Pinocchio Restaurant — Restaurant in Burbank

DOGS (COMPANION OR ESA)ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE PATIO AREA UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, AND THEY WILL NOT BE POLITE ABOUT IT

Pinocchio’s is a Burbank institution. I have been a patron for more than 35 years. Even though the lettuce in the salad isn’t always the freshest and the tomatoes are sometimes left over from the day before, there is a nostalgia to the place. And that nostalgia runs deep for native Angelinos. I’ve witnessed the staff behaving less than stellar to the patrons on several occasions. I’ve actually frequented the establishment a little less over the years because of the decline in food quality and the occasional arrogance of one particular staff member. On my first day off in a month, I was excited to order extra gravy with my eggplant and dip my garlic bread before a stroll on Magnolia. After today I have no intention of ever going back. I have a small, eight pound puppy that accompanies me as part of her ESA training for my parent with a heart condition. Restaurants have the right in California to deny service to Emotional Support Animals. I’ve never experienced an issue with it personally, however my puppy is contained in a large stroller with a deep bassinet and is well trained to not yelp, bark or cause any general disturbance. So, until today, I have never been asked to leave because of her. The funny part is that I brought her to this establishment twice before and ate in the dining room. For years, I ate on the patio with my Dachshund. I've never had an issue with a stroller and well behaved dog at Pinocchio’s. After waiting in line for 15 minutes, one of the employees yelled from behind the counter that no dogs were allowed. There was no discussion, no questions asked, couldn’t show ESA paperwork if that was a factor- just that no dogs are allowed period. I asked my Mom to find a table outside and to take Maggie (the ejected pup in question outside) because there was outdoor seating. It seemed foolish to argue the point even though I felt the way the situation was handled was a bit rude. Before ordering, I asked the employee assisting me if I had to take my meal to go or if I could eat on the patio with my dog. I was told that outside was acceptable and double checked the fact with the cashier. The yelling employee had left the counter when it was clear that he would be my server. After a tremendous amount of trouble accessing the patio area, I was told by the same yeller that I had to leave. I asked to speak with a manger and I was told that he was the manager. I asked to speak to the owner and he paused for a minute….I wondered if he was about to tell me he was the owner as well. I was frustrated at this point, because I double checked with two employees that I could still utilize the patio (even though I had dined twice in the dining room with Maggie previously) and now yelling guy was back. At that point and more than 40 minutes after I first stepped into line, I requested a refund and got it. Pinocchio’s won’t miss by business. They will not change the overall culture of the staff. However. I am profoundly disappointed. I’m disappointed in the lack of professionalism, stated policy and overall poor handling of this situation. So, I have titled the review “No Dogs Permitted” so those with fur babies who are traveling companions or needed service assistants can skip this miserable scene. I highly recommend Carousel in Glendale as a pet owner. They permit access in the covered patio or the street side patio. Also, they are very...

I’ve been a long time customer Pinocchio’s Monticarlo. The food is still great and the prices are equally great. A few months back a family member had a party function at this restaurant with poor managerial services, my family members told me about their experience and told me they were boycotting it for now which from the sounds of it was a tough decision. Today I was asked to get dinner from them by my son who was visiting me from Seal Beach and this is his favorite restaurant, I thought about supporting my family’s choice to boycott or give them another chance. I chose to give them another shot, as I walked in there was absolute no line and I thought they might be closed, I asked the store side and the assured me they were open. I went to the side of placing orders, they saw I was waiting but never asked if I wanted help, never said I’ll be right with you, nothing. I waited about ten minutes and I could see they were filling online orders, I understand that things are different and we all have to be patient with all the changes, but this was just outright poor customer service. They finally asked me what I wanted and I gave them my order, immediately after my order was taken a very rude gentleman told me with a very condescending tone that my facial mask was not good enough. I was rather insulted with his tone but I didn’t say anything, I told him ok I understood and I would return in one minute once I go to my car and change my mask. Which I did in less then a minute in a half, while I had waited to place my order and my trip to Change my mask a line had formed which had little to no structure, meaning people were picking up orders as well as coming in to place an order. I asked the man that took my order (who was very friendly individual) if I had to wait in line again or had he taken my order originally, he told me to wait aside from the line and he would take care of me. While I waited, I waved down the owner to tell him about my experience with the rude person who told me my mask wasn’t good enough, his reply was he was sure his employee didn’t mean anything and everyone was stressed because of the city making the restaurant businesses making all these changes, wasn’t easy for his business or employees. I told him I understood but at the same time i too understand that in business customers are important and at the very least be heard? After talking to him I felt he gave me an apology that was rather unaccounted and he really didn’t want to talk to me. I finally waited for three more customer who got there way after me to pay their check and I got my order and paid my bill. I am and always will be in support of small independent business, but if that business has the arrogance to speak to their customers in such a manner and Taking a chance of losing a percentage will not affect their business well I guess this post will not mean much, I’m not trying to hurt anyone and I’m sad that I was treated this way, it only validate my family’s experience a few month back with this restaurants management made me more upset because as much as I love their food and their prices I probably will no longer visit one of the most iconic restaurant in Burbank, it reminds me of a Seinfeld episode No...

I fell in love with Pinocchio's from my first visit years ago. If you like Italian food and an east coast italian style... this is a must visit! As you enter you will be face-to-face with their gelato stand which we sometimes visit on it's own. To the right you will see their Italian grocery and deli where you can get all kinds of wonderful imported foods. I live closer to Cavaretta's now, so I generally go there for that and can't speak deli, but I'm sure it's awesome!

Now to the gold... to the left is the restaurant. You wait in line (which can sometimes be quite lengthy), but it moves pretty fast and the workers are attentive. They have DELICIOUS food! The lasagna is to die for! And I've actually heard people rave even more for the veggie lasagna... even non vegetarians. My wife gets the veggie lasagna with meat sauce! I finally tried their pizza and it was KILLER! I love their salad with the cheese. Literally I haven't had anything bad here. Sauce is great. Meatballs are great. It's wonderful.

The ambiance is wonderful. There are three rooms which to choose from and even some outdoor seating. An ideal Pinoccio's experience would be to come here with two or more families (or friends) where you can all get a table first and then tell someone what you want and they go in line to get it. No stress about having to find a table once you have the food.

The only thing that could make Pinocchio's better is if they had table service. I would go here WAY more often if I didn't have to wait in that line... but that's not who they are trying to be, so I didn't take off points for that.

My favorite time to visit is during the holidays! I...