A taste of Italy in the heart of Copperas Cove at Giovanni’s
By AMY ROGNLIE | Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR and courtesy of GIOVANNI’S
A little piece of Italy in the heart of Texas is not simply a slogan for Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria in Copperas Cove, it’s symbolic of owner Maura Martinez’s life in Central Texas. Originally from Vicenza in North Italy, she began helping in her mother’s restaurant when she was only 11 years old. After marrying an American soldier, Martinez and her family ended up in Copperas Cove when her husband was stationed at Fort Cavazos. After falling in love with Central Texas, Martinez decided that Copperas Cove would remain her home.
Martinez was first hired as a server at the original Giovanni’s restaurant. She purchased the restaurant from the previous owner in 2000. Her business partner, Adrian Frias, joined her in 2005. Their new facility was built from the ground up with a lot of patience, love and care, resulting in a beautiful restaurant that combines old-world Italian influences with modern convenience.
“The supportive and friendly community has made it a fulfilling place for my restaurant,” Martinez says.
What Martinez loves most about running a restaurant are the people.
“I wasn’t sure I wanted to own a restaurant after watching my mom and knowing first-hand how hard of work it is. But when I arrived here, I realized that it’s very different than in Italy. In Italy, there is very little personal interaction with the customer. It is colder. Here, you have more ‘touch’ with the customers,” she said with a smile. “It’s beautiful. I love it.”
Martinez also loves her home country, and many of the restaurant’s dishes take on the flavors of traditional northern Italian food. Every meal is served with warm homemade rolls, along with either a crisp tossed salad or their freshly made pasta e fagioli soup. The spaghetti shrimp, always a timeless favorite, is a cherished recipe from Martinez’s mother. Creamy chicken asiago is a recent addition to the menu and is quickly gaining popularity, alongside everyone’s all-time favorite, their homemade Alfredo sauce. Martinez’s favorite recipe is the homemade lasagna, crafted with real béchamel sauce — never ricotta cheese. All dishes are cooked on gas stoves or in the wood-fired oven brought over from Italy, and a full bar is stocked and ready.
“We achieve excellence by prioritizing the use of premium ingredients and never compromising on quality for the sake of cost. Our commitment to a top-notch food experience is evident in our made-to-order dishes — never frozen, as it doesn’t align with our quality standards,” Martinez shared.
On her journeys back and forth to Italy over the years, Martinez personally collected many of the lovely items and artifacts for the restaurant’s new home that opened in 2010. A flowing fountain and graceful arches greet the eye upon entering the restaurant, lending an elegant, yet relaxed, atmosphere. Each room in the restaurant represents a distinct place in Italy — Toscana, Venezia, Roma and the Colonnade — which reflects the architecture of Monte Berico (a Roman Catholic Church and minor basilica in Vincenza). Giovanni’s also offers a private date-night room, the Romeo and Juliet room. For larger events, the restaurant has two banquet rooms available which are assigned a dedicated service staff for each event. The large menu offers a varied and interesting selection of food at reasonable prices guaranteed to please any taste or budget. Catering service is also available.
Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria
Phone: 254-518-2227
Website: giovannisitalianrestaurant.com
Address: 115 West Highway 190, Copperas Cove
