I am a lucky guy. I love Italian food, and my wife is a great Italian cook. Her grandparents, Salty and Nana Saltamartiini came over on the boat from Sicily, and brought their recipes with them. My wife leaned to cook from her Nana; still uses the same techniques and recipes, and her Italian food will make you slap your mama. Most folks, though, are not lucky enough to have an Italian Nana. Fortunately there are lots of Italian restaurants to choose from close to home. Here are 7 Italian restaurants in Gaston county we think you should know.
1.Joe’s Touch of Italy 503 South Central Avenue, Belmont.
These guys only offer take out or delivery (to a limited area) but they are a local favorite. Their menu offers chicken parmesan, fettuccine alfredo, meatball sandwiches, calzones, lasagna, salads and more. Garlic knots are a favorite. They often have daily specials on Facebook. Yum here…
2. Dino’s Italian Pizzeria 610 Gastonia Hwy. Bessemer City.
Folks rave about the good portions, good prices, and good food. It may be a little drive from where you live but they have a loyal fan base that thinks it’s worth it! Fried calamari, build our own and specialty pizzas, Italian classics, chicken marsala, vodka cream sauce, shrimp scampi, and more. They also have $6.99 lunch specials and $7.99 Senior specials. Try the Angelina’s Butter Cream Chicken. Mangiamo!
3. Villa Roma 5000 Union Road, Gastonia.
In business for 45 years, this casual family owned restaurant is a favorite with locals. They offer New York and specialty pizzas, calzones and mini pizzas, spaghetti with clam sauce, chicken, veal and eggplant parmigiana, and stuffed pastas. They also have a children’s menu. The pizza and manicotti get great reviews! Info…
4. Simonetti’s Pizza 6432 Wilkinson Blvd. Belmont.
Under new ownership since late 2018, new owners Santi Arria and Giuseppe Losavio have done some light remodeling and made a few minor tweaks to the menu, but mostly it’s the same Simonetti’s food and recipes that folks love. Pizza is a specialty (obviously) but they offer a full menu including salads, calzones and strombolis, veal and chicken entrees, and a wide assortment of pasta offerings, including baked eggplant rollatini. They also have hot and cold subs, deserts and a kids menu. More here…
5. Reginella Italian Pizzeria 1808 South York Road , Gastonia.
A newcomer to the 321 South location, but the manager and owner have ties to Porotafino’s Italian in Gastonia. Housed in a former KFC, the location isn’t where you’d take your boss to impress, but you’d definitely take your best friend for the good food! They pride themselves on providing fresh pizza dough made in house, three rotating varieties of pasta prepared fresh every day, and meat from Piscataway, New Jersey. Those ingredients will be used within a menu that includes staples such as pizza, homemade sandwiches, and a variety of classic Italian dishes. Try the cannolis!
6. Venecia Family Italian & Greek Restaurant 306 East Garrison Blvd. Gastonia.
Located in Water Tower Place in the former Shogun’s location, Venecia is another newcomer to the Gaston county Italian restaurant scene. They offer pizzas, strombolis, calzones, subs and sandwiches, oven-baked entrees, pasta and seafood, Check it out…
7. Portofino’s Italian Restaurant 3736 East Franklin Blvd. Gastonia.
Opened in 1999, Portofino’s is one of Gastonia’s more established Italian Restaurants. They have hot and cold appetizers, salads, a large selection of pastas and baked dishes, chicken, veal and seafood dishes, New York style and gourmet pizzas and subs. They also have a lunch menu. More here…
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