Mario’s Italian Restaurant

Mario’s Italian Restaurant is a traditional dining establishment located at 1733 Massachusetts Avenue in Lexington, MA. This restaurant has been serving Southern Italian cuisine and Italian-American dishes for several decades, maintaining a loyal customer base that appreciates its no-frills, classic offerings and unpretentious, old-fashioned atmosphere. The interior features classic checkered tablecloths and has changed very little over the years, reflecting the restaurant’s commitment to tradition.

The menu at Mario’s includes a variety of Italian favorites, such as buttery garlic bread, a large antipasto, creamy pasta dishes, and hearty servings of eggplant, veal, and chicken parmigiana. They also offer spaghetti and meatballs with a rich house-made sauce, ravioli, and lasagna that is described as completely old-school, with plenty of ricotta cheese.

Despite its long-standing presence and solid food offerings, Mario’s is noted to be somewhat of a hidden gem, not widely known outside the local area and often overlooked in favor of trendier or more critically acclaimed spots. Nonetheless, it continues to be a cherished spot among those who know it for its classic Italian fare.

Some of the popular dishes at Mario’s Italian Restaurant in Lexington, MA include:

• Veal Parmigiana: This is a classic Italian dish where veal cutlets are breaded, fried, and then baked with tomato sauce and cheese.
• Chicken Parmigiana: Similar to the veal parmigiana, this dish uses chicken cutlets instead.
• Baked Ziti: This is a pasta dish made with ziti noodles and various cheeses, typically ricotta and mozzarella, and tomato sauce, all baked together.
• Eggplant Parmigiana: This dish features slices of eggplant that are breaded and fried, then layered with tomato sauce and cheese and baked.
• Pasta Platter: This dish typically includes a variety of pasta types and sauces, allowing diners to sample multiple offerings

Sabrina’s take:  Mario’s has been a community staple in Lexington forever. There are people who defend this place to the death. Apparently there was a rival restaurant called Luigi’s, in Bedford which closed. We’ve done this for lunch, a quick dinner. Popular place on half days with Middle schoolers. Lots of options, I usually get chicken parm with pasta. The pasta is even better the next day.