HAGERSTOWN, Md. -- For more than five decades, diners at Rocco's Italian American Family Restaurant have enjoyed a wonderful pasta sauce, a recipe that has remained the same for generations.

The 50-year-old secret recipe used in many of the restaurant's dishes was shared with the restaurant's new owner, Gloria Stottlemyer, who purchased the restaurant five months ago.

The mildly sweet sauce is a perfect blend of flavors which creates its own signature taste.

My eggplant parmesan, $9.49, served with a side of spaghetti with meat sauce, was delicious. A large casserole dish of breaded eggplant was covered with their wonderful sauce and topped with loads of melted mozzarella cheese. The side of spaghetti was topped with very meaty sauce.

The basket of warmed, fresh Italian bread was excellent. In addition to the eggplant parmesan, other parmesan platters include veal cutlet, $11.59; scallops, $9.59; breaded veal pattie, $9.49; and chicken, $8.99. All parmesan dishes include a side order of spaghetti. Seafood dishes, which are served with salad and choice of potato or spaghetti side, include fried oysters or scallops, $10.59; fried clams or shrimp, $9.99; broiled or stuffed flounder, $11.99; salmon steak, $12.99; broiled haddock, $13.99; and broiled crab cakes, $14.99.

Large and small red and white pizzas are available with the following topping choices: Pepperoni, sausage, hamburger, onions and peppers. A white pizza, $6.99 for a small or $8.99 for a

large, is made with Fontina cheese. Toppings are $1 each for a large or 50 cents each for a small.

My dining companion enjoyed her generous spaghetti entree topped with two huge meatballs, $8.99. She shared her soft, hot garlic bread, $1.50, which was delicious without having that overly greasy, garlic flavor.

Other pasta dishes include lasagna, $10.99; vegetable lasagna, $10.49, with layers of pasta, vegetables, sauce and mozzarella ricotta, cottage parmasa and Romano cheese; seafood Alfredo, Fettuccie noodles served with Alfredo sauce topped with shrimp and scallops, $13.99; chicken Marsala, $13.99; fettuccine with Alfredo or red shrimp sauce, $9.55; chicken vegetable fettuccine, $11.25; pasta primavera, served with vegetables with chicken or shrimp on fettuccine noodles with red sauce, $11.99; lobster ravioli, $10.49; chicken cacciatore with onions, peppers and garlic, $9.99; and others.

Sandwiches range from $1.89 to $4.50.

Among the numerous list of appetizers are steamed shrimp with Old Bay seasoning ($7.99, half pound, and $14.99 a pound), wings, soup of the day, onion rings, meatballs, chicken tenders and Italian sausage.

Desserts, $3.15 each, include plain, raspberry, strawberry and cherry cheesecake, chocolate thunder (chocolate cake with chocolate icing and chocolate chips), chocolate mousse, Reese's peanut butter pie, tiramisu (Italian sponge cake), spumoni wedge and ice cream with choice of toppings.

The elegant red and white, two-floor dinning room reminiscent of Italy includes a decorative winding white wrought iron staircase, framed scenes of Italy and two ornate glass chandeliers which were made in Italy, according to Stottlemyer.

A huge mural of the Fountain of Trevi in Rome, Italy, with the statue of Neptune and chariot horses grace one wall. Dine on the second floor for a splendid view of the mural, chandeliers, stone fountain and lower diningroom. The soft background music and relaxed atmosphere added to my dining experience.

Many diners associate fond memories with the restaurant.

"People come to the restaurant from the tri-state region on a regular basis," Stottlemyer said, adding many diners share their special memories of the restaurant with the staff.

Couples married many years return to reminisce about their first dates or prom nights at Rocco's.

Though the restaurant is non-smoking, customers may smoke in Rocco's Lounge and Sports Bar which is attached to the dining rooms. Everything on Rocco's menu is available in the lounge, which offers a full line of wine, beer and spirits. Seating is at tables or at a long bar across one wall. Three plasma televisions and sports games are available.

Sauces can be purchased by the quart or pint.

Take-out and off-premises catering is available.