If you love a homey-Italian spot with house made pastas, big flavor and friendly staff, you will want to plan a meal at Little Italy in Dyer. Set back in a little strip mall along the busy Route 30, it doesn’t immediately catch your eye from the road when driving by, but once you’re inside, you realize that magic is happening here.
When Andrew and Theresa Easterday moved from their Chicago neighborhood where there were several small independently-run neighborhood trattorias in the area, they missed having options nearby to enjoy a fresh, casual, quality meal. Since they noticed a gap in the food scene, they decided to open place of their own specializing in Italian cuisine in Northwest Indiana.
Andrew Easterday is a graduate of the Cooking & Hospitality Institute of Chicago, and when he began his career working as a chef in a boutique Italian restaurant in Chicago, his manager sent him to Italy multiple times to expand his culinary repertoire. There he honed his skills and brought back recipes and techniques that he uses in his kitchen today.
A scratch kitchen was something he was dedicated to when opening in 2014. All of the pastas are made-in house, as are dressings, sauces and pretty much everything else on the menu. The only thing you'll find in the freezer is ice cream.
In keeping with the Italian theme, you’ll find hearty portions and family-style meals to share with a group. You can get a “Little Italy” or “Big Italy” portion, depending on how many are at your table.
Rigatoni, ziti, penne and more are blended with different vegetables and creamy, fresh sauces. They also serve a unique lasagna layered with a rich, veal bolognese and three cheeses.
Aside from what’s on the menu, they run frequent specials and you’ll want to join their text club to get notified of what new feature they are offering.
You’ll find traditional Italian favorites, like eggplant parmesan and sausage and peppers; popular entrees like the crispy tomato-braised pork shoulder; and choice steaks and hand-cut and deboned fish filets.
It’s also a great place to enjoy a thin and crispy Neapolitan-style pizza, on freshly-made hand-tossed dough and cooked in a brick oven. There’s a half-dozen specialty options or you can build your own. They do also have a gluten-free version.
There’s also private dining rooms available for special occasions. On Sundays, they open for private dining only.
1115 Joliet Street
Dyer
(219) 865-3040
dyerlittleitaly.com
