Fratello’s

Service was great, food was okay. I’ve had better food elsewhere, but I’ve gotta say the people are incredibly friendly and make you feel at home!
The bread they serve is homemade and incredibly fresh, baked with herbs and spices.
As for the main course, I ordered the Penne Superiore — a red cream with shrimp pasta. Unfortunately it was served a bit cold, the pasta was overcooked (way beyond al dente) and a little soggy, and the taste was a little bland. It might have been sitting a while until they prepared the others’ dishes, as the others received piping-​hot pasta that was perfectly al dente. The shrimp tasted pretty fresh, although there were lots of bits of shrimp shells in the pasta. The others seemed happy with their food though — I heard lots of good things about the Chicken Marco Polo and the Veal Marsala.
I’ve had better pasta elsewhere, but it looks like the meat entrees were pretty good.

So, I have been coming here for years, since before it was Fratello’s and called Peppino’s.
While the service has never been awesome, the pizza is so we always just dealt with it.
However, my last two experiences with deplorable service had kept me from frequenting this old favorite as often as I once had.
Tonight my kids begged for their favorite pizza so I figured I would order pick up. I called, placed my order and was told it would be 25 minutes.
I arrived when I was told my food would be ready and was told it would be another 5 minutes. I’m okay with that, no big deal. I paid and watched…
Watched the guy before me get his order minus the two soups he paid for.
Watched the man grow impatient as he was passed up for a table, not once, but twice.
Watched another take out order of pizza being given without Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper and the help act annoyed when asked for it.
I grew tired of watching and 15 minutes past when my order was to be ready, I grew impatient.
I was told they were working on it, as the one helping me got busy taking care of something else and a man that walked much later than myself being helped by the manager.
I inquired about my order and finally, 35 minutes after I was told it would be ready for pick up, my pizza was handed to me, along with my pasta order in a bag.
When I mentioned the log wait to the manager, he had a million excuses when all it would have taken was an apology, full stop.
Arriving home, the pizza was only slightly warmer than room temp, soggy and not even what I had ordered. There was no bread with the pasta, no Parmesan cheese and no crushed red pepper in the bag.
If the manager can’t even make sure that an order is right, one that was 35 minutes late, what hope is there!

Got there and no one was there to greet us. We waited 5 minutes for someone to come. The place wasn’t busy, maybe 5 other tables, yet it took our waiter over 10 minutes to take our drink order and we were served cold coffee. When we did order, she forgot some of the stuff we ordered and we kept waiting around for her. Also, the place was filthy.

Amazing food, super friendly service, and very nice but casual restaurant! Everything on their menu is good and I recommend the create-​your-​own-​pasta with Angel hair and Superiore sauce (creamy red), lasagna, calamari, & chicken parm. It’s busy on the weekends so if you want faster service I recommend going before peak times. And definitely try their pizookie! It tastes even better than BJ’s

Fratello’s has never been my favorite place to go. We live right around the corner and in the past few years had gone about 3 – 4 times. We always had bad service and always walked in with nobody greeting us. We kept saying we’re not coming back here and we didn’t.
We continued to receive coupons in the mail… and thought that’s too bad that the service isn’t any better.
Well we tried going back (because we had a coupon and it was so close)…and low and behold we were greeted at the door. The service was very attentive. The owner (or manager) came by and checked in with us to make sure the meal was to our satisfaction. It was a totally different atmosphere. The food is solid as well… always had been.
We have been back about 4 times in the last 4 months… and every time we have been greeted at the door. Actually greeted by more than one person before being sat at our table. The wait staff has been on top of their game. And the owner (or manager) has stopped by each visit during or after the meal to see how everything was. Tonight he came by to inquire to see if everything was okay, since we hadn’t eaten all of our food. I let him know that we were looking forward to having our leftovers tomorrow… as the portions are very large.
Happy to say that our local Fratello’s is back in our rotation of restaurants that my family enjoys and looks forward to patronizing.

Used Fratellos catering for a housewarming party I threw for a client. Amazing food and amazing service. I worked with Lou to plan the menu. He was so helpful with planning the menu and made the whole experience easy for me. Everything was set up beautifully and on time. So many people were raving about the food. I will definitely use Fratellos for more parties!

We live right up the street and order out often… I love franchesca rolls. Their Stromboli is wonderful!

We went in last night, Monday for dinner and it was packed. Mainly because only one server who was training a gal and 2 bus boys. The owner was seating people. Salads were smaller that usual and there was a wait, but the owner came by, brought us a bigger salad and did everything he could to make us «regulars» happy. At the end they took my husband ziti leftovers to wrap up for him and lost them ??, but 6 minutes later he had a full new hot portion to take home. Great save. Very reasonable prices, decent Italian fare, but the people from the owner to the bus boys are amazing. We will be back, of course

If you can ignore the bland environment and lack of décor, you’ll appreciate the wonderful service, great meatballs, and fantastic sauce. Pasta the East coast Italian way.

Highly recommend this restaurant. My husband, daughter and I all went for dinner after a long day. We were greeted by Lou who sat us immediately and gave some outstanding recommendations from the menu. The service was outstanding. We shared it was our first time dining with them and he went above and beyond to introduce us to Lacey and Jordan that would be taken care of us. Lou made some killer recommendations, brought bread and sauce (tastes like my mom used to make) for the table, and took our orders. He then excused himself for the evening after a long day to get home to his family. Being in business management it really says a lot that Lou come out and personalizes the experiences with his guests, Bravo! Lacey was outstanding the rest of the night and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Jordan really brought it home though. As we were paying the bill we were practicing with our daughter how to respond to inquiries about her bruised eye (she lost a fight at school with a hula hoop earlier in the day at school, lol). Jordan asked that we wait a second as he brought her out a scoop of ice cream. So sweat, and completely the perfect experience to a less than perfect day for her!
Finding a personalized experience with great service and food now a days is tough. If you want delicious food, phenomenal engaging service in a local restaurant I HIGHLY recommend Fratello’s! We certainly will be back and recommend to others.
Thank you again to Lou, Lacey and Jordan for making it such a wonderful experience.

