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| - We get take-out because the in-restaurant dining area is small and cheap looking. We have ordered several times (more than two dozen) and have ordered a variety of menu items, to include single entrees and the family sizes spaghetti, lasagna, and salads. We have also had the beef sandwiches, mozzarella sticks, french fries, breadsticks, and of course, pizza - both regular and Chicago style pan.
So, here's the catch...service is always great but the preparation of the food has never been consistent. We have had wonderful items such as the juicy, hearty, beefy, melty provolone cheese, in a golden toasted bun with savory, nicely seasoned au jus Italian beef. But the next time we ordered it, the portion size noticeably shrank...is that a word? Now, I know that is not about the food itself, but it was disappointing even so.
We have also had spaghetti that was too far beyond al dente and was just plain mushy. Sooo disappointing. Italian restaurants are judged on their pasta preparation because what else is there?? Then another time we ordered pasta, it was fine. I would estimate 50/50.
The meat sauce and the marinara are both fine. I prefer marinara and theirs was nicely tomatoey and not too sweet. Just enough seasoning to enhance the plump, chunky sauce natural flavors.
My husband prefers meat sauce, which he did like, but their meatballs, which are huge, were somewhat bland for his taste.
The lasagna was just average (kinda too much sauce and could have more layers) as well as their breadsticks and salad-pretty mundane items.
If I was going to recommend something from here, it would be their specialty Chicago-style deep dish pizza. It is thick, cheesy, hearty, saucy, with whatever toppings you want to have shoved in. We ordered a medium for 4 adults and had a half pie leftover. Even my husband, whose appetite is legendary, could only manage one and a half slices (or chunks as they should be called). It was yummy.
Overall, we will continue to roll the dice with this restaurant because it is close and does deliver fairly quickly. It would not be my first choice Italian restaurant because of the iffy pasta prep, but on a good day, it's not bad.
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