Mandola's Deli — Restaurant in Houston

After living so close to it for a couple years now, my wife and I tried out this place out for the first time and suffice to say I don’t think we’ll be coming back

For starters, we’re not sure how the prices are so high for what you get. A half pizza is a little over 9 dollars but when you open the pizza it’s comically small and you’re in disbelief for a little.

Secondly the quality is far far lacking. I don’t want to appear to be a nit picker as I rarely post reviews of below average food, but everything we ordered seemed not authentic. The pizza was reminiscent of something we’d buy at HEB and heating it up in our oven except the quantity is much smaller. The spaghetti and meatballs felt like they just bought pasta and meatballs from a store and called it a day.

Last of all, the desserts we ordered were both 2-3 days old (today is 2/23, just in case). Of one of the two, we picked it up at the restaurant while getting our phone order so the expired desserts are just sitting there in front. I certainly didn’t want to write a less than stellar review of an beloved mom and pop place; I really wanted to like it, but there wasn’t anything about the food that will make me come back.

I understand that times are tough due to Covid, but my wife and I don’t get to splurge 40+ dollars on take out very often. We wanted to treat ourselves today but we were just left with not very good Italian food. I doubt the owners will reply as I’m looking at the other reviews and they haven’t been active on here for two years, I just wanted to get my two cents out there. The food may have have been good in the past but I would stay away from it now

UPDATE 2/24: Their response to my review is severely lacking professionalism and I definitely won't be recommending this place to anyone I know. "My mom always told me if you don't have anything nice to say don't say it at all."???? I gave this place an honest detailed review and this is how they respond? It'd be funny if it I knew this didn't come from a middle aged man/woman that has actually talked to people before.

Better yet, they actually take the time to criticize how long my review is; did they want a one sentence review like the other ones that I've definitely browsed through on this page or do they think they're infallible and can do no wrong? This is a mindset of a teenager and the rest of the response isn't any better.

Also they replied saying that the date on the desserts is the date they were packaged. That's not how that works at all. I don't want a stale cannoli that's been sitting out for 3 days. I paid 5 dollars for a fresh cannoli that was promised on your website. It should say "3 day old cannoli that's been sitting out in front for $4.99" if that's the case.

In any case, here's the shortened down version of my review; if I wanted mushy, burned, and a miniscule pizza the size of my hand, I would've gone to little ceasars and paid a quarter of the amount than what I spent at this place.

Here's the even more shortened down version of my review: I wouldn't feed your...

In order to make a long review short, I will say simply this: Food reminiscent of my Italian childhood, but not in a good way—school pizza and pasta.

The pizza was spongelike and overcooked at the same time, with sauce very clearly from a can. Let’s not get started on the size of their half pizza, because it’s also a school sized portion. The sausage on their pizza was heavy on the fennel, but to each their own.

My spag meatball was overly sauced in overtly sweet, very obvious jarred sauce straight from Sysco/Chef’s Quality or something of the like.

My 3 day old cannoli would have been wonderful, if it wasn’t three days old and stale. My 3 day old cake that was very clearly box mix with canned Betty Crocker frosting on the other hand shouldn’t be reviewed because it’s not their product, it’s Betty’s.

My garlic bread was somehow worse than what you’d find at the grocery store frozen section...once again, spongy, yet dry, clearly coated in oil and dried parsley but lacking any garlic or any flavor at all.

I don’t know if management has changed in the 60 years it’s been opened, or if COVID has made the quality decline but I feel like if something is wrong this badly, this company needs to fix it. I don’t understand how there’s so many 5 star reviews, I don’t know if this was a bad day, I just don’t know. All I know is I spent 40$ on food that I ate no significant amount of, that just is going to waste.

I’ve managed restaurants and bars. I can tell you one thing, there’s as much pride as there is professionalism in selling their food as in their last reply to...

Mandola's Deli had been a favorite of mine for a long time. I had the delight of working for the East End a while back and got to know the treasure trove of culture and food it is and has historically been. Having said that, don't sleep on Mandola's. Go. Often and always for your Italian food fix!

We had lasagna, eggplant parm, chicken marsala, a cheeseburger, and some great Italian wedding cookies. Everything was delicious. I always get the lasagna and I am always convinced its the best I have had.

The portions are as they have always been at Mandola's - big enough to fill the belly and maybe a little left over for later - depending on how hungry you are. The garlic bread is buttery heaven and top that all off with the service. I hesitate to call it just service - its hospitality. Like being invited into the Mandola home to eat, talk, and share some laughs.

Our experience at Mandola's has always been like that, going to a friends house to eat and catch-up. Way back when, the soda fountain was behind the counter and we were always told to come around the counter for refills if we wanted too. Like going to see your family and friends for a meal - that help yourself vibe makes great food even better and we can't...