Reader review: Sal’s Italian
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Reader Amy Tlockowski e-mailed me these thoughts about Sal’s Italian Restaurant, which opened last month in the Bonsack shopping center that also houses Kroger and Cafe Asia. Sal’s owner Sal Scotto closed his Mamma Concetta Italian Restaurant in Christiansburg in order to open Sal’s.
If anyone else would like to submit their thoughts about a recently tried restaurant, e-mail them to me at Lindsey.nair@roanoke.com. And don’t forget to add your restaurant reviews to Plateup.roanoke.com. Simply find the restaurant you’re thinking about and add your review there.
Without further ado, here is Amy’s guest review:
“I stumbled through [Sal's] doors on December 23 after getting my son a hair cut at the place next door. It was in the middle of the afternoon, my five year was super hungry, and Sal’s was the closest place to hit before having to go grocery shopping. I am SO very happy that we decided to have a mom and kid lunch there. We ordered a pepperoni pizza so my son could have his fill, and I’d be able to bring home the bulk of the pie for my husband to eat after he arrived him later that night from his job.
I indulged in their lunch special – all-you-can-eat soup, salad, and garlic knots. They were serving cream of broccoli soup that day. Although creamy – it wasn’t one of those ‘let’s throw in a gallon of heavy cream and some green stuff and call it a day’ soups. There were small nubbins of Yukon Gold potatoes to help thicken the soup and provide a creamy texture. The garlic knots were warm, lightly dusted with parsley and red pepper flakes, and liberally coated in fresh garlic. My salad was garden variety but made special by the Chianti vinaigrette. Our server was stupendous – enough attention to make us feel important but never hovering. She offered apple juice to my kid which made his day. I never buy juice, so getting a glass in a restaurant is like having dessert for him. She even cut it with water when I mentioned that I don’t usually serve it at home.
I was able to enjoy a lunch there today with just my husband. Again, I was not disappointed. I sipped a cappuccino that was perfectly prepared and not (thank you coffee goddess!) bitter throughout the meal, enjoyed an obviously well-made and well-loved pasta fagioli, and shared more garlic knots with my husband, who chose to have the stuffed shells. While not everyone in the South believes in ricotta cheese, I simply cannot stomach the idea of cottage cheese in any Italian dish. I cringe when I see recipes for lasagna or stuffed shells touting cottage cheese in the filling. Ugh. Just a big bunch of disgusting in my world. The shells were perfectly stuffed with thick, rich ricotta and mozzarella.
The best part of our meal was talking with Genarro (sic), the owner’s son. He worked the floor like a maven and made certain that the packed dining room was fat and happy. He surprised us with a dessert of our choice (Hello? Limoncello cake?) and specially prepared espresso from beans his grandmother had just shipped from Naples.
I could blather on and on about him, his father’s wonderful kitchen techniques which obviously highlight his love of food and family, and the two small meals I’ve enjoyed at Sal’s. Better yet, please say something about this great place that’s hidden away in the small nook next to the Bonsack Kroger so more people know about real Italian and wonderful service.”
January 10, 2011 - 9:54 AM
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I’ve not visited Sal’s, as that is out of my area of regular travel, but I do know that Mama Concetta’s in Cburg was wonderful. If the ownership brought over the same concept & recipes, then it’s sure to be really good.
Is this any “relation” to the old (and absolutely delicious) Sal’s Pizza that used to be ubiquitous around SW VA?
We reported in the past that Scotto used to own Mamma Maria’s in Salem, but I am not sure about any other restaurants. I’ll see what I can find out, but I would not be surprised if they are not connected. As someone pointed out on Jenny Boone’s blog a while back, it seems a lot of Italian restaurants are called “Sal’s”.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Amy! We will definitely try out Sal’s.
On another restaurant note, my husband and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Lucky on Saturday night. I highly recommend it!
I picked up their menu the other day. Can’t wait to see what they do with calamari — as most restaurants make it taste like rubber bands! I am looking forward to trying their food.
Lindsey, I have a vague recollection that the same people that once owned Mama Maria’s owned Mama Concetta’s, and there was some restriction about not infringing on a geographic market area for a few (five?) years, and that restriction recently ran out.
It was explained in either your or Jenny Boone’s blog back in the summer. That was the first I knew of the similar ownership.
