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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsTasting Table’s October 3, 2026 feature names 16 family-owned Italian restaurants across the United States, from a Brooklyn pizzeria founded in 1921 to newer family-run kitchens. The selection is an editorial list, not a scored national ranking: Tasting Table says it considered reputation, signature dishes, accolades, media coverage, regional guides, and community recognition, but publishes no scoring rubric. Here is what the article says distinguishes each restaurant and where it is located.
What “best” means in Tasting Table’s list
The 16 restaurants span pizzerias, neighborhood Italian-American dining rooms, and more upscale restaurants. Family connections vary: some businesses were founded by the current family, while others passed to descendants or later family operators. Tasting Table presents its choices as an editorial selection informed by reputation, food specialties, awards, and coverage—not as a definitive measurement of America’s best restaurants.
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The feature attributes an estimate of 33,749 Italian-focused establishments in the United States to SmartScrapers in 2026. That is a third-party estimate as reported by Tasting Table, not a count independently verified here.
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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The 16 restaurants, by location
New York
- Gargiulo’s — Brooklyn. Tasting Table says the Coney Island restaurant dates to 1907 and that the Russo family acquired it in 1965. Featured dishes include veal parmesan, chicken and spinach fettuccine, seafood risotto, and house-made tiramisu. Address listed: 2911 W 15th St, Brooklyn, NY 11224.
- Totonno’s Pizzeria Napolitana — Brooklyn. According to Tasting Table, Anthony “Totonno” Pero founded the pizzeria in 1921, and his descendants manage it. It received the James Beard Foundation America’s Classics Award in 2009. The October 2026 feature also reported limited hours and that the family was looking to sell; those details can change, so confirm directly before making plans. Address listed: 1524 Neptune Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11224.
Texas and the Pacific Northwest
- La Stella Cucina Verace — Dallas, Texas. The Piccinini family founded the restaurant in 2022. Tasting Table highlights Neapolitan cooking and house-made pasta, along with OpenTable Diners’ Choice recognition for 2024, 2025, and 2026. Address listed: 2330 Flora St #150, Dallas, TX 75201.
- Gino’s Restaurant and Bar — Portland, Oregon. Marc and Debby Accuardi established it in 1996 and named it for their son, the article says. Its featured dishes include pasta vongole, Grandma Jean’s penne, and house-made desserts. Address listed: 8051 SE 13th Ave #8057, Portland, OR 97202.
Tennessee, Arkansas, and Colorado
- Ristorante DellaSantina — Sevierville, Tennessee. The article identifies it as a DellaSantina family business and points to seafood, antipasti, lasagna, and daily tiramisu among its Italian offerings. Address listed: 2004 Red Bank Rd, Sevierville, TN 37876.
- Bruno’s Little Italy — Little Rock, Arkansas. Brothers Vince and Gio Bruno own the current restaurant, Tasting Table says; the family business began in 1949, and its downtown location opened in 2013. The article singles out Neapolitan pizza and lasagna imbotito. Address listed: 310 Main St, Little Rock, AR 72201.
- Il Forno di Tutti — Aurora, Colorado. Chef Scott Burnham and his family have run the restaurant since 2024. Tasting Table notes that 5280 Magazine included it among the Best Italian Restaurants in Denver and Beyond for 2026. Featured items are scratch-made sandwiches and handmade cappellacci primaverili. Address listed: 1627 South Havana Street, Aurora, CO 80012.
Illinois and Pennsylvania
- Mart Anthony’s Italian Restaurant — Chicago, Illinois. The Campo family has owned and operated it since 1981, and the article describes recipes passed through five generations. Its highlighted choices include meatballs, thin-crust pizza, black linguine with seafood, and house-made desserts. Address listed: 1200 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60642.
- Ralph’s Italian Restaurant — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1900, it is run by the Dispigno-Rubino family, according to Tasting Table. The feature names fettuccine Alfredo, penne alla vodka, shrimp scampi, eggplant parmesan, and spaghetti with meatballs. Address listed: 760 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147.
Washington, D.C., and Indiana
- Filomena Ristorante — Washington, D.C. JoAnna Filomena Chiacchieri founded it in 1983, and the Chiacchieri family still owns it. Tasting Table describes Abruzzi-inspired cooking and highlights oysters Vesuvio, rigatoni with chicken, and lobster linguini. Address listed: 1063 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007.
- Mama Carolla’s — Indianapolis, Indiana. The Leuer family founded it in 1997. The article describes a 1920s Mediterranean-style villa with garden seating and highlights meatballs, steamed mussels, artichoke fritters, and ricotta cake. Address listed: 1031 E 54th St, Indianapolis, IN 46220.
California and Florida
- Angelini Osteria — Los Angeles, California. Chef Gino Angelini and Elizabeth established it in 2001; Tasting Table notes its Michelin Guide feature. Dishes named in the article include lasagna verde, swordfish carpaccio, veal bone marrow, branzino, and house-made gelato. Address listed: 7313 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036.
- Carmelo’s Italian Ristorante — Punta Gorda, Florida. Chef Carmelo Mangiafico and his wife Christine established it in 2011. Tasting Table describes Sicilian-inspired cooking, gluten-free substitutions, and shrimp and scallop pappardelle. Address listed: 321 W Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda, FL 33950.
New Jersey, Arizona, and Delaware
- Spano’s Ristorante Italiano — Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey. The article connects it to Chef Joseph Spano and his family and says it began in Jackson in 1989. It points to marinara, seasonal specials, and a chicken dish called the Lori. Address listed: 719 Arnold Ave, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742.
- RigaTony’s Authentic Italian Restaurant — Tempe, Arizona. Mike and Chrissy Lopercio established it in 1994. Tasting Table describes à la carte and prix-fixe options, a chef’s wine dinner, rotating specials, and pasta substitutions. Address listed: 1850 E Warner Rd, Tempe, AZ 85284.
- Mrs. Robino’s Restaurant — Wilmington, Delaware. Tersilla Robino established it in 1940, and the Robino-Minuti family runs it. The feature reports a 2024 Delaware Restaurant Association Cornerstone Award and highlights scratch-made pasta and the Tour of Italy. Address listed: 520 N Union St, Wilmington, DE 19805.
How to choose a restaurant for your trip
Use the list as a starting point rather than a universal ranking. Pick a destination that fits your route, then narrow the options by the kind of meal you want: Totonno’s for a historic pizzeria, for example, or Angelini Osteria for a restaurant the article says has been featured in the Michelin Guide. If a particular dish is the draw, check that it is still on the menu before traveling; the feature’s dish descriptions are not a guarantee of current availability.
#1 Best Overall
Confirm hours, address, reservations, and operating status with the restaurant before setting out. This is especially important for Totonno’s, given the limited hours and possible sale reported in the October 2026 article. The addresses above are those printed in the feature, not independently confirmed current listings.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
Rank #3
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