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Hank's Italian Restaurant
Master Critic Reviews (6 Lists)
Hank's Italian Restaurant
7.8
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Hidden Gems Heaven
Open for decades near Torrance Airport, Hank’s is a throwback Italian dining room serving lasagna, ravioli, and garlic bread in a setting that feels straight out of another era. It’s less about trendiness and more about comforting, familiar flavors that older South Bay diners and multi-generation families have leaned on for years.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baked lasagna, Cheese ravioli with meat sauce, Garlic bread with melted cheese
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Old-school Italian institution with retro vibes and classic baked pastas.
Who should go: Regulars and families who like vintage neighborhood spots
When to visit: Early weekend dinners before the dining room fills
What to order: Lasagna, cheese ravioli, cheesy garlic bread
Insider tip: Ask about daily specials—longtime regulars often follow them over the menu.
Hank's Italian Restaurant
7.7
Hank's is an old-school South Torrance Italian restaurant tucked off 242nd Street where lasagna, pizzas, and a salad bar reflect its long local history. Guests come for straightforward, comforting plates and a nostalgic dining room that leans more cozy than polished.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna, Lasagna with Meatballs, Cheese or Meat Ravioli
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Decades-old neighborhood spot serving classic lasagna and pasta in a nostalgic room.
Who should go: Locals who enjoy vintage-feeling Italian comfort food.
When to visit: Early evening; hours are limited and nights can fill.
What to order: Lasagna, lasagna with meatballs, ravioli combo.
Insider tip: Check current hours before heading over; the schedule can be narrow.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: A small private lot sits directly beside the restaurant, with additional street parking on 242nd Street that’s usually available outside of peak dinner hours.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable; jeans and everyday attire fit the old-school neighborhood vibe.
Noise level: Low to moderate — generally quiet enough for conversation, with some ambient clatter during peak family hours.
Weekend wait: Expect a 20–40 minute wait during peak hours due to limited seating and a steady local crowd.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, though service hours can be limited.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Moderate selection — vegetable lasagna, salads, and some pasta dishes can be prepared meatless.
Vegan options: Limited — most dishes involve cheese or cream; salads are the safest option with modified dressing.
Gluten-free options: Minimal — no dedicated gluten-free pasta, but some entrees and salads can be adapted.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a relaxed, low-pressure meal than a polished night out. The nostalgic setting works if you want something cozy and unfussy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — they operate mostly on walk-ins, but limited hours mean arriving earlier is safer, especially on weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — the familiar pasta dishes, booth seating, and unfussy atmosphere work well for families with kids of all ages.
Best For
Better for: Hearty, familiar lasagna and a classic, lived-in dining room that appeals to locals who enjoy vintage Italian comfort.
Skip if: You want modern Italian, elevated ambiance, or a broad menu with extensive dietary accommodations.
Hank's Italian Restaurant
7.8
Hank’s Italian Restaurant is a longtime South Torrance institution with a fountain-centered patio that feels more like a neighborhood courtyard than a polished dining room. The menu leans old-school Italian American, and locals slide onto the outdoor tables for hearty pastas and grinders that haven’t changed much in decades.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mussolini Grinder, Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, Linguine Pescatore
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 6
What makes it special: Old-school Italian with a fountain patio and throwback grinder-heavy menu.
Who should go: Families and neighbors craving classic red-sauce comfort outside.
When to visit: Early evening on cooler days when the patio fountain is most relaxing.
What to order: Mussolini Grinder, Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, Linguine Pescatore.
Insider tip: Ask for one of the patio tables closest to the fountain if you like ambient noise.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Shared plaza lot with generally easy availability; street parking on adjoining residential blocks is a reliable backup.
Dress code: Casual to casual-nice; jeans, tees, and light layers work fine for the patio.
Noise level: Moderate; the fountain adds pleasant ambient sound but conversations remain easy.
Weekend wait: 20–35 minutes during peak patio hours, especially on mild-weather evenings.
Weekday lunch: Rarely a wait; walk right up to the hostess stand.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Solid options including salads, pasta with marinara, and grilled vegetable sides.
Vegan options: Limited; marinara-based pasta can be adapted, but most dishes include cheese or butter.
Gluten-free options: A few modifiable dishes; request gluten-free pasta and avoid breaded entrées.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for low-key dates—its courtyard-style patio and old-school charm create a relaxed, nostalgic setting, though it leans more casual than romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually, yes. Walk-ins are common, especially on weeknights; arrive before the dinner rush on weekends for the best patio spots.
Is it kid-friendly? Very. The menu is approachable, service is patient, and the outdoor patio gives families more room to spread out. Great for ages 4 and up.
Best For
Better for: Classic red-sauce comfort and a nostalgic neighborhood vibe that newer Italian spots can’t replicate.
Skip if: You want upscale Italian, craft cocktails, or a more polished patio environment.
Hank's Italian Restaurant
8.1
Hank's Italian Restaurant is an old-school South Torrance institution serving red-sauce pastas, pizzas, and chicken specialties in a cozy, slightly time-capsule dining room. Locals treat it as a neighborhood clubhouse for nostalgic carb-heavy dinners, with a small bar and friendly, longtime staff.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mozzarella Marinara, Chicken Piccata, Lasagna Dinner
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Decades-old Italian standby where classic pastas and pizzas never really left the 1960s.
Who should go: Neighborhood regulars and families craving nostalgic red-sauce Italian.
