Little Italy — Restaurant in McKenney

Traveling through VA on 10/12/23 and hungry for a REAL meal (not fast food) while on the road, it was about 7:30pm. Used "Around Me" type app to find some Italian food. NOT near the highway, so the drive was not convenient. Small place, seemed inviting from the outside. Arrived and we were seated at the first table (two other empty tables in that area) right by the door, in the "bar" area. OK...seemed to be a party going on in the larger dining area (which included a newborn). Two small boys (maybe 4-7) were playing in the area, climbing on the bar (no adult supervision). The area where we dined was also the main area for pizza/food pickup, which seemed to be doing a good business for a Thursday evening. When we ordered our meal to include "Greek Salad" - it was iceberg lettuce, canned sliced black olives, with a few sprinkles of a white cheese (maybe Feta, not sure).The waitress asked what kind of dressing I wanted (for a GREEK salad, really?). She announced the options and said that they did not have Greek dressing but used Italian ($9.99!). When we ordered the VEAL Marsala with mushrooms ($22.99), we were told they were out of veal, but had chicken. OK. The mushrooms were generic and canned. The menu reads like delicious choices are coming to your table, but while the food is filling, it is mediocre at best. Seems like all the attention was going to the group in the other room and when they left the larger room or wondered into the back areas of the restaurant, I suspected they were employees or family of employees. Thankfully, we left with our hunger satiated, but our taste buds...

On a road trip from VA to SC and had to “refuel.” Not much in the area to choose from, so we tossed the dice on Little Italy. This was NOT a mistake. Not the biggest or prettiest Italian place I’ve been to, but more of a condensed and “homey” Italian feeling from this mom n pops restaurant. I got a meatball sub and it did not disappoint! Our waitress was very friendly. The only disappointment was that they were out of Tiramisu! (But kind of understandable being a low volume place.) However, the cannolis were very good with plenty of filling! This is a great little hidden gem. Stop in, don’t drive by it!

*My rating is based on other mom n pop type places, not extravagant upscale...

First, this place used to have many, many reviews and suddenly the entire place and all the good reviews were removed from the map. Apparently they need they need to validate their existence again with Google. Maybe due to so many that went out of biz due to the pandemic ?

Second, this has been a favorite stop along I85 out here in rural S. VA for years. You can expect a nice independently owned little place with good food along your travels. Don't be discouraged by the 1/2 mile drive of the highway and rural setting. It's worth it!

Tony the owner is originally from Sicily and has operated this place for over a decade and usually always there...