Photography by Kathy Tran

Lovers Pizza & Pasta has generational appeal.

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“We’ve had customers since we opened, even some kids that go to Highland Park High School, at the Lover’s Lane location,” owner Benin Zechiri says. “Now they got married and live in this area, and they come with their family.”

Zechiri started the restaurant after learning family recipes from his uncle in the late 1990s. Soon after, he opened a second location on Mockingbird. The Casa Linda location opened in 2005.

Zechiri and his employees exemplify family style loyalty. Two of his managers have worked there for 20 years, and a few of the cooks have been there for up to 16 years.

The Casa Linda location is distinctive from the others. It’s the only one with a wait staff, as well as beer and wine sales.

Popular dishes include the chicken Marsala and the penne rigate with grilled chicken, fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, red bell pepper and a touch of tomato sauce.

Seafood lovers might enjoy the seafood combo — linguini with mussels, calamari, shrimp, clams and a white wine garlic sauce. Lobster ravioli with brandy cream sauce is also a favorite.

For the less adventurous, baked ziti or pizza is always a classic.

Finish the meal with a cannoli or New York cheesecake. Or walk next door to Benny’s Classic Grill, also owned by Zechiri, for Italian gelato.

Lovers Pizza

10302 Garland Road

Hours:

Monday-Saturday,

11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday,

Noon to 10 p.m.

loverspizzeria.com