Come Back Inn

Definitely some of the best Italian I’ve ever had. Great portions for the amount of money you spend. Very friendly environment. Waitress was quick and funny. Checked in just enough times and really seemed to enjoy her job. Food is to die for. I got the Italian sausage bake and it was heavenly. I would recommend this to anyone who is crazy about Italian.

I really feel bad giving this place four instead of five stars. For personality, atmosphere, and that authentic hole-​in-​the-​wall authentic-​Louisville feel, this place takes the cake. On the food score, however, they’re not bringing it at a 5-​star level. By all means, the food is good, and for the price, a really good deal, but the MO seems to be to make things big, rich, and carby rather than put all the extra attention and care into something that might take it to the next level. For example, had a fried oyster Cesar salad. The salad itself was just greens with what could have been grocery store-​bought cesar dressing drizzled on top, then some fried oysters thrown in there (no egg yolk and anchovies here). Was it still enjoyable in that who really cares about the food that much, lets get a group together and have some drinks and some food in a christmas-​light-​lit wood paneled comfortable casual Italian pub, heck yes. That’s why you come to the Come Back Inn.

Like Hammerhead’s that isn’t too far away, this place looks like a hole in the wall. Walking in will feed that theory even more, but the flavors at work at the Come Back Inn solidify it as a Louisville staple.
The Come Back Inn is as hometown as Louisville gets. The clientele are regulars and nearly everyone you will meet has either been there or wants to go. The Italian food is beyond your expectations given the location and laid back atmosphere. I’ve yet to try anything from their menu that wasn’t full of flavor.
Do yourself a favor and get the Wontons.

I give it a 4 on food. The place is definitely for the locals but is old and needs some new furnishings. A new décor and some lights would really help!

I had trouble deciding between 4 or 5 stars for Come Back Inn, but it was just shy of 5 stars for me. I’d give it 4.5 if I could.
The atmosphere is not what you’d expect from an Italian restaurant. It’s more like a bar/​pub serving great Italian food. There is a very homey, neighborhood feel to Come Back Inn. I enjoyed this laid-​back vibe.
Most importantly, the food is absolutely delicious! The pasta is really done right here. Cooked perfectly and heavily sauced. I couldn’t stop shoveling it into my mouth. I ordered the Gorgonzola pasta, which was excellent. The sauce is creamy and rich (similar to Alfredo) with a distinct Goronzola flavor. I could’ve drank this sauce. Additionally, I tasted the spaghetti and meatballs. The meatballs were heavenly.
The reason Come Back Inn fell slightly short of 5 stars for me: the grilled chicken in my Gorgonzola pasta dish was pretty bland and average. Also, we started with an order of breadsticks, which were good but not great.
I loved Come Back Inn and would highly recommend. I can’t wait to go back!

Great atmosphere & even better food!
Get here early because it fills up fast. I had the clams pasta with the white sauce & it was wonderful. Very generous portion also. Had plenty left for lunch the next day.
Will definitely be back on my next visit to Louisville.

Never disappoints. This place rocks. Did get an off tasting Peroni draft but they made it right. How in the world can the Mouse polish off an entire order here when I can’t eat half? Bolonese was fantastic as always and Mouse inhaled the Greco. The prosciutto wrapped asparagus was fantastic as well.
Another gem in The Ville.

My go to! The quintessential mom and pop Italian place. Except it’s not Mom and Pop, it’s Mom and her lovely daughters! The owner is the best.
Service is always fantastic, food is incredible with extremely large portions (you are buying 2 meals), and I get carryout most of the time and it’s always correct and delicious. I always feel wonderful supporting this local business and it just so happens to be my favorite restaurant in town!

What can I say, I’m Italian, and this place is top notch!

This restaurant is FULL of character from the moment you walk in. The menu is very large just like their portions!!! Tons of options. The pastas are amazing and the salads WOW my fav place to get salads. Staff is always friendly and helpful when choosing a meal. My favorite is the dim lighting with tons of old pictures and artifacts hanging on the wall, feels like you are in Chicago type atmosphere. Perfect for date night or just girls night out. One of my favorite places by far.

My boyfriend and I went to this place the other night for our anniversary dinner. We were sat quickly on a Friday night, they were a little busy but had a booth in the back corner.
Our server was absolutely delightful. She came to us quickly and even gave suggestions! First we tried the wontons. They are packed with cheese and pancetta and you dip them in marinara sauce. Our server even suggested we try them with the house made ranch dressing — if you haven’t already, try it!
I got the Wild Mushroom pasta with the garlic cream sauce. My boyfriend got the hot brown. Both dishes were HUGE and DELICIOUS! We could not finish either but we definitely took them home for left overs. Our server then brought us a complimentary piece of cake because of our anniversary. Lemon Chella, I believe? I don’t even like lemon flavored stuff but this was to die for.
Upon leaving, we advised the hostess our time there was wonderful. As we were telling her, the bartender, Cathy, over heard us and continued to tell us about how she bought the restaurant from the previous owner and now runs it with her four girls. The atmosphere, staff, and food were so pleasant, we decided to add this restaurant to our date night list. I highly recommend to anyone!

