Alejo's Presto Italian Rstrnt

Bottom line you want Italian food then make the trip here! This is by far the best place and my wife will never say no to Alejo's! The fresh bread served with chopped garlic and olive oil will make the start of your meal wonderful! Try anything it is all good more

My girlfriend and I have been twice, and it's been pretty good each time -- nothing mindblowing. We go for the strong garlic oil, for health reasons -- because the garlic seems to help clear minor infections. I had the pesto on linguine tonight, and didn't really like it. It was overcooked, and the pesto was either ground up too much, or something weird was up with it, because it's an eerie, watery green color. Be sure to request al dente, or it'll come out soft like I got it. I suspect this squishy-noodle is an LA thing, because it's happened to me before. Maybe I just look like someone who likes mushy noodles. (Yech. Get with it.) Despite these gripes, I suspect I'll be back, because, so far, it's been pretty tasty. Even this pesto, I ate 80% of the plate.\r \r Previously, I had the eggplant Parmesan, and it was very good. The garlic oil is good - it's just mediocre olive oil with garlic, but it's so strong that the overwhelming spicyness disguises the plain oil. Likewise, the bread is so-so, but it's so fresh that it trumps other breads. A 30 minute-old loaf of any bread will beat an 8-hour old bag of expensive artisinal bread, almost every time.\r \r That's the genius of Alejo's, and why it tastes homemade: it's simple, but gets to you as it's made, just like at home, or at a good restaurant. Unfortunately, there are too many restaurants that fail on that count, serving up cold bread, old pasta, and otherwise don't go through a final stage of prep and heating. Pros: no surprises, nothing that bad Cons: nothing superlative more

Determined to escape my four-day, extended law student seminar at a hyper-expensive LAX big-box hotel, I consulted the concierge for a local Italian recommendation.\r \r ""You know, something local? Nearby? Not Olive Garden?""\r \r I just got a blank stare as she snapped her gum. ""There's Mangy-something down in the Marina? Marina Del Rey?"" Like I'm suppose to know that already.\r \r CITY SEARCH came up with Alejo's on Lincoln in Westchester, just beyond a stone's throw from the airport and only $10 in cab fare from Century Blvd. As the other reviews here stated, noting fancy in terms of decor or atmosphere, busy and crowded, but honest, well prepared food served quickly and competently. And yes, the garlic oil and fresh bread are terrific.\r \r While veal may be un-p.c., I happen to like it. A lot. And while it wasn't Provimi, the veal parm I had last night at Alejo's is praise-worthy. An honest-to-god, ample cutlet (not ground), at least 8 ounces, well-pounded, lightly breaded, light on the mozzerel. It was accompanied with a generous, steaming mound of perfectly cooked (al dente) and sauced spaghetti. Buono gusto!\r \r At $13.95, a real deal for real veal. The downside was the pricey chianti classico ($6.95 per glass) that came in a tiny, 3.5 oz glass as brimming full. Would recommend a half-bottle or more for next time.\r \r Next time? If I don't pass the bar this time, I'll be back for another seminar here at Soulless Central but at least I'll have Alejo's to look forward to. Pros: Cost, service, food prep Cons: Noisy, crowded more

Alejos is one of those hidden treasures that all the locals know about and people in the know travels far to delve in it's scrumptous food. Located in a strip mall next to a doughnut shop, the Alejos sign proclaims its nondescriptness. However, once you enter the small restaurant the aroma of the food engulfs you since the open kitchen is right next to the dining tables. The restaurant is too small for a host so go in and sign your name on a clipboard. Bring a bottle of wine since this location has no liquor license. Once seated, dive into the garlic and olive oil dip with your bread. The garlic dip is a treasure trove for garlic lovers everywhere. Beware of filling up on the bread as you have to at least order the Alejos Chopped Salad. You can't go wrong in ordering any of their delicious pasta dishes ranging from spaghetti and home made meatballs, their tricolor ravioli, al diablo shrimp, to their egplant mama mia. Alejos also have a sister location in Manchester that is much larger with a liquor license. However, the charm of this small location is what brings countless people to this location over and over. \r \r Pros: Great Affordable Italian Food with Neighborhood feel Cons: Parking, Small Cramped Dining Room more

The food is prepared in a simple but consistant manner. Everything is casual and Red Sauce Family Italian, very reasonable. more

Fantastic local Italian restaurant with great prices. Garlic dipping sauce is yummy, but make sure everyone else in your party eats it too; otherwise you stink. We dine in or take out; but we're always happy and fat after every meal. The End! Pros: Delicious, Affordable Cons: Crowded at times more

I moved back to Texas from LA in '96 and this is the restaurant I miss the most! The bread and garlic/olive oil that they bring you when you are seated is delicious -- just be careful not to eat too much to where you are too full for your meal! This is a cozy little spot -- nothing fancy, just homestyle Italian food. The portion sizes are more than plenty -- I never left without a to-go container. Pros: bread, main courses more

