FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How we score restaurants, what keeps the rankings independent, and what's covered. Nothing here is hidden: the full details are on our methodology and editorial policy pages.
Last updated
Rankings and scores
- How does Italian Food Rankings rank restaurants?
- Each restaurant gets a score out of 100 built from three parts: public review data weighted by volume and recency, an assessment of the kitchen's craft, and our own visit notes where we've eaten there. The full scoring breakdown is on our methodology page.
- How are the 100 points split?
- Review signal is worth 40 points, kitchen craft 35 and our visit 25. Each review page shows the three components so you can see exactly how the score was reached.
- What's the difference between Visited and Data-only?
- Visited means we've eaten there, and our notes and photos make up the final 25 points. Data-only means we haven't been yet; the first two components are scaled to 100 so the score stays comparable, and the label tells you we haven't visited.
- Why does a restaurant with a lower star rating sometimes rank above a higher one?
- Ratings are adjusted for volume and recency. A 4.8 from 40 reviews is pulled toward the local average more than a 4.6 from 3,000 reviews, because small samples swing more. Kitchen craft and our visit notes also count.
- Where do the review ratings come from?
- From genuine public reviews on the major review platforms. Where a restaurant is rated on more than one platform, we show each source with its rating, review count and the date we checked it.
Independence
- Can a restaurant pay to be ranked or move up?
- No. There are no paid placements, sponsored slots or pay-to-improve options. Restaurants are ranked only on the criteria in our methodology.
- Are the reviews behind the rankings real?
- Yes. Scores are built from genuine public reviews by real diners. We filter out spam and coordinated review bursts, discount reviews that look incentivized, and never write, buy or solicit reviews for any restaurant.
- Can a restaurant ask to be added, moved or removed?
- No. We don't add, move or remove listings on request, and we don't share scores with restaurants ahead of publication. Restaurants are welcome to point out factual errors or let us know they've opened.
- What happens if you get a fact wrong?
- We fix it and update the page's date. That covers things like hours, an address, a closure or a menu detail. Factual corrections never change a restaurant's score on their own; a score only changes when the underlying criteria change.
Coverage and updates
- What areas do the rankings cover?
- We're starting with San Diego County, covering neighborhoods like Little Italy, North Park, La Jolla, Hillcrest and the coastal North County cities. More cities follow once San Diego is complete.
- What does a restaurant need to get on a list?
- Italian food has to be the core of the menu, not one section of it. The restaurant needs to have been open long enough to build a meaningful review history, and it needs to be open and serving now.
- How often are the rankings updated?
- Rankings are re-scored on a regular cycle, and closures or major changes such as a new chef are reflected as soon as we confirm them. Each list shows the date it was last updated.
Still curious? Read the full methodology, our editorial policy, or browse the San Diego guide.