Mario’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant

I have had good food here, but not this time. The margarita pie was tasteless and the meatball pie was inedible it tasted so bad. Plus it was about 85° in the restaurant.

We have been there twice. First time was very good but the last time not so good. Pasta was way under cooked. Wife’s «Bob’s Salad» had dried non white meat chicken and my Chiante Chicken special was mediocre as was the service. I’d say go there for the Pizza which is above average.

We have been going here for over 10 years and the last year service has been going down. Last night we waited 1 hour and 45 minutes for our dinner to come out. When the guy came out with my daughters dinner (which she orders every time — tortellini w/​Alfredo please add peas and mushrooms) it was just tortellini Alfredo — told us they don’t make it with peas and mushrooms (why not tell us that when she ordered) — I knew Mike, the owner was not there. My father and I proceeded to wait another 10 minutes for our dishes and the waiter told me they messed mine up and gave me red sauce instead of vodka sauce. When I got my dinner you could tell they just threw a little vodka sauce on top and left the red sauce. They also must have added more tables to the already small restaurant as 3 of us kept hitting chairs with the people behind us. Sadly I will not be going back to what used to be my favorite Italian place in Ocean County. This is the 3^rd time we have had this almost exact situation happen to us in the past year. The waiter was apologetic — as well as exhausted as they seem very under staffed lately.

How do you screw up pizza?! I ordered the margarita pizza and it did not have fresh mozzarella or basil as listed… The crust was not to my liking… Def will not go back to try anything else when pizza is their forte!

This place has a great chicken parm sub and huge salads. I have never tried the pizza but this is one of the best in town for sandwiches. Garlic knots are good but not great.
Reading other reviews about slow service while in the restaurant, I’ll add that pick up is always quick.

Great place. Just ate there for the first time and it was wonderful.
Excellent food, fair service, very friendly people.
The prices are fair for real quality Italian food.
Well worth it.

The food is great but the service is bad!
First time we got deliver and it took two hours and the order came wrong.
Second time we did pick up and they told us 30 minutes and over an hour and 20 min. later we still did have our food ready.

I’m actually writing this review from the restaurant. Plenty of time will pass before the next course arrives.
When we arrived, an older woman who I presume runs the place, was berating the hostess for not properly estimating a wait time for a table in front of everyone waiting. It was an huge red flag but we were still willing to stick it out.
Once we sat down, we noticed ants coming in the window and onto the table. We requested to move which was quickly accomodated. Fortunately, no one else was sat at the ant table the rest of the night. But still. Ants.
Mario’s was painfully understaffed. Wait staff was bussing, prepping the soup and salads, and rolling silverware on top of their regular duties. Or they were trying to. There were three people attempting to cover all of the tables in the whole place. It’s the first time I spent a meal feeling guilty for the waiters who are stuck in a restaurant run by people who seem to be completely incompetent.
A really, really unfortunate experience considering the entrees were actually very good given the resonable prices. The unprofessional attitude of the woman in the front of the restaurant and her inability to support her staff was shocking and appauling. 1 star for decent food and 1 star for a hard working wait staff. You’ve been warned.

I never had the pizza here because the Italian meals are so good. The cannoli I with veal, was very good. The lobster ravioli had such a great lobster taste. The gravy is really very Italian, kind of like my friends grandmother. I have eaten at a few other Italian restaurants in OC BUT NOW THER IS ONLY ONE I WILL GO TO. Take out and delivery. a double plus++

Just picked up 2 large pies, I wouldn’t go anywhere else!!! It’s, in my opinion the best food in all of NJ & NY…
The guy behind the counter is extremely nice!!!

The best Italian food in Ocean County. This little restaurant will surprise you. From the outside it may seem like just another pizza place. And the pizza is great as well. But their dinner menu is outstanding with specials every day. You won’t be disappointed in any way. All of the staff is pleasant and friendly. The only bad thing I could say about Mario’s is it should be bigger so more people can appreciate it.

Absolutely the best Italian restaurant in town, hands down. There’s no reason to search for anything better, because Mario’s has it all!
From food to service, I know I will get what I expect every single time… nothing less than the best. Mario’s is excellent AND consistent.
The Penne Alla Vodka is the best I’ve ever had in my life. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water. The sauce is amazing, and SO delicious! The Chicken Francais is a gem. If you order pasta as a side, and request to have it mixed with the Chicken Francais and the sauce, it’s heaven on a plate. Anti-​pasta salad is the must-​get appetizer. The house salads never disappoint, and all the dressings are great. My favorite is creamy Italian! And last but not least, the pizza! Ordering pizza at the dining room and take-​out are both equally wonderful.
The ambiance is very nice and cozy, and the great service adds to the experience. It’s byob, so get a nice bottle of wine and your set for an amazing meal!

Mario’s is one of those places that really surprises you! From the outside it looks more like a typical pizza type place. Don’t go there to just order pizza, go there to dine. We find the food to be always fresh and of excellent quality. The prices are reasonable too! Bring your own bottle of wine and enjoy a really good Italian meal.