I'm trying to recall the name of an italian restaurant chain that I
haven't seen around since the 1980s.  The chain existed in the
Philadelphia area and in Florida--I'm not sure where else.  It was a
pretty nice place for a cheap dinner.  The buildings were square and
squat--there wasn't a whole lot of seating room.  You could get pizza
there, but they seemed to specialize in baked pasta dishes like
lasagna. This has been driving me crazy!  and I can't find the answer
myself by googling.  It's not Sbarros (which still exists, so it
wouldn't qualify anyway).  It was nicer than that--you wouldn't mind
taking a date there.  Many thanks for your help.

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Request for Question Clarification by juggler-ga on 07 Mar 2004 20:32 PST

Could you be thinking of the Italian Oven?

From what I can tell, they were Pennsylvania-based Italian franchise
operation that expanded rapidly in the 1980s and then went bankrupt
around 1996.  They had some Florida locations as well.

What do you think?

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Clarification of Question by buksmith-ga on 08 Mar 2004 03:25 PST

Thanks but no, that's not it.  These restaurants were around in the
1970s, and I think they've been gone longer than 1996.  Although I'm
not sure!  I remember going to one of them in Tampa, Florida, and
there was also one on York Road in Warminster, Pennsylvania, if that
helps any.

thanks for trying to find the answer!