Not a good experience at all! We came as a celebration of my daughters wedding, We came in, a party of 8, and they shooed us to the back out of the way. We did that with no problem, but then they continually told us we were in their way. After more than 30 minutes, I asked the hostess what our status was… she rudely told us she was working on it. We were finally seated, but we sat there for over 30 more minutes unserved. I tried to speak to the hostess about it, but she continued to be rude. And to add to that, the owners daughter was totally rude and she had no customer skills at all. We will never come to this place again or will we will never recommend it to others. It’s too bad because I live in Louisville, and I love this town. But, there are so many other places in this wonderful city. Go to others places, but not this one.

This was such a disappointment. After many of my friends and co-​workers hyped this place up for me, the food that I was served makes me never wanting to come back.
First off, the atmosphere, people and staff were wonderful. I loved the feel of the restaurant and instantly left me home sick for Chicago. The waitress that served us was great, and the people in the adjacent booth and at the bar were all friendly.
I ended up ordering the Wontons & The Chicago Italian Beef recommended to me by about four others I know. I don’t know if the kitchen was understaffed that day but both dishes had some major issues. The wontons were gigantic. So big, that unfortunately they were still frozen in the middle when they were served.
The Chicago Italian Beef, was literally not edible. I am by no means a picky eater and only judge this harshly if I can’t swallow it. The beef had a rubbery texture that made me think it had been sliced a couple days before and reheated just as many. To top of the texture the liquid that was meant as an aus jus had such and overwhelming amount of oregano that just ruined the whole dish.
So many people recommended this place to me that makes me feel this place has so much more to offer. Unfortunately, I don’t think I will be returning anytime soon.

Wow… looks like a dive from outside and super dark when you fist walk in but the service is great and the food is fantastic. An eclectic clientele and staff which makes for a perfect dining opportunity

Amazing food, a great Beer selection and great people is what makes the Come Back Inn so special. The Come Back in specializes in Italian cuisine, specifically Italian food from little Italy in Chicago. I lived in Chicago most of my life before relocating to Louisville last October. I’ve yearned for a Chicago Style Italian Beef since I moved down here. The Sandwich I enjoyed at the Come Back in is just like I remembered it from my days on Taylor street. The Beef was tender and juicy and covered with Au Jus. It was delicious from the first bite to the last.
The décor is amazing. Its what you would expect from a typical Chicago Bar and Grill during the 40’s and 50’s. Our server was wonderful. Not only did she give us a full rundown of the menu, she was happy to tell us all about the history of the place.
If you’re looking for a taste of Chicago’s Little Italy without driving six hours North, head on down to the Come Back Inn. The great food, retro décor and wonderful staff will make you happy you did.

My favorite Italian joint! I’m not just saying that out of fear… deliciously consistent, feels like New Jersey as soon as you walk in. The clams made me an offer I can’t refuse years ago. I respect that…

Amazing. We loved Kathy and Courtney! Awesome place, friendly people, great hometown bar.

So it is a bar run by an ex citizen of Chicago. They have old pics of Chicago on the walls, and the music is primarily blues, and they have an Italian Beef on the menu that will put any tourist trap beef place up north to shame. The fried ravioli (while not a Chicago invention) are tasty and the Spinach Ricotta pizza (spinach, ricotta, roasted garlic, wild mushrooms, ham and smoked provolone) was OK, but it did not compare to that Beef.
Sort of an old school divey place, nice staff. I will come back for sure.

Janky little bar with the best Italian pasta around! I kept hearing about this place and how good the traditional bolognese was so we finally made it in to try it. My husband ordered the traditional meat red sauce bolognese and I ordered the gorgonzola pasta… Delish! I’ve been to Italy 4 times and these dishes were very similar to the real thing. I couldn’t finish mine so I took the last quarter home. Pasta bowl also came with a garlic bread stick that was good. Atmosphere and waitress are nothing fancy but service was fast and pasta was great :) I would definitely return when I have a hankering for a cheesy Gorgonzola fix!

Last minute dinner spot for this evening. Come Back Inn is always a crowd pleaser. My favorite thing to order (other than pasta, of course) is the insalata calabrese. Loads of mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and pesto to go along with it. The service is always fantastic here too!