WARREN  The Trumbull County Tourism Bureau announced an updated Italian Food Trail on Monday, an initiative designed to guide residents and visitors to over 50 local eateries serving Italian-inspired cuisine. The trail emphasizes the region’s connection to the traditions of the Italian families who settled in Trumbull County.

The program includes restaurants, pizzerias, and bakeries offering a variety of food, from wedding soup and greens to pizza and pizzelles. The bureau stated that some of the area's most popular dishes originated not in restaurants but through local family traditions.

A key feature of the updated trail is a new passport program, encouraging participants to dine at eight featured locations for a chance to win a monthly prize.

To join the program, participants can pick up a physical passport at the tourism office or a participating restaurant or download it online. The program requires individuals to dine at eight featured stops and collect a sticker after each purchase. Once all eight stickers are collected, the completed passport can be submitted to enter a monthly drawing for a $50 prize box.

Submissions for the completed passport can be made through several channels: posting a photo on Facebook and tagging the bureau's social media accounts, emailing a photo to italianfood@trulytrumbull.com, or mailing or dropping it off in person at the Trumbull County Tourism office, 321 Mahoning Ave NW, Warren, Ohio, 44483.

The trail features a wide range of establishments across the county. Participating locations include:

  • Amen Corner in Girard, offering food and spirits.
  • Antone’s Kitchen in Howland, noted for continuing a family tradition of Italian cuisine.
  • Belleria Pizza locations in Cortland and Hubbard, serving pizza, calzones, and hot sandwiches. The Hubbard location also functions as a sports bar.
  • Brothers Pizza, with locations in Champion and Cortland, provides dinners, pizza, and subs.
  • Buena Vista Cafe and Buena Vista II Go in Warren, offering a mix of burgers, pasta, and Greek fried chicken.
  • Caesar’s Italian Restaurant in Warren specializes in homemade sauces and fried chicken.
  • Café 422 in Warren, serving brick oven pizza, seafood, steaks, and Italian American favorites.
  • CharBenay’s Wine on the River in downtown Warren, offering wine and a menu.
  • Cocca’s Pizza, with multiple county locations known for their pepperoni rolls.
  • Country Porch Winery, which offers food pairings alongside locally crafted wines in Trumbull County.
  • Enzo’s Restaurant & Lounge, featuring fresh pastas and house-made sauces.
  • Francesco’s Pizzeria in Hubbard serves pizza and pasta for takeout.
  • Franky’s Pizza and Delicatessen in Warren, known for its NY Sicilian-style pizzas and deli sandwiches.
  • Gionino’s Pizzeria provides pizza, chicken, wings, and pasta.
  • Greene Eagle Winery in Cortland, offering handcrafted wines and private tastings.
  • Hilltop Pizza Shop in Masury.
  • Jimmy Neno’s Pizzeria & Taproom, a family-owned spot for Italian favorites and craft drafts.
  • Jimmy’s Italian Specialties boasts a selection of produce from local vendors.
  • Leo’s Ristorante in Howland focuses on Italian cuisine.
  • Margherita’s Grille in Girard, a family-owned spot with diverse dishes.
  • Melfi & Santangelo, offering pizza, bakery treats, and Italian deli items.
  • Niki’z Pub in Niles, known for sausage sandwiches.
  • Pesa Italian Rolls, a bakery specializing in savory and cinnamon rolls.
  • Pizza Joe’s with multiple county locations serving pizza, calzones, and wings.
  • Primanti Bros, a Pittsburgh restaurant known for sandwiches with fries inside.
  • Red Plum Pizza & Pasta, serving both classic and new creations.
  • Renato’s Pizza, which has been open since 2008 and specializes in takeout.
  • Salvatore’s Italian Grill in Warren, offering wood-fired pizzas and homemade pasta.
  • Sam’s Pizza Shop, featuring pizza, chicken, and seafood dinners.
  • Sorrento’s Ristorante & Banquet Hall which has a selection of menu items and event facilities.
  • Station Square Ristorante in Liberty has been serving Italian dining since 1986.
  • Sunrise Inn of Warren has been operating since 1929 and serving specialty pizzas and pasta.
  • The White Rose Spaghetti House in Masury, an Italian restaurant in the Mahoning Valley.
  • Tino’s Italian Kitchen in Niles.
  • Tommy’s Brother’s Sub Shop has been operating since 1989.
  • Uptown Pizza, a local favorite for Italian classics.
  • Vasilio’s Restaurant & Pizzeria in Cortland, known for pizza, pasta, and catering.
  • Vernon’s Cafe in Niles offers pasta, seafood, and a full-service bar.
  • Wedgewood Fernando’s Pizza in Howland, serving pizzas and salads.

The list covers more than 50 locations, reflecting the density of Italian food establishments in the area. The program aims to encourage local dining and highlight the heritage of the regional food scene.