The Twin Cities might not have a Little Italy, but its Italian-American restaurant landscape is still as rich as tiramisu. By no means an exhaustive list, here are some of the places — old and new — that make a mean marinara.
Amore Uptown (1601 W. Lake St., Mpls., 612-823-0250, amoreuptown.com). The longtime Lake Street spot (it was Amore Victoria until 2016) has all the bells and whistles of an Italian-American stalwart: a brick archway, a Campari poster, a mural of Venice. Then there's the rooftop, a summer delight to look forward to.
Buca di Beppo (1204 Harmon Place, Mpls., 612-288-0138, bucadibeppo.com). The family-style chain originated in Minneapolis, and the subterranean original still churns out enormous plates of garlic bread and piles of spaghetti that overflow onto the red-and-white-checkered tablecloth. The ice cream sundae in a giant martini glass is a fun finale.
Cossetta Alimentari (211 W. 7th St., St. Paul, 651-222-3476, cossettas.com). Four generations of one family have been feeding Italian-American favorites to St. Paul for over 100 years. Today the complex is home to a pizzeria and quick-serve counter, a market with imported products and housemade sauces, a pastry shop, and full-service restaurant Louis.
DeGidio's (425 W. 7th St., St. Paul, 651-291-7105, degidios.com). The expansive West 7th institution was founded in 1933 by a bootlegger who opened a bar at the end of Prohibition. Almost 90 years later, the grandchildren of "Kid Bullets" are serving up heaping plates of pasta.
Giuseppe's (14600 10th Av. S., Burnsville, 952-431-9955, giuseppesrestaurant.org). Chicken and sausage with pink sauce over penne is a specialty, as is the $9.95 spaghetti Bolognese lunch special. Get a bottle of the restaurant's dipping oil to go.
Latuff's Pizzeria (10820 Hwy. 55, Plymouth, 763-545-2914, latuffspizzeria.com). The 40-year-old Plymouth restaurant was an early pizza pioneer in the Twin Cities, yet lasagna is their pride and joy, considered a favorite by many eaters in the suburb.
Mama DeCampo's at Monello (1115 2nd Av. S., Mpls., 612-353-6207, mamadecampos.com). Named for the not-Italian chef Mike DeCamp (that's a drawing of his face in the logo, with curlers in his hair), this Sunday-only supper is a transformation of the modern-Italian Monello into something homier. The place dresses for the occasion, down to the straw-basket Chianti bottles used to hold candles.
