Have you ever had one place that just screamed one dish, well Castelli's Restaurant at 255 that dish is the specialty fried chicken. However much like Ravanelli's they don't only serve chicken here, however they could and I would be perfectly fine with it. The menu here consists of Italian specialties, grilled items, and Yes, Chicken!
I remember eating the chicken from here for 10-15 years ago, it simply stands out that much. Back in the day Castelli's Restaurant at 255 was known as Moonlight, and I think at some point it transitioned owners and because Castelli's Moonlight and now it is Castelli's Restaurant at 255. Overall the chicken recipe has stayed the same, which is a good thing, light flaky crispy chicken that isn't greasy and is just seasoned perfectly all while the meat is tender and juicy, its simply mouthwatering.
I personally cannot vouch for any of the other entrees, as I have never been able to visit and not get the chicken. However if it is half as good as the chicken they have a winner!
The atmosphere here is still casual, however its a bit more upscale casual. The staff has always been friendly and helpful. Overall this is a great dining option, I just wish that it wasnt such a drive!
Love the ravioli! Love the ravioli! Not so much the seafood ravioli, but the regular ravioli is superb. The service is just the right mix of homey and fancy. Decor a bit old fashioned but the place still seems solid. The chicken is very good as well, but its really the ravioli thats the best.
Review Source:First timer last week. Â What a great restaurant in all areas, food, service, ambiance, and personal touch. At our table of six there were NO complaints regarding food or service. Â Chicken is their specialty along with Italian and American fare. I had rigatoni with meatballs. Â The sauce was thick with meat, tomato, and perfect seasoning except it tasted heavy with pepper for my tongue. It likely was the style of sauce and I certainly would not hesitate to order it again. Â The meatballs were dense, seasoned perfectly, and both were about half the size of a baseball, plenty even for my hearty appetite.
My wife and I had an opportunity to meet the owner Tracy. She is a wonderful person, full of life and humor, and very dedicated to making sure the restaurant is perfect in all areas. Â She seemed to be very hands on which is the only way to maintain a high level of customer service and base.
I have no hesitancy in recommending this restaurant. Â I certainly will return myself.
Castelli's offers their specialty fried chicken. I went while they were having their 75th Anniversary and I can see why they've been in business for so long. Great service, very friendly and always with a smile. They actually have quite the selection of beers/wines; some local too.
I'm not going to lie, but their salad was to die for... I couldn't wait to try anything I had ordered by this point. The appetizers are fairly delicious, but the big reason I came was for the Fried Chicken. It keeps me coming back over and over again. There wasn't a long wait and they even had a band playing that evening. Live Entertainment! I won't say the food is the cheapest, but in this aspect You get what you pay for!
I would suggest any family event/dinner. Always a good time.
Our first visit to what is now called Castelli's Restaurant at 255. Service was good, but the food was bland. The bread basket was quite ordinary, the creamy bleu cheese  and ranch dressings were tasteless. The fried chicken cried out for more seasoning as did the prime rib. I asked for grated horseradish, the server brought a small cup of something that was so dark brown that I thought she had brought me brown sugar by mistake. Once horseradish is grated, if not used immediately or mixed in vinegar, the root darkens, loses its pungency, and becomes unpleasantly bitter when exposed to air and heat.
The food was totally unremarkable and nothing compels us to make a return visit to see if the food quality improves.
If only they would open one on the Missouri side! Â The Moonlight is in my "reliable & won't disappoint" list. Â It is however in Alton. Â I am sorry but no place in St. Louis that I have tried can cook fried chicken. Â The Moonlight is my fried chicken temple! Â Never cooked till you order it, Â when it arrives at the table it is very hot just out of the fryer, always a perfect golden skin and tender juicy never dried out meat. Â The house dressing is one of my favorites, Â a Caesar/ Mayfair hybrid that could make Ice berg desirable. Â I rarely eat fried chicken, Â and even more rare, Â in St. Louis. Â One upscale restaurant here fried theirs in duck fat, Â which would have been good if the fat it was fried in was not old and burned.
The service and staff at Moonlight is warm and familiar, Â our waitress, Â Lana, Â is here by dubbed " Wait Person of the Week", Â the first recipient of the award on my new list! Â She has worked at Moonlight for 32 years and kind of knows what she's doing!
I am not positive, but I am fairly certain that Moonlight was the first restaurant that I experienced as a child. Â I remember all the special occasions, Â we celebrated here enjoying the Talk-N-Chic, which is their house secret, trademarked recipe for fried chicken. It has been passed down 4 generations and it is so good I'd be tempted to marry into the family just to get the recipe.
Living in Saint Louis now, Moonlight is close, but yet so far away. I agree with George O. and wish they'd open a location on the west side of the river. However, with family still on this side of the river, I will coordinate my visits around lunch or dinner time to satisfy my fried chicken cravings.
