Mona Lisa Itallian Restaurant, San Diego

Rustaurant Review: The food is decent. Breads are fresh, and so are the meats. The salads are drenched in dressing and the portions are enormous, considering that it already IS very filling Italian food. Aside from those, the taste and textures of the foods have been captured nicely. For the place itself, people badly need to call Chef Robert Irvine for a restaurant makeover. The place reeks of a late-70 s family restaurant vibe, transitioning to the present time, bringing in old recipes along with 4 decades of dust and carpet stains. The dining area is dark and decorated with ancient souveneirs. The tables and chairs are vinyl-wrapped and the color theme is most certainly phased out. The Mona Lisa is a classic Italian restaurant which serves decent food but is sub-par in ambiance and environmental setting. It would be great for their business if they could update their dining area, brighten it up, lose the carpet, and move towards a more modern trend. Good food shoud come with both good service, and good ambiance as well. That is why, upgrading the restaurant would be a great move to appeal to customers and to have them enjoy their experience. Love your customers and you will be loved back tenfold.

I lived in the Allied Gardens area for many years before moving to North County. The Mona Lisa restaurant on Waring Road was the only sadness of moving away. The Mona Lisa restaurants are both family owned but the recipes are completely different between the Allied Gardens and Downtown locations. The Mona Lisa on Waring Road specifically, has by far the best pizza in the county. Forget Chicago or New York. When I have guests in from the Midwest, this is the first place everyone asks to go. Everyone unanimously agrees, it's the best pizza anywhere. I know big statement but hey, it's the truth. Their crust recipe is unique. It has a distinctive and pleasing flavor that I've yet to find anywhere else. It makes the pie. Their sauce and toppings are always fresh, high quality and cooked perfectly. Oh and their sandwiches? It's always a tossup between which we'll order, pizza or torpedo. The sandwich begins on a toasted torpedo roll that is always fresh, crispy and again with a wonderful flavor that makes the meal. We may have moved but my wife and I often drive from La Costa to treat ourselves to a great meal. Once you’ve had their pizza or torpedoes, everything else falls short. Give it a try. You won't be disappointed

I have gone to this place countless times, and as long as I am in san diego I will go there. It is the best sandwich in all of socal, I always get the imported presuete sandwich everything on it and it is a clash of all the right flavours the bread is excellent as well.

it's a great place to grab a sandwich during the day. The restaurant is good, but I'd rather go to Filippi's in the evening. They also have good pizza dough and other ingredients for a big din din at your own kitchen

I live in Miami, Fl. and went to San Diego to visit and my friends took us to Mona Lisa.This restaurant had everything to offer, the service was excellent, the food outstanding, the bread, everything was GREAT.I wish we had a Mona Lisa here in Miami, Fl, it would be a hit, the food is GREAT. The period I was there went twice and no regrets, only one is that we do not have one here. Hopefully, one day we might be surprised. WHAT A GREAT PLACE TO EAT!!!!

I've been going there for about 15 years as I work near there. The Pizza is the best I've had in San Diego. Great Crust, great everything. The deli and grocery store is excellent too. I often go there to pick up lunch. Their sub sandwiches are also the best I've had in San Diego. (And there are some other darn good subs in little Italy) It starts with the bread and goes from there. The Caprese sub is terrific. That is soft mozzarella with tomato slices and fresh basil on a great Italian roll with a sprinkling of oil and balsamic vinegar dressing. For a special treat have them throw a slice or two of prosciuto on it. Unbeatable. They also have a good selection of wine, liquors and Italian style sodas.

Every since I just happened along on their deli, I have to go back atleast once a week to the deli or restaurant... Great Food, very authentic... Warning, dining here can become highly addictive..