Do you love large breast? If so you need to visit Castelli's and have their fried chicken dinner. The breast they serve, are the largest I have ever seen and the accompanying pieces are impressive as well. Thick meaty thighs, curvaceous legs and wings that look as if the chicken has been pumping iron at the local gym. Big pieces, crispy flavorful coating and juicy meat. I primarily do carry-out and the quality of their take out is equally as good as when dining in the restaurant. Pick-up is smooth and fast, as they have a separate entrance and room for take-out. The staff is friendly and very professional. The service has that family owned business feel. If you're a fan of Onion Rings, I recommend enjoying an order as an appetizer. Their rings are super big and made in house. I do not like onion rings that come from a bag. When ordering my sides, I like mashed potatoes with white gravy. They also offer brown gravy, if that is your thing. My other side is always green beans. They make their green beans with bacon and onion. It reminds me of my momma's. With those two sides, it is a true Sunday Chicken Dinner on any day of the week. I've been coming to Castelli's my entire life. I started coming here as a child when it was called, Moonlight. Many of the locals still call it, Moonlight and no-one will correct them, because we all know where they are talking about. Service in the carry-out room is always speedy and friendly. So if you're a fan of fried chicken, I recommend ordering on-line for a pick-up. Or, treat yourself to a night out and dine in the restaurant. Remember to order the onion rings. read more

The best fried chicken in the area with a great menu Italian. This has an upscale ambiance with a series of rooms from multiple expansions and upgrades. The service staff is experienced and professional. The tortellini soup is wonderful. Veal parmigiana and chicken cacciatore dishes are tasty. Big portions of food so you'll probably take a go box home. Nice main bar near entrance with an original second bar in bar one of dining rooms. Plentiful parking with easy access ramp for handicapped. Has a separate takeout room at rear of restaurant. Long-standing local favorite with well deserved reputation. Great for special occasions. Nice banquet room that is quite popular for sales presentations. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Casual yet upscale vibe to this Italian restaurant.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Came for lunch and ordered from the lunch menu. Full menu available. Fried chicken is king, but he pastas, pizzas, fish, salads. Service was fast, professional. Nice surprise! read more

Castelli's Restaurant at 255 - Blackened fish and side with tartar. - Italian Near Me - Alton, Illinois

First, there is nothing Italian as to the way they cook chicken. They have very little to do with real Italian food. If you like over cooked pasta, served watery on the plate by all means step right up. The sauce needs help runny and lacks flavor. Perhaps you could go to Italy and truly learn how to present these dishes you claim Italian. Service is lacking and servers are not friendly what so ever. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambiance is not big in their list to impress.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Honestly, just call it a chicken shop, that's what they tell everyone it is. Drop the Italian as you lack the knowledge to properly prepare Italian foods. It does not even rate a 1 star, place needs a good derp cleaning read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]They gave large portions, and the place seemed pretty classy, and was relaxing, but the food quality wasn't something I'd leave home for.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I ordered fettuccine Alfredo and it seemed to lacked proper seasoning as it lacked flavor and tastiness. My salad also had some dark brownish spots it, so some of the lettuce was old. Staff was great! Service was good. It may have been a gem at some point, but it wasn't anything special. read more

Castelli's Restaurant at 255 - Entrance - Italian Near Me - Alton, Illinois

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just meh! I had prime rib that wasn't the best and wasn't the worst. our waitress was not pleasant nor unpleasant, more like indiffent. I wouldn't recommend though it was very busy on a Friday night. perhaps it was a one off on a stressful day. it was no dining experience I am interested in repeating read more

Moonlight is one of those timeless, old-school spots that's been a staple in Alton for as long as I can remember. It's the kind of place generations have visited, the go-to destination for high school homecoming dinners and family celebrations alike. The fried chicken here is easily some of the best in the entire metro area , perfectly crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and always served hot. If you're feeling adventurous, the chicken livers and gizzards are local favorites and always on the menu. Start with the onion rings, they're golden, crispy, and the perfect warm-up before the main. The menu offers plenty of other classic foods, I'll admit I've never been able to order anything but the fried chicken. It's that good. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Every visit feels like a trip back in time, in the best way possible.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I'm already looking forward to my next visit and sincerely hope Moonlight never changes. read more

