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

Roma Family Restaurant in Nitro is a casual family-friendly restaurant serving Italian American fare. The older building has received a bit of a remodel, but we were seated in an awkward half booth, which only had one side. They have a variety of options on the menu, including New York-style pizzas, baked pastas, calzones, stromboli, chicken Parmesan, wings, subs, burgers and salads. We ordered bruschetta for an appetizer, but it actuslly ended up coming out after the entrees. I like my bruschetta fresh and simple, so I was a bit disappointed to see essentially a hoagie bun split with some mediocre tomatoes and melted cheese. My house salad was fine; it must have been chilled for a bot because the croutons had softened, and the cheese became limp. My entree of stuffed shells in a creamy pink sauce was the highlight of the dinner. Admittedly, this is one of my favorite meals anywhere. There's just something about the creamy cheese and pasta and tangy marinara. This was s bit creamier than others I've had, so I'm not mad at it. Grade: C

Demus Italian Specialty Foods is a food truck fit for a carnival with its giant lettering and multicolored bulbs. Usually, though, it is stationed in a gas station lot off Exit 125 on I79.



It started as a small neighborhood grocery store where they made their own house Italian sausage, building a loyal following for that signature flavor. Over time, the retail store closed, but the demand for the sausage never went away—so the business pivoted into a trailer/food truck operation. Now, instead of shopping for it in-store, people line up to get those same house-made sausages served hot, with peppers and sauce. Known for a coarse grind and strong seasoning, especially fennel and spices, the sausage is the star - but the steak hoagie is delicious, as well.



It's a foil-wrapped delight that's smoky, messy, and unapologetically old-school.

Grade: A

North-Central West Virginia is not wanting for wonderful Italian restaurants. So, when someone told me that Mama Di Roma in Fairmont is the best of them all, I got in my car and made a trip straight to the friendly city.



Outside, there are red, white and green stripes on the windows. Photos of the food. Lists of menu items. There's no mistaking what you're walking into. Inside, there are red vinyl tablecloths, placemats with a map of Italy, and some hanging baskets. Its decor is firmly rooted in an old-school Italian-American style, with no shortage of patriotic flair.



The menu at Mama Di Roma leans into classic Italian-American comfort, with rich red sauces, baked pastas, and plenty of pizza options. Think chicken parmesan, stuffed shells, hand-tossed pizzas, calzones, and classic starters like garlic knots and wedding soup.



The complimentary bread comes out in the form of those soft, buttery garlic rolls—warm, lightly golden, and packed with enough garlic to make them just as tempting as anything on the menu.



The wedding soup is warm and comforting, with a savory broth, tender bites throughout, and a slight richness.



I ordered the Shrimp & Crabmeat entree - Sautéed Shrimp and Crabmeat in a Creamy Garlic Sauce over Rigatoni. Plump, juicy shrimp and sweet crabmeat are coated in a creamy garlic sauce that clings to every rigatoni tube. The sauce is rich without being heavy, coating the pasta nicely and letting the seafood shine. Every bite hits that comforting, garlicky flavor you want from a dish like this.



Grade: A