East Side Mario's — Restaurant in Toronto

If I could give more than 5 stars to East Side Mario’s Betsy, I absolutely would. I’ve eaten at many restaurants over the years, but the experience I had at this location stood out so much that I felt it deserved an extremely detailed review. From the moment I walked in the door until the very last minute I left, everything about my visit was handled with care, professionalism, and genuine warmth.

Arrival & Atmosphere As soon as I entered, I was greeted with a friendly smile from the host at the front. Even though the restaurant was busy, I didn’t feel ignored or rushed; instead, I felt welcomed immediately. The host politely asked about seating preferences, and within just a few minutes, I was guided to a clean and comfortable table. The restaurant itself was spotless—tables wiped down, floors clean, and everything organized. The lighting struck the perfect balance: bright enough to feel lively but soft enough to create a cozy, comfortable dining environment. The décor carried the fun, inviting East Side Mario’s charm that makes it a family-friendly yet casual spot where you can feel completely at ease.

Service & Hospitality The service at East Side Mario’s Betsy is honestly some of the best I’ve experienced in a casual dining restaurant. Our server was attentive, patient, and genuinely kind. They didn’t just take our order and disappear—they checked in consistently, but in a natural and respectful way that never felt overwhelming. Every question I had about the menu was answered clearly, and recommendations were made with confidence, which shows they really know and love the food they’re serving.

What impressed me even more was how team-oriented the staff was. I noticed multiple employees stepping in to support each other—whether it was refilling water glasses, clearing plates, or delivering food to tables that weren’t “theirs.” That type of teamwork is rare and it speaks volumes about the culture of this restaurant. Even the manager made rounds, checking on tables and ensuring everyone was satisfied. That gave me the impression that the staff here doesn’t just see customers as orders—they see them as guests they truly want to take care of.

Food Experience Now, the food. East Side Mario’s has always had a reputation for their famous soup, salad, and garlic bread, but having it at this location was next-level. The garlic loaf was served hot and fresh, with the perfect crunch on the outside and fluffy softness on the inside. The buttery garlic flavor hit just right—not too heavy, not too bland—just the kind of bread you can’t stop eating. The salad was crisp and refreshing, tossed in their signature dressing that had the perfect balance of tang, sweetness, and zest. The soup was hearty, flavorful, and comforting—like something homemade.

When it came to the main dishes, everything exceeded expectations. The pasta was cooked perfectly—firm but tender, never overdone. The sauce had layers of flavor, rich and robust, and clearly prepared with care. The chicken was juicy, well-seasoned, and complemented the dish beautifully. The portion sizes were generous, more than enough to satisfy but balanced so you don’t feel weighed down. Every bite tasted fresh, flavorful, and consistent.

Efficiency & Flow Another thing I appreciated was how smooth and efficient everything ran, despite the restaurant being fairly busy. The food came out at just the right pace—not rushed, but not too slow either. Drinks were refilled before we even had to ask, dirty plates were cleared promptly, and we never once had to wave someone down. Everything felt timed and organized, which made the entire experience stress-free and enjoyable.

Value for Money For the quality, portion size, and overall service, I felt the prices were very fair. You’re not just paying for food—you’re paying for the entire dining experience. Between the generous servings, unlimited soup/salad/bread, and the level of service provided, I truly felt like I got incredible value...

Last time, we had a delightful meal with our family, but this time(oct 5th.) was the worst. I don't think we'll be able to visit again next time. It felt like we wasted our family dinner time, and this was the worst dinner experience. We didn't request or expect service resembling that of a high-end restaurant. However, the food was disorganized and there were delays. The waiter didn't offer a single apology for the delays.

Service: The waitress was nowhere to be seen. We had to request help from a passing server to take our orders (it seemed like the server had to contact the waitress). The bread arrived before we even placed our orders (which was somewhat odd). They didn't clear away the finished soup, salad, water cups, or bread plates. Among four adults and one child, only three soups were served. After finishing the soup, there was a considerable delay before the mains arrived, and one person still hadn't received their soup (even though the mains had been served...). The salad was served while we were eating our main dishes. She didn't know who ordered what (the food delivery sequence was completely chaotic).

Food: The Caesar salad arrived without bacon. When we requested bacon, it took about 20 minutes to arrive. Yesterday's soup was overly salty. We ordered jumbo shrimp pasta and tomato pasta, but all three dishes lacked sufficient sauce. (They were too dry.) When we asked for more sauce, we waited for over 20 minutes. The additional Alfredo sauce wasn't creamy and was too watery. In the meantime, the pasta became clumpy and even drier. The pasta had many burnt bits throughout. The kids' drinks were served with a very small amount of cotton candy, and the cups weren't properly cleaned, so they...

For the last round of birthday dinners, this time with family, we decided to try East Side Mario’s. I was surprised to realize I had never been here before, despite passing by the restaurant multiple times a week. We shared Calamari al Diavolo, Mozzarella Sticks, Bruschetta Flatbread, Linguine Chicken Amatriciana, Triple Threat Parmigiana, and Mario’s Chicken Parmigiana. Overall, the food quality was surprisingly good. While the Mozzarella Sticks and pastas were slightly above standard, given the reasonable pricing and generous portions, I have no complaints. The only dish that fell short was the Bruschetta Flatbread, which tasted bland compared to the others. The Parmigianas were the highlight, especially the Triple Threat, which was a first for me. The sauces were perfectly balanced, and the chicken was prepared beautifully, earning two thumbs up. However, the star of the night was the Calamari al Diavolo. The hearty tomato broth with just the right kick of spice, combined with the peppers and calamari, made it outstanding. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind coming back just for this dish, it’s that good. If there’s a better version out there, someone needs to enlighten me. While the food was satisfying, the service left room for improvement. Our designated server was spotty, with unclear answers to our inquiries and a lack of attentiveness. Thankfully, other servers stepped in and were more accommodating, which helped salvage the experience. Despite the service hiccups, I’m glad to have discovered this place. It’s a spot where I can enjoy good food and create great memories...