Stefano's Golden Baked Hams — Restaurant in Yorba Linda

Looked up local Google reviews to find the best meatball sandwich around. LED me to Stefano‘s where I had never been before.

Nestled into a little strip mall, walked in late afternoon at a random hour, I was the only customer there. Very clean and inviting with a very interesting menu, primarily Paninis, which they specialize in, but I had my stomach set on a hot meatball sandwich.

As I was starting to order, one of the young employees standing behind the young lady I was speaking to was having a rather loud but very positive, laughing conversation with one of her coworkers. Suddenly, the gentleman whom I presume was the owner/manager, snapped at the young employee, chastising her VERY loudly from about 10 feet away, criticizing her for having a personal conversation while there was a customer in the store.

Honestly, the very rude and abrupt manner in which he spoke to his team member was far more offensive than her having had a personal conversation while I was speaking to her other team member. that gentleman needs to lead by example, and show respect if you want his team members to do the same. He could’ve easily spoken to her privately, or at least more quietly, instead he chose to yell at her out loud across the store while I was standing right there. not my business to tell others how to run their business, but he should be aware that his actions were far more offensive than hers. I quietly told her later I was sorry for the way she was spoken to and that she didn’t deserve that. She was just a youthful employee who had made a mistake. The way in which the gentleman spoke to her was uncomfortable for everybody, including me.

So the food… Overall, flavor was very good and everything was very fresh. However my “hot” meatball sandwich was very much not hot. The meatballs were warm, along with the sauce, but it was served to me on a cold roll with cheese that had not melted across the top fully. I asked the young man behind the counter if he could heat it up for me in the oven further since hot meatball sandwiches supposed to be… Well, hot. even though it took about 5 to 7 minutes to heat it up, when it was served back to me it was still just barely a bit warmer. Not sure what was going on but it was hotter just not piping hot like it should’ve been.

It was decent, but it tasted much better if it was served piping hot. Honestly, I was a bit uncomfortable being there, I was a bit concerned if I asked to have it heated again the young man would get in trouble. It was clear that he was a newer. So I ate it and just finished and left.

Since I was the only customer there at the time, and this incident is rather identifiable, I honestly probably won’t go back even though the food was pretty decent had potential for the Paninis I would’ve liked to have tried some other time. I’d rather go to a business that has good food AND treats its team members with respect, and at a minimum, leaving by positive example. Everybody’s new at a job at some point, and food doesn’t always come out perfectly. In this case, it’s the manager/owner that will keep me...

I'm new here and my coworker recommended this place. As I ate my salad I noticed a guy with a black shirt that had the name Frank on his sleeve go to each table and talk to the customers. He even went outside and talk to the customers at a table. As I went on to eat my food he was still greeting customers. I gave the server my card to pay for my meal (dine in and takeout). He went to the back and when my server came back out I asked her who was that guy greeting the customers? She replied, "He's the owner." I asked her to call him so I can have a word with him. He came out and pulled up a chair. I described to him my observation and asked one question. Why did you not come to my table? I can tell he didn't like the question. He pretty much said sorry you felt "neglected" I said no I felt ignored. He went on to say that's just the way it is. At the end of the day it's about the customer's experience. I should be writing a review about the food but my negative experience made the food forgettable. I asked him to void the take out order as I was still waiting for it. He voided the entire check. I purchased a slice of cake so that I could tip the server. FYI, I was the ONLY Black customer. I definitely will NOT be back here!!

Reply to owner: Why wait to see how people were going to take it for you to respond? It was absolutely because I'm Black. I was the only Black customer when I was there. That was my experience. Your arrogance is so obvious. Your sarcastic tone in your disingenuous apology that day. "Entitled" you say? That's a joke. You are racist! You either know or don't want to know. Like I told you that day I work just as hard as you do for my money and I will...

Ordered some pasta and a side of spinach salad to go. There were a few vegan options but this place would have gotten at least one more if not 2 more stars, had they offered even one or two vegan proteins for their wraps or paninis or sandwiches, and just one vegan dessert. They could easily have vegan turkey or pastrami or ham and vegan cheese which would help plant based eaters eat here with their families. Perhaps the owner/a will see this and make some modifications.

The pasta was ok, had a bit too much oil, too much pasta and not enough olives or fresh tomatoes. The beets in the spinach salad were AMAZING, and that salad was a winner!! I would get this again if I am ever charging my car there again which is likely, and am hoping places like these start to update their...