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Ratings and reviews

RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Details

CUISINES
Italian
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Dinner
View all details
meals, features
Reviews (146)
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146 results
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LanguageEnglish
Traveller rating
108
27
2
4
5
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All reviews rigatoni italian dishes wonderful evening small place bad service servers
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Reviewed 4 weeks ago via mobile

The food was delicious but the hostess was too young and dressed like she was playing outside. Our waitress never took time to refill drinks or ask if we were interested in dessert or coffee. Food 5 star Ambience 3 Waitress Hostess 3

Date of visit: February 2024
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 24 September 2023

There are a limited number of restaurants open in Salisbury NC on a Sunday which was when we were meeting friends. However, I would choose Chef Santos again. It's not large but not crowded. The waitress was knowledgeable and attentive without being obtrusive. Everyone's meal...was delicious and the portions were generous.More

Date of visit: September 2023
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Reviewed 1 September 2023

Great little restaurant tucked in downtown Salisbury featuring Italian food. Service and food portions were both great!

Date of visit: August 2023
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Reviewed 8 February 2023

Went there for my husband’s birthday. We were practically ignored. Waited over half an hour for a glass of wine. My dinner included 8 rigatoni, 4 slices of sausage and 1 slice of eggplant. The rest of my dish was sauce. Horrible service, understaffed and...unprofessional. The only reason I gave it 2 stars is because the sauce tasted good. Won’t be going back.More

Date of visit: February 2023
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Reviewed 30 October 2022

This place was supper busy, so we were a little nervous. They were also understaffed this night. We had a new waitress that was helping out. Yes, unfortunately she did turn in my order for a dish that they were out of, which had us...waiting longer for our food after I reordered another dish 15 minutes later, but the food was worth the wait.More

Date of visit: October 2022
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Reviewed 10 January 2022

We had been here several years ago and really enjoyed it. On this trip the food was as good, or better, than I remembered (2 Italian dishes and the 2 steak entrees). Servers were very polite - when they were there. It's a small place...and we sat close to the kitchen end, so the servers passed us every time they did anything. Didn't seem to matter - refills on tea were hard to come by, a mixed drink that was going to be made from alcohol from "across the street" - didn't happen, and we had to ask about it 30 minutes later. Server got one of the side dishes (as stated on the menu - not special order) wrong. A small issue but there were only 2 parties in the whole place at the time. They seem to do a brisk takeout and that is what we'll do next time. Given COVID, etc some of these things can be understood, but most were simply bad service. But it will take a lot worse service than this to stop us from getting this great food! BTW - servers didn't wear masks, though the website said they did.More

Date of visit: January 2022
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 27 November 2021

My husband and I were never greeted after several minutes. We were seen and never acknowledged! We left and spent $120 elsewhere.

Date of visit: November 2021
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 10 August 2021

Made reservation for 730. They were very busy and had to wait a little for a table. Not a very big place. The servers worked so hard and were very attentive even though they were running around like crazy. It's an Italian restaurant. Food for...the price is definitely worth it. salad and bread come with your meal.More

Date of visit: August 2021
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Reviewed 28 May 2021 via mobile

Our experience was a delight from start to finish. We received a friendly welcome and were escorted to a beautifully set table. Atmosphere was serene and tasteful, soft lighting, unobtrusive background music was playing. Enjoyed expertly prepared pre-dinner cocktails from the fully-stocked bar (there is...an extensive wine list as well…) while contemplating the varied continental choices (leaning towards northern Italian, but with some original tropical touches ) from the multi-page menu. Our orders included a vegetarian fettuccini Alfredo and chicken saltimbocca, accompanied by a salad. Everything was freshly-prepared and beautifully plated, with generous portions. House-made tiramisu capped off a memorable meal. We enjoyed chatting with Chef Santos over coffee. He is a wonderful host and a talented chef. As we were “just passing through” Salisbury this place was a real find - and one of the very few top-tier restaurants in town are open on Monday nights.More

Date of visit: May 2021
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Reviewed 26 May 2021

The restaurant is a little out of the way but worth the effort to find it. They say they are working on a website so you can see the menu.

Date of visit: May 2021
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Reviewed 11 April 2021 via mobile

This was our first visit to Salisbury and our first time at chef Santos's restaurant. For sure we will be back. I had the chicken masala and now I'm not going to order it any place else but at this restaurant because nobody can beat...it. My husband also enjoyed his entree, the bread was really good, the salads were nice and crisp, and I think we even had a wonderful dessert. The service was delightful and there isn't anything I can say negative about it. Too bad I live two and a half hours away, but we'll be back.More

Date of visit: April 2021
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Reviewed 12 October 2020 via mobile

Delicious anniversary dinner. Filet was tender and cooked to perfection. The pepper corn mushroom sauce was yummy. The service is always delightful. The social distancing and mask wearing is followed. Thank you.

Date of visit: October 2020
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 26 May 2020 via mobile

Best for in Salisbury! Have never been disappointed, fresh and made with love. Great wine selection! Love the homeade bread and house dressing as well. Chef Santos makes everything to perfection.

Date of visit: August 2019
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Reviewed 15 February 2020 via mobile

This was our first time visit and found the food to be fair. Service was sparse even though we has reservations & arrived early. At the time they weren't busy. We probably won't return.

Date of visit: February 2020
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 22 January 2020 via mobile

One of our favorite places to go. Food and service are excellent! Best food around. Nice atmosphere too.

Date of visit: January 2020
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Questions & Answers
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Manamcjo
14 March 2016|
Answer
Response from enjoyfoodandtravel | Reviewed this property |
I don't know about a party of 60. The best bet is to call them and ask.
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Christina O
13 March 2016|
AnswerShow all 3 answers
Response from John L | Reviewed this property |
I don't believe that can handle a group that big.
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CHEF SANTOS, Salisbury - Updated 2024 Restaurant Reviews, Menu & Prices - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Chef Santos

Yes, Chef Santos offers takeaway services.

Chef Santos is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 5
  • Service: 4.5
  • Value: 4.5
  • Atmosphere: 4