Mangia Mangia

This is a great authentic Italian restaurant! Everything I have had here is wonderful. My husband loves the Scampi while I always go for the involtini. Very nice service as well. more

Mangia Mangia has really gotten the classics down: bolognese, lasagna, pasta dishes (one of my favorites is fettucine alfredo with grilled chicken). My all-time favorite appetizer is the fried calamari but I've pretty much tried everything on the menu. The sauces are chunky and fresh. I especially like the cheesy lasagna hot from the oven. I try to come during the week to avoid weekend crowds. The place is simple, non pretentious with great food. I would make one important suggestion and that is not to skip dessert (the garlic bread is delicious but save room for the dolce!). Between the tiramisu and cannoli from Sicily, you're in Italian heaven! They also cater. more

I was craving Italian food last night and remembered this place my sister told me about. I was not sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. First of all, The garlic bread in itself was soo Delicious! I could have eaten this alone and be happy! but for our main course, I had ravioli with meatsauce and my girlfriend had angel hair pasta with marinara. It was without exaggerating, one of the BEST Italian meals I've ever had, and let me tell you, I've had quite a few. The service, was very pleasant, very busy, and the waiter was very nice for such a busy night. The place was really comfortable, like I was eating at my favorite aunt's house. One last thing, you MUST try their Tiramisu!! It's absolutely to ""To Die For!! Actually, I can't wait to go back, i'm getting hungry just walking about it, but anyway, it has my thumbs up, but you can judge for yourself...Ciao Bella Gaviota!! Pros: DELICIOUS!! Cons: very busy, more

Small children are NOT welcome here. The owner/manager does not want small ones in his restaurant and I want to pass that along (as I wish someone had done for me). I ate here for the first time today and will not be back. The food was fine, pretty standard-issue local Italian, nothing special but decent enough. The servers were also very nice and attentive. I will not bore everyone with tedious details of what happened, but I will say my 1 year old was not making any noise or bothering any other diners yet the manager made it clear she was not welcome, regardless. I found this suprising (flabbergasting, actually) that even on a Tuesday afternoon in a nearly-empty dining room the management would apparently prefer an empty seat to one with filled by a person accompanied by a small child. I consider myself a pretty sophisticated diner, not to mention a veteran of the food industry, and I certainly understand that some restaurants are better for adults only. Being a small place in a strip mall that offered high chairs, however, I did not think that was the case here. DO NOT eat here with a child under the age of 5, the owner does not want them there. Actually, the food's nothing special anyway so don't bother at all. Pros: Interesting monthly special wine Cons: Small children not welcome more

Had a surprise birthday party for my brother. Reservations were made for 20 people at 5:00pm. Most of our party showed up by 5:30, but my brother and his fiancee arrived at 6:00. The hostess and our server were not happy with that. When he took our orders, he was very impatient with the first-time guests that weren't sure what they wanted. I commented to my girlfriend about how both hostess & server were so ""rushy."" He snapped, ""Maybe because we've been waiting for your party for an hour and half!"" I retorted ""I didn't know that the customers had to be accommodating to the restaurant. Maybe I should talk to the owner about your rude behavior."" His response was ?Go ahead, you do that!"" He avoided me during our dinner and purposely didn't clear my plates after taking everyone else's. I had to ask him to please take my plate and he just walked away ignoring me, then I literally just handed it to him as he walked away. This was so uncomfortable and I felt bad that there was this tension at my brother?s party. I decided to lighten up the air by apologizing and said that our party should have been on time for the reservation, he said ""It's okay. Don't worry about it."" Boy! I'm glad I made the waiter at the restaurant happy because what would my family and I do without this restaurant? That was sarcasm. But this is not: This was the RUDEST service I or my family has ever had. We?re never returning. I?ve told a lot of people I know (and those I don't, like here) about this lousy experience. On top of that, my Chicken Mangia Mangia (house specialty) was bland as a cardboard. The Mozzarella Capri antipasti was pretty good. But not good enough to return to this mom-n-pop (I mean in a bad way) dump. Spend your money and time at a place where they treat the customer well. Pros: price is reasonable Cons: bad service more

I love the food here - it's simple, delicious, and freshly made. It's almost always crowded, as the place is rather small, but it's always worth the wait. My favorite foods to order are the Ravioli Cavaliere (mushroom, zucchini, and meat or cheese ravioli in a light cream sauce) and when available, the butternut squash ravioli. The garlic bread that comes before the meal is excellent, and the service is always very good (though I do feel bad that the constant crowds run the waitstaff ragged!). It isn't a quiet place to eat - the cozy seating arrangement means that you can hear everyone's conversations, but the flat-screen television on one wall has a constantly cycling series of Italian scenery DVDs, so the atmosphere remains despite the constant noise of other diners. Food is served promptly and always hot, and the prices are reasonable, running about $12 on average for an entree. I've been going there for years now and the quality has been consistent and well above average every time. Pros: Food, Service, Quality Cons: Parking, Noise, more

