Ciro’s Italian Grill

This place was amazing. My girlfriend and I came in towards the end of service which might have helped but we were greeted upon coming in. The front door greeting was a little stiff but our waiter, Lupe, was fabulous. He was very engaging, friendly, and helpful when it came to dealing with the menu. We were treated as friends and quite honestly that made the experience here all the better. We shared the fried calamari appetizer and for the entrée I had the special chicken apple sausage linguine which was delicious with one of their cocktails, the boom boom (yes that is what it was called). My only regret on the drink is that I didn’t order it at the end of the meal. The atmosphere was light and all of the servers were attentive and friendly making it a great experience. If possible I would go again and ask for Lupe to be my waiter again.

Had an awful experience at Ciro’s today. The service was so terrible we were forced to ask for the Manager. He was even worse! We had been regular patrons but will never go back. We couldn’t get waited on because the entire waitstaff was seated at the bar eating & watching tv! We had to stand up and waive our arms to get someones’s attention three time during the meal!!! If they are open for business why was the waitstaff eating and ignoring the customers? The owners of this restaurant need to pay closer attention to their lousy manager and worse waitstaff, they are getting paid without doing their jobs. Please don’t waste your money.

Very disappointing experience last night. Admittedly, I was asking for a recommendation off the menu for something vegan. I had called earlier in the day and talked to Brian, who assured me they could definitely make something, either a plate of assorted grilled vegetables or a large salad. I told my waitress that I’d like a plate of grilled vegetables and what I got was about ½ a zucchini and ½ of one mushroom. By the time I got it, I was so hungry I’d already single-​handedly devoured the bread. Sent it back and when my son was almost done with his spaghetti, they brought over almost the exact same thing. Sent it back again and told them to forget the whole thing. I would have been more appreciative if they’d been upfront in the first place and told me they couldn’t do a special order; at least then I could have eaten beforehand instead of sitting there waiting for my son to finish so I could go home and eat.

I just found this incredible restaurant a month ago and now have been there 3 times. Ralph has been our waiter a couple of times and he is very attentive. The owner or manager always check in to make sure the experience is great. I have kids and their kids entrees are wonderful as they offer much more than the typical chicken tenders kind of meal. Grilled chicken, broccoli and noodles all for $ 7. I have had a chicken salad, noodles with shrimp and bacon and tonight had their chicken with mushrooms and onions. I was surprised to see the restaurant is rated 3.5 stars as it’s an incredible value and the staff makes you feel like you are at home.

I have seen this restaurant before while driving by and meant to stop by but it’s taken me a long time to get there. Well, last week I finally did. Walking in I was immediately seated in this attractive restaurant. There were a lot of people in there enjoying themselves and it was a little loud. After being seated and presented the menu I decided on the linguine pescatore for about $ 18. I like a good seafood pasta dish and was anticipating this.
My drink soon arrived along with a bread tray. The bread in the tray was an oblong piece that looked good and large. When I started to tear into it, I realized that while large on the outside it had a hollow interior which greatly reduced its overall content. However it was still good.
My entrée arrived about 15 minutes later (see pic). It looked good and the waiter put some extra cheese on top which kind of covered it too much for photo purposes. I liked this dish from the standpoint that it was chock full of seafood. There were 3 large shrimp, clams, mussels, squid, etc. I did appreciate that much seafood. To me, the marinara sauce was somewhat bland. Not bad mine you, just not as flavorful as I wanted from a good marinara sauce and to match the high seafood content with the pasta. I decided to give this meal a 3. I liked it but it should have been a little better. You may like it more than I did.
My table service during the meal was good (3.5). On two different occasions an older man came by to check on the table. He was either the owner or manager. I would return here to try something else but I am not in a hurry. There is also a full bar here.

