Walking into Luigi’s is like walking into an old neighborhood favorite — soccer jerseys, pinned next to posters of Italy line the walls, and the tables and chairs look like they’ve come from different corners of your Italian grandmother’s attic. As soon as you see the authentic Italian merchandise (homemade pasta, tomato sauce which is NOT Prego, San Pellegrino Limonata and Aranciata, cannoli shells and more) available on the shelves in front of the counter, you know you’ve got the real deal. Much to our surprise, however, after we asked how long they’ve been a local hotspot, they said they’ve only been there for one year!
Despite their fairly recent arrival in Hampden, these panini professionals know exactly what they’re doing. There were about three people behind the counter when we visited on a quiet Monday evening so we had the fortunate opportunity to talk to the chefs about their food. They began by telling us that the vast majority of dishes offered are homemade, specifically doting on the mozzarella, which is made on site approximately four times a week.
After careful deliberation, poring over our menus as always, we finally chose two sandwiches “hot off the panino grill” for our dining pleasure. We knew we couldn’t leave without tasting the menu item that was rated Baltimore’s Best Sandwich of 2012 according to Baltimore Magazine, so we ordered The Scooch, a baguette crammed with capicollo and soppressata, topped off with Prima Donna cheese, roasted red peppers and field greens, and sliced hot cherry peppers in a balsamic dressing – all pressed and warmed in the panino grill.
Our second decision caused us greater stress. The owner, to our relief, weighed in on our decision from behind the counter. We were dying to try the fresh homemade mozzarella (we are tomato-mozzarella-basil panini devotees!), but we were also tempted by a sandwich containing porchetta, which we quickly learned is pork wrapped in pancetta (how could we not try this?). Fortunately, we were offered a free sample of mozzarella on a sheet of tin foil, so we happily tasted the fresh cheese, cut in a thick, melt-in-your-mouth slice, and ordered La Porchetta as our second sandwich.
Our sandwiches, $8 each, took a few minutes to prepare. We didn’t mind, since it affirmed their freshness and gave us the chance to admire the baked goods and salads behind the glass window of the counter, which lay between us and our dinner. We admired the bread pudding, a berry flavor today, we were told (although a few days ago it was peanut butter and jelly). We also noted a sausage wrapped in a puff pastry of sorts, as well as a tortellini pasta salad, which, needless to say, was eons more appetizing than the Uni Mini macaroni salad we tried a year and a half ago for this column (the mayonnaise-y taste and squishy consistency are forever singed in our memories). We also drooled over the breakfast offerings written out on the blackboard before us: egg sandwiches, fresh squeezed juices and smoothies.
Finally our sandwiches came out, but not before the charming owner managed to tempt us with two miniature cannoli and a loaded oatmeal cookie. We took our prized possessions (sandwiches wrapped in white paper) out to the porch to dine while taking in the view of Hampden Avenue. The Scooch was like an Italian sub – peppery and slightly spicy, stuffed with two types of meat, generous with the olive oil and with tasty balsamic soaked into the soft baguette. Even so, our hearts (and stomachs) fell for the Porchetta, consisting of imported roasted porchetta, Auricchio provolone, extra virgin olive oil and grated Locatelli cheese. The sandwich was piled high with meat (the pork-pancetta!) and cheeses. Between our two sandwiches, the friendly service and the amusement we always provide for ourselves, we were left happy and satisfied – but not without room for dessert.
The inch-thick oatmeal cookie was a pleasant surprise because it was not at all dry. The coconut shavings, chocolate chips, raisins and copious oats halted our conversation until only crumbs were left. Finally, the cannoli were the grand finale to our delicious meal. They were on par with Vaccaro’s (in Little Italy) but are dangerously accessible from campus. We ended up with powdered sugar all over ourselves and in a daze from the delizioso meal.
As Luigi’s was getting ready to close, we were sad to say goodbye to the lovely group behind the counter, but the Blue Jay Shuttle (our luxurious ride back to campus) was beckoning. Just as we were leaving, Ms. Little. the owner of this magnificent restaurant, pointed out a picture on the wall. It was her son, the meatball-making machine of establishment, at just fourteen years old! She told us we had to come in to try a “chub,” homemade meatballs stuffed inside half of an Italian loaf, with marinara, provolone and grated cheese. After our meal, we knew we could trust her recommendation. Needless to say, we will be back for our chubs this weekend and we hope to see you there with us, enjoying a San Pellegrino and relaxing before finals officially begin!
(Thank you to all of our loyal readers. We’ll be working on our Parisian restaurant guide next fall but will be back to be your fearless leaders [read: eaters] in Spring 2014. Happy eating!)