Hope that helps as you search. It was in a comment in one of the two blogs, though.
Since there is some concern about lineage as described, I’ll just amend my earlier post about how good Mama Concetta’s was to also state that Mama Maria’s is great, too. So the same thing might apply there.
If you throw in the Italian Kitchen in Ironto, you’d have the list of my top three Italian restaurants in the entire area.
@ Ab, that is correct regarding the non-compete agreement. You read that in Wade Anderson’s review of Mama Concetta’s.
Danny, this is a different Sal. In fact, the whole story about the Sal you’re probably thinking of was explained on either this or Jenny Boone’s blog back earlier this year.
There was a Sal’s place that the manager left and ended up opening his own Sal’s place. No, wait! The ‘original’ one moved, and when the employee left a little while later, he went back & opened up in the old place. This was all Pulaski, Dublin, & Radford catfighting going on, evidently.
There were lawsuits involved, and I’m not clear on what the out of court settlements were. I do know I read all about it on this website – roanoke.com, that is…
It was a little similar to the above referenced territorial issue, but in a way that didn’t seem as professional and calm. Seems like it got a little testy…
Thanks, Lindsey. I knew you would unearth the actual facts quickly.
I’ll also stick with my top three list for now, too. Maybe I can get down to Sal’s in Bonsack & see how they compare…
We went to Sal’s Saturday night with some friends, and it was wonderful. 4 of us got different pasta dishes, and one got a calzone, all very good. The garlic knots were fantastic and the salads were also good. Good sized portions, decent prices. We will definitely be back!
My recollection of Mama C’s in Cbg is that the food was good, but portions small and prices high. I prefer Amelia’s in Cambria.
I did not have as wonderful an experience as the other diners at Sal’s. My husband, father, and I ate there on Saturday evening. The portions were small, the salad glorified iceberg lettuce, and my Stromboli was burned (literally black) on the bottom with raw dough in the middle. We don’t plan to return.
We went for dinner on Friday night and while the food was delicious and the service was wonderful, the atmosphere was something to be desired. The space is way too small to accomodate the masses. There is not a waiting area and I felt horribiy for those sitting closer to the enterance as those waiting were breathing down their necks. We had a party of 4 and a highchair at our booth and it made for a cramped meal. Until the demand decreases a bit, we will probably not go back for dinner. It was just too uncomfortable for us. I will definitely check it out at an off time though (late lunch) as the food was excellent.
Amelia’s was always closed whenever I tried to visit. I’m not blaming them, but instead blaming myself for going at improbable times. I’ve got friends who love Amelia’s thus the reason for my attempted visits.
My family and I went there just the other day! really enjoyed it! Our entire table got different entrees, all expectionally good!!! Fried calamari was cooked perfectly!!! Veal saltimbocca (sp) was amazing!! Service was great, not overwelling. Great Menu, overall a great expierence!! Glad to see something great has opened on our side of town!!
abdnva The original Sal’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria located in Central Square Shopping Plaza In Radford has been in the same place for the last 30 years and owned by Al Pugliese. He (or a family member) also opened up Sandro’s across the bridge in Fairlawn in 2008 but later moved it to Dublin near Wal-Mart. In the old Sandro’s building in Fairlawn a Sals JR opened up and is still their. As far as Sandro’s in Dublin it has now closed
I love Mamma Maria’s and look forward to trying this place too.
Amy, I don’t think you’ll ever seen an Italian stuff their pasta with anything but ricotta. I think I read in a bio of the owners that they moved down here from NJ, and up there they’d get beaten with a stick if they tried serving pasta with cottage cheese.
Lori, I can’t wait to try Lucky. We’ve been waiting for the usual new-restaurant stampede to slow down…did you have trouble getting a seat or did you make res?
Kristen, we did not have reservations. We went kind of early, around 6 and sat at the bar. We enjoyed sitting there and watching everything happening around us. If you go and they have the foie gras appetizer, you have to get it. It’s amazing!
The Scotto’s always do well. I suspect this new location will be very successful. As for other locations, before this was Mama Concetta’s, before that was Mama Maria’s and before that was a pizza joint on Melrose (currently El Charlie y Familia). If they are using fresh garlic on the “knots,” I’d be shocked.