I have lived around the corner from Fratello’s for about 5 years and my first time there was last night after a DHHS football game. There were an enormous no. of us walking in at the same time and they quickly got us seated and served. The wait staff was friendly and seemed unphased by the 60−70+ people that invaded their restaurant en masse.
What a great place. Upon entering, you are bombarded with the smells of Sunday Dinner in an Italian household. Everything smelled like home.
The memu is traditional italian with some great surprises and the prices are very reasonable. My friend had the bruschetta and it was beautiful. She said she was not very hungry but she could not stop eating it. I ordered the Margarita pizza and it was fantastic – very few pieces made it home.
Thanks Fratellos for the great food and opportunity to gather together post game.

Love this place. It’s one of my regular go-​to places. Food always great. LOVE the bread they give you before the meal. Staff is always nice and helpful.
I often will go in to place an order to be brought home, and then sit and have a drink in the bar while I wait… bartenders are friendly… Without being too pushy.
The only thing I will say that isn’t positive, is that I don’t think it’s the best location. It seems to be the type of restaurant that should be on the beach, or on a popular downtown street. Not hidden in a shopping center not many people go to.
Other than that… This place is perfect if you’re wanting some good italian food.

As someone who is regularly exposed to, and is in the business of arranging, Italian culinary experiences in Italy, I am always a bit nervous when it comes to classic American-​Italian «Spaghetti-​and-​Meatballs-​type» eateries. With the right expectations, though, I will say Fratello’s proved me wrong.
We showed up, family in tow, on a Monday night, were seated promptly near the window, and service was swift and friendly (and did I say swift? A godsend when dining out with two three-​year-​olds).
If as a self-​proclaimed restaurant snob I had one gripe, it is that our server poured the wine bottle immediately without offering a taste.
The food was delicious and fresh (our party ordered clams, veal piccata, halibut, and a couple of kids’ dishes), and the manager came out and made sure everything was ok. He even entertained the youngens with a couple of pizza-​dough tricks, which they are still talking about.
In conclusion, if you are looking for an American-​Italian place at a convenient location, and set your expectations right, Fratello’s should not disappoint. Thank you Fratello’s team for a great night!

My family had our rehearsal dinner here and we had a great time. The proprietor Lou was real great to work with, as my mom handled the details. While on site he was exceptionally attentive as well as his staff who also desire a thank you. Micheal, Katie, and Lou we thank you.
We ate on the patio which was really nice in the evening and they had enough room for 24 of us. A good fit of three tables of eight. The rest of the place wasopen and great lighting with floor to ceiling windows. The bar was cozy and well laid out.
The three courses of food and the variety was delicious and deserving of a repeat visit. So much good food served family style which I feel is what the event was all about. Family and Fratello’s made us feel like our families were coming together over a well cooked meal and good atmosphere. Thank you Fratellos.

–Service was terribly slow despite the restaurant being 25% full.
–Water was refilled once only after request.
-«Jumbo» scallops were somehow very overdone without having any sear. It’s as if they boiled them for an hour. The sauce they came in was greasy, runny, and bland.

FRATELLO’S IS AMAZING!!! We have lived here for 3 years and literally go here atleast twice a month. The prices are great for what you order and the service is always great. They have a new Manager (from Brooklyn) and he is awesome and turned the atmosphere around for the good. The resturaunt was a little outdated– which we didn’t mind, but it looks and feels great now!!!
Food Choices: I ALWAYS get the Fettuccini Alfredo and we always order Sautéed clams for our Appetizer in the white sauce!!! They will make you «day old bread” — which is amazing! :)
Keep it up Fratellos!

This place is tucked away in a plaza that I never would have stumbled upon on my own. I was with a large group and am so glad it was suggested. The service was friendly and efficient. The pizza was delicious. I love a slice that has a good amount of toppings, thin crust, but able to hold its own. I enjoyed the Veggie pizza that had the same name as the restaurant. Delicious!

Fratello’s is a hidden treasure! Located in a quiet area of Laguna Niguel, a well deserved place to visit. You are treated like family here and the staff is known for their outstanding customer service. The food will leave your taste buds wanting more. Romance lingers in the air when one chooses at one table as the family atmosphere is chosen at another. The entertainment rocks the house with an amazing «Happy Hour» selection. One cannot go wrong dining at this restaurant. Its the heart of Laguna Niguel!

The food has a homey feeling that will bring you back to times at grandmas dinner table! Recommend for anyone who enjoys authentic Italian in a friendly atmosphere!

So disappointed and I’ve been a customer for years. Spent $ 104 on one pizza, one appetizer and three dinners on a to-​go order. Got home, no salads, no bread. Called restaurant and was told that salads did not come with my order. Looked at online menu again, which clearly states that soup or salad is included with dinner. Called back again, asked for manager. Same person will not put me through to anyone else, explains that they changed their policy but the online menu has not been updated yet. It now costs $ 2 for a salad or soup with a dinner. Looked at the paper menu I had just got at the restaurant. It also states soup or salad included on dinners. Guess that needs to be updated as well.
Asked why could they not have at least thrown a hunk of bread in the order. Remind me that next time I need to make sure to ask for bread if I want it… Oh, wait, I don’t think there is going to be a next time.