Best Old School Spaghetti and Meatballs?

[SmartCookie]

I make really great Spaghetti and meatballs, but sometimes I have a jones for it and not the time. I love the sauce at Fat Lorenzo's, but find their pasta a bit overcooked and the meatballs rubbery.

I like Broder's, but don't consider them "Old School."

Any suggestions?

-----
Fat Lorenzos
5600 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55417

[sarahcooks]

Old school would definitely describe the Little Venetian in Little Canada. I really like their meat lasagna too.

[lemonchanson]

I've been living in California for some years now, but I remember a place in the Twin Cities called Yaruso's (my spelling is atrocious!) that used to have the best meatballs and spaghetti sauce that I've ever tasted! I don't know if they're still around, but it wouldn't hurt to check it out...

Living in the Bay Area, I have the opportunity to eat at world-renowned restaurants of all ethnicities, but I still haven't found Italian that tastes as good as Yaruso's!!!

[St Paul Susie]

Cosetta's? Always an excellent option.

[BatMan]

As a kid we used to go to Yarusso Brothers in E St Paul for spaghetti and meat balls. Loved it then, but that was 25+ years ago. I think they use the same red sauce for everything.

Anybody been there recently?

http://www.yarussos.com/

[Grandview]

My wife loves Yaruso's. I think it tastes like school lunch.

[zfwp]

"My wife loves Yaruso's. I think it tastes like school lunch."

i am tempted to second this but i try not to say anything negative about anyplace that offers a five dollar lunch including beverage.

[zfwp]

it has just come to my attention that Yarusso's no longer offers their five dollar school lunch.

[St Paul Susie]

I am a huge fan of all things cossetta's and they do a nice traditional meatball.

[Grandview]

I recommend the spaghetti & meatballs at Carmello's Ristorante on Snelling AV in St Paul. If they weren't a little heavy handed with the oregano, it would match the best I've ever had.

Also, the house made Italian bread is worth the trip.

[Fudist]

I agree Carmello's has the best Spaghetti I have ever ate. They make their meatballs the right way using Pork, Beef and Veal. The sauce is to die for, noodles cooked perfectly al dente and the bread is devine.

[karykat]

I like Pizza Luce's. The sauce is good, over old fashioned spaghetti, and meatballs nicely spiced. With some garlic toast on the side to sop up the sauce.

[drew13000]

I agree on the Al Vento suggestion. The meatballs are tender and delicious! I think the Rinata version (same owner) is the same.

[liney714]

Mama's on rice street in st Paul. Awesome red sauce,tender meatballs. It makes me feel like a nonni is cooking just for me.

[latte4me]

Not at all old school, but D'Amico's has pretty good meatballs. And they even slice them up and add them to their lasagna, which beats mine all to heck.

[bombchelle]

I'm sure Al Vento has a delicious menu, but all I ever order is the spaghetti and meatballs in Mother's sauce because it is good, filling, and the ultimate comfort food.

-----
Al Vento
5001 34th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55417

Al Vento
5001 34th Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408

Al Vento
5001 34th Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401

[LiaM]

The place itself isn't entirely old school, but Rinata makes a very fine and classic spaghetti and meatball dish.

[moomon]

+1 for Rinata's meatball. Like LiaM already mentioned, this place isnt exactly old school, but their meatball is pretty awesome.

[Quince]

I just tried the spaghetti and meatball at Rinata for the first time, and it really was delicious, with a very tender meatball. The restaurant was pretty empty though, which is a shame.

[rp1760]

I love DeGideo's. Their sloppy hot dago is also quite a treat!

[Quince]

They are not open for the season until Feb., but I really like the spaghetti and meatballs at the Dari-ette Drive-in. You may find their pasta overcooked...it's definitely on the soft side. The sauce is really wonderful though, and their (deep fried) meatball is a treat.

[SmartCookie]

Quince - while I prefer the pasta more "toothy", it doesn't bother me as much as rubbery meatballs. I'd rather have the two out of three.

I'd never even thought of looking there! Thanks.