I first visited the Upper Ohio Valley Italian Festival several years ago. But I returned this weekend to get a real taste.
Here's what I got this year:
Glen Elk Boys Italian Kitchen
Sausage hoagie with onions, peppers and cheese. The sausage was like a flat plank and had quite a bit of spice.
Uzi's Pastries
Cookies with Italian-colored sprinkles. There were so many goodies here, but the simple sugar cookie hit the spot.
Stephens Cotton Candy Lemonade Shake Ups
Strawberry lemonade slushie was fresh and tart on the warm day.
Faygo's Street Corn
I opted for a cup of the mild street corn. The creamy, tangy, cheesy topping is just so good on sweet corn.
Taters
A deep-fried hot dog was hard to pass up. I had mine with ketchup and onion.
Rimedio's Bakery
A strawberry strudel with powdered sugar also had a cream wrapped in phyllo sheets.
Uguaglianza Bellaire Lodge 754 - Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America
Known for their sausage hoagies, these folks have the sandwiches pre-wrapped. It did make the transaction quick, but the top got a bit soggy from the peppers. It was a medium-sized sausage, but overall a bit smaller sandwich than some of the other places.
DiRusso's Real Italian Sausage
Italian sausage hoagies is what's on the menu - and the only thing on the menu. The long strips of peppers and onions are not my favorite. They can overpower the sausage link.
Scarlet Fire Authentic Neapolitan Pizza
Since I was doing a taste of Italy, I didn't need a whole pizza. Instead, I got an order of garlic knots. These were a bit burnt, which was disappointing.
Wheely Good Food
Basic fair concessions like fries, burgers, hot dogs here. But then I saw mozzarella sticks - these ended up being the toughest to transport. But not bad overall.
Marilyn's Italian Kitchen
The gnocchi was the spotlight option here. "Classic Sunday Red Gnocchi - Enjoy our heirloom potato gnocchi served in our homemade red sauce, a true taste of authentic Italian fare. The sauce is so good it's practically drinkable, and our meatball has received the Grandma seal of approval."
DeChellis Concessions
The veggie stromboli was very sulfur-y due to the broccoli.
Holey Rollers Donut Truck
I was disappointed there was no actual pineapple or cherry for the pineapple upside down cake donut. For $3.
Plus I got a bottle of mead from Howe Sweet It Is/Nine Hives Meadery.
Other food:
Dr Sweets - Food Truck
Old Fashioned Lemonade
Frosty's Frozen Frenzy
Kathy's Kettle Corn
Sprankle's
Chan's Authentic Korean Style Corn Dogs
Tom's Concessions
Casa D'Italia MHI Concessions
Here's what I got this year:
Glen Elk Boys Italian Kitchen
Sausage hoagie with onions, peppers and cheese. The sausage was like a flat plank and had quite a bit of spice.
Uzi's PastriesCookies with Italian-colored sprinkles. There were so many goodies here, but the simple sugar cookie hit the spot.
Stephens Cotton Candy Lemonade Shake UpsStrawberry lemonade slushie was fresh and tart on the warm day.
Faygo's Street CornI opted for a cup of the mild street corn. The creamy, tangy, cheesy topping is just so good on sweet corn.
TatersA deep-fried hot dog was hard to pass up. I had mine with ketchup and onion.
Rimedio's BakeryA strawberry strudel with powdered sugar also had a cream wrapped in phyllo sheets.
Uguaglianza Bellaire Lodge 754 - Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in AmericaKnown for their sausage hoagies, these folks have the sandwiches pre-wrapped. It did make the transaction quick, but the top got a bit soggy from the peppers. It was a medium-sized sausage, but overall a bit smaller sandwich than some of the other places.
DiRusso's Real Italian SausageItalian sausage hoagies is what's on the menu - and the only thing on the menu. The long strips of peppers and onions are not my favorite. They can overpower the sausage link.
Scarlet Fire Authentic Neapolitan PizzaSince I was doing a taste of Italy, I didn't need a whole pizza. Instead, I got an order of garlic knots. These were a bit burnt, which was disappointing.
Wheely Good FoodBasic fair concessions like fries, burgers, hot dogs here. But then I saw mozzarella sticks - these ended up being the toughest to transport. But not bad overall.
Marilyn's Italian KitchenThe gnocchi was the spotlight option here. "Classic Sunday Red Gnocchi - Enjoy our heirloom potato gnocchi served in our homemade red sauce, a true taste of authentic Italian fare. The sauce is so good it's practically drinkable, and our meatball has received the Grandma seal of approval."
DeChellis ConcessionsThe veggie stromboli was very sulfur-y due to the broccoli.
Holey Rollers Donut TruckI was disappointed there was no actual pineapple or cherry for the pineapple upside down cake donut. For $3.
Plus I got a bottle of mead from Howe Sweet It Is/Nine Hives Meadery.
Other food:
Dr Sweets - Food Truck
Old Fashioned Lemonade
Frosty's Frozen Frenzy
Kathy's Kettle Corn
Sprankle's
Chan's Authentic Korean Style Corn Dogs
Tom's Concessions
Casa D'Italia MHI Concessions
