looking for a relatively affordable Italian meal made with fresh ingredients.Food: We ordered the bruschetta starter and then for mains: gnocchi with spinach special and the margherita pizza. Bruschetta and pizza were fine (the pizza was neapolitan style), but the gnocchi was the stand out of the two dishes. The pasta was fresh and it was complemented by the great tomato sauce. Would definitely recommend having the gnocchi if you stop by.Service: Great - the staff was attentive and kind.Atmosphere: Wasn't too loud and we had an earlier seating, but the lights were too low in our section. I think some better lighting (even slightly) would have improved the atmosphere where we were.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gnocchi
Carolin Bednarz
Spaghetti Limone from out of this world ??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stephen Clouse
I love this restaurant, but I ate here last night and my rigatoni was basically uncooked. It was really, really bad. I should have said something at the restaurant but it was disgusting. Service was great and not the waiters fault at all.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Wendy Z.
Idk what I was expecting when I ordered the lemon pasta and it was literally lemon juice and parm cheese. It was definitely overhyped and I woulda just ordered lemonade. Service was a bit slow too
Been there many times and pizza always spot on. Pasta dishes were always excellent. Service was never a problem. Sat inside as well as outdoors. It is noisy being the location but this is Manhattan!
While I was really looking forward to eating here, I have unfortunately never been more disappointed in a restaurant. I booked Lil Frankie's for Valentine's Day this year and my partner and I were let down in every way possible. First, the food was very underwhelming and overpriced. Despite the pasta averaging about $20, it was not handmade, but rather tasted just like store-bought boxed pasta. The pizza was fine, but very small and not at all worth the price. Even more disappointing was the ambiance, as we were stuck at the very back of the restaurant in a small hallway where the lights were flickering and it was so crowded that our food was knocked off the table by someone at the table next to us. To top it all off, our waitress was rude and completely inattentive and only brought us our bill after we asked for it three times. There is absolutely no reason to go to Lil Frankie's, and I will never understand why it is so popular.
My daughter decided I had to check this place out. She said I would love it!! She was so right. Located in Manhattan and easy to get to. Such a cool Italian restaurant. It had a great vibe that was so nice for an Italian restaurant in NYC. They have plenty of seating and take reservations. We started with some Italian bread with Olives that they bring out when you are checking the menu. Server had our glasses of Vino in no time. For appetizers we ordered some cheesy garlic bread and a shareable Caesar salad. So good. Menu has so many options for the pasta lover. All made in house. We ordered the Mussels Linguini with marinara my favorite and Lemon Pasta. Both were large portions and very tasty. They also had Steaks available as well as chicken parmigiana. For pizza lovers they have some of the best brick oven pizzas. To keep the prices down they are cash only. Perfect for someone who wants to save some money and leave full:) I will definitely be back. If you are around come check them out. Open until 2am as well. Enjoy!
Can't beat this for a late night pasta and wine craving.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
We walked into Lil' Frankie's, having not been for a few years, and we are SO glad we returned. For many years, it was our go-to for weekend lunches, pizza with our daughter, and late-night dinners with friends.This particular Saturday at 7 pm, the joint was already jumping. There are various rooms at Lil' Frankie's; your experience might differ depending on where you sit. Everyone enters adjacent to the bar, which, if memory serves, is first come, first serve. Adjacent to the bar is the main dining room with seats in the hall and the back; Frank would put tables on the ceiling if he could figure out how. Through an adjacent door is the Pizza oven room with a few large booths and some other tables, and then you enter "the back," which is a long and narrow seating area with an outside patio. Don't worry; it doesn't matter where you sit; you are here for the food.We ordered a bottle of wine ASAP (Gavi, a dry Italian) and the fried calamari. It was exceptional; I might even go so far as to say the Calimari alone is worth the trip. Crisp and crunch with a soft, delicate interior is difficult to achieve with squid. The tomato sauce is tangy with just the right sweetness, and suffice it to say, a huge hit is our table.Not wanting to mess around, we filled the table. Two chicken parmigiana, a spaghetti limone and a pizza prosciutto Di Parma w/ agugala. On the side, we had the Spinach al Forno and some steamed broccoli (which was a little soggy). Otherwise, everything was exceptional, and we loved every bite.Make reservations as soon as possible and make them often. Don't forget because you will be the one who loses out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spaghetti Limone, Prosciutto Pizza, Chicken Parmigiana, Fried Calamari
Ambience was amazing love lil frankie's will definitely be going back, 10/10 recommend this if you are in the east village
Overall, the food was very good - would likely dine here again if looking for a relatively affordable Italian meal made with fresh ingredients.Food: We ordered the bruschetta starter and then for mains: gnocchi with spinach special and the margherita pizza. Bruschetta and pizza were fine (the pizza was neapolitan style), but the gnocchi was the stand out of the two dishes. The pasta was fresh and it was complemented by the great tomato sauce. Would definitely recommend having the gnocchi if you stop by.Service: Great - the staff was attentive and kind.Atmosphere: Wasn't too loud and we had an earlier seating, but the lights were too low in our section. I think some better lighting (even slightly) would have improved the atmosphere where we were.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gnocchi
Spaghetti Limone from out of this world ??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I love this restaurant, but I ate here last night and my rigatoni was basically uncooked. It was really, really bad. I should have said something at the restaurant but it was disgusting. Service was great and not the waiters fault at all.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Idk what I was expecting when I ordered the lemon pasta and it was literally lemon juice and parm cheese. It was definitely overhyped and I woulda just ordered lemonade. Service was a bit slow too
Restaurantji Recommends
Pizza Diavolo, roasted eggplant, late kitchen...dates, friends from out of town, your homies...doesn't matter, make it your HQ
The staff are literal angels! All the food is great (pizza, pasta and spinach) but the WHIPPED CREAM is to die for. Love you guys <3
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good food but just okay service. Not crazy about the 20% forced tip at a cash only location either. Have to earn the tip, shouldn’t be guaranteed.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 2
This place is mediocre at best. $25 for what may have been the blandest ravioli I’ve ever had and there were 4 pieces of ravioli in the dish.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
Amazing....
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5