I don’t know how it’s even possible to make the same dish incorrectly twice.
I open with this statement because this is now the second time in less than a month that I have found myself in the same situation. Yesterday, I almost went for wings down the street, but found myself steering into Ciro’s parking lot. My guest and I had never been there before, yet had passed it many times and were always curious. Yesterday seemed to be the day to try it.
The parking lot really does not do the view of the restaurant justice. There is a huge wall that encircles the patio which has a terrace covered in vines and greenery. (Side note: dogs are allowed on this patio.) Also, it does not appear that the busboy tends to the patio tables as many of them were covered in dirty plates, and unwiped.
Inside, a very greasy, mafia-​looking man greeted us at the host stand. He saw that we were obviously taking in our surroundings, but pushed us to our booth nonetheless. I would like to point out that I appreciate, at least, him asking us whether we’d prefer a table or booth.
At the booth, I began my routine Unilocal inspection… Interior was nicely decorated, though a bit musty. The linen was HORRIBLE and stained with grease spots from previous diners. I can’t even with that… Bathrooms were clean, and tables were relatively clean.
The server greeted us rather quickly and was a nice young man. We informed him that this was our first time, and he gladly welcomed us and promised that the service would be amazing, though he couldn’t promise anything about the food. I found this to be a peculiar statement, but went with it anyhow. He brought us some warm pita bread, and herbs, though I had to figure out how to work the olive oil jar myself. Not too long later, he returned to take our meal order. My guest ordered the half lasagna, and I ordered a Calzoni. The menu specifies that you may choose 3 ingredients to add to the Calzoni. I asked for cheese, pepperoni, and olives. Our server chose to not write our order down and walked off. I called him back seconds later to confirm that the Calzoni automatically comes made with marinara tomato sauce. He said yes, and walked off muttering, «Cheese, Tomatos, Olives.» I rolled my eyes knowing this calzoni was not going to be prepared correctly. Within a reasonable amount of time, our food came out. My calzoni miraculously transformed itself into a pizza topped with NO marinara sauce, NO pepperoni, cheese, tomatoes, and olives. (BTW, i cannot stand slices of tomato.) I sent this back to the kitchen.
The food runner offered to take my guest’s lasagna back as well and would keep it warm until my food was ready. My guest declined the offer and continued eating– not particularly satisfied with the quality. When my calzoni was brought back a second time (my guest was done eating at this point) the marinara sauce was on the side, and as I cracked open my calzoni, slices of tomatoes rolled out with the cheese and olives, and yet still… NO PEPPERONI. At this point, I was furious, sent the food away untouched, and asked for the check. The first check that was brought out attempted to charge me for the calzoni. I sent this check back… The second check comped the calzoni, and yet no manager bothered to drop by an offer any sort of explanation. Our server simply blamed the kitchen. I blame him for his lack of willingness to write our order down the first time and check his order before having it run out.
I will not be returning to this restaurant if this is how Ciro allows this place to be run. NO thank you.

My husband ordered the linguine pecatore, my 5 year had the spaghetti and I had linguine ‘Pepa’. They gave us optional sized dishes, nothing liberal. We ate everything! It truly was delicious. Now off to dessert. I will visit more often!

Went for lunch with a friend today. I had the salmon spinach salad and he had the lasagna. I asked for the dressing to be on the side and they was ignored. The fish had a slight fishy smell but tasted fine. My friend loved the lasagna and the portion size was perfect for him. They do serve a nice piece of something a kin to a pita with some dipping spices and that was also good. The service was good but did not like the busboy standing in our section until we finished. We were just sitting and talking and he stood there the whole time… Not cool. But other wise it’s a good spot for lunch.

Never going back there again!!! We had the most bad server in the restaurant. He was very rude, making faces, had a bad attitude towards us and was being a smart ass. He wasn’t wearing a name tag but on the receipt it said Sam S. Perhaps that’s his name.. JUST A QUICK TIP DO NOT BRING A CAKE IF YOU’RE CELEBRATING A BDAY THEY WILL CHARGE YOU $ 2 per person just to cut the cake and sing happy birthday which I think is outrageous!!! Idk about you but I’ve been to better and higher class restaurants and they will not do that!!! UGHHH!!! Save your money people and don’t go to Ciro’s where the pasta is $ 21 and you get sassy servers with a bad attitude!

First time here. Everyone was nice, service was prompt food was yummy! Price was comparable to Olive Garden we needed to be out quick, our waitress was fast and efficient.

Awesome customer service! We arrived for happy hour with a few friends. The happy hour is 3p-​7pm. Great bar menu and very nice and intimate date spot. The Italian bread dip is tasty. It’s a combination of oil, herbs, and parmesean cheese. There were lots of people ordering different things. You won’t be disappointed. The fact that they have happy hour daily is good.

My girlfriend and I went on a friends recommendation. I was pretty underwhelmed. The service was okay, we sat out side and seemed to be waiting a lot but the waitress was very polite. The food was not very good, I ordered the linguine clams and it tasted very bland. The clams tastes like canned clams and we’re just kind of rubbery and tasteless. My girlfriend ordered a prosciutto stuffed chicken breast and it was cold and not very well seasoned. I give it two stars because it’s possible I just ordered the wrong thing, I just wasn’t very impressed considering the price.

great food quiet and would come back

Mixed bag. Had Rigatoni Frankie which had good flavor but had the consistency of soup. Unlike any rigatoni I have ever experienced. Pizza was ok but not great. The food on previous visits was significantly better. Maybe the kitchen was having a bad night.

