Rino's Place

Listen..... Take The Time... Just Go and Try this INSANE FOOD.... YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED

We were expecting one of the highlights of our week long Boston trip to be Rino’s. Arrived 6:11pm yesterday evening anticipating a beautiful meal and maybe an hour, 1 1/2 hour wait. After we checked back 3-4 times over the next 3 hours, heard nothing back from Rino’s. We were told that everyone on the list “gets served” at some point. They called us at 8:50pm - (10 minutes before close)- 2 hours and 40 minutes after we put our name in that small notebook at 6:11. We had already decided to leave at 8:30- after walking back 3x and sitting in our car for hours (We figured we’re going to get the “left overs” of what Rino’s could even offer at closing time). Respectfully, Rino’s has to move into the 21st Century, and the front end needs to be run differently. I’m in the restaurant business and this was abysmal. The women at the front appeared as stressed, stymied and dismayed (as well as embarrassed) as we guests were. For its fame and draw, time to upgrade the system guys. Names are scribbled at a small station in a small notebook. It would be easy to do a couple things: first, upfront, let your guests know that their wait could be far more than 1 1/2 hours. Next use Opentable or similar program like other reputable restaurants with an updating queue to keep guests informed, and keep them from constantly bothering and stressing your front end. We went to the small Mexican restaurant across the corner (and they were very clear that this is an ongoing problem with Rino’s, with a sign directly on the door that said: “We are not Rino’s Waiting Room!”). We grabbed some hot cocoa and some chips and salsa about an hour into the wait (again this was fine and acceptable because we expected 1-2 hours waiting time). Later, we trekked back to our warm vehicle after 1 1/2 hours. We called again, checked in person again 2 x. “You’re in the same place in the line” came the surly hostess’s tired reply. So Rino’s, Here’s a great way to greet your valued and excited guests: “Hi Welcome to Rino’s! We are absolutely delighted to have you here. How many in your party? Great! We’ll enter you in the system. So one of the things we always like to tell our guests right upfront is that our wait times can be as long as 2 or even 3 or more hours. This is because we are very small and only have 13 tables, and each dish is lovingly cooked to order, with each table having an expected 1 1/2 hour turnover. We don’t like to rush our guests and want them to have a relaxing time eating the best Italian food in Boston. We do have a dry, warm tented wait area next to our sidewalk with heaters to help accommodate you during your wait if you wish to remain [there wasn’t one there but this would be easy to do] , but we recommend that we enter your name in our system, and we will call when your table is within 15-20 minutes of clearing. Again this can be 2-3 hours. You’ll receive texts updating you on your position in the queue, and we ask that you have faith and are patient with us. In the meantime, we’ll text you a link and directions to some entertaining spots and sights nearby in Chelsea, and places where you might catch a cocktail or a glass of wine before dinner while you wait. A small $50 deposit is required up front to hold your place in our system; and this will be applied to your check- Our system will update you on the 1/2 hour with your place on the list, as well as when your queue position moves up- this way you can be sure you’re moving up the list and your seat time is drawing closer. Would you like your name on the list?- Great- the link will be texted to you, then just follow the directions. We’ll update you. Thanks so much!” Now, folks are texted the updates, deposit screen, directions for drinks and so on. You keep your valued guests informed and happy. (And you capture their data to keep them coming back). Communication is key, Rino’s. People want to know where they stand, what can be expected, and that they haven’t been forgotten about. Change your guests’ front-end experience, and you become a shining star of Boston’s amazing food.

Best Italian in the city!

Very homey atmosphere in a small dining room. CASH ONLY policy. Food is legit homemade italian with massive portions. Everyone, I mean everyone gets a to-go-box for take home. I ordered the house-made tortellini with prosciutto and peas in a cream sauce and did not have to eat again for a day. Parking is hard as its in a residential neighborhood and they will NOT seat you until everyone in the party is there. There is NO room to wait inside, so plan accordingly. But...all that is a minor inconvenience to get authentic homemade italian food. Wine is very affordable and service is attentive. Just GO!

Cozy Atmosphere, a little cramped inside, good food, a bit pricey though. All that aside I’ll never go to this place again due to the way they treat certain people, that’s just my views. Defending your actions with words doesn’t matter. Human decency & integrity are, & should always be the higher standard. Especially in a hospitality and/or service oriented business. But try this place for yourself, every experience is different… some more than others. Ate our food, paid our bill, left a good tip. Never going back!!!

We had a fantastic dinner here! The portion sizes are huge, service is incredible, and it was delicious. Highly recommend.

Update - we were back in Boston a couple weeks ago and went straight back to Rino's. The food still exceeded our high expectations that we anticipated! Can't beat the food and great staff there! It's been a few years since we've been there but still think of that meal often! The lobster ravioli is absolutely the best; be warned - once you have it nowhere else will compare. Wife had the pork and it was delicious too. Can't wait to return to Boston for a follow up

Rino’s gets a lot of hype but tbh the only real thing is their portion sizes - they are indeed huge. They do have a lot of history in the neighborhood. However, taste-wise the food is rather bland and uninspired. If you like a lot of mediocrity in your italian food with a low amount of seasoning and a lot of carbs, then this place is for you. Also, I live nearby and the staff have been rude to me and my friend when walking on the sidewalk next to their outdoor street seating, because we were walking a dog on the public sidewalk on the way home and apparently that made us the rude and unsanitary ones. Yikes. Additionally, I wasn’t a fan of the restaurant telling their waiting guests to wait in the restaurant across the street. You’ll see on the neighboring restaurant’s door now that folks are not allowed to use their restaurant as a lobby. The interior is cute, but I always see people parking illegally and waiting on long lines to get in. There are much better places to go in eastie that’s better worth your time and a potential parking ticket.

My Boyfriend took me out to this Restaurant for my Birthday and we were waited on by the owner Anna who was so nice! The food was the best I have ever had and we love Italian food.. Anna brought me a tiramisu with a candle in it for my birthday on the house. She is awesome and we will definitely be going back! ❤️❤️