Mona's Italian Foods

Midwestern small town goodness. Same recipes that came over from Italy back when Toluca was a mining town. Celebrating their 80th year in business.

Oh, and dont forget to climb the jumbo before you leave town, why don't cha?

This is a local "hot spot".  Its really the only game in the area (say 30 miles or so).  I was staying nearby and yelped for somewhere to eat, this place came up.  To be fair, right down the street is another similar place owned by the same family now, and while this is a review of only one, from what I understand they are very similar, so the "only game in town" holds.

Originally owned by a man whose best friend opened up Capponnis down the street as competition, this place was once original Italian food.  I heard stories from some of the locals, yes, I met many while here, about how it was when they were a child, the pasta was hand made in the restaurant, the chickens came from the local farms etc.  

Now its more processed food, and that's too bad.

I had the dinner special, after consultation with the waitress, who was very nice.  This was two pieces of fried chicken, on the bone (which I find hard), you can choose light or dark meat.  I had light.  One breast, one wing.  I was disappointed it was not two breasts.  This chicken was amazing.  I have not had much fried chicken in my life, but this seemed terrific to me.  

The special came with:
a small salad (iceberg with 2 baby carrots), I asked for dressing on the side, but it came on and there was ALOT of it, I was not able to eat it.  The oil and vinegar is old style, not balsamic, perhaps not EVOO;
bread (ok, but not homemade), butter packets, which were salted actually, a nice little surprise;
choice of green beans, baked potato, spaghetti, I had the beans.  Bad choice.  In the breadbasket of American, I was served canned green beans.  Weird.  Just weird.  
A side of tortellini with red sauce.  The sauce was good.  The tortellini were frozen.  

The only thing on the plate I finished was the chicken, and I would have eaten a third piece if there was one.  

I ate at a table in the bar area, which was a wise move.  The locals were out and I eventually joined them at the bar.  So much fun.  Great info about the area.  Lots of advice on things to see on my drive across America.  I would go back for the bar alone.  So much fun.  Lots of people in town for family reunions and the like, so that was fun.

If I were to find myself back in the area I would come back, and order the fried   chicken, but ask for 2 breasts.  And I'd order only the chicken.  I'd sit in the bar area again, hope for the locals to be "out" that night, and plan to join them after the chicken.    (Their wine list is a lot of Diageo wines, which are nice ones usually, and they are at a reasonable price point.)

2 stars for the food, but 6 for the people, the environment, the town etc.  Hence 4 star review.  Know what you are coming for and to, and you will not be disappointed.

best Italian in the area: I really enjoyed my visit here as i heard nothing but good things about this place.I lives 40 miles south of there so it was quite a drive for me. I ordered the tortellini & Italian sausage and that was really good . We also had great service and the waitress are all very friendly. The prices are very reasonable and someone on a budget could walk out spending less than $12.00. Not me though because i love Italian food. We went back a few nights later and we got the sampler platter of appetizers which was really good. I also ordered the lasagna and it was very rich,lots of cheese & sauce in it. I highly recommend this local eatery and you won't be dissapointed.