The Italian Oven - Somerset

The Italian Oven in Somerset has consistently offered fantastic food and outstanding service! Our dinner with family today was simply incredible! The owner, Sheila Baker, is the kindest and most generous person. Thank you, Italian Oven, for creating a perfect gathering for our family today!

We really miss our Italian restaurant in Mechanicsburg, so I was thrilled to find this place by chance. Although the decor seems a bit worn and could use a refresh, my server, Abbie, provided excellent and attentive service. The salad left something to be desired—understandably so in February—but my eggplant Parmesan was delicious and served hot. The pasta was perfectly cooked, just like I remember from authentic Italian cuisine. I also took home lasagna and a chicken Texas Stromboli for my family, and both dishes received rave reviews. I'm really glad I decided to stop by.

Upon entering, we noticed a sign indicating they were short-staffed, which raised our concerns that we might be in for a disappointing dining experience. Thankfully, it turned out to be just mediocre rather than terrible. The server was busy taking a to-go order when we arrived, and it seemed we were the first table they had prepared in quite a while. Throughout our visit, we felt a bit neglected, as there were two to-go pickups but no one attended to us until later. The atmosphere was alright, though it lacked the décor typically found in an Italian restaurant. However, I appreciated their effort to support local businesses by displaying community cards under the glass on the dining tables. It's unclear if the restaurant has had issues with the local community before, but I believe they deserve a chance. Possibly, their location is a bit out of the way, but we had just come from the gym, so it was convenient for us. The food was decent; however, I think a better cook could elevate the experience significantly. One suggestion for the staff would be to replace the little butter packets that come with the bread. While I understand the need to keep costs down, a simple homemade garlic or herb butter would add a wonderful touch and could really entice locals to dine in. Overall, with some improvements, this place could have great potential.

The food was very delicious. We have the fried zucchini that is a must! The small garden salads were a beautiful size and paired nice with a large pizza. The children's meals were good and they loved them.

We went to Somerset Italian Oven today for lunch with family. I over heard that the regular cook had called off so the trainee was working. Hats off to this person for a wonderful meal that all five of us enjoyed. There are often critiques from some of these folks but today not a single complaint! Great meal!