Network food journalists from across the country pooled their expertise to select 44 USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year, which ...

A lot of us have been eating spaghetti and meatballs from Italian chain restaurants since we were kids, and that culture isn’t going anywhere any time soon. Does Buca di Beppo have the best pasta?

These restaurants distinguish themselves with service, atmosphere and — most of all — with food that honors the bedrock principles of Italian cuisine.

Your family will enjoy the spaghetti, lasagna and other red-sauce classics at each of these restaurants, says food critic ...