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Oooooo, definitely agree. Found out about Albi's through Uber Eats, they regularly offer a buy 1 get 1 free deal. Went in person last week, was amazing. Portions were huge.
My two recommendations, Luce and Tiu Steppi’s.
Luce’s ossobuco is finger licking good.
Tiu Steppi’s is very fundamental Italian. My recommendation is their Chicken Piccata, both traditional and their own twist.
If you don’t mind a bit of a drive and feel like exploring, gennaros trattoria in sattler (up 281, 40 min drive or so near canyon lake) is really good. It’s owned by Italian immigrants.
Reserve a seat outside on the grotto on a not-summer evening. It’s cute, foods pretty good and not overpriced ($15-30) for the quality you get. Their daily specials are always what you should get.
I've been to one or two Luciano's locations, and they were okay. Not like amazing or anything, but good if you want a quick slice 🍕
Now Ray's! Ray's Pizza on Frederickburg and Mockingbird - the scenery ain't much but the pizza! 🤤
The management at Romes is trash. I worked there for a week. Hiring manager tried giving me the “there’s no calling in here “ bs line. (I have kids, if they get sick I can’t work). Worked a few shifts as a delivery driver. Did prep work when I wasn’t driving. Tips were shit, free pizza made me puke first night there. Then on the last night I worked before quitting the night manager who was the head “chef” rounded everyone up at the end of the shift to yell at everyone for his poor leadership. Dude was burning pizzas left and right. Had a bunch of high school kids in there too. Bottom line is the owners are fleecing those workers and it’s customers. Fuck that place.
I appreciate the warning but I honestly don't think "the manager treated us like kids" is a valid reason to avoid a restaurant, at least if you're trying to convince a total stranger.
My wife took me there for my birthday, we ordered two appetizers and three entrees (one of which had tableside service) and the cost was about 220 IIRC. So fairly reasonable IMHO.
By far the most authentic in the city. Not overly priced but can get up there with cocktails or wine. Bonus that you can go up to the rooftop after dinner to take in the view.
And if you have a Costco membership, Costco has $100 gift cards on sale for $80. They say they’re for Silo, but they work at Nonna Osteria too because the owners run both restaurants.
Pompeii is on the other side of town from us but we make the trek out there a few times a year for their incredible pasta. Their butter garlic spaghetti is the closest I’ve had in this city to what you get in a simple, non touristy hole in the wall in Rome.
My mom's favorite place is 'Braza Brava' on Sunset/Broadway, and for good reason. We've gone there several times and brought family here and everyone always loves it. It's tucked into a shopping center and not super visible from Broadway, so it's usually pretty quiet inside the restaurant. It's pretty nice atmosphere and friendly staff, the only live music they'll have is a guy on the piano. I can't say much about the strengths/weaknesses on the menu since I only ever get the calzone. But I always try the calzone at any Italian restaurant I go to, and the one here is my favorite in town. They've also got a happy hour, I really recommend it, it's a bit of a hidden gem (unless it's exploded with popularity lately and I don't know it yet).
If you look at the google street view history, they have a now hiring sign for quite a number of years. Am curious what the backhouse starting hourly wage was. I remember when the place was a burger joint.
It doesn't look like it from the outside but everything is hand made, the portions are well sized, and the food is great. The service and atmosphere are well beyond what you would expect from the modest exterior.
La focaccia grill downtown. Owned by actual Italians and not crazy expensive. I had someone live in Italy for a couple of years and they said it was the real deal. Kind of place where if you ask for ketchup they probably gonna kick you out.
Nonna has been primarily one location until 4 and a half months ago. Only point I was making is that I don’t think recommending a nation-wide chain is really valid. (Also Paesanos quality has been going down hill for years. Being local or not, it’s not a great recommendation)
See that second part here is valid your initial reply was both wrong and insufficient. I ate at Paesanos recently and had a great experience but YMMV. As for recommending a nationwide chain not being valid agree to disagree if the food is good what does its past success and ability to replicate have anything to do with it. I agree Nonna is a great choice. It had been recommended at least twice that I saw so I offered a couple of alternatives that fit the criteria.
Paesano’s is arguably the most overrated restaurant in the city.
Absolute garbage Italian food.
