One could argue that Italian mom-and-pop restaurants in Dallas are essentially like churches or 7-Eleven’s: There is one on every corner and they’re pretty much all the same. However, if you take Forest Lane and head east through Garland until you hit Rowlett (on Route 66), you’ll find a family-owned Italian place that is so legit Italian your cousin Vinny would be proud.

Valentino’s Ristorante Italiano has been open for a few years now and they draw in a crowd almost every night of the week, for very good reason.