Restaurant Review: Martinelli’s Little Italy – Salina, KS
Heartland Culture
GET THE APP - FREE!
Contact: gregloving@protonmail.com
Salina is just a 30-minute drive north of McPherson along Interstate 135. Our reservation at Martinelli's Little Italy was set for 6 p.m., but by the hunger-induced silence in the car, that may have been too late. This was our second attempt to dine at Martinelli's. Our first try was the night before the Salina Marathon and the surge of runners carbo-loading resulted in wait times exceeding an hour. The restaurant enjoys an outstanding reputation in the area, and we were eagerly looking forward to our visit. Salina's downtown has undergone significant revitalization in recent years and was bustling with activity on this Friday evening. Martinelli's is located directly across the street from Watson's Theater. Inside, its large windows overlook Santa Fe Street, while red checkered tablecloths adorn each table. Bread and olive oil were served shortly after we sat down and it was so good (or we were so hungry) that we ended up ordering another loaf. We were advised to try the Martinelli's chopped salad before our meals. A lively debate ensued over whether to order the half size or the family size. Ultimately, we opted for the family size, which turned out to be the right choice. I’m not exaggerating when I say this might have been the best salad I’ve ever had.
Everything is available in three portion sizes: quarter, half, and family. The quarter size serves one to two people, the half serves three to four, and the family size is designed to feed an entire family. In my opinion, the half size offers the best value for your money and provides enough for leftovers the next day. Additionally, if you’re a growing boy, I’d definitely recommend going with the half size. For the main course, we all chose pasta. I ordered Martinelli's Pasta, featuring shell noodles tossed in Alfredo sauce with chicken. Mom opted for pasta with shrimp, while Dad went with pasta and chicken. I opted for the half size, leaving me with leftovers to take home, while my parents each chose the quarter size. Too full for dessert, we settled the check. I highly recommend Martinelli's Little Italy—it won't disappoint. Although I don't plan to run a race tomorrow, we certainly succeeded in carbo-loading.
