One of our worst experiences in Terre Haute - all six of us were highly disappointed in the tasteless sauces, dried out meatballs and over bad meal. Â The fact that there were only two other people in the place should have been a clue. Â Locals told us that the place has changed owners and used to be good, however apparently it no longer is.
Avoid at all costs.
Went here for a Father's Day meal (brought two kids) and had a very nice experience. The waiter was friendly without being contrived. The menu options are varied enough to make it appealing to many people (and not like other chain italian restaurants). We ordered an appetizer that was good, but not as flavorful as I'd like (the ghidghettini). Each of us ordered a different meal with salads. The arrabiata was nice and spicy (if you like that), the lasagna with meat sauce was very flavorful (and a huge serving), and the carbonara had a nice heat and great flavor. The baked ziti was good, with a tomato-heavy marinara and a good amount of cheese. Price is fair-about comparably for a group of four and most other italian restaurants. No, it isn't super cheap, but I didn't think it was unreasonably priced. Plus we had leftovers, so we got double the meals out of it. I really appreciate the friendliness of the staff, the prompt service, the menu options, and the good italian food. Definitely would recommend this as a non-chain restaurant in Terre Haute.
Review Source:Let me start of with the fact I am a traveler so I am in the position of measuring things different...and vegi' (no red meat nor poultry). As well as, the fact I grew up around the North End("Little Italy") of Boston.
What I am saying is that if you are from an area that is urban and cosmopolitan then take a moment to recall where you are.
I had the Mushroom ravioli, bread & dipping oil, dessert and wine; I enjoyed it. My colleague, and local resident, Â who suggested the place enjoyed the lasagna and shrimp and he seemed to enjoy it too.
The reason I did not give Pino a higher rating was that considering the weekday evening at  the time the turn around time from the kitchen was too long. The meal time should have been 1 hour and not 2. I am going to assume that ever single item was fresh & handmade but I am finding that difficult to accept.
While in Terre Haute I visited Pino's twice - once for lunch and once for dinner. Â I had the opportunity to try the Mushroom Ravioli and the Lasagna. Â The Mushroom Ravioli was my favorite. Â The Lasagna was good as well but if I were to go back I would be ordering the ravioli again. Â The bread and dipping oil given at lunch was VERY GOOD Â !! Â Pino's was my favorite restaurant in Terre Haute.
Review Source:Ok, so maybe it isn't fair for me to review Pino's. I am Italian, from North Jersey and have an extremely high standard for Italian food.
However, I did want to give a shout to Pino's for being the best Italian restaurant in Terre Haute/the Wabash Valley, and doing a great job amidst all of the chains (cough cough OG) that are in that town.
I remember the gravy being decent and the food was all pretty good. There is sometimes live entertainment (which my friend Will used to provide!) and it's a nice intimate setting for a night out in the 'Haute.
We're somewhat new to the area and were excited to try this place, especially after looking over the menu that is posted on its website. Â Unfortunately, this menu is not the one that is currently offered. Â Almost all of the fish and seafood dishes are gone, leaving only the most standard, run of the mill classic Italian dishes. Â Although our waiter and service were great, the mediocre quality of the food combines with the relatively high prices will keep us from coming back, and is the reason for the one-star review.
It took me a minute to get over the shock at seeing the five or six dishes I was interested in from the online menu weren't actually available, along with many others. Â The waiter tried gamely to explain that they'd had to cut back the menu because of the food cost, but this explanation didn't really make sense, as one of the dishes in question uses only anchovy and garlic, and many of the others that were omitted don't really use very expensive ingredients. Â We made the best of it, but felt somewhat deceived, as it would only take a few minutes for the restaurant to update the online menu, and there are a significant number of dishes that are missing.
We ordered a full order of calamari, which was fine, if unspectacular. Â The lemon-garlic sauce is quite good but the marinara tasted like it was straight out of a jar. Â A bland, underseasoned jar without any hint of garlic or basil. Â For dinner I had a veal dish with a mushroom and heavy cream sauce. The veal was kind of tough and stringy, which normally happens when it's overcooked, but the mushroom cream sauce was good. Â My wife had Al Donato, merely requesting that they omit the cream. She ended up with the same marinara sauce that accompanied the calimari and the breadsticks, which managed to burned on the bottom yet underdone. Â Seemed to me the restaurant probably gets the Al Donato sauce out of a jar and doesn't have a cook with even the minimal competence to throw in a little pepper, parsley and parmesan, as the dish is supposed to have.
I should mention the dishes were preceded by one of the worst Caesar salads I've ever had. Â The lettuce was almost white and might as well have been iceberg, the croutons were stale and cheap - the kind you buy in a huge bag at the grocery store, and the parmesan was like dust. Â The salads were swimming in dressing and lacked any semblance of anchovy - no pieces of anchovy on the salad and no taste of it in the dressing, which had an off taste. Â I don't expect tableside preparation but an "authentic" Italian restaurant should, at a minimum, be able to make a Caesar salad that looks and tastes like a Caesar should. Â I am not exaggerating at all when I say that Wendy's Caesar side salad is far superior to the dreck this place churned out.
All in all, the food wasn't terrible, but at this price point, a so-called "authentic" Italian restaurant should be capable of much better. Â Things like marinara sauce, breadsticks and Caesar salad are basics that a restaurant like this should have down pat. Â If the cutbacks on the menu are any indication, the restaurant's revenue has slipped to the point they simply can't afford to serve high quality food, yet they are still holding on to the high prices in an attempt to keep some money coming in the door as they circle the drain. Â I hope they can turn things around.
UPDATE: Â Thanks for the note, Anna, but there was nothing "fresh" about that awful salad. Â When a restaurant in your price range starts stretching food cost by using pre-grated Parmesan, bagged croutons, and waste lettuce I have to wonder how many corners they are cutting on ingredients that are actually expensive. Â When I find out you're making your own croutons, grating your own cheese and actually making a Caesar with the proper ingredients I might return. Â Until then, count me out.
I have been eating at Pino's for years. I am a HUGE fan of the chicken and veal parm as well as many other dishes. The appetizers are great and it is one place that I will actually order and enjoy calamari. The service is great and the food is fantastic. They have unbelievable lunch specials. I had lunch with two other friends and our entire bill was only $25 including drinks. For the portions and amazing food it is a great deal!
Review Source:So many authentic Italian restaurants these days are sinking themselves by trying to imitate Olive Garden. They skimp here and there and pretty soon they lose their customers who love them for what they are -- better.
Pino's stands out as an authentic restaurant that still serves fresh, delicious food. It's worth every extra penny.
The servers are very nice and attentive as well.
While the food was well prepared and good it was extremely over priced. Â
A major issue with this place is that the merged politics and food. Â A horrific combination. Â During the most recent mayor's election they littered their property with signs. Â After the dramatic election was over they posted on their sign, "Forget about politics...come on in for a pasta dinner." Â Well I haven't forgotten. Â If you are left winger, moderate, or libertarian I would stand clear of this place. Â Or if you are a person like me who likes the escapism of a restaurant this is not the place for you
For an appetizer I ordered the Ghidgettini which was homemade rolls that had onions, tomato, garlic, olive oil, vinegar and fresh basil. Â This was by far the highlight of the meal, despite costing $12.00 for four rolls. Â
The carbonara which was very good was $18.95. Â While I did not order the alfredo I was shocked that it costs $17.25 and that did not include chicken. Â Â
Overall I would say this place is not worth the high price for basic Italian dishes. Â Â If you were to travel an hour on I-70 to Indianapolis, you would find the same high quality food at a local Italian restaurant for a fraction of the cost.
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