All these "I am Italian" reviews..... I am Sicilian and was taught to cook by my Grandma and Mother. We all enjoy this place. True, they do overcook their pasta which is a sin in italian... More

All these "I am Italian" reviews..... I am Sicilian and was taught to cook by my Grandma and Mother. We all enjoy this place. True, they do overcook their pasta which is a sin in italian cooking. Their soup is by far the best you will find in town. Wonderful flavor, it is really a great soup and they give you a lot of it. The meatsauce is not like I am used to from home, but its good. My favorite things on the menu are the meat ravioli and the garlic chicken. Both very good meals. If you are lucky enough to get to eat here when they have their signature "Spumoni" ice cream, its worth the meal just for that one scoop! Its egg nog & brandy flavor. They dont always have it sadly. This is not gourmet italian, its a comfortable, friendly, neighborhood place to have a nice meal and not break the bank. As one person said, its not the olive garden, the food is far better than a chain eatery. Give it a try. Pros: Good Food, Usually Friendly Service Cons: One strange waitress we always seem to get stuck with
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The taste wasn't terrible, but all of the pasta was overcooked... The spaghetti, ravioli, & shell pasta in the minetrone were all overcooked. The veal was overcooked & not exactly what i was... More

The taste wasn't terrible, but all of the pasta was overcooked... The spaghetti, ravioli, & shell pasta in the minetrone were all overcooked. The veal was overcooked & not exactly what i was expecting - still, it wasn't bad. (I tried the sauce, but ended up just eating the veal w/ lemon juice.) The veal wasn't the most tender either. The greenbeans that came w/ our dinner looked canned and way overcooked as well. The best things were the salad & the flavor of the minestrone.
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The Minestrone soup is one of the best in town and is very consistent ALWAYS GOOD..not like some of the other Minestrone soups being served around town where they kinda miss some times (hate when... More

The Minestrone soup is one of the best in town and is very consistent ALWAYS GOOD..not like some of the other Minestrone soups being served around town where they kinda miss some times (hate when that happens) Been coming to the Espanol for the past 10 years or so on and off and i like the consistency of the food... you can pick something off the menu that you favor and not be afraid to recommend it to a good friend down the road say a few years later..It will be the same...GOOD....Guess that's why they have been around for something like 80 years or so. The honest good food, old world charm, homey feeling and seasoned wait staff addressing regulars by first name sets this place apart from the other Italian restaurants in town...This is a place to let your hair down, bring the family or just some REAL good friends for some good home cookin' Italian Style. Pros: Great Value, Friendly environment Cons: Some times very crowded.
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After enjoying many fine meals in the Sacramento area, I guess our luck had to run out eventually. I wish we had gone across the street to Albertson's deli. We had the Sunday special, Veal... More

After enjoying many fine meals in the Sacramento area, I guess our luck had to run out eventually. I wish we had gone across the street to Albertson's deli. We had the Sunday special, Veal Scallopini, and an ala carte Pesto Vermicelli. They nicely split both dinners. The only thing half-way decent was the Pesto sauce: fresh, but too heavy on the garlic, with very overdone pasta, like it had been sitting in the water for a half-hour. The veal had very little flavor and the sauce tasted like it came from a bottle. I really can't comment on the taste of the green beans that came with the Veal, because I avoid eating gray food. The bread was also flavorless and I don't think it could have been homemade. Why they served the limp french fries, I have no clue. We did like the waitress, who gave excellent service, and she advised us against the dessert, saying it was left-over from Valentine's Day, 4 days prior. I'm hoping the resulting heartburn does not keep me up all night. Pros: Service Cons: Food
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Food is fair to middling and the staff are friendly, but the building is not wheelchair friendly. Don't plan to return.

Food is fair to middling and the staff are friendly, but the building is not wheelchair friendly. Don't plan to return.
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"this" is Italian, in spite of the name. If you like large portions and leftovers for lunch the next day, this is your place. One of the few "old" Sacramento establishments left. This is... More

"this" is Italian, in spite of the name. If you like large portions and leftovers for lunch the next day, this is your place. One of the few "old" Sacramento establishments left. This is "comfortable" dining as it should be. Contrary to an earlier review, it is not: frozen, commissary produced food, just good old "like Mama made it" Italian. Sure the room feels old, it is. The staff is "seasoned" as they should be. Like ah my Papa says "you try it, you like it" Manga.
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My family and i have been coming here for years. The food is unbelievable and the service is always friendly and hospitable. The minestrone is a definate must have! If you love spaghetti and... More

My family and i have been coming here for years. The food is unbelievable and the service is always friendly and hospitable. The minestrone is a definate must have! If you love spaghetti and meatballs, theirs is the BEST! I have brought family from out of town on many of occasions and they have always been impressed with espanol!
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I am also a huge fan of "Old School" Italian food, but Espanol sure is NOT my choice. This restaurant has been around for years but is absolutely horrible. Most food, for lack of better words,... More

I am also a huge fan of "Old School" Italian food, but Espanol sure is NOT my choice. This restaurant has been around for years but is absolutely horrible. Most food, for lack of better words, comes either out of the freezer, can or box. One entree that is not on their menu is a cheeseburger...which is fabulous. The joke among my friends is "take the Italian Girl to an Italian restaurant and she orders a cheeseburger, you know the food sucks!" Sorry, but it does. Their Cheeseburgers are the bomb!
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Personally, I like the old-time feel of Espanol. It's like eating in my grandma's kitchen - with all the same decorations. the Minestrone soup is amazing and their sauce is the best I've had. If... More

Personally, I like the old-time feel of Espanol. It's like eating in my grandma's kitchen - with all the same decorations. the Minestrone soup is amazing and their sauce is the best I've had. If you're looking for a slick new restaurant with hip music and an attractive waitstaff, this isn't the place for you. But if you're looking for a classic italian restaurant with great food at great prices then head on over to Espanol. It ain't the Olive Garden. Pros: food, prices, old-timey atmosphere Cons: surly waitresses, parking
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This is what real Italian cooking is. Not this "New age Italian food" This is home cooked Italian food. I am Italian and this is as good as a resturant can make it. Pros: a lot of food, a great... More

This is what real Italian cooking is. Not this "New age Italian food" This is home cooked Italian food. I am Italian and this is as good as a resturant can make it. Pros: a lot of food, a great value, Best real Italian fod Cons: busy, not alot of parking
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