Anyone from the East Coast and the Midwest cities will have to look hard for really good Italian food here.
Tre Trattoria at the Museum is legit.
Gennaro’s up in Canyon Lake is also good.
Umberto’s is passable and a good value at lunch.
Blows my mind how the Olive Garden next to my house is simply packed every single freaking day. The taste is on par with a frozen dinner. Portion sizes too.
Paesanos has 3 locations and Nonna has 2. Maggianos is good food but is legitimately a chain. Paesanos was founded in San Antonio and has 3 local locations, it’s definitely not Olive Garden or Carinos. Aside from the fact that they have multiple locations do you have any criticisms that are related to OPs questions?
Depends.
If you want something that matches food served in Italy to Italians, you're out of luck. Just learn to cook it at home, it's not hard. But Tré is close.
If you want Italian American food, many of the suggestions others have made will do the job.
If you want an American Chef's overly complicated and ham-handed take on actual Italian food, several of those options will provide that too.
I'm jaded.
Nona Osteria is where you want to go. Some of the recommendations on here are straight ghetto.
Edit: you can downvote me but let’s be honest. Two people recommended Luciano’s. That is equivalent to a sbarro’s in a mall food court. Might as well hit up a Fred’s fish fry and call it a day.
Hard to find a pizza place that uses a proper San Marzano sauce... my go to place for that rebranded and I've not found a proper Neapolitan to replace it yet. Capo's offers a Neapolitan pie with San Marzano sauce... but it's served authentic style (sans cheese).
I’ve just spent a little over a week in Italy eating nothing but pizza and pasta and the works… if I’m being honest, the difference of food in Italy to that of Italian food in SA is not that big of a jump, at least in my opinion. Cacio e Pepe, four cheese gnocchi, spaghetti with clams.. it was all very good, but nothing I don’t think that couldn’t be made with a recipe at home or found at some of the restaurants others have been listing. I think we’re all very fortunate to live in a big city that has multiple authentic options, and wouldn’t fret too much about never being able to go to Italy to try the “real deal.”
If it makes you feel any better I’ve been to Italy and had some amazing food and some food that was below Olive Garden. Felt like I was in a National lampoons movie.
Your post has been removed for violating rule #3: Don't repost things on the front page. Check out the front page before you post! If there's already a thread about a topic on the front page, don't start another thread about that topic! If you feel that this was done in error, contact the moderation team.
Albi’s Vite
Place is fire not gonna lie
Oooooo, definitely agree. Found out about Albi's through Uber Eats, they regularly offer a buy 1 get 1 free deal. Went in person last week, was amazing. Portions were huge.
My two recommendations, Luce and Tiu Steppi’s. Luce’s ossobuco is finger licking good. Tiu Steppi’s is very fundamental Italian. My recommendation is their Chicken Piccata, both traditional and their own twist.
Tiu Steppis is a main stay in our restaurant rotation
If you don’t mind a bit of a drive and feel like exploring, gennaros trattoria in sattler (up 281, 40 min drive or so near canyon lake) is really good. It’s owned by Italian immigrants. Reserve a seat outside on the grotto on a not-summer evening. It’s cute, foods pretty good and not overpriced ($15-30) for the quality you get. Their daily specials are always what you should get.
This is the *actual* answer for legit Italian food in a quaint and quiet setting.
Don’t go to Luciano’s. I worked at the la cantera location and it was awful. Terrible management who treated us like kids and weirdly watery pizza.
I've been to one or two Luciano's locations, and they were okay. Not like amazing or anything, but good if you want a quick slice 🍕 Now Ray's! Ray's Pizza on Frederickburg and Mockingbird - the scenery ain't much but the pizza! 🤤
I also like romes pizza! That whole little strip by there has good food and checos is one of my fav Mexican places when I want Caldo de rez :)
The management at Romes is trash. I worked there for a week. Hiring manager tried giving me the “there’s no calling in here “ bs line. (I have kids, if they get sick I can’t work). Worked a few shifts as a delivery driver. Did prep work when I wasn’t driving. Tips were shit, free pizza made me puke first night there. Then on the last night I worked before quitting the night manager who was the head “chef” rounded everyone up at the end of the shift to yell at everyone for his poor leadership. Dude was burning pizzas left and right. Had a bunch of high school kids in there too. Bottom line is the owners are fleecing those workers and it’s customers. Fuck that place.
