A diner
from Milwaukee, WI
gave an overall rating of
on September 26, 2008 @ 10:41 PM
We traveled to South Bend to attend a Notre Dame football game. Our hotel provided a publication from the South Bend Convention Bureau that described this restaurant as "South Bend's oldest Italian restaurant." It never occurred to us that enduring existence isn't a direct correlaton to the quality of a restaurant. My husband ordered spaghetti and meatballs, because the menu stated Sunny's is known for that staple ($13). I had a side order of spaghetti ($3) and a meatball ($2) The dinner had only one average sized meatball (same as the side order), and not much more spaghetti than I got. We both thought the the food tasted very average bordering on bland. The essential difference between my $5 meal and my husband's $13 meal was $7 and a small bowl of over salted soup. The server was very pleasant, although she forgot to serve bread. If this is truly the best Italian restaurant in South Bend, that could only mean the others are worse, or there aren't any others.
A diner
from Chicago, IL
gave an overall rating of
on March 21, 2006 @ 11:58 AM
I grew up and went to college in South Bend and left shortly after to move to Chicago. One of the very few things that I do miss about South Bend is Sunny Italy. I have been eating there since I was a child and it is by far my favorite restaurant in Indiana. I am planning to drive through Indiana later this week and I am actually willing to drive 45 minutes out of my way to pick up Sunny Italy. I only wish they would start shipping their sauces and salad dressings.
A diner
from Granger, IN (suburb of South Bend)
gave an overall rating of
on December 6, 2005 @ 11:03 AM
Sunny Italy is the best Italian restaurant in the area. It has been operated by the same family for over 50 years. The food is consistently good, the service is excellent and there is a family feeling to the restaurant. It is excellent now and has been so, to my experience, for over 50 years.
A diner [josefdennig@gmail.com]
from Charleston, SC
gave an overall rating of
on November 10, 2005 @ 7:24 PM
Terrific Italian. Was in SB for an ND game and enjoyed every aspect of our dining in this family-run restaurant.
A diner
from south bend, indiana
gave an overall rating of
on August 25, 2005 @ 4:38 PM
the best italian restaurant in south bend. We have been eating there since our student days at notre dame in the 1950's. their cooking and sauces are terrific. sunny italy is a family owned, local business and well worth a visit.
A diner
from South Bend, IN
gave an overall rating of
on May 4, 2005 @ 9:40 AM
We heard about Sunny Italy on the recommendation of a friend. The food was great, most definitly homemade. It is very obvious that this is a family owned and operated restaurant. From the time we arrive, with no reservation, we were welcomed with friendly and helpful people.
The staff was professional and knowledgable. One person on staff with extensive wine knowledge and the ability to articulate it, that is important to us.
We will go back! Sunny Italy is the best kept secret in South Bend!
A diner
from South Bend
gave an overall rating of
on November 2, 2004 @ 6:06 PM
Food was terrible and service was slow. Home style atmosphere left me feeling cheap. (but the bill did not!)
Just as there are many types and style of Italian dishes, so goes for Italian restaurants. I travel a great deal and try many different places to dine. I am very partial to Sunny Italy. Our families have been acquainted with each other for years. That being said, Sunny Italy is definitely not Olive Garden, and thankfully so. The food is homemade. No Stauffer's Frozen Lasagna here folks.
The yuppies that are used to being overdressed, overcharged and overly pretentious might not relate nor enjoy the truly homey atmosphere of Sunny Italy. The older, yet clean facility might make one think of the old-world restaurants of the 1930's. The owners keep the place in great shape considering its age. As far as kids go, we've been tqaking our girls there since they were in diapers; but a special meal at any nice restaurant is made more enjoyable by the lack of crying babies. In a few words, I might best describe Sunny Italy as exquisitely charming! Enjoy
A diner
from Niles, MI
gave an overall rating of
on January 6, 2004 @ 1:11 PM
My wife and I visited Sunny Italy Cafe a week ago. We are both working professionals in our early 30's. We arrived at 4:45pm just 15 minutes after opening. There was one couple (I'd say mid 40's) already seated.
We were seated next to a drafty window and my wife wore her jacket for the entire meal. (we are not the type to complain, so we dealt with it)
I had heard great things about Sunny Italy and their food. Being Italian myself and having traveled coast to coast dining in fine resteraunts I looked foward to the experience.
The first thing I noticed was the blantent attempt to nickle and dime the customer. (a lot of domestic beer labeled "specialty". Very cheap $10 wines for $40 and $50, extra cost for blue cheese salad dressings, etc...)
I am very used to paying top dollar for fine food and I assumed my wife and I would spend around $150. I really dont mind if the food is great.
Service was slow and terrible. The server was young lady who look as if should would rather be somewhere else.
First item brought out were the salads. The lettuce had become rubbery and many leafs were brown. My wife only took one bite. I was starving so I ate it anyway. Good thing they came on the smallest plates I have seen for a salad. It was terrible.
Second item was the bread. It was supposed to come first but our server forgot. The bread was served in a cheap plastic bowl. I assumed we would recieve Italian bread, oil, spices and possibly butter. Nope, just bread and white at that. It may have said "Italian" on the box they recieved it from, but trust me, this was no italian bread.
Main course- Chicken with pasta and Veal with pasta.
Chicken, burnt Veal burnt outside and dry inside
Pasta sauce- Absolutley awful. I've eaten a lot of sauce in my time and this tasted like a bad imitation supermarket jar of ragu.
The only outstanding taste was that of burnt tomato. It was very acidic with no depth. NONE. I could not dissern any spice used, for my pallet tasted none. (no garlic, basil,rosemary,bay leaf, etc..)
Not only was I dissatisfied with the service but the food was actually horrific. I gave it two stars because the pasta (with NO sauce) was tolerable. I actaully saw a very old couple come in to buy a "bucket of sauce" so I assume taste buds degenerate with age.
We had no dessert and could not wait to get our check and leave. We tipped 20% ( I know what servers make and I hope she was at least nice to the next customer) and made for the door with coats already on.......... Thumbs down.
You will be better served to dine at one of those new shiny Italian resteraunts chains for quality of food and service. You will also save about $50. If its small quaint Italian food run by a family, I suggest driving as far away from Sunny Italy Cafe and head to Chicago.
A diner [gvn73@hot mail.com]
from Granger In.
gave an overall rating of
on May 26, 2000 @ 4:41 AM
Best Italian food in the area, all dishes home made.
Number of Reviews: 10
We traveled to South Bend to attend a Notre Dame football game. Our hotel provided a publication from the South Bend Convention Bureau that described this restaurant as "South Bend's oldest Italian restaurant." It never occurred to us that enduring existence isn't a direct correlaton to the quality of a restaurant. My husband ordered spaghetti and meatballs, because the menu stated Sunny's is known for that staple ($13). I had a side order of spaghetti ($3) and a meatball ($2) The dinner had only one average sized meatball (same as the side order), and not much more spaghetti than I got. We both thought the the food tasted very average bordering on bland. The essential difference between my $5 meal and my husband's $13 meal was $7 and a small bowl of over salted soup. The server was very pleasant, although she forgot to serve bread. If this is truly the best Italian restaurant in South Bend, that could only mean the others are worse, or there aren't any others.
