DeNicola’s Restaurant

Ron and I had a friendly argument about when the old Monte Carlo and Lido restaurant complex burned down. One year I thought; he thought another year. He brightened right up when he knew where we could find a referee and that’s how we ended up at Denicola’s. While I was escorted to a table, Ron went and found Donna, a very long-​time employee, and she endorsed Ron’s memories of the correct year. Damn! Oh well, no money was bet, and fortunately we ended up with the best bet of an excellent dinner here at this warm and wonderful venue.
Our lovely waitress was amused by the friendly argument and provided us quickly with our requested Anthem hard cider and Fat Head IPA. We also started in on some delicious bread, antipasti, and salad. We were full by the time the very delicious lasagna arrived. We packed most of that up for lunch the next day.
So many of the other reviewers have used the term «old school» to describe this restaurant and has been used in a fond manner. Ron and I felt like members of the family. We so enjoyed the vintage Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra tunes played in the background and also the comfortable and clean surroundings. Friendly arguments or not, we will return for more!

Garlic bread excellent !! Service ok our dinner was mixed up waiter not all interested what we ordered would not be back

Excellent timely service even though the restaurant was full.
Pizza is thicker crust but homemade bread and airy with lots of toppings and flavorful crust.
The lasagne was very tasty as well.

Pizza was okay. Their standard crust is a little thick, so I might recommend something thinner. But honestly, I’d dart across town for Escape From New York pizza which is fantastic and the same size, for less. I think Pizza Scholls is comparable too, but is very good AND closer to this place than EFNY.
I frequently eat out, and of course, in Portland currently, the newer restaurants are pretty amazing in terms of atmosphere and food, and even some of the older restaurants are keeping up with the changes. It always surprises me to find a restaurant like this surviving after 38 years, and what appears to be no changes. I suppose that appeals to the older crowd that I observed when I dropped in for a pizza — Because I had a Groupon expiring and happened to be nearby at a track meet. The Groupon rule was misinterpreted and I was unable to use even the purchase value of it, but we just went ahead and got it refunded, which is fine too.
In my opinion, I think this place needs an overhaul to match what’s occurring all around the city currently. I don’t know how a place like this will survive much longer, but I guarantee if they improved the atmosphere just a little bit, their food is decent enough to draw in a crowd, I would think. Maybe add a bar area with some local taps too.
Anyways, as it sits currently — Dated, quiet, decent food, simple — A place you could find anywhere outside of a major metro area for Italian.

I’ve passed by this restaurant on Powell in Portland for a couple of years now ever since I started working with a client in the area. Normally in the neighborhood at lunchtime and DeNicola’s is not open. So on this day, had the change to stop in after work with a couple of coworkers who also have been wanting to dine there but like me never had.
I really liked the complementary antipasto that we were served, it was a nice touch.
I will say without question though that the food was just your average Italian fare. I ordered the Chicken Piccata and I gotta say, I’ve never have been served this dish where the chicken was fried nor can I say had it ever been served as chicken tenders and not actual cutlets.
Our waiter was somewhat inexperienced and inattentive at times especially towards the end of our meal and when we were seeking to pay the check.
Maybe a pasta dish or pizza would have been a better choice as i can see from other reviews posted by other « Unilocalers» who are more local to DeNicola’s because it seems I may have strayed a bit too far off the beaten menu trail.
I’d likely give it another try at some point on one of my other business trips in the area.

We were a group of 8 and they took us in a half hour with a call ahead. We had their combination pizza on regular crust, and it was excellent. Crust is truly the best part of pizza, and they do an extraordinary job. Good service too. They let us sit and hob-​nob for a long time while they straightened up before closing. Some of the best pizza I have had!

I helped my daughter move to Portland last week. She and her friends took me to DeNicola’s for my Birthday. It was a lot of fun. Even though the restaurant was packed, and there were a few large parties, the service was good and the food was great. It was a casual fun family dining experience. I highly recommend the Chicken Parmigiana! If I lived here I would be back on a regular basis!

