An Island Dream Became An Island Institution By Mary Craft Like so many businesses on North Padre, Island Italian came to fruition because of the desire and determination of its owner to live on the beach. Tony “Tag” Tagliaferro was a regional credit manager for Montgomery Ward and was transferred from the New York office to San Antonio.
The last restaurant at that particular site was The Grub Steak Inn. He talked to the owners of the motel next door, the Patels, who also owned the building and opened Island Italian February 1987. There was not much around the Island at the time but there weren’t a lot of people either. There was the Whataburger and Frenchy the Beachcomber Bar/Restaurant in the Pelican Lounge strip center. Snoopy’s had been open for a few years and the Island Lighthouse Restaurant/Bar on Windward was open and would have a succession of owners to follow. Joyce manned the kitchen and Tag acted as the gregarious host and bartender. Tag was a natural so it wasn’t much of an “act” and Joyce had a smile for everyone coming through the door. The recipes came from their Italian families and some other secret sources. Most of the original recipes are still served today like the house special baked lasagna, veal parmigiana and Alfredo dishes.
When the stores there started closing they offered him a transfer to Grand Prairie or Chicago. Instead of a transfer he opted for retirement and a home near the beach that the family had so often visited. Tag and his wife Joyce bought four hotdog trailers from “Mel” in October l986 and placed them at both ends of the seawall, JP Luby and another spot on the beach. However they would not start their endeavor until spring break when there would be sufficient potential sandy dog eaters to make a tidy profit. In the meantime, Tag got antsy and began to look around for a place to open the Italian restaurant he had always wanted. The location he finally chose had been several different restaurants since the 70s but was vacant at the time.
The walls of the bar area of the restaurant are decorated with a collection of signs. The first was an “Italian Parking Only” sign purchased by Joyce. The idea caught on and she began to buy more from craft shows and on trips and soon customers began to bring their own to further adorn the bar.
Some of the customer favorites are “We interrupt this marriage to bring you the football seaso” and “If you think our bar maids are beautiful, Don’t Drive.” Most signs are humorous but some are nostalgic like “Raise the Causeway NOW.” Almost thirty years later the restaurant is thriving but the hot dog venture lasted only two years. Island Italian will soon be serving their annual flock of Winter Snow Birds who are regulars. Since Tag’s passing in 2002 his son Tony has been running the business and is always on hand to make sure your meal is enjoyable. They are open Monday - Saturday for lunch and dinner and for dinner only on Sundays. They offer free delivery for their pizza or entrees after 5 pm.