Gaetano's Restaurant — Restaurant in San Diego

Real homemade fresh authentic Italian, Italian owned. Haven't found Italian food like that since I left New York 40 years ago. New Yorkers had the best Italian food + pizza because they learned from or were Italian Immigrants themselves. Gaetano's matches them. I ate inside a few times, pre-pandemic; then during the onset of the Pandemic I ordered delivery. First delivery came from a guy named Jenson. He's the reason I put 5 stars, he deserves 10 stars and a award. Jensen's mannerisms alone brought Gaetano's more and more business on the delivery end. His work ethic is rare for a young guy. It reminds me of my early training in the food service industry; That good old fashioned statement: " The customer always comes first" something that has been lost among so many kids of the "Selfie Generation". When I find someone who knows and works by the concept, "It was a pleasure to serve you". I stick with that business. Dinner Delivery at my home these days is just Gaetano's because it's so hard to find that type of service these days. It's like young people don't know why it's called the 'service' industry. I've tried other restaurants, got one guy who complained coz he wanted to leave the food on the sidewalk by my patio, the front door was to far? One restaurant delivery guy never delivered the food. Someone in my complex received a free dinner on their patio table at 10PM. Left me with the choice of waiting another 45 minutes or disputing the charge with the owner because the employee insisted he delivered my meal. What the Hell? With Jenson at Gaetano's the arrival time is always before the longer estimated wait, the food is always hot and the order is always accurate. Sad but true, that's hard to find these days. So when I find quality service and a good work ethic, I stick with...

This is a restaurant that I've been wanting to try out but I was unimpressed and a little nervous to try based off of other reviews.

I got a 1/2 Italian sausage 1/2 meat ball sandwich which the server let me know was possible after I inquired which sandwich was more popular. My guest had a large antipasto salad both probably too large for the average appetite. Both dishes were simple but delicious and the prices were fair. I would say that the italian sausage reminded me of homemade sausage and was more dry than was the meatball (if that helps anyone in the dichotomy that I normally experience).

Service was fast. Water glass always full and friendly service from the two waitresses. Yes, two people helped us (the second one might have technically been a busser but hard to distinguish).

For guests looking for a drink with their meal this place is very reasonable. No wine bottle on the menu was over $20 when we went in and they serve house wine much cheaper.

(Wish that I had snagged a photo of the...

Excellent sauce and entrees at fair prices. They don't skimp on the quantity, even on seafood. A great mom and pop restaurant with the quality of an A list restaurant. We've tried most of the menu and loved every dish! Great service too! Update: The calamari appetizer was excellent, especially the thick marinara dipping sauce. Got two orders linguini with scallops and clams, one in white sauce, the other in red sauce. Both were delicious. Update: Got a 16" large pizza with Canadian bacon and sausage, and a Seafood Pescatore entree. Both were very good. The pasta entrees would be excellent if the pasta was drained better before plating. The sauce is very tasty and would be way better if not watered down by the pasta water. Update: Got a 16" large pizza with meatballs and sausage, and a Seafood Pescatore entree. Both were very good. Pasta sauce was tasty, but watery. Update: Got the Red Snapper entree and Seafood Pescatore entree. Both...