We walked in and were seated, few min passed and we finally got a waitress, the place is not welcoming, the service was MEH she kept refilling our water without ice, complete laziness, not a friendly waitress at all, the owner walked around but never once approached us. The lasagna tasted like it came out of a box, my lasagna is way better home made, good thing this was a gift card, and the crazy part, when the waitress brought the bill, there was no pen, I didn’t leave her a tip.

Came across Ciro’s when we were driving around the memorial area searching for a place to eat. We loved every second there. The Italian theme/​decorations were lovely. The calamari appetizer were very tasty and our entrees were even better. I had the «Gina» pasta dish. It was bacon wrapped shrimp smothered with a mixture of Marinara and Alfredo sauce. It was perfect and the shrimp were a very good size. To top it of the service was excellent! Our server Peter did great in recommending our dishes, and they did not disappoint. The owners father came to our table shortly after our meal to ensure that the quality of our food and service was great. Overall I had a 5 star experience and will definitely return.

Let me set the parameters: I was here for a group dinner, so that experience, I think, is always a little different than regular table service. So with that said, it was a lovely dinner. The appetizers — fried calamari, stuffed mushrooms, luscious bread with dipping sauce — were OK. The calamari was overbreaded for my taste. The stuffed mushrooms were OK. Not great — OK. Dinner was chicken alfredo, which was served a little too cold. Again, it was a group dinner, and my expectations are always a little lower. It was ample in quantity, had a fair amount of chicken. Service was excellent and spot on. Water glasses were promptly refilled, special requests fulfilled. The location here is so convenient, on the south side of the I-​10 feeder road close to Memorial City Mall. There is ample, well-​lighted parking behind the restaurant, and there is a bicycle guard patrolling the lot. The patio was lovely, with a gurgling fountain, lots of greenery, and not looking out on the bumper of cars. It has fans, umbrellas, all the things to be comfortable. People were enjoying dinner outside and had their dogs with them. One caveat: it’s quite loud inside. If you have hearing-​impaired folks, sit outside or go early in the evening when it’s not so crowded.

This place is ridiculous. Slightly better than an Olive Garden and 2x the price. Don’t waste your time or money.
My salad came to me and much to my surprise was wilted; not hour or so wilted but like slimy and old! Then when I asked for a refund on the $ 7.50 they told me some song and dance about not being able to do so and it was impossible that it is wilted! I literally had to argue with the «manager». I gave up since at the end of the day it’s $ 7.50.
NEVER GOING BACK!
TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE!

Always great wait staff and great food! The manager came by the last two times we went to make sure everything was perfect!

I’m a huge regular and fan of Ciro’s. Ciro and his son move from table to table making everyone comfortable and feel apart of the family.
The embience is warm and comfortable.
The food is excellent. For me, the very best Italian cuisine in the city. Every dish is prepared to perfection. Seafood is excellent and prepared so tasty.
From the traditional Italian dishes of lasagna, chicken parm, spaghetti, and daily specials you cannot go wrong.
Treat yourself to the BEST IN TOWN

I’ve dined here about a half dozen times and always at the bar, yet I never bothered to actually sit at a table. I kept coming back because I had a friend that loved this place, so this is where we would always meet up for cocktails and conversation, and on occasion we would dine at the bar. The bartenders were outstanding and really went a step above and beyond to take care of their customers. The 3 stars are more about the food than it is anything else since I found that it didn’t have the extra «oomph» that I desired in a good Italian restaurant.
The parking in front of Ciro’s is limited with the tanning salon customers taking the prime spots, but not to worry since there is ample parking behind the restaurant in the HUGE shared parking lot for all of the businesses in this area. Once you get to the front of the business, you’ll be greeted by a beautifully designed outdoor patio with lots of lush greenery, vegetation and a beautiful fountain. The inside of the restaurant is fitted with from floor to ceiling of warm Tuscan hues that take on an ambiance of southern Italy.
Bar patrons will have to walk past all of the dining tables to the back where the bar is positioned; seems like an odd place to put a bar, but the restaurant is so small that they had to find somewhere to put it. Most of the place is utilized for private rooms to left and the right side of the main dining room is windows, so it seems to make sense that they would put the bar in the back closest to the kitchen? I’m no architect, but it does seem odd. At least sitting at the bar, you’re closer to the bathrooms for the frequent bathroom breaks you’ll be making after all of the alcohol you’ll be consuming.
Again, the food is nothing memorable. It certainly isn’t bad, but I wouldn’t bother coming back for a great Italian meal. Sunday brunch is decent and you can have it at the bar, however, the best thing on the brunch menu is their Bellini’s. They do make all of their breads in house including pizza crusts and table «rolls,» which look like pita bread and taste a little like moist Italian bread. A show is provided with your cocktails, wine, or food if you’re sitting at the bar since that’s where their wood fire oven is that makes all of the bread «rolls» and pizza crusts.
I’m not sold on the food here, but Ciro himself and his dad regularly sit at the bar and are around to greet customers in the restaurant. It’s more like family here with the owners, bartenders and the general staff, which is one reason I kept coming back. The cocktails and wine selection are also worth coming back for, but I can’t legitimately give a restaurant that doesn’t have better food a higher rating. Fortunately for Ciro’s Italian Restaurant, they have their customer service and bar that will keep me coming back.

