Luigi's Ristorante & Catering — Restaurant in DuBois

Nestled in the heart of DuBois, PA, Luigi's Italian Restaurant transports you straight to the rustic charm of Italy the moment you step through its doors. My dining experience here was nothing short of extraordinary, and I have Luigi's to thank for a memorable evening.

As a starter, we were greeted with warm, homemade bread that was nothing less than perfection. The bread had a golden crust that yielded to a soft, pillowy center, and the pairing of real butter added a rich, creamy note that made resisting a second piece nearly impossible. It's clear that at Luigi's, even the simplest elements of a meal are crafted with careful attention and a touch of love.

For the main course, I opted for the lasagna with a meatball, a classic choice that did not disappoint. The lasagna was a masterclass in balance and flavor; layers of tender pasta, savory meat sauce, and velvety béchamel melded together seamlessly. Each bite was a delightful journey of rich, robust tomato sauce and perfectly seasoned ground meat, accentuated by the creamy texture of ricotta and the delicate tang of Parmesan. The single meatball, served alongside, was tender and generously sized, packed with flavor, and cooked to perfection. It tasted just like how momma used to make, evoking warm, nostalgic memories of home-cooked meals.

The ambiance of Luigi's further enhances the dining experience. With its warm lighting, rustic decor, and friendly, attentive staff, the restaurant exudes a cozy yet vibrant atmosphere that makes you feel both special and at home. A special mention goes to our server, Jasmine, who was impeccable; she was knowledgeable, efficient, and ensured our needs were met without intrusion.

Luigi's Italian Restaurant in DuBois is a gem that delivers an authentic Italian dining experience. From the welcoming homemade bread to the indulgent lasagna with a meatball, every detail is thoughtfully executed. It's a place where food, atmosphere, and service come together harmoniously, making it a must-visit for anyone in the area. I can't wait to return and explore more of their delightful offerings....

First, if you come here, from the huge billboards on Route 80, be aware that the restaurant is actually a few miles off the highway, in town, after a few stoplights.

This is a relatively high end restaurant for the area, and after literally years of seeing the billboard from the highway, we were pretty excited to finally have time to stop!

The first indication that maybe this restaurant wasn't worth $20-30/per person was the cutlery. Seriously - there is better silverware at Denny's. Also, the bread basket was disappointing. I've never been to an Italian restaurant before where I did not finish the entire basket of bread. It was like a cross between American white bread and Italian bread. Otherwise the atmosphere is nice, the tables are reasonably sized and the chairs are comfortable. Service was also pretty good.

Some things were excellent - the meatball sub was superb. Everything about it was great - the bread was perfectly toasted, the cheese and sauce were great and the meatballs were moist, well seasoned, and huge! The fries were crisp, perfectly salted and piping hot. The Italian Wedding soup was excellent - both my wife and I thought it was great and our daughter wanted more.

Unfortunately things went downhill from there...

We also got gnocchi which was okay. The sauce was good, and the shrimp, although small, were cooked well (tails were left on, which I don't mind but my wife hates...) but the gnocchi itself tasted like it had been frozen - it was both rubbery and gritty.

The Tour of Italy was... Disappointing. The fettuccine was undercooked. The chicken parm was dry and chewy. The three cheese lasagna was buried in far too much alfredo sauce which was probably good because there was very little inside of the pasta leaves other than the alfredo sauce. The only redeeming part of it was the huge meatball, which was excellent, and the red sauce, which was also excellent.

All in all, for the price and the length of the detour from the highway, I don't expect to visit again. If we ever do, we'll stick to the sandwiches - the meatball sub was...

I know a one-star rating is rare for this place, but they definitely deserve it. First of all, I am the kind of person who can pull a hair out of food, and still finish the meal. I'm not easily disgusted, and I rarely (if ever) complain about food at restaurants. I was mildly annoyed, when I received my drink with a chunk of pasta floating in it, but I politely asked for a replacement, and the problem was solved. The silverware was also dirty, but I switched it out for another set that wasn't being used at our table. The final straw came with our side salads. I ate about half, and as I was stirring the salad to spread the dressing, a bug crawled out of the crease in the lettuce. I thought I was going to vomit. I guess their lettuce was super fresh (ha!) but seriously, someone should be washing it off before serving. That's beyond gross. It took the waitress a VERY long time to come back, so I just sat there staring at the ranch-covered little guy, trying to wiggle its way off the plate. I then told the waitress to bag my meal, as I had lost my appetite. After dinner, the manager came to tell me that they "could have given me a different salad" (gee, thanks!) and she "took the salad off the bill". Considering there was something living in it, that makes sense. The whole meal should have been taken off the bill. I'm not sure how we would have tipped, given my mood/disgust by that point... but no worries, because we didn't have a choice. They added an 18% tip to my bill. I did eat the rest of my meal at home- very carefully. It didn't even taste...