I saw a listing for this place - Ristorante Autogrill - on other review sites, where it got good reviews, but I couldn't find it. Typically, an Autogrill is an Italian sort of Denny's that they place in service areas along a major tolled autostrada. There was no autostrada, so I had to keep looking for its entrance. I finally figured out that it's on the side of the 2-story building that houses the fueling station and a convenience store, and up a flight of stairs. This is a completely different species and, as I was told, it is not part of the well-known Autogrill chain. It just has that name. The dining room is vast. There are quite a few patrons in their two time windows for lunch and dinner. If you analyze things further, you will note that there are many trucks outside to one side of the building. That's because a lot of truck drivers eat here. Truck drivers know and like filling meals, so that's a good sign. Also, don't worry. These aren't American truckers. They are Italian truckers, so they are more refined. While they are the main demographic, anyone from townsfolk to tourists eats and is welcome here. I went in two times, if not three. As I looked at the menu, I immediately ruled out any pasta with fish or fish in general, especially if shellfish. That said, I landed on a fettucine dish with some prosciutto, garnishes, and a tasty and lighter tomato-based sauce. The portion size was respectable and it was delicious. As a contorno (side), I ordered the generous helping of steamed spinach, which was also very good ... and good for you. To drink, I ordered a Sprite. I felt that the price for my meal was fair. Since I'm sure they have many regulars, the staff tried to size me up the first time I went in. I was able to ask questions to rule out some of their platters to end up with the fettucine. The next few times, they were even nicer and they sort of knew what I might order, which made things easier. I was asked a hilarious question the first time I went in - "Are you in a truck?" I guess I make a good chameleon ... I didn't throw around any $5 words. I told him I had walked over to the restaurant. On a subsequent visit, he even told me that he saw me walking over the bridge (on which the highway has a sidewalk). I was thinking that if I was noticed, this tells me that they know everyone in these parts and that it might be a little provincial. Clearly, I'm joking, because they were very good natured by the time I visited a second time. I really liked the tasty and filling food at Ristorante Autogrill and I felt very at ease here. It is at the very end of Montesilvano on Corso Umberto ("la nazionale") as it starts turning into Citta' Sant'Angelo, where there is indeed a major entry-exit plaza from the tolled autostrada. This all takes me to another similar situation, albeit in the States. I was once driving from the Midwest to Atlanta while in grad school and picked a random diner near a fuel station. Now this place was crusty. A "Dreamboat Annie" type with a gravelly voice was the waitress and, in ordering and making conversation, she asked, "You in a truck?" (I was thinking to myself that a rented Regal was the farthest thing from a truck.) When I got back from the break, I told fellow students about this "You in a truck?" line and they howled. But they were familiar with my $5 words. Whether you're a "townie," a tourist in the hotel strip of "Grande Alberghi," a traveler passing through, or driving a truck, the eating here is solid. Thus, I recommend this stand-alone Ristorante Autogrill. read more

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