Bocce and Pasta, Welcome to the MVR

Immigrants are the backbone of the nation and of Youngstown as well. In the early 1800s many flocked to the Mahoning Valley searching for work with large numbers of immigrants setting up residence on the west side of Crab Creek; an area that became know as Smoky Hollow – earning the name from the smoke-filled skies compliments of the nearby Mahoning Valley Iron Company. Though the diversity of people who came to Youngstown at this time was extensive, the Italian-American community was drawn to Smoky Hollow. It was in the 1920s when the Cassesse family opened the Mahoning Valley Restaurant – fondly called the MVR by the locals. Great Italian food was its trademark then as it is today. The Smoky Hollow region of the city was a very viable area up until the early 1960s when the neighborhood began to deteriorate, but the MVR hung-on.

Today Youngstown State University butts up the Smoky Hollow region and a local group of merchants has vowed to revitalize the area by creating the Wick District-Smoky Hollow retail corridor with the MVR acting as its anchor. And while the area strives to renew itself – the University Courtyard Apartments; a $22 million public-private partnership project catering exclusively to YSU students is located nearby – no matter the progress, the MVR is thriving.

When hunger hit Senator John McCain’s presidential campaign entourage while in Youngstown this fall, the group placed a call to Cassese’s MVR and within the hour John and Cindy McCain were enjoying a hearty Italian meal with the locals. Yes, celebs show up now and then, but the people you’ll find at the MVR are families, YSU students – especially after a home game – and area residents who know a good thing when they see it.

This is the kind of restaurant where people shout out greetings to one another; where families gather to celebrate; where hugs and hearty cheek-pinching takes place. Walk into the MVR and you become part of the Cassese family. Brother Joe Jr. and Carmine are currently in charge of the MVR, with Joe Sr. and most of the rest of the family being involved as well.

Standard Italian fare is offered at the MVR from wedding soup and fried greens to cavatelli and chicken parmesan – Italian comfort food. Prices are reasonable and the wine flows freely. The interior of the MVR is geared towards seating both small parties and larger groups, but space can be limited during the lunch and dinner hour, so plan accordingly. Trying to find a place to sit after 8:00 p.m. on a weekend or after a special event downtown might be a challenge – but well worth the wait.

When the weather is fine, ask to be seated at the enclosed dining patio or the large outdoor bar/eating area – both under cover and both wonderfully decorated with hanging baskets and trellises. To really get the feel for a true Italian meal, eat at one of the tables running down the center of the MVR’s four bocce courts. Anyone in the Mahoning Valley who loves bocce has watched or played at the MVR. The summer league which includes a men’s league and a co-ed league takes place April through August making the MVR a wonderful meeting place to eat and enjoy a summer night in downtown Youngstown with family and friends.

MVR
410 North Walnut Street
Youngstown, OH 44505

Phone: (330)746-7067