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Randazzo's Little Italy
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 12 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 12 pm - 12 am
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Validated
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy, Trendy, Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
93 reviews for Randazzo's Little Italy
Review Highlights
"The spaghetti with Sunday Gravy was delicious."
(in 8 reviews)
"The portions are HUGE."
(in 8 reviews)
"BEST ITALIAN PLACE TO TAKE FAMILY AND KIDS IN MIAMI."
(in 17 reviews)
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93 reviews in English
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Review from Stephen D.
Miami, FL
2/1/2012
I'm not a big pasta guy, but when I want a big pasta I go to Randazzo's. The servings are enormous and everyone leaves with a doggie bag, but the food is also really good.
The penne with vodka sauce is my favorite, but I also like the seafood linguine and the pasta with neck bones. For an appetizer, I always get the seafood salad, which is seriously one of the best things I've ever eaten. The wine selection is good, but I'd like to see them add a few more by-the-glass options. I also find the service to be very friendly and efficient, and Mark (the boxer turned restauranteur) often personally greets regulars and newcomers alike.
The decor is way over the top and the place can get a bit loud, but that can be fun if you're with the right company. Overall, it's a great place to go if you want really good, country-style Italian food. -
Review from Ute L.
1/27/2012
Think Sunday dinner on "Jersey Shore" and you have Randazzo's. The venue is less intimate and much larger than their old space and has a more modern feel to it. The service was outstanding from the moment we walked in. We had called ahead to reserve a table of 8 on a Friday night and no trouble being accommodated.
As for the food: Being born and raised in Europe, this has very little in common with Italian food, it is heavily tomato and olive oil based American-Italian fare: Giant meatballs marinara ( meatloaves would be more appropriate), ginormous plates of chicken parm on a pile of marinara pasta, huge sausage platters designed for family style sharing. I did not try any of the meat dishes but the consensus from the NY fam was "delicious" across the board.
I ordered the daily special, salmon filet stuffed with crab meat, it was tasty and the portion generous. I also recommend the seafood salad appetizer and stuffed clams for sharing.
Finally, you MUST save room for the chocolate cake. It is a huge 6 layer slice of moist dark devil's food cake with rich chocolate frosting. And yes, we finished every little crumb of that 1200 calorie monstrosity. The ricotta cheesecake is not what we'd expected. It was more of a traditional NY style cheesecake, much denser in texture than a ricotta cheesecake and served too cold, almost frozen, albeit still tasty.
Conclusion: The food is heavy and not extra-ordinary in any way but service is great and you will leave satiated and ready for a nap. -
Review from Curtis S.
Miami, FL
12/29/2011
Finally decided to yelp about this place, after eating here 3 times. I still have mixed emotions about Randazzo's, so bear with me.
The decor is fun, and the place is pretty darn loud. Don't think you're going to take your girl for a romantic Italian dinner here. Even since they moved into this much larger space, it's still packed all the time. If you want quiet - there's plenty of other spots in the Gables for Italian food.
Make a reservation...if they pick up the phone. Hostesses are evidently there for show only, and they honestly cannot tell you how long a wait for a table will be. It seems that nothing happens logistically until the boisterous manager makes it so, usually with a free drink or appetizer as an apology.
You'll probably love the food so much it'll make up for any detractors. Waitstaff is really knowledgeable about the menu if you take a minute to talk to them. Portion size is beyond big. You could feed 3 hungry people with most entrees. I really wish you didn't have to pay $7 to share a plate. I understand they need to stay in business but this just seems like a money-grab. There's got to be another way.
Like I said - mixed emotions - but I'll still be back for the food. -
Review from Jill W.
Mt Pleasant, SC
1/16/2012
We wanted something Italian in Coral Gables, and got it.
This is old school, red sauce ("gravy") pasta and meat. It is so old school that you get a neckbone with the meatball and sausage when you order the spaghetti dinner. The portions are huge, and are likely worth splitting a plate. (I saw in earlier review there is a charge for this???)
The staff was super friendly. They are worth talking to and will give you their opinion on what's a favorite.
It is loud and busy. The energy is high. The table was small for the huge plates. We watched the film "Casino" while eating, so it's not necessarily the best during red sauce meals or if you have a delicate stomach.
Overall, it is a great place with great food. Go when you are hungry! -
Review from Marc L.
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
9/28/2011
Every once in a great while you come across a restaurant that leaves you almost breathless with its food. Randazzo's is that place. I can honestly say that I have never had better Italian, and I've tried Italian from California to Europe with everything in between. Randazzo's is someplace special; it's nothing you've had before, and it's a place where your foodie dreams all culminate in one mind-blowing food Armageddon.
It might interest Yelpers to know I fell upon this place completely by accident. returning from a sojourn in the Bahamas with a friend, we were craving "something Italian" and looked up the nearest place on our route back to Miami International Airport. My smartphone led us to Coral Gables where we saw this place (on "miracle mile") and figured we'd try it. Oh my, we had no idea we were stepping into the dwelling of the Gods.
