Santino's "Cooks With Heart" and Promises Fresh, Homemade International Cuisine

Our Daily Show! Getting to Know Santino's Live Taste Test!

ALTON - Santino’s Steak and Pasta House has added international cuisine and a chef who loves his job.

CJ Nasello recently stopped by Santino’s at 180 E. Center Drive for a taste test. As he tried new dishes, he talked with Chef KK about what makes Santino’s special.

“The best part of all of Santino’s is, most of the food is homemade food, made with love by our staff,” KK said. “We make it from scratch, so it takes some time, but it’s all made with love. That’s the only word I can say.”

Santino’s has introduced Indian, Thai, Italian and Mexican food to its menu. With an international cuisine and a dedicated staff, the restaurant stands out as a go-to spot in the Riverbend.

KK previously worked in a fine-dining restaurant in Boston, when he was recruited by Santino’s owners to come to Alton. He shared that he loves the town and has connected quickly with Santino’s customers, as well as the staff. He is proud to be part of such a dedicated team.

“We cook with heart. We love to be a part of the family,” KK said. “We call it a family because there is no differentiation between us. We work like a team. In each and every department, we work all together. We love it. I respect each of them.”

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In addition to their regular menu, Santino’s offers a $15.99 buffet every Sunday. But KK is especially looking forward to their Thanksgiving Day buffet, valued at $19.99 per person. He promises roast turkey, honey-glazed ham, homemade tiramisu, and plenty of other delicious dishes, including a few international ones.

Santino’s buys meat from local butchers and prioritizes the quality of the food they serve. Because every dish is prepared fresh, KK promises customers that he can adjust the recipe to their liking.

“You order, and we make it fresh. We can change the taste, the spiciness, everything, as you want,” he explained. “Cooking is something that comes from the heart. You prepare it for the customer, and everything’s prepared from the heart. We make dishes to make people feel special when they come to Santino’s.”

From crab cakes to lobster tail pasta to ribeyes to fresh naan, the restaurant offers variety. KK is especially proud of their desserts, including homemade cheesecakes and fried ice creams. He emphasized affordability, pointing to the $28.99 Seafood Sizzler — complete with shrimp, scallops, mussels, crab and squid — as an example. You can see their full menu at their official website.

KK encourages people to come out and give Santino’s a try. He believes in the food they serve, and he is proud of the work they do to feed the community.

“It’s difficult, but it has to be. That’s the specialty of Santino’s. Everything has to be perfection. It’s authentic,” he added. “Cooking is my passion. Every day, I’m just thinking of cooking, what to make specials for customers, how we can make it new to our customers. I love cooking. This is my life.”

To learn more about Santino’s, visit their official website at Santinos-Restaurant.com.

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