Across the world, especially in the Western world, you would be hard-pressed to find someone who does not fancy Italian food. Italian dishes are almost universally loved which in turn makes Italian restaurants an instant hit wherever they are set up. There are many reasons, both covert and overt, that contribute to this outpouring of love for all things Italian as far as restaurant menus are concerned, such as:

Appealing to the Taste Buds

Italian restaurants do not shy away from high carb dishes. As much as many people are striving towards healthy living, everyone loves a taste of the forbidden fruit once in a while. Anyone who has ever tried to diet can tell you that high carb food increases appeal tenfold during that period of near-fasting. From pasta to risotto, Italian restaurants are willing to oblige your deepest culinary desires.

Offering Diverse Dishes

Italy in itself may be a small country compared to the United States, but they have an enormous variety of dishes. The restaurants’ proprietors work hard to replicate the same wide spectrum of choices on their menus. Consequently, monotony can only arise if the customer wants it since a single establishment has more choices than a month has days.

Widespread Popularity

Italian food is so ubiquitous that one can probably be hooked on it without realizing that their palate has been captured by the flavors and recipes of Italy. For instance, you would be surprised to know how many people are not aware that calzones are an Italian dish that cannot miss in any such establishment. Italian restaurants have also figured out how to incorporate traditional delicacies into general American preferences making them virtually indistinguishable yet so addictive. Spaghetti and meatballs are one such traditional Italian dish that accommodates the American desire to have meat in every meal.

Family Atmosphere

In Italian tradition, cooking is a family affair. Consequently, most of these restaurants go out of their way to give their dishes a family feel. Between the ambiance in these establishments and the homey atmosphere once you step into them, one cannot help but keep coming back for more. If the chef has Italian roots, he or she is most likely to be a favorite with the patrons through the friendly interactions and rapport built over time that fosters loyalty to the restaurant. In a lot of cases, the recipes that each restaurant is known for were allegedly passed down through generations of cookbooks and family recipes that were entrusted only to the chef. This gives their dishes a unique history even if the difference in taste is marginal.

Delectable Dining

While this goes without saying, it would be atrocious not to mention just how delicious the food sold in Italian restaurants is compared to the conventional menus in most food establishments. Between the spices, a healthy assortment of cheese, and the inherited finesse of the chefs, it is impossible to find national cuisine that rivals the Italians’ works of art over the fireplace. The above reasons notwithstanding, Italian restaurants are also relatively affordable due to the simplicity of their dishes. Most of the ingredients can be locally sourced since it is the combination of the same that matters. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that they are trendy.

Feeling nostalgic for your favorite Italian food? Visit Italian Garden, a family Italian restaurant in downtown San Marcos, TX.