First of all, it's not a flashy place but it's really warm, cozy and Italian-y inside. The service - from the moment we entered on a very quiet Sunday to when we left 90 minutes later - was nothing short of impeccable. Maybe this is how they do it in Florida. If it is, I'd almost put up with the alligators, wild chimpanzees, flesh-eating fish swimming in the canals, and the anacondas eating people's kids.
The little dipping sauce they bring you with bread when you sit down is almost indescribably good. It's spicy-hot, garlicky and fresh; but totally manageable. It's not like habanero spicy, it's just the little kick that all that garlic gives it. Olive oil, special olives, peppers, and who-knows-what else. It's WON-DER-FUL! Friggin amazing is more like it. If I were Liz Taylor (who is now dead but who was famous for sending private jets to bring her good food from around the world), I'd buy a private jet just to bring me this dipping sauce.
The entree looked like an aerial view of Kansas; huuuuge chicken breast, expertly thinned and covered with the CORRECT amount of melted cheeses and sauce. But not just any cheese and sauce. It was delectable, complex, toothy, perfect tomato sauce; like a marinara brought from heaven. The cheeses were rich and full of taste. This is what cheese is supposed to taste like. It was obviously aged, premium cheese like you'd have in Italy. Not some crappy mozarella from the local supplier. The portion was enormous, the chicken tender and full of flavor. The breading JUST right. Everything perfect.
To give you an idea of the service, at one point our server brought an un-asked-for bowl of soup. "It's on the house," she said smiling. "The chef just made it and wants to know what you think." Holy Julia-freakin'-Child! It was AMAZING. English really sucks for adjectives because "amazing" is so cliche and overused. The soup was delicate and flavorful at the same time. All kinds of interesting flavor explosions happening in my mouth; with each taste-bud bowing in thanks to the food gods.It was truly, 100% fantastic.
Look, Randazzo's was an unforgettable dining experience. It's not fancy or haughty or overdone. This is the stuff that Frank Sinatra is probably beating up some guy over in Heaven because he's really pissed off that he can't eat it in his present body-less state. This is real Italian, touched with fanciful little surprises and interesting flourishes. Wow. Complete food-gasm. Speechless to this day.
BEST. ITALIAN. FOOD. EVAH. -
Review from Katy S.
10/11/2011
What does this place have going for them you may ask? Meatballs. That's about it.
Don't get me wrong people....the meatballs are amazing. But try any other meal other than the spaghetti and meatballs and you are likely to be disappointed.
I've tried the fettuccine alfredo...bleh. borrrrring!
The wait is always insanely long. The seating arrangement is crazy. They make you squeeze into the place like sardines. No me vusta.
If ur looking for a real italian meal and a pleasant relaxing evening, try Nunzio's in Kendall. I really just can't stand the huss and fuss of Randazzo's. -
Review from Tatiana A.
Miami, FL
12/20/2011
Nice place with theatrical decor- you feel like you're stepping into a scene from the Godfather (they even play the theme song on their website). The food was nothing to brag about- a bit heavy for my taste and prone to causing indigestion (most of the guests in my party felt pretty uncomfortable after their meal). However, the service is wonderful and very friendly! Feels like a typical Italian family owned restaurant.
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Review from Ethan T.
Miami-Dade, FL
12/15/2011
Former boxer creates the best Italian restaurant in Miami!
I was first brought here on a date a couple years ago and I was hooked within five minutes. The decor is all boxing memorabilia, or any thing that can in some way be linked to Italian or Italian American heritage or tradition. The TV's have always been playing the Godfather movies on a constant loop with no sound, which makes it fun to guess what might be going on in different scenes. The multi level seating areas are really cool, especially the darkened staircase you take from the front door up to the second level.
The staff is professional all the way. White shirts, black pants, ties, well groomed. This is not just a good staff; these are professional servers. They know the menu and the specials by heart; they always have a recommendation, and will warn you when a certain dish is not at it's best that night, a service I am appreciative of.
The food is the best Italian food in the area short of fancy dress up restaurants. The portions are mammoth, the quality is top shelf, the sheer presentation of the meal earns this place an extra star, but I am already at five stars before I say this. The constant flow of warm bread that arrives before the meal is good, but be warned, do not fill up on the bread!
There is a full bar right inside the first floor which is nice to stand at while waiting for a table, as well as occasionally there Re tables out front, which I have never sat at, though I would still prefer to be inside for the ambiance.
The owner, who always seems to be present, walks around from table to table to make sure every one is having fun, and enjoying the food. If you are in a group there are times that he will even sit and chat for a bit, having free appetizers brought to the table. This is a perk, not an expectation.
