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Antonucci's
Categories: Restaurants Pizza Restaurants Italian Pizza, Italian [Edit]
24190 Alicia PkwyMission Viejo, CA 92691
(949) 472-4332
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 4 pm - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
60 reviews for Antonucci's
Review Highlights
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"The food is amazing and Bob, the owner is great." In 9 reviews -
"Everyone is treated like family here." In 3 reviews -
"by far the best italian in southern oc." In 5 reviews
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60 reviews in English
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Review from Sonya J.
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
5/2/2012
This place is great! Its a small little authentic Italian place, the owner is beyond friendly and chats with you from the moment you arrive and even visits you at your table.
The food is delicious from the wine, to the salad, to the main course to the dessert - YUM. I went with my very very picky friend, she ordered something that they DON'T have on the menu and they made it for her and she loved it!! This place is officially our new get together meeting spot for our catch-up dinners.
I had the house Pinot Grigio - wonderful, the wedge salad (my fav) - SO GOOD, the "Spaghetti Mushroom" - need I say more, and the Tiramisu. Everything gets an A+
I definitely recommend this spot, I can't wait to go back and try more stuff. -
Review from George M.
Imperial Beach, CA
1/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
Hands down some of the best pizza I've ever had. And the dinner salad was awesome. The small pizza was big enough to feed me, my wife and our year and a half year old and take a couple slices home. But if it were rated solely on the pizza, I would probably rate this place a three star. But it's not.
It's a four star for the service of the owner. He immediately sat us down when we walked in and then after waiting just long enough for us to wonder if we were ever going to get a waiter, he came back over and asked if anyone had seen us yet. We said, "No" and he immediately said that was ridiculous and went and got a waiter. When he came back he told the waiter to give us a free dessert and he apologized to us for having to wait. So it was cool that he came to us before we had to complain that we weren't seen right away, and it was even cooler that he hooked us up with a free dessert of our choice because of it. The place was busy so the waiter continued to be slow, but the bus boys were great about quickly removing finished items from the table and refilling our drinks and the owner stopped by periodically to check in on us so we still ended up receiving great service. Just not by our actual waiter. He was nice enough but I think he may have been a little overwhelmed and not used to waiting on tables. But as long as you have good people like the owner and the bussers, a lot can be forgiven. The other waitresses and waiters seemed to be doing a much better job and the owner checked on people frequently so I would recommend coming here for both the service and the taste and quantity of food you get. -
Review from Tricia W.
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
12/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Owners- SUPER friendly, always making sure everything is good!
Bartenders- Awesome!! :)
Food- 90% always good...calamari can be chewy, and chicken could use more flavor... but you will leave feeling STUFFED and satisfied!! Big dishes!
Cozy itailian local neighborhood spot!
A must have-tortellini bosciolli...5 stars!! -
Review from Erica N.
Trabuco Canyon, CA
5/15/2012
My boyfriend and I went here because we heard of the great reviews and I was craving pasta. :)
Bob, the owner is super nice and treats you well. He noticed I was pregnant and talked about his family and such. That was very sweet of him.
The waitress was nice. They seemed understaffed though. It took her a long time to get us our refills and make my boyfriend his cocktail. I know it is not her fault, she was just busy.
The food was just OKAY. They give you garlic bread which is nice. I ordered the pasta with the olive oil sauce. My boyfriend ordered pasta with marinara sauce.
The bill was high in my opinion for the quality of the food. We will be going to olive garden next time probably. -
Review from Christine F.
Lake Forest, CA
5/5/2012
We are so glad our daughter purchased a gift card for us! We used to to to PEppino's in MV but after our great dining experience at Antonucci's we have never been back to P! As stated by other posters the owner is very nice...he visited our table three times. The wait staff is friendly, fast and efficient. We went for the 3rd time last nite and took 2 friends with us and they also agreed Antonucci's is a definite do over. I luv their fresh seafood pastas. As for the decor I found it to be very tasteful...how can an Italian restaurant be outdated? Not sure why a previous poster said this...maybe they weould be more comfortable at Olive Garden?Yuck!
Luv this place! -
Review from Tara W.
