Used to go to La Porto quite a lot but moved away from Billingham a couple of years back. It's always been a good 'go to' place for a nice Italian meal. Having gone tonight I've absolutely no idea what's happened or how it's gone so downhill. I had bruschetta to start which was fine, it's bruschetta. My other half had some stuffed mushroom with cheese and tomato, it was literally a raw mushroom with half a tomato inside it and half a teaspoon of cheese. Not the best starter but we persevered because as I say, I've been dozens of times and normally it's lovely! I ordered a pizza, the dough was burnt to a crisp on the bottom and was pretty awful. Somehow the dough itself was pretty uncooked though, I've no idea how they managed that. Then the grease, my god, I've never seen so much grease on top of a pizza before, it was literally dripping off (presumably from the cheap pepperoni). My other half ordered a calzone, the dough on the ends and around the edges was so raw you could roll it, they'd put raw spinach inside the calzone which obviously just dumped all of its water inside. Again this was somehow burnt on the top and bottom. Having seen how the owner treats feedback with his replies to such comments I can't see us ever going back which is a shame, it used to be a lovely little Italian in the town centre. I'm not sure if it's been bought by someone else or if the current management have fell out of love with it. But when we were the only customers in the place I think that said enough to me. Steer clear - you'll get a far better pizza at the Wetherspoons a few more steps in the town.
Sam G
Food was terrible, I got a calzone and it was very undercooked. The ends were raw and doughy. They top was burnt though and the spinach and mushrooms weren’t cooked so it was very wet inside. The building was freezing cold inside as well. Always had decent food from here but won’t be going back. Seems to have gone down hill with food when looked at recent reviews.
Mike Brown
Great little restaurant with great staff.Food is very good.Overall a nice place to visit.
clarer955
10 of us went before a show and one of my friends weren’t happy with the food cause it was burnt but the chef said it was fine and refused to replace it, so if u go here and your not happy they don’t care. The one in Norton is nothing like this the chef is crap and gives out dry burnt food
Debby R
Lovely early dinner prior to a show at the Forum. Delightful servers, delicious food (of which we ate too much but have no regrets) and extremely good value for money (as we ordered before 6pm). Already planning our next visit
Paul Taggart
Food was tasty and cooked to perfection at a reasonable price,all the family are catered for,the staff were helpful patient and polite.Added bonus there is plenty of carparking spaces for
Karen Muswell
We were a party of six and enjoyed great food and service. The steaks were cooked to perfection and my risotto was lovely too. Would definitely go back.
North Eastern
Are here for a family members birthday. Accommodated a large group. Food was really good. Great
Denise Ewbank
prawn cocktail was with frozen prawns that had been freezer burns, then the carbonation, the onions were raw, and the garlic was not cooked ,sat at our table and all we could hear was the cheif in conversation and his language was
Demi White
Honestly wouldn’t feed my dog the food we were served absolutely disgusting and the young server god love her I don’t think even dared to ask if the food was okay as we left a full meal. Also when you can hear the ping of microwaves and can see the food being taken out of it then you know it’s not going to be good! Over all do not recommend, been served better meals in hospital wish I had took photos of the chicken dish we were served looked like sick. Starters were bland, garlic bread like cardboard and mozzarella fritters out the microwave.
The staff are lovely. I prefer the food when the punky chef is in (he wears a bandana) otherwise it's a bit hit and miss (and the sauces are a bit samey by the other chef) but affordable and lovely atmosphere.
Barry Jone
This place is a great place to go for good food and excellent service. Also there restaurant in Norton is just as good ?
Tswain94
Excellent food and service as always. La Porto is a gem in the town centre. Always our first choice for a meal out.
223ianh
2 recent visits. Firstly for breakfast after shopping. A week later a graduation celebration meal. The La Porto Breakfast is always a treat. As for the graduation, owing to the bad weather we were finished earlier than planned, so phoned La Porto and asked for half an hour earlier than booked. No problem at all. Yet again the food was superb. 5 of us and not a bad word from anyone. For my part my Pork Belly starter was sublime. The crackling done to perfection. Looking forward to our next visit!