When to visit: Early evening before the compact dining room fills up.
What to order: Mozzarella Marinara, Chicken Piccata, Lasagna Dinner.
Insider tip: Split a pizza and pasta to sample both sides of the menu in one visit.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Shared lot and ample street parking along the Southwood Riviera blocks; generally easy before 6pm, slightly tighter during peak dinner hours.
Dress code: Casual to slightly polished; jeans, sweaters, and relaxed date-night attire all fit the old-school vibe.
Noise level: Moderate—lively family chatter but still possible to hold a normal conversation without raising your voice.
Weekend wait: 25–45 minutes for walk-ins depending on party size; early birds before 5:45pm are usually seated quickly.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, with immediate seating for most tables.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good selection of pastas, salads, and pizzas that can be made meatless.
Vegan options: Limited—some salads and customizable pasta with marinara, but options are not extensive.
Gluten-free options: They can prepare certain pasta dishes with gluten-free noodles; advance mention helps staff guide you.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want a cozy, nostalgic Italian setting with warm service and low pressure. It’s more charming and intimate than flashy, ideal for conversation-focused dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually, yes. Showing up early evening or slightly later after the initial dinner rush makes walk-in seating very doable, especially for smaller parties.
Is it kid-friendly? Very. Families are common, high chairs are available, and the menu works well for younger eaters who like pasta, pizza, and simple classics.
Best For
Better for: Nostalgic, red-sauce comfort and a true neighborhood feel—great when you want familiarity over trendiness.
Skip if: You’re seeking modern Italian, craft cocktails, or a highly polished, contemporary dining room.
Hank's Italian Restaurant
7.7
Serving the South Bay since 1968, Hank's is an old-school red-sauce joint where pizzas, pasta plates, and a salad bar anchor low-key family dinners. The experience feels more nostalgic than polished, but generations of locals still use it as an easy, familiar option when everyone wants Italian without much fuss.
Must-Try Dishes:
Medium Pepperoni Pizza, Lasagna, Chicken Piccata with Salad Bar
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7
Consistency: 7.3
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 6
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Decades-old neighborhood Italian with pizza, pasta, and a salad bar.
Who should go: Families who appreciate nostalgic, no-frills red-sauce comfort.
When to visit: Early weeknight dinners for quickest seating.
What to order: Pepperoni Pizza, Lasagna, Chicken Piccata.
Insider tip: Pair pasta with the salad bar to keep kids nibbling happily.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Plenty of free surface-lot parking in the shared Walteria plaza; rarely fills except on weekend evenings.
Dress code: Very casual — jeans, tees, and kids’ post-sports outfits are totally normal.
Noise level: Moderate; family chatter and pizza-oven activity mean it’s lively but still workable for conversation.
Weekend wait: 10–25 minutes depending on local traffic and take-out volume.
Weekday lunch: No wait; walk right in.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Solid — cheese pizzas, pastas with marinara, salads, and veggie sides.
Vegan options: Limited — marinara pasta, basic salad bar items; no dedicated vegan substitutes.
Gluten-free options: Minimal — no confirmed gluten-free pasta or pizza; salads are the safest option.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you want an extremely casual, nostalgic setting; it’s more family-focused than romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — they operate primarily on walk-ins and rarely hit long waits outside of peak early-evening weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? Very — booster seats, shareable pizzas and pastas, and a salad bar that keeps younger kids engaged.
Best For
Better for: Old-school red-sauce comfort, relaxed family meals, and reliable pizza-pasta staples that appeal to mixed-age groups.
Skip if: You want refined Italian, craft cocktails, trendy ambiance, or dietary customization beyond classic vegetarian options.
Hank's Italian Restaurant
7.8
Open since 1968, Hank's is a throwback red-sauce joint where booths, a salad bar, and old-school pizzas set a nostalgic tone. It doubles as a casual date-night option for couples who appreciate classic Torrance history more than polished design.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Parmigiana, Lasagna, Hank's Special Pizza
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Long-running neighborhood red-sauce spot with a cozy, retro feel.
Who should go: Couples who like nostalgic, old-school Italian evenings.
When to visit: Early dinners for a quieter room and fresher salad bar.
What to order: Chicken Parmigiana, Lasagna, Hank’s Special Pizza.
Insider tip: Use the bar area or a corner booth if you want more privacy.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Shared lot parking in the Walteria plaza; usually easy before 6:30pm but can tighten during peak dinner hours.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable; jeans and simple date-night attire are perfectly appropriate.
Noise level: Moderate; conversational for two-tops, with a little more bustle near the salad bar and larger groups.
Weekend wait: 20–35 minutes during peak hours, especially between 6pm–7:30pm.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; immediate seating is common.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Solid range of vegetarian pastas, salads, and pizza options.
Vegan options: Very limited; most dishes rely on cheese or cream sauces.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free pizza or pasta, but salads and some entrées can be modified.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you’re aiming for a relaxed, nostalgic vibe rather than a polished or modern dining room. The booths and old-school atmosphere make it feel intimate without being formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—walk-ins are the norm. Arriving before 6:30pm on weekends helps avoid a short wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who enjoy classic pizza and pasta. It’s not a play-oriented environment, but families are common and the menu is approachable.
Best For
Better for: Couples who appreciate classic Torrance history, comforting red-sauce dishes, and old-school booths over trendy décor.
Skip if: You want sleek interiors, craft cocktails, or a modern Italian date-night experience—other South Bay spots fit those better.