POTTSTOWN – It’s rare to find a family-run Italian restaurant like Giovanni’s with food this satisfying, servings this filling, service this friendly and an atmosphere this welcoming.

“Here, you really do get what you pay for,” says head server Donna Saunders. “It’s quality and quantity.”

She’s not bluffing. You might even say you get more than what you pay for at Giovanni’s. Their dinners are served with a heaping pound of pasta, sandwiches are prepared on fresh, toasty 12” rolls and the sauce is better than ma’ used to make. Even the kids make out alright—especially on Mondays & Tuesdays when all Kids Meals are only $1.95.

The menu includes plenty to satisfy just about any taste. Appetizers include wings, fried calamari, jalapeño poppers, coconut shrimp, many varieties of French fries, salads and more. They offer dozens of tasty sandwiches, including clubs, burgers (try the pizza burger!), cheese steaks, hoagies, cold cuts and grinders. Dinners include a variety of classic Italian pasta dishes, (ravioli, manicotti, lasagna, stuffed shells, ziti, gnocchi, fettuccini, tortellini, etc.), some sea-food (shrimp, crab cake, flounder) and chicken, veal & eggplant dishes. The Kids Menu includes nuggets, grilled cheese, spaghetti, pizza and chicken fingers.

And because they use only the freshest ingredients, Giovanni’s makes some darn good pizza. They are especially proud of their Sicilian, which Saunders calls “the thickest and best.” But their gourmet pizzas are not to be missed either.

With food like that coming out of their kitchen, it hasn’t taken long for Giovanni’s to become one of Pottstown’s most treasured new restaurants either. They opened in March at what used to be the Kenilworth Deli, and now there isn’t a Friday or Saturday night when there isn’t a line out the door.

Saunders attributes much of the restaurant’s immediate success to young restaurant owner Joe Picone, who has brought a devoted family tradition and local following with him. His grandparents run the Giovanni’s in Royersford and his parents run Palermo Pizza in Pottstown. Of course, remarkably delicious food and polite, friendly service has helped too.

The dining area is small, but extremely cozy, inviting and well-kept. Picone decorated the restaurant himself, and you’ll notice pictures of his family and childhood at some of the tables. Outdoor seating is also available, perfect for the warmer evenings ahead.

Giovanni’s is open for dining in and take out, Monday thru Saturday. Hours are 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. (till 10:30 p.m. on Fridays & Saturdays). The restaurant is located at 1492 East Schuylkill Road (Route 724), Pottstown. Call 610-705-9800 to order take out.

The Muncher Recommends

Cheese Sicilian

$2.10/slice or $14/large

Veal Parmigiana Sandwich

$6.50

Pepperoni Cheese Steak

$6.50

Eggplant Parmigiana Dinner

$12.95