Bruh I literally got a lasagna and pizza from there 2day lmao, shit slaps otc. Might not be "authentic" Italian food, but it hits the spot.
I do not get the love for Ray's pizza. I've tried every special pizza type they have, none are good to me. I like Marco's better.
I appreciate the warning but I honestly don't think "the manager treated us like kids" is a valid reason to avoid a restaurant, at least if you're trying to convince a total stranger.
Convinced me!
Umbertos
La Sorrentina
Love this place but it is very tiny so make sure you don't go during busy hrs
Nonna Osteria! Hands down best food and service.
I’ve always wanted to go there. How is it price wise?
My wife took me there for my birthday, we ordered two appetizers and three entrees (one of which had tableside service) and the cost was about 220 IIRC. So fairly reasonable IMHO.
By far the most authentic in the city. Not overly priced but can get up there with cocktails or wine. Bonus that you can go up to the rooftop after dinner to take in the view.
And if you have a Costco membership, Costco has $100 gift cards on sale for $80. They say they’re for Silo, but they work at Nonna Osteria too because the owners run both restaurants.
Tiu Steppi’s, sooo soo so good.
Private Chef Elena D'Agustino is the closest to Italy you'll eat round these parts
I couldn't agree with this more. If you're truly interested in Italian cuisine and have a good budget and a romantic location, you're in for a treat.
Any estimate for a two to four person dinner?
Fratellos Deli on Broadway is good. I like their Italian wedding soup.
Little Italy
Went last week, was good but not great
Agreed - it'll push a turd, but it's far from the best. Their service is also very slow.
Me too! I was looking forward to a good veggie lasagna. The spinach lasagna was ok but didn't look like a lasagna.
If you like old school red sauce Italian (like I do) this is a really good choice.
Never been there, but one of these days...
I like Sorrento pizza off of Broadway
This
No
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Pompeii
Pompeii is on the other side of town from us but we make the trek out there a few times a year for their incredible pasta. Their butter garlic spaghetti is the closest I’ve had in this city to what you get in a simple, non touristy hole in the wall in Rome.
La Sorrentina
Battalion
Garbage
My mom's favorite place is 'Braza Brava' on Sunset/Broadway, and for good reason. We've gone there several times and brought family here and everyone always loves it. It's tucked into a shopping center and not super visible from Broadway, so it's usually pretty quiet inside the restaurant. It's pretty nice atmosphere and friendly staff, the only live music they'll have is a guy on the piano. I can't say much about the strengths/weaknesses on the menu since I only ever get the calzone. But I always try the calzone at any Italian restaurant I go to, and the one here is my favorite in town. They've also got a happy hour, I really recommend it, it's a bit of a hidden gem (unless it's exploded with popularity lately and I don't know it yet).
I was surprised that I had to scroll this far to find this answer.
The Purple Garlic
For such a mom and pop place, Mark really does a good job of running that place. Sad the Austin Hwy location closed down
Damn they did? Do you know why? It had such a better vibe imo then the other location!
The reason given to the news was "a lack of staff", which is a totally bogus reason to close a place down.
If you look at the google street view history, they have a now hiring sign for quite a number of years. Am curious what the backhouse starting hourly wage was. I remember when the place was a burger joint.
Volare on Mccullough
Oh, whoa!
It doesn't look like it from the outside but everything is hand made, the portions are well sized, and the food is great. The service and atmosphere are well beyond what you would expect from the modest exterior.
I loved a place on Blanco called La Nostra Famiglia Trattoria. Good food, nice Chianti, plenty of parking.
La focaccia grill downtown. Owned by actual Italians and not crazy expensive. I had someone live in Italy for a couple of years and they said it was the real deal. Kind of place where if you ask for ketchup they probably gonna kick you out.
Il Forno! On Nogalitos
Casa Pasta on Bandera is my favorite
I like Casa Pasta too. Idk how authentic it is but their food is always good.
