Best real Italian food (not Italian-American food) in Philly

[MarketStEl]

Italian Market ..which is pretty much owned by Asians now ...

^FAsians^RMexicans

Actually, both.

I've quipped in the past that it's a fortunate coincidence that the national flags of Italy and Mexico use the same three colors - there's no need to repaint the awnings. All they need to do is put the Mexican national seal in the white field of every other block of three. (Quick trivia question: What is depicted on that seal, and what is its significance?)

[MarketStEl]

I don't know if it's still good, but I remember having a very enjoyable meal at La Locanda del Ghiottone on Third Street in Old City many years ago, when it had a slightly different name.

[TLP]

I don't know if it's still good, but I remember having a very enjoyable meal at La Locanda del Ghiottone on Third Street in Old City many years ago, when it had a slightly different name.

I was there earlier in the summer - still there, and still very good.

[sharkey]

La Veranda and La Famiglia

[gakski]

I agree with MarketStEl. When the original Giuseppe had the place it was the best!!! May he rest in peace. What a character! His newspaper ads were classic. He had the thickest Italian accent one could imagine. He told me he learned to cook in the Army in Vietnam. His shrimp bisque was to die for. Anyone remember his rules printed prominently on the menu?

Try Mr. Joe's Cafe (lunch only, cash only), 1514 S. 8th St. Across from Termini's Bakery & owned by Termini family members. Easy parking in lot next to Termini's. Wonderful, real Italian food.

[BarryG]

Mr Joes is fantastic but it is not real Italian food, it is Italian-American food.

[OldMama]

You know real Italian cooking is regional; there is no one Italian cuisine. It's possible for many restaurants to have authentic Italian cuisine and serve totally different foods. The closest I've come to the red gravy Italian food we have here, and that I grew up on, was in Naples. No surprise since my Italian grandmother's family is from the Naples region (Campania). My nona had to learn to cook for my baba because he was from a different region ( Abruzzo) and she didn't know how to make the foods he craved from his home.

[Hospitalitygirl]

You know real Italian cooking is regional; there is no one Italian cuisine. It's possible for many restaurants to have authentic Italian cuisine and serve totally different foods. The closest I've come to the red gravy Italian food we have here, and that I grew up on, was in Naples. No surprise since my Italian grandmother's family is from the Naples region (Campania). My nona had to learn to cook for my baba because he was from a different region ( Abruzzo) and she didn't know how to make the foods he craved from his home.

This. 20 different and distinct regions; 20 different and distinct cuisines.

[2happy4u]

SERAFINA 130 South 18th, This tasted like the food in Italy. Northern Italian

[OffenseTaken]

This. 20 different and distinct regions; 20 different and distinct cuisines.

Even within each region, every town claims credit for everything, and says that all the neighboring towns are full of **** and don't know what the hell they're doing.

[Hospitalitygirl]

Even within each region, every town claims credit for everything, and says that all the neighboring towns are full of **** and don't know what the hell they're doing.

Which makes a claim like this...

SERAFINA 130 South 18th, This tasted like the food in Italy. Northern Italian

utter nonsense.

[OldMama]

You know what's really funny? Right now, as I type this, there is an ad at the top of the page for Buca di Beppo. Hah!

[OffenseTaken]

You know what's really funny? Right now, as I type this, there is an ad at the top of the page for Buca di Beppo. Hah!

Now THAT was authentic. I hear it went out of business because Philadelphians just don't know anything about Italian cuisine.