This has always been my favorite Alton area restaurant and I have lived here over 40 years, known locally simply as "The Moonlight". From its humble beginning as a chicken shack on Fosterburg Road, this Italian family owned and run gem has grown to become the best in the area. They are most known locally for their outstanding "talk n chick" fried chicken and their fabulous Italian dishes and soups. They have a popular take out service with a separate counter and room on the south side of the building with slightly lower prices. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The interior is unique with several odd-shaped dining rooms and two bars due to building expansions wrapping completely around the original chicken shack, which now is the kitchen, with a salad preparation basement room underneath.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The Moonlight still has one dining room with now unused large interior front staircase that goes to the old front east entrance since the main entrance was relocated to the north side of the building where the parking lot is located.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] On the west (rear) side is the primary bar and a banquet room that is frequently used for local seminars and marketing presentations. Special meeting or special occasion? This is your place. Love the tortellini soup and the Italian dishes are top notch. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Nice main bar and a great side room off the lobby for special gatherings.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] You won't go wrong if you go here. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]We had 8 people in our group and they sat us at a square table. It was so nice that we could all talk to each other.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our waitress was wonderful!! I had the Fettuccine Alfredo with grilled chicken and broccoli, oh so good. Toasted ravioli was an appetizer but someone ordered it for a meal, you get a lot of food! The fried chicken was sooo crispy! read more

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Stopped here on the way to downtown Alton to get lunch. I had the striped pangasius blackened and the wife had the fried chicken. Both were good. The fish was salty and well seasoned. There was no need for the tartar sauce that came with it. Fried chicken was excellent. The breading was well seasoned and the meat moist. Service was friendly and quick. read more

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Well, maybe I should've gone with the fried chicken? I ordered Chicken Provolone and it was good. But not really anything to write home about, except that it was a large serving size. So, I got another meal out of the leftovers. The salad was rather disappointing, only iceberg, lettuce and dressing. Nothing else. My cocktail was good, as was the service. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We were seated in a back room, so felt a little removed from the rest of the folks?[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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I have loved "Moonlight" since I first came here in 1983. It was a family favorite as we raised our children. We had many leadership banquets in their banquet room. The moonlight salad alone made ... and still makes ... it feel like home. So I feel like a traitor by saying our visit last night was ... meh. Totally unspecial. All four individual meals. The salad and onion rings saved the day. I won't go into details. But I hope this was an aberration. My guests deserved better. The old moonlight would have given it. I cheer for them. Anyone can have an off night. I'll be back expecting good things. read more

Sorry Moonlight. I'm done with you. 2 sub-par visits in a row are a trend. Your food quality is very noticeably in decline. Steak gaggio, which was always my go to was 40% fat. The shrimp scampi i had today was rubberized shrimp on a bed of very chewy spaghetti noodles and I struggled to find any flavor. The normally good signature salad was also tasteless. I'm gonna miss you but your efforts to trim costs at the expense of quality food does not work for me. read more

Castelli's restaurant has some of the best fried chicken that I've had in a while, from the moment I walked in I felt so welcomed, I was greeted even before I had entered the restaurant completely, once seated the fresh bread was being sat on the table before I could take my coat off and that's when I knew I would love this place. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant gives a late 80s early 90s appearance but was very clean.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]While you wait to be seated they have a bar area if you want a drink and also a few slot machines[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. The food was delightful and plentiful and the prices are reasonable. I don't live in the area of the restaurant but I'll definitely make another trip. read more

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The staff directed us to our seats as quickly as possible. Our server brought our drinks and we ordered our entrees. The fried chicken and pasta arrived and both of our dishes were expertly prepared. We will definitely return! read more

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Everything went very well , #1 Restaurant in Fosterberg Illinois , highly recommended by friends and they were right.

Overall the food was decent. It was unseasoned for the most part and bland. The skin on the chicken was hard to eat and the dinner salad seemed like it came out of a bag from Walmart. The burger was good, as well as the ravioli and garlic cheese bread. But I do not think we will be coming back. We were very close to the kitchen yet our server did not come back very often or checked up on us after we got our food. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I understand that the restaurant was very busy at the time and they were preparing for a bigger party.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant itself seems like a fancier place that runs on its reputation.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I believe it has been in business since 1937. It could be that we came on a Sunday for the reason of everyone else's fancy attire. Overall, I think this place is somewhere that is good for a burger and fries but not for its 'famous' chicken. read more

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This is an old-school family operated gem. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We stopped in for a business lunch and the dining room was full.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service was timely and attentive. The fried chicken is a specialty and it was well worth the effort. I also had a side portion of fettuccine which was fabulous as well. Everyone at the table was satisfied. I can't recommend this place any more. Any the prices were ridiculously affordable for a table of five. read more

Very 80's / 90's decor, but very clean & well maintained & the seating is very accommodating and comfortable. The tables have very sturdy extenders which is nice when you have appetizers! The lighting is good for the ambiance, however overall the vibe would improve with some intentional music. My husband really enjoyed his steak! The appetizer sampler platter was HUGE! I had the lasagna (I'm not sharing a photo of it as I request over baked and don't want to misrepresent what the establishment would normally serve) & it was really good! Our server was very attentive. Our family of 4 did appetizer platter, 1 steak, 1 pasta, 1 seafood, 1 chicken meal and spent about $150 before tip. Overall, solid 4 stars! read more