Mission Viejo, CA
3/25/2012
We get pizza and fettucini Alfredo take out here at least once a month.
It is the best pizza I have ever had. Our favorite is pepperoni/sausage and pepperoni/jalapeno. The Alfredo is amazing. Those get a five.
Everyone who mentioned the decor is right. Weird and outdated and dusty. I think his wife sells Cookie Lee jewelry in the front lobby at times, which is just a bit ... odd?
I send my husband in to get take out now, and here is why. The owner Bob. He likes to hug. Let me rephrase that - he likes to hug complete strangers like you are family. I find his attention at the hostess area fake and over the top. The last time I went in with a girlfriend to pick up pizza and he went in for a hug - we both ducked him and said no thanks - that makes us uncomfortable! Smiling and trying to blow it over. Sorry but I don't need to pretend to be happy to see you, and I certainly don't need to hug you. I am here for the pizza.
Go for the pizza but steer clear of Bob. -
Review from Nadine F.
Long Beach, CA
2/7/2012
A fun place to have some great Italian food. As soon as you walk in, the smell of the pizza wafts over you. I started with a cocktail that was delicious. The cocktail options are a lot of fun and very tasty. The garlic bread is delicious as well. We ordered a pizza that tasted as amazing as it smelled (and when it was coming out, I didn't think that was possible). The owner came over and talked to our party. He was incredibly friendly. This is a great place for a fun dinner with friends and some friendly service.
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Review from Richard Z.
Aliso Viejo, CA
11/12/2011
I immediately judged them for being steelers fans.
But even though the place clearly is not the first place you'd take a two year old, the owner was amazing with my son. He chatted him up and asked his name and was very welcoming. I mention this first because that all happened before we even got seated and I love the fact that the owner is there making sure that the patrons are happy.
We had dinner salads and garlic bread first. The salads had a creamy italian dressing that is phenomenal and they came with salami and olives and tomatoes. Really up there with my favorite types of salads. Not overly ornate but very tasty.
My wife had gnocchi which was marginally too garlicky for me but other than that, was pretty good. I had pepperoni pizza which tasted good but had tons of grease (not that I'm judging but I have had better). The pizza is purportedly brick-oven but it wasn't quite as good as some i've had in the past. The crust was a little bit less flavorful on its own than I like crust to be and it was kind of a high proportion of the pizza, too.
I also will say that the waiter that we had didn't seem to love his life as much as he could have. There were times when we got lost in the shuffle.
If it sounds like I'm nitpicking, it's because I am--which is a good thing for a restaurant. It means that on the whole the food is very good and the experience was well worth the money. I will gladly go again and again, not least of which for the really great attitude of the owner. -
Review from David E.
Aliso Viejo, CA
1/16/2012
Right out of the gate this place worked for me from a visual and service standpoint. The owner sat us at our table and en route I noticed a warm and inviting decor (not fancy but appealing). I love those small local Italian cafes or restaurants where the owner visits your table. The free garlic bread was good and all looked promising.
The menu is largely standard traditional Italian fare which isn't a bad thing. Unfortunately, the menu isn't very specific and is also at times inaccurate. My wife ordered the "sauteed calamari pasta" in a white wine sauce. When the dish arrived it was "swimming in an ocean" of parmesan cheesy liquid. The waitress clarified with her when she ordered as to whether she wanted the red sauce or the "clear" sauce. Well, I can assure you, there was nothing "clear" about this sauce. We've eaten a lot of calamari in our lives (i.e. sauteed, baked, fried, grilled etc.) but combining calamari in a cheesy broth was very surreal. The calamari pieces did taste pretty decent when removed from this broth. However, why would you call a dish "sauteed" and then drown it in liquid so you can taste any of the flavor that comes from sauteing it?
Again, the service and ambiance here are quite nice and I got the impression there were quite a few regulars dining here. Our waitresses service was quite good and likely she simply misspoke when she referred to their white wine sauce as a "clear" sauce.
