Criniti

This is the worst restaurant in South Philadelphia. It is a time warp to the 70s at best.
The ingredients in the food are stale and not only was my salad the worst ever had, but the pasta and entrees were the most tasteless pieces of food I have ever seen.
There is a reason why there are no windows because the décor is horrible. Save your dollars and go someplace else. This place should be closed. Ugh!

As soon I walked in with my girlfriend there was a mop bucket with dirty water and smelled musty. The host wore jeans and an Eagles hoodie (I’m all for the birds but if your a host at a so called nice restaurant, wear something nice)
Got seated, there was only 1 other couple there. Now I know why. On their website they have a picture of the inside that shows a beautiful and colorful stained glass window. I’m not sure when that was taken but currently that window looks as if someone threw wet fecal matter at it and let it rust. Absolutely disgusting. The waitress came out to tell me the specials and included the price after every single one– who does that?
We both got different chicken dishes and we both couldn’t get past maybe 2 bites. It tasted like a whole pound of salt was dumped on it. I had the waitress take it away and I ordered a slice of cheesecake and a coffee to get the taste out of my mouth. The cheesecake literally tasted like a block of Philadelphia cream cheese with whipped cream on top. I ask for another coffee and they said sorry we dumped the pot and we’re not making another one. This horrible experience cost me 70 dollars for 2. I will never come back to this dump and I’ll let everyone know to stay far away. Go to Scaniccios or Ristorante Pesto for real food, accommodating staff and a good ambience.

My husband and I love Criniti’s Restaurant. We first went to this restaurant about 9 years ago, and each time we go we do have a wonderful experience and delicious Italian food (I love the baked pasta dishes). The food is fresh and the service and atmosphere are great. We recently went here with our kids, but generally try to go as a couple for a romantic dinner. This is a great place for some tasty Italian food, wine, dessert and a wonderful dinner experience.

This place serves simple, but decent Italian dishes at a reasonable price (especially for the large portion sizes). They have a wide selection of homemade pastas and many meat dishes. They are happy to accommodate vegetarians by switching out sauces.
The food was hit or miss. The eggplant parm was cheesy and delicious, and the bread they served was warm, crispy, and fresh. However, the side salad that came with my entrée left a lot to be desired. It was iceberg lettuce with random veggies served with plain balsamic and vinegar. Overall pretty blah and not well thought out. The mushroom dish was also quite cold and insipid.
The staff was really friendly even though it was a busy night, and they even gave us complimentary mushrooms (glad they were free since they weren’t the tastiest)
Easy to get to using the broad street line since it is right off of Oregon station.

Good service and good food! We didn’t even need to ask the staff for a refill of bread… It just came out to us. A complimentary bowl of mushrooms was a great welcome. I ordered the baked manicotti, and it was very well done. The salad was a little disappointing, just some house greens of questionable freshness thrown into plate.
Portions are quite large, so be ready to carry a box back home. It’s quite a small restaurant, so it could get a little noisy, but nothing at the level that bothers you.
I recommend this place to anyone looking for an Italian place in South Philly that is away from the typically noisy college crowds.

Recommend the Spaghetti Aglio e Olio… on the bland side but once you add salt and grated cheese to your liking, phenomenal! And, the spaghetti is always done perfectly al dente.
Shrimp Parmiagiana is pretty good… the shrimps are not breaded but a good size… you can smell the wine in the sauce.
Did NOT like the baked ziti… ricotta cheese mixed throughout and it looked like a big old mess… not tasty either. Did not like their roasted pepper appetizer… it would be a lot better if it were not SO DARN SALTY!!!
Also don’t like the fact that this place does not offer any salad dressing… you are stuck with plain old vinegar and olive oil. The bread, however, is FABULOUS!!!

Love this place great food and service. Had the lobster ravioli. The atmosphere is cool nice place to bring a date

Very nice place and service and food was better then expected. Wine list is good and location was easy to get to

I have been here and I like the lunch buffet food is good.

First off the wait staff are great. Being originslly from south philly reninds of what great south philly restaurants are all about. I have been coming here for 15 years and never had a bad time.
The food is consistent old school ltalian.
If you love good Italian dont psss this by.
If going to a night game at the linc or citizens bank this is the place to go.

