Pernicano's is one of those humble, family-owned joints that sticks around because of its welcoming, un-pretentious nature, both in its interior décor, and in the modest, just-like-Grandma-used-to-make quality of its cuisine. It's down-to-earth, warm, filling, and just what one needs on a cold, rainy day like the one we were treated to during our visit. It won't win any awards, but there is little to complain about; you know exactly what you were going to get the moment you opened those moustache-handled doors out front.This was the location my mother-in-law selected for a small family reunion of sorts, as my wife (and I) were in town for a few days, and there were a lot of people who wanted to meet up with us. What better place to reconvene with family than in a place that honors and cherishes family? A few pizzas and pastas to pass around between loved ones is special thing.Good food, good prices, good service, good company. Good all around.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: 3 Meat Pizza
Jason V.
Pernicano's is one of those humble, family-owned joints that sticks around because of its welcoming, un-pretentious nature, both in its interior décor, and in the modest, just-like-Grandma-used-to-make quality of its cuisine. It's down-to-earth, warm, filling, and just what one needs on a cold, rainy day like the one we were treated to during our visit. It won't win any awards, but there is little to complain about; you know exactly what you were going to get the moment you opened those moustache-handled doors out front. This was the location my mother-in-law selected for a small family reunion of sorts, as my wife (and I) were in town for a few days, and there were a lot of people who wanted to meet up with us. What better place to reconvene with family than in a place that honors and cherishes family? A few pizzas and pastas to pass around between loved ones is special thing. Good food, good prices, good service, good company. Good all around.
Merrill Keller
ME AND MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS LOVED IT. U CANT BEAT THE PRICES ON DAULY SPECIALS AND THEY GIVE U A DECENT SIZED TASTY SALAD WIT IT ALSO THE PIZZA IS TOP NOTCH IVE BEEN GOING HERE FOR 47 YEARS NOW. I DO MISS THE OLD SHORT SKIRTED AND LO CUT BLOUSE WAITRESSES FROM THE OLD
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Karin Kenyon
Been wanting to try this place for a long time. Really cute from the outside. They have an awesome front door. I love the mustache handles.I enjoyed the white pizza. Delicious. I love the crust. I'm looking forward to having the sausage pepperoni pizza next. I took my pizza to go however the inside of the restaurant was darling. They also have outside. The ladies that were working were super friendly and nice. I highly recommend this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dr.KarMichael And Jones
Meatball subs are out of this
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
April K.G.
Their food is always fresh. I could eat there at least once or twice a week.
I don't understand why they can't make a vegetarian pizza that isn't soggy in the middle! It's either totally mushy or they burn it! Why? This restaurant has really gone downhill in the last few years!
Becky P.
The service was amazing and the food was delicious. I've been wanting to come here for a long time now. My mom has told me stories of Pernicano's for as long as I can remember. Every time we would drive through Hillcrest, we would see the sign, but it was closed down. So two years ago when I saw that there was this location open in El Cajon, I knew I had to dine here. And I'm so super happy I did. They close relatively early, and we arrived before anyone was there...but sure enough, the dinner rush came on and the place was filling up quickly. I love the classic nostalgic vibe. It reminds me of a slower more intimate feeling, which I adore.
Tiffany Shawkey
Best pizza I’ve had in a very long time. Salad was crisp, fresh & delicious too. Very generous portions. Excellent service and SO reasonable!!!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michael Anthony
Pernicano's Family Italian Restaurant is one of my favorite restaurants of all time. It’s an Italian restaurant, and who doesn't like Italian, huh?? So, tonight I took my friend there who I haven't seen in years! I started off with the salad, a traditional salad, but what makes it great is the dressing - blue cheese, with chunks of real blue cheese!! For dinner, my friend and I both ordered the Saturday special of spaghetti and raviolis. It comes with a salad and rolls. The first bite had me; it was insanely good!I am giving Pernicano's 5 stars because it was a fine Italian dining experience without the hefty price tag. The atmosphere is quiet, perfectly lit, and the customer service was impeccable ?!! Not to mention, the food was great, the portions enormous, and the price was just right. ($38 for two people.) Lastly, Pernicano's respects Veterans. The owner even came over and thanked me for my service. (I wonder if I can convince the Marine Corps. to put Pernicano's in the MRE's??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Italian Sandwich
Russ Nail
Stay away. This is peasant food pretending to be Italian cuisine. Fettuccine Alfredo is supposed to be made with actual Fettuccine noodles made from durum semolina. This place uses egg noodles with a nearly tasteless runny white sauce. the lemon chicken had no lemon sauce. It's just a sliced breaded chicken breast served with a lemon wedge. Definitely not worth the high prices they charge.And the decor and atmosphere of this restaurant is horrible and severely outdated. It might have been nice 60 years ago.Oh, and the lemon sorbet was a frozen rock that was hyper bitter that tasted more like the pith (white flesh of lemon) than the lemon fruit itself. This was supposed to be their specialty.
