Luigi’s Restaurant & Gourmet Express

The food is very very good the Santa Fe wrap are one of the best wraps I had in my life lol every once and a while I come in to sit and have lunch with a friend but my last visit will change that. As I was ordering my food a manager or an owner, a woman with dark hair and glasses came from the back and started barking orders and yelling at the employees serving guest. I was discussed in the way she choose to go about fixing whatever issue she had with the employees she looked like a BULLY!!! I watched her take the life out of the these young kids in a restaurant full of people I would have walked out and let her serve all the customers by herself. The way she acted was very uncalled for and very immature. After reading other reviews about the young staff not doing their jobs, well I can see why I wouldn’t want to do my best when I’m being spoken to like crap. As a former manager there are times when you have show a little tough love but there is a time and a place.

I have never had a bad or disappointing meal at Luigi’s. Everything is cooked to perfection and the service in the dine-​in section of the restaurant is always impeccable. The entrée prices are reasonable and the dessert prices more than reasonable for the amount of food and the quality of the food you get (their cake slices are HUGE!!!). On the flip side, the Gourmet Express can be a stressful experience. This area is often busy and you can tell that the communication between the workers needs improvement at times. Sometimes you can get the attention of one of the workers the second you come through the door and other times, you see a few of the younger workers stand around and even look at you for unnecessary amounts of time before they finally come over to help you. Those days can be pretty frustrating especially if you’re in a hurry… but considering how busy they always are, the service is pretty quick once your order is placed. The longest I’ve spent in the Gourmet Express section waiting for my food was ten minutes. Tops. Again, not too shabby considering how many people are usually swarmed in that area. Also, if you get there later in the night, they give you extra rolls to take home. The rolls are always fresh and delicious! Luigi’s will always be a favorite.

Not bad food. Service is a bunch of kids running around with no management. The white clam chowder is watery and mostly potatoes. Their other soups are good.

Second time here in less then a week and the food is awesome and so is the service. It just gets better and better every time I come here

We had a gathering here in their private room. It was nice to be separate from the other patrons. The staff worked diligently to maintain the buffet style served food. I must say I was pleasantly surprised by the food. Yummy. And the desserts were just as delicious!!! Definitely a place worth eating at. I’m not sure about the price as I didn’t see the bill, but I’m hoping it was reasonably priced. Thank you for taking care of us.

Luigi’s has been a local institution in Johnston for more than 20 years. A member of my doctoral cohort at Johnson & Wales used to do takeout orders for us every Friday night and that used to be what I looked forward to every weekend (because that much time spent in classes could get pretty tedious, but I digress).
While on the way to a medical appointment with my daughter, I decided that lunch at Luigi’s would be a nice treat for both of us.
Inside is a nice, clean, bright, shiny atmosphere. The most modern of Italian deli setups, with cases upon cases of delicious looking food. Lots of busy people working out front to serve you and behind the scenes getting it out to you quickly.
There are so any choices in so many cases that you might miss something if you don’t do your due diligence up front. But you’ll likely be happy no matter what you discover and choose…
We split a chicken parm and a meatball sandwich. One of the things I remembered most fondly was the awesome focaccia bread that my sandwiches at J&W used to come on. These sandwiches came on a torpedo, though. I would have preferred to be given the option, so that was disappointing. That being said, the torpedo roll was tasty and light, it would have been great if I wasn’t expecting something better.
The chicken parm was tasty, but nothing special, the meatball sandwich was much better. Solid, delicious meatballs in a great sauce and some good cheese.
The food came out quickly and the servers were very pleasant and accommodating. The seating is comfortable in an airy, clean, large area, which is also a great people watching spot.
If you’re hungry, want lots of great options in a comfortable, clean, modern atmosphere, give it a try. You’ll be happy with the choices on all fronts.

The food is good but their take out is substandard. We have gotten it multiple times and every time they forget something they charged us for. It happened so often we stopped getting take out here.

