Ristorante Pesto — Philadelphia, PA

November 3, 2023

The Parm Boys Overall Score: 8.55 / 10

The Vibe

Walking into Pestos is an instant trip back in time—it is pure, beautiful old-school Italian restaurant energy, and we absolutely love it. The team is treated like family the second we hit the door, starting with Karen at the front desk, who is an absolute gem of a human. The customer service here is unmatched; they completely spoiled us with a free appetizer and a free dessert. The attention to detail even extends to the facilities, featuring exceptionally clean bathrooms.

The Parm

Let’s get straight to the red river: the sauce on this plate is spicy in the best way possible. It packs a serious, unforgettable kick that really sets it apart. However, the kitchen went a bit heavy-handed with the ladle, leaving the dish slightly oversauced. The cutlet itself brought great flavor, though we would have loved to see a slightly thicker piece of chicken to balance out the breading.

The Highs and Lows

• The Positives:

  • Incredible, top-tier customer service highlighted by free apps and desserts.

  • The appetizers themselves were a flawless 10/10 performance.

  • The sauce brings a fantastic, bold spicy kick.

  • Impeccably clean bathrooms, showing true pride in the establishment.

  • Classic, nostalgic old-school atmosphere overseen by the wonderful Karen at the front.

• The Negatives:

  • No pasta served on the plate (but hey... it’s authentic).

  • The kitchen took a little long to get the food out to the table.

  • The chicken cutlet was on the thin side.

  • Slightly oversauced, which threatened to drown out the crunch.

Closing Thoughts

Pestos is a masterclass in classic hospitality. To be completely honest, if the customer service hadn't been so elite, the physical dish and the kitchen wait time would have landed this one as a flat 7.0. But the sheer warmth of the staff, the spicy sauce, and those perfect appetizers elevated this run into an incredible 8.55 performance. When the hospitality is this good, the quest feels right at home.

Scoring

• Shizz's Score: 8.7/10

• Dave's Score: 8.4/10

• Matt's Score: [No Score Provided]