I ordered a brick oven pizza with my standard 4 ingredients (basil, garlic, mushrooms, Italian sausage). I order this exact pie about everywhere I go so I know how it should taste. When their pie arrived it looked nice visually except that it seemed like toppings were clumped/isolated in one spot versus being equally distributed. Possibly that played some role in sabotaging the taste? Both of us ate the pie and it was rather bland. The toppings appeared to be fresh but there was very little flavor. The crust tasted pretty good but lacked any herbs or spices I could taste. I added a touch of salt to see if that would help but then it was simply too salty. The ingredients looked to be well cooked so its not like they threw them on five minutes before the pie was done. That might explain the lack of flavor. Possibly the ingredients just aren't very good quality?
I'm disappointed because I really wanted to like this restaurant. I'm not sure if we would try them again as there are other Italian restaurants in this neighborhood that we like better. These others aren't spectacular Italian restaurants (i.e. New York, SF or LA) but they hit the mark much closer than this one does. It's too bad because they definitely have the ambiance and service right...but the food simply didn't match...and that is obviously the main reason we're here.
PS -- The dessert menu is laminated and looks like those ones you see often in Italian restaurants (i.e. gelato, cannoli, tiramisu etc) where they don't have a pastry chef or local bakery they utilize. They consist of frozen mass produced desserts that are shipped to Italian restaurants across the country. I guess it is better than not offering dessert at all but half the time a "frozen brick" tossed on a plate arrives at your table which doesn't warrant the price tag or the "ripples" on the belly. -
Review from Pippa T.
San Juan Capistrano, CA
1/13/2012
I have been a dedicated fan of this outstanding restaurant for over 20 years!!! Even when I moved far, far, away, I would always travel back for my birthday, to celebrate!!! Bob, the owner, is absolutely the best!! He is so warm, welcoming and friendly, he greets everyone with a big hug and great smile! The bartender, Michelle, is fantastic!!! I always ask for Sharon, she is my favorite waitress and is like an old friend - I love her!!! My favorite item is the sundried tomatoes and artichoke hearts ... it lasts for days!!!!!!!!!! Great music, great atmosphere, great food and drink!!! I love Antonucci's!!!
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Review from Mommy S.
San Marcos, CA
7/14/2011
WOW- bummed that we just discovered this place! The Fried Mozzarella is soo amazing! It's a brick of mozzarella- no sticks. I crave it- all the time!
The pizza is awesome! It's my husbands favorite pizza!! The service is great.
Wish we still lived close enough to visit more often.
Highly recommend the pizza and fried mozzarella! -
Review from Kristin Leigh M.
Los Angeles, CA
7/22/2011 5 Check-ins Here
I've been picking up food from this place for quite some time, so I can't comment on service or anything of the kind, really. I haven't made it much beyond the front door.
In terms of pizza, I would probably give this place a 4. I personall don't like super fluffy crust, and that's what they have. If you like that, then this place will treat you well. I'm not holding the crust against the review though - what doesn't work for me is the tomato sauce and the mushrooms. I like my tomato sauce to have a bit more kick; it's honestly a bit bland. The mushrooms they use are terrible. I don't know what kind of mushrooms they use, but don't order them. I have tried for about 10 times, and keep hoping they will switch them, but they don't. Trust me. Don't eat them.
With regard to other food, I've had the lasagna before. It's a decent size - I can usally split it with another person if we have a salad or something, too. It's got nice flavor and no complaints.
Side salads are a bit pricey for what they are.
I'll keep coming back though - nice, local and tasty.Listed in: Pizza, pizza!
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Review from Cheryl S.
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
2/18/2012
I read the reviews on this place yesterday and thought sounds good, I'll try it. I'm So glad I did. WE LOVED IT! Very quiet little spot, cute old style Italian decor. The menu had so many great choices it was not easy to decide. For my 10 year old it was easy. Brick oven pizza which was good... I ordered the chicken cannelloni, talk about mouth watering. My boyfriend got the chicken cacitorre and really enjoyed it. The garlic bread was amazing too. For dessert we split the gelato pie OMG!!!! I have never had anything like that before. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone!
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Review from Lauren M.
Mission Viejo, CA
8/24/2011
Great cozy family environment. The owner treats you like family. The bar and restaurant area are full of friendly "regulars". The bar side has TV'S and is casual and has a full bar and the other side of the restaurant has a sweet, cute and cozy Italian cafe feel.