Just had Thanksgiving dinner catered by Luigi’s It was great. Italian wedding soup was perfect. Turkey was done just right. Sides were great. The pick up on Thanksgiving morning was quick and efficient. Staff very helpful, even carried meal to car.
I would do this again. If you want to entertain for the holidays but don’t want to, or have time to cook, Luigi’s is a great alternative.
JT

Luigi’s is decent Italian food. They offer many of the standards you’d expect in a moderately priced RI Italian restaurant. They have a fairly large menu and have a take-​out restaurant attached to the main dining room. One of the decent features is they allow you to build your own pasta plate selecting from various pastas, sauces and additions. Great for kids who are particular about what they eat. If you’re a person who also likes large portions, then Luigi’s won’t disappoint on this front either.

Had to give a quick update. This has always been my go to spot for homemade chicken soup since I was a kid. I remember when my grandmother was sick all she would ever ask for was Chicken Escarole soup. It’s fantastic.
I also always lovvvved the ziti alforno. Many people rave about it. But recently it seems since the changes at Luigis, the pasta has been absolutely horrible. I’m not sure if it’s different cooks preparing it, but the pasta has been soooooooo mushy many times. It’s also been extremely bland to an upsetting point ! I was craving that oooey gooey cheese pasta and got nothing of the sort.
I also read a previous review about someone saying fix the pizza. He is right. Fix the pizza. It smells delicious it looks mouth watering, the crust is crispy and the slices are firm not flimsy, BUT, there’s nooooooo taste ! Did someone forget the salt ?
I will continue to enjoy the seasonal soups but I’m afraid to keep spending in disappointment.

Food is mediocre. The waitstaff always looks rushed and unhappy.
I have been here more than a few times and I am not sure what people see in this place. There are much better food options in Providence and right down the street from Luigis. Try Pats. That restaurant is amazing. Luigis is not even close to being amazing. The family that owns this place act like they are the best thing to happen to YOU since, well, YOU. If you dont believe me, try talking to one of the sisters of the place. They think you are beneath them.
Im glad to hear that a couple of former works are taking this place to court and suing them for unfair labor practices. From coming in a few times, I just knew.
Dont support this place. Go elsewhere. Go to places that take food and there works as well as customers seriously.

I recently received a gift certificate to Luigi’s. So I decided to pick up some food to go. Although I pass this restaurant numerous times in the course of a week, shame on me that I don’t frequent this establishment more often! The food is very good. Creative dishes. It’s very busy and thus the food is moving quickly and is fresh. Purchased quarts of chicken escarole and chicken noodle soup. Delicious. I tried the vegetable bomb. Pizza shell with spinach, squash and carrots. Different yet delicious. Very happy I tried it and will return there soon!

Never came here without great food. Please try their specials, as they are always fantastic & creative. Waitstaff always courteous and professional. Sometimes on the busier times such as the holidays they pack you in and the service is less than perfect, indicating they are understaffed. Other than that, it’s a great Italian spot. The owner is very nice and personable, often found at the hostess station or checking on tables.

If you’re EVER in Johnston, and you’re hungry… And your sick of fast food, then here’s the place to go! This is fast «good» food! Now there’s a few ways to do this… They have the Express line, if you’d rather pick up your order and GO. There’s also the dinning area for a romantic meal. You have a large group? Then Luigi’s is the place for that too! Everything is amazing but please please please try the «Pizza Chips» they sell out quick!

I am a total fan. Only found in Rhode island. It is a cold deli…
take out…
pizzeria…
cafeteria…
sit down fancy with wait staff…
banquet…
With:
desserts…
whole cakes…
wraps…
pasta…
a ready meal counter with salads n calzones.
They have family sized meals to go.
Everyone from a weekend warrior guy covered with yard clippings to a suited up office gal will be comfortable here.
Im sure there are better people who described this place better. This place has everything I like, big fancy salads, pizza, grinders.

