Cousin Louie’s Italian American

I really wanted to like this place as it's close to home and it would have been wonderful to have something nice but the food lacked flavor. The calamari was a little rubbery and my fish dish was not good. I likely ordered the wrong stuff as I normally don't eat tomato based food so I would go back to try some other dishes.

We ordered food for pick up and it was ready on time. We got ricotta and honey bruschetta, chicken marsala and tagliolini al Limone. The tagliolini al Limone smelled amazing with a hint of lemon. The pasta was fresh, light and tasty sauce. The chicken marsala sauce was delicious but the chicken was little overcooked and dry. We really enjoyed the ricotta and honey brushetta. The first bite with the basil was perfect. But once you end up eating the basil, the ricotta and honey feels heavy and almost ends up feeling like desert. Tasty nevertheless

So happy to have tried Cousin Loui's recently. My late Father In Law Giorgio was from Tuscany where he owned a catering company. He taught us how to make a handful of his traditional dishes. The marinara Cousin Loui's makes for their Chicken Parmesan is light and fresh like his was. Everything we tried was delicious and the service was wonderful as well. I can't wait to return to try other dishes.

Wonderful Italian dining experience! The food was so delicious. I had the Chicken Marsala, and it was the best! My husband had spaghetti and meatballs, and it was also very good. Our server, Dahlia, was a pro. General Manager Greg came over to make sure we were pleased, and we let him know how excellent our experience was. Thank you to all the folks who have worked to make this a wonderful restaurant.

This restaurant has turned a former burger joint into a charming Italian-themed spot with a great atmosphere. The space feels upscale and inviting. Prices are in line with a high-end Italian restaurant, but the food didn’t fully match the cost. The $20 spaghetti was disappointing, tasting like boxed noodles with a sauce similar to Prego. The meatballs were the best part of the dish and did seem homemade. 3/5 The bolognese had good flavor, and the stuffed pasta shells were a nice addition. The fresh cheese on both plates added a quality touch. 5/5 We started with the ricotta and honey bruschetta ($11.99). The flavor pairing was better than expected, with the fresh mint adding a nice layer. It leaned very sweet, almost like a dessert. Probably won’t order again. The portion was too large for two people and would be better shared by four. 3/5 The drink glasses were too small, requiring constant refills. By the third refill, there was no ice left and the soda/tea was room temperature. Larger glasses would be a big improvement. This place has real potential to become a go-to Italian restaurant in Dripping Springs. We hope to see more homemade pasta and higher quality ingredients that reflect the price. We’ll give it a few months before we return.

I was urged by the server to order the lasagna or spaghetti and meatballs because they were made from recipes that dated back to 1949. I chose the lasagna. It looked legit when it hit the table, but the “look” was all it had. The lasagna tasted like canned ravioli with good cheese on top. It had very little flavor and was desperately in need of salt. I don’t mind paying $20 for a 6” round skillet of great lasagna, but this wasn’t great. It wasn’t even mediocre. The bread was decent. The owners did a great job with the remodel. It looks nice and inviting. (The structure was previously a Mighty Fine Burger location.) The server did a great job.

We visited the place last Friday with my partner and, unfortunately, we were very disappointed. The restaurant is lovely and cozy, with a nice atmosphere, but the food didn’t live up to our expectations. I ordered the chef’s pasta, which was tasty but nothing special. My partner had the Pork Chop Milanese & Peppers, one of the most expensive dishes on the menu, and to our surprise, a significant portion of the pork was undercooked. This definitely ruined the experience. On the bright side, the service was great—the waitress was very kind and attentive at all times. Still, we’re not sure if we’d go back.

Cousin Louie’s nails East Coast Italian serving up classic red sauce dishes, traditional proteins, and a couple surprises. We particularly enjoyed the meatballs, ricotta bruschetta, lasagna, and chicken marsala. The ambiance and service are also top notch. We’ve dined here twice since opening and they did not disappoint. Excited to have this great option for special occasions, date nights, and family meals in Belterra.

