Negri's Original Occidental

We had to order take-out and pick it up 5 minutes before closing. Amanda and the team made sure our order was ready, hot and delicious. The sauce for the arrancini was particulary memorable and delicious!

Food: 5

Service: 5

Very good food and very friendly service. Inside is a very nice atmosphere!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I really wished this was old school Italian.. sadly not .. worst customer service , restaurant is industrial no warmth ! If your not a local , your ignored .. Food was ok . Over priced for sure ..

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 2

Service: 1

Many tempting classic Italian entrees to choose from. We each had a different one. I tried the carbonara for the first time. Absolutely delicious and enough for three lovely meals!

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 5

Impressive solid Italian classics. Casual lively atmosphere. Good wine list. Great value. Calamari and pasta dishes are highlights.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This place is a slice of heaven on earth. From the location within the beautiful town of Occidental to the actual family line still operating the bar and restaurant, this is an American gem thru and thru. The raviolis are UNBEATABLE; like the kind you’ll literally never have again if for whatever reason the Negri family stopped making them. Every single menu item is of this caliber, NOTHING is done halfway. The front of house family clan consists of Sandy, Amanda, Tori, baby Blake and Alandrea (with several other incredibly talented back of house staff), and these amazing women NEVER stop running their butts off to give us all a great meal, delicious drinks and an extension to their family as we all dine under their roof. In the 4 months I’ve been in this speck-on-the-map of a town, these people have straight up become like family to me, as well as the regular patrons I’ve met while sitting at the bar. If you’re wondering if you should make the trip, the answer is not only A hard yes, but be ready to make the trip regularly as you will never forget the food and the feeling of Negri’s Italian/Joe’s bar. Love you guys so much, thank you for the care you show all of us!!!! ♥️♥️♥️

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

If I had only gone here once I would have given it a better review. The first time I think two members of the Negri Family waited on us and they were adorable to my grandson, giving him a special kid’s meal of pasta and parmigiana and everything I had was good.
But then I came in masked, because my daughter was ill, and out of respect to pick up take out. The bartender delivered my meals to me, hissed at me when I asked for Parmesan for the noodles. “I KNOW YOU ARE SICK!” And reluctantly threw some in. They she venomously said a few more bad things. I got charged $20 for his buttered spaghetti. The rest of the food was rather under the standard of before. Take out is sometimes like that— but the hatefulness of the bartender left a very bad taste.
I hope they turn it back around and hire some better people.

Food: 2

Walked in, looked classy. First impression was the warm water already sitting on the tables and no offer of ice was odd but whatever. The drinks arrived, happy. Charging for a Diet Coke refill at $4.50 each without verbal warning was offensive. I don’t look at the menu to order a soda, if it was on there then maybe it should not be. Rethink your stingy business decision. This alone would make me never come back. $18 for four sodas is insane. We each had 1 refill. Nothing nuts. The truffle fries arrived nearly flavorless. Nothing special compared to all other places with truffle fries. The garlic bread was tasty! The ranch in small glass jar was cool and waste free. Love it. The ricotta gnocchi was very dense compared to “regular” style gnocchi, and the creamy pesto sauce was the worst I’ve ever had. Very disappointing lack of flavor. The owner has a horrible attitude, which was shown multiple times to others.

Walked in, looked classy. First impression was the warm water already sitting on the tables and no offer of ice was odd but whatever. The drinks arrived, happy. Charging for a Diet Coke refill at $4.50 each without verbal warning was offensive. I don’t look at the menu to order a soda, if it was on there then maybe it should not be. Rethink your stingy business decision. This alone would make me never come back. $18 for four sodas is insane. We each had 1 refill. Nothing nuts. The truffle fries arrived nearly flavorless. Nothing special compared to all other places with truffle fries. The garlic bread was tasty! The ranch in small glass jar was cool and waste free. Love it. The ricotta gnocchi was very dense compared to “regular” style gnocchi, and the creamy pesto sauce was the worst I’ve ever had. Very disappointing lack of flavor. The owner has a horrible attitude, which was shown multiple times to others.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 1

Service: 5

Server was great and on top of it but charging full price on refills is highway robbery. Best part of the food was garlic bread the aïoli for the fries was warm water was warm place feels dated and over priced. Maybe it’s a occidental thing but so many better places to eat in 2025 if your visiting the area

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 4

Very loud

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 5

I started eating there from when I was 4 years old in 1964 to present! It sucks now! No family style is offered! That is what the restaurant was famous for! The pasta is horrible, the salad with appetizers are horrible! Study the history of the restaurant. Never returning

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

It was great food service everything I've been going there for 50 years hopefully another 50

Food: 5

Service: 5

Cool spot. Walked in with a group of 6 on a Friday night. We were served quickly. Good prices and friendly staff.

Please pay attention to the reviews. All explaining how wonderful the new atmosphere is. This is not the same restraunt as 10 years ago.
It should probably be called Joe's bar as you can no longer sit on the restraunt side.
As far as food.. The gnocchi, a long time favorite... was just ok. Didn't taste homemade anymore.
The servers are obviously tired of being asked about family style no longer being served... and hearing stories of customers memories from long ago.
I guess they make enough money off of drinks now to not care about tradition.
If you came here as a kid and you are looking for that old timey Italian atmosphere you enjoyed, this is not the same restraunt. Save that memory and find a new fav.