My friends and I love this place for long lunches, and I enjoy quiet dinners here at night. I have no complaints and only positive things to say. -
Review from Vanessa M.
Miami, FL
I've dined at Randazzo's on several occasions--birthday's, anniversary dinners, random dinners in the middle of the week, Coral Gables Restaurant Week; I think it's safe to say this review is as honest and as accurate as I can get.
Let's start with the establishment itself. As a girl who loves all things mobster related, Randazzo's is like a Godfather/Goodfella's mecca. I love that either of these movies are continually playing on the strategically placed flat screen T.V.'s throughout the restaurant--it makes for a great conversation starter or distractor from a less than interesting conversation.
The portions are extraordinarily large. I can't imagine ever eating one whole dish in one sitting, which is why i suggest either sharing (they charge a sharing fee) or going into it with the idea of taking the rest home for lunch the next day. The menu items are pretty pricey--especially for "home style" Italian food but then again, the portions are large, so I guess maybe it justifies the price.
The food is just okay. Mediocre Italian food at its best. I've had the calamari, shrimp alfredo, the cheese ravioli, the spaghetti with gravy, and the chicken parmagian. All of these dishes lacked a je ne sais quoi...taste? yeah, that's it. Taste. The food is very bland and uninspired to say the least. Drinks are good. Great wine selection. If you're a coffee drinker I highly recommend trying their Irish Coffee--need I explain what's in it?
Desserts are less than stellar. I've had better tiramisu. The cannoli were nothing special---but after eating cannoli at Ferrara's in NYC's Little Italy, I don't think any cannoli's will ever match up. I did have the carrot cake when they were hosting Coral Gables Restaurant week (it was the only dessert they had left) and I cannot lie...It's was the best carrot cake I've ever had!
If I ever visit Randazz'os again it will be solely for their charming atmosphere, Irish Coffee, and their carrot cake. The end. -
Review from Paula E.
7/28/2011
This place is definitely something else...
The boy and I venture out for dinner about a month ago and ended up at the doors of Randazzo's. I remember I couldn't hold back my giggle the minute I walked through the doors, it felt like I was entering the set of Scarface, which made me kind of excited about the idea of a meal here.
We sat at the bar because they didn't have tables available and requested to be seated upstairs. The bartender asked us if we wanted drinks but when we went to order he turned around and ignored us. I was pretty amused by all of this. A guy that seemed to be some sort of head honcho provided entertaining conversation and ordered the hostess around. Finally she came back and the table she had ready for us was a Italian family-sized round table (red and white tablecloth and everything) smack in the middle of the bottom room...well, there goes any chance for romance and intimacy...
Good thing I still found all the Godfather/Scarface/Italian heroes memorabilia pretty amusing and the fact they were playing Rat Pack all-time classics also helped enhance the mood. Tacky galore!
The menu is classic Italian flare, no surprises there except the really funny excerpts describing the dishes. We went for a bottle of wine, and the special of the day; a seafood stuffed mahi-mahi, and decided to split one of the side dishes of Fetuccini Alfredo.
Another somewhat irking part of the meal was the service. Nobody seemed to know who was really our server, so our refills, bread and oil with spices dip (complimentary) etc seemed to get lost in limbo. It got to the point where I started to think our meal had met the same fate (at this point in time I think we've been at the restaurant for over an hour).
It finally showed, the dishes pretty pretty good (nothing mind flowing) and the portions were huge. They split our side for us already so that was a plus.
In conclusion, a million hours later we got a pretty hefty check....was it worth it? I think not, but I can definitely see the allure of the place, I think the fact that they are homey and friendly and not pompous makes everything I listed above somewhat bearable. -
Review from Mario L.
Vacaville, CA
6/21/2011
Oh, Randazzo's is off the hook for me and my family!!! We took friends there to celebrate a birthday. I could not wait to try their dish again! First of all the decor makes you feel that you are really going to experience Italian food.
The restaurant was filled with pictures of Marc Randazzo and his famous crew along with many other famous stars and legends of Italy. Also the Godfather was playing on the big plasma screen. Very Italy.
I tasted a wine after wine and with the food I ordered. It was perfect
Now for my order and what an order!. The spaghetti with Sunday Gravy was delicious. My goodness, size of those meatballs were like Tennis Ball. Huge! But they were tasteful. The spaghetti was done right as well. I could only eat one ball and had to leave the rest for next time.
My wife ordered the chicken parmigiana. Oh my! Another big portion. What a big chicken. It was done perfectly and she was very satisfied with it and I got to eat it as well. The birthday boy ordered Luigi's Broiled Chicken Lemon. Big chunks of chicken with spaghetti. He said it was delicious.
We all took home what was leftover and I believe we have food for over a week! Love it! -
Review from Eschel H.
4/1/2011
Seeing all these stellar reviews makes me feel a bit jealous.