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Good Ol Fired Chicken with the Bone in it. And can feed the whole family cheap. Homemade salad dressing is to die for. Crave it on a regular basis. read more

Been a patron since I was a child with my parents. We love it. The fried chicken and toasted ravioli is usually our choice. Never disappointed. We moved a few hours away, but always try to visit when in area for takeout. Tastes just as good at home! read more

Great food, awesome service! I took a single moment or two little girls there for lunch after church on a Sunday and the toasted ravioli were amazing. The girls loved their meals and my friend loved hers as well. Our server was phenomenal, although I don't quite remember her name, but I would recommend this place to anyone. read more

My wife and I have been regular customers for decades. Her family were regulars for over 50; years. While food prices have risen, the quality of the Castelli's service and food is still A1. We love the fresh bread for a start, always warm and served with butter or margarine. The waitress and service crew are friendly, cordial and always prompt. read more

Very disappointed in quality of food. I had the chicken Bianca. Chicken breast was dry and the sauce was more like cream of mushroom soup than a mushroom sauce you would expect on an Italian dish. Linguine was not very good either. Will not go back. read more

It had been awhile since I have been to this establishment. My husband was craving the chicken, so we made the drive. Restaurant area is pretty large and a big selection on the menu. The decor is outdated. But, that gives it a homey feel. Our waitress was friendly and attentive. My husband got the 1/2 portion of chicken which gave him plenty to take home. It was just as wonderful as he remembered. I ordered the Salmon with baked potato and broccoli as my side. Also got a Rum Runner from the bar. Salmon was cooked well and topped with sweet onions and bell peppers. We thought the prices were reasonable especially for the chicken. Bread that comes out to table was mediocre . This place has good food . But, it just doesn't have that wow factor for me. We will be back I am sure so my husband can get his chicken fix. read more

Castelli's Restaurant at 255 - Salmon, baked potato and broccoli - Italian Near Me - Alton, Illinois

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We ate there this past Saturday and want to say the service from our waitress was phenomenal and very attentivealso the chicken was probably the best we ever have had there definitely recommend your restaurant to everyone!!!!!! (We were the Becky Wooff party of 13) read more

convenient pick up spot for it. The girls inside are always so nice and helpful too, they always check the bag right before I walk out. My dad and I always get the chicken strip dinner. Their house (called romaine) dressing is so good! I get a baked potato and my dad always gets the hashbrowns. If you are in the mood for a home cooked dinner or some great chicken, Castelli's is the place! read more

I just visited Alton for my 55th high school reunion (AHS '70) and planned to visit to Moonlight since this was always my parents and my favorite restaurant all through my childhood and when I would come to visit after I went into the Army and then moved to Chicago. Pete Castelli was such a gentleman and was incredibly kind to his customers and staff including the chronic patients from the State Hospital who worked for him on work passes.. I NEVER had a bad meal there in the last 70 years and never had a lapse in quality service Our family meal was Talk 'n Chic chicken or a steak, shrimp cocktail, tortellini soup, bread from Duke's Bakery, fluffy hot baked potato with sour creme, a fresh mixed salad with Pete's signature custom blend vinegar and oil dressing (I went to high school and played football with his son Mike who always loved working in the restaurant and took over when Pete retired, without missing a beat and though he created his own signature dressing he kept his dad's dressing on the menu). When I went to eat on Thursday night at 5:30p; I ordered the steak and chicken special and had the Vozak family meal. IT WAS PERFECT. My waitress Dana was wonderful and the bus boy Sam incredibly attentive...the hostess stood in front of the portrait of Pete and though she was a young woman she exuded the same charm, courtesy, welcoming attitude and courtesy that Pete always did. The Castelli way of cooking a steak is very unique, using olive oil just like when I ate a steak in Florence, Italy and I never found an American restaurant that prepares steak just the same. I eat steaks medium rare since most restaurants burn them if more well done, but as a child and a teen I always ate steaks at Moonlight well done and they were deliciously juicy and NEVER tasted overdone. The diner next to me ordered a well done steak and it was cooked to perfection just like my medium rare steak. I( literally drove 300 miles for a Moonlight steak dinner. I have eaten at some pretty famous steakhouses like Morton's, Gene and Georgetti, Lawry, any number of steak and egg diners, Horvath's Tom's Steak House, any number of Italian and Mediteranean steak houses and a few forgetable chain restaurants but never have I ever had the great steak dinner line Moonlight, that is except that little steak house in Florence , Italy. In my eyes Moonlight , now Costelli's Restaurant at 255 is the BEST in the world. And though prices have increased compared to most high quality steak houses The Moonlight delivers incredible value for a high quality meal , all the more amazing since the Moonlight includes high quality bread baked by Duke's Bakery and two sides (salad, baked potato, other potato choices, steamed vegetables) unlike most steak houses where everything is ala carte and baked potato and salad make an already expensive dinner sky high. Costelli's 255 nee The Moonlight is a FIFTH generation family owned quality steak, chicken, and Italian food restaurant that has always been a great restaurant read more

The amazing staff the food everything about our visit was perfect. Thanks again Kenny.

