Luigi’s Tavern has been a “hole in the wall” neighborhood bar for the 25 years I’ve lived in the area and probably 50 years prior to that. While Luigi’s owns the property and liquor license they lease out their kitchen and dining facilities, some notable inhabitants have been Falco Bros. and more recently Eddie’s Place. (Eddie is now owner and operator of One18 Bistro in Deal)
Since Eddie moved on the place is now Louie Linguine’s who also owns Kim Marie’s in Asbury Park. (Side note I am personal friends with Eddie the prior operator /owner)
With all that said when Louie moved to the location there were plenty of signs and signage that there was a new operator, those went away awhile ago and I wasn’t sure if he or anybody was operating here. We stopped in and yes they are open for business.
There were 5 of us we sat in the bar area and were greeted by the same girl who seated us. There was only one other table for dinner bar had 10± people.
Long story short we ordered:
Apps: Italian egg rolls ($10) Bussel Sprouts ($10)
Dinner:
Chicken Murphy (mine ordered hot) Small grandma’s pie, Linguine in clam sauce, blackened tuna bites, cheesesteak sandwich.
Everything was pretty decent, we aren’t talking gourmet Italian but we aren’t talking Olive Garden or frozen pizza place either. The egg rolls were good although sausage peppers and onions and cheese, vs sausage broccoli rabe and cheese (like Christine’s) but for $10 for 2 egg rolls they were very tasty as well as the side sauce. The Brussels sprouts were excellent and large serving, we brought half home.
Dinners were all good, tuna over cooked but we aren’t sure we ordered a particular temp. My chicken murph was a solid rendition and the pizza was actually very tasty. (to my honest surprise) My daughters linguini and clam sauce was very flavorful although a bit spicy and drowning in sauce, the cheesesteak was huge and got high praise as well. (Half came home)
All entrees come with the Luigi’s salad which is an antipasto with a house balsamic vinaigrette. (Slightly over dressed)
A few observations. It really doesn’t seem like they are doing much to promote the place, I wonder if the dining room is secondary to using the kitchen for off premises catering. (he has a thriving catering business) The service was a one girl show, hostess, waitress, food runner and bus girl. She was very friendly and efficient but again no support staff at all. (they seem content on two tables) I took a to-go menu as I use to get delivery from Eddies fairly often, when I took the menu there was no mention of delivery so I asked the waitress and she said: “yes of course we deliver”, I then pointed out it should be advertised on their menus! (I wanted to ask her if she was the delivery person too)
Anyway I went in ready to be disappointed but turned out to be pleasantly surprised, again not gourmet but solid / decent red sauce and pizza.
Give it a try and report back your opinions.
$104, with tax for 5 no booze before tip.
