Pinocchio Restaurant
Italian restaurant · McNeil
3103 Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
Highlights
Italian cafeteria with huge meatballs, pizza & gelato
Italian cafeteria with huge meatballs, pizza & gelato
"Even if you rolled into this throwback Italian cafeteria with a hungry family of four, we’re not sure you could spend more than $100. The combination of retro prices and extremely solid red sauce staples turn this place into Costco before Thanksgiving during the lunch and dinner rush. Parents with kids in soccer uniforms, high school mathletes, and exhausted studio workers all line up with red trays pointing at meatballs and giant lasagna squares behind the glass. Wine is served in goblets. And, yes, there are Pinocchio paintings all over. You’ll want the creamy house caesar that’s built in front of you and served with a half-bottle of dressing. Be sure to explore the attached deli and grocery, too. That’s where you’ll find all their house-baked bread, pastries, and silky gelato (your dessert)." - brant cox, sylvio martins, garrett snyder
"Dinner rush at this 70s-era Italian cafeteria in Burbank is a sight to behold. Parents with kids in soccer uniforms and exhausted studio workers line up with red trays pointing at meatballs and giant lasagna squares behind the glass. Wine is served in goblets. And, yes, there are wooden Pinocchio dolls everywhere. With its combination of retro prices, solid red sauce staples, and a only-in-LA brand of kitsch that could only exist in LA, it’s no mystery why this place has a cult following. Be sure to explore the attached deli for pastries and silky gelato (a.k.a. dessert)." - brant cox, cathy park, garrett snyder, sylvio martins
"A day at Disneyland is expensive. Very expensive. So the next time the kids ask for a visit to the House of Mouse, save some money and suggest Pinocchio instead. This throwback Italian cafeteria in Burbank has retro prices, solid red sauce staples, and a kitschy atmosphere that’ll entertain any child with an appreciation for Fantasyland. Plus, it's fun to order: everyone grabs a red tray and moves down the line pointing at meatballs and giant lasagna squares before heading to the deli/bakery area with a gelato counter. You’ll find several dining areas to choose from, but head to the one in the back where giant scenescapes from Pinocchio are painted on the walls." - garrett snyder, brant cox, cathy park
"Dinner rush at this 70s-era Italian cafeteria is a sight to behold. Parents with kids in soccer uniforms, high school mathletes, and exhausted studio workers all line up with red trays pointing at meatballs and giant lasagna squares behind the glass. Wine is served in goblets. And, yes, there are wooden Pinocchio dolls everywhere. With a combination of retro prices, extremely solid red sauce staples, and a brand of kitsch that could only exist in LA, it’s no mystery why this place regularly turns into Costco before Thanksgiving. Be sure to explore the attached deli and grocery, too. That’s where you’ll find all their house-baked bread, pastries, and silky gelato (your dessert)." - brant cox, sylvio martins
"“That’s a heavy dress”: Our thoughts while watching Lady Gaga climb the Met Gala steps and when the Pinocchio employee poured half a bottle of dressing into our salad. If you’re a caesar-purist who likes their salad spackled with creamy dressing, this old-school Italian cafeteria in Burbank hits the spot. Bonus: It comes with a plate of garlic bread." - brant cox, sylvio martins, garrett snyder
