Looking for somewhere authentic to grab a bit of Italian food? Joe’s Italian Bistro in Allen is your place. Serving classic fare like spaghetti and custom pizzas, Joe’s also offers veal, pasta dishes and seafood entrees, all from recipes created by Joe himself.

“Some [recipes] me and my wife created, some were easy,” Joe Ulaj, the restaurant’s owner, said. “You know how to cook and just come up with your own.”

Ulaj and his wife opened Joe’s in 2005, his second DFW location. His first location opened in Plano in 2002, although he said he has since sold that location to a friend. He said he’s been cooking since he came to America from Albania in 1997.

“Italian runs in family, been doing it since 1997 myself,” Ulaj said. “Unfortunately the [Albania Rebellion] started, and we had to leave. We’ve been here ever since. Love it here.”

He said business has been good, which he credits to the quality of his staff and, of course, the food.

“[We have] good quality of food, good service, good prices, attitude of staff, waiters, everybody,” Ulaj said. “We’ve been very blessed, by the community of Allen, Allen people.”

Joe’s is located at 717 S. Greenville Ave. and offers take-out as well as dine-in. Visit the website for hours, a complete menu and additional locations.