Red sauce Italian is sort of like crunchy tacos—both are not-so-authentic, both involve a lot of cheese that probably shouldn’t be there, and both are the object of our sick, lusty obsession. Red Sauce Italian gets the double boost of also usually being served in places that ooze as much Goodfellas-esque atmosphere as they do rivers of mozzarella. So go ahead and ladle a big ol’ heap of Sunday Gravy directly on top of your pasta and don’t you dare mix it in. Don’t you dare. This is not that kind of place.
1. Raos
Hollywood
It’s all about la famiglia at the L.A. outpost of one of America’s oldest Italian joints. They do Sunday Gravy dinners so you know it’s legit.
2. Maximiliano
Highland Park
The guy behind the pastrami and burgers at Oinkster also does some serious spaghetti and meatballs at his Highland Park Italian spot, Maximiliano. Who knew?
3. Dan Tana’s
Beverly Hills
This West Hollywood landmark turns 50 this year. Let’s celebrate with the Veal Cutlet Milanese A La George Clooney.
4. La Dolce Vita
Beverly Hills
It’s all about the red leather booths, amirite? Sinatra apparently ate here, and the man knew Italian—almost as well as he knew Jack Daniels.
5. Chi-Chi’s
Canyon County, Simi Valley, Northridge
From Puttanesca to Primavera, the menu at this Northridge pizzeria, open since 1958, is the real deal.
6. Palermo
Los Feliz
If the tables are booked at this Los Feliz institution, owner Tony might offer a glass of chianti to ease the wait. It doesn’t get much more Italian than that.
7. C and O Trattoria
Venice Beach
The seafood pasta is grand, but we could eat a pile of C and O’s garlic knots the size of Mt. Wilson.
8. Colombos Eagle Rock
Eagle Rock
It feels like Goodfellas in here every night. Zucchini sticks fresh out of the fire, red vinyl booths, live music, and a heap of regulars.
9. Frankies on Melrose
Hollywood
Mama T.’s chicken parm is NO JOKE, guys. Neither is the bolognese.
