There’s something incredibly comforting and nostalgic about a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs served on a red checkered tablecloth. While there’s no shortage of contemporary California Italian restaurants around town, red sauce Italian joints have a timelessness and charm that can’t easily be matched.

Many of LA’s most beloved spots date back to the 1950s, though a new crop of Italian American arrivals are just as eager to keep the conversation going for a new generation of fans. Here are 17 spots around Los Angeles that dive deep into red sauce Italian delights.