There's not question in my mind that the food is excellent at Randazzo's, and the meatball my wife and I shared was enormous and excellent.
But the service we received the entire evening was terrible and we felt like we were second class citizens who'd been blessed with the privilege of being able to eat there.
From beginning to end the service was simply pathetic and indifferent.
And it didn't help to stick us at the table next to the kitchen door on the second floor. The smells and speeding wait staffing coming out was distracting and sometimes disturbing. -
Review from Raj M.
Miami, FL
7/8/2011 Seated via OpenTable
This place reminds me of the old Little Italy on the west side of Chicago before the university took over the neighborhood...
Regardless, great food, and good service. Watch out for the portion sizes as some of them can be overwhelming! They used to have an annoying sharing charge, but they have removed it and now the cost barely constitutes the $$$ mark as long as you share.
We ordered the standard Spaghetti with Meatballs and Sausage for our main course, and the Chicago calamari which comes topped with...you guessed it...cheese! To me cheese and calamari didn't make sense, but it does for this dish. Both dishes were great and seemed like Italian Soul Food. Meatballs as big as your Fist, so beware, this is NOT for calorie counters, unless you want to count really high :)
Nice experience, and I will visit again when in the mood for some diet killing food. -
Review from Malisha-missy S.
Indianapolis, IN
11/1/2011 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here
Everything was worth going here!!!! The food was wonderful and the service was just as wonderful! If you would like to share something on the menu, trust me 2 people can MORE than eat one dinner plate! You will LOVE it!!!!
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Review from George G.
Miami, FL
8/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
My father has raved about this place for years. I never tried it because I noticed a lot to the yelp elites gave it poor service reviews.
Well today was going to be my first time going to The Fish Shack witch I got turned onto by some yelp reviews butttttttt it was shut down & it looked like it had been for a while!!!!! Bummer, so the fam & I decided to troll the mile. Found parking at the west end & what do ya know Randazzo's.
We were greeted warmly even with some banter with the hostess and some staff. You see my daughter is a Real Madrid fan and they were Barcelona fans. Any of you soccer fans know that's a bad mix!!!! She was sporting her jersey with pride. And my daughter won't think twice about strapping on the gloves & hopping in the ring. Ding, ding, ding, we all threw some jabs then sat down for some lunch.
I ordered from the Miami Spice menu & it was delicious!!! Before ordering we asked what the soup of the day was. As my wife raised her eyebrows at the sound of split pea the waiter said "please let me bring you a sample". ok figured she would get a little cup with an 2 ounces of soup. Not the case at all, he returned with 4 bowls half full plated with a slice of toast. Needless to say it was perfect. The four of us loved the food. My wife & I both had the MS menu & found it to be too much food. We have kids and feel no left over shame, so had the rest packed to go. The value of the MS menu is unbeatable! I am from a Midwest (Ohio) Italian family. This is the stuff mamma tried to make, but didn't go to culinary school. Not knocking mammas stuff, what I mean is it has that American hearty Italian style but a little bit fancied up.
To end the management came by to ask about our meal & we gave it the 4 thumbs up.
The service never failed us?!?! Maybe we got away with folks.Ha! -
Review from Remy L.
Miami, FL
3/16/2011
Went there with a group for a Christmas Dinner. The place looks nice. The food wasn't so good in our experience.
My wife got sick with some chicken (seriously?) and I was the one teasing her about this... Until I heard others from the group got sick with the food.
My plate was alright although quite greasy.
Finally the price was over what it should have been by a good 20% in my opinion. However, the prime location might justify that kind of prices...
Overall disappointed by the place. -
Review from Meg H.
9/6/2011
I LOVE Randazzo's! I know this is incredibly cliche, but being an Italian American this is the closest to my family's cooking that I've had! I've even gotten food to go several times and the female bartender (I'm terrible with names) is always incredibly accommodating to my incredibly picky and at sometimes demanding requests. The Meatball Salad is TO DIE FOR! So is the Calamari with Gorgonzola! Yum!
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Review from Josy P.
Miami, FL
I love this place. The portions are huge and you can tell they make their sauce from scratch. The fried mozzarella is outrages, the chicken Parm is fantastic, the spaghetti and meatballs melt in your mouth and the cannoli is 1000 calories! How can you go wrong? It gets packed on weekends so make reservations.
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Review from Joaquin M.
Miami, FL
1/14/2011
Way over priced!
Extremely large portions
The salads suck!
The fettucini alfredo was really good, so was the calamari.
The desserts were good too. the cheesecake is really light! loved it!
The tiramisu was perfect!
The service was very good. -
Review from Adalberto M.
Miami, FL
2/25/2011
For all the hype, I was extremely disappointed.
This place is very authentic. Italian arts all over the place. I will give them credit on the food, HUGE portions that you can share - but beware...there is a $7.00 sharing fee. Plates run you roughly $25-$40.