Never too busy, always delivers great food and mellow atmosphere. Try the Salmon, the linguine and clam pasta (red and white are both winners!), the gnocchi is amaze! Can't go wrong with whatever you choose.
Great for a Mellow Sunday night dinner with the honey or mid week carb craze.
ciao! -
Review from Jillian J.
Mission Viejo, CA
3/23/2011
First off, the Yelp listing shouldn't say great for kids. It's cool for bigger kids who can sit still or be amused by a DS while they wait for their meal, but food takes between 20-45 minutes to arrive (they make everything from scratch and to order) and because it's a small, family-owned place, there's not coloring books or anything.
For older kids or for adults, this place is SO good! One of the first things that pops out is the owner, Bob, comes by EVERY table to thank the guests and to make sure everybody is happy. The portions are GIANT (two people could easily share an entree) and the food is delicious beyond belief. Especially with all the rain we've been having, minestrone and lasagna are always awesome comfort foods.
I recommend the bar area on a Saturday night (where they sometimes have an Elvis impersonator), or the main dining on Tuesday nights for half-priced bottles of wine. -
Review from Antonia K.
El Toro, CA
8/24/2011
Every time I come here I'm never dissapointed with their food. I recently tryed a pesto ravioli special they had and it was to die for! It had a jalepeno/tequila/lime sauce with red and yellow peppers, it was the best thing I've ever ate. I also had a very nice waitress which was very thorough and she offered great service.
I've tryed many local Italian restaurants and this one by far is my favorite.
Also, the owner made it a point to come by our table twice to ask how the food was, I love managers and owners who care about their customers and what they think. -
Review from Frank A.
Irvine, CA
2/13/2011
Sorry to be hard on Antonucci's, because the staff is super super nice. The food, however, was just okay.
I went here purely based on yelpers advice, yelpers give it 4 stars.
The food was a disappointment. Like I said; the service, greetings and friendliness of this place is 5 stars. however, the food was just okay. To begin with;. the garlic rolls, were not rolls, they were slices of bread with light garlic butter. Usually, one gets Italian bread with garlic.
The meat sauce tasted like it came out of the can. The marinara sauce was overly spicy,
The salad was better than everything else.
The pricing was moderate.
I should say, the place was packed and the bar crowd seemed to be having a great time ( went on a Saturday night). Hanging out at the bar did look fun.
Bottom line; the food, eh, the friendliness a plus plus. If you do go you will have a good time. -
Review from Debra H.
Laguna Hills, CA
3/13/2011
My husband and I went there on a Friday night. We have lived in the area for over 20 years and have never been there.
When we first walked in we were greeted by the owner Bob (nice guy) He let us know that all sauces were made from scratch and everything was authentic.
We sit down for dinner decor is okay, however I did notice some dust on the maroon awning (Okay I am somewhat anal)
With that being said Bob came over to the table and stated that again since the sauces are made from scratch it might take a little longer to get our dinner. Okay we have nothing but time to kill anyways.
My husband ordered a Lemon Salmon dish he loved it! I ordered the linguine with clams it was average. However I did like the fact that it had the real clams.
They serve garlic bread a piece for each of us. So we also ordered salads, however they do you charge you extra.
The kicker was the Cannoli - it was only filled on the sides, get to the middle and there was no cream.
Okay all in all it was not a BAD experience, however it was not a Great experience either.
I found it to be a bit pricey for what we ordered! $75.00 -
Review from Cameron C.
Mission Viejo, CA
1/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
I haven't been here in years but OMG, what I have been missing!
You walk in and the owner is so excited to see you, comes by to check on you periodically and the food is awesome! Pizza is amazing, reminds me of pizza you would get in Europe. Lasagna was Killer too....
I would recommend sitting on the bar side if you want a more casual experience, tv's beers on draft and all the same food! Its our new family Italian HOT SPOT -
Review from Edgar G.
San Marcos, CA
12/27/2011
Great place. We ordered something not on the menu and they happily obliged. Nice.
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Review from Dave M.
