Lunch Break

Sampling dishes and diners in and around Miami County

Finally, Franco’s 

Since the beginning of this column, the owner/publisher of the Tippecanoe Gazette has been on my case about Franco the Foodie. The adorably-placed New Carlisle Italian restaurant and carry-out is a Greg favorite and recommendation. I, for some reason, never got around to trying until now. In the past, I would pass Franco the Foodie on the scenic route home from Wright State, or think of it when I was getting off work, but it was never in the 3-7 p.m. window it needed to be. That was, until now. This week, the stars aligned (my editor Carla reminded me), and I finally got a taste of what I was missing out on, and boy, was I missing out. 

Franco the Foodie is a small, mostly carryout family-owned restaurant that started in 2022. Franco, the man behind it all, was a chef at the Dayton Bicycle Club for 15 years. What began as a dream for a food truck found its home in a brick-and-mortar location in the quaint downtown of New Carlisle. In just a few short years, Franco gained loyal customers through his delicious Italian cuisine. 

Unfortunately, Franco, a beloved community member, passed away in October. However, his spirit, delicious food, and his wife and daughters have carried on the legacy each and every week. Franco the Foodie has an exciting Italian menu that changes weekly, keeping regulars and customers on their toes. This week, I had the pleasure of trying some of the tasty courses. 

I ordered the Chicken Parmesan, the Shrimp Po Boy Sandwich, and the Stuffed Jumbo Shells. When I picked up my order, I noticed the adorable seating area, reminiscent of a small Italian restaurant (where Franco also happened to meet his lovely wife). It also kind of had the same flair as somewhere you’d expect Tony Soprano to pop in and discuss the “garbage business” with his nephew Christopher. Please forgive my Gen Z slang, but I was a “big back,” and I dug into the food the second I took it off my heated car seat and placed it on the kitchen counter. So, my pictures aren’t doing the dishes justice, and for that I apologize. I did share the meals with my parents, so please keep that in mind when imagining my appetite for three full courses. 

The Chicken Parmesan was a mix of savory tomato sauce, thick and chewy noodles, and crunchy chicken. This chicken’s crunchiness outlasted the fifteen-minute car ride over steaming noodles and sauce in a plastic container. That’s pretty impressive. 

The Po Boy? I honestly didn’t think I’d love it because I’d never had shrimp on a sandwich; however, it ended up being the star of the show, and my family's favorite. The shrimp was crunchy and sweet, tastefully smothered with lettuce and sauces. 

And to wrap it up, the jumbo shells were absolutely delightful. Each gigantic pasta piece was filled with creamy ricotta and covered in a sweet tomato sauce, which was a surprising contrast to the savory tomato sauce from the Chicken Parm. 

Every bite was perfect, and I enjoyed the idea that the food came from Franco’s family and into mine. I’ll have to stop in sometime and eat at one of the tables, although they might be filled with regulars. Now I know why Franco the Foodie is such a popular place, and I’m excited to see next week's menu.  

Franco the Foodie is located at 120 W. Jefferson St., New Carlisle. Current hours are Wednesday – Saturday, 3 to 7 p.m.