Spend time looking for top San Marcos restaurants online, and Italian Garden keeps popping up. Mention “Italian restaurant,” and this is the vision many of us come up with: red-and-white checkered tablecloths, fresh bread on the table, pasta, pizza, and a friendly staff. Bingo. You’ve just pictured Italian Garden!
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The ambiance is nice, but the food is the main draw here. The menu holds the standard offerings of Italian comfort food, though Americanized somewhat to appeal to the local palate. It’s familiar and tasty.
People often mention the homemade rolls dipped in olive oil and herbs, the variety of vegetarian options, the lasagna, and the cheerful service. The chicken tortellini is highly recommended on Yelp and looks delicious. They even have gluten-free pasta options.
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This San Marcos restaurant has a nice selection of salads and low-carb options like grilled shrimp or chicken. Naturally, they have pizza and hot subs with goodness like chicken, eggplant Parmigiana, or meatballs.
For the most hearty appetite (or as a shared plate), try the Tour of Italy plate, with chicken Parmigiana, 1/2 lasagna, and fettucine Alfredo. And if you can’t get enough of this tasty Italian fare, Italian Garden also caters!
Italian Garden has a reputation for affordable Italian food. It’s budget-friendly in a few ways. The food is reasonably priced; the portions are generous; and Italian Garden is BYOB. There is no racking up a big bar bill here. With food and price on point, Italian Garden draws a good crowd.
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This old-school San Marcos favorite is likely to be bustling on any given night. Families, Texas State University students, and couples on date nights are all likely to be dining out at Italian Garden. This is one of those places with universal appeal.
Fans online rave about the place. Some of them have even been eating here for years–or decades. I get the feeling not much has changed since Day One, and that’s how their diners like it. Like many classic restaurants, Italian Garden has a casual adherence to the traditions it’s created.
Don’t expect overworked, deconstructed, fabulously ornate dishes here. Don’t expect a Gordon Ramsay type chef screaming at the staff over fussy little details.
Do expect solid, hearty Italian dishes. Expect to feel welcome. Expect to make yourself at home a lilttle bit. Expect to go home full. What more could you want from a casual night out?
415 N LBJ Dr, San Marcos, TX 78666 – Yelp
