Deli Italia

We had a great experience at Deli Italia. I'll break it up into what we liked and what they could improve on.What was great: the food!! The flavors were spot on. Lots of great fresh spices (hello basil!) which made each meal pop. Also, I don't know what they put in their bread that they serve as a free appetizer, but it was so good. I ate way too much of it. #noregretsI got the roast beef sandwich for my entree and it was great. I'd probably get a more pasta-driven dish next time like my family did.Our server was super helpful, friendly, and made sure we were taken very good care of. Very much above average customer service. Also, the location is beautiful, right on downtown state street. Afterwards (or even before) it makes it really easy to pair dinner with a night out on the town visiting other stores or walking the river (at night it's gorgeous).What could be improved: only a few things in this category and they're really not huge deals at all. I think the inside could use some better lighting. It was very dark and even just some uplighting around the walls could make this place look fantastic. The decor already makes you feel like you're in Italy, it's just a little hard to see. I also didn't like the way the video slots are right up front, but I also realize they probably help them a lot in making a profit, so I can't discount that too much. Lastly, and this is super small, but the bathrooms could use a little updates, especially the sinks.We always forget about this place but we are excited to put this place back on the rotation. Glad they've been in Rockford for so long!

The best kept secret in Rockford for Sicilian food. Amazing arancini, burrata pizza, calamari mussels and clams, eggplant parmigiana, fresh homemade bread, tanu, sugo, cuccidati, affogatto, vino selection, etc. Great patio in the summer to sit under the grape vines and listen to live music while enjoying a cocktail and cigar after a great meal. Staff is the best and Johnny Ballgame makes the best grasshoppers and other libations.

If you are looking for a great Southern Italian kitchen try Deli Italia. Whenever I go to Rockford I stop in for plate of spaghetti or a meatball poor boy. Homemade and better than Chicago.

Have always had a good time here - whether it's been for appetizers and beer and wine - they make an AMAZING stromboli, or for dinner.Comfortable, family-owned, with a music stage for private events or the occasional jam session with local musicians.

Strolled into the place after a hot day at the Friday night city market. Took a nice peak at the menu, saw my go to (lasagna) and ordered it. Sadly it was full of sausage that was not throughly drained of the grease. This resulted in soggy noodles and a puddle full of grease on the plate and my lips. It was lacking cheese and sauce, but definitely not sausage grease. Sadly will not be back due to a disappointed stomach. The service was funny and friendly but inattentive to the needs of water refills and plates needed at the table.

Not very crowded for a Saturday night but the atmosphere was outstanding. Awesome patio and fantastic food. P wer effect weather and music! Mussels marinara was the app which was absolutely fantastic especially dipping the lightly crusted bread into the juice! The wine and food cost for pretty inexpensive. Had the Giancarlo Pinot Noir.

Our first choice for a meal wasn't open yet, so we came here. We were the only ones here. My first thought is that the place needs a bit sprucing up. The server/bartender was friendly enough but seemed disinterested. The cocktail was good though. Food took a little while. I thought my sandwich was very bland and the sauce was watery. The spinach dip was decent, but we thought the Italian toast it was served with was overdone and almost painful on the teeth. Towards the bottom of our dip pasted along the inside the bowl were 2 long hairs, which was rather disgusting. I can kind of see why the place is empty.

The Panko encrusted white fish was excellent! My wife had a personal size margarita pizza, also great. Staff and owner were pleasant and attentive. A great place to stop in downtown, for lunch, dinner or drinks.

Top notch food and service. They really know how to satisfy an appetite with quality italian cuisine. Kudos to Frank the owner for having the right stuff.

It was a busy night in Rockford after the Farmers Market downtown. Just wanted to get some food because I didn't feel like making it myself. That was a BIG mistake.I thought it was exciting because all the restaurants and bars were busy. So I waited at the bar and ordered a simple Italian pasta dish (Chicken and pasta in red sauce,) with an ice tea. I could understand I did not get silverware, water, butter for the bread, etc because it was busy. Bartender forgot my ice tea until I reminded him.Many people piled in. Drunken people whooped it up next to me, and I waited, and waited and waited. People came and left. So I decided to just get my dish to go. And then I waited and waited and the bar became empty. So, as I sit thinking of Kitchen Nightmares and Ramsay saying - fresh pasta takes 90 seconds! It was almost an hour now. So I had to call it. I told the bartender, and he knew just looking at me. "Uh, what is with the wait?" Nervously he said, "uhh, ya it should be ready... right about now." I just wanted to leave and considered leaving, even having paid $14.00 for pasta and an ice tea.I was disgusted when I got home. I have seen better Bertolli Frozen meals in a bag! Pasta thrown in the togo box, ordinary canned (tasted like,) sauce "sugo." And some chicken chunks, like something you could, again get out of a can. Totally upset. How can someone - even an Italian person mess up pasta? This was terrible.I would only get drinks at the bar and they have a nice patio in the back where bands could play. I will never ever go back. I cook way better than that.