Mission Viejo, CA
11/29/2011
One of the better pizzas in OC . The rest of the food is at best average . The decor is dated and they have a huge table selling cookie lee jewelry ..??!?!? Totally lame . Over all 3 stars . I'll give the pizza 4 1/2
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Review from Maria A.
Riverside, CA
2/8/2012
If you want italian, come here. First off Bob the owner welcomes you and makes you feel at home. We always sit in the bar area but the restaurant area makes for a nice close romantic dinner. The bartenders are friendly and the bread you start off with is delicious. The anti-pasta is superb, and any meal we have ordered from the lasagna, to the gnocci to the pizza leaves us drooling. You will have leftovers but you will be back. Best italian restaurant I know of, especially since it doens't feel like you are being served, but you are a guest. Expect to lay down a buck but by far so worth it. I love this place!
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Review from Jessica C.
Costa Mesa, CA
12/31/2010
The owner greeted us at the door, told us he didn't recognize us, so we must be new here. He showed us around the restaurant, told us the history, said the seafood is fresh & the sauces are all made to order.
The owner's daughter was our server. I had the seafood combination pasta, my boyfriend had the vegetable lasagna, and we shared a cannoli for dessert. It was all fantastic! The service was the friendliest I've seen.
They also have a bar with happy hour & a take-out window. We'll definitely be back! -
Review from Bryan N.
Santa Ana, CA
2/22/2011
This review is based on a local mom & pop Italian restaurant.
I've been here a few times in the past few years. I went the other night to celebrate a birthday with 10 friends. They set us up pretty quickly.
The free bread they serve here is garlic bread. Better than the plain bread you typically get at other places.
I ordered the Tortelline Primavera. At first I thought it was pretty pricey at $14, but portion they served was huge. With the bread I had, glass of wine, I only ate half and saved half for my lunch the next day. And, I'm a pretty big guy. The food was tasty, and I was extremely satisfied with the food.
My friends loved the food too. Pizza looked great.
Service was good, I didn't have to ask for my water to be refilled.
If you are wondering why they serve buffalo wings here, apparently the owners are huge Stealer's fans. So, if the Stealer's are on, it's a swinging place if you're a fan with the bar next to the restaurant.
Definitely will be back. -
Review from Wyndi M.
Mission Viejo, CA
10/28/2011
Best tiramisu in OC if not ever! Staff is super friendly, food has always been amazing with the exception of the garlic bread...Mama Bella's at the grocery store is better. :( Definitely a favorite in our house.
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Review from Brittany W.
Mission Viejo, CA
9/13/2010
I have been going to this restaurant with my family since I was a kid. It is a great family place and the food is hot and fresh! I usually get something different every time and I have not been disappointed yet! However my Mom absolutely adores their chicken Marsala and without fail, always orders it!
I remember when it was dark and slightly cramped but they recently renovated the space and it is gorgeous. Great frescos and wall paintings! The staff is super friendly and seem to know what they are talking about!
Great Italian food! -
Review from Al S.
12/14/2009 ROTD 12/27/2009
4-stars, and "Yay! I'm a fan"........ BECAUSE?
We've been here with our "Brasilian-Argentinean-American" group of close friends, (our numbers vary, but on weekends we search out restaurants, based on my researching YOUR yelp reviews). And my wife and I have come here, as we did last Friday night, just by ourselves. We've all enjoyed each one of our visits.
So.... reason #1 for supporting this restaurant, is because of the husband and wife business partners who "work the dining area and kitchen"...... ck'ing on orders, visiting tables, and doing what any good business person would do to make sure things work! That alone is worth a solid star! And reason #2 is because of the consistency of the food and service...... as in the perenial question asked of a friend, in a Canarsie-Rockaway-Brooklyn accent; "So..... what's not to like???"
This is, for us, an enjoyable family style, casual, Italian restaurant, and one that we feel safe in patronizing and in bringing friends. (I'm talking "safe" as in consistently good food, not as in, "...so give me a safe table where a mob hit can't interrupt our dinner.") I've heard their pizzas are excellent; that remains to be seen for me, but I'll trust the word of our friends. As for the pasta and fish dishes..... we ordered a halibut platter, along with the eggplant parm, and split the two between us. We were very satisfied.
