The Italian Oven Restaurant — Restaurant in Somerset Township

Not a local. Just passing through off the turnpike. I ordered the "taste of Italy" It was alright. Eggplant parmesan was probably the best thing out of it though.

Honestly we almost didn't come in cause we thought the place was closed since their sign light wasn't on, and the parking lot was empty.

The whole time, from pulling into the parking lot to leaving it, the place gave me a 'Kitchen Nightmares' vibe that made us nervous to come in. "Why are we the only ones dining here at 7:30pm? Do The locals know something that we don't?" Upon walking in we saw a sign that they were hiring in "All positions" so I figured they were either, on a downward slump and we were about have a horrible dining experience, or they're in the middle of fixing their problem from before and we were about to have a mediocre experience while they're transitioning.

Honestly, luckily, it was kind of mediocre. The server was trying to take a to-go order and had to finish that up before seating us, Even though seemingly we've been the first table they've seated in the past 15+ minutes. No one else dined in in our entire time being there. There was 2 to-go pickups.

Atmosphere was all right. No decor or anything to make it feel like an Italian restaurant, that I noticed, but nothing bad. I kind of liked the idea of having local businesses' cards underneath the glass on the dining table in an effort to support their community.

I don't know if this place burned their community in the past, but I'd suggest giving them a shot. I'd think maybe they're too far out of the way, but we literally came off the turnpike to dine here while passing though. The food was alright, so If they get a better chef or something this place could even be great.

Only quick suggestion I could give to the staff, maybe get rid of the little butter packets that come with your bread. I get that you probably are doing it for budgetary reasons, but it comes off as just that, cheap. You could make a really decent homemade garlic/herb butter mix to go with your bread, and that could be a literal drawing reason to come dine at your place...

I had the misfortune of dining at The Italian Oven, and I must say, it was a disappointing experience from start to finish. The first impression was set by the receptionist who answered the phone with a noticeable attitude. It’s essential for restaurant staff to understand the importance of professional customer service, especially when interacting with potential customers over the phone. A warm and friendly demeanor goes a long way in making guests feel valued, and unfortunately, that was lacking here.

To add insult to injury, I was taken aback by the mandatory 10% gratuity for pick-up orders. This policy feels outrageous and unethical, especially when the service provided does not warrant it. It left a sour taste even before I had the chance to try the food.

Speaking of the food, it did not deliver on any of the promises of authentic Italian cuisine. The spaghetti was a major letdown; the marinade was poorly executed with large chunks of tomatoes that seemed to have come straight from a can. It lacked the rich, savory flavor one would expect from a well-prepared dish. The manicotti was even worse, appearing to have been made long ago and tasting just as stale.

The only redeeming aspect of my meal was the salad, which was fresh and crisp. It’s unfortunate that such a simple item was the highlight of my visit.

Looking around the restaurant during my pick-up, the emptiness should have been a red flag. A deserted restaurant often speaks volumes, and now I understand why.

Overall, I cannot recommend The Italian Oven. From the unprofessional phone etiquette to the subpar food quality, it was a disappointing experience that I won't be repeating. Save your time and money, and seek out a restaurant that truly honors the Italian...

I came to the Italian Oven today expecting to order a big plate of spaghetti and meatballs, but ended up ordering the server recommended fish sandwich. I forgot today was Friday and it was lent, so this was a big win in my eyes! I love a good fish sandwich just as much as anything! I was offered cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and sauce. I’m an all in kinda guy so I said “of course! Give me the works!” When the sandwich came out, it was beautifully displayed on a platter, open face, with a large piece of hand breaded fish resting on a soft, fresh roll, with carefully arranged toppings on the opposite side. There was no doubt this thing was made and assembled with love! As I took my first bite, the characters of all the flavors had my taste buds jumping for joy, asking for more with every savory moment. I was most happy, that each bite was as good as the last and all of the toppings were spread evenly across the roll! Being that the staff was so friendly and did such a great job with the recommendations and preparation of my meal, I highly recommend Somerset Italian Oven to all. If you’re in the mood for fish, don’t hesitate to order the delicious fish...