DEL PORTO ITALIAN RESTAURANT — Restaurant in Elizabeth

Although V-day is hectic and all who dare celebrate on this day should expect some glitches, it is also true that prices and wait time make it possible for customers to demand a minimum level of satisfaction. Having said that, Del Porto ruined my celebration. Someone definitely f...up, and the main problem was the lack of empathy and poor skills to deal with the situation making an already difficult night, a night to forget.

We arrived on time to our reservation, but as I expected we were told there was a wait time. We were told the list was backed up 45 minutes. The young lady who sat people, seemed confused when picking the couples to go seat. 40 minutes later I thought we were ready to have a great night. We were taken to the second floor and were given a wobbly table. Again, at the time, I smiled and told my wife "don't worry, I'll step on the legs and we will be fine". It was now 10:20...

We ordered the King Octopus as an appetizer, a rose, and a beer. The appetizer came fairly quick, 10+minutes I'd say. Unfortunately, the texture of the meat was not at all what we expected. It was overcooked, super hard; but once again, I tried to make my wife smile by cracking some jokes and trying to focus on other things. We proceeded to place our main order, and time passed and passed as we saw other couples who came after us get quick service. Perhaps they had inside information on what to order lol. Anyhow, 1+ hours later, we were still waiting. At this point, we had already spoken to 4 to 5 different waiters, including a young lady who seemed in charge of the second floor. She approached us at ~11:30pm to tell us that one of our dishes was no longer available and that she was sorry. I told her that this was already a bad night, since I assumed placing a new order would leave us waiting again. She reassured us that our food would come at the same time and that it would go in front of the list and that she would give us 50% off one of the dishes. I said, "we are still here, let's see...". Mind you, 9:45pm was the reservation, the octopus was not good, we had waited and waited, and it was now 11:45pm when we once again spoke to the waiter and nothing was out yet. A couple next to us came in and within 30 minutes they were already eating their main dish. This is when my wife sounded the alarm that all husbands know is not to be ignored...she said "I'm hungry!"

At 11:50pm I called the waiter and told him we needed the check. I called the manager and she said she would come to us, but she didn't. I got the bill and noticed there was a 20% tip included. Now, I'm all for paying the waiters and waitresses, but the fact that it wasn't left up to me to give a tip pissed me off. I stood up and approached the main area and asked for the manager to please come talk to me about the final bill.

She came looked flustered and annoyed. I said "how dare you place a 20% tip as if we had a great time? This should be left up to the customer especially when we wasted 2 hours here and didn't eat a main meal" She got upset and responded "it's not our fault sir, but you want me to take it off, I'll take it off!" I said "I know, but it isn't our fault either".

We left, and ran to Rancho Mateo, where we were treated amazingly well, we were fed within 25 minutes and they saved the night.

Del Porto, I'm sure you guys are great; but the staff needs to be trained on what to do on holidays or special occasions. I was truly disappointed, I had chosen your business and I was left scrambling on Google as we waited for our...

Was looking for a nice restaurant in Elizabeth to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. Typed in best restaurants in the area, and this one immediately popped up. After eating there last night, I totally understand why. From the moment we arrived, we were treated with absolute care. We had the choice of eating inside or outside, and with it being such a beautiful night, we opted to dine in their patio area. It looked wonderful outside with lights from overhead and a nice breeze from the water. Our waitress was fantastic and gave wonderful recommendations since it was our first time. She also went above and beyond throughout the night, and when we were given another waitress, she still checked in. The manager also checked on us throughout the night and was so kind. Every...single...thing we ate was phenomenal and HUGE. For appetizers, we had the sweet and spicy calamari and the meatballs. For entrees, the boyfriend had the black linguine with the lobster, and I had a special with the gnocchi. I also had the passion fruit mule...which was very balanced. Had to take most of it home because we wanted to leave room for dessert.

Hint: LEAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT!!! The dessert menu had something for everyone and was explained in great detail. Then...much to my surprise, the waitress mentioned a dessert special that was not on the menu and happens to be one of my favorites. She said banana bread pudding, and when I asked if it had raisins... she said no, and I died of happiness right there at the table. We immediately ordered that to share with an affogato. Because it was my boyfriend's birthday, they put a sparkler in the bread pudding and sang happy birthday. It was really special and the taste of the bread pudding was outstanding. I'm actually tempted to go back today just to get it again.

Overall, this place gets 5 stars. I know that this new iteration of the restaurant has only been around for a year, but I hope it stays around for a really long time. The people...the ambiance....the food. Everything was just awesome. I am looking forward to dining here and again with my family...

A Michelin-Worthy Experience in Elizabeth – Del Porto’s Sets the Standard Del Porto’s in Elizabeth, NJ, delivers far more than just a great meal—it offers a world-class dining experience that rivals any Michelin-starred restaurant. What makes it truly unforgettable is the extraordinary team, led by co-owners Cheech and Nick, who have built something incredibly rare: a restaurant where hospitality, passion, and culinary excellence come together in perfect harmony. Cheech is the heartbeat of Del Porto’s—his charisma, attention to detail, and genuine warmth instantly make you feel like family. He orchestrates the entire experience flawlessly, curating an atmosphere where every guest feels special and seen. From thoughtful menu recommendations to heartfelt hospitality, Cheech sets the gold standard. And then there’s Chef Roy, the dynamic counterpart to Cheech. It’s rare—almost unheard of—for a chef to step out of the kitchen and connect personally with guests, but Chef Roy does just that. He greeted us with humility and pride, taking the time to speak with us about the dishes he so clearly pours his heart into. The food he creates is nothing short of world-class—every bite balanced, bold, and unforgettable. Sophia’s cocktails were the best we’ve ever had—creative, balanced, and crafted with care. Each drink felt like its own experience. Our server, Naomy, was exceptional—attentive, kind, and deeply professional. She moved with calm confidence and made sure every detail of the evening flowed smoothly. Fermin’s wine pairings were spot-on, enhancing each dish with thoughtful selections that brought out the best in every flavor. It’s clear that Cheech and Nick have built not just a restaurant, but a family—one where passion, precision, and warmth define every aspect of the experience. Del Porto’s doesn’t just deserve a Michelin star—it feels like one already. Run, don’t walk. This place is something...