Rocco's Little Italy — Restaurant in Orland Township

HOT TAKE: When it comes to Italian food, having excellent food and service is just not good enough. Period. There are plenty of Italian kitchens than can accomplish that. For me, going to an Italian eatery should make you want to dress a little sharper and walk in with a little swagger. Now I appreciate that many people will say that this is all in my head... fair enough! But for my Italian dining dollars, the ambiance is 33% of the equation(maybe a bit more).

Let me give you a couple examples that may sway you to my way of thinking. Can you imagine sitting for a bowl of linguine and clams and a nice Italian chianti... and some twangy country music is playing in the background???? Hell no!! Any Italian restaurant that doesn't have Dean Martin and Ol' Blue Eyes serenading my culinary experience is off my radar.

Ok picture this... Imaging slurping on a bowl of pasta Faggioli & dipping crusty Italian bread in olive oil, in a brightly lit cafeteria setting with white walls and minimalistic decorations... HARD PASS! Italian food tastes better in a dimly lit, low ceiling establishment with family portraits from the old country on every wall! Fuggidaboutit!!

Now that EVERYONE agrees with me.... Rocco's Little Italy has it ALL. Not only is the food the best Italian vittles around, they also check the ambiance box in every way. When I'm at Rocco's my mouth & nose are in heaven(of course), my ears are dancing to Dean and Frank, and its so dim that my eyes tell me I'm having a quaint private dinner in my home and everyone there is attractive!! What the hell else could you want?! Keep up the good work Rocco's!!! There are very few places like this left...

I was part of that party that was mistreated at your restaurant. (Party of 8) We were unfortunately late due to weather, traffic, and trains. Anyways that’s besides the point. I was the one who made the reservation and was not told that we would have a 2 hour limit on the reservation. I don’t know how you can put a limit on dinner but if that’s your policy share that information with the customers.

Your response back is very disturbing considering you mention and use COVID as an excuse. Considering what has happened during this pandemic to small businesses your tone should of been more businesslike professional and not insulting. We didn’t spend just a few dollars but to be told to basically leave and rushed through a pricey meal to say the least was not welcoming and that is why we felt to share our experience with others. If you treat other future customers in that manner you will not have much of a business left. Maybe you didn’t have a good night or are upset that we took the time to share our opinion but that was uncalled for. What happened to customer service and just simple manners and etiquette. I hope no one has to go through that bad experience like we did. We came from Chicago and what an unpleasant dinner experience this certainly was and will not return again.

Also lights flickering during dinner is quite strange and I don’t know if that is way to inform customers to leave but that was quite alarming.

Last but not least the others who did not come were senior citizens and we are very grateful they did cancel because this would of been an even...

Bummer. Rocco's doesn't take reservations anymore, although we had been there at least 20 times prior over the previous years. But due to covid hadn't eaten there in a while.

We went tonight around 5:20 and called from parking lot asking how long wait would be. Hostess, an elderly woman, reassured that we had made it "under the radar" and we would be seated shortly.

When I approached her at hostess stand, she acted like she didn't remember the phone call. But, my husband recognized her voice as being who he spoke to a few minutes prior. So we got a drink from the bar and patiently waited.

Well. 40 minutes later, finally got a table after my husband approached the hostess when a couple was seated before us who came in, not surprisingly, after us, and this couple was seated at a better table.

We watched and waited for this to occur based on the hugs and quiet conversations amongst the couple and the hostess and owner/manager.

We actually sat near the waiting area and watched the schmoozing occur before our very eyes. Don't get me wrong, I would have been more understanding if we weren't told, otherwise, that our table would be ready when we called from parking lot that there would be a short wait.

But after 40 minutes, I am getting a bit frustrated.

Food was great. Just wish that the owners/managers truly were there for each and every customer.

Tonight, that was not us.

Can't say I will return again after that experience. What a bummer.

I will not recommend this restaurant, even though food was really good. Not worth the fact that I was made to feel like a...