Also, not every dish comes with pasta (you would think, right?). So make sure you read the menu and ask questions. Parking sucks. There is coin meters close by or a parking garage that takes credit.
Unfortunately I had a really rude waiter (male, starts with a M) so avoid this dude if he still works there.
One other thing, this place is NOT KID FRIENDLY. There's no PIZZA or chicken fingers or anything of that sort. If you're going, leave the kids at home. Too expensive anyway. -
Review from Walter H.
Miami, FL
4/25/2011
Music is way TOO LOUD ... food OK Our waiter became miffed as we did not buy wine, salad and then ignored us after we shared our meal. I think he saw his tip slipping as our order progressed.
The portions are TOO BIG you either share or take home about half.
Reduce the portions, lower the music, and lower the prices.
This was our third visit and our last. -
Review from Joe C.
Miami, FL
1/3/2011
I always like Italian restaurants that pride themselves on making a few signature dishes exceptionally well. That's what Randazzo's is all about.
Walking in I was hooked on all the celebrity memorabilia that hung from the walls. Even better were the continually playing classic Italian movies (I.e. Goodfellas, the Departed, Raging Bull) on tvs throughout the restaurant.
When I looked the menu I was happy to see they called their italian sauce "Sunday gravy". Such a name evokes the family style and taste that Randazzo's prides itself on. The Chicken Parmesan was as good as I've had in Miami (sorry, I'm a NY snob when it comes to Italian cooking). The spaghetti and meatballs were also good, I particularly enjoyed the quality of their gravy.
Overall this is was amongst the best Italian food I've found in Miami. I enjoyed the atmosphere of Randazzo's, the presentation of the courses, and the quality of food that felt home cooked and was served family style. -
Review from Julie B.
Miami, FL
6/27/2011
This restaurant has always been one of my all time favorites. If you like real southern Italian food full of original homemade flavor, then it is a must for you to go to Randazzo's Little Italy. For appetizers the meatball is a must! Also if you like salads the salad is fantastic. My favorite item in the menu as a main dish is the Shrimp Scampi. It is full of flavor with many shrimp and very lemony and garlic. The canoli as a desert has always been amazing. The service is great and the owner is a great person who if he is there will greet you at your table and especially if you become a regular as myself.
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Review from Andy D.
6/7/2010 1 Check-in Here
Randazzo's, Randazzo's, Randazzo's just the name want's you to go there. But, if you look up the definition of the name Randazzo it means in Latin: I let my friends get seated first. While you, who have been there for hours languish and die!!!
My thought is you could have got 4 to 5 stars at least from me. But, since Mr. Randazzo (former boxer and wife beater) can do what the f$&@ he wants, me and my party (with a reservation) wait, and wait and wait, what your taking a chair from a pregnant woman for your friend to sit down. AAARRGGGH, what the f$&@. Ohm, ohm, ohm I'm in Miami.......... Randazzo you have enough legal issues!
Well, we finally got a seat, the waitress apparently knows all to well about our boxer owners friends. But, she's nice, funny and informative. She's making me loose the feelings of being un-empowered by one of Randazzo's hooks. I remember the hooks I had, so now I'm empathetic.
Randazzo's mom now! yikes your about to talk about a former boxer's mom. Yes I am, yes I am...... Mama, musta been a hell of a cook, cause the food is amazing. The fried calamari was out of this world, but so was the meat ball's (well the meat balls were exceptional), the veal picata (yeah I know baby cow), Osso Bucco, and THE SUNDAY GRAVEY with spagetti!!!!!!! OMG, so good. The food is great and once you get away from the owner because he's waiting for his next hook so he can give up a table, cause no reservations in the owners mind!..... You got a great restaurant. I'd go there again cause the foods so good, but I really didn't appreciate having the owner fawning over his pals and dumping reservations. Was it worth the wait, eeeehhhhh I got to slam him so yes, the food is great. -
Review from Betty A.
9/12/2010
Oh my gosh! Randazzo's is off the chain for me! My party went there to celebrate a birthday. I could not wait to try their dish again! First of all the decor makes you feel that you are really going to experience Italian food.
The restaurant was filled with pictures of Marc Randazzo and his famous crew along with many other famous stars and legends of Italy. Also the Godfather was playing on the big plasma screen. Very Italy.
I first ordered my blush wine. To be honest, it was fruity but was not impressed with it. I tasted a more refined wine in other places but went well with the food I ordered. So I was Ok with it.
Now for my order and what an order!. The spaghetti with Sunday Gravy was delicious. My goodness, size of those meatballs were like Tennis Ball. Huge! But they were tasteful. The spaghetti was done right as well. I could only eat one ball and had to leave the rest for next time.
My boyfriend ordered the chicken parmigiana. Oh my! Another big portion. What a big chicken. It was done perfectly and he was satisfied with it. The birthday girl ordered Luigi's Broiled Chicken Limone. Big chunks of chicken with spaghetti. She said it was delicious.
