Highlights
- Great wine list
oChef » Gaetano’s – San Diego
Gaetano's - San Diego
Photo from Gaetano’s
Gaetano's at a glance
San Diego Tierrasanta
- 🍝 Italian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 77 of the guests
#370 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#14 Italian Restaurant out of 19 in San Diego
Good
7.4 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
516
Reviews
74%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Quality food
- Family friendly
Frequently criticized
- Service issues
- Atmosphere concerns
The restaurant Gaetano’s, an Italian restaurant nestled in the heart of San Diego’s Tierrasanta neighborhood, invites you to experience a delightful culinary journey. You’ll discover a cozy and casual atmosphere perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a quick bite or a leisurely dinner.
Known for its great wine list, this spot promises to elevate your dining experience with carefully selected vintages. Enjoy a quiet meal with friends or family, knowing you’re in for a treat.
Overview: Introducting Gaetano's
Gaetano’s generally offers a pleasant dining experience, with many appreciating the generous portions and the rustic ambience. It’s often seen as a welcoming spot for families seeking classic Italian fare.
However, some recent feedback points to occasional inconsistencies in the service, which can sometimes impact the overall visit.
Good
7.4
out of 10
516
Reviews
74%
Satisfaction
108
negative
26
neutral
382
positive
Gaetano’s earns a solid overall score of 7.4, reflecting a generally good dining experience. This is supported by a strong Customer Satisfaction rate of 74%, indicating most patrons leave content.
With 516 customer remarks, including 382 positive and 108 negative, there’s a clear picture of what to expect. The Food (7.6) stands out as a particular strength, frequently praised for its quality and generous servings.
The Ambience (7.8) also contributes positively, often described as rustic and suitable for various occasions. While Service (6.9) is generally good, some experiences suggest it can be inconsistent.
Value (6.6) is considered average, with affordable prices but some concerns about portion sizes for certain dishes.
What people like
- Delicious fresh food
- Generous portions
- Rustic ambience
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- Long waiting times
- Unwelcoming atmosphere
Gaetano’s, with a Recommendation Score of 7.6, presents itself as a solid choice for those seeking classic Italian fare in a family-friendly setting. If you prioritize hearty portions and a generally pleasant atmosphere, it’s certainly worth considering for your next meal.
However, be mindful that service can be a bit of a mixed bag, and some patrons have experienced longer waits or felt less welcomed. If consistent, top-tier service is paramount, you might want to manage your expectations or consider dining during off-peak hours.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Gaetano's
Food (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.6 and customer satisfaction at 76.2%, many diners rave about the delicious pizza, authentic Italian dishes, and generous portions. Out of 302 total comments, a whopping 230 were positive, often praising the homemade sauce and crispy crust.
However, not every dish is a home run. About 55 opinions pointed out issues like bland Alfredo sauce, doughy pizza, or watery sauce. Some felt the overall food quality had declined, and portions could sometimes be too large, leading to waste rather than enjoyment.
Food
302
Reviews
76%
Satisfaction
55
negative
17
neutral
230
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious authentic pizza
- Generous portion sizes
- Homemade sauces
What people don't like
- Bland Alfredo sauce
- Doughy, greasy pizza
- Inconsistent food quality
Often praised
- pizzaThe staff are very hospitable. The portions are great for sharing, and you can easily feed a family of four with a pizza, pasta, and a salad for under $100. The wait staff is great with kids, creating an environment that makes you feel like part of the family.
- foodhow good the pizza was. It was awesome and fresh.
- portionsThe staff are very hospitable. The portions are great for sharing, and you can easily feed a family of four with a pizza, pasta, and a salad for under $100. The wait staff is great with kids, creating an environment that makes you feel like part of the family.
- garlic breadThe garlic bread also took me back to the old school days
- antipasto saladmy antipasto salad and my wife ordered the lasagna both meals were delicious and the portions were exceptionally huge especially my salad
- sauceI ordered the veal in white wine sauce, which was delicious. The sauce was seasoned perfectly with the right amount of capers. The dish came with three slices of veal, cooked to gray.
- Italian foodMy experience at Gaetano's has been exceptional, offering real homemade fresh authentic Italian food that reminds me of the best I had in New York 40 years ago. The Italian ownership is evident in the quality.
- pastaIt's a true hidden gem with a very casual atmosphere. The food was very delicious; we enjoyed pizzas, mozzarella sticks, pasta, and dessert, and everyone was happy with their meals. The staff was very friendly and attentive, especially during our lunchtime visit.
