Guarino’s is Cleveland’s oldest Italian Restaurant in Little Italy. It was established in 1918 when Vincenzo Guarino purchased a building that housed a poolroom/tavern and had an apartment above. Vincenzo operated the poolroom and tavern, while his wife Mary prepared dinners in the back dining room for friends, neighbors, and business clientele. Vincenzo’s son Sam took over the business after Vincenzo died in 1954. I had the pleasure of meeting Nancy Phillips, a life-long friend of Sam and who helped run the business with Sam’s wife Marilyn after Sam died in 1987 . She passed away in 2022 at the age of 87, and it is now run by Nancy’s children, Rachel & Scott, and her oldest grandson Scott Jr.
Homemade wine and liquor was served in coffee cups during prohibition as the strings of beads hung from the ceiling to shield the bar from the police in the streets. The beads still hang there today and almost graze your head when sitting at the bar. This photo of the bar was taken during one of my Meetup Happy Hour Group’s happy hours. The bar is not usually this packed.
Guarino’s features a private parking lot next to the building, which is always welcome in Little Italy, and one of Cleveland’s most romantic garden patios. The garden patio is one of my favorite spots on a warm sunny day. The ambience inside is that of a classic Italian restaurant. The indoors hasn’t changed in years, very old school and traditional with tableclothes and cloth napkins. Rumor has it Dean Martin used to hang out here back in the day. I have been here for lunch, dinner, a happy hour and a friend’s wedding.
They did a really nice job with the wedding. We were at in the back dining room, and the service was great. I even sang a song for the couple at my friend’s request. My friend was a friend of the family and their photo was featured when you walk in. I think she might still be in a photo there even if he has been cropped out.
The bread service is a solid Italian bread and butter. The Italian wedding soup is quite delicious. It features tender meatballs and is made with escarole, which is a treat. The side salad that comes with the meals has a nice mix of lettuce, croutons and veggies. The Italian house dressing is also nicely balanced.
I love the brasciole (there aren’t many places that serve it!) and the lasagna. Brasciole is made from a flat steak that is stuffed with prosciutto, hard boiled egg, cheese, fresh garlic and parsley and rolled. I had it for the first time at a friend’s house when we were carbing up for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk and fell in love with it. It is served on a bed of marinara pasta. The lasagna is a 60 year old recipe and is also very good. I’ve had it several times and never had reason to complain. People also rave about the chicken piccata.
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I’m not a big fan of the marinara that comes on spaghetti and other pasta because it tastes somewhat metallic to me. It’s not my favorite restaurant in Little Italy, but it has its fans and is definitely worth a visit for the historical value and the patio.
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Contact info:
Guarino’s
12309 Mayfield Road
Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 231-3100