About Italian Garden
At Italian Garden, we believe that fresh ingredients, made-from-scratch entrees, and a passion for detail are the recipe for success. Now in our sixth year in McKinney, our family-owned restaurant brings authentic Italian flavors with a Texas twist to your table.
Our Story
Italian Garden began in Bonham, Texas, where Executive Chef Besfort "Lil' Benny" Polisi honed his menu-building skills. Inspired by his Albanian grandmother’s recipes, Lil' Benny’s love for food shines through in every dish. After starting a family, he set his sights on McKinney, choosing a location that had seen four restaurants fail. Despite initial challenges, Lil' Benny and his brother "Big Benny" persevered, turning Italian Garden into McKinney’s beloved Italian dining experience through hard work, community outreach, and a commitment to quality.
Our Signature Dish: Chicken Murphy
Our specialty, Chicken Murphy, features a sautéed chicken breast with fresh red peppers, mushrooms, onions, and jalapeños in a white cream sauce with a touch of marinara, served over spaghetti. The jalapeños add a unique Texas twist, making it a guest favorite. Variations include breaded chicken or shrimp, crafted with Lil' Benny’s intuitive sense of flavors.
Family and Freshness
Run by Lil' Benny, Big Benny, their mother, and their wives, Italian Garden is a true family affair. Our team, including four cooks, seven waitresses, and support staff, starts each day at 10 a.m., preparing fresh ingredients for every dish. From our signature Tony’s Own Italian Dressing ($4.75 a bottle) to our New York-style pizzas—up to 160 on a busy night—everything is made with care. Happy customers are our best advertising, and we’re proud to serve both dine-in and to-go orders.
What Our Guests Say
“We finally got to try Benny’s Italian Garden tonight and were impressed with everything! The garlic rolls were delicious, the salad with house dressing was excellent, and my chicken piccata was not salty-tasting like other restaurants. The serving was huge!”
— Scarlett“The Seafood Adriatica and Seafood Pescatore were truly authentic Mediterranean cuisine. Their lemonade with a hint of limoncello stands out. The owner, Benny, and the server treated us like family. I’ve already told my relatives and friends about this place!”
— Cat“Food made with the freshest ingredients daily, family-owned and operated by real famiglia! BYOB, Wi-Fi hotspot, great lunch and dinner menu. You just gotta try this place.”
— Nick