- pizzasI particularly enjoyed the Chicken Florentine over pasta (with the sauce on the side), the stuffed shells, and the mussel and clams linguine. The meatball sandwich with extra sauce on the side was also a hit, as were the pizzas. Every dinner comes with a tasty vegetable soup or salad, and yummy garlic bread.
- FoodI had the best eggplant parmigiana I’ve ever tasted, and the pizza was also great. I've been a loyal customer for over 20 years, which speaks to the consistent quality of the food, service, and atmosphere.
Frequently criticized
- pizzapizza came out half an hour after the rest of our food
- foodI thought the food was bad
- saucesauce was really watery. Garbage!!! No flavor
- Alfredo sauceHer Alfredo sauce wasn’t thick enough or cheesy enough for my taste.
- chickenThe pizza was pretty decent for the price. However, the Alfredo was very bland, and the chicken tasted like microwave chicken chunks. The service was decent, and the food came out pretty quick.
- doughthe dough was clearly not fully cooked through
- garlic breadthe garlic bread horrible
- pastaThere was pasta sticking out and it was not cooked.
- portionstoo expensive for the servings they give
- AlfredoAlfredo was very bland
If you're craving classic Italian, especially pizza and generous servings, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that some dishes, particularly those with Alfredo, might not always hit the mark, so stick to their well-loved specialties.
Service (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 63% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark, with a solid score of 6.9. Many guests rave about the 73 positive remarks out of 108 total, highlighting the friendly staff and attentive service. It seems the team often goes above and beyond, providing quality service that makes diners feel well cared for.
However, the customer satisfaction sits at a more mixed 67.6%, suggesting there's room for improvement. Some experiences mention frustrating waiting time for orders or drinks, and a few note less-than-stellar server interaction or customer service. While not the majority, these instances indicate occasional hiccups in an otherwise good service flow.
Service
108
Reviews
67%
Satisfaction
33
negative
2
neutral
73
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Attentive service
- Quick service
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Rude server
- Poor customer service
Often praised
- serviceThe service in both is great and the staff are very hospitable.
- staffThe staff is very accommodating
- ServiceService is always good with friendly servers
- serverMy experience at this restaurant was a bit of a mixed bag. The server was pleasant, which was a good start. For food, the salad was okay, though it was quite plain with just shredded carrots and lettuce.
- attentive serviceI ordered the antipasto salad and my wife ordered the lasagna; both meals were delicious and the portions were exceptionally huge, especially my salad – you can literally share for two. The prices were very affordable with very good attentive service, so we're definitely going back.
- waitressOh and my daughter loved the ranch as well. ☺️ Our waitress was sweet and very attentive! Thanks for a great experience Gaetano’s!
- AlexShe will brighten your day
- Gaetano's teamThe Gaetano's team is friendly and treats you like family
- arrival timethe arrival time is always before the longer estimated wait
- customer always comes firstThe customer always comes first
Frequently criticized
- serviceservice seems to have gone downhill. Server kept my card and when I noticed, returned my card without much of an apology.
- waiting timeWe were seated and given menus and water, then sat for 20 minutes without being asked for our order. Multiple other tables were seated, ordered, and were served in that time, and no staff ever looked our way to flag them down.
- waitresswaitress lady with glasses was being short and rude
- serverserver didn't want to split
- bad experienceI definitely had a bad experience
- chefschefs had no clue what was going on
- customer serviceCustomer service was also lacking
- deliveryDo not order if you want it delivered
- delivery guydelivery guy was so lazy
- doorbelltoo much effort for the delivery guy to actually ring the doorbell
Overall, the service here is a bit of a mixed bag, leaning towards good but with some noticeable inconsistencies. If youre looking for generally friendly and attentive staff, youll likely be pleased, but be prepared for the possibility of longer waits or less engaging interactions on occasion.
Ambience (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 43% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.8 and a customer satisfaction rate of 79.1%, the ambience here is definitely considered good. Based on 53 positive comments out of 67 total, many appreciate the family feeling, Italian experience, and the atmosphere, often highlighting the parking convenience and kid-friendliness that makes it a true neighborhood gem.
However, not every aspect shines for everyone, with 9 negative comments noted. Some found the decor a bit dated, describing a seventies vibe in need of a refresh. Issues like poor air conditioning making the area hot and uncomfortable booths for larger guests were also mentioned, alongside a few feeling unwelcomed as first-timers.
