Joe's Italian Dinner
Joe's Italian is a favorite of many Escondido locals who adore the restaurant's kitschy décor and exquisite food. The empty wine bottles and plastic grape vines strewn about the ceiling and fixtures are classic Italian restaurant adornments that may not be the most original, but are always cheerful and comforting. As for the food, the fresh Italian specialties concocted here are rich, flavorful and delicious. Start off your meal with the sausage-stuffed mushroom caps served in a rich, creamy sauce and sprinkled with cheese. Next, enjoy the chicken valdostana with tomatoes, garlic, mushrooms, prosciutto and mozzarella. If you're more of a pasta fan, try Joe's carbonara with wine, prosciutto and green onions.
Joe's Italian Dinner
403 West Grand Ave.
Escondido, CA 92025
(760) 489-6835
joes-italian-dinner.com
Dominic's
Dominic's offers fast, cheap and delicious Italian food served in a casual setting complimented with a scenic mural of Sicily. The combination dinners provide enough food for two at under $10 a person. Try the lasagna and veal parmigiana combination, which comes with soup or side salad and garlic bread. To round out your meal in order to really fill up two adults, be sure to order the caprese tomato and basil appetizer. If you're coming for lunch, try the classic hot muffaletta sandwich, a warm, flat circular bread roll stuffed with ham, salami, cheese, tomato, lettuce and an olive spread.
Dominic's
391 North Escondido Blvd.
Escondido, CA 92025
(760) 480-1704
dominicsitalian.net
Filippi's Pizza Grotto
Filippi's is a San Diego pizza chain that started in the city's historical Little Italy district and has now moved throughout the county. All of the locations are equally delicious, including the Escondido location. The restaurants are best known for their thick pizza with chewy crust and layers of gooey cheese--so heavy that it often requires a knife and fork to eat. Patrons are not limited to pizza; the menu also includes soups, salads, subs, pastas, and meat dishes--each more flavorful and decadent than the next.
Filippi's Pizza Grotto
114 West Grand Ave.
Escondido, CA 92025
(760) 747-2650
realcheesepizza.com
