Casa Dora Italian Cafe
| Address: | 108 E Forsyth St, Jacksonville, FL 32202, USA |
| Phone: | +1 904-356-8282 |
| Rating: | 4.3 |
| Working: | 10:30AM–9:30PM 10:30AM–9:30PM 10:30AM–9:30PM 10:30AM–9:30PM 10:30AM–9:30PM 4–10PM Closed |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 9
AN
Andrew Mann
Ok. So, let me start off with saying that the last time I went here was in 2012. So, dont necessarily take my experience in account for how service and food is now. But, as an experienced and current server, I have some experience in restaurant service. Any how, my boyfriend and I were walking around downtown Jax and decided to stop and eat dinner early because we were very hungry. Casa Dora was the closest place to us and wet both love Italian food and my he loves pizza (he is 50% Italian). At the time we stopped in, around 3 p.m. they werent too busy in house. However, its possible they had multiple delivery orders. I know Im going on and on, I apologize. So, my whole point is that service was very slow. It took a long time to be seated. A very long time to get our drinks. I was getting upset that they hadnt taken our order, let alone brought our drinks. So, me being hangry, said something to the waitress. And since Im a waitress I know that what I said couldve been a bit nicer. But, I was hangry. Also, though as a waitress I know customers are always right. If youve ever been here, you know that you can see them cook your food from where you sit. Well, the cook dropped our pizza dough on the floor and picked it back up and used it to make our pizza. But, my boyfriend didnt tell me because for one I was so hungry he didnt want me to not eat, and for two he didnt want me to make a scene and embarrass him. I couldnt figure out why he took one bite, gagged and then said he wasnt hungry anymore. Lovely. It took him a couple of weeks to tell me what had happened and when he did, I thought he was breaking up with me the way he started off. Lol. So, there, thats my experience at the house of Dora. Hopefully that was an isolated incident. I will add that the atmosphere is cozy and the food looks delicious and authentic Italian.
A
A Private User
This place is a keeper! Reasonably priced, Absolutely great food. We had a group of (4) with each having something different on the menu. We all agreed it was very good to exceptional. The wine selection is mediocre but adequate, The service was (6) star!!! The owner kept asking if everything was good and there were a few item requests made regarding the table bread and one of our party couldnt have cheese so the owner went back and baked some more fresh bread with no cheese. I wasnt sure about the wine I was thinking about so he opened a bottle for a "taste". I and my wife thought it was a little too sweet for our liking so he went to the wine storage to find something else. Again, he opened a bottle and gave us a taste, which we then enjoyed and purchased. One of our party wanted something a little different in the preparation of their meal and he made note of it and made the change. Would I recommend this place... if they had a larger wine selection I would have given them a (5) star rating. everything else definitely was! Dont let the reasonable price steer you to one much more expensive. Go here!
CR
Craig Froehle
We ate dinner at Casa Dora while in town for a conference last week. It was a very authentic, owner-run Italian restaurant. Everyone really enjoyed their food, from the sandwiches to the full entrees. Prices were very reasonable. The owner was our server (I think) and he was quite on top of things. His personality added some fun to the visit, too. The only thing that kept me from giving it 5 stars was the interior, which could use a little TLC (primarily the bathrooms). But it was clean enough (we had our young kids with us and werent concerned for their safety or anything) that wed most certainly go back. If you like to get away from chains and experience unique local restaurants, you can do a lot worse than Casa Dora.
MA
MABatYT
We’ve been in Jacksonville for 4 months and tried numerous Italian Restaurant (the popular chains are consistently good). But Casa Dora is hands down one of the best we’ve EVER eaten in. There was a young man across from our table who suddenly started gyrating with his arms in the air. I was concerned, but as it turned out, it was more like a victory dance. He was from New York and proclaimed the sauce as good as any he had been used to there. My daughter enjoyed the eggplant special. My 15 year old granddaughter ate ALL of her Alfredo. My Pepperoni Pizza was perfect…thin crispy crust and not too much red sauce…just the right amount of everything. Delish! The owner was delightful.
MI
Mila Jones
Never really write reviews on places, but I was kind of disappointed my first time going here on my lunch break today. I asked the woman behind the counter for a menu and she basically just told me to walk over to the line and order. I ordered the baked ziti which they had to cook and I waited 20 minutes for It came up to 9.50 (extremely overpriced) the cheese was good but the presentation was poor and I only got about 10-12 ziti noodles, the garlic bread was just butter bread and it was cold and soggy. The woman behind the counter was rude but the owner was sweet. He earned the second star. I may come back and try something else, idk.
KI
Kit Schiller
We went to JAX to attend the Air Supply Concert at the Florida Theater and just chanced upon this little Italian café. We lucked out big time. They are clever enough to prepare a limited quick serve menu for those of us going to the theater. The choices were many and amazingly delicious. I had grouper with crabmeat and my husband had chicken parmesan. Both meals were terrific. The host was delightful and visited each table making sure everyone had what they needed. All the workers were pleasant and helpful. We will most definitely recommend them to others and well be going there again soon. Wonderful!!!
A
A Private User
During art walk, we were hoping for someplace that had pizza by the slice and found Casa Dora. We ended up having a fantastic dinner, although the format was unusual. It is cafeteria-style based on what is available at the time but everything looked delicious. I had the spinach lasagna which was a delight and my husband had the meat lasagna. The entrees came with salads and massive chunks of garlic bread. He also had their homemade bleu cheese dressing on his salad and says it was great as well. The staff was friendly and cordial. We will definitely go back.
AN
Andrew Oldham
Always very friendly service. A lot of great lunch selections that are ready for those in a hurry or on the go. If you have time to stay, the atmosphere is relaxing. The walls are full photos of celebrities that have been to the restaurant. If you are driving there, parking is via quarter meters or the hourly parking lot across from it that accepts cash or credit. I offset the parking costs with the dollar off coupon on the restaurants website. Im sure that is why they have the coupon.
A
A Private User
The people were very friendly and very professional. The food is the best I have found in JAX. The prices are very affordable. If you want great decor and snobby services then this is not for you. If you want real people with a very nice setting, and the best food in JAX then this is the place. If you have the chance to go downtown this is the place to go. Then you can see a show at the Florida Theatre. They have been there for 10 years in a city were most places only last weeks.
