Portofinos Italian Restaurant
| Address: | 3320 Troup Hwy Suite 170, Tyler, TX 75701, USA |
| Phone: | +1 903-533-1000 |
| Site: | portofinositalianrestaurant.com |
| Rating: | 4.2 |
| Working: | Closed 10:30AM–10PM 10:30AM–10PM 10:30AM–10PM 10:30AM–11PM 10:30AM–11PM 10:30AM–9PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 10
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Robert Arthur
Do not eat here. Took my kids here tonight and food was terrible. Nobody eating there but us at 8 pm. I can see why after the experience. The mood and decor was great. Looked to be the perfect place for couples. We ordered the calamari and fried cheese sticks for appetizers. Calamari was squishy and barely done. Kids usually tear that up at other places we have eaten but wouldnt eat this. The cheese sticks seemed homemade but had slight burnt flavor like they were cooked in old grease. One kid ate a small hamburger pizza. Advertised as homemade, the toppings are fast food kibble like gas station pizzas. It also wasnt cooked enough. Another child ordered a calzone. Crust was good but same as pizza, bad toppings. I question the mozzarella. Seems immitation. My third child ordered the chicken Alfredo. He wasnt impressed but rated it 7/10. I sampled the sauce and it seemed watered down and not creamy. My meal was the shrimp scampi. Advertised as buttery and garlic it didnt have much flavor. Shrimp were fine but the pasta it was served on was completely unacceptable. Looked like angel hair pasta. First bite was a bit al dente, I kept hoping would get better. Second bite had a noodle that was raw and completely uncooked! After I gave it some thought, I am thinking it could have been ramen noodles. Terrible. I hate to write bad reviews but people need to be warned. I paid 80 bucks for food tonight that was not worth it. The only good thing I can say is the waiter was a pleasant fellow and I tipped a 20. Not his fault the food was terrible. As we left I saw this guy I assume was the owner running across the parking lot into the restaurant. Was weird to say the least. This family wont be back here.
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Jean Bruce
We try to go to Portofinos Italian Restaurant as much as possible. Were hard to please, but we can say, hands down, they make the best pizza in Tyler, Texas. Weve also eaten nearly every dish on their menu. Everything tastes better than great. The food, you can tell by the look and taste, is fresh. I hate cold or lukewarm dishes that are suppose to be hot. Their food arrives piping hot with an aroma that makes your mind says all the right things to your senses. They make their own pasta and it shows. The place is always clean and pleasant. The wait people are friendly, do their job, but let you eat in peace. The prices are good, especially considering youre getting food thats a cut above most restaurant food. My only complaint is the music. Our friends agree: the place plays the same sound track over and over. I love Italian food, but old Frank Sinatra songs seem to interfere with the experience of savoring delicious food.
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Brent Graves
We have always gotten horrendous service here. However the food has usually been amazing. So we have ordered take out quite a bit. From the person who answers the phone to going in to pick up we have never been happy with the service and last night it was also the food that was terrible. Apparently they were understaffed which i completely understand and a little info on that and a smile would go a long way. We got nothing but rude service and terrible food! Our chicken picatta, chicken parm and a caprese salad were just awful worse than even a frozen entree! No smiles, no explantions, no manners, no etiquette! Served to me in 3 bags dripping oil everywhere -ruined my outfut got car greasy just not a good experience at all! Its sad bc i think this place was really something special back in the day but now its just an essence of what used to be.
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April Hamilton
Went to Portofinos for the firet time to celebrate my birthday. The most amazing experience ever. We yot them an hour before closing, but it had been slow and sothings were closing down early. That didnt stop them from giving us the best experience at a restaurant ever, though. I never leave reviews, but they were awesome. The owner cooked everything himself and you could tell it was hand cooked and amazing, and Fredreika was the most amazing server ever. We will definitely be coming back and asking for her. She made this one of the best birthdays Ive ha Definitely recommend everyone try this place.
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Emily Keown
As authentic as Olive Garden... The first time I went, we received poor service from an older waitress that kept making snide comments to our party. The food was nothing exciting. It wasnt bad food, but Im pretty sure I can find the same flavors in a frozen entrée at the grocery store. They serve dinner rolls (both my visits, they were either lukewarm or cold) with prepackaged butter--does anyone else find this odd for an Italian restaurant? Also, word to the wise: watch your wine glass. They will "bus" it with it still half full! They have done this to me both times I have visited. So rude.
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Ashley Renae
My fiance and I went to this restaurant last November for the first time. We met the chef at a place across the street and he told us to come check it out for my birthday! After trying a slice of their homemade pumpkin cheesecake he gave me for my birthday, I was HOOKED. Its a FABULOUS place. The food is authentic, and to DIE FOR. Their pizza is amazing. The chefs "signature sauce" thats slid across every plate of food is fun, cute and tasty! This place is absolutely amazing and I have said it before, and will say it again, I will never go to Olive Garden again.
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Judy Anderson
Bennie the owner and one of his employees were so helpful and willing to do whatever it took to deliver our dinners while staying in Magnusun Grande Hotel for a business conference. The owner actually delivered food directly to us! Their broiled shrimp is the best ever!!, pasta tasted like it came straight out of an Italian kitchen and was delicious. Ill leave the desserts up to you....but you might have to try them all for yourself....I cant pick a favorite! Terumesu actually was my favorite. Thanks guys!
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Jeff Millen
THE BEST Italian restaurant in Tyler BY FAR! This place always delivers the best food! They are consistent, the atmosphere is great, staff is friendly and the food is a solid 10. My Italian fiancee reccomended the place for an evening dinner and it was the best choice we made by far. This is our favorite restaurant in all of East Texas! Ignore the bad revievews, you HAVE to try this place! Perfect date restaurant to take your lady for a nice evening with good food and atmosphere!
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Daniel Birdsong
We walked in and were instantly greeted by a very kind lady who let us pick where we wanted to sit. We had the entire restaurant to ourselves! Once we were seated, the services was quick and our server was always there when we needed her. The food we got did not take long at all to ourselves, and tasted amazing! We both thoroughly enjoyed our food and were very pleased overall. Definitely recommend you try this place if youre in the mood for some good Italian food!
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Kiz Stoner
The salad was lettuce, 1/8 of a tomato, one pepper and was drowning in dressing. I had the marsala and it was just ok. My husband had some ravioli and it was pretty good. The bread is good. The service was adequate but not great...we waited for more water and were never offered another glass of wine or dessert. We were looking for a good Italian restaurant but we wont be in any hurry to go back here.