In prior restaurants, the product I’ve seen them put out uses preprocessed garlic. The type that can be purchased at Sam’s Club. Nowhere near as good as fresh. But fresh costs more (due to labor involved in processing) and the customer pays that price.
Years ago “Genarro” was known as “Jerry” at Glen Cove Elementary. Good guy. Good family. Good restaurant people.
Thanks, Don. My recollection came from a fuzzy memory of a RT post on this website earlier this year. I’ve tried to find it to refresh my memory, but I can’t. It’s probably readily available, but I just can’t find it.
As Lindsey said, though, there seem to be a lot of Italian restaurants with Sal’s as part of their moniker. Good luck to this latest one…
LOVE THIS PLACE!!!
My family now go here on a regular basis! Really kind wait staff,and absolutley amazing food. We try different things everytime we go there. I know this restaurant is locally owned and operated, was told by the owner/manager and I love to hear that! I do believe if I remeber what he said was that all the other restaurants they owned were all named after family members and this is one is named after his father who does all the cooking with his sons. So glad to see a great restaurant open on this side of town! I wish this family great success in this restaurant as I know they will do well.
Absolutely delicious!!!
Would recommend to everyone.
My new favorite restaurant!!!!
Going about once for twice a week since they have been open!! Really enjoy the food and atmosphere!
Visited evening of 1-19, had a great dining experience. The menu offers a large variety of italian entrees, and we decided on pizza for our first visit. The crust was wonderfully crisp and perfectly cooked. The toppings were generous and not too heavy, service was excellent, professional. We arrived around 5pm, and the restaurant filled steadily.Tables are spaced nicely so it doesn’t feel crowded. We’ll definitely be back to try the other dishes!
We got a pepperoni pizza for carry out and were very disappointed. It was essentially cheese crust with no sauce – and I am not fond of much sauce. I loved Maria’s when I lived in Salem and I anticipate the pastas will be great. The pizza was disappointing. So far, New York Pizza in Vinton is much better pizza. It was late in the evening when we ordered it, so maybe they were just low on sauce. We might try the pizza again, but if there’s no sauce again – it’s going back. I hope the pizza will improve because the crust was really good and you could tell it had potential. I know authentic Italian pizza is not like American pizza, but this wasn’t that either.
Achieving the right amount of sauce on a pizza is hugely important in my book. Nobody wants a pizza smothered in sauce, and I get particularly annoyed when there’s just a smear of sauce on a pie.
I have been to Sal’s in Bonsack twice since they opened and probably won’t go back. Poor service and non descript food (not bad, not good either). However, from the rave reviews here I’m starting to wonder if we’re all talking about the same place.
Went last night. Calamari & pasta was excellent. House salad is a bit too much carrot and cabbage, but not bad. Their spicy marinara sauce is just right. Will go back to try a few more dishes and definately on my list for takeout.
I got a pizza and garlic knots last night and took them home for dinner. The pizza reminds me of New York Pizza in Vinton, which is my favorite in the Valley. I got one with mushrooms, Italian sausage and roasted red peppers. They were generous with the toppings, and as a whole, it was perfect! The garlic knots with marinara were delicious – I could have eaten all 12 by myself! My husband & I will definitely go back!
Oh – the staff was very friendly, too! I was with my 2 year old son, and they were very sweet to him. Our initial plan was to eat at the restaurant, but Sam was restless, so we got the food to go. He wandered behind the cash register and I apologized, but the hostess said it was no big deal and asked if he could have a sucker!
Given this restaurant just opened we were kind of hesitate to try it, knowing that its insane when any restaurant opens.
Was going to get carry out but couldnt find the number online or 411 So we decided to just go there and eat.
Overall a great expierence!
Went with my family, 2 kids and my husband. Started out the meal with fresh Italian bread ( a very nice touch) Service was wonderful, not too overwhelming but not ingnored. My kids shared a medium cheese pizza, which we thought was amazing. Perfect amount of suace, and cheese and crust was cooked to perfection. My husband had the Calamari in a spicy sauce, which he said was perfect. Ill trust him on that. I dont care for much squid. I had the chicken picatta (sp) which I absolutly loved! Didnt get to try any desserts but they looked mouth watering. I live in the blue ridge and glad I dont have to drive over by the mall or out of the way for good Italian.