I’ve never had anything bad at this place. Their sauce is NY style and amazing, they have a marinara for vegetarians, their portions are huge, and their service is great. My favorites are the baked tortellini and egg plant Parmesan. Back in my meat eating days their sausage, meatballs, and meat sauce were on my favorites list as well. My only complaint is the charge of $ 2.99 for a small green salad or cup of soup. I think that should come with the cost of the dinner entrees, which are mid-​range price. Still, it’s my favorite Italian place!

It’s been awhile since I had last eaten here and I can honestly say I will NEVER ever come back here again! Upon being seated myself and my guests waited 10 plus minutes to even a knowledged by the waitresse and when she even come to our table here first words were what do you want! No hello how are you doing this even, what can I get you nothing. When my guests ordered their food which was lasagna, chicken fettuccine alfredo, and 2 small Canadian bacon and pineapple pizzas with alfredo sauce. When my 6 year daughter and I got our pizzas the pizza dough was still raw on both pizzas. When I mentioned it to the waitress she persisted to tell me the sauce will cause the dough to do that. When I tried to explain this to her, she rudely kept interrupting saying what do you want. Over and over again. Long story short I asked to speak to the manager which he NEVER came over to my table till I had to go up front and ask to speak him! I have never in my years in customer service have i ever felt so disrespected. Later thatnight my daughter had a horrible stomach ache from eating 1 slice slice of pizza and my other guest got sick from the chicken fettuccine alfredo. I hope no one ever has to deal with what I went through ever!
When I talked to the manager he could of cared less on what had happened. I would strongly never to eat here!!! I would give this place a NEGATIVE EXPERIENCE! And 0 stars !

Slow! And when the food came my husband’s calzone was hard! Literally could barely cut it with a steak knife. My smoked salmon fettuccine was okay. I will say the garlic bread was amazing. We won’t go back.

My husband and I, we tried their food and we thought it was not so good.
The Italian food was lacking good flavors and would prefer to just eat at Pastini.
However, they do give you big portion.

Don’t know how this place stays
In business. Out of my 10+ years of living in the neighborhood I have been here about 3 – 4 times, each was a disappointment. The last time we went in a week or so ago to try the pizza again and it was terrible, the worst I’ve had in town. They really need look around and see that the Portland restaurant indistry is highly competitive, up your game not your prices!

I visited DeNicola’s with my wife for a quick dinner in the neighborhood. We had lived near this longstanding restaurant for nearly a year, and a check-​in deal motivated us to give it a try.
The staff was friendly, though not entirely attentive. I blame the large group of about 20 people sitting near us. Additionally, it took us a really long time to get everything we ordered. On all-​you-​can-​eat spaghetti night, you would think pasta with marinara sauce would be a quick turnaround, but not so.
There were some other weird quirks we noticed about the wait staff. For example, our server was wearing flip flop sandals. Not something I normally see in a restaurant (or that OSHA allows, but I’m not from OSHA, so I guess it’s not my worry if a knife goes through a server’s foot in the kitchen or if the floor is slippery).
The food was totally fine. Not great. Not bad. Pretty good for the price.
I’m not sure I’ll rush back, but I might drop in sometime for a bite if I’m craving Italian and want to find it within five minutes of home.

Oh my gosh sooo good! My tummy is rumbling just thinking about it!
It is a classic, family run, wholesome Italian restaurant. Just walking in it already smells so completely amazing. So so so amazing!
We came in on a rainy day, exhausted and hungry. As soon as we stepped in we knew it was going to be great. We were seated immediately and given water quickly and our drink orders were taken right away. I wasn’t sure what wine I wanted and the waitress gave me her recommendations and let me try both before I even picked one!
Their menu? Pasta galore. Cheese galore. Garlic, yum! Everything sounded great, they have vegetarian dishes, as well as very meaty and even seafood. We tried the tortellini and the campenelli (I think I spelt that wrong) and both we divine. The pasta was so fresh and soft and we just wanted to much more!
Your meal comes with bread, they will ask you if you want it or not, take it. It is so good. !!
We absolutely cannot wait to go back. Amazing service and even better food!

This restaurant is a staple on Powell Boulevard. The décor looks like it’s been here since the Godfather movies were made. The food portions here are really good but I wouldn’t say the food here is spectacular. Pizza is the best bet here and it comes with a generous amount of toppings. It’s a great restaurant to bring a family to. I see the restaurant running promos on Groupon and LivingSocial making it a great deal if you want to try out a new/​old restaurant in Portland.