We all took home what was leftover and I believe we have food for over a week! Love it! -
Review from Ilene R.
LONG ISLAND CITY, NY
11/21/2011
food was average italian- large portions but very heavy. the atmosphere is fun & lively.
The reason i gave 4 stars is two words: chocolate cake... They have by and far the best chocolate cake i have ever tasted, hands down. It is large enough to share so even if you are full after your meal, don't be shy.
Will definitely return for a glass of wine & a slice of their chocolate cake. -
Review from Joseph C.
11/15/2010 1 Check-in Here
Randazzo's is a really good Italian restaurant on the tip of miracle mile. Everything about this place screams out Italian Mafia. They play old world Italian music throughout the restaurant and play the Godfather on loop all day everyday on their flastscreens. They even have a photo of the pope in a small shrine in the upstairs room. Being that the owner/chef of the restaurant is a former professional boxer, there are definitely some elements of the sport incorporated into the theme. Their menu looks like a boxing glove and the language used in the menu has an "in your face" type of feel to it. He even tells you to go to Ruth's Chris if you plan on ordering steak there! haha
The Food
For appetizer I always get the Chicago calamari. This is one of the best calamaris you could ever have. The sauce that it is served in is amazing and like most things in this restaurant, it is huge! The two entrees that I always get are the rigatoni alla vodka and the Sunday Gravy. The vodka sauce for the rigatoni is spectacular. It is creamy and rich and has little pieces of pancetta in it. The Sunday Gravy is a beast of a plate. It comes with two big meatballs, two sausages, and a huge serving of spaghetti. It is very very very big and also very tasty. If you don't have leftovers then you probably aren't human...or you may be a competitive eater. If you can possibly have any room for dessert, the Canoli is amazing. It is definitely the best you will find here in Miami.
The service here is always pretty good. The only thing that I don't like is the fact that they walk around with pitchers of coke/diet coke filled with ice. By the time they get around to your table it's usually watered down and/or flat. That's probably the only thing that I don't like about this place...that and the Coral Gables parking meters. Who carries quarters now a days anyway? -
Review from Leah R.
Miami-Dade, FL
8/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
The lobster ravioli is off the charts. Everyone is very pleasant and the service is quick.
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Review from Bryan B.
Miami, FL
8/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
I first went here to celebrate my 21st birthday and I have be hooked since!!!
When you want amazing Italian food and you are REALLY hungry, come to this joint! When I go with my girlfriend, we usually have to split a chicken parmesan and we still leave with left-overs! The menu is witty and different, the music can be loud at times and "The Godfather" movie is always on the TV. The owner walks around and speaks to people and they hardly ever charge you for a sharing charge. I love it here :) -
Review from Rosy C.
Miami, FL
7/14/2011 3 Check-ins Here
True Homestyle Italian cooking! I absolutely LOVE this place. The food is amazing! The service is great. It's like being back in Italy! My Husband & I have had the Rigatoni Vodka, Chicken Lemone, Spaghetti with Meatballs, The Calamari, Shrimp & Linguine, Chicken Parm & they've ALL been incredible. The flavors are rich without being overpowering. Everything is fresh & the sauces are made fresh daily & you can totally taste it. The place is covered in pics of the infamous owner & pictures of great Italian Mob movies & of course they have plasmas playing the Godfather 24/7. It is without a doubt my FAVE Italian restaurant.
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Review from Elizabeth Z.
Cutler Bay, FL
3/21/2011
They say never judge a book by its cover & I suppose the same is applicable to restaurants. I was initially drawn to this place by its quaint exterior: red checkered table cloths, delicious aromas, etc. It had the makings of a Lady & the Tramp scene. The service, however, very mediocre & pricey for what it was. The food in itself was good, not extraordinary, but good. I had ravioli & my mother had the seafood salad. Boy was the seafood salad good. Unfortunately, it wasn't good enough to offset the horrible bout of food poisoning we both had that night/morning. Sadly, I will not be going back to this place. Such a shame.
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Review from MICHELLE C.
Miami, FL
Updated - 7/13/2009
Took the girls here last night, as they were so excited to go. Wow, at 6:30 p.m. they were packed but we only waited about twenty minutes for a table upstairs.
Had to give one more star from previous review because they so deserve it. Wow, hubby ordered the Spaghetti with Sunday Gravy,
Whew those were some big meatballs!! So I traded my dish with his....hee hee, like I normally do. Chicken Parmigana was awesome, penne with meat sauce good, and the only dish that I would not reccomend that we all tried was the Chicken Limon. It was good but the presentation of drums and litle pieces of chicken did not impress my daughter to much. Did not matter, we had enough food, for three days....
The girls finished with Cannoli (you get two per order) and they were so cute fighting over them. I said girls there are two there and they just laughed because they were so good, they both wanted to eat both.
