Frankie Primo's +39 North — Restaurant in City of North Tonawanda

My experience at Frankie Primo's +39 North was frankly, premium. That is in large part to the service we received from our incredible server Jenna K. She exhibits a sadly rare set of values that I can only call pride of profession. The knowledge and passion she has in representing this establishment speaks to the incredible quality of this restaurant.

I'm not Italian, and my experiences with Italian food is incredibly west-washed. The menu, was thus, both refreshing in its honesty (a disclaimer at the top that while allergies would be respected and accommodated for, trying to Burger King the ingredients of the dishes due to personal preconceived notions of taste is not recommended), and daunting in its authenticity (good luck pronouncing things correctly, and I have no idea what the different meats are). Thankfully, Jenna to the rescue. She guided our first time jitters by telling us about the way everything was made in-house, with fresh ingredients (and undoubtedly authentic recipes), and then offered to let us go over the menus. When she returned, it was to offer to answer any questions we may have had. I have to think she gauged our body language to time her return, because I didn't feel rushed or pressed upon.

I did have questions, and the thoroughness of her answers left me feeling in awe of her personal pride of position. She explained what made a sauce become Sunday'd, and then everything else about the item in question (and even said the name aloud a few times, so when I ordered it I could take her cue). When the bread came, she recited the ingredients in the olive oil in a way that just felt fancy, like she wouldn't put something in front of us that she didn't have personal experience with.

Our food was amazing, even if it was different from expectations. The penne was al dente, which I learned from Google was intentionally cooked to retain chewy texture. The fear that it was undercooked had crossed my mind, but again it was my ignorance of thinking all pasta had to be boiled until pale and floppy. It was more amazing for its bite.

To cap off a great experience, when we unpacked our bag of leftovers (the portions were generous enough for two meals, and which she offered to box up), we had one last consideration to appreciate. On top of each box was written the name of the dish, and the day's date.

I don't know if that is standard practice. It's never happened at any restaurant I've been to, let alone for this humble price point. I feel spoiled from my time at Frankie Primo's +39 North, and I hope many more people come to take a chance to read a menu they may or may not understand, bravely trust in a recipe that may have one or two ingredients that might otherwise worry you, and generously tip the incredible people who are proud to represent this amazing corner of taste...

Dinner,Sunday , we were both excited to try this spot,seeing it was local, seemed always had a full restaurant. We had to go to the outside patio side to give our Reservations ,the girls, had no Tablets to look our name up, or anyone else behind us, kinda disorganized, why? are we even outside to provide our names to begin with,kinda strange,just to see the patio was only half full, we were seated by our time slot.

First time here, and the bread was warm but the olive oil dip , was just ok, olive oil, salt and pepper flakes?? I mean some herb would be nice, splash of wine vinegar or something???

The music was so loud it really was annoying, I am sitting shoulder to my spouse and we both had to yell in each other's ears,just to have a conversation.

It's was still cool outside but sunny,the temp is only 60 ,yet they felt the needed to seat ppl outside and keep the doors open to the rest of the restaurant ,it was kinda uncomfortable for that, seeing most ppl had to keep a Jacket on to eat

We ordered the Sunday special, Jays award winning veal,pork beef, meatballs and spicy sauce , And a side order of pasta And two Lemonade drinks .

The drinks were just that lemon water , sour no sugar , unexpected.

The pasta was ,sorry to say it ,"Over cooked" and sticky, (heavy the hot pepper) to the point, were it was so hot ,it threw off the whole dish ,you couldn't even enjoy the sauce because your mouth was just all hot pepper.

The meatball , Was most and good inside, yet , way in world was it carboiled,with a blackened outside??

Ah, No ! Tasted like a burnt burger,

Again given bread and olive oil, but at this point, it wasn't worth it.

No side salad, no real bread, no real olive oil dip , come on !

First experience, was not good at all

$87.00 plus a side tip for (2)

We felt like this was just some kind of fast food gone wrong

Not worth anything more than 25 bucks This was a complete Disappointment!

Even the tiny little dinner gift cookies were just shameful , like the size of. Quarter

If I am spending 100.00 bucks for pasta It better have some dam sauce on the plate And real bread. And not over cooked Carboiled of a dish you want to call food. Not sorry...

Went here on a Sunday, right around 4:30. We didn't have reservations, but figured we would see if we could get in and sit wherever. When we got there, we asked to sit at the bar. The seats were super uneven and wobbly(obviously due to the floor). The bartender threw the menus all in front of me and immediately asked if we knew what we wanted. You'd have thought the place was packed. We left the bar, preferring a not so wobbly time and a slightly more friendly server, and went to the hostess station. We found four employees, all just standing around, that eventually advised that they would have to wait for the hostess to help. A few minutes pass before the hostess arrives. She asks if we have reservations, we reply no, advising we will sit wherever. She then sighs, loudly, rolls her eyes, and while tapping on the station tells us we can sit at the fire pit or on the couch (in the waiting area). She doesn't offer inside or give us an estimate of when something might free up if at all.

Again, I get it, we didn't have reservations, but there is no reason at all for the rude demeanor. My husband and I left and went to the fresh seafood restaurant around the corner. We had an amazing meal! An amazing meal without reservation or cruddy attitude. I can't see a reason to try or recommend Frankie Primos again, to be honest.

This may be the place for some folks, but it isn't the place for me...