Prepared Food Yes, Pizza No
This is a quick 2 part review. Luigi’s has been an Italian restaurant institution for over 20 years. All of there food is above average and always fresh. They have all of your typical Italian fair in a newly renovated restaurant. Prices have slowly risen as well so your not going to your typical 12 dollar chicken parm anymore.
Part 2 is new hip concept of several Italian eateries building a prepared quick food and sandwich café to entice people for a simpler lunch option. Luigi’s does this pretty well.
Good sandwiches and prepared food, but I do have one issue.
The Gourmet Express is supposed specialize in Pizza and my experience was terrible. Watery mushy undercooked pizza with crappy toppings. I really still don’t believe it, because I have been going to Luigi’s for over a decade and have never had bad food, but this was awful.
Tip:
Obviously, stay away from the Pizza. However I have ordered a few items from the catering menu and all of those items were very good.
Fix that Pizza
Thanks

***for the restaurant, not the deli***
I know I am in the minority here but I am just NOT diggin on their food. I would never come here by choice, but it was a family reunion type thing so I just wanted to roll with it — maybe my memory was foggy and it would be better than I remembered years ago?
nahhhh…
props for offering the gluten free chix parm on the menu for us glutards, and their antipasto chop salad is AIIIIGHT, but really, like another posted mentioned, it’s just OK but not great. and come on folks, this is RI — aint nobody got time for just «OK» italian food.
I think overall they are better on the deli/​catering side but next time if someone suggests coming here for dinner Im just gonna pull rank and parlay the party up atwood to la rosa.
TRUFAX.

Great spread of prepared food and desserts… Mostly Italian delicacies but also Chop Suey, Santa Fe Beans and Rice, Salads, etc.
The desserts look Amazing.
I went for a slice of pepperoni pizza and it was nice and crispy. A bit on the salty side for me… but not bad.
Lots of people getting big foil pans of prepared food… seems like a local favorite.

This is a hidden gem that would be right there ranked in the top 10 on the hill. Though we did the express this time it’s all the same cooked in the same kitchen right?
There is something for everyone here and you can’t go wrong. They have soups, sandwiches, pasta, pasta salad, veggie salad, roasted veggies and chicken dinners along with a lot of other things all under one roof.
The Staff is friendly and get the food out pretty face which is always good thing.
It’s Well lit and decorated inside and very clean and there on top of it.
Next time in the area will definitely be stopping in.

Nothing screams that I am practically a North Providence Italianite quiet like my fondness for Luigi’s.
Since I was a wee one, Luigi’s has been a go to for special dinners. My first memory of Luigi’s involves not being allowed to go with my Mimi and Papa in the limo to the restaurant and that my sister and i then continued to ruin the night by hiding under the table when another table had a clown come in for their daughter’s birthday. Happy 50^th, Mimi and Papa!
Now its almost 22 years later (as I’m 27 and the anniversary meltdown was when I was in kindergarten) and I’m still picking Luigi’s as where I want to go for my birthday, or for lunch on a Sunday with my father.
It’s close to us. I live in Providence and he in Johnston, they have plenty of parking so that hopefully my father doesn’t hit anyone in the lot. They have all sorts of meal options available, sit down lunch to 3 course meals for the dine in portion, and large deli and to go area.
The menu has your standards– all sorts of parmigiana (veal, chicken, eggplant), ample pasta options (including a pick a base and build your own), many italian seafood classics (frutti di mare, calamari, most importantly, SNAIL SALAD), and more americanized meals.
As of late, I stick with menu items I cannot (or will not) make myself. The pan seared scallops with balsamic glaze is not only calorie conscious, it takes flavors one would not usually expect at an Italian place and makes it work. The bed of cauliflower purée is ingenious as is the triple sec reduction and raisins, which go swell with balsamic!
The grilled chicken balsamic over roasted vegetables is another item I enjoy when I’m not looking to carb load (or get marinara all over my outfit, as my Mimi is no longer around to ensure that her grandkids are esconded in a towel as to prevent red gravy stains on our sunday outfits, please message me for a better explanation.)
Today I had the balsamic tomato salmon, and it came with the most delightful blanc reduction, a tasty portion of squash in a red sauce, and mashed potatoes.
Often if my father and I just need to talk or catch up, we grab sandwiches and a cold salad from the to go counter, which sells plenty of luigi’s favorites for one to take home to have during the week.