Finally tried Mario's, and I'm upset with myself for waiting so long. Having spent quite a bit of time in the Mediterranean with the Navy, it's refreshing to get the "farmhouse" experience again! Mario's is a super typical, ambiance neglected family style restaurant that you find everywhere in Southern Italy. The owners, despite the length of time spent in the US, run it just like they would back in the old country. Almost no staff, 70's and 80's decor, random music you can barely hear playing from decades old speakers...and the most authentic tasting Italian food I've had in a very long time. Everything about Mario's is utterly perfect for what it is. If you know, you know. And it is blessing they are located in Forest City NC. The lack of a broader customer base is allowing them to continue running the restaurant the way they want to, rather than watering it down to appease sheer masses. If you are in the mood for your Italian Grandma to complain you are looking too thin and to "Eat! Eat!" as she gives you two people's worth of food on a single plate...Mario's is your place!
Steven Kelly
Love Mario's the food is fresh and made to order. It's like going home and getting a home made meal......?
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spaghetti N Meatballs, Veal Marsala, Chicken Parmesan, Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken, Fettuccine, Stuffed Fillet of Sole, Chicken Catchatore
Gene J.
Made reservations for their Valentines day dinner. Wasn't told it was a buffet. We had been there once before and the food was very good, so we assumed it would be the same on Valentines day. We were wrong. No menu choices to be had, buffet only. The choices were slim and tasted like they had sat out for hours. The salmon was dry, not fresh, the chicken was very spicy, the pasta dishes were bland and dry, the ribs were very dry, the potatoes were mushy and bland, we weren't allowed to dish our own plates (it was done for us to control portions), the desserts were pretty good (peach cobbler, apple pie, chocolate cake), but the portions were incredibly small. We won't go back for the salad bar. It was terrible and overpriced. The menu dinner we had during our prior dinner was good but now I don't know if we just had a lucky night or not. We'll give them another shot, but not during a buffet.
Chris Comfort
Fantastic authentic Italian food. We had chicken and veal parm which were fantastic. Love the staff!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spaghetti N Meatballs, Chicken Parmesan, Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken, Stuffed Shells
The best authentic restaurant in the area. My family and I was in the area for an event and was told to try. The food was great and everything is made fresh upon order therefore it’s worth the wait. The owners treated my husband and I with great hospitality. We will be back in a few weeks. Thanks ?? The Alexander’
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken
mary swanson
Dietary restrictions: They cater for gluten free pastas
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lisa G.
Excellent service. Family friendly. Good food, especially like Sundays when they do their buffet.
Wayne Simpson
Great staff with great food as always ?
Barbara L.
The food is prepared to order, so be patient if you want hot freshly prepared & well seasoned. Service is great considering owners share in the food preparation & customer service. Ambiance is great with a family caring attitude. Always a welcome when we enter the restaurant.
We loved our dinner, the atmosphere and especially Alva. And don’t forget dessert! The tiramisu was excellent and the chocolate cake was the best we ever ate.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joanne D
We were 4 guest at Mario’s. The food is positively delicious. This is perfectly cooked, made to order Italian food. Alba is an absolute delight. We had lovely conversations with her. Mario’s cooking: belissimo!! We will be there weekly!! Thank you for a lovely dining experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kimberly Spicher
Food was delicious. This was our first visit. We had a bit of a wait on our particular visit, but we were not in a hurry so it wasn’t really relevant. Our server, Alma I believe, was very pleasant and was also doing double duty in the kitchen. Everything was hot, fresh and delicious. We will definitely return.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Chicken Parmesan
Carmen Garren
Order food one hour ago and I’m still waiting! Wouldn’t leave but they already had my money and I’m hungry so I would not come here if you want fast
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
bandt25
Food is always Great and fresh!Very nice people who work there!! Highly
Finally tried Mario's, and I'm upset with myself for waiting so long. Having spent quite a bit of time in the Mediterranean with the Navy, it's refreshing to get the "farmhouse" experience again! Mario's is a super typical, ambiance neglected family style restaurant that you find everywhere in Southern Italy. The owners, despite the length of time spent in the US, run it just like they would back in the old country. Almost no staff, 70's and 80's decor, random music you can barely hear playing from decades old speakers...and the most authentic tasting Italian food I've had in a very long time. Everything about Mario's is utterly perfect for what it is. If you know, you know. And it is blessing they are located in Forest City NC. The lack of a broader customer base is allowing them to continue running the restaurant the way they want to, rather than watering it down to appease sheer masses. If you are in the mood for your Italian Grandma to complain you are looking too thin and to "Eat! Eat!" as she gives you two people's worth of food on a single plate...Mario's is your place!
Love Mario's the food is fresh and made to order. It's like going home and getting a home made meal......?
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spaghetti N Meatballs, Veal Marsala, Chicken Parmesan, Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken, Fettuccine, Stuffed Fillet of Sole, Chicken Catchatore
Made reservations for their Valentines day dinner. Wasn't told it was a buffet. We had been there once before and the food was very good, so we assumed it would be the same on Valentines day. We were wrong. No menu choices to be had, buffet only. The choices were slim and tasted like they had sat out for hours. The salmon was dry, not fresh, the chicken was very spicy, the pasta dishes were bland and dry, the ribs were very dry, the potatoes were mushy and bland, we weren't allowed to dish our own plates (it was done for us to control portions), the desserts were pretty good (peach cobbler, apple pie, chocolate cake), but the portions were incredibly small. We won't go back for the salad bar. It was terrible and overpriced. The menu dinner we had during our prior dinner was good but now I don't know if we just had a lucky night or not. We'll give them another shot, but not during a buffet.
Fantastic authentic Italian food. We had chicken and veal parm which were fantastic. Love the staff!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spaghetti N Meatballs, Chicken Parmesan, Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken, Stuffed Shells
Great tasting Italian food not out of the box or
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Sauce, Veal Marsala, Chicken Parmesan, Tiramisu, Garlic Bread and Stuffed Mushrooms
The best authentic restaurant in the area. My family and I was in the area for an event and was told to try. The food was great and everything is made fresh upon order therefore it’s worth the wait. The owners treated my husband and I with great hospitality. We will be back in a few weeks. Thanks ?? The Alexander’
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken
Dietary restrictions: They cater for gluten free pastas
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent service. Family friendly. Good food, especially like Sundays when they do their buffet.
Great staff with great food as always ?
The food is prepared to order, so be patient if you want hot freshly prepared & well seasoned. Service is great considering owners share in the food preparation & customer service. Ambiance is great with a family caring attitude. Always a welcome when we enter the restaurant.
Restaurantji Recommends
We loved our dinner, the atmosphere and especially Alva. And don’t forget dessert! The tiramisu was excellent and the chocolate cake was the best we ever ate.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We were 4 guest at Mario’s. The food is positively delicious. This is perfectly cooked, made to order Italian food. Alba is an absolute delight. We had lovely conversations with her. Mario’s cooking: belissimo!! We will be there weekly!! Thank you for a lovely dining experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was delicious. This was our first visit. We had a bit of a wait on our particular visit, but we were not in a hurry so it wasn’t really relevant. Our server, Alma I believe, was very pleasant and was also doing double duty in the kitchen. Everything was hot, fresh and delicious. We will definitely return.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Chicken Parmesan
Order food one hour ago and I’m still waiting! Wouldn’t leave but they already had my money and I’m hungry so I would not come here if you want fast
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Food is always Great and fresh!Very nice people who work there!! Highly
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4