"Normally" you are supposed to use the consulate that covers the area where you "live". "Normally" they will eventually seek some sort of "proof" of that like your mailing address. But the consulates operate somewhat like government here in Italy so if you know someone or have a mailing address you can "borrow" in a different service area you can always try a different consul. In the past, especially under the prior Consul General we always had good luck working with the Houston Consulate (which is in a highrise near the Galleria in Uptown, near many of the other Euro consulate like Germany, France, etc if you make the trip)
The new consul Sr. Nava seems to have changed attitudes a bit. For example, I couldn't get a passport for my second child (who is Italian) as they wanted him to travel back on his American one, and just do it in italy, even though they should do it per the rules. Gets into complications about whether one is registered overseas or not and such, but my point is, like everything in Italy, the "rules" can change on a whim.

As I said before I know Australians registered in my little commune who have been waiting over 3 years for Roma to act on their paperwork and I know other expats that have only needed around 9 months. again, I don't mean to discourage at all, just go into it with patience and the proper expectations.

I'd suggest using a service like the one recommended above might be better than going over to Italy intitially (unless you just want a vacation too which is a great deal ) If the commune is small, the person you need might be gone, these things happen.

For example a couple of years ago before I had my Italian citizenship, I had to go get some documents and such stamped (Italians love stamps). The two guys that do that had gotten into an argument, and both closed the shop and taken two weeks off each, at the same time, so the office was closed-end of story everyone had to wait. Again, my point is in smaller places you don't always know what you are going to get. My commune ignored the consulates e-mails for nearly two weeks once, then magically 'finding' it when I showed up with copies.

Last advice- Do not get an immigration lawyer in Italy. Not at this stage anyway; it is not worth it. Just trust me on that one. I haven't used them, but I know people who have; it can be a big waste and not get you what you need.