21 Best Italian Restaurants in Springfield

“A very cozy place with an ordering counter and a sit-down dining room if you're sticking around. Despite the counter service, the staff was lovely, welcoming, and attentive. They brought fresh bread to the table, unfortunately with a small to-go cup with a small drizzle of olive oil and another of pre-grated parm. A slightly more generous cup of olive oil would have been nice. The carbonara pasta would have been good off the bat if they had properly seasoned it, but some of the extra parm and a generous dose of black pepper got it there in the end. The pizza was the star of the night. Chewy dough with really good gluten development, very nice sauce that was balanced and a nice contrast to the cheese, and quality toppings that weren't too much or too little. Was very tempted by the cannoli in the case, but I will leave it to others to try as I was stuffed. Could be a great place but needs to tighten it up a bit. Would try again though if just for pizza and to try that cannoli.“

“Saturday was our Anniversary, we had such a wonderful meal with outstanding service. We will definately be back. 😊❤️“

“Went to Mario’s tonight and my server, Lauren was so sweet! She gave us excellent service and the food was great as always. The chef salad is huge and a good price!“

“Got a pizza at Mario’s on Piper Glen tonight and it was delicious! I wanted to make sure the pizza guy, Alvin got a shout out! Thanks for the great pizza!“

“Attended a Wedding Saturday that Fulgenzi's catered. Wow, wow, wow! Best Wedding food ever, by FAR! Every comment we heard (which were many) was all great and bragging about the flavor of the food. Staff taking care and keeping the food filled up were so friendly, courteous (offering to carry plates if someone couldn't carry their own), just all around making you comfortable! Definitely recommend Fulgenzi's Catering for any occasion!!!! Thank you for making our dining experience the best ever!“

“I needed something more than simple sustenance. Shall I go to Texas Roadhouse, Cracker Barrel, or where?

I decided on ole reliable Olive Garden as I wanted a salad and something more but not break my pocketbook.

I knew a couple of my favorites are always available but took a chance on Steak Gargonzola Alfredo. While I'm not a blue cheese fan, and the wonderful waitress (Katy?) cautioned me that it is a strong blue cheese, I decided to try something different. You only go around once in life...

Started out with the salad and extra dressing, and of course, bread sticks with butter on the side. Lately I do drink water with a lot of lemon, and she didn't disappoint.

Then came the main event. As I like to sample things and get a taste of it all, I cut up the steak bites into smaller pieces so I would have a price of meat with each batch of Alfredo, and...

It WAS VERY GOOD!

Great service.

Plenty of salad and bread sticks.

Water refilled before I ran out.

And, the entrée was excellent.

In the future I would suggest a tad more Alfredo sauce and a little more spinach BUT I am stuffed, satisfied and relaxed.

Thank you Kate and crew.“

“This spot is one of our favorite places for great food! The pizza flavors are amazing. The Sophia Lauren is my favorite even made vegetarian style. Yeah, they managed to make it for me vegetarian style and it was perfect! The sandwiches are loaded with meat and flavor. They have frozen take and bake items, a wall of Italian pastas, sauces, cookies, oil and dressings.“

“All recommendations were phenomenal!“

“best Italian restaurant Ever.“

“Used to go here a lot. Have tried it several times recently and it's pretty ok. Got it to go and went in to pick it up and was handed what clearly wasn't our complete order. I asked them to double check it and they took it away and came back and said they checked EVERYTHING again and it was all there. Got home... it wasn't. Disappointing.“

“We ordered our first pizza tonight while getting a tattoo at Electric Quill!! This place is delicious to say the least. We will be back!!“

“We have made this our go-to pizza for Friday night dinner and movie with the family. Always consistent and delicious. We get a large thin crust, a two ply pizza, and an order of garlic cheese toast.“

“My wife and I were there last evening, Saturday, March the 22nd., and there were well over forty of us in the group. The atmosphere was perfect, and the service was perfection. In addition to that, the owner of the restaurant was genuine and helpful, and an extremely wonderful person. I wish everyone was just like her! We will most definitely be returning there! John Elliott“

“Been going here for many years, old school pizza place in a residential area. Great pizza at a low price“

“This was our 1st time eating at this establishment today as we’re from Peoria. We ordered pizza and a calzone! The pizza is the best we’ve ever had!!! My daughters, grandson and I absolutely loved this place! They were absolutely so kind and we felt so comfortable! Mama Rosa, she warms my heart with kindness! Thank you to all for giving us a great experience and we will definitely be back! Highly recommend!!!!❤️🇮🇹“

“It's been years since I had Monical's Pizza. But last Wed I needed to grab lunch while waiting to bring my dog home from the vet's. I did take out, but the staff was so very cordial. Then I had a personal thin crust cheese and a small salad, but wasn't really able to focus on my food. This weekend I decided to get a pizza and their pecan salad delivered. I got a 16' inch thin crust extra crispy. The food was delivered before the stated arrival time, and even then the young man apologized for the delay. The pizza was hot. And both the pizza and the salad were amazing. They are my new "go-to" for pizza and salad.“

“Highly recommend!! Food was absolutely AMAZING! Service was expecially amazing. Our waitress reviewed the history and the menu and answered our questions thoroughly! Again highly recommend this restaurant. Not outrageously expensive but great food!“

“The best food & service! The restaurant is always clean.“

“Craving a smash burger served with a side of warm, family-style service? This is the place! I had the double cheeseburger with sautéed onions—made to order, piping hot, and absolutely delicious. The fries were fresh and crisp, the perfect pairing. The service was outstanding—genuinely welcoming and friendly from start to finish. I’ve heard the chili mac is a must-try too… I’ll definitely be back!“

“My name is Mike Lawrence. I began coming to Joe’s when it was still located in a somewhat decrepit house located just one door west of the building it’s now in. The front porch on that old house was loose and would bounce or sag a bit when you walked across it and my joke to guests I took in there with me, was they should carefully walk around that bad spot when we left because we’d all be heavier from having eaten and would probably fall through.

My daughter lost her first baby tooth while eating Spaghetti at Joe’s. She’s now 43 so, yeah, we’ve been coming for decades; certainly since the days when Joe Porcasi ran it.

All the food was great and, through all those years, I NEVER heard anyone say anything bad about the food, the service, the price, nothing … until now.

I guess it’s to be expected, especially in the food industry. Over time people weary of doing the same job day after day, get tired of serving the same food to the same people. Pride in performance gives way to pet peeves and personal pity parties. Oh, I get it. I do.

The reviews I read now talking about bad service, bad food, no longer being able to dine in … none of that would EVER have been true back in the day. Back when we came and sat down, talked, laughed, took in the awesome smells, and delighted when the food came. Even standing up to get the door for someone exiting with boxes of pizzas and more to take home to loved ones. Man, those were the best of times.

When we first found Joes, we didn’t go to any other shop in town. Why, when you’d found the best, would you want to go anywhere else?

We had even talked, briefly, with the original owners about opening a franchise on the east side of Springfield. Wish we’d carried through with that instead of opening a restaurant. Ah, well.

I don’t know if it’s still there, but I donated a kitchen chef statue to Joe’s when Jeff bought the place. Used to be right up on the counter.

I live in St. Louis now but, from time to time, when I long for one of Joe’s pizzas, or meatball subs, or lasagnas … and it’s only a 200 mile round trip but, frankly, some of the reviews have kinda bummed me out about doing it.

Ah, well. We’ll see.“

“Great pizza and salad. Fast delivery.“