A Meal At This Tantalizing Restaurant In A Tiny Nebraska Town Is Like Spending An Evening In Italy
By Delana Lefevers|Published July 11, 2019
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Delana Lefevers
Author
As a lifelong Nebraskan, Delana loves discovering the many hidden treasures of her state. She has worked as a writer and editor since 2007. Delana's work has been featured on more than a dozen websites and in Nebraska Life Magazine.
If you’ve ever visited the small city of Cozad, Nebraska, you’ve no doubt spotted the bright blue building with red awnings. This is Bella Italia, a restaurant has become an icon in Cozad and the surrounding area. Although there were once fears that the beloved restaurant would close when the original owner became ill, a new family stepped in to keep the place alive – and Nebraskans couldn’t be happier.
The restaurant was established in 2004 by chef Mohamed Aboushady and his wife Becky. Aboushady, who is affectionately known as "Shadi," received his culinary training in Italy and brought the flavors and traditions all the way to Nebraska.
In late 2016, when Shadi decided that he needed to focus on his health, Texas transplants Mark and Maria Diaz took over. Patrons were afraid that they would change the recipes or even the type of cuisine offered here, but the new owners are committed to carrying on the longstanding traditions here.
Mark and Shadi embarked on a nine-week training course that taught Mark all of the recipes, methods, and secrets that go into making this place such a treasure.
The food is still the same top-notch Italian fare that visitors have known and loved since Bella Italia first opened. Chef Mark has made a few additions to the menu, like the mouthwatering fried shrimp appetizer.
When you visit, be sure to start off with a bottle of wine for the table. After all, what's an Italian meal without a delicious glass of vino to complement the flavors?
You'll have a hard time choosing just one entree. The menu is packed with tasty selections that include everything from seafood to steaks and pasta to pizza.
Opt for a casual meal of authentic pizza featuring creations like the Four Seasons Pizza or the Bella Italia Special. These thin-crust masterpieces are some of the prettiest pizza pies you'll ever see - but they taste even better than they look.
Or go in a different direction and feast on savory risotto, stuffed manicotti, veal merango, mahi mahi, or a wealth of other dishes. No matter what you order, you can count on it being fresh, homemade, and delicious. There are plenty of vegetarian options, too!
Perhaps the most beloved part of any Bella Italia meal is the melt-in-your-mouth dinner rolls. They come out of the oven perfectly brown, buttery, and fluffy. They're the perfect complement to anything on the menu.
Whatever you do, don't skip dessert. The tiramisu is almost a spiritual experience, but don't pass up the cannoli, chocolate overload torte, or a handful of other crave-worthy selections.
Address: 114 W 7th St, Cozad, NE 69130. Reservations are strongly recommended because the dining room tends to fill up quickly. Keep up to date on current specials and future events on the restaurant’s Facebook page.
If pizza is basically your reason for living, there’s one restaurant in Nebraska that has pizza certified as authentic by an Italian organization. Read all about it in this article from the archives.
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