Service always good!!!
OH, the meatballs were just amazing, they truely melted in your mouth.
The girl's loved it......so I made them walk about a mile when we left, ha ha they needed to work off some food....:)
p.s. And hubby did not spill wine all over me this time......haListed in: Italian at it's BEST!, Romance, ambience, quality food with excellent service. Special…">Stellar Dining Experience!, The Gables has some cool…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/1/2009
I am dreading writting this review but it so deserves it.
Long story short, got there early for… Read more »
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Review from Michael D.
Jackson Heights, NY
Updated - 1/7/2009 2 photos
I was here again twice when I was in Miami. This place is still the best Italian food outside of Italy.
_____Listed in: Miami Favorite Eats
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/2/2007
I arrived in Miami on the day before Thanksgiving. My grandmother, who I call Noonie, has lived down… Read more »
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Review from Krupa P.
Miami, FL
2/10/2010 1 photo
So I finally went to Randazzo's after hearing all of the great things about this restaurant. The place was packed so we decided to sit and eat at the bar which was nice. The atmosphere is cool. You feel like you are part of the mafia with all of the decor.
For appetizer we ordered the the mozzarella in carroza and we finished every bite. It was perfectly breaded and the sauce was very tasty. For dinner we got the homemade ravioli, and it was just as good. Fresh and filled with the perfect amount of cheese.
So I know what you are thinking . . . why on earth did you only give them one star. So as we are finishing up dinner my friend is like I think I just saw a ROACH, but I just figured he was just seeing things because he is semi-blind and his glasses were off, until . . . I saw a ROACH scurrying towards our food. I then quickly killed the roach and handed our dead friend to our waitress/bartender.
I would have probably still awarded them more than one star if it wasn't for how they handled the situation afterwards. Nobody came to sincerely apologize to us and the bartender proceeded to laugh at me. They only gave us 50% off and the best part of it was that they apparently have a ROACH discount in their computer system because that is exactly what our receipt said: ROACH 50% OPEN % Disc. Please check out the picture that I have posted as proof!
So yes the food was good, but for all I know, I could have been eating roach infested food. Happy eating. -
Review from Carla M.
Miami, FL
12/11/2010
Wow....!!!! And wow!!!
Pricey but worth it!!! Food is great! Service was fine.
Portions are huge!!!! Let me repeat it: HUGE!!! If you're a conservative eater, pay the $6.00 sharing entree fee or prepare to take a doggie bag for 3 more days. So the price is like 3 meals in one.
The calamari appetizer is the best i've tasted ever. Spaguetti and meatballs will make your jaw drop. Great!!! -
Review from Suzette A.
Philadelphia, PA
5/31/2009
OK, I don't even know how to begin...I went to Randazzo's two nights in a row, because I simply fell in love with the place. I went the first time on Friday with 5 friends. And then last night, after nonstop bragging and driving my parents and b/f crazy about it (yup, I can be that annoying I guess).
Anyway, I did notice that our wait on Friday was long, about 40 minutes, but since we just showed up sans a reservation, I really wasn't expecting a velvet rope for me or anything, so we were content sitting at the cute bar while sipping wine and chit chatting. We were seated on the first floor, where we could see a myriad of waiters running around. The food was delicious: We had the calamari with Gorgonzola cheese, and the mozzarella sticks, with a homemade marinara sauce, that honestly, is to die for. OMG. As entrees we had an osso bucco, the spaghetti and meatballs (2 gigantic Godzilla sized things), and some fish. All was great. I am not sure if it is because I was buzzed with the wine or what the hell, but to me, on Friday, everything was pristine, from the service to the food.
Now, the story changed dramatically in 24 hours... Let me begin by saying that I had made the reservation for 9 pm. I suppose I am of the few people out there that still respects punctuality because at 8:56 pm, since I was still looking for parking, I called the restaurant to let them know that I was going to be few minutes late (yes, I can be this idiot I guess). I got there at 9:02 pm, so let's call that ON-TIME....well, I had to wait 20 minutes for my table anyways. Minus 10 points.
After me going to the maitre-d (twice) - (minus 10 points), we were finally seated. We got a table on the second floor. Place was packed as usual. Right upon seating, one super quick waiter plopped a basket of bread and another one poured the water. We got our menus and in 3 minutes we were ready to order.
And there we sat waiting.
And waiting.
And waiting.
(blink blink)
Would you believe me if I say we were there ignored for.............drums rolling..... 30 minutes???
Minus 20 points.
I took the time people. We ate all the bread and drank all the water. How sad.
To make a long story short, after I got upset, someone finally came to the table and apologized and what not. At that point I said: "Oh well, it's OK, let me just take this out of my mind and have a great time". We ordered appetizers, which were devoured in 2 minutes (we were starving), and we got a bottle of wine, which we drank while waiting for the food to come. Unbelievable. The food took sooooo long that the only entertainment was the wine...
