The House Salad at Papa Dio's is one of the best anywhere. The iceberg lettuce may not be anything remarkable, but it is raised to new levels of flavor when saturated in this Italian dressing. Black olives seem to be very popular in restaurants, but I am a huge fan of green olives, of which Papa Dio's has made liberal use in the house salad. This salad may not match the ones at some upscale restaurants such as Boulevard Steakhouse, but for the ingredients that are used at Papa Dio's I have never encountered another salad in which they are put together so skillfully.

The Bean Soup makes another good appetizer, and a second variety of soup is usually available.

Pastas are a staple at any Italian restaurant that serves red sauce, and a large variety is available here. These have never been my favorite dishes, but a side order of spaghetti is served with most dinner orders. I always find the spaghetti to be enjoyable provided I have enough room left to eat anything after having an entrée and a salad.

Papa Dio's manicotti

The Manicotti (listed under "Italian Specialties") is one of the better dishes served that comes under the standard "red sauce" variety. I would say there might be ones just as good at other restaurants, however.

A half order of Papa Dio's chicken cacciatore with spaghetti

One of the best dishes at Papa Dio's is Chicken Cacciatore, with a strong wine taste, herbs, and fresh vegetables that is about as good as can be found anywhere. The few other Italian restaurants that even attempt this dish have not measured up to the one at Papa Dio's, or at least I have not found such a restaurant. While it is traditional to serve a whole or half chicken, Papa Dio's only includes white meat. It is primarily the sauce, however, that has enamored me so much with this dish. If I can find someone to split the dish with me, I prefer a half order that will either be done at no extra charge, or at an extra cost if an extra salad is included (most entrées come with Papa's Salad or another appetizer).

Spaghetti served with Cacciatore Sauce is available as a side dish with either the Chicken Cacciatore or any other entrée. I do not mind the fact that the pasta is just for some substance; the flavor of the sauce is just as good as on the chicken, and is the standard by which all others are to be judged. At times I have ordered this as a main dish instead of chicken, something I would recommend if there is no one with which to split a cacciatore dish.

Two dishes of about equal quality are the Eggplant Parmigiana and Chicken Parmigiana. Both use excellent ingredients, with the herbs and spices giving them a flavor that I think is about the best I have ever eaten. The crust on the chicken parmigiana is probably the best feature of the dish, although the meat itself is also of excellent quality. The cheese on the dish does not seem to be any more outstanding than at any other restaurant, or maybe it is that the other ingredients are so good I do not really notice the cheese.

A half order of Papa Dio's spinach lasagna

Spinach Lasagna uses a light tomato sauce that is not overly spiced so that the other components, pasta, cheese, and spinach, can be enjoyed on an equal basis with the sauce. The cheese is probably best feature of this dish, and to me a good pasta dish with spinach is more satisfying than one with meat.

It would be hard for me to believe that any bad dishes could be served at Papa Dio's, but the Pizza is closest to "disappointing" that I have experienced. I think the crust is not crispy enough, and some of the toppings have an unusual flavor.

If you believe that "simple is good" when it comes to Italian food, you will enjoy Papa Dio's. This is my "everyday" favorite Italian place, even though I may find other restaurants with better dishes or more upscale food.