MenuPages

This restaurant was recomended to me by a New Yorker, so I took the subway and walked a long way to get some authentice Italian. What I got was authentic, attitude. Apparently, there is some kind of feud between Manganaro & Manganaro's Hero Boy, which is right next door. If you are a tourist like I was, you don't know the difference - same name, right next door to eachother. So the first restaurant I saw was Manganaro's Hero's Boy which was closed and then I saw Manganaro's Foods. I thought it was the same restaurant, so I walked in and asked if it was closed (there was not one other person in the restaurant). The lady at the counter answered "Does it look like we're closed?" That's when I should have known to leave, but I traveled such a long way I figured I'd eat anyways. When I saw Anthony Bourdain's picture on the wall I tried to be friendly and asked the nasty lady what he ate when he was there. She answered" I don't know, why don't you go ask next door, but he didn't eat there he ate here." Then she muttered something about being terribly insulted under her breath. The food was okay, not terrible, nothing to brag about though. Not worth the price. If this lady had half a brain she would explain the feud between the two restaurants and make it interesting instead of abusing the only customers in the restaurant. I really wish I would have walked out of this place. Don't go here, go next door for dinner. Don't make the mistake I made. The food is not worth the price or the sttitude.

Sounds like some of the reviews are "home-cooking" as they invoke the competition. I will say that the place is really cool inside, but is pricey for what you get. The ladies there are shouting at tourists but I think that is part of the gimmick. Overall a decent meal, but really you're just paying to look around.

This place used to have great food with a side of attitude, and it was worth the prices. Now it is just as expensive with mediocre food (stale bread, unripe tomato..) and a lot of screaming and yelling by the two ladies who work there. Their schtick is tired and eating there now requires listening to two annoying ladies bickering.

I just got back from my first trip to New York city and had a great time. I saw Manganaro on the travel channel and thought I would check it out. As soon as we walked in we were greeted by the two nicest women I have ever met. The food was wonderful, we tried several dishes and was delighted with all of them. This is the place for cheese cake, it was so creamy and lite the best I have ever had. The price of our meal by New York standards was a steal. Thank you ladies for a very enjoyable time and we loved your stories. Best wishes from Alabama.

I've given the food a neutral 3.0 rating, though I haven't had any. And I'll tell you why. Was strolling down 9th Avenue and passed by Manganaro's. I've heard of its reputation and thought I'd take a look. There's always something interesting to get at a good Italian deli. Walked in--this is about 5:30 on Saturday--and the place is dead. No one behind the counters, very little on the shelves. I was a little surprised. From the back someone yells out, Any of you here for dinner? "No, just looking." "Looking," she says, is for museums." After another brief exchange, we told her we'd never be back for the food and she told us to get the hell out. At a time when there's never been more interest in authentic Italian products and real Italian food, they seem to have given up. Too bad. The place oozes authenticity.

I've never been disappointed when I eat here. Yes, the waitresses are old-school sassy, but it adds to the atmosphere. This is what New York used to be. This is what New York SHOULD be. The sandwiches are expensive, but are so good -- it's worth it. The bread is amazing -- wayyyy better than the dry white bread and watered down atmosphere at Hero Boy.

when i go out for lunch, i'm looking to eat some good food, not have a conversation with the restaurant owner. this place offers REAL food... unlike the prepackaged same-old sandwich places. order it how you like it and it's fresh...and they use the best ingredients. smoked mozz..the best deli meats..and try the eggplant parm. please tell me where you can find a better eggplant parm in the city, i'd like to know. i feel like mom just made me lunch. and all the nonsense about the owners is juvenile.. they're there to cook.