Put Down That Garlic Bread
It’s tempting to want every dish in an Italian restaurant. There's pizza, there's pasta, and everything in between, and they're all just crying out for your attention! But they're also crying out for your money, and not every dish is worth the cost. Come with us as we comb through the menu for the best plates—and the worst.
1. Mozzarella Sticks
Mozza sticks aren’t exactly authentic Italian eating, so they aren't exactly worth your money either. If you’re at a traditional Italian restaurant, veer away from items you’d find in your everyday East Side Mario’s—chances are those mozza sticks are bland and might even be frozen.
2. Fettuccine Alfredo
While this tasty dish is a classic menu item, consider broadening your horizons the next time you’re out. Not only is fettuccine something you can whip up at home, it’s something you can make healthier at home, too. (Don't even talk to us about the calories on this one.)
3. Spaghetti and Ketchup
The chef probably wasn't thinking ketchup when they put “tomato sauce” on the menu. Stop dousing your spaghetti in the stuff, especially with so many available options. Even if you need a toned-down dish, there’s bound to be something else you’ll enjoy!
4. Garlic Bread
Garlic bread is either done right or an unfortunate waste of money. Prepare to take the gamble next time you’re out, or better yet, just don’t order the stuff! The last thing you want is to dump your hard-earned dollars on a lackluster appetizer. Real Italian restaurants have all kinds of other delicious starters.
5. Caesar Salad
Just about every restaurant has Caesar salad, either as a main or a starter—and that’s exactly why you shouldn’t order it. You can find it anywhere, it’s ultimately uninspired, and it’s also a dish you can easily prepare at home. These salads also pack on the calories, so it's worth making a healthier version at home anyway.
6. Margherita Pizza
It’s not that the dish itself is disappointing, it’s that it’s hardly worth the cost in most places. Don't get us wrong, some joints nail the dish, but it's just not worth the dice roll. The odds of you stumbling into a life-changing pie are pretty slim, so it’s best you try something else!
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7. Caprese Salad
Caprese salad is often reserved for Italian restaurants, making it a pretty rare delicacy. However, this mouth-watering app is another example of something you can make at home! Not only that, but if tomatoes aren’t in season, your salad won’t have the fresh burst of flavor it’s known for.
8. Cacio e Pepe
Cheese and black pepper? We're all for simplicity, but cacio e pepe is a pretty basic dish. Eating out is all about trying new foods or ordering ones you can’t make at home. Even novice cooks can put this plate together, so look for something a little more complicated.
9. Bruschetta
Five-star restaurants can turn this everyday app into a work of art. However, unless you know for a fact that they deliver, it's probably not worth it. Bruschetta is found on most menus, making it standard fare that you can make at home. To make matters worse, not every restaurant puts in the same care, so you might pay for bruschetta that’s burned or drowning in oil.
10. One Glass of Wine
There’s nothing wrong with a glass of wine at dinner, especially in an Italian restaurant! But keep an eye on the price tag—glasses of wine are often heavily inflated. If you really want to indulge, consider sharing a bottle to try and get more bang for your buck.
Italian cuisine is some of the best on the planet, so you bet we have top picks for the best dishes. With some uninspired plates out of the way, let’s dive fork-first into which items are worth any price tag.
1. Lasagna
Where else are you going to eat authentic lasagna? Sure, you can probably make one at home (or suffer through the boxed kind), but real Italian restaurants have lasagna that blows your socks off. Even hole-in-the-wall spots have family recipes that make your tastebuds sing.
2. Braised Dishes
We're all Michelin star chefs in our minds, but leave braised dishes to the professionals! While traditional menu items like osso buco focus on braised veal, you can also score braised beef entrees or enjoy braised meat in stews.
3. Traditional Multi-Course Meal
Some restaurants come with traditional multi-course feasts, and it’s an experience worth the splurge. Bring your appetite and indulge one of these days! You’ll get anywhere from four to five courses, a wide range of delectable foods, and more than your money’s worth.
4. Gnocchi
Often confused for pasta, gnocchi is actually made of mashed potatoes, which technically puts it in a league of its own. They might not look like much, but these little potato pillows fill any rumbling tummy to the brim. If you're really lucky, you might just spot the stuffed kind!
5. Fresh Soup
Some people shy away from restaurant soup, but we're here to vouch for its price tag. While you can technically make your own soup, authentic Italian restaurants bring homemade bowls loaded with flavor. Trust us—the difference between canned chicken soup and professional minestrone is unmatched.
6. Family Style
If you have something to celebrate, family style is the way to go! You'll score anything from soups and salads to pastas and pizzas, not to mention delicious desserts everyone can pick at. The wide variety also ensures everyone gets a little something, all over great conversation.
7. Veal Dishes
Now's the time to indulge in the serious stuff, even if it is a bit pricey. Veal plates like osso buco might be on the expensive side, but they're more than worth it—the meat falls off the bone and comes with a perfectly complemented sauce. You'll also chow down on a bed of fresh veggies.
8. Tiramisu
Where else are you going to get real tiramisu? This airy dream is the real deal in an Italian restaurant, and it’s one of the lightest ways to end the evening. After a three-course meal, there's nothing like that creamy texture paired with a rich coffee flavor.
9. Fritto Misto
Why settle for garlic bread when fritto misto’s available? For those unfamiliar, the dish is a simple mix of lightly battered fried seafood and vegetables, often accompanied by a lemon wedge to help bring out the flavor. It sounds like standard calamari, but it's so much more than that.
10. Arancini
Unlike other menu items on this list, arancini isn’t one easily made at home. These deep-fried bite-sized rice balls hit the spot every time, even if they are a bit heavy. However, that makes them the perfect app to share with loved ones!
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