Sal's Famous Italian Kitchen

04/12/2008 Posted by JBarnett12

We dined here with a 10 person party. I ordered the most expensive of the pasta items, it was prawns tossed with tomato sauce. It was really boring, without any texture, just prawns and tomato sauce. Not even an herb to make it a bit more interesting. I could have done better blindfolded. Another person at the table ordered an item that was so salty that she only ate several bites. We had several more problems, I simply put the bad experience behind me. The other big issue was that when we brought it up to our waiter he really did not want to address the issue. Then when we demanded the manager he equally did not take responsibility or compensate us for the lack of issues that we presented to him. I do not know about your time versus money, but when I go out, and I am spending my hard earned cash I would rather spend a bit more and really enjoy both the food and ambiance.

Pros: Might be close to where you live?

Cons: boring food, chain like, bad service

02/19/2008 Posted by 00C230K

The "Famous Ragu" is my all time favorite... the Pesto Shrimp Pasta is excellent too... caesar salad is tops too. Can't say enough good things about Sal's... I would eat here every night if I could.

10/16/2007 Posted by kmaul

I just visited Sal's a couple weeks ago at the North Portland location. Their menu has been redone, not only the formatting, but the prices have increased considerably. The service was not good...the waitress was almost non-existent during the time we were at our table. The butternut squash ravioli was delicious, but $14.50 for no more than 6 pieces is a bit steep. From now on, I will go to Pastini which is comparable and less expensive. And the service is better, too!

08/30/2007 Posted by manbarr

My wife was raving about this place, but I did not happen to be in an Italian Mood. Turned out to be a Sweet Deal for me! On the menu they have a Sirloin Cheeseburger with Pancetta Bacon and fresh Avocado and Tomato. Every bite melted in my mouth, it was so flavorful, tender and cooked to perfection! Even the fries were great. And all of this at an Italian Kitchen! My wife raves about the caesar salad, and they have these awesome candied walnuts served with it. My guess is those were good too, so good after baiting her to offer one to me (You know, the whole "Honey, those candied Walnuts look excellent, are they excellent" etc) She did not even offer me one. And she would give me the shirt off of her back. So... guessing they were good! My wife also raves about the Chicken Parm panini. Another melt in your mouth sandwich. I can't wait for the day I am in the mood for Italian- then I will get to see the Best Sal's has to offer! For now I will just have to revel in the fact that I just had probably one of the Top 5 Hamburgers in my entire life!

Pros: Awesome fully stacked menu, good wine and beer list, GREAT ambience/atmosphere

Cons: Disappointed- no Classic Italian cold hero (guess they figure Subway and Quizno's have it covered)

08/23/2007 Posted by foodjunkee

I have been to Sal's a few times. Everytime I go I have a great expeience. If you looking for great food, casual atmosphere and friendly service while not putting much of a dent in your pocket book. Check out Sal's. Very affordable and decent wine menu too.

Pros: Vongole

Cons: Parking

07/29/2007 Posted by lsb123

Food is good with consistant flavor the 3 times we were there. Seating was prompt. However, service is particularly spotty and inconsistant as is the portion sizes. Very hard to gauge whether to split a meal or not . Each time we were there the portion size was different. First time great service other times Lazy Service . - The waiter or waitress forgot us on several occassions and beverage refills were done at irregular intervals. Need better trained wait staff and more consistancy in the kitchen. Pizza was a little over done on crust on one occassion. Could be a better rating with a real effort

Pros: Food usually good

Cons: Spotty service at best inconsistant portion sizes

07/17/2007 Posted by mabenn

I've always liked the service - genuine and low-maitenance. The food can be bland and unoriginal. But what really gets my goat is the women's restroom. Can we talk about the complete lack of taste and questionable resemblance to a low-rate variety store like Rite-Aid or Sav-On. Now, this might seem petty, but you know that old wive's tale about the quality of the restrooms being indicative of the quality of the restaurant as a whole? In the women's restroom they have a service tray, similar to ones you might see in expensive restaurants with hand towels, hairspray, deodarant, etc... Well Sal's has simply taken it too far. On their tray they have the following mismatched items: Method hand soap, Kleen Tech aerosol spray deoderant, Purell hand sanitizer, Dove mositurizing lotion, and Clean & Soft hand soap. There is no theme or aesthetic value to this and relays a sense of tackiness and low-rate quality. Just don't put any of it out if it's going to look like a super-saver deal at Walgreen's. Alright, so I know this isn't really that important but it bothers me and I wanted to say something.

Pros: Great wait staff, convenient

Cons: The bathroom :)

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

07/13/2007 Posted by venchenzo

It is close to our home and we mainly order take out so can't comment too much on serivce but the food is always good. The times we did eat there, service was good but it could use a little work on the ambiance. Maybe take out a couple of tables in the front of the restaurant and make it a lounge?? Take out the kitchy decor and use more elegant Italian art or just less of it on the walls. Other than that, I would definitely recommend! Not expensive at all for what you get either.

05/06/2007 Posted by sallygoeswild

10 or so visits under our belts, in both Eastside & Westside locations. Food is pretty good if the cook at hand pays attention, but we've had under- and over-cooked items too. It's convenient for us, and still acceptable in a pinch, but it's sort of "fake" authentic American-Italian. Portions erratic on some items also, one time great another time not so great. Try it if you're in the neighborhood, but look around at the food you may want before ordering. Closes early, too, no opportunity for a late night snack.

03/28/2007 Posted by noporising

This place is an unwelcome chain type restaurant in a local's only No Po--the service was good, but otherwise it reaks of Olive Garden ambience and the food is MUSH--totally overdone and not super expensive but not great considering what you are getting. Host staff is absent minded and more concerned with their emo haircuts, I would NEVER recommend this place.