Taormina Ristorante & Pizzeria — Restaurant in Town of Smithtown

🚨Please do not listen to these negative reviews go and check them out yourself..you will thank me later! The place is under a new ownership but still family run. The staff is the same..I met Karen lovely server working there over 20 years knows all of her customers and took care of us like family. Some people are just missing seeing the old owners annoyed they’re not there anymore and write miserable stuff and want to bash the place…far from the truth. The reviews don’t give a reason or a picture of bad food. 💯Fake reviews. I cannot compare the food all I can say is it is phenomenal all around so what’s the problem? Amazing food and good People here! I had heard about this place for a while but I live in Huntington so I thought next time I’m in the area, I would check it out with the family. After visiting it doesn’t seem like a far ride from me anymore only 15 mins and for great fresh food you can’t beat it, it’s worth it. First off lots of parking located in a huge shopping center and when you enter in the restaurant there’s a small pizza station in the front. The back to sit and dine is a hidden gem and what looks like fine dining..chandeliers booths tables and all very pretty but still casual with old school vibes. Service was excellent and one of original owners family is now a co owner his name is Angelo he is an extremely nice guy, he stopped and talked with us a few times asking if we liked everything.

I ordered a white slice to taste before our meal and it was the best I ever had. Crust was crisp to perfection, the right amount of ricotta and mozzarella with garlic! Soooo good. All the other pies & sliced looked Amazing! Great bread basket too..We had our main meals and it surpassed expectations. Fresh seafood, chicken cuts like butter, the shrimp oreganta was nice size plump soft and delicious sauce to mop up with some bread. All great quality food with a homemade feel & flavor.. portion size is more than plentiful all come with salad or pasta. Btw the salad dressing “champagne” a house secret dressing is like an addiction, best dressing I ever had! They should bottle it. I will def be back, they have lunch and dinner specials as well. I cannot recommend them enough. Leo also a server is a great guy who aims to please he’s took good care of us. Check them out! I cannot wait to return.

**Update- 6/2/24 I returned with the family and it was even better than the last time. They treat you like family here and will make anything you ask for even if it’s not on the menu..if they have the ingredients they will of course meet your request. I love this! Again, Angelo the owner is so friendly and inviting today we tried a pizza he made, it was ridiculous! I took some pictures..the dough is super crispy nice n dark, the toppings are amazing together they marry so well. I couldn’t stop raving about it. Also they had stuffed zucchini flowers hard to find and made absolutely delicious here. Stuffed with ricotta and mozzarella. Heaven! We met Angelo’s partner and he was a great guy too. Staff is on top of things you’d think you were in a high end dining establishment. I had stuffed bass and it was clean tasty filled with flavor crab shrimp breadcrumbs and over sautéed vegetables. The salads were clean crisp and dressing you want to drink, called champagne dressing👍🏼They have great dishes some traditional Italian and some with a twist. Be daring try something other than red sauce. Everything is to die for, coming from this little place are big things. 👌🏼 Again, I can’t wait to return to dine and cater. A++++++++++++++

**UPDATE We have returned several times since and I have added the pics of my dishes. My new go to for old school...

If it is not just my wife and I we bring friends and family. We have been going to Taormina's for at least 25 years. That in itself says what we think of the place. What we like of the place is the staff is "consistent!" You get to know the servers / staff on a first name basis. They are mature, knowledgeable of the menu, attentive and courteous. My wife and myself were both brought up in Italian households. And we know what home made gravy / sauce is and quality ingredients. And this place has that. I'd tell you what dishes we like but there are too many. Every type / category of food is true to it's title via taste. The dishes are bountiful, flavorful and always hot off the stove. We also like the clientele, always a mature and friendly crowd. People are always chatting with the table across from them. Good food makes for happy people. As far as pricing goes, it is competitive with true Italian restaurants. I say that because there are pizzeria restaurants, and then there are restaurants that also serve pizza. This is a "restaurant" that also serves a wide line of pizza and hero's. The proprietors name is Pete, he is genuine, he always stops at your table to say kind words and wants to make sure you are satisfied with everything. You have nothing to lose if your ever in the area. So stop in and give it a try. You never know, you just may find something you like. If you go by the reviews? There isn't a bad one. That...

If it weren’t for the staff that IS GOOD, I’d stop going here. It’s also just unfortunately convenient while I’m at work I can go on and on about the bald man with tattoos, the Hispanic man with curly hair, so pleasant, personable , etc. I honestly only go if I know one of them are there. Because at this point whoever the bigger build man is that seems like he may be the owner? Is just always downright unpleasant every single time I go in there. Attitude, no greeting , asking for a box is annoying to him, no thank you any time I put a tip in the jar , I say have a nice day, no response. The other men are sooooooo kind, personable , and accommodating. This one is bothered by everything. I said have a good day today (after putting a dollar in the tip jar and he just walked away. That was my last straw all together now. Don’t care if the food is good I...