The food was very good. It wasn't the typical Italian, but certainly had a flavor of its own. We enjoyed Chicken Piccata and Tagliolini Al Limon. The piccata was tasty and seasoned well. I think it lacked more juice, but despite tasted well. The tagliolini was new to us. It simply appeared as a very thin spaghetti. Their version of "al limon" really made it taste good. None of the meals came with a salad. Complimentary bread was provided. It wasn't warm, but good enough. Our server was Lucas. He was very good and attentive to our needs. The restaurant was noisy. It is not a place you go to and enjoy a quite conversation with your partner. There is too much going on.

Normally, I do all the restaurant picking and wanted to head into Austin for Interior Mexican. She spoke up and asked to try Cousin Louie's instead. Noting the other restaurants they own, I vowed never to return to the adjacent League years ago. So, would this concept be any better? We'll start with the brunch drank half price ($18) Sangria. Nice flavors and we couldn't finish the entire pitcher. Bread was nice but I personally wished the olive oil had triple the amount of herbs. I started with the clams; two presentations on the dish. Both were lovely so we're off to a good start. Equal praise for the Caesar Salad ordered with Shrimp. Her Minestrone Soup got good marks too. Now we're waiting for entrees. Then, our server came out to inform her they didn't prep the Piccata sauce so she would have to choose something else. Fine, new entree ordered. He also continually apologized for the kitchen being slow. We didn't notice it that much. Finally we're sharing the Tagliolini Al Limone. Noodles were nicely cooked and packed with flavor. Didn't really like the add on prices for Chicken or Shrimp. Just give us one dang price already. If you're tallying up the score here it's looking great. Our booth was next to the huge glass south windows. I glanced over the edge between on a whim and the floor was effin' disgusting. Months of filth stuck there; appetite for anything else lost instantly. Might be back but I'm checking the cracks first.

Man, this hurts me to give Cousin Louie's 2 stars. We were lucky enough to get to try their sample menu before opening and omg it was amazing!! Every single thing we tried was upper echelon food. We couldn't wait for it to open! We have been 2 times to the restaurant and both times it was awful. Starting with the salad. It was definitely a premade in the bowl and left in the fridge all day sitting in the dressing. The lettuce was soggy and brown both times it was served. I ordered an Aperol spritz. I didn't want their special ones and asked for a regular Aperol spritz. I got a pink colored one and tried it and asked the waiter what it was and he said it's our Aperol spritz, I said I ordered a regular Aperol spritz and he said oh we don't have regular Aperol spritz' and walked away. It's not what I wanted or ordered and I didn't drink it and he never apologized or offered to get me something else. The calamari was definitely not fresh and tasted like frozen premade store bought. It was very chewy and not soft. We ordered the special (which I had at the tasting and was incredible) with orchette pasta and broccolini and sausage and it was terrible. The pasta was water logged and mush and we ordered it without cheese for a dairy intolerance and they clearly forgot and just tried to wipe it out of the bowl and still served it to us. By this time after the calamari the salad and my drink we were over it and just wanted to leave. The food is nothing like we tried at the pre-tasting event. It's almost like they fired that chef and hired people from McDonalds to cook the food. It's very disappointing.

We met friends of ours for lunch another hit with us since they are affiliated with Tony C's pizza. Our server was very friendly and met our expectations. I had a salad with lemon vinaigrette and a yummy chicken piccata. The ambiance was very pleasant including music from the 50's and 60's. We love this place and will return. The only thing is they do not make pizza at this location.

If you've been craving a truly authentic Italian experience, look no further than the newest mom-and-pop gem in SW Austin in the Belterra plaza. From the moment you step inside, you're immediately transported to a vintage Italian kitchen -- it's like sitting in Mama's home, surrounded by warmth and charm The atmosphere is cozy and nostalgic with checkered floors, retro wood paneling, and a classy bar that oozes old-school charm. It's like a love letter to Italy, with every little detail making you feel at home. The service? Spot on. The owners (who you'll often see checking on folks bring that extra touch of love and hospitality you can only get from a true family-run business. Third generation chef makes you really feel the heart poured into every dish and every detail. The Clams were a great starter! Casino and oreganata style and was on point! Flavorful! Frutti di mare and rigatoni pasta cooked to perfection and beautifully plated. Capped off with their tiramisu...a must have. Excited for this new addition, will absolutely be coming back to try other dishes! Make reservations!