Pernicano's is one of those humble, family-owned joints that sticks around because of its welcoming, un-pretentious nature, both in its interior décor, and in the modest, just-like-Grandma-used-to-make quality of its cuisine. It's down-to-earth, warm, filling, and just what one needs on a cold, rainy day like the one we were treated to during our visit. It won't win any awards, but there is little to complain about; you know exactly what you were going to get the moment you opened those moustache-handled doors out front.This was the location my mother-in-law selected for a small family reunion of sorts, as my wife (and I) were in town for a few days, and there were a lot of people who wanted to meet up with us. What better place to reconvene with family than in a place that honors and cherishes family? A few pizzas and pastas to pass around between loved ones is special thing.Good food, good prices, good service, good company. Good all around.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: 3 Meat Pizza
Pernicano's is one of those humble, family-owned joints that sticks around because of its welcoming, un-pretentious nature, both in its interior décor, and in the modest, just-like-Grandma-used-to-make quality of its cuisine. It's down-to-earth, warm, filling, and just what one needs on a cold, rainy day like the one we were treated to during our visit. It won't win any awards, but there is little to complain about; you know exactly what you were going to get the moment you opened those moustache-handled doors out front. This was the location my mother-in-law selected for a small family reunion of sorts, as my wife (and I) were in town for a few days, and there were a lot of people who wanted to meet up with us. What better place to reconvene with family than in a place that honors and cherishes family? A few pizzas and pastas to pass around between loved ones is special thing. Good food, good prices, good service, good company. Good all around.
ME AND MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS LOVED IT. U CANT BEAT THE PRICES ON DAULY SPECIALS AND THEY GIVE U A DECENT SIZED TASTY SALAD WIT IT ALSO THE PIZZA IS TOP NOTCH IVE BEEN GOING HERE FOR 47 YEARS NOW. I DO MISS THE OLD SHORT SKIRTED AND LO CUT BLOUSE WAITRESSES FROM THE OLD
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Been wanting to try this place for a long time. Really cute from the outside. They have an awesome front door. I love the mustache handles.I enjoyed the white pizza. Delicious. I love the crust. I'm looking forward to having the sausage pepperoni pizza next. I took my pizza to go however the inside of the restaurant was darling. They also have outside. The ladies that were working were super friendly and nice. I highly recommend this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Meatball subs are out of this
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Their food is always fresh. I could eat there at least once or twice a week.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pernicano's Sampler Platter, Lasagne, Lasagna Spaghetti Dish, Antipasto Salad, Italian Sandwich, Minestrone Soup
Love the food the environment an all the staff.Parking: All the above.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fantastic as always. Has been sense back in high school days.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: 3 Meat Pizza
The pizza is small, overpriced, dry and like licking a salt shaker. It's the like of pizza you'd take a pass on even if it were offered for free.
Love Pernicano's, been eating here for many years. Love the weekly specials. Always gigantic portions as well. Prices are fair too!
Restaurantji Recommends
I don't understand why they can't make a vegetarian pizza that isn't soggy in the middle! It's either totally mushy or they burn it! Why? This restaurant has really gone downhill in the last few years!
The service was amazing and the food was delicious. I've been wanting to come here for a long time now. My mom has told me stories of Pernicano's for as long as I can remember. Every time we would drive through Hillcrest, we would see the sign, but it was closed down. So two years ago when I saw that there was this location open in El Cajon, I knew I had to dine here. And I'm so super happy I did. They close relatively early, and we arrived before anyone was there...but sure enough, the dinner rush came on and the place was filling up quickly. I love the classic nostalgic vibe. It reminds me of a slower more intimate feeling, which I adore.
Best pizza I’ve had in a very long time. Salad was crisp, fresh & delicious too. Very generous portions. Excellent service and SO reasonable!!!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pernicano's Family Italian Restaurant is one of my favorite restaurants of all time. It’s an Italian restaurant, and who doesn't like Italian, huh?? So, tonight I took my friend there who I haven't seen in years! I started off with the salad, a traditional salad, but what makes it great is the dressing - blue cheese, with chunks of real blue cheese!! For dinner, my friend and I both ordered the Saturday special of spaghetti and raviolis. It comes with a salad and rolls. The first bite had me; it was insanely good!I am giving Pernicano's 5 stars because it was a fine Italian dining experience without the hefty price tag. The atmosphere is quiet, perfectly lit, and the customer service was impeccable ?!! Not to mention, the food was great, the portions enormous, and the price was just right. ($38 for two people.) Lastly, Pernicano's respects Veterans. The owner even came over and thanked me for my service. (I wonder if I can convince the Marine Corps. to put Pernicano's in the MRE's??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Italian Sandwich
Stay away. This is peasant food pretending to be Italian cuisine. Fettuccine Alfredo is supposed to be made with actual Fettuccine noodles made from durum semolina. This place uses egg noodles with a nearly tasteless runny white sauce. the lemon chicken had no lemon sauce. It's just a sliced breaded chicken breast served with a lemon wedge. Definitely not worth the high prices they charge.And the decor and atmosphere of this restaurant is horrible and severely outdated. It might have been nice 60 years ago.Oh, and the lemon sorbet was a frozen rock that was hyper bitter that tasted more like the pith (white flesh of lemon) than the lemon fruit itself. This was supposed to be their specialty.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1