Palermo Italian Restaurant

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asp811

Joined 6 years ago

A fan for 30 years.. The first time I went to Parlermos they were located on Hillhurst Ave., and I was just a kid. Then they moved to their current location on Vermont and grew the business to what it is today. Its always felt like home and their food has remained consistent over time. The "Special Pizza" is my favorite, it comes with a bit of everything (including anchovies) and a couple of slices go a long way. I also recommend ordering any of their pastas "baked." I mean if you're already eating there, what's a couple of more calories between friends? They also have a full bar in back in case you need a cocktail. Everyone works hard there, no stand around modeling from the crew. Everyone is busy doing something, trying to get you seated, bringing you water, your order, checking up on you, etc... The place is good for large parties, birthdays, and kids. Its also a favorite of the local police department and you often see uniformed personnel there. They have valet parking in the back but it fills up quickly. I often have to find parking in the surrounding streets, which I have always found to be safe. The area has grown quickly and there's lots of activity from the nearby movie theater and other dining locales, so budget another 15 to 20 minutes to find parking.

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photostylist

Joined 5 years ago

21 year customer. By far the best Italian food anywhere. Best service. These people are like family members you actually like. We just moved to WA. and are missing you.

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abbyrd1969

Joined 5 years ago

Good Prices, Good Food, Good Environment...What else do you want?. I went to Palermo's the other night, and let me just say it was wonderful. I had their homemade Chicken Ravioli's with Alfredo sauce. Included with my meal came my choice of Soup or Salad, and Garlic Bread. I had the Chicken soup which, btw, was great. It's not your normal chicken soup. I asked my server what made it so different and she explained it was a tomato based soup. I was also reading some other reviews on here and I have to ask, where did you people park? They have a lot right behind the restaurant with free parking if you get your ticket validated inside. What's a couple bucks for a tip if you get free parking. Reasonably priced food, the environment was home-like (I'm Italian so the loudness reminded me of home), and the employees seemed to really enjoy what they do there. All in all, it was a great experience and I'd definitely return.

Doesn't Recommend

JLunce

Joined 5 years ago

Disappointing!. My, how time changes things! It's been about a year since my last visit to Palermo. Decided to try Delivery. The fact that my food arrived 14 minutes after I hung-up [on a Friday eve - during "rush-hour"] makes me wonder how long it had been sitting around. The Chicken Picata was VERY tough. The spaghetti sauce was so bland, it could have been from a jar, as far as I could tell. (Ragu?). The soup, which I had to remind the lady on the phone came with the order, was "OK". Then, to add insult to injury, the delivery man didn't even have change for a Twenty, so I wound up giving him a 30% tip. Oh, yeah....the Garlic Bread was good. Avoid going Wednesday thru Monday.

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uconndude

Joined 6 years ago

Good happy hour deals for average food. Don't bother with the normal prices!. During happy hour this restaurant actually deserved a 5....the half price appetizers makes the small sauceless, tasteless pizzas seem a decent bargain for 5 dollars. The bruschetta is also a decent app but just know you receive a very small portion of three pieces...also 5 dollars. If you have the money to try some of the higher priced dishes than Palermo offers a great ambiance and quick service to make an enjoyable night out. If you're looking for cheap eats or a good pizza I would stay away. Also a heads up that parking near Westwood is a nightmare and you may need to fork over the 5 dollars and walk a few blocks. Reservations recommended.

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risto77

Joined 6 years ago

Two strikes and I'm out. This place has a lot going for it in character, comfort and aroma, but the food is average. The best part was the little pizza bread things they bring out with the water. I gave it a second chance and was left unsatisfied, again. Great Italian -American food is all about the red sauce. Their sauce is forgettable and dolloped out as such.

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jason2008

Joined 6 years ago

Absolutely the best value for Italian food. I don't think I could do better than Palermo's. Every time I have been there has been a delight, even on those evenings when there is a long wait (like Sundays). The pizza is absolutely delicious, the pasta dishes are tasty and filling, the salads are good, the wine is delightful and affordable. I love everything about this place! It's probably my favorite restaurant in town, and that is saying a lot. Warning: they are closed on Tuesdays!

Doesn't Recommend

like_eating_out

Joined 6 years ago

If you enjoy overpriced, watered down Italian food this place is for you. To start with its like $5 to park but you can always find parking on the street. Decor is average, looks as though it hasn't had a coat of paint in awhile. We were seated quickly, first thing was choosing a wine. Their wine selection was nothing special, the waitress did allow us to try the wine prior to deciding what to drink, which I though was nice. The menu isn't any different then any other American Italian restaurant. Prices were expensive for the quality of food. I had the minestrone soup which tasted like watered down tomato soup with some vegetables, I have had minestrone soup many of times and this was probably the worst. I had the veal which they prepare about 5 different ways. It was over cooked and tough, which veal should never taste like. Many people I have talked to raved about how great this restaurant is, makes me wonder if they have ever had good Italian food. Take my advice this place is more hype then its worth.

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mmillar

Joined 7 years ago

always a great experience. either to eat-in or take-out, we always feel warmly welcomed in this family run vermont cornerstone. the pizzas are always piping hot and delicious, the service is friendly and surprisingly attentive for how bustling it gets. the decor is old family style, flirting with corny, but lovable if you know the place. one of my favorites!

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lynnetteli3

Joined 7 years ago

so cozy and warm. To me, it's really important for a restaurant's staff to be friendly. Palermo's servers and hosts were soooooo incredibly warm and friendly. They were at our table within seconds of us sitting down, with free pizza. HELLO?!??!? Who does that? I would have come back based on the friendliness alone.. but the pizza was to die for, and heated up again for lunch the next day superbly. I'm bringing my friends here for my birthday. I'm so sick of pretentious, trendy, snooty restaurants, and Palermo's is the opposite of all those things. I felt right at home :)