What's the best Italian restaurant in town? (Tucson, Nogales: appointed, home)

[azhiker]

Curious about you guys' take. Caruso's was recently recommended to me.

I tried spaghetti from Tony's Italian deli on 22nd near Wilmot. Didn't care for his sauce.

Any recommendations?

[Chorizo]

I've heard good things about Caruso's. Gavi also.

Not much into italian food myself - all I know is Macaroni Grill! lol

Edit to add: I hear the ambiance at Corleone's is awesome and its worth going once to see it. Never heard anyone praise the food though.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by azhiker

Curious about you guys' take. Caruso's was recently recommended to me.

I tried spaghetti from Tony's Italian deli on 22nd near Wilmot. Didn't care for his sauce.

Any recommendations?

Although only a few visits mainly due to the distance from home . . . Mama Louisa's Italian Restaurant is tough to beat. Great Value as well as an Authentic Atmosphere.

Mama Louisa's Italian Restaurant: Tucson, Arizona Italian Dining

[Chorizo]

Originally Posted by Bummer

Although only a few visits mainly due to the distance from home . . . Mama Louisa's Italian Restaurant is tough to beat. Great Value as well as an Authentic Atmosphere.

Mama Louisa's Italian Restaurant: Tucson, Arizona Italian Dining

I've heard good about that place too.

[ZonyPony]

Originally Posted by azhiker

Curious about you guys' take. Caruso's was recently recommended to me.

I tried spaghetti from Tony's Italian deli on 22nd near Wilmot. Didn't care for his sauce.

Any recommendations?

Got to agree with Mama Louisa's on Craycroft near Golf Links for Italian! Recently, though... people have been directing me over to Zona 78 for Italian as well. Never been yet, but they do say good things... one at 78 W River, and the other at 7301 E Tanque Verde.

[azhiker]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I tried Caruso's for lunch today. Disappointed with their sauce. So many places seem to murder the sauce with too much garlic. The tomato is supposed to be the main attraction.

I'm probably a big pain in the rear end about what I think is good sauce having lived in Italy. The sauce is much more subtle over there. Here you get hit in the head with a hammer full of garlic.

I wasn't much into Italian before living there either, but when I got there, I realized what I had been eating was about as authentic as Taco Bell is to Mexican.

Think I'll try Mama Luisa's next.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by azhiker

Here you get hit in the head with a hammer full of garlic.

Some places stink of garlic from 2 blocks away.

No ethnic food outside of its country of origin is authentic.

[ZonyPony]

Originally Posted by azhiker

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I tried Caruso's for lunch today. Disappointed with their sauce. So many places seem to murder the sauce with too much garlic. The tomato is supposed to be the main attraction.

I'm probably a big pain in the rear end about what I think is good sauce having lived in Italy. The sauce is much more subtle over there. Here you get hit in the head with a hammer full of garlic.

I wasn't much into Italian before living there either, but when I got there, I realized what I had been eating was about as authentic as Taco Bell is to Mexican.

Think I'll try Mama Luisa's next.

Caruso's has lately been a mystery to me. I've only been once, and that was a couple of eons ago.

Wot? Taco Bell ain't Mexican?

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by ZonyPony

Wot? Taco Bell ain't Mexican?

Here's a yummy taco!



http://www.grudge-match.com/Images/tacobell.jpg

Last time I was down in Nogales they wanted me to buy some of this taco filling - newborn yappers. Aha!

[azhiker]

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

Some places stink of garlic from 2 blocks away.

No ethnic food outside of its country of origin is authentic.

I've been lucky and found a few places, but they're sure few and far between (and haven't found a good one here in Tucson yet, but have only tried a couple).

I used to go to this little mom and pop type place when I lived near Myrtle Beach (the redneck Riviera). The little Italian grandma was always in there, and she didn't speak English, and we actually talked about how they make the sauce different for Americans' taste (more spice) than they make it for themselves. Kind of a strange approach, if you ask me. Then again, they must know what sells better.

Some of the pricier bottled sauces are pretty darned good, I've found (some are just plain pricier though). It's hit or miss.