Liz Featherstone
Very tasty food and delightful staff. A great place to eat or even a quick coffee. I have never been disappointed.
Used to go to La Porto quite a lot but moved away from Billingham a couple of years back. It's always been a good 'go to' place for a nice Italian meal. Having gone tonight I've absolutely no idea what's happened or how it's gone so downhill. I had bruschetta to start which was fine, it's bruschetta. My other half had some stuffed mushroom with cheese and tomato, it was literally a raw mushroom with half a tomato inside it and half a teaspoon of cheese. Not the best starter but we persevered because as I say, I've been dozens of times and normally it's lovely! I ordered a pizza, the dough was burnt to a crisp on the bottom and was pretty awful. Somehow the dough itself was pretty uncooked though, I've no idea how they managed that. Then the grease, my god, I've never seen so much grease on top of a pizza before, it was literally dripping off (presumably from the cheap pepperoni). My other half ordered a calzone, the dough on the ends and around the edges was so raw you could roll it, they'd put raw spinach inside the calzone which obviously just dumped all of its water inside. Again this was somehow burnt on the top and bottom. Having seen how the owner treats feedback with his replies to such comments I can't see us ever going back which is a shame, it used to be a lovely little Italian in the town centre. I'm not sure if it's been bought by someone else or if the current management have fell out of love with it. But when we were the only customers in the place I think that said enough to me. Steer clear - you'll get a far better pizza at the Wetherspoons a few more steps in the town.
Food was terrible, I got a calzone and it was very undercooked. The ends were raw and doughy. They top was burnt though and the spinach and mushrooms weren’t cooked so it was very wet inside. The building was freezing cold inside as well. Always had decent food from here but won’t be going back. Seems to have gone down hill with food when looked at recent reviews.
Great little restaurant with great staff.Food is very good.Overall a nice place to visit.
10 of us went before a show and one of my friends weren’t happy with the food cause it was burnt but the chef said it was fine and refused to replace it, so if u go here and your not happy they don’t care. The one in Norton is nothing like this the chef is crap and gives out dry burnt food
Lovely early dinner prior to a show at the Forum. Delightful servers, delicious food (of which we ate too much but have no regrets) and extremely good value for money (as we ordered before 6pm). Already planning our next visit
Food was tasty and cooked to perfection at a reasonable price,all the family are catered for,the staff were helpful patient and polite.Added bonus there is plenty of carparking spaces for
We were a party of six and enjoyed great food and service. The steaks were cooked to perfection and my risotto was lovely too. Would definitely go back.
Are here for a family members birthday. Accommodated a large group. Food was really good. Great
prawn cocktail was with frozen prawns that had been freezer burns, then the carbonation, the onions were raw, and the garlic was not cooked ,sat at our table and all we could hear was the cheif in conversation and his language was
Honestly wouldn’t feed my dog the food we were served absolutely disgusting and the young server god love her I don’t think even dared to ask if the food was okay as we left a full meal. Also when you can hear the ping of microwaves and can see the food being taken out of it then you know it’s not going to be good! Over all do not recommend, been served better meals in hospital wish I had took photos of the chicken dish we were served looked like sick. Starters were bland, garlic bread like cardboard and mozzarella fritters out the microwave.
Restaurantji Recommends
The staff are lovely. I prefer the food when the punky chef is in (he wears a bandana) otherwise it's a bit hit and miss (and the sauces are a bit samey by the other chef) but affordable and lovely atmosphere.
This place is a great place to go for good food and excellent service. Also there restaurant in Norton is just as good ?
Excellent food and service as always. La Porto is a gem in the town centre. Always our first choice for a meal out.
2 recent visits. Firstly for breakfast after shopping. A week later a graduation celebration meal. The La Porto Breakfast is always a treat. As for the graduation, owing to the bad weather we were finished earlier than planned, so phoned La Porto and asked for half an hour earlier than booked. No problem at all. Yet again the food was superb. 5 of us and not a bad word from anyone. For my part my Pork Belly starter was sublime. The crackling done to perfection. Looking forward to our next visit!
Very tasty food and delightful staff. A great place to eat or even a quick coffee. I have never been disappointed.