I have had better Italian Food. Some plates are too rich and others are too bland the rest are just average. The Chicken Marsala is their ""specialty"". Unimpressive flavor and presentation. It's much more flavorful at Cheesecake Factory. And Cheesecake Factory isn't known for their Italian food! The atmosphere and food presentation is nothing spectacular and neither is the service. College kids making part time income. Their wine selection is so-so and they don't have any Port Wine for after dinner. Doesn't have that family feel and they don't immediately make you feel like a friend of family. You're just a customer. Service is quick and not relaxed. Fairly large establishment that is fine for large groups. No reservations needed. This is the place long time Huntington Beach residents swear by until they find out about La Fontana. For my money, La Fontana on Beach Blvd. in Huntington Beach is 10 times better. Pros: They don't mess up your order Cons: Unimpressive food, presentation and atmosphere. more

I have recently discovered their Butternut Squash Ravioli and it is to die for! They use a butter sage sauce that is so decadent and the flavors are just scrumptious. I'd have to say the best ravioli I've had in a long time. Highly recommend ordering this dish. Their salad with creamy italian dressing and garlic bread are also incredibly tasty. I love me some Mangia Mangia! more

Mangia Mangia is a true surprise. Located in a quiet, and not so upscale neighborhood, you would never expect such a great italian restaurant exist. The staff was friendly, and the pasta was just good. Many of their dishes are seafood base, so if you are a big meat eater, you may not get many choices here. I ordered the Scampi Cefali (sp) and my dining mate ordered the frutti di mare, both were really tasty. The cream sauce was creamy, but not too heavy, and the tomato sauce was tasty, but subtle enough not to mask the seafood taste. Simply well done. I also have to mention about the garlic bread, I had to ask for two basket full, and risk not eating my main course. Pros: Taste, relax scene Cons: Lack of Variety, pricey for location and decor more

From the parking lot, it doesn't look much, on the inside is where the yummy tasty italian food. The owners are the two chefs, and the kitchen is behind see-thru glass, they are proud of their food and watch you to watch them.the menu is great, the garlic bread with oregano is declicious, I always start with beef carpaccio, olive oil capers and parnesan shreds for appetizers. You can get your food low-carb (ask for veggies instead of pasta) the environment is relaxed, and the big flat screen is neat to watch the helicopter tour of south of italy. I've brought friends here and they loved the food and the service was excellent. You get what you pay for. Mangia Mangia is my new standard for italian food, to which I compare all others. very tasty, mostly healthy, fresh ingredients. No booths, but it's fairly quiet. The Mrs and I go there to celebrate. This is no Olive Garden or chuck-e-cheese. Kids are welcome, but I prefer if you didn't bring your screaming kids to this relaxing restaurant. more

I have been eating here for the last 3 years and I have never been disappointed. When I am visiting my parents in Huntington Beach and I want Italian, I think Mangia Mangia! The service is always attentive and friendly, from the moment you are greeted at the door to the moment you walk out of it. My favorite thing about this restaurant is their authentic and original creations! Their specials are always spectacular... some of my favorites are their Sea Bass Portofino, Veal Pizzaiola, and their Involtini (thin grilled swordfish slices rolled around eggplant stuffing, topped with a delicious citrus sauce). If you like shrimp scampi, you will LOVE their Scampi Cefalu, which is named after the chefs (get it with linguni). Even staple dishes like fetuccini, gnocchi, and risotto have been made with a special homemade touch that is far and beyond any Olive Garden junk. You have to try this place out. Pros: great food, great service, good for both dates and families Cons: wine menu is good but not fantastic... not that big a deal though more

When you walk in, the smell of garlic makes your mouth water. One of the two Sicilian brothers greets you at the door. The place is a typical mom and pop resturant, nothing too flashy other than the plasma flat screen playing tour vidoes of Italy. The menu has the basics but the daily specials posted on the wall are the specialties. I had a rolled swordfish stuffed with an eggplant mixture with a citrus sauce, my wife hade the salmon with a creamy pesto sauce(mmmm). The oldest brother manages the kitchen,and the serving staff are always willing to give you great suggestions on the menu. Pros: Good value, Quality food more