Ambience
67
Reviews
79%
Satisfaction
9
negative
5
neutral
53
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great for families
- Ample parking available
- Warm Italian atmosphere
What people don't like
- Poor air conditioning
- Outdated decor
- Unwelcoming for some
Often praised
- atmospherethe place is perfect for couples date nights nice and quaint
- Atmosphereconsistent quality of the atmosphere
- ambienceVery nice rustic ambience, gives the sense of being in a stony villa in the mountains.
- free parking lotThe restaurant is clearly kid-friendly, as families with children are always present. Parking is also convenient with a free parking lot in a medium-sized strip mall, and there are wheelchair ramps from the parking lot to the sidewalk.
- noise levelNoise level:Quiet, easy to talk
- parkingWe highly recommend the Linguini Pescatore! It's a great place for families and conveniently offers plenty of parking.
- placeGreat place to bring in the family
- Birthday partiesWe've had Birthday 🎂 parties in the back room
- Italian experiencea quality Italian experience
- Italian family spotSuch a cute and delicious little Italian family spot.
Frequently criticized
- air conditioningNo air Conditioning it was hot
- areamade the area HOT.
- boothsas a larger man I don't fit in the booths
- ceilingsThe food was amazing and the servings were big, which was fantastic. However, the ceilings were leaking, which was quite a bummer. Additionally, there's little to no signal inside the restaurant.
- decordecor has a seventies vibe that is in a desperate need of a have lift
- people didn't like usMy friend did attempt to pay for the drinks, but the server gave them to us free of charge and mentioned she was about to take our order. Honestly, we felt very unwelcomed and perceived that people didn't like us for our skin color.
- signal insideHowever, the ceilings were leaking, which was quite a bummer. Additionally, there's little to no signal inside the restaurant.
- unwelcomedMy friend did attempt to pay for the drinks, but the server gave them to us free of charge and mentioned she was about to take our order. Honestly, we felt very unwelcomed and perceived that people didn't like us for our skin color.
- welcomingIf you're a regular, this place is probably great. It didn't feel very welcoming for first-timers.
If you're looking for a family-friendly Italian spot with a warm, established atmosphere and easy parking, this place is a great choice. Just be aware that the decor might feel a bit old-school, and on a hot day, the AC might not keep up.
Value (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 31% of the guests
Looking at the value, it seems many guests are quite pleased! Out of 39 comments, a solid 26 highlight the fair prices, reasonable price points, and great deals, especially for lunch specials. Diners often rave about getting generous portions for their money, feeling like theyve snagged a real bargain.
This contributes to a decent value score of 6.6. However, its not all sunshine and rainbows, as customer satisfaction is a bit of a mixed bag at 66.7%. The 11 negative comments often mention things feeling a little pricey for what you get, concerns about rising costs, and even accusations of price gouging.
Some feel the servings don't always justify the price, leading to a few disappointed wallets.
Value
39
Reviews
66%
Satisfaction
11
negative
2
neutral
26
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fair, reasonable prices
- Generous portions
- Great deals
What people don't like
- Too pricey
- Small portions
- Not worth cost
Often praised
- pricesI ordered the antipasto salad and my wife ordered the lasagna; both meals were delicious and the portions were exceptionally huge, especially my salad – you can literally share for two. The prices were very affordable with very good attentive service, so we're definitely going back.
- priceThe staff are very hospitable. The portions are great for sharing, and you can easily feed a family of four with a pizza, pasta, and a salad for under $100. The wait staff is great with kids, creating an environment that makes you feel like part of the family.
- reasonable priceWhile the pizza wasn't the absolute best I've ever had, it was quite good and very tasty. The big pies for a reasonable price were a significant plus, especially considering how expensive pizzas can be elsewhere. The food received a high rating of 5, and the service and atmosphere were also good, rated at 5 and 4 respectively.
- reasonable pricesThey've been serving up excellent Italian flare for over 44 years, and the quality has always been consistent. The prices are very reasonable, offering great value. I particularly enjoyed the amazing chicken and veal dishes.
- Parking optionsParking options:Free parking lot
- Parking spaceParking space:Plenty of parking
- Price per personPrice per person:$10–20
- drinksthis place is very reasonable
- fair pricesentrees at fair prices
- good pricedgood priced ample servings
Frequently criticized
- priceFor almost twenty dollars you should get more then one pasta tube
- chargeThey charge me $58 dlls
- costsI guess they are cutting back on cost.
