Italian Gardens To Go

List business closed oct 2011

A friend just posted a pic on Facebook of a banner hanging outside Italian Gardens to Go. It reads:
«Lost Our Lease. The Italian Gardens will close October 31. Thanks for all your support. Ciao, Baby.»

I heard all these wonderful reviews, and the prices are hard to beat, so my family and I had to try it out and was greatly disappointed! The lasagna was the quality of something you could pick up in the frozen section at your grocery store (and honestly I would go with the grocery store brand b/​f ITGO). My kids ordered the cheese pizza and it was nothing but an over-​load of herbs and slightly burnt crust. HOWEVER, I was pleasantly suprised by the garlic bread! Living in the neighborhood, I want this business to strive, but sadly unless you were born not knowing good italian you’re going to be disappointed!

Discovered that the Malay Café was closed on Sunday so we took a chance with Italian Gardens To Go. I do not go to drive-​up windows *ever*, but there was no choice at IGTG. Pleasantly surprised. They didn’t have ravioli (aside from fried) so we both ordered salads and lasagna which was still warm when we got home a half-​hour later. The salad was fresh with Italian dressing that wasn’t overbearing. The lasagna was pretty tasty and there was quite a bit. Garlic toast wasn’t bad either.

Like many people, I have seen IGTG while making a QT stop and wonders how good this place really is. I was feeling in the mood for some pizza but didn’t want to spend money on a whole one so I decided on the one slice («supreme») of pizza. First of, this one slice (square) was *HUGE*! For a little under $ 4 it was like getting two and a half slices of regular pizza. There were huge chunks of meat and tomatoes (and other veggies) on it and the crust was a «deep dish» style with herbs and spices in it. I’ve had a lot of pizza is my days but this was one of the best I have ever had! I am a FAN and can’t wait to try some of the other menu options. Also, make sure to try the Italian cookies… you will be glad you did! :^)

I’ve been curious about Italian Gardens since I saw it when I moved here. I decided early this week that on my day off, I would go check it out. I drove into the drive through, only to find out I had actually driven through incorrectly-​on the pick-​up side, not the order side. The gentleman at the window was incredibly nice, and gave me a menu and gave me appropriate instructions. I felt like much less of an idiot.
I came to drive-​through speaker, and the girl at the window urged me to drive forward, speaking through the speaker, then with a big smile and a wave of her hand. I had looked online at their menu, and decided on an Italian Beef sandwich with pasta. She was very helpful and explained the pasta and dessert options. She took my credit card payment, then explained how to drive around the building and I drove around. She thanked me, again with a huge smile on her face. When I pulled around, the original gentleman I spoke to was there, and made great conversation. He ensured I had my cookies already, handed me my drink and food, and said «Enjoy that sandwich-it’s delicious.»
I got home, opened my bag, and didn’t expect it, but even the packaging makes you feel like you spent your money well. I love the black paper take-​out boxes (they’re like Chinese takeout boxes, but very large) AND the paper inside. Lovely red-​checked paper that made me think of the Italian restaurants I used to go to with my parents. I decided I would just try the sandwich first.
I have NEVER had a better Italian beef sandwich. I’ve had many, from all sorts of different restaurants (including sampling several in Chicago a few years ago), and I can tell you this one absolutely wins hands-​down. The bread was still warm (not microwaved, fresh-​from-​the-​oven, soft warm), and it was at its peak for sure. You can tell these rolls are very high-quality.The beef was shaved to the perfect consistency, and it was packed into this delicious sandwich-​so much meat! There was ample juice in the sandwich (I’ve had them ‘baptized’ in Chicago, ‘dipped’ in San Francisco), just enough to make it juicy-​not enough that the whole sandwich fell apart, but as a french dip fan, it was perfect. The giardiniera was fantastic-​not overly sweet, spicy, or salty, and I’ve had it every way. Just brimming with flavor and the consistency was great-​lots of it, also. There was also a sauce on the sandwich that was so delicious-​I couldn’t tell if it was cheese melted to the perfect consistency or if it was just a delicious sauce-​it melded with the giardiniera so it was hard to tell. Absolutely fabulous-​complimented the sandwich perfectly!
I was so full from the sandwich (I ate the whole thing, even though I was planning on saving half for lunch tomorrow, I just couldn’t do it!) that I couldn’t try the pasta, but I did sample one of the cookies. It was a small shortbread cookie covered in pecans, I think. Incredibly fresh and delicious. I can’t wait to try the others. The pasta will still be great in my lunch (It’s such a big portion, that’s really all I need!), although I may just have my boyfriend try it so he can be hooked, too.
Epilogue: Best service in the Northland. Anywhere. Try the Italian Beef and you’ll thank me. For less than six bucks, you get a huge sandwich (enough for two!), plus a large amount of pasta on the side (you can also get a salad that I hear is great, or «italian fries», whatever they are), so it’s perfect for two days worth of food, or two people if you’re sharing! Absolutely delicious!