Looking forward to our return vist.
Stopped in there last night for take-out – the pizza and calzone’s were fabulous, but the garlic knots were out of this world! Met the owners, could not have been nicer! Can’t wait to go back for a real meal. The menu is extensive and from the comments being made around me, wonderful. Their phone number is not yet listed on the web so if you want to call ahead it’s : 540-904-7767 or 540-904-7781. Open 11AM everyday
My wife and I used to eat a Mama Concetta’s in C’burg at least twice a month. It was easily the best restaurant in the NRV when you consider the quality of service and food. The closing of Mama’s has left a huge void in this area, especially when it comes to real Italian food. Mama’s was such a great alternative from the typical chain restaurants which dominate the C’burg area. I’d love to have the Lobster Ravioli or Chicken alla Chef one more time.
Hi I am Meg! My husband and his family have owned the original Sals in the area since 1978. It started in Radford on west main st in the central square shopping center and has recently spread its wings to Sals jr, and Sals of Blacksburg. This is a business owned and operated by the father Domenico and his 2 sons Giuseppe “Joe” and Alessandro his youngest son. Alessandro runs Sals jr and yes did open a store in Dublin but has now closed. Joe opened the restaurant in blacksburg and Domenico along with both sons run the Radford one! To correct a previous comment, this restaurant has always been in the same family and never has had any legal matters entered the equations and nothing about boundaries and name usage either. We love our customers and treat them like family. However the new sals is not directly connected with us, but a great family as well! We wish them all of the success in the world! Sal is from the same town in Naples as my husband (joe’s) family. I hope that people will certainly give them a try, but if not please join us for dinner!! We have locations in Blacksburg, Fairlawn and Radford!! Locally we are the “original” SALS!
Thanks
Just had dinner there Friday April 1st for the first time. I have heard nothing but great things about this restaurant, saying its the orginal owners or Mamma Marias and everything and just had to check it out now that I live on this side of town, and a few bad expierences at Mamma Maria’s after they moved away. Not going to bash on them as they are a decent restaurant but you can just tell things have changed.
Going to a restaurant on any friday night in roanoke can leave you with anything going worng. NOT HERE. Went there kind of early with a party of 4 around 5:30 place was already full. We had to wait for about 10-15 mins(very acceptable on this side of town as theres just not too many places to dine in.) owner/host? guided us to our table in a very polite fasion, A server was there in the perfect amount of time. Started out with some garlic knots, just had too. WHOA!! just the way we love them. cooked to perfection and fresh.(not afraid to use garlic. def live up to that name.
We all had different entrees, some basic and a few specials they were offering. All fantastic! My wife had the chicken tini?? (sp) which she loved! I had the chicken saltimbocca(sp) which was cooked to perfection!! Just the way I use to get it. Owner came over to see how everything was as he did to most/all the tables which is great touch, very personable and a great family. Ended the meal with desserts.
Overall a great expierence and cant wait to return!
A overall great dining expierence!! Will Return!
WE LOVE THIS RESTAURANT!
My family and I have had 3 great expierences! A great menu and service is wonderful!
Overall a great Italian Restaurant! Will keep returning!
I have nightly dreams about the pizza that Sal produces in that magical kitchen of his. Ive been there at least 50x’s and not once have I had a bad meal. I can go into the restaurant not even hungry, talk to Jerry(Genarro)and then be starving within minutes. Maybe Jerry has special Italian powers that make you crave their food haha? Needless to say, Jerry and the family have done it again, and ill never stop going until i become sedentary from extreme garlic knot overload
correction: Ginnaro ( i hope i spelled it right), nothing is worse than to disrespect the ones who cook your food by spelling their name wrong.
If there’s any food that can keep you eating wayyy past the point of fullness, it’s Italian.
Pasta can fill you quickly, and Italian dishes are seldom skimpy. Not to mention the inevitable bread, salad, etc.
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!!!
great food and great service everytime we go in!!
You never buy juice for your kid except at a restaurant?
Our families first visit was on July 13th. Can’t get enough of this place. Great food and service everyone we go in. Gennaro greats us at the door with a smile. Finally a good Italian restaurant in Roanoke. A great place for dine in or recently for us take out.
I would just like to know if there are ANY Italian restaurants in the valley that make hand-made pasta…