I have been here for lunch several times. This is a great place for a large group to do the buffet.
If you order instead of the buffet, all bets are off.
The service is friendly and attentive.
The salad is gross: iceberg, carrots, and onions with some oil. It doesn’t taste like much.
The Italian food is average. Typical pasta and breaded meats and vegetables. The bread is good.

My wife spoke highly of this place. So i gave it a shot. Friendly staff. Service was great. Food was just ok. Got a caesar salad to start. It would have been really good if the lettuce wasn’t wet. Made the dressing watery. Then got ravs and meatballs. To me the meatballs were kind of bland. Great size but lacked flavor. The ravs seemed to be frozen not home made. They were perfectly cut and very white not a off white with home made pasta. Marinara sauce was great. Overall a three star.

Sorry for the delayed warning! I attempted to go to a family dinner here last Saturday and was not really surprised when the service we received prior to even taking our seats was so atrocious I left! I have lived in South Philly for 34 years and have never enjoyed a meal here and now their service is just as bad!!!

The mushrooms they bring out with the bread are amazing. We always order a large bowl of them on top of the small plate they give for free. I’m in love. The bread is great too, perfect crust and soft inside. The Caesar salad here is huge and good. Not my favorite but does the job nicely. So other than those mushrooms that I drool about, the gravy here is my favorite in the entire world. (Sorry Dad) I order rigatoni in gravy. They bring out this huge plate and although I shouldn’t be able to eat that much, I find a way. My husband enjoys the lentil soup and is a fan of the chicken Parmesan. Service is always great. I wish I knew names but there are 2 waitresses there that remember us whenever we come in and are nice without being over the top. Love this place. Try it out.

I am a native of South Philly – now.out in California – for a few months–
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I;ve been a diner-​at Criniti — Since.Benito – opened up. in 1985—
Really «top of the line» home made. Italian food (and – as an Italian/American.I know) – luv their ravioli.& great marinara – If you want to try a different sauce – ask Ben,.to prepare a «Putanesca sauce” —
Good service. too, with George & Michelle.& Ben stops around to see if all.is.OK–
–Give it a try – I miss eating there – Richard

Great food, service & atmosphere!
Ate here 11÷3÷13 and very pleased that our 1^st choice was booked. Stopped in about 4pm and lucky we did because it got PACKED.
We ordered lasagna (delish and that’s coming from someone who does not like meat in their lasagna). Stuffed shells were amazing as was the chicken Marsala and chicken special.
Saved room for desert…, cannoli & choc cake which were equally fantastic.
The service was great with the exception of waiting just a little for our check. But by that time it was a full house. Super nice staff & owner came around more than once which made us feel like family!
Will definitely visit again next time I’m in Philly.

The bread and the mushrooms were delicious. Unfortunately, that’s as far as we got. The host told us that «if we were patient» we would be able to see our waitress and get food in time for the 730 show time we had to make.
In 20 mins, the waitress never came once, and the water girl refilled us 3 times. It tools us 15 mins to convince the water girl to just bring us a basket of bread.
In order to make our show, we had to walk out. I hope to go back at some point.

Went here years ago and remember it being quite good, though, I cannot even begin to recall what I ordered. Would love to come again sometime.

If there were more stars i’d give em. My favorite restaurant for as long as I can remember. I may live in NY now but i still dream of the honest So Philly goodness that Crinitis offers. This delish family restaurant now in a gorgeous church has a menu rich with Italian classics.
They start you off with complimentary marinated mushrooms yum! It may have moved locations but haven’t lost the taste. Wish i could order from them now…
Best dish: baked rigatoni paired with montepulciano
If you are in South Philly its a must!

This place is pretty great. The food isn’t the best that South Philly has to offer, but that’s not a knock against them. South Philly has some amazing places to eat. I’ve never had a bad meal from this place, not even a so-​so meal. They’ve all been very good, just not mind blowing. The staff has always been very friendly when I went in, and the prices are pretty damn good. I don’t go in very much any more, but only because I found out that they deliver.
Yes, you can get a damn good Italian meal, complete with apps, sides and dessert. That alone makes them one of my favorite places.