I forgot my phone so no photos. We went shortly after opening. The server was very awkward--as if she had not been a server long. I've waited to review. R had Chicken Marsala and enjoyed it. The dish I had is no longer on the menu with good reason. I understand the Lasagna is very good and will try on next visit. We hope the staff settles in.

This new location in DS is really good! I love the gnocchi so light and you can taste its fresh made. My husband had the chicken Marsala and lived it. Many mushrooms were perfect and the chicken was moist. Perfect before our movie date night. We can't wait to get back there.

Ok I think this is one of best Italian restaurants I've been to in Austin. The restaurant itself has a nice and warming ambiance. The complementary focaccia bread was pretty good. For dishes we ordered the Chicken Marsala, Gnocchi Alla Vodka, and Seafood Fra Diavolo. Everything was really good and actually not overly heavy. I'll definitely becoming back!

Cousin Louie's is pleasantly surprising. Located in the redecorated Mighty Fine Burger slot in Belterra, it is cozy warm if a bit loud. We were there on a Tuesday night, which began somewhat slowly but ramped up as the evening wore on. Service was prompt, and Iliana (sp?) was extremely pleasant and honest in her answers to our cuisine questions. You start out with breads and oil dipping sauce. One of the breads was excellent, while the other was a bit tough. We started with the calamari, which was a bit too chewy (a common mistake caused by even a slight overcooking). The sauces helped salvage the effort. My companion had the chicken scallopini picata, which was ample and lightly fried and well designed. The pasta was very fresh and the sauce as light as you'd want in a picata treatment. I had the agnolotti bolognese, which was superior in flavor and consistency. The four cheese stuffed pasta was well made and very flavorful, and the ragu was sufficiently meaty and tasty. The quantity was just right - adequate enough that we couldn't handle a desert this go around. They have an excellent wine list, with plenty of choices both Italian and otherwise. The loudness will be difficult to address, given the design choices made when this was just a burger joint. The entrees were top notch and the service overall was sterling. We'll be back to sample some other choices from the menu.

Really good! We sat on patio-Service was great. Sounds like the menu has changed a couple times. We got the Mozerella sticks, Cesar salad, AGNOLOTTI BOLOGNESE, and spicy rigatoni. All was delicious. The agnolotti was stuffed with some amazing cheese. We will be back

We have been here twice. The first time was amazing. But the second--not so much. First, I want to address the service. Our server when we were there was completely MIA. She only refilled our drinks once, took 20 minutes to bring out our bread, and we could not find her when we wanted to pay and leave. Second, my meal wasn't great. I got the spicy rigatoni and added grilled chicken. The portion size was very small; my son's kids spaghetti and meatball dish was almost twice the size. And the chicken was disgusting. It was dry, overcooked, and devoid of seasoning. This was a $25 dollar dish, all things considered, and it was not even close to being worth the money. Overall, I was very disappointed with our visit, and I am not sure if we will be going back.

Highly recommend if you're in the mood for authentic, delicious Italian food. The Chicken Piccata was absolutely delicious--flavorful, and cooked to perfection. The Antipasti Salad was equally impressive, bursting with fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors. As for the cheesecake, it tasted like it came straight from a cozy kitchen, homemade and rich in every bite. I only wish there had been more of that raspberry sauce--it's so good!

I'm not much of a fan of American Italian but this place hits the mark. The atmosphere is very nice but not pretentious. The service was great from the time we walked in. The food was excellent and the wine selection is big enough that you can get anything you want but not so big that you get overwhelmed trying to pick. Our server had excellent recommendations for pairings also! Everything we had to eat with the exception of the steak was amazing. The 14 oz Parmesan crusted strip was kind of tough and not trimmed very well (I would guess it was probably Choice grade). The meat itself wasn't seasoned very well but the Parmesan helped make up for that. Also, it would be nice if they had straight edge steak knives instead of serrated blades so you're not having to just tear through the meat.

Food was top notch! All homemade, authentic real Italian food. Flavor was clean, no preservatives and the service was great as well!