- paid for itI can't believe that I paid for it
- price gougingWhat is up with price gouging and crap food here!!
- pricesprices keep going up
If youre seeking good portions and often reasonable prices, especially for lunch specials, this spot could be a solid choice. Just be mindful that some diners find certain items a bit expensive for the serving size. Its worth a try if you're looking for value, but keep an eye on what you order.
How are the prices at Gaetano's?
You’re looking at roughly $26 per person – reported by 77 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For an Italian Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most guests find themselves spending in the $11–$30 sweet spot, with a clear cluster around the average, showing a consistent pricing experience for the majority.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 77 reviews.
See how this Italian Restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for an Italian Restaurant. It hits that sweet spot where quality meets value, making it a solid choice for a good meal without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Gaetano's
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Visit Type
- Takeout
1
Watery Sauce, Boiled Chicken, Old Salad
I ordered the Chicken Alfredo to go and was very disappointed. Upon arriving home, I found the sauce to be extremely watery and lacking any flavor, even after adding salt and pepper. The chicken was in huge chunks and tasted like it was simply boiled, with no discernible flavor.
The accompanying salad had old lettuce and a minuscule piece of cucumber. To top it off, the garlic bread was hard and dried out. I felt there was price gouging for such crap food.
It was a disgusting experience!
- Chicken Alfredo1
- sauce1
- chicken1
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Dine-in
2
Lasagna Disaster, Simple Atmosphere
My experience at this restaurant was primarily focused on the food, and unfortunately, it was a significant letdown. I ordered the Lasagna, which was the worst I've ever had. The pasta was sticking out and clearly not cooked, and the sauce was watery.
The only redeeming quality of the food was that the cheese was ok. The atmosphere was simple but clean, which was pleasant. However, the kitchen being right off the entrance made the area uncomfortably HOT.
- cheese7
- atmosphere7
- Lasagna1
- pasta1
- sauce2
Service Intent
- Regular Visit
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Always Love This Place!
We always love this place. Our company used to cater from them, but due to economic reasons, they had to stop. We still visit often.
My most favorite is the eggplant parmigiana sandwich 😋.
- eggplant parmigiana sandwich10
Service Intent
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
7
Mixed Feelings on Chicken Valentino
I visited with my aunt and grandma. My grandma ordered the veil eggplant, which she found very good. My aunt and I opted for the chicken Valentino.
While my aunt loved it, I wasn't as impressed. For my taste, the Alfredo sauce lacked the desired thickness and cheesiness. The portions were very large, and the service was good.
- veil eggplant8
- chicken Valentino6
- portions8
- Alfredo sauce4
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Regular Visit
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Great Italian Food and Service!
My experience at this restaurant was consistently great for both pizza and Italian dishes. The pizza had generous toppings, and the salads were a good size. I also enjoyed the perfectly baked pasta dishes.
To complete the meal, a little Chianti was a nice touch. The service was always good, with friendly servers. It's a place you can't beat for a quick or lengthy Italian meal.
- pizza9
- salads8
- pasta dishes10
What Gaetano's offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Quiet
FAQs
What parking options are available when you visit Gaetano's Restaurant in Tierrasanta?
When you dine at Gaetano’s Restaurant, you’ll find convenient parking solutions. There is free street parking readily available, along with a free parking lot. You can usually expect plenty of parking, making your visit hassle-free.
What accessibility features does Gaetano's Restaurant provide for your comfort?
Gaetano’s Restaurant ensures a comfortable experience for all guests with comprehensive accessibility features. You’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance, a dedicated wheelchair accessible parking lot, wheelchair accessible seating, and a wheelchair accessible restroom.
What is the overall dining experience like at Gaetano's?
Gaetano’s offers a generally good dining experience with an overall score of 7.4 and 74% customer satisfaction. Patrons particularly appreciate the Ambience (7.8) and Food (7.6), while Service (6.9) is good and Value (6.6) is average.
Is Gaetano's a good spot for families?
Yes, Gaetano’s is often described as a great place for families, offering a casual atmosphere and generous portions that can easily feed a group. Many find it to be a welcoming Italian family spot.
What are some potential drawbacks to dining at Gaetano's?
While generally well-regarded, some customers have noted inconsistent service, occasional long waiting times, and instances where the atmosphere felt less welcoming. There have also been mentions of facility issues like leaking ceilings.