So why no 5-star rating? Well, it's a personal thing. My test for any Italian restaurant is to sample their meat sauce and pasta. I've been cooking since I was a kid, and I do both a very rich, red wine, meat sauce, as well as a Bolognese. Without faulting Antonucci's, I've found only a few restaurants that can meet my personal preferences for meat sauces. I'm sure, either you, or someone in your family has a great sauce. I never expect it at any restaurant, but will many times order a small side just to see where they're at. So I will always reserve my 5-star rating for an Italian restaurant, in anticipation of finding one that has that "Heavenly Inspired Sauce." (If you know of one....... please share!?) -
Review from Amy K.
While the staff and manager of Antonucci are very accomodating and friendly, the food here is just so-so. I always come here with a big group, and they are good at making sure everyone has everything they need.
If I didn't come here with my running club on a monthly basis, I probably wouldn't eat here. It's a little pricey for what you get. The salads are decent, as is the pizza. It just doesn't wow me. The most popular pizza in our group is the margarita, probably because it has a thinner crust than the other pizzas. I recommend sticking with it if you want pizza. It's simple cheese, tomato and fresh basil, so you really can't go wrong.
Antonucci's seems to do a really good bar business, at least during the week when we come. I don't know about the weekends, but on weeknights it shouldn't be a problem getting a table for dinner in the dining area. -
Review from Shannon G.
Aliso Viejo, CA
Updated - 8/13/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I went back and had the caprese salad and the clams appetizer. Both were really good. Much better than the last meal I had there. I wanted to boost the rating up to 4 stars but unfortunately a few of the clams did have sand in them. They tasted really good but the gritty texture of the sand was kind of a buzz kill.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/14/2011
The service is very friendly. Great little family owned place. The minestrone soup was great. The… Read more »
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Review from Nate W.
Santa Ana, CA
2/13/2009
My favorite Italian Place hands down, ever since moving down to RSM this was my place to go, being Italian the food to me is not quite my mum and grandmums cooking, however it is very very close
highly recommend the seafood dishes(to second a lot of the reviews posted)
i have yet to go to their new martini bar but i have heard mixed reviews and by gazing in i noticed sports on the tvs lol
i thought martini bars would be showing sex and the city and such lol
anyways highly recommended -
Review from Tony A.
Mission Viejo, CA
1/10/2011
As they say, if you want good food, go to a place that's busy! This place is packed. That's a good sign!!!
Went to Antonucci's last Saturday night with the family for dinner...food was GREAT! Service was even better.
The kids had the Rigatoni w/ Marrinara sauce...I tried it and it was good. Most places have a bland taste to their sauce...this was EXCELLENT!
I ordered the sausage, mushroom and garlic pizza and tried one of my guest Chicken Marsala. WOW...that was good too!
I would recommend the Canoli for desert.
Thanks Bob for making my family and I always feel welcome and at home. -
Review from Andrea O.
CAPO BEACH, CA
10/14/2011
My boyfriend and I tried it once and never went back. My pasta alfredo had the consistency of a weak chicken soup and absolutely no flavor. My boyfriend said his spaghetti tasted like an expired frozen dinner.
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Review from Alex P.
6/7/2008
Here's another neighborhood restaurant that I've driven by millions of times and never knew existed until just a few months ago - I am so happy that I've found this wonderful little Italian restaurant.
Since my taste for Italian food has outgrown the Olive Garden, I've been searching for something, some place to reignite my passion for what once used to be my favorite type of cuisine. Then I came upon this place through the invitation of a friend who used to work here. (Thanks Marisha!) Needless to say, I was not disappointed.
While the exterior of the restaurant is very modest and unassuming, tucked away in a small strip mall, once you make your way inside, the decor is very warm and inviting. Not only is there a small dining room but they also have a bar with additional seating. It seems like the bar was a later addition to the restaurant as it is separated by a wall and only joined by a small passage towards the front of the restaurant. While both sides are nice, the bar seems a bit more chic and modern with a marble counter top and additional nice elevated tables and bar stools.