Seated quickly, great food and service. We had the calamari, Caesar salad, spicy rigatoni. Spaghetti and meatballs and lemon pasta. Wish we had room to try desserts!

Went to lunch with a few friends and had a wonderful experience. Ashley was our server and wish all servers were just like her. She was friendly, knowledgeable and hit the nail on the head when it comes to what I ordered. The Tony C's Caesar, Tagliolini Al Limone and the Panna Cotta were all scrumptious. The Sangria and DUE UVE were delicious and a perfect match for my meal. The atmosphere was inviting and comfortable. All in all I had a great experience.

Walked into a beautiful, nostalgic setting and was seated immediately. Ashley, our server, was amazing! Had the tagliolini al limone (with chicken), which was delicious. Caesar salad was yummy....just the right amount of dressing. Dessert was the panda cotta, which melted in my mouth. I shall return!

A Hidden Gem That Tastes Like Italy! From the moment we walked in, we were warmly welcomed by the hostess, and the entire staff made us feel genuinely valued throughout our visit. The service was exceptional -- attentive, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic. Our server not only made fantastic recommendations but also shared some of the restaurant's history, which added a special touch. Now the food... absolutely incredible! Probably the best homemade Italian I've ever had. I started with the Caesar salad, which had the perfect garlicky punch and a beautiful balance of flavors, topped with fresh Parmesan and a drizzle of high-quality olive oil. Speaking of olive oil, the bread dip was outstanding -- you could really taste the richness of the olive oil. A small detail, but it says so much about the quality here. My husband had the Chicken Marsala, and you could tell they used a top-shelf Marsala wine -- it was deeply flavorful, and the chicken was fork-tender. I went with the spicy rigatoni in a rich tomato cream sauce, paired with a meatball that was melt-in-your-mouth tender. The spice had just the right kick without overpowering the dish. We were blown away to find a place that tastes this authentic -- tucked away in a shopping center, no less. We will absolutely be returning. What a rare and awesome find!

I have to say. Lately restaurants are just going downhill since Covid. food quality and customer service! My husband and I came in since we love to support new restaurants. I have to say We were so happy, food was DELICIOUS and customer service was top notch! Our server Amanda was the best. And I loved watching how they all work together. I was celebrating my birthday, they brought out the most delicious desert that I ordered one to take home. Will definitely return!

We attempted to come here last Friday night and they were packed! Almost a 2 hour wait for 2 people at 5:30 so we ended up going elsewhere. We did make a reservation for the following Friday and it did not disappoint. The food - we started off with calamari and the marinara was SO GOOD! The calamari was nice and buttery, not super chewy and the breading was light and not too heavy (which I like). The bread service was nice. Love the olive oil and herbs, but we ended up dipping our bread in the marinara. Try it! For entrees we went with the Chicken Parmesan and the Spicy Rigatoni with Shrimp. The shrimp stole the show! So buttery and garlicky. The pasta was really good too and not too spicy. The Chicken Parmesan was awesome too. Huge piece of chicken and the breading was my favorite. So crispy and it held up nicely under the marinara. The cheese on top could have been more melted and seemed like it maybe was sitting under the warmer for a bit before coming out so it turned rubbery a bit. But I would definitely order both again! Our waiter was very knowledgeable and had great recommendations. He was very friendly and attentive. I didn't catch his name, but he had glasses and big curly hair. We sat on the patio with a 7:15 reservation and it was perfect. Not too cold and they had some heaters if you felt you needed it. 10/10 will be back!

It was good! Perfect little date night spot. Packed, but no wait. Service was great. Menu isn't huge, but the food was great!

Snapper Livornese was perfect. Service was on top of it. Glad to have a convenient Italian close by!

So we went back to Cousin Louie's for dinner with our neighbors and this place was buzzing! Almost every table and every seat in the bar was filled. We arrived ands were greeted courteously, and seated at our table quickly. Our waitress, Makayla, was very attentive. She gave us the history of the restaurant, made some suggestions on both appetizers and entrees and took our drink orders. We ordered Mozzarella Sticks as an appetizer, and the ordered the Lasagna, the Chicken Marsala, and (2) orders of the Butternut Squash Tortellinis. We paired it with a Super Tuscan, a Montepulciano, and our neighbor ordered some beer to round it out. Well, like our prior experience, the meals were amazing! Makayla continued to pay attention to us and made sure our water was never empty and that our experience was going well. We finished up the meal with Tiramisuou. It was another amazing dinner and the service was also stellar. I hope they continue with this level of amazing food and dining experience. Definitely going to be a regular.

