Di Pasquale's — Review by Food Network
Baltimore, United States — Italian
Guy Fieri visits Di Pasquale's in Baltimore, a market-turned-restaurant where Joe and Sabrina DiPasquale make everything from scratch including pasta, mozzarella, and sausage. The lasagna features fresh handmade pasta sheets, quality ground beef, ricotta, and a flavorful marinara sauce. This authentic, old school Italian establishment delivers genuine homemade cooking passed down through generations.
What was great: Homemade pasta made fresh for every lasagna, authentic old school Italian cooking, homemade mozzarella and sausage, delicious marinara sauce, fresh ingredients and traditional methods
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
The highlight of the visit is Di Pasquale's signature lasagna, which showcases the restaurant's commitment to making everything from scratch. The lasagna features handmade pasta sheets that are pressed seven times to achieve the perfect thickness and texture. Each layer is carefully constructed with fresh marinara sauce, quality ground beef seasoned with garlic, salt, and pepper, creamy ricotta cheese, and melted mozzarella that spreads throughout the dish. The pasta sheets are overlapped slightly to ensure they stay together when served. The final product is a rich, layered dish that represents traditional Italian home cooking at its finest.
The Experience
Di Pasquale's operates as a hybrid market and restaurant, which started organically when Joe began making sandwiches for customers. Over time, tables were gradually added to the store until it evolved into a full restaurant concept. The atmosphere reflects its origins, maintaining an authentic Italian market feel while serving complete meals. The restaurant exudes warmth and genuine hospitality, with the owners visibly invested in every aspect of the operation from ingredient preparation to plating.
Value & Pricing
While specific prices are not mentioned in the transcript, the value proposition is clear. Customers receive homemade pasta, mozzarella, and sausage made daily in-house, which reflects quality ingredients and labor-intensive preparation methods. The commitment to making everything from scratch justifies the pricing for authentic Italian cuisine.
Notable Moments
With a name like Guy Fieri, you know I love Italian food. If you find yourself in Baltimore and you're looking for some good Italian, check out this. Di Pasquale's, making their own pasta, doing their own mozzarella, casing their own sausage, and doing it old school in the back of a market.
I use what my mother and my parents have taught me, what my husband and I learned, and put it all together.
The conversation about why the eggs are scrambled fresh for each batch rather than ahead of time emphasizes the restaurant's dedication to proper technique and quality. Joe explains that this is simply how it's supposed to be done, reflecting his mother's teachings.
The Verdict
Di Pasquale's is a must-visit for anyone seeking authentic, old school Italian cuisine made with genuine passion and traditional methods. The homemade lasagna exemplifies the restaurant's philosophy of quality ingredients and time-honored preparation techniques. This establishment is perfect for diners who appreciate the story behind their food and value authenticity over convenience. Di Pasquale's proves that true Italian cooking cannot be rushed and that the extra effort in making everything from scratch creates an unmatchable dining experience.