Certain talents run in families. 

Some families are known for producing musicians, while some turn out politicians.  The Polisi family is famous for turning out delicious Italian cuisine. 

Diners have been known to travel a great distance to enjoy authentic Italian food at the Italian Garden, but that doesn't compare to how far this family has traveled to bring the ancient Italian culinary tradition to Fannin County.

Chicken Florentine

The Polisi family is from Albania, which is only about 50 miles across the Strait of Oronto in the Adriatic Sea from Italy.  With a keen eye for detail and a creed to only use the freshest and finest ingredients, the family developed four successful restaurants in Albania.  That business plan proved to be just as effective when the Polisi family came to the U.S. in 1999.  The family now has two restaurants in Plano, one in Anna and one in Bonham.   

The Italian Garden is located at 1919 North Hwy. 121 in Bonham -- phone 903-583-8390

Watching Benny Polisi create one of The Italian Garden's succulent dishes is like watching any skilled artist at work; every movement, no matter how subtle, has a purpose.  Whether he is tossing a pizza, preparing just the right amount of fresh, high-quality ingredients for Chicken Florentine, or putting the finishing touches on a hot cheese steak sub, the same attention to detail and promise to use only the finest ingredients that made this family successful in Albania is now winning fans across North Texas.

Benny Polisi makes tossing a pizza look easy!

Benny's job isn't done when the dish leaves the kitchen, either.  On most evenings you can hear him visiting with customers and gauging their reaction. 

"They are family," Benny says of his customers.

Waitresses say the two phrases they hear most is, "Gosh, that was great!" and "boy, am I full!"

Of course, that is music to the ears of a conscientious restaurant owner like Bennie and the person that carefully trained him in the fine art of Italian cuisine, his mother, Flora.

Flora and Benny Polisi

Besides the great deal of pride this staff puts into food and service, reasonable prices and great specials make The Italian Kitchen a favorite for families.  On Tuesday, buy two entrees and get a free appetizer or free homemade pasta dish.  Families love the Wednesday special because kids under seven eat free, plus any chicken entree costs $8.50 before tax.

Everyday lunch specials--yes, this hard-working crew is open seven days a week--are only $6.95 and that includes salad, garlic rolls, an entree and a drink.

A side order of sautéed shrimp is only $4.95.

Sauteed shrimp

To look over this menu, go to www.italiangardenonline.com

The Italian Garden has a very functional website that includes coupons, lists specials and services, plus it also gives you a chance to study the entire menu at your leisure.

This restaurant's appetizers are another reason customers drive from all across Fannin County for a taste of Italy.  Start your special dining experience with tender fresh calamari fried to a golden brown, or perhaps breaded mushrooms fried to perfection and served with marinara sauce would be the perfect start to a wonderful meal.

One popular menu entry, Chicken Murphy, is the result of one of Benny's visits with diners.

"It came from one of my customers," Benny says.

Chicken Murphy

Chicken Murphy is a tender chicken breast sautéed with fresh red peppers, mushrooms, onions, and jalapenos in a white cream sauce with a touch of marinara and served over spaghetti. And customers that enjoy a glass of wine with Italian food are encouraged to bring a bottle of their favorite wine to savor along with the great food.

One of the most popular call-in items is a delicious hot cheese and steak sub.

Cheese and steak sub sauteed with green peppers, mushrooms, onions and topped with mozarella cheese

The Italian Garden is open 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and the restraurant is open 11:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Benny also points out that on Wednesday and Sunday, customers stopping by before or after church get 10% off.

The Italian Garden also caters and the restaurant offers 20% off for groups of 20 or more.