Service and ambiance were great. It's a modern italian spot with the old school feel indoors and on the heated/air conditioned patio. The bar doesn't have a liquor license just yet, but they recently opened so it could be in the works- just beer and wine for now. The food was good, but portions could be a bit more generous. Cesar, meatballs, and baked clams were good- but the meatballs came out cold. The rigatoni carbonara was good, but the sauce was a bit drier/less creamy than what we were expecting. Dessert menu was small, I was hoping for more options like gelato and cannolis. I recommend a reservation but they do accept walk ins. I think they are working out some kinks- I literally heard a manager scream at her teenage busboys... but this is in a hopping area of Belterra, so I'm sure they will continue to improve. A different manager stopped by our table multiple times which I definitely appreciate.

Old school Italian with nostalgic music piped in. Made you feel like you were in a Goodfellows movie. Food was good, but in my opinion a little overpriced for the portions, but what isn't these days. Waitstaff extremely attentive and manager/owner actually stopped at the table to check in and visit for a minute. Definitely a go back to try other dishes and to enjoy the atmosphere

Such a great experience and wonderful food. Collin took very good care of us and was such a pleasure! The managers were attentive and made sure everything was perfect. We will be back!

First time here with friends. A few things are very unaligned. The restaurant seems to be deciding what it wants to be: A family experience which is a place to brings kids, loud, food passable. However with reserved wine up to $350 a bottle I would assume a high end place with a focus on great food. It's neither. Food lukewarm none was hot Soup was poor as it was premade and cold. Pasta needs to be put in fresh. All food we had was a step up from Olive Garden. Wine was very good but the food was very salty. Service was ok. Second bottle of wine came at end of dinner not during dinner. Difficult to split check. Dessert not offered. Ambiance was very very loud with lots of kids.

I was overwhelmed by the authenticity of each item I tried during my visit at Cousin Louie's. From the meatballs appetizer, to the fresh bread basket, the original recipe Caesar salad dressing, to the Texas sized chicken Parmesan; I was impressed with every bite. The staff were great and checked in regularly, always ensuring every dish was delicious. I can't wait to return because the tiramisu has been on my mind ever since!

We had a large party on the patio on an early Saturday evening. Cousin Louie's gave us two waiters who were both amazing. They kept checking on us and were great with the kids. I was very impressed and pleased with the service and food. We were so happy with how everything went for our daughter's birthday and hopefully made some core memories!

Went here for the first time with family on Easter weekend for lunch. It's new so we wanted to try it. Was pleasantly surprised by the food quality. We got the mozzarella sticks for appetizer, the the spicy ragotoni, tagliolini, Sunday salad, and Italiano sandwich. All of it was fairly good, especially the ragotoni and italiano. Pasta was homemade. Food overall very fresh. Portions a bit small for price, but I also eat a lot. The design of the restaurant was very cute. Service was very nice tho a bit slow. I'll go back. It's not the top tier of Italian , but pretty good.

Food all frozen, nothing fresh. Even the kids didn't like it. We will not be returning.

I ordered Chicken Marsala. It was OK -- not as good as what I could make, but I've had worse. My wife ordered lasagna. She got a small bowl of what appeared to be red soup, with some cheese and pasta floating in it. My wife politely asked if that was supposed to be lasagna, since it usually is solid and has well-defined layers. The server, who was indisputably the best part of the experience, apologized profusely and brought her a replacement dish of pasta stuffed with cheese. That was ... OK. I'm giving this restaurant two stars because of the server, who got a great tip. We won't be back, and my wife has forbidden me from making any Italian cuisine for a while, til the memory fades.

The pasta is ok, the kids food was actually better than mine. I love the atmosphere tho! And the service was great!

