Why Locals Love Valentino's
Nestled in the heart of Norfolk, Nebraska, Valentino's is a cherished Italian restaurant that masterfully blends classic flavors with the warmth of a cozy buffet and pizza joint. This inviting eatery at 1025 S 13th St has garnered a loyal following thanks to its impressive variety and consistently fresh, flavorful dishes.
Valentino's shines brightest with its signature pizzas—each one crafted to satisfy a broad spectrum of palates. From the hearty Val's Original Special and the savory All Meat Special to the delightful Garden Vegetarian pizza, every bite bursts with authentic Italian zest. The Old World With Pinched Italian Sausage and Lo Zio Luigi “Uncle Louie’s” pizzas bring robust, nostalgic flavors forward, while inventive options like the Deluxe Pepperoni With Cream Cheese and the Chicken Bacon Ranch cater to those seeking a twist on tradition. Complementing these pies are savory toasted sandwiches including the famous Papa Tony's Meatball Sandwich and delightful deli salads like their crisp and creamy macaroni salad.
Beyond the food, the atmosphere at Valentino's feels unpretentious yet inviting—where friendly, attentive staff make every visit feel like coming home. Customers frequently mention the excellent service, with servers like Marissa standing out for their courtesy and attentiveness, even when closing time creeps near. This sense of personal care enhances the dining experience, encouraging guests to relax and savor their meal without feeling rushed.
While a few notes from patrons hint at occasional order mix-ups and a desire for more flexible buffet hours, the overall sentiment leans heavily towards appreciation for the food’s freshness, flavor, and consistent quality. Whether you're stopping by for a quick slice of their Blazin' Bacon & Beef pizza or indulging in the full buffet selection, Valentino's delivers a satisfying, genuine taste of Italy in a welcoming Midwestern setting.
For visitors and locals alike seeking authentic Italian cuisine paired with the ease of an approachable buffet and outstanding pizza varieties, Valentino's is a dependable and delightful choice in Norfolk. With its warm ambiance, broad menu offerings, and attentive service, it leaves a memorable impression that invites you to return again and again.
See the Space & Food
What Makes This Place Friendly
- Delivery
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Fast service
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- All you can eat
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Toilet
- Casual
- Cosy
- Trendy
- Groups
- Tourists
- University students
- Accepts reservations
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
- Free of charge street parking
- Free parking lot
Real Reviews from the Community
- Mar 19, 2026
Got there kind of late but still had great, food, Marissa was my server. I've only been there a handful of times and think I had her twice. All the staff seamed great but Marissa was very prompt, and had great customer service skills. Very courteous as we were there shortly pass closing and didn't try to rush me
- Mar 5, 2026
The food is super good, but the cashier didn't know how and how much to charge to each of the members of the family, she charged me much more than i was expecting
- Feb 23, 2026
I love their food here. It is always fresh, great tasting, and the selection is the best. The service is outstanding.
- Feb 12, 2026
Valentino's has always been good. Hours posted here is misleading, M-F is 1100am - 2pm & 5pm - 9 or 10 pm. Lunch & dinner hours. I hope they bring one back to SE SD like Sioux Falls, or Yankton.
- Feb 2, 2026
We arrived about 10 minutes after the brunch buffet was over. That was a disappointment for us, especially since the buffets were still stocked. It would have been great if we could have dined from that instead of ordering from the menu for $29 for the 2 of us. There may have been only one other table of customers in the restaurant so it wasn't like they would have needed to add more. Plus, it would have made more sense than throwing all that good away. It was good enough for the employees to munch on. Valentino's is a rare treat for us since we are quite a distance from Norfolk. It was our loss for not getting to the restaurant earlier. Just a suggestion to let patrons dine from the buffet even after it is done, better than throwing all the leftovers away.
- Jan 27, 2026
Service was great got right in everybody was respectful to wear their masks up to the buffet. My pop never went empty the food was great I would have gave it a 5 but I love chicken and Tabasco and they had no Tabasco. When you have the best chicken in town you have to have Tabasco.
- Dec 4, 2025
We had a group of 16 and we called at the last minute to let them know that we were coming. They pretty much had everything set up and ready to go by the time we all got there. Our server was very sweet and did a wonderful job. The food was good and I would definitely go back again.
- Nov 28, 2025
Okay, let's be honest here. Is Valentino's good pizza? It is not. But we all know the old joke about pizza -- even when it is bad it's still pretty good. That's Valentino's. Their pizza is fine. You'll eat it. You'll eat it all. It's dough and sauce and cheese, so it can only go so wrong. Is there better pizza in town? Sure. But this is fine. The location was fast and convenient.