May have ordered the wrong thing. Got a meatball pizza. Crust was tasteless very disappointed. Drive by all the time. It’s been here forever so they must be doing something right. Maybe next time

After years of driving by and seeing the all you can eat sign, we decided to try it.
He ordered the all you can eat and a side of meatballs
I ordered the baked ravioli
We both got a salad, with their homemade blue cheese dressing, anti pasta, and garlic bread.
The blue cheese dressing was delicious. The anti pasta plate was just the right size for 2.
The meatballs were good, not dry but they seemed to have been made a couple of days ago and reheated.
The raviolis were gooey and cheesy and served hot. The bread basket was good. The garlic bread basket didn’t have as much garlic as the pictures posted, but still good.
The service was very friendly and fast. The price was right. May not be a regular spot for us but will do in a pinch for some Italian take out.

We chose this DeNicola’s because they have $ 5 coupons on
for $ 2. I know $ 3 isn’t a huge savings, but it’s a beer… and that’s something!
Unable to ever make a decision, I suggested we both order something different and share. We chose the chicken Fettuccine Alfredo and the meat Lasagna. We also got salad sides for $ 2.50 each. When you order that, you get a plate of meats and cheeses and basket of bread.
Our eyes were definitely bigger than our stomachs because that was far too much food for the 2 of us, even if my date is 6′ 3″ and could normally eat a horse.
I preferred the lasagna because it had more kick. The fettuccine was good but the sauce was a bit mild for my taste buds — which have probably been destroyed by all the spicy foods I eat. However; I could really appreciate how many large chunks of chicken were in it.
Lastly, the décor is a little dated but at least you feel it is authentic and not a large chain with the latest faux Italian design. The wood ceiling and beams were lovely and there was a charm to this place that makes it desirable. I would say that is a great place for a family or a dinner date. The prices weren’t that bad either, because with 3 beers and all that food, our bill only came to $ 30 (after the $ 5 online coupon).

Very unpretentious family run restaurant with good food and reasonable prices. My daughter commented that it reminded her of going to my aunt’s house in San Jose, right down to the family wedding pictures on the wall. Fairly predictable menu items, but the veal picatta that I ordered had a very different treatment than I expected. It wasn’t really in a picatta sauce, but the lemon, capers, and wine were in there, with the veal more like a scallopini. Also had sliced fresh tomato plus pepperoncini. Wasn’t sure about it at first, but upon trying it I was quite pleased. The other items ordered — manicotti, chicken parmigiana, and spaghetti with meat ball for the grandson. Dinner came with a bread plate that included pieces of foccacia, plus a simple antipasto plate with salami, pepperoni, carrots, cheese, and pepperoncini.
Good place for comfort food. You will leave happy.

A trip down memory lane for me. I’ve been coming to DeNicola’s since I was a wee kid.:-) that’s right!
Same location, almost the same décor, same great smells and warm, friendly, family service.
When I enter through these doors I can still see Mr. DeNicola, a man of few words, looking over the wall from the kitchen and Mrs. DeNicola rushing about and greeting customers who were always treated like family. This family took pride in their food and it was served with love.
Almost 4 decades later those same authentic Italian family recipes have been handed down to the next generation and they are still served with love. In the background you will hear Dean Martin, Bob Hope or some other great voice from that era singing. The prices are fair, the portions are plentiful and they offer gluten-​free and whole wheat options.
There isn’t a dish I haven’t tried here at one time or another and they are all great but don’t expect it to taste like a chain Italian restaurant, this is the real deal. Can’t decide? You can never go wrong with classic spaghetti and meatballs. The meatballs are the best ever!
The portions here are large and entrées come with an antipasta tray and assorted focaccia and Italian bread so you won’t go hungry. I suggest adding on the delicious garlic bread or garlic cheese bread, the perfect accompaniment to any Italian meal. You’ve already exceeded your carb count for the day so go for it! :-)
For dessert I suggest the lemoncello or tiramisu. Delish!
I have enjoyed sharing one of my great memories now go create your own. :-)
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