I tested Italian food favorites at New York City’s San Gennaro festival – one was as close to home-cooked as you can get

THESE tasty Italian treats at New York City's San Gennaro festival have exceeded expectations with one dessert tasting as close to home-cooked as you can get.

The Feast of San Gennaro, known as "the feast of all feasts," has been around since 1926.

At the turn of the 20th century, Italians immigrated to the lower east side of New York City.

In 1926, those from Naples, Italy decided to have a one-day block party to celebrate Saint San Gennaro who is honored as their native city's principal patron.

Almost a hundred years later and the festival lives on and stretches 11 blocks with the event lasting for 11 days in September.

The U.S. Sun ventured to the famous Italian food festival in Little Italy, Manhattan this weekend to see if the feast is worth the hype.

The first dish in their taste test was a "classic" - the hot sausage with peppers on Italian bread.

"It has like the perfect amount of heat to it," Sam Debicki from The U.S. Sun said.

Next up were the prosciutto balls with red sauce.

If you are interested in finding the best red sauce at the grocery store, The U.S Sun has also taste-tested five different jarred sauces.

"That is a beautiful work of art," said Tom DiNapoli from the U.S. Sun.

For dessert, they tried some baked goods, including lemon cookies that are "pretty close" to the homemade cookies made by family members.

"I would recommend getting this," Debicki said.

The two also checked out Ferrara's Bakery founded in 1892, which is one of the oldest bakeries in Little Italy.

They enjoyed their famous cannolis along with their gelato.

"I had a great time. The food was good, the atmosphere was good, the music was good, and you have great views," DiNapoli said.