06/17/2026
A great Italian restaurant is something Owensboro has been missing ever since the tragic day our beloved Niko's burned down.
Sure, we've had options like Fazoli's, Olive Garden, and even a new Italian food truck that recently hit the scene. But we still didn't have that sit-down Italian experience so many of us have been craving.
Until now.
We pulled up to Gusto Italian Owensboro KY, which is next door to Cracker Barrel, not really knowing what to expect. Were we underdressed? Was this a fancy place? Could we even afford it?
The moment we walked in, owner Nick greeted us and promptly got us seated. The restaurant had a great crowd already. Families, kids, date nights, large groups, and what I imagine will soon be plenty of regulars, myself included.
Our servers were Breona and Sabrina, with Sabrina currently in training, so we got the bonus of having two servers looking after us. They took our drink orders and brought out complimentary bread for the table. And let me tell you, that bread was fresh.
As a matter of fact, everything at Gusto's is fresh.
I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Nick for a bit. He told me how much pride he takes in serving the highest quality food possible. Nothing frozen. Nothing microwaved. His goal is to create meals that comfort you and make you feel at home.
I'll be honest, though, my mom never made anything like what I saw on this menu. Sorry, Mom.
I ordered the Chicken Alfredo, mostly because I somehow missed the Shrimp Alfredo on the menu, and my wife ordered the Chicken Penne with Pink Sauce.
(I was instantly hit with messages saying Alfredo is not Italian, and not served in italy)
When the food arrived, we immediately knew this place was special.
The noodles were cooked perfectly, and the Alfredo sauce was rich, creamy, and unbelievably smooth. It was honestly one of the best Alfredo dishes I've ever had.
My wife's meal was just as impressive. After eating about half of it, she looked up and said, "I need to take this home so I won't forget how amazing it is."
She's a pasta lover, and the last Italian restaurant we visited left her disappointed. Today, she left smiling.
That's saying something.
The staff was fantastic. Breona and Sabrina were attentive and friendly, and Nick wasn't hiding in the kitchen. He was out on the floor, stopping by tables, talking with guests, and getting to know the people who would no doubt become his returning customers.
My friend from Forks Up called it "a taste of Italy." I've never been to Italy, but if Gusto Italian Owensboro KY is even a fraction of the things I hear from my Italian friends, I may need to book a trip.
There was nothing I saw that could be improved on our particular Visit; everything was perfect. It was also a soft opening, and I would expect the menu to grow and maybe get a little more authentic over time. I saw a few other reviews from people who had a few things they thought could be improved, which is expected. But for the soft opening, everything was fire!
Owensboro finally has a good Italian inspired dining experience it's been missing.
And as always...
THAT'S FORKIN' GOOD!🇮🇹
Would I Return? Absolutely. Several times.