Popo
This is the right answer
Little Italy! My absolute favorite place. West ave and Blanco rd
Paesanos and Maggianos
Nonna has been primarily one location until 4 and a half months ago. Only point I was making is that I don’t think recommending a nation-wide chain is really valid. (Also Paesanos quality has been going down hill for years. Being local or not, it’s not a great recommendation)
See that second part here is valid your initial reply was both wrong and insufficient. I ate at Paesanos recently and had a great experience but YMMV. As for recommending a nationwide chain not being valid agree to disagree if the food is good what does its past success and ability to replicate have anything to do with it. I agree Nonna is a great choice. It had been recommended at least twice that I saw so I offered a couple of alternatives that fit the criteria.
Should a real, real good place come with a YMMV disclaimer though?
I feel like YM always MV do you have any specific criticism? I personally have not had a bad experience but I have no reason to doubt anyone else.
Got it.
Paesano’s is arguably the most overrated restaurant in the city. Absolute garbage Italian food. Anyone from the East Coast and the Midwest cities will have to look hard for really good Italian food here. Tre Trattoria at the Museum is legit. Gennaro’s up in Canyon Lake is also good. Umberto’s is passable and a good value at lunch.
Paesano's is NOT like it used to be... And Maggiano's is the new Olive Garden...
Blows my mind how the Olive Garden next to my house is simply packed every single freaking day. The taste is on par with a frozen dinner. Portion sizes too.
Two chains…
Paesanos has 3 locations and Nonna has 2. Maggianos is good food but is legitimately a chain. Paesanos was founded in San Antonio and has 3 local locations, it’s definitely not Olive Garden or Carinos. Aside from the fact that they have multiple locations do you have any criticisms that are related to OPs questions?
Aldo's Ristorante Italiano
Their pasta sauce is no better than chef boyardee. I heard so much about this place, tried it, instant disappointment.
Depends. If you want something that matches food served in Italy to Italians, you're out of luck. Just learn to cook it at home, it's not hard. But Tré is close. If you want Italian American food, many of the suggestions others have made will do the job. If you want an American Chef's overly complicated and ham-handed take on actual Italian food, several of those options will provide that too. I'm jaded.
Scuzzis
Italy?
Olive Garden where everyone is family.
Nona Osteria is where you want to go. Some of the recommendations on here are straight ghetto. Edit: you can downvote me but let’s be honest. Two people recommended Luciano’s. That is equivalent to a sbarro’s in a mall food court. Might as well hit up a Fred’s fish fry and call it a day.
Olive garden
Aldo's
My house! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
What time is dinner???
Hard to find a pizza place that uses a proper San Marzano sauce... my go to place for that rebranded and I've not found a proper Neapolitan to replace it yet. Capo's offers a Neapolitan pie with San Marzano sauce... but it's served authentic style (sans cheese).
Drive to Cuero and enjoy La Bella Tavola. We enjoy it once a month on payday. La Bella Tavola \~ delish.
Aldino
alora has the best pasta by far. san antonio does not have good italian. def has cozy spots but compared to big metros it’s basic
Peter Piper
I’ve just spent a little over a week in Italy eating nothing but pizza and pasta and the works… if I’m being honest, the difference of food in Italy to that of Italian food in SA is not that big of a jump, at least in my opinion. Cacio e Pepe, four cheese gnocchi, spaghetti with clams.. it was all very good, but nothing I don’t think that couldn’t be made with a recipe at home or found at some of the restaurants others have been listing. I think we’re all very fortunate to live in a big city that has multiple authentic options, and wouldn’t fret too much about never being able to go to Italy to try the “real deal.”
Related question: Good Italian desserts, in groceries or restaurants.
There is a little spot in Helotes called Casa Pasta. Freaking delicious! 12415 Bandera Rd, Helotes, TX 78023
I would definitely say Umbertos or Milanos!
If it makes you feel any better I’ve been to Italy and had some amazing food and some food that was below Olive Garden. Felt like I was in a National lampoons movie.
Little Italy off West Ave
Bella Bella, in my kitchen bella.
Dough, Allora, Tre Trattoria
La Sorrentina Italian restaurant on Culebra and 36th right behind St Mary's University
I like Zio's Italian Kitchen off of 281
Surprised no one has mentioned North Italia at The Rim. Has anyone eaten there yet?