Illinois’ Oldest Italian Restaurant Has Been Around Since 1933 And It’s Incredible
You don’t have to go all the way to Italy for a true Italian feast. The oldest Italian restaurant in Illinois will give you the authentic experience you’ve been craving without the need for expensive airfare.
From charming decor to flavorful food, this unforgettable restaurant is a must-try. Scroll on for more details.
In business since 1933, Alongi's Italian Restaurant was opened by an immigrant from Italy who is known as the first to introduce pizza to southern Illinois. The place started as a saloon called Guy's Place that had a 60-foot bar and a liquor store.
The building was remodeled in 1985 and then expanded into the State Theatre in 1994. This portion of the restaurant contains a dining area, a banquet room, and a fireplace.
The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating, and the walls are covered in history. Many stars have made a point of visiting the place, including Sonny and Cher, Connie Stevens, and Joe Garagiola.
The menu at Illinois' oldest Italian restaurant includes a wealth of delicious dishes. Appetizers include fried cheese, garlic cheese bread, mini pizzas, wings, Italian fries, bruschetta, and soups and salads.
Main courses include pasta, eggplant Parmigiano, lasagna, toasted ravioli, penne Alfredo, scampi, tilapia, veal, steak, and more. Everything is authentic and made with the freshest ingredients.
If you’ve ever eaten at Illinois’ oldest Italian restaurant, we’d love to hear from you. Please share your favorite dishes with us below in the comments.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
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An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
