Grasso's Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in El Centro

I wanted to try out a mom and pop restaurant and was craving Italian. I stopped in a few weeks back for dinner and ordered almost $200 worth of food so I could sample multiple dishes because I knew I'd be leaving a review one way or another.

The appetizers, the liver, and gizzards had been under fried, not much flavor, hardly any bread crumbs, and the oil was not changed in a while by the taste of it. The bread was like sweet Hawaiian rolls; I had to request it. The Grassos house pizza was one of the better items I received but still little to no flavor. The salad was tasty at least, and the soup minestrone was absolutely 💯 amazing. It was the only thing that I felt could have dedicated itself to the original recipe in my opinion that is.

Main dishes : I ordered the Linguini With Clams, Scallops & Shrimp, had only 4 small pieces of scallops and then no more then 5 baby shrimp didn't find more than 4 clams, all for $32 bucks, also very bland/ flavorless. Odered a second main dish the Veal Masala but out of stock on the veal, so I ordered the chicken Marsala with extra mushrooms, I got the can mushrooms they use on the pizza and no extra mushrooms or at least none I could notice the gravy was like butter water super sweet and no flavor! Now, the soup 🍲 I'd go back week after week for the soup minestrone.

Desert was the absolute worst: I ordered my favorite Tiramisu, but this was dry as a bone, no coffee flavor or liquor flavor. I was choking on the coco powder coated of the top, and it was hard she advised me to microwave it, oh wow!!

And This is why I gave the food one star, as for the service she was really nice as well as patient in her position, she worked there almost 15 years, but I was disappointed that the owner or manager never showed them selves at my table or even tried to see why so much food was uneaten and or going back to the kitchen, out side of the soup of course 😀.

The atmosphere was pretty neat a little cluttered and with random decorations they had 3 separate areas but I was seated as a solo guest with the kids/family room I felt out of place for sure, normally I would been ok either way if had no other choice but they had 2 other seating areas one for couples and one just a regular section. I received no greeting that felt genuine coming in or leaving.

I even left a few messages before I posted this so I could at least talk with the owners or, at the least, a manager but with no luck on a return call, so hear we are!!

I'd say spend your money somewhere else, but there is not much to choose from in that town outside of...

On the positive side,

the food is very good and the OWNER thanked us as we were leaving the Restaurant.

On the negative side,

the server never once smiled at us.

We told her right at the start, we were celibrating our Anniversary and not even once did she wish us a happy anniversary or offer a small cheap desert (not required, but would have been a nice jesture)...

She, the server was very serious, had had no warmth or personality and seemed botherd to work there. We did not feel welcomed.

The atmospher of the Restarurant needs a TON of creative work!

Very boring ambience ...for example,

there are no booths (which make it more comfortable and romantic), as they only have cheap boring chairs and small tables throughout the Restaruant... The former Steak house (China Palace) had red comfortable booths and candles with dim lighting which made the atmospher warms and romantic.

There are a couple of cheap fake small trees that have no character and no small white lights (like in Italy)...

There were no plants to warm the place up and the lighting could be a bit more romantic and darker, with CANDLES on the table.

As far as drinks...they had the usual wines but there were no Margaritas.

Parking is easy but the parking lot looks ghetto and is dangerous due to all the uneven cracks in the cement...(not well kept).

We do not have many choices here in the Valley and if the Owner were serious about increasing business and having the place packed, he would consider some decorating upgrads and hire more WARM and...

This is a fantastic place to eat. It has great family atmosphere, old world charm, and cozy seating, if your up front. There are about 12 tables in the front room. Most are set for 4 people, but there are a couple of larger ones. They also have a large seating area in the back room. The food is great. Original flavors are coupled with unique pairings. For example, fried chicken with a side of spaghetti and raviolis in meat sauce. Prices are moderate to high, but because of the quality of food and atmosphere, it is well worth it. If there was anything to say in the least bit bad is there service speed. It takes a little while to cook great food, its not just sitting on the stove waiting for you. My wife and I really love the steak dinner. We split it, as it comes with spaghetti and raviloi, as well as a salad. We also always get a side of the garlic bread. It's 3 pieces of deliciousness. I highly recommend Grasso's. Great place for the family in back or a romantic dinner...