Pasquale's International Cafe - De Pere, WI

Chicago Style Italian American food in De Pere . . . 

Pasquale's tunred out to be an relief scramble find when the place we'd plan to go to was closed over the 4th of July weekend

Walking in I happy to see signage for some Chicago Greatest Hits, and truly enjoyed exploring the eyeball overload of aviation and WWII paraphenalia (A previous owner was a pilot, a vet, and a collector).  There was an old fashioned diner / soda fountain vibe to the place.  Lived in and charming.  Don't go changin', as they used to say

How was the food?  Let's just say they do things their own special way

What drew me in was the Italian Beef.  Even though I almost always order one on the rare occasion they pop up on a menu, I frankly don't ever have the highest expectations when it comes to places serving a proper Italian Beef.  Even in Chicago, much less further afield.  While a valient effort, theirs didn't win me over as an IB.  Their Windy City Beef was a bit of a loser right off the bat seeing as it came with cheese on it by default, which is just wrong.  Plus red onion, sauteed mushrooms, au jus on the side, as was a skimpy ramikin of giardaniera.  In it's defense, it WAS a good sandwich, but I'd call it a French Dip with a personality disorder pretending to be an IB

The table shared the Eggplant Fries, which were surprisingly firm.  Nothing life changing, but something different

Speaking of different was their Tamale Boat.  How about a Mexican tamale topped with marinara and a pinch of moz?  The tamale itself was very nice, just served bizarrely.  And another frankly . . . a place proudly serving Chicago Style should be using Tom Tom or Supreme's tamales with chili on top.  Just sayin'

The lady ordered the Baked French Onion Crock.  I can't say it was memorable good or bad, but it looked the part . . . other than a side a burnt bread to go with a soup that already has a big hunk of bread already in it

A couple of pastas were ordered for the kid and to share around the table, and I gotta say, I like the way they do it.  There were nine types of pasta, and seven choices of sauce.  It's not some fancy restaurant, so why not let the people choose?  We went with Cavatappi and Alfredo.  Expectations weren't high, and they were met

The Butternut Squash Ravioli I had higher hopes for, but they were still fine.  The kid devours Rana and Trader Joe's versions at home, and these were right on par with them.  We ordered the Poutonna sauce on the side, and . . . we must have just wanted to try it, because "old world roman sauce/pepperoni/anchovies/tomato/red pepper" on paper has no business being mixed with butternut squash.  Maybe this is why you don't let the customer choose what sauce to go with what pasta, ha

Overall I'm glad we took a shot on the place, and I'd certainly have no probem recommending them and going back.  Staff was patient, friendly, and took good care of us.  Just know going in that they take liberties and do things their way

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www.pasqualesintlcafe.net

IG #pasqualescafe

Pasquale's International Cafe - 305 Main Ave, DePere, WI 54115

920-336-3330