Pizzaioli — Restaurant in Chino

ROBBED VIA SALAD....

I live in Los Angeles, but sometimes work in Chino. I needed a quick lunch and couldn't find anything healthy nearby, so I decided to give this place a chance for a salad or a sandwich. It took 30 minutes to receive a salad (excuse was cooking chicken takes 20 to 30 minutes, something I do in eight minutes at home). Ordered Genovese salad, add chicken. I handed my card to the server right away and asked for a box because I had limited time. When he came back with a $30 tab for me, I was flabbergasted. I pay $18 for the best chopped salad around in LA (that already comes with chicken) and now I am at $36 with tip for a very low cost and simple salad. IN CHINO! The experience left me feeling robbed and taken advantage of. How about that for a first experience?

Charged me a Michelin star price, waited 30 minutes for a (SALAD!) handful of lettuce, chewy chicken, and then argue with the customer when they call to tell you what an awful first experience they had.

The customer should come first, especially when it's someone's first visit. I worked in restaurants for 17 years and I never argued with a client, always listened, and always brought a manager when someone had an issue or complaint. Their manager was extremely defensive about the pricing when I called, again, off-putting. It felt like she wanted to do everything in her power to make me wrong and make that salad worth $30.

You cannot justify what I was charged for and what was actually received, no matter what it was not worth $30. Their handful of lettuce was worth about $1 four olives, one slice of salami, 5 pepperoncini, shredded mozzarella from a plastic bag, one chicken breast. Maybe a $12-15 salad and maybe $5 or $6 for a side of chicken. I don't think I've ever paid $30 for a salad in my life before today, and if I did, it was something made from scratch with a lot of labor, not a typical salad I can make at home in under 10 minutes (that would be 1,000 better than this salad I was presented with). When I worked in restaurants, it was common that the manager would apologize to a table for food taking over 20 minutes. After 30 minutes the food was usually comped. I received yet another defensive argument from the manager that "yes. it was a busy morning". Let me add to this post that I was the ONLY table sitting there when I was waiting for my food. The last three tables cleared out as I placed, my order.

I know times are hard and food has gone up for restaurants, and all of us, but this is absolute thievery, and I feel taken advantage of. You will never have my business again. The way you are running your business is not friendly, or inviting. Glad I never have to go back to this place.

(to the owner who wrote back to me, I cannot respond to yours, so here is my response. Thank you for writing back. Your staff was not the issue. In fact, the servers were fantastic, empathetic and offered dessert. It seems the issue is you putting pressure on your team to validate pricing. Again, there's no justification for charging someone $30 for a handful of lettuce with a thin piece of chewy chicken and then having to tip 20% on that, because servers were nice. It was very painful and it was nothing special, I'm sorry. The pricing is not justifiable. I'm a foodie and very well traveled. Your pricing is way off, especially...

Pizzaioli – A Hidden Gem That Serves With Heart Rating: ★★★★★

From the first bite to the final forkful of dessert, our evening at Pizzaioli was nothing short of exceptional. While the food certainly impressed, it was the impeccable service that elevated the entire experience to a level worthy of recognition.

Our server, Cynthia, delivered Michelin-worthy hospitality. She went above and beyond in every possible way—welcoming us with genuine warmth, anticipating our needs before we even voiced them, and addressing the smallest details with care and precision. There was a quiet grace in how she managed the table, effortlessly navigating timing, requests, and even minor hiccups with calm professionalism. Her attentiveness never felt intrusive—just right. That kind of intuitive service is rare and absolutely unforgettable.

The meal itself was a showcase of bold, authentic flavors: • Bruschetta – A beautifully balanced starter. Crunchy toast with vibrant tomatoes, fresh basil, and a delicate drizzle of balsamic reduction. Simple ingredients elevated through execution. • Meatball Sandwich – Rustic and satisfying. The meatballs were tender and full of depth, complemented by a perfectly toasted roll and melted cheese that brought it all together. • Kids Chicken Alfredo – Creamy and comforting, with moist grilled chicken and pasta that held up to a rich, velvety sauce. Generous, flavorful, and kid-approved. • Frutti di Mare – A standout entrée. The seafood was expertly prepared—nothing overcooked, everything fresh. Each bite was a tribute to coastal Italian cuisine, harmonized by a light garlic white wine sauce. • Genovese Salad – A crisp, refreshing palate cleanser with bold pesto dressing. Bright, herbaceous, and memorable. • Chocolate Cake – A decadent finale. Moist, rich, and intensely chocolatey without being overly sweet. We ordered an extra slice because one just wasn’t enough.

Final Notes: Pizzaioli is more than a neighborhood Italian restaurant—it’s a place where food and hospitality meet with intention. The kitchen delivers flavor and care, but it’s Cynthia’s service that made this a five-star experience. Her attention to detail, kindness, and professionalism made us feel not like customers, but honored guests.

Highly recommended for anyone seeking not just a meal, but a truly memorable...

Drove 40 miles to try something new. We heard good things about this place. We had reservations but only had outside. Probably due to the holidays.

Anyhow it is a smaller place within a shopping area. Owner and family work on site and that is something we like.

We were sited quickly but had to wait a while for someone to get a drink order. After the drink order it took about 10+ minutes for them to arrive. When taking the drink order, while waiting for the drinks and when drinks were delivered, dinner specials were not announced. Another 5+ minutes when arriving to take orders the specials were announced. It had been so long it was time to order new drinks along with our order.

Salads came quickly then our food soon there after. It was hat and presented well. After food was delivered we had to wait a while to see someone to ask for red pepper and parmigiana. We got it about half way through our meal along with our second drink.

Overall the inside ambience is very nice. Drinks were good once served but very slow. Food was hot, presented well and flavor was pretty good. We were a party of 4. We each had 2 drinks, a house salad and a pasta entree and the total bill was just over $300. My 4 instead of 5 rating is due to slow bar, long times between checking with us outside and a little high price for what ordered.

We will give it a try again in the future and when we do we will update accordingly. We are hoping for a better...