Been here during lunch time and even took a date one time. The food is great. The bread and garlic-olive oil dip is awesome (try adding cheese to the oil). Although I do admit I hate the fact that I got full on bread the first two times I was there. I had the Alejo's chopped salad, which was only $7 & delicious! They did load up the turkey. Also had the clams-tomato sauce-wine-linguini plate. It was sooooo good. I had some left over, and took it to work the next day. Had it cold, and tasted just as good. Pros: Taste, Inexpensive, Quantity Cons: Crowded on wkend nite, Bright interior light, No Mint Candy more

This place is so fun and tasty. Food is good, authentic, and reasonable. Staff is really friendly and attentive. You can kick back here and truly relax with friends. If you want contrived, silly food for American yuppies, try one of those chain Italian restaurants. Pros: Quality food, Relaxed environment, BYOWine more

The best value Italian food comes from this small, hidden treasure. Alejo's has the BEST fried calamari appetizer (and they give you A LOT!). They also serve this garlic oil with the complimentary bread that hits the right spot for garlic lovers. As far as the Italian dishes go, the marinara sauce is what makes them, whether it be Eggplant Mama Mia or the Chicken Parmigiana. I can't say that I was too impressed with the Canneloni or the Fruits de Mer spaghetti dishes, but the Spaghetti Carbonara was HEAVENLY! The prices are reasonable since the quality is so great. Pros: authentic Italian, good value Cons: small lot more

I had the Eggplant parm, and it was excellent. The bread is fantastic. Overall, everybody in our group thoroughly enjoyed our dinner. This was my first time, and I will definetely be going back. Pros: Good portions, Bread, Reasonably Priced Cons: Limited parking more

The best italian chopped salad I have ever had. The chicken marsela is great. Pros: great food, great bread, great service Cons: too small, bad parking more

Can you believe one of the best Italian restaurants in the city is in Westchester?? Not too far from LAX is a great, cozy restaraunt along a mini restaurant row. Great value and very popular with the locals, get there early or the wait can be long!! Great ravioli, clams and linguini dishes!! Every neighborhood should have such a insititution! Pros: Great value, Bread and garlic oil! more

The margarita pizza and chopped salad are all you need! oh, besides the bread and garlic oil! I don't even like pizza, but I'll eat it here anytime! They don't tell you, but, you can substitute sauteed spinach (or broccoli) for your pasta side dish, with chicken dishes (Excellent chicken picatta). The spinach is much more flavorful and healthy! Pros: Inexpensive, Great dishes, Quick service Cons: , Close quarters, Long waits in evening more

as always, i love this place. italian food has always been one food category where ""making it taste good enough"" is not hard, but ""making it taste wonderful is a grand challenge."" i love the food. it is fresh, flavorful, and refreshing. the shrimp al diablo is absolutely perfect! the service is comparable to a hearty, loving family. the atmosphere is that special family corner where everyone is seated comfortably right next to each other (you never need much space between friends and family). this is a must do at least once a month. bring your own wine (beer/alcohol), there's no corkage fee. while the wait can be trying on friday and saturday nights, it's worth the moment. Pros: food, atmosphere, service Cons: waiting more

I agree with basically everything one of the previous reviewers had to say. I went to this place expecting something quite excpetional based on all of the glowing reviews. I was a little underwhelmed. The food was good, but by no means great. It was abundant and reasonably priced, but it was just not really remarkable in any way. Also, I felt a bit rushed and cramped in this place. So, I think that in future I will just be prepared to spend a couple of extra dollars (and no more than a couple) to go have a remarkably nice plate of homemade ravioli at Giovanni's. The atmosphere there is lovely and homey, and there I never feel rushed or crowded. Pros: Inexpensive, Ample Portions, Unpretentious Cons: Unremarkable Food, Rushed Service, Crowded Space more

My wife and I went by recommendations on this site and found it to be a pleasurable experience. It's not romantic or lovely in any way - it's a fast-paced, noisy, diner-style eatery. We were sat promptly and served promptly. The bread was okay and the olive oil had plenty of fresh garlic, however, we never got a refil of olive oil and it wasn't great quality oil either. the pasta was good, tasted homemade, and the sauces were nice. The beef lasagne was quite good. we didn't get a salad - didn't look too good, if you're a fresh greens type of person. Portions are large - basically lots of pasta and sauce. Enjoyed it, but nothing exciting or of great quality. Pros: Inexpensive, good pasta Cons: mediocre quality more

Who needs Buco di Beppo when there's Alejo's? The food here is excellent and the prices are even better. Come here with a large group and take over the dining room. A whole party can dine in style for under $20. more

This is how pasta should be. Good, full of flavor, and inexpensive. The warm bread they bring is great. The Washington/Lincoln location is always packed and really too small for the amount of people that go through, but that's what happens when you're good. I can't wait until they open up an Eastside side location. Pros: Inexpensive, great taste Cons: Crowded, Parking @ Wash/Linc more