The Best-a Marinara in Lincoln-Way, I Know-a You Like

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In the mid-16th century, tomatoes were brought to Italy from the New World via Spain. Their high acidity made for a vegetarian sauce with a long shelf life. Voilà: the birth of marinara. That's right; tomatoes, the staple of so many Italian foods, are actually native to the Americas.

Marinara is a staple vegetarian sauce, courtesy of southern Italy, simmered with some variety of herbs (usually basil), garlic and maybe a little onion. This is a sauce that is popular with many people who like to eat. 

, Frankfort

Recommended by a Frankfort Patch reader, Aurelio's was my first stop. The sauce (pictured over cheese ravioli) had a rich tomato flavor. The sauce was slightly chunky and had a generous sprinkling of fresh parsley.

• The good: Chunky tomato sauce accented the pasta and the bread very well.
• The bad: Except for parsley, the sauce was strong on tomato flavor but weak on others.

, New Lenox

Another reader suggestion, Papa Joe's was stop number two. I couldn't resist getting the marinara with mushrooms on mostacolli. The sauce was very rich, dark and flavorful.

• The good: The sauce was very bold, zesty and definitely memorable.
• The bad: The first few bites of pasta were amazing, but the sauce's abundance of oregano plus an oily heaviness quickly became overpowering.

, Mokena

The sauce at Giordano's is very smooth with a bright tomato flavor and just a touch of sweetness. 

• The good: A delicately flavored marinara offered just enough basil and garlic to let the tomato flavor come through (and was very nice with the cheese ravioli). 
• The bad: Some tomato pieces would have added some texture.

THE WINNER: Giordano's. The slightly sweet, subtly basily sauce is basic enough for kids but interesting enough to please adults, too. 

Looking for local eats? Do you disagree with our taster? Head over to your local Patch Places food and dining directory. Find new spots, read reviews and even post a your own reviews on the profile pages.

• Frankfort establishments
• New Lenox establishments
• Mokena establishments

Future Chowdown Showdown challenges will include milkshake and chowder. Where should we go in Lincoln-Way for these items? Let us know in the comments and be automatically entered in our drawing.