
DiRito's Italian Restaurant
Family-owned Italian restaurant serving homemade pasta, meatballs, and traditional recipes passed down from generations, located in a converted 1920s automotive garage.
DiRito's Italian Restaurant brings authentic Italian family recipes to downtown Canon City. The story begins with Bernardino DiRito, who immigrated from Taranta Peligna, Italy in 1909 and worked the mines and farming fields of Colorado. Those family values and culinary traditions now live on at this beloved Main Street establishment, opened in 2001 in a beautifully remodeled former automotive garage. Everything here speaks to dedication and tradition. The bread is baked fresh daily. The meatballs and Italian sausage are homemade using family recipes. The raviolis are crafted from scratch with Semolina flour pasta—meat raviolis feature a combination of beef and pork roast mixed with hard cheese and roasted vegetables, while the cheese raviolis boast an eight-cheese blend including Provolone, Mozzarella, Ricotta, Asiago, Parmesan, and Romano. Start your meal with the signature roasted garlic, served warm with fresh bread—it's become legendary among regulars. The deep-fried artichoke hearts and Gouda sticks with green chile are also popular starters. Main courses range from classic spaghetti and lasagna to more elaborate preparations. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with the kind of genuine hospitality that makes guests feel like family. Service is attentive without being intrusive, and the staff takes pride in explaining the menu and making recommendations. The corner location at 3rd and Main offers a pleasant dining room with outdoor seating available in good weather. Reservations are recommended for dinner, especially on weekends when the restaurant fills with both locals celebrating special occasions and visitors who've heard about DiRito's reputation.
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Last updated: January 7, 2026
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