The renovated space is nice and the service was good. We got there really early around 330 for late late lunch. We had the chicken parm which was huge and good not the best I've ever had but okay. Gino's in round rock is much better. The ceasar salad was good and so was the minestrone soup. The lasagna was okay but a lot of sauce on it and soggy. We ordered the June special mozzarella sticks which was like a grilled cheese sandwich with a little mozzarella in it. Too much breading. They had 2 types of bread with some dipping oil that didn't have a lot of flavor. My sister, who lives nearby, mentioned It's good to have another Italian option in town. It was pretty pricey and I'd say overall it was average but we'll likely not go back even if we lived in town.

Great food, great service. Nice Ambiance. This will be our new favorite Italian Restaurant.

Maybe just having a few "new opening" hiccups. Not impressed with menu or food offerings.

Great place for basic Italian cuisine. Staff is so friendly. Small but comfortable. We live near by and have been wanting a good sit-down place to enjoy with friends.

It's good food. 85 characters seems like a lot of words. The service and food is very consistent. I was surprised and expect this place will do well. Whatever..

Was in the area for work and stopped in for a quick bite and ended up really impressed! Place is really cute traditional Italian spot and have really sweet antique pictures of their family. Got a good side ceasar salad and bread service which was really good, I like when they bring oils and herb for the bread! Also got the calamari during happy hour which was $3 off and just how I like it!! Just got the house white wine (Pinot Grigio) and it was reallllly good! I'll be back for dinne

I do not like to give an immediate 5 stars because then, there is no room for improvement. I cannot help myself on this one. Mama Mia! I came for lunch on their Grand Opening, expecting mediocre food and service. No one should expect seamless dining on an opening day, just because of nerves and new and finding their groove. Well, I had perfect service and fabulous food! Our server, Alan was catering to the table and fantastic with recommendations. I ordered the Chicken Marsala and a glass of Cabernet. I am regretful I did not take a picture of my dish. Incredibly generous portion on the Marsala plate. As one of my favorite authentic Italian dishes, I can say this Chicken Marsala plate was unexpectedly loaded with mushrooms and breaded chicken. I ended up bringing a good portion home to finish. I am hopeful that this well-needed sit-down restaurant stays with us long term. The pricing is great! I will try them again soon for the Steamed Mussels. Grazie!

I was excited to come to Cousin Louie's for the first time because I live close by. I don't like leaving bad reviews, but I ordered the Gnocchi Alla Vodka and it was awful. I'm not sure what happened but the gnocchi almost melted/disintegrated into the sauce and cheese. I don't know if it was way overcooked or if that is how their gnocchi is, but it was complete mush. It was completely inedible and the worst dish I've ever had at a restaurant. I was so shocked and disappointed. And it was $18.

The food was outstanding! Great wine selections and I recommend the lasagna. It just opened up and I can't wait to go back again. Mr. Handsome the bartender was great too.!

Pretty good food. Service a bit disorganized. Salads small. Good availability of seating. Polite waiters

My family and I went for the first time for my mom's birthday. The food was delicious and the environment was very nice. Our server, Lissy, was very enthusiastic, helpful, and provided a great experience. I would come back to Cousin Louie's again!

Holy shizzle this place is bad. Staff is great, but it ends there. Baked clams were buned and chewy and seemed like made my my niece in a easy bake oven? Spaghetti and meatballs were awful, yes, easiest thing to make on the menu. Somehow tasteless and gummy at the same time. My wife perfectly stated, "it felt like everything was off the kids menu." Ouch. I read a review than this was a slightly better Olive Garden...they should be so lucky. I'd have much rather had the bottomless salad and bread sticks.

Today the four of us had lunch about 12:30. Again the service was great and the food was top notch. We tried three of the lunch sandwiches. We had a piece of the chocolate cake to spilt between the four of us. Everything was great.

A well needed addition to Dripping Springs! I grew up in an Italian household and I was nervous that this wouldn't be nearly as good as what I was used to. But this place did not disappoint! I will definitely be coming back.

The food, service, and atmosphere are always exceptional. You have to save room for dessert, they're all fantastic.

Service was only ok, after 15 years of living in Italy, I can assure you, the food is NOT Italian or even NY Italian. My dog loved the food.