Our recent lunch was no disappointment, as with every visit memories floated through my head. We ordered two 2 Piece Platters; one with two thighs and fries  and the other a wing and breast with a baked potato. All the pieces were huge, crispy golden brown and juicy.  The fries were crispy and the baked potato was baked throughout. As a bonus, you can order a small side of chicken livers with your dinner, which we did. I am not a liver fan, but here at Moonlight is another story. When those livers are breaded in the family secret and fried to perfection, I become a fan.
Let me regress for a moment, and talk about our salads. Â More importantly the dressing. Their house dressing is Ramon, which is the off spring a Caesar and Mayfair. This is a dressing that should be on your local grocers shelves, not that stuff from PH. Along with the salad they serve up a basket filled with warm, thick sliced Italian bread and whipped butter.
The service here is always stellar. Best way to describe it would be "down home friendly". They are attentive and know how to hustle. When your order of chicken is ready, it is out to your table in no time flat. Lana took care of us on our last visit and when I found out she'd been there 32 years, she and I strolled down memory lane.
In my book, Moonlight has the best fried chicken, period.
Ok I am a conosieurr with chicken. Heard from some people this place has best fried chicken. Event though it's in Alton, Illinois, it ranks among the top three fried chicken joints in the greater Saint Louis, Missouri region. I like Porter's chicken and King Edward's chicken in St. Louis area.
Juicy meat and tender. Not over floured. Crunchy but not deep fried. Meat falls off the none. Different flavor.
Prime rib wasn't too bad either!
Amazing! Â We generally get the chicken strips (easy to share with little man and my husband doesn't care for chicken on the bone). Â My favorite part of going to Moonlight? Â The fact I can get some of the most amazing fettucini alfred I've ever had as a side to my favorite restaurant-made chicken anywhere.
I would have given them 5-stars, however their kids menu is pricy. Â IMO, there's NO reason that a kids meal should ever be over $4-5. Â Honestly, we've quit getting him a kids meal and have started just ordering extra mashed potatoes or something and sharing him our son. Â
I think the service is good, not excellent, but we've never had any issues other than waiting too long on occasion to get our drinks refilled. Â
Mmmm. Â Maybe we'll go tonight :-)
I can't believe this place got the ratings it did! The staff was great but when you pay $7.00 for a kids plate and it comes looking like something I could get at KFC....The fried chicken I got wasn't as good either and I am not a KFC fan. It was over priced and the food was sub par. $12.00 for a 2 piece. meal.. Not worth the money, we won't be going back.
Review Source:I've been dining at Castelli's Moonlight since my parents took me here in the '60's, and it's always delivered great food at reasonable prices.
So what should you order at this Italian restaurant and steakhouse? Â Awesome fried chicken, of course! Â Â Their fried chicken, which is fried under pressure (often called "broasting"), sealing in all the moist goodness with the minimum of grease. Â If you don't try this fried chicken, you'll be missing one of the great tastes of the East Side.
Heads up on the size of the chicken entrees, the quarter is 3 pieces and the half is 6 pieces!
Atmosphere: Â 4
Service: Â 5
Food: Â 5
Value: Â 5
Between Castelli's and Ravanelli's in Granite City, folks in this area have two outstanding Italian restaurants that both serve that great broasted chicken. Â I'm jealous of all of you who live there!
Fried chicken is outstanding. Â Italian salad dressing is very good. Â Their homemade version of toasted ravioli is unique, and quite tasty. Â A friend swears by their steaks, many favor their Italian dishes, and I have had prime rib in the past (good); but, nothing can compare to the fried chicken. Â Prices are reasonable (a half-chicken is actually five or six large pieces, but gives plenty to take home - and is an excellent "leftover"), and the service is generally fine.
Highly recommended!
My all time favorite place. Â Grew up going to Moonlight every Sunday after church. Â My Grandparents were good friends with founder Pete Castelli. Â There are lots of wonderful things to try. Â But if you walk through the doors you better order the world best fried chicken, otherwise you will miss the best part of life....Moonlight Chicken. Â
The salad dressing is amazing as well. I know you will return time and time again...bring your friends and family.
My sister's late father in laws fave restaurant.
The fried chicken in here is incredible, perfectly coated and juicy inside.. Do yourself a favor and stick to a quarter meal because you will never be able to eat more than three pieces. The half meal is six pieces, gah. My parents have gotten livers and declared them tasty but I have never gotten anything but chicken.
Service is friendly and they have recently redone the place so the atmosphere is nicer. Dressy casual dress is appropriate.
The staff is friendly and helpful. Â They don't have a wide variety for vegetarians. Â Watch out the Raviolis are not cheese! Â Just a heads up! Â But definitely try the house salad, its the best house salad around!
This is a fine dinning restaurant so its a little more pricey than your regular restaurant. Â ( i would wear church clothes) They have seating enough for large banquets and parties. Â They cater also for large numbers.
And they are closed on Mondays.
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