Joe's Italian Grill — Restaurant in Huntsville

Save your money wish I would have… This restaurant's menu, with its variety of offerings, hints at an authentic Italian dining experience, but the execution falls short of delivering anything truly memorable. I began with a large Caesar salad, which was clearly dressed with bottled dressing—an obvious shortcut. The calamari was similarly disappointing: the ratio of breading to seafood was far too high, leaving the delicate flavor of the calamari completely masked. Frankly, the calamari here is less satisfying than what you’d find at an Olive Garden, and that’s not a comparison you want to make. The pasta dishes—cheese ravioli and lasagna—also failed to impress. The ravioli tasted like it came from a box, lacking the fresh, homemade texture and depth of flavor that should come with the dish. The lasagna was equally uninspiring: bland, with none of the rich layers or depth that should characterize the dish. If I’m being honest, Olive Garden does a better job of creating a more flavorful version of both. As for the garlic bread, it was nothing more than frozen yeast rolls brushed with garlic butter, offering none of the crispy, aromatic quality you’d expect from a restaurant claiming to serve Italian food. Despite the promising menu, it’s clear that much of what’s served here relies on convenience, with many ingredients coming straight from the freezer. While the restaurant may offer a cozy atmosphere, it falls flat when it comes to delivering the kind of flavorful, authentic Italian food that diners are likely expecting. If you’re in search of a more genuine Italian meal with more flavor, I would recommend Olive Garden up the street. This place doesn’t quite live up to the expectations its menu creates.

In reply to the owner, I assure you that the calamari is indeed frozen, and the yeast rolls, which look like tin pan yeast rolls with both square and round edges, aren’t hand-laid. Along with the bottled dressing and definitely frozen pasta dishes, all of these could not have been hand made in 10-12 minutes. Lastly, with your vast menu, there’s absolutely no way a restaurant of this size and caliber could keep that many on-hand fresh ingredients on a revolving basis; the overhead would...

Joe's Italian Review

This afternoon, I had the pleasure of dining at Joe's Italian, a cozy and inviting casual restaurant that exceeded my expectations in every way. From the warm ambiance to the exceptional service, every aspect of my experience was truly impressive. But the real star of the show was undoubtedly the mouth-watering Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo.

Ambiance

As I walked in, I was immediately enveloped in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The decor was simple yet elegant, with classic Italian touches that set the tone for a delightful evening. The bright lighting and comfortable seating made me feel right at home.

Service

Our server was attentive, friendly and knowledgeable, happily answering our questions about the menu and making excellent recommendations. The staff's enthusiasm for the food was infectious, and their passion for providing exceptional service was evident throughout our meal.

Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo

The main event was nothing short of spectacular. The Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo was cooked to perfection, with tender, juicy chicken and succulent shrimp swimming in a rich, creamy Alfredo sauce. The pasta was cooked al dente, retaining just the right amount of firmness. Each bite was a masterful balance of flavors, with the parmesan cheese adding a delightful depth.

Standout Elements

Portion Size The generous serving size was impressive, especially considering the reasonable price point.

Flavor Profile The dish's rich flavors were expertly balanced, with no single ingredient overpowering the others.

Presentation The attractive presentation made the dish visually appealing.

Overall Experience

Joe's Italian has earned a loyal customer in me. With its warm atmosphere, exceptional service and outstanding cuisine, this casual restaurant is perfect for any occasion. Whether you're a pasta aficionado or just looking for a satisfying meal, Joe's Italian is sure to delight.

Rating

5/5 stars

Recommendation

Don't miss the Chicken and Shrimp Alfredo! Be sure to arrive early, as the restaurant can get busy.

Will I Return?

Absolutely! I'm already planning...

Who would put anything less than 5 stars? Amazing food, amazing service, friendly and delightful atmosphere, and a menu that makes us want to come back again and again. In a world of inflation, their prices are just right. My husband judges an Italian restaurant by their lasagna and he said it was really good. (And he just got home from having lasagna in NYC! Which was a totally different style of lasagna. But I’ve had other lasagnas in my time, and this top tier.) It’s some of the best lasagna I’ve ever tasted. The best part about it is that it isn’t “heavy”. There’s the perfect amount of cheese, the sauce is light, and the meat 🤌 perfect. I had the Joe’s Vegetarian Pizza because I only wanted veggies and it was so fresh and light. Their small is the size of a Dominos large. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention their “rolls”. I put that in quotes because they look like lovely little bread buns and I want to call them buns. They have a wonderful bite of buttery garlic goodness but not too much butter and not too much garlic. I just closed my eyes and savored the perfection. Our server was so helpful, knowledgeable, informative, and sweet. We loved visiting with her. Hannah works most Sunday afternoons and we are going to come see her again! Treat yourself! Ignore the negative reviews here. The tiramisu was so light and delicious. Perfect in every way. I licked my plate clean like a maniac. *I will update with our review of...