East Side Mario's

we waited for 15 minutes before server show up to our table . we try get attention by waving hands to staff but nobody cares . food is average. the calamari should be sizzling but it was soft

December 23, 2024 on Google

We went to this location for the first time today. It is large, the employees are very friendly, but the service is super slow. It wasn't very busy on a Thursday night but we waited over 20mins and asked a couple of times until a server actually came to our table. Same thing happened at the end while we waited for the bill. We were seated towards the back of the restaurant and it was empty by the time we finished our meal, perhaps they forgot we were still there? Having said that, our server was very friendly and kind. We all oped to add on the unlimited soup, salad, and garlic bread. We really enjoyed the tomato soup and Calamari al diavolo - our server recommended adding shrimp to it, which was a great suggestion. The "unlimited" garlic loaves are fresh but we only managed to eat one loaf between the three of us, it's quite filling. Probably better to go here at lunch when you have a bigger appetite! The menu is very meat-heavy, with limited seafood and vegetarian options. The kids drinks are very whimsical and is actually what got us to come into the restaurant! I wish I knew that they offer Scene points here, I only found out now while reading some reviews. The server should've mentioned/prompted it.

December 20, 2024 on Google

We came here for lunch after church. Apparently there was a broken water main at SPCC (formerly Pickering Town Centre) . Most of the mall was closed and some restaurants were closed. We came across East Side Mario's and decided to give them a try. The restaurant was not busy and we were seated right away. There was a special menu for Chicken Parmesan which gives you some options to choose. This place is known for their unlimited soup or salad and garlic homeloaf with select entrees in the menu. The caesar salad comes with real bacon strips which definitely adds crunchy texture to the dish. I was able to eat 2 bowls of salad. The garlic homeloaf was freshly baked and we ended up eating like 6 of them. I ordered the Mario's chicken parmesan. I was kind of disappointed. The spaghetti was not cooked well enough and was dry and lacking sauce. The chicken breast is breaded and topped with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. The chicken and spaghetti lacked seasoning and even with the generous serving of parmesan cheese added on top. My wife got the roasted garlic fettuccine alfredo with chicken. She told me there was not enough alfredo sauce and lacked seasoning. My mother-in-law had the double bacon carbonate lunch portion and it was average at best. The server was kind and was attentive. The overall experience was disappointing because the food didn't meet East Side Mario's standards. I would recommend more training for the line cooks to ensure the food is served with adequate seasoning and sauce. Maybe this was an off day but I am probably not going to come back anytime soon. By the way you can collect Scene points and CAA members get 10% off your food bill.

December 11, 2024 on Google

Service was exceptional. I have some sensitivities with dairy and was told at other locations that the cauliflower crust was dairy-free. I ordered it here. The server asked if I had allergies preemptively. The meal I ordered was intercepted by Management who identified it was an issue and changed so that there wasn't a problem. Despite being super busy, service was very thorough and attentive. They even excluded red onions from my second order of salad when they saw I didn't eat any from the first, without needing to be told. Very impressed.

December 7, 2024 on Google

Went in at lunch. In my opinion it wasn't that busy. There were a good number of service staff and while we were seated immediately, it took around 10 minutes to be given a menu. The unlimited soups, salads, and bread are great and are served fairly quickly. But the entrees took a long time to be served, like longer than my usual waiting time in other restaurants. Speaking of entrees, tasted as you would expect but nothing to really rave about. Otherwise, staff were friendly and accommodating since we had our baby with us and we wanted a certain area to sit at.

December 2, 2024 on Google

Thank you Simone H for making my birthday celebration simply marvelous! It was a blast! Thanks to you and your staff for the best service ever, the fabulous food and just the right atmosphere for my kind of fun. I’m so glad I chose to celebrate it there. More Power to you all!😄🥰

November 29, 2024 on Google

East Side Mario’s feels like a warm hug for anyone who loves classic Italian-American comfort food. The meal starts on a high note with their garlic home loaf—soft, buttery, and wonderfully aromatic. It’s simple but oh-so-satisfying, especially paired with a generous dollop of creamy butter. The tomato soup was rich, hearty, and just the right level of tangy, a cozy start before diving into the mains. The linguine seafood diavolo was packed with shrimp and mussels in a flavorful tomato sauce, with a mild kick that didn’t overwhelm. The spaghetti and meatballs were comforting and familiar, topped with a snowfall of grated cheese that added just the right touch. The chicken parmigiana, served alongside creamy fettuccine alfredo, was hearty and satisfying—a dish that feels like it’s made to share with family. And then came the tiramisu, the sweet finale. Light, creamy, and perfectly balanced with just a hint of coffee, it felt like the dessert equivalent of a warm smile. If you’re looking for a place that serves generous portions, friendly vibes, and flavors that feel like home, East Side Mario’s is a delightful choice. It’s not just a meal—it’s a happy, comforting experience.

November 17, 2024 on Google

August 18, 2024 ⭐️ We stopped by for a quick dinner, but unfortunately, the experience wasn't great. We were initially seated at a sticky table, and I had to use the menu as a placemat. After being moved to another table, I hoped for a better experience, but it didn't improve. We opted for the all-you-can-eat soup and salad, but both my son's and my salad were not fresh and had a bitter taste. I also tried one of the soups, which was equally unappealing. I've been here before and had good food, so I'm not sure what went wrong this time. Due to this disappointing experience, we’ll be taking a break from this location until they improve.

September 1, 2024 on Google