Reggio’s

I’ve now spent four birthdays in South Bend, Indiana. The first was in 2001, and we had Thai food. The second was in 2002, and I don’t remember it well, although I do think I was supposed to be back in SoCal because my sister was getting engaged, but weather caused the cancellation of my flight, and I barely got to the engagement party in time. The third and fourth were in 2015 and 2016, when I was in town to see the Notre Dame women dominate in the NCAA Basketball Tournament. (Twenty-​sixteen even featured a game on my birthday.)
Although I’ve only spent four birthdays in South Bend, I’ve actually celebrated five there. The fifth (actually the third) was in 2014. I had become a year wiser two weeks before, but I was seeing family friends and Esther for the first time as an old fogy, so we came to Reggio’s in Mishawaka and (belated-​birthday) partied like it was 1959.
Reggio’s is old school even though it tries not to be. They’ve converted the oldest-​looking part into a to-​go-​order-​pickup/​waiting area, but everyone with any sense of history knows that this used to be where men tied one too many on and drove home soused because drunk driving was just a normal part of life in the old days, even on icy roads with little visibility in Northern Indiana.
The food is good, and it’s dark inside, just how you want it. We ordered way too much, but we were celebrating my birthday, and even though I do get slightly embarrassed when they bring the dessert with the candle in it and sing «Happy Birthday to You,» I also secretly felt like I was getting something for nothing because my birthday had passed two weeks hence, yet I was still being feted, even though I don’t like being the center of attention, like ever.
Esther likes the place, and surprisingly, she had never heard of it even though she lived in South Bend a year longer than I did. Go figure.
We also witnessed Natalie Achonwa’s final two basketball games in college; and although Ace’s injury would lead, ultimately, to our loss in the National Championship game to UConn, she went down and got up like a champ and egged her team on even though she knew – and I’m sure, with every fiber of my being – at the moment that her season was over.
So here’s to two strong, stay-​the-​course women from Western New York and Southern Ontario, respectively. Esther and Natalie, separated by Lake Ontario and about twelve inches in height. They’re different in so many ways, but each one has made my life fuller, more meaningful. Reggio’s will always reminds me of both of them, even though they’ve never met and probably never will.

They seemed to have recovered from the health department issues. Not as busy as it once was. Disappointed they did away with their drink specials. The salad is still awesome as is the fettuccini

Reggios is a hidden Gem! Food is outstanding. Service is strong. Everything is fairly priced. A tremendous amount of food and the salad is incredible. Try the Pizza and Salad Club. Costs nothing to join and great benefits!
If you ever have a problem, ask for the owner as he is on premise almost all the time!

Food was good but it took an hour to arrive. We literary watched everyone eat and leave. When we talked to the manager/​owner he didn’t seem to care. We did receive 50% off. Gee thanks.

Tried again, people wanted to go for pizza. Pizza in the past has been very good. Got salad and pizza, great service and food. This place is hit or miss. Today, 4 stars.

A friend wanted to eat here recently– and having past good experiences we went. Service as explained by others on this site was very poor. We waited about 15 min or more for a server– had to go to the bar for menus myself and for water. A couple next to us walked out. The salad now was smaller and had less cheese and meat as I recall. I could have cooked better pasta — so disappointed that a restaurant that I really liked is going downhill– management needs to care more

I really like the food at Reggio’s!
Their «service» is what is killing them!
I have been eating here for 15 years, off and on. I went in yesterday, sat at the bar and ordered food. I like to sit at the bar so I can see the TV. The bartender took my order and walked away. After about 10 minutes or so my salad was ready. Now, their Giuseppe Salad is great, nothing fancy or pretentious, just lots of lettuce, salami, cheese and a very good dressing! I love it!
The salad is SUPPOSED to come with bread, which the bartender FAILED to bring with my salad. When I asked if the salad still comes with bread she said «Oh, well I DIDN’T THINK you wanted the bread because you ordered garlic toast»
#1) Correct, YOU DIDN’T THINK!
#2) Just because I ordered some garlic toast, which I asked to be served LATER with my spaghetti, AND WHICH I AM PAYING EXTRA TO PURCHASE, why do you think you have the judgment and the ability to take away my bread WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE INCLUDED TO EVERY CUSTOMER WHO BUYS A SALAD!!!
I also asked for the Parmesan cheese and it took her 3 or 4 minutes of running around the restaurant, all the time muttering to herself, trying to find it.
So, she brought me 2 little pieces of bread (most of the time 4 or 5 pieces are served, I’ve been eating here 15 years) and she walked outside of the building. 2 minutes later the cook opened the kitchen door and sat my garlic toast on the beer cooler right in front of me. I stared at my garlic toast, watching it cool off minute by minute, just out of my reach. The cook brought my spaghetti out about 2 minutes after that and set it on the bar where I was sitting– he knew it was mine. The bartender walks back in the building still puffing smoke as she goes into the women’s restroom. I still don’t have my garlic toast.
The bartender comes back to the bar, I ask for some napkins, and she STILL doesn’t notice my garlic toast sitting there GETTING COLD! She does, however go back to the
with the other people sitting at the bar just drinking, regular drunks I would say. I finally ASK for my garlic toast and she walks over and hands it up to me.
I eat my spaghetti while watching the bartender wander all over the restaurant doing ANYTHING EXCEPT taking care of her customers!
I finish eating, go wash my hands in the Men’s room, and come out to pay my bill.
The bartender is outside smoking again.
I have to stand at the end of the bar waiting 3 or 4 minutes for her to come back in to ring me up.
Like I said, Reggio’s has very good food, but for some reason they just CAN’T get good, conscientious employees.

