Gargiulos Tinton Falls

I had been to the original in Brooklyn years ago and was looking forward to this visit. The menu was disappointing, as it was for the most part a typical Italian food menu, but pricier. I was hoping the presentation and environment would add the additional value. Had the Calimari, overcooked and the Hot Antipaste, tasty, but nothing special. The main courses were all fine, but nothing special. For the food, I may have been just as happy with the local BYOB. Some additional comments: my drink had a fly in it, the waitress assured me they would make a fresh one..something I would have assumed. Not a big deal, but was expecting the replacement to be comped, or at least my next drink or coffee covered. I did put a note in my reservation that we had 2 birthdays at the table, we did not bring up during dinner as none of us left the table. I do not know if that is an Open Table communication issue or lack of restaurant acknowledgement. In most restaurants something would have been done... even a scoop of gelato. Unlikely that I will return for a second shot... too many other options. Maybe the format worked in the past in Coney Island... but today I expect something unique or differentiating when going out to dine.

This was our first time eating here. The service was terrible. The waiters seemed very overwhelmed when we arrived (and it wasn't even that crowded). We sat for several minutes before anyone even acknowledged our table. We asked for a wine list and it seemed, at first, they didn't even know where to find one. They were out of the wine we chose (which seemed odd since they haven't been open very long) so we had to choose again. The waiter didn't even give us the specials until we specifically asked him to tell us what they were. The appetizers were OK but the waiter then proceeded to tell us they ran out of mozzarella so the mozzarella we had was from the nearby store Taste of Italy. The food was so-so. No presentation at all on the plates. The Fra Diavolo was watery and the fish was not fresh. VERY DISAPPOINTED. We will not be returning.

From 50 years ago in Brooklyn, to today in Tinton Falls, Garguilios is terrific. Make a reservation because you will really enjoy it. Valet parking makes it easy. Great bar, great service, great food.

Great food
Great service

For $30-50 a plate, I expected better...
Average cuisine at an above average price.

Great food. Host was very friendly. Top notch service. Great traditional italian food. Definitely going back!

Lovely atmosphere. Portions a little small for the price

Normally, don’t write reviews but after going to restaurant for first time felt it necessary. Visited on a Saturday night. Restaurant was busy with numerous 4+ people tables. Promptly seated...1 glass of wine and margarita took 25 mins. Only 2 specials if you didn’t like butternut squash, you were out of luck. Butternut squash soup was fine but calamari racanati was disappointing. Sole franchise was good but ravioli/side of meatballs not up to high end Italian standards. Was completely surprised that we weren’t offered fresh parmigiana cheese or fresh pepper for dinners. Nice touch with number game for free meal with check. For the price we were very underwhelmed. Hopefully, just some growing pains and with time the owners can dial everything in.

Suggestions:
•serve warm bread
•better service
•increase # specials
•tint front window so headlights from sycamore ave aren’t blinding at night

Was good, not great. Had higher expectations. Menu is basic and pan seared mozzarella appetizer very average. Stuffed shrimp was very tasty. Got very noisy. I’d give it one more try.

Amazing! We started off with the Calamari Racanati, which was baked not fried and the Pan Seared Mozzarella. For our pasta course we continued with their signature dishes and had the Penne Pasqualina and the Linquini with Vongole. For our main course we had the Chicken Tomasso, Eggplant Parmigiana and the Pork Chop, (which was about 2” thick) which were all exceptional. After hearing the desserts were made in Bklyn we had to try the Cannoli and Tiramisu and so glad we did! They have a beautiful wine list and the service was outstanding. The Russo family and Garguilo establishment really created a classic Italian restaurant with unique dishes that you can’t find anywhere in Monmouth county. It’s our new “Go To” spot!

First dinner was a week after opening, so that's a mulligan. Second dinner a month later was much improved. Food (sole franchaise and mushroom risotto ) was good but nothing out of the ordinary. Room was nicely done over. Valet parking a plus. Price value OK. Based on the hype when the restaurant opened, I was expecting more. Will go back but it really is another Italian restaurant. I'm still trying to figure out why a calamari appetizer is $23 unless it feeds a table of 8.

The food was in need of seasoning, everything needed salt. The wine list was overpriced. Definitely not a $200 meal for two people. There are so many excellent restaurants in Monmouth County this is not one. Lubrano‘s in Wall far exceeds the food and the value here. Not somewhere I am anxious to go again.

Went for our abji

Food was excellent and server was great. We will def return.

Great food, friendly owners and great service.

Was overcharged for drinks and when brought to the attention of the owner, we were given attitude. I just wanted to see the refund which they wouldn’t give us! Working in customer service, I know how important it is to provide good customer service and they don’t have it! Close to a $400 bill and just ok food with bad customer service I can safely say I will NEVER be back! Ciao

There were some great dishes and some were ok.
My side of pasta was cold.
I will try it again.

So happy to have Gargulio’s from Coney Island here in Tinton Falls! It was a terrific dinner

Heard so much about Gargiulos in Brooklyn. Pleasantly surprised in Tinton Falls restaurant. The sauces were light, tasty and not salty something we look for when we dine out. Portions were good size. Staff was friendly and accommodating. 👍

Comfortable dining with excellent food and service. Good variety on the menu with an excellent wine list. My second visit and will definitely go back with friends.