When you are in rush and not in the mood for the typical fast food you might want to consider this place. I wouldn’t say the food is outstanding, but given the price you pay it does is a fair deal. The spaghetti is not bad, love the garlic bread, but quite disappointed with the lasagna. Anyway, it worths a try.

I was sitting Quik Trip after pumping gas debating where to go to grab some take-​out for lunch. I needed to get something for my sister, who was visiting from Seattle, and my mother who lives in a retirement home. Yesterday they had deli sandwiches, day before tacos and hamburgers. I needed something a bit above fast food. Then I saw the small wedge shaped building with a huge sign «Italian Gardens To Go». Okay! Wait and you shall receive!
I drove over and looked at the menu. My sister decided on the Italian sausage sandwich. I decided on a pizza slice for Mom, an order of penne pasta with meatballs and 2 Italian salads. I drove up to the building’s window and ordered. How nice to have a human taking your order instead of yelling out the of the car window towards a sign! The employee discussed how many people I needed food for and showed me how big a pizza slice was and the size of the container for the salads. Ahh… good service at a drive through… not a thing of the past! Then she gave me and my sister a sample of some delicious Italian cookies. Nice shortbread flavor cookie with a sweet icing. They were warm and soft and SOLD. We paid and drove around to the other side and waited a bit and then received our order. The Italian sausage sandwich consisted of 2 fat, juicy, spicy sausage links on a large hoagie bun smothered in marinara sauce, cheese, green peppers and onions. I could taste the fennel and hot pepper in the sausage. This sandwich is a meal for 2 people. The pizza was cut in a large square, just like I had as a kid in Rochester, NY in the Greek/​Italian neighborhood joints. The flavor was pretty good. The pasta was aldente, not mushy. The red sauce and meatballs were adequate. The hot food did not taste reheated and the bread was not rubbery or stale. The Italian salads were drenched in dressing, but had a strong red wine vinegar base which I prefer.
Being born into a Greek/​Italian family I am usually pretty picky about Italian food. This place gave me excellent service, good quality food at a very reasonable price. I will return. I hope this place is successful. It provides me with a great place to drive-​thru for lunch and dinner.

I want this business to succeed, really I do… it’s just that this is the thing.
It’s not that great. This «little» shack sitting on the corner next to QT on Barry Road has been a coffee shop and a donut shack as well as sitting empty for a while. When I saw Italian Gardens was moving in I was excited AND happy for them. To be honest with you I don’t need help in the «Italian Dinner» department, however it would be nice to have a drive-​thru that served a delicious meatball sandwich instead of a Big Mac or a whopper. There are many times when we are in a rush and I would much rather have our boys eat something like that vs. the typical fast-​food fare that is served around here.
This is the problem… I think our sandwiches were microwaved. Yeah that’s a big deal when you are expecting fresh-​enough. Take a bun, lay down some Marinara plop down two meatballs, 3 if your bun is large layer with a bit more sauce and some mozzarella. Done.
i will give it another chance, I noticed they finally put Lasagna and Chicken Alfredo on the menu. Good move.
I like the concept of this place, I just hope that the food quality can stand up to that.