Had this honey BLT as a lunch special, was pretty amazing and very worth the price. The service from the bar was exceptional and the order arrived promptly. One of the best lunch specials I’ve enjoyed at a restaurant in quite some time.

Used to be good. Decent food but terribly over priced. The service wasn’t great but my biggest complaint is, though the lighting is very very dark the cleanliness leaves a lot to be desired. Food dried all over the walls and has seemed to accumulate through the years. So grossed out, thinking if the dining room is this dirty, what must the kitchen look like?

Food — amazing.
Atmosphere — dark, but fitting.
Customer service — top notch. Christina took the time to call me while she was not in the restaurant to update me on our catering menu. She let me know one of the meals that I requested had meat in it (we needed it for meatless-​Friday during Lent). I appreciate that she took the time to let me know, and provide other options for me.

The Extra Special Italian Salad is the way to go. One of the best Italian salads I’ve eaten. The pasta is so-​so. The place has been packed every time I’ve been there. Service is definitely one area where Reggio’s could improve.

I have been a huge fan of Reggio’s for as long as I can remember! They have the tastiest house salad, full of delicious meats and cheeses! I always order their Chicken Parmesan… it is so good! Sometimes the service is a little slow, but I think that is because the waitresses and waiters make their own salads and attend to their own soups, etc., which I can appreciate being a former server myself at a privately owned restaurant. I will give you 5 stars any day of the week!

While the food is decent (nothing special in my opinion, but not horrible by any means) the service is lackluster. This is the second time I have been to Reggios and our waitress was run ragged! She was all over the place and she was the only waitress in the place! Reggios needs to hire more wait staff for lunch because there simply isn’t enough coverage. It took over half an hour for a salad! Definitely never going again during lunch. If you do you’ll be late if you have any kind of appointment.

I went here for the very first time this Valentine’s Day. Being that my boyfriend and I had not been here before we did not think to make reservations, a mistake we will not make again. This place was packed. We sat in the bar at had some drinks that were very well priced and watched Jeopardy!(which we love) and when we were finally seated my meal was fantastic. The salad was incredible. My boyfriend who is definitely a meat and potatoes man even talked about how great it was. I had the pasta carbonara and it was great. I’m giving this review 4 stars because my boyfriend had the mastaccoli and it was really just kinda meh.

My wife and I had been fans of the place for several years starting back around 2000. It was a really great place and I looked forward to going. Within the last 3 years the service has been bad and the food has went down hill. The last four times have been mediocre or worse. From a snippy waitress to cold food to inedible pizza. I simply don’t have time or the money to spend on such a hassle when there are better options. Tonight was the last time. We will not be back.

They have the best salad. It’s large… they really could use a smaller one on the menu. I will drive 30 minutes one way just to have this salad. Yummy.

The salad is still delicious. My husband’s chicken fettuccine alfredo was rubbery microwaved chicken over mushy, overcooked, cold pasta with a greasy, separated alfredo. My chicken parmesan was odd. The breading slid off the chicken. The cheese on top wasn’t even melted, and the chicken was quite watery. This was a very disappointing experience. I used to like Reggio’s very much.

Great place to go for a special evening if you, like me, aren’t into chain Italian restaurants. Go hungry. The salads are *huge* and you’ll be hard pressed to finish your meal if you don’t go absolutely starving.

I hadn’t been to Reggio’s in years, but we bought one of those half off deals and had $ 20 that was about to expire so we decided to stop in for dinner on a random Tuesday night. The place was packed (apparently everyone else had the same idea about cashing in their certificates before they expired).
Just so everyone knows, this is a smoking establishment (must be 18+ to enter), which I normally try to avoid, but was pleasantly surprised with the ventilation. It seemed to be smokier near the bar (makes sense) and was more tolerable once we were seated.
We were greeted warmly at the door and told it would be a 20 minute wait so we grabbed a seat at the bar and ordered drinks ($ 1.50 draft beers!). We were seated at a table in less than 10 minutes.
They were definitely busy and our waitress confirmed it was because of the half off certificates. However, the service was great and while we may have waited a little longer than necessary, we didn’t mind since we were enjoying the atmosphere and conversation.
We both ordered pasta dishes — lasagna for him and spaghetti carbonara with chicken for me (new item on the menu) and both were wonderful. The entrees included their house salad which was loaded with meat and cheese and lightly dressed with their house dressing.
It took awhile for the entrees to come out, but our waitress checked in with us and kept our beverages full — it was definitely worth a little extra wait time.
The menu is very reasonable priced ($ 12 – 14 for our entrees including salad with plenty of leftovers to take home) and service was great… and most importantly, Reggio’s is locally owned. We will definitely be back!

The salad is a must nice date night atmosphere