Had the fried chicken last night!! Will definitely be back!! Good food. Good service!! But should have ordered chocolate cake sooner

First time visiting and it was fine. The service is friendly and quick - even for a holiday. The food is okay. Fried chicken is the way to go here. I deeply regret ordering the steak. The steak didn't have much flavor and was of lower quality than chain steakhouses which was a bummer. The mashed potatoes tasted very strongly of herbs, maybe rosemary? Overall, it was fine. The best parts were the kind service, quick seating, and amount of options on the menu. read more

First visit to Castelli's. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We were seated in main dining room which reminded me of an old style steakhouse with nice leather booths and nice decor.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our server honestly reminded me of waitresses at truck stops. She seemed a little gruff, but was attentive, efficient and knowledgeable. we started with toasted ravioli appetizer. It is unlike toasted ravioli in other places. My wife said the dough seemed more like pastry dough than pasta. They had lots of meat filling and the bolognese sauce was great. I'm not really sure I'd order them again. I ordered the half order of chicken, all white meat. That ends up being a huge amount of chicken. They give you 2 wings and 4 breasts and 3 of the 4 breasts were huge. The chicken was tender and the breading was good. I'd say this is the second best chicken I've had in So. Illinois. I could only eat 2 pieces, which is what the lunch special is. I had lots of leftovers! I had a side of mashed potatoes and gravy. The potatoes tasted house made to me. Gravy was good, this is a solid side. I upgraded my other side to pasta just so I could sample that. I think their bolognese sauce is great so I liked the pasta. My wife ordered a 1/2 order of baked pasta with whatever the less spicy meat sauce was. I don't think she cared for it as much as I did. This is a great restaurant and I will definitely return. read more

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Probably deserved 5, but I am spoiled by other places. It is the same great menu for the 5 decades I have known it. Great soups, salad, phenomenal onion rings, great fried chicken, great steaks. I need to go back again, more often. read more

Castelli's never does you wrong! We have 4 kids so some times I just do not want to cook dinner or go out to eat. This is our to go order. A lovely delicious salad...it is everything!!!!! Then we have chicken tender, hands down the best chicken strips I have ever had! Lastly we have the fettuccine Alfredo, it is creamy and phenomenal! I think you need to try Castelli's.....you will not be disappointed! read more

Castelli's Restaurant at 255 - a variety of dishes - Italian Near Me - Alton, Illinois

This is a local place so I hate to say it, but this was the worst looking food I've had in a long time and I know for a fact that it's not good. I put my pictures on google review. uncooked $30 steak. If you like coleslaw-DO NOT GET IT! absolutely terrible packing job too. ranch was all over the bag. service was not any better. Possibly going into the restaurant to eat would have been a better choice. Highly recommend that you do not go. read more

My wife and I's first time here with some good friends who had been before. They said the fried chicken was great and it did not disappoint! What was really nice was the order options by number of pieces and combinations of white and/or dark meat. Makes it easy to get what you want. Fried Chicken was crispy with a great tasting breading and tender/juicy inside. We had an appetizer of their homemade toasted ravioli which was delicious as well. Service was very good. Our waitress was very nice and attentive. If you are looking for a great fried chicken dinner, it is definitely worth the drive! read more

Me blight and the lace to go for the best chicken, service and hospitality at a reasonable price. I personally have switched to the baked version as I feel like it has an even better flavor than the fried version ( hard to imagine but those are my thoughts)! The salad is out of this world! I don't know all the workers but they're all very good. I personally feel like Lana, Lisa and Sam ,who busses tables, are outstanding. And of course Matt who runs the show is fantastic as well. Don't miss the opportunity for a great meal and service second to no one!! read more

Don't get me wrong. Their food is great. But you should really only eat in restaurant. They can't seem to ever pack all your to go items when delivering through Doordash even with the inflated prices. It's frustrating to try to introduce new people to their food when this continually happens. Maybe better training? My friends probably won't come back to try food that never arrived... read more

Always wonderful fried chicken and salad with house dressing. Been coming here over 40 years!

The food was awful. Bland and greasy. Really can't figure out how they're still open. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Food splatters on walls and curtains, old grease smell.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Please Yelp, stop recommending this place every time I search restaurants in Alton! Gross. read more