Now for the important part - the food. I've not had anything on the menu that I haven't enjoyed. Their anti-pasto salad is delicious. Loaded up with shredded mozzarella cheese, salami, and pepperoni, the small size could easily be a meal in and of itself. The fried calamari is fresh, crisp, light, and accompanied by a great marinara sauce.
As for their entrees, I've tried the spaghetti with meat balls and the Mostaciolli Calalora and both were amazing! The portions are gigantic and delicious, which to me, is a dangerous combination. The spaghetti with meat balls are amazing and intimidating all at the same time. Quite literally the size of softballs, the meat balls are moist and flavorful, just like mama used to make...oh wait, never mind. I'm Korean and mama never maid no meat balls...I digress. As for the Mostaciolli Calalora, it is a mostaciolli pasta served with large chunks of chicken breast and mushrooms in a tomato and light cream sauce. DELICIOSO!!
Now after the appetizers, the salad, and the generously sized entrees, if you still feel like you can squeeze in some dessert, I highly recommend the tiramisu. I'm a bit of a tiramisu fanatic. It's probably my single favorite dessert and this place has a wonderful one. Only downside is that by the time you get to it, you feel as though you may explode.
Antonucci's has definitely made it into my local places to eat. No longer do I have to feel like I need to make a trek out to find some decent Italian, as long as this place is around, I'll always be satisfied. -
Review from Jennifer F.
Mission Viejo, CA
11/5/2009
My family and I visited Antonucci's for lunch yesterday, and were very pleased with the service. The food was tasty and the portion sizes were just enough to accommodate a "lunch" appetite. I ordered the vegetable lasagna, which truly should be described as "spinach" lasagna but yummy nonetheless.
Decor is cute and well-lit, would be a great place to go on a date! Also, the owner walked through at one point and thanked everyone for coming in, table by table, and also thanked those who left. Clearly a place that appreciates their customers. -
Review from Mike M.
Mission Viejo, CA
Updated - 7/23/2011
Very friendly service, ice cold beer, pizza that is perfection. This is one of my favorite places, the owner Bob is such a nice guy. The food is fresh and terrific. Try one of the pizza's simply delicious.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/13/2011
Antonucci's the base word is YUM! If you happen upon this little jewel dont miss out on the pizza.… Read more »
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Review from barbara r.
Laguna Woods, CA
7/1/2011
have been going here for a few years...
sat at the bar to share a pizza the bar people could not have been any ruder if they tried...and the bar was not busy...female bartender(not Michelle) could have cared less about us or our food......the atmosphere has changed even in the restaurant section....pizza is okay....i go for his shrimps usually u10's but because of the unacceptable and rude bar person we
have stayed away..the bartender is not michelle who has been there for years she is very nice update went back last nite sat at bar shared meatballs/pasta excellent ../ -
Review from Alicia M.
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
10/12/2010
Just like everyone else has been saying, the owner of this store is very nice, warm, and welcoming. He makes you feel like you've stepped into your mother's kitchen, only your mother can actually cook.
My boyfriend and I order the pizza here. We've fallen into a sick disgusting love affair over this pizza. It's like crack. We can't get enough, and we start itching our necks when we haven't had any in a while.
We always order a large pepperoni pizza from this place. They have different sized pepperoni's on this thing, that gives the little circles of deliciousness some added crispiness. I hate limpy pepperoni's and this place has never sold us a limp pepperoni pizza. They breathe life into those pepperoni's that not a lot of pizza places take into consideration.
They are my absolute favorite pizza place in the planet of delicious. -
Review from Nick G.
Orange, CA
4/7/2011
The food is amazing and Bob, the owner is great. Very cool place. Definitely my favorite for italian. If you haven't tried this place, you're missing out. The hard work and love they put into this place is clearly apparent from the moment you step in the door to the very last bite you consume. Can't wait to go back!
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Review from mama of three g.
Orange County, CA
5/7/2011
OK, so Bob the owner is a bit annoying and fake.
*HOWEVER, the entrees are good and the pizza is excellent. Prices are fair. Definitely one I would recommend. -
Review from Trish F.
Irvine, CA
11/12/2011
Best pizza in south OC! Reasonably priced too
