DiJulios Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Florida

DiJulio's has been a family favorite for many years. My parents have been going there since they opened, although this was my first visit. Octogenarians love this place., maybe because the decor makes them feel at home, like the neighborhood place from back home. At 60, I was one of the youngest clients. Our server was Doug. The food is extremely reasonably priced, most entrees are $20 or less , which include fresh baked bread and salad. The bread was served hot and was delicious. I opted for the Caesar, but unfortunately the salad was drenched in dressing. The dressing was not quite a Cesar dressing but was made passable by the anchovies which always seem to make any 'Caesar' more real. The bread crumbs sprinkled on top were a poor substitute for croutons, but at this price point I willing to grant a bit of leeway. My bad for not requesting the dressing on the side. I ordered one of the veal dishes, my mother ordered another. Both dishes were phenomenal, tender and flavorful. I remarked to my mother that my veal was the most tender I've ever had! However upon closer inspection my veal was clearly chicken. My mother shared a bite of her veal picatta, it was divine. Honestly, I thought perhaps I didn't tell the server I wanted veal, not a big deal. When the bill was presented, veal was listed on our check. I pointed this out to Doug, but he got really defensive and insisted that the dish he brought was veal. Hey, it's only a $4 difference so it's not like I was trying to scam a cheap meal. Doug had to tell me again when collecting the check that he was sure it was veal that he brought, so much for the old school service I was expecting. In my case, 'the customer is always right' did not prevail. Finding a restaurant in Naples and value at the same time tend to be mutually exclusive. DiJulio's will never win culinary awards, but if your expectations are for a mid-priced meal that's above fast food in quality, you...

Nestled in Naples, Florida, DiJulio's Italian Restaurant presents a classic dining experience with its own unique charm. Despite a few quirks, it remains a local favorite and a mainstay in the area.

Arriving on a rainy evening, the bustling parking lot hinted at the restaurant's popularity. Despite the rush, our reservation for seven was promptly honored, and we were seated without delay.

The ambiance, however, was a mix of hits and misses. While the soft flute sonatas provided a soothing backdrop, the slight tinge of cigarette smoke lingered, reminiscent of years past. The eclectic decor, featuring artwork and knick-knacks from the late '80s and '90s, added character, though some may find it dated.

Service was a bit uneven. While we appreciated the prompt seating, it took a while to place our drink and food orders. The Caesar salad, unfortunately, missed the mark with its dressing resembling Thousand Island and croutons more akin to bread crumbs. However, the Franchese dish redeemed itself with flavorful, albeit slightly dry, cutlets and a thick, buttery sauce abundant in capers.

The restaurant's clientele, predominantly seniors, spoke to its longstanding presence in the community. The 7-year-old's rave review of plain pasta with butter, rating it "1,000,000 out of 10," highlighted the restaurant's appeal to patrons of all ages.

While the lighting could benefit from improvements in color temperature, the warm, welcoming atmosphere was undeniable. A framed, laminated news article celebrating the restaurant's 30 years in 2019 served as a testament to its enduring legacy.

In summary, DiJulio's Italian Restaurant may not offer the pinnacle of Italian cuisine, but it encapsulates the essence of local dining with its nostalgic ambiance and hearty fare. For a taste of Naples' culinary history, it's worth a visit.

Rating: 3.5...

We come to this restaurant a couple of times every year. You really can't go wrong with the food you get for the price.

The restaurant interior is a little "cosmetically tired". The one server who used to be pretty insolent to customers is no longer there which is a good thing.

With dinner you receive choice of a cup of soup or a Caesar Salad or house salad. The house salad resembles a chopped salad and my husband likes the dressing and freshness. While I usually get the soup I have tried the Caesar salad and found it to be fresh and tasty.

I always get the chicken picata on Angel hair pasta. It is very good. I like my picata a little on the lemony side so I ask for an extra slice of lemon. The chicken breast is always moist.

My husband get the liver and onions which heevdays is excellent ifcm ordered medium rare.

The soups are average I'd say. They have a different soup every day and sometime a the soup is either a little on the "thin" side or the server didn't dip very deep in the soup pot.

The loaf of bread is offered when the order is taken. We always ask that it be brought when the soup and salad is delivered. It is what it says, a loaf of bread. It looks like one of the little frozen loaves of break you purchase in the freezer department of the grocery store with no adornments.

As I said, you get a good value and taste here for the price you pay which makes it worth...