Try their poblano soup .it is divine
The friendly atmosphere and the authentic Italian food makes it a 5 star in my book

Got a few gift certicates for this place so we came for Saturday lunch. The food, the service and the atmosphere were all A+. The calamari was crispy outside with tender center. Fried mozzarela was nice and crunchy. Sauce for both were perfect, not too sour like other places.
The kids meal were wonderful in portion and chioces. My kids felt so special with their kiddie piña colada at hand. My seafood linguini was loaded with crawfish and scallop, again, they nail the sauce just right. My husband had the veal chop which was huge and very tender in texture.
Both the server and the manager were super friendly and kept the mood joyful. We cleaned out a plate of their house dessert even after we finished every morsel of their delicious food. And did I mentioned their bread and oil? It’s warm and soft like the Indian naan bread, just be mindful not to stuff oneself with it before the meal comes.
They have one of the nicest outdoor dinning with lots of shades and fountain. Can’t wait to come back and try their happy hour or dinner.

Came here for happy hour and I was pleasantly surprised!
I came here with some friends for happy hour around 4 oclock on a Tuesday. When we drove up I have to say, I thought the place was closed down. It’s not it’s just the vacant building it’s attached to takes away from the place.
The staff was super friendly and helpful. The food was very good! You get complimentary bread and herbs to start. From there they have a really nice happy hour menu or just choose from the regular menu. I had a traditional pizza and chose my own toppings along with a ceasar salad and Apple martini.
The ambience is very cozy and comfortable and the food was fresh. I will be back

This review is for their Happy Hour menu — I haven’t had the chance to dine there for the regular menu.
I can tell you that you can get some seriously good eats here and on the cheap! I paid $ 20 for two glasses of wine, antipasta and olive medley. VERY good cheese selections as well: don’t forget the smoked mozzarella — fantastic!
The only caveat is that to get these awesome prices is to be either outside on their patio (yikes in summer) or at the bar (which doesn’t seat very many people). I got the last seat at the bar so I wasn’t «forced» to sit outside on the patio. The bar has about 8 or so TV’s, and they play mostly local teams, so this might be a good way to watch your Astro’s play ball and have a great time relaxing.
You also have the option of ordering right off the regular menu (at regular prices) as well — so that is a plus. Tons of free parking (no valet here) and easy access to the freeway and/​or feeder roads.
Great place — I will be back for sure!

My first time going here, where I had a business meeting while enjoying a pretty good meal that the waiter kindly referred for us. Salmon with Spinach which was absolutely splendid. The décor was very nice, the temp is pretty cold to me but many should like it with our hot weather in Houston. This is a place I would consider coming back too!

This is my favorite Italian place in Htown! Coming from FL we had tons of mom and pop yummy Italian places and this is the closest I have found. Great service! The fried mozzarella is to die for! Oh and the bread pudding! YUM!

Came here for the first time tonight after driving past it several times. Hands down it was great. We ordered the fried mozzarella for our appetizer and it was fantastic and our server was really awesome because I asked his opinion for if I should choose the Cheese Ravioli for me entrée or the stuffed chicken they had and he took the menu out of my hand saying «I know what to do» and then brought both things on the plate. It was awesome.
For desert we had the tiramisu. I’m not a big fan of it for I guess I haven’t had good tiramisu in the past but this tasted great and fresh.
We had a great first time experience and are definitely coming back soon!

Whoever calls this the best Italian restaurant in Houston has only eaten here and Cici’s. And I guess Olive Garden. I’m not saying those places are bad. They have their merits (Olive Garden has the best value salad and breadsticks and Cici’s spinach Alfredo pizza is a kid-​time favorite). But do not kid yourselves into thinking this is at the top before having visited Antica Osteria and Poscol. I put Macaroni Grill above Ciro’s.
That said, the waiter and owner family are really nice and friendly. The portions are generous and taste decent for what they promise. The space is rage and can accommodate huge groups. It’s a solid family restaurant.