But wait. This is not all. The food came and we had decided to order a second bottle of wine (hell yeah that wine was welcomed to sustain such a torture), and - surprise - our waiter never came to the table to see if by any chance we wanted something else to drink (please, imagine 5 glasses and an empty bottle of wine? Hint? Hello? Anyone?) - I don't know about you, but anywhere I go, even when I am still working on a drink, the bartender or waiter will ask if I want something else....We specifically asked three different waiters for the wine list and it never arrived.
Minus 100 points.
At that point, we were just dying to get out of there. It was extremely cold, and we were aggravated by the poor service. The food was still good, but honestly, I will never go back. I am a perfectionist for service and considering that their prices are not cheap, good service is what by default you should be getting for your $$$.
On another note: You can see the kitchen through a glass wall (which is cute), and I wasn't happy to see that they handle the pasta with their bare hands...(uhm, not so cute). Minus 50 points??? -
Review from Michelle W.
Grand Forks, ND
10/30/2009
Yum! I loved the food here & the service was great! I had the fettuccine alfredo & it was enough for 3 meals....probably could have been 4! The pasta was cooked perfectly and the sauce was gooey, cheesy goodness! My dining companion had ordered a meat dish (I can't remember what for some reason) and they devoured it! We really enjoyed our meal here. We went early on a Saturday - with no reservation- and were lucky enough to be seated right away.
I dig the ambiance and the boxing paraphernalia. Although, it was a bit strange to have a giant screen of Scarface playing while I was eating. The wine was reasonably priced & our serve was polite and made good suggestions. We were stuffed to the gills after leaving and will definitely make a return visit!Listed in: Miami Area
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Review from alissa w.
8/7/2010
Good not great..... Started with the Randazzo salad very very average salad, and dressing the quality was nothing special. It was basically oil, and red wine vinegar very bland. They used 1/4 iceburg lettuce, couple, tomatoes, salami, and a few chick peas for $15?
Ordered as a main entree bucatinni chicken parmasean. i do not know why they write bucattini because it was linguine noodles. The chicken was good had melted munster cheese on it not mozzarella. I found that a but strange, but then again I know FOOD so 999 out of 1000 people would not have noticed. The food was good, not great I would give it an overall 7. Worth trying, but definately not running back to eat there. I do have to say the service was pretty good though. -
Review from Christine P.
Miami, FL
5/7/2009
Let me start out by saying I trusted Yelp, and went to 150 Giralda Ave... only to find out that was the *old* location. The *new* location is off LeJeune, right across from City Hall and kinda behind Le Salle Dry Cleaners. (didn't get exact address-- woops!) It can be hard to see because it's hiding behind some sort of half-wall at the edge of the Mile.
Once I got there, it was a lot of fun. I'm all about any place that is conducive to plenty of "that's what she said" jokes... the menu is very entertaining to read, with an abundance of jokes about (meat) balls.
Small 1st floor with a bar... stairs lead you to dining room on 2nd floor. The ambiance is great... red & white checkered table clothes, walls covered in photos, b&w movies playing on plasmas, grape lights hanging from the ceiling. You feel like you're in Little Italy, thousands of miles away from Miami. (except for when the they played a Christmas song, wtf was that?! haha)
The menu tells you straight up-- don't come here if you're on a diet. Huge portions, and very basic entrees... comfort food. Came with group of 5, ordered mozzarella and calamari w/gorgonzola to start... delicious. I ordered Rigatoni a la Vodka with Prosciutto as my entree but I'm still looking for the prosciutto. I think they put all their effort into the Spaghetti with Sunday Gravy that someone else at our table ordered. Came complete with two monstrous meatballs, and some sausage (go ahead and giggle, because I did).
Pasta dishes ranged from $22-30... kinda expensive in my book for pasta, no matter how big your (meat)balls are. :) You're paying for the ambiance and location. -
Review from Carla P.
Coconut Grove, FL
2/15/2010
Momma Mia! This place is great, from the pictures on the wall to the music of Frank Sinatra to the yummy food on the table. It makes me feel like i'm back up in Jersey with my Italian-American peeps!
We had the sawsage and peppa's for an appetizer and the chicken parm to split as a meal. I mean, seriously, you can get like 3 servings from one meal, so i would definitely consider sharing. The food was molto delicioso, and i have nothing bad to say. Even the oil they serve with the bread was awesome...it had some hot peppers and garlic mixed in. The last time i went to the old Randazzo's location and had the meatballs which were humungous and oh so tasty! ALMOST better than Grandma's....
The service was great as well. Despite the fact that it was a Friday night and the place was packed, our food came out surpringly quickly and our waiter was very friendly and had good suggestions regarding the vino. I would suggest making reservations, especially if you want to sit on the second level which i would highly recommend.
Mangia!
