Joe Rigatonis

i went to joe rigatonis a week ago and my first thought was ”my god what have i done” my initial reaction was turn turn and bolt for the door, but that would have been embarassing, so bravely i sat down. my first look at the menu confirmed my suspisions, this was not for me. i was incredibly hungry, and imagine my horror when i realised there was no fish and chips, my favourite meal, it was wall to wall pasta instead (remember we’re in middlesbrough) what madness was this. in the end i had steak well done im not into this habbit of eating raw food, chips smothered in vinigar and all washed down with a glass of coke. the meal was lovely but come on joe, no fish and chips? your not fooling anyone

I used to go there years ago and thought it was lovely. My boyfriend and I decided to pop in there one night and as I’m not one for starters, we both ordered the chicken parmesan, which both of us used to love. It arrived after about 5 minutes of us being seated and we had to eat it in less than 5 minutes because it was so cold. I left half of mine becuase I’m a slow eater usually and couldn’t eat a freezing parmo! When the waiter walked over I told him that the food was cold and he just replied well you should have told me sooner. We asked for the bill and left leaving no tip after deciding it was that bad that we did not want any dessert. I went off to a local chinese takeaway and ordered more food to eat when I got home because I was still starving!

Food has a fast food character, not very much itatlien.

We’ve eaten in rigatonis in middlesbrough and yarm and they were both fantastic. Parmasean and homemade chips and calzone are highly reccommended. Friendly staff and the happy hour is great 2 courses for £7.95.

The quality of the food is, as with every other Rigatonis I’ve visited, rather bad. What really takes the cake however, is the level of service.
When eating here with a group we were waiting around half an hour to have our orders taken and then despite numerous requests was not given the bill until we decided enough was enough and got up to to leave. Then surprise, surprise, they produced our bill.
Moreover the restaurant was freezing cold. I don’t know if the air con was stuck on or what but it was baltic. There was a portable heater at one end of the table but it didn’t really help.

Lovely atmosphere not so good food. Once food arrives it is often cold and previously have been served food that tastes of bleach!!! The place is too dark so when you do eat you cannot see your food. Bar has just been upgraded and seating area is lovely for drinks.

Yummy food, the fishcakes are to die for and the staff are wonderful. We often go before 7.30pm on a week day when you get 2 courses for just under £8. Theres plenty of choice and it means you can get a posh meal for next to nothing. I also really like their non alcoholic cocktails too, great to wash down the food x

great food, friendly atmosphere, very relaxed, so much to choose from on the menu, staff are one of the friendliest restaurant staff i have ever come across, allowed plenty of time to relax and unwind after meal, excellent value for money.

Joe Rigatonis is good, reasonably priced Italian food. Located near to Southfield Road and the pubs closeby, Joe’s is great for a meal prior to a few cheeky drinks. Parking can depend on luck but usually not too bad. I can recommend either the Chicken Parmesan or one of the Seafood dishes, the pizzas are also good. Probably not a place for a very special occasion but great for groups of friends or colleagues.

Hmm, I have mixed reviews of this place. It is fairly easy to park on the main road outside. Because it is a very popular resteraunt and offers a hapy hour it can get very busy and you may find yourself feeling sorry for the staff running around. I have often felt that we needed to order and eat quickly so that the next round of people can get our table.
Sometimes the music is so loud you cannot have a conversation with any of the group you go with.
However ⁹⁄₁₀ times I have visited I have had lovely food. It has not cost the earth and I have felt in a friendly atmosphere. The staff particularly the males it seems are always brilliant with any children.
Beware when it is someones birthday, the lights go out and the staff singalong with the music this happens a few times on most of my visits!

This place is really good for lovely food and polite staff. It has however got limited parking nearby and you find you sometimes have to park fairly far out and walk in. Happy hour occurs roughly around 6 each day and during these hours it can get really full and you often find yourself waiting in the welcomign bar area.
It is a place you feel you have to dress up more smartly to with it’s posh interior — leather seats and wooden floors kind of place.
If you can be bothered, ring up and reserve a table during happy hour, it’s much cheaper than a normal meal and shortens your wait for a table. For students though this place isn’t so good for food unless you have a person willing to pay take you.
A lot of the time the music is quite loud. It is also a popular birthday spot so the staff burst into song and the lights go out and you feel obliged to join in another chorus of happy birthday. The staff here are helpful and chatty making sure your meal is going to plan.

They do wicked food in this place and I love the feel when every one is rushing around. Sometimes the Calzone is cooked properly, but I do understand these are a bugger to cook perfect, the food always comes quickly and they always seem to be happy to change any problems

Brilliant happy hour and good service, they do good student deals too. Food is good quality and plentiful, you will never go hungry here!

nice cheap food, fairly decent atmosphere to eat in, however, be warned if you go in a large group — expect the food to be late and thrown at you by a disinterested yoof. also dont laugh louder than a muffled titter cos the yoof will tell you off.

Joe Rigatonis is a popular name in Middlesbrough and the surrounding towns, I have only ever eaten in the one in Middlesbrough but I am told they are all very similar. The restaurants are classic Italian and they offer all the traditional dishes that you would expect to find in an Italian restaurant. This restaurant is located in Linthorpe road so is very popular with both locals and the students. The building itself in Middlesbrough sticks out from the adjacent buildings; it has a classic Italian look with a terraced on the roof. Every time I have eaten here I have found that staff to be very accommodating and they make you feel very welcoming, weather you are there as a couple or as part of a large group. If you are planning on going on the weekend I would recommend booking a table as they get quite busy. The food here is delicious there, I would say it is probably one of the best values for money restaurants in Middlesbrough, it even better if you are free during the day and can go for happy hour