We were concerned that Gargiulos of Tinton Falls would pale in comparison to the original. We were not disappointed it’s true that Coney Island has history having been in its location for years the new location has its own ambiance and will bring its own history. Looking forward to many more meals

Sorry but our food was not good at all. Chicken Parm didn't seem fresh and was near inedible. The sauce on this dish looked and tasted exactly like ketchup! The rest of the dishes (chicken scarp and chicken w artichokes) had little to no flavor. Lamb chops were OK. Salad was bland and fresh peppers and mutz also very bland. Ironing the bugs out of a new restaurant is understandable but this place is allegedly owned by a 3rd generation restauranteur! How they survived in Brooklyn with this chicken parm with a ketchup like tomato sauce is mind boggling. Crazy wine list for experienced restauranteurs also; either really high end high price or real "value" type wine.

Food lukewarm at best, bland flavor, pasta over cooked like mush, this was for all entrees. Service was surly, told "we would live" when complained about food temperature, desert menu thrown on table without a word.
Pricing very expensive very poor value.
I understand that it is only open for about a month but this was one of the worst meals in a long time. We will not return in the foreseeable future!

We had a reservation and were seated upstairs. Prompt, efficient service (Mike). We had wine, appetizer, salad and two entrees. The food was delicious. The pace of the meal was perfect - not rushed at all. Two of the owners came over to great us. All in all a delightful meal and experience.

Looking forward to our next visit

AMAZING! Will definitely be back soon. Amazing food, awesome staff and beautiful atmosphere. Very impressed.

I expected a much different experience. The menu was unexceptional really quite boring. The food was bland with no depth to the sauce on the veal parmigiana and my risotto had no flavor except cheese. Very disappointing. Was looking forward to a restaurant that was a wonderful as Portafino.

Service very slow and forgetful and food not even hot!

Just a big ok.

very disappointed having been to the coney island location numerous times in the past. The food was bland and there were no specials
we shared the rice balls which had no flavoring, raviolli which appeared to be bought in a supermarket with gravy from a Ragu jar. The meatball sides must have purchased from Costco

will go back again in 6 months or so since they just opened and hopefully have a better review

Old style Neapolitan food at its best. Takes us back to our childhood in Brooklyn

Too new of a business
Food was not up to expectations nothing like the original Gargiulos in NY
Verdict - can’t duplicate a business that is NY run for 100 years by putting New Jersey staff in charge and expecting same outcome Staff was overwhelmed
Prob won’t go back

Went their with some friends. Service was excellent as was our food. Highly reccomend the Chicken Tommaso.

Nino has done an exceptional job , transporting the tastes of Brooklyn down to the Jersey shore. The authenticity of the meal was captured in every bite. Our waiter was extremely attentive, informative and exceptional. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and very warm and inviting. I had the Veal Marsala , and i can tell you , it is the best veal marsala that i have had down here in NJ and ive been living here for 24 years. My wife had the filet of sole , franchese style. It was exceptional. We will definitely be going back and welcome to NJ Gargiulos!!!

Fantastic experience love the restaurant couldn’t wait for it to open.

Lovely lunch. Will definitely go back. Food exceptional and staff professional

TEH CHOICES AND FOOD IS AWESOME!! THE RICE BALLS IN THE APPRETIZER ARE THE BEST I EVER HAD. EVEN THE CHOICE OF SOLE IN MARICHIARA SAUCE WHICH IS SO RARE TO FIND ANYWHERE WAS DELICIOUS, WE ORDERED LAMB/WEAL PARM AND SEAFOOD FRADIAVLO AND EACH DISH WAS FANTASTIC!!!

We had dinner Sunday night. We were so excited for a new restaurant in the area. I will be kind because all new places have kinks to work out... We arrived on time and were seated immediately. We were welcomed by I will assume one of the owners she was very pleasant.
Our server was awful..I ask for a drink while we looked at wine list...took forever..wine list overpriced we opted for wine by glass...then we asked for bread...we are here 30mins at that point...we each ordered an appetizer..baked clams and escarole with bean soup. Appetizer prices high for this area...Fried calamari $23.00... we both ordered entrees Linguine with white clams and Mushroom Risotto. Husband's Linguine had many pieces of shell. I thought Risotto was bland.
The wait between courses very long...had to keep asking for drinks..and bread "he forgot"...
Server was just awful...never asked why I left an almost full plate of food nor did he ask if i wanted to take it...I will assume he wanted us gone because there was no offering of coffee or dessert...I wanted a port but had second thoughts...we paid and left very disappointed.
We are very friendly and not usually concerned with cost..but maybe some adjustments for local competition...we always give a place a second try if disappointed...I think we will wait awhile before we do that..and the bread was cold. 🤷‍♀️

Food and service very good, enjoyable afternoon meal

Food and service were excellent! I'm so happy they made it out to New Jersey from Brooklyn. Highly recommend the veal and stuff shrimp!