The Franklin Foodie – Iozzo’s

Food is the center of all our gatherings – celebrations, happy times, sad times, family events, date nights and so much more. Food brings us together; it celebrates culture and makes us happy. Food is community and Franklin is community. As Franklin Magazine starts our journey in Franklin, it is important that food honors the great community of Franklin, and Franklin honors the great food community.

My name is Kathy Jones, and I am super excited to be the Franklin Foodie for Franklin Magazine. I wanted to take a minute to introduce myself and give you a little bit of my background. I am the director of culinary operations for Iozzo’s Hospitality Group. I have been in the Indy-area restaurant community as an executive chef for 30 years. I was the executive chef for Iozzo’s Garden of Italy when they opened in 2009 and was with them for five years. I returned to Iozzo’s in April of 2023. During my intermission from Iozzo’s I spent three years in Sitka, Alaska, as the executive chef and food and beverage director of two hotel properties. When I returned home in 2016, I was the executive chef for Salt on Mass and then joined Second Helpings as the executive chef.

Enough about me – let’s talk about the Franklin food scene. It is going to be so fun sharing the stories of all the great food establishments in our community, getting to know the fun, dedicated and hard-working teams that make celebrations memorable, and learning about the passion and love that goes into every bite that you take – and of course, eating the awesome food that is Franklin.

Let’s introduce Iozzo’s on Jefferson Street. The team there is excited to join this great community and help with all of your gatherings. Iozzo’s will provide an authentic menu and dining experience to the exciting culinary scene that is blooming in Franklin.

Iozzo’s on Jefferson will be located at 351 East Jefferson Street, and is the second location in the Iozzo’s family.  Iozzo’s Garden of Italy opened in 2009 in the Old Southside neighborhood in Indianapolis. Katie Harris, co-owner of Iozzo’s on Jefferson, grew up in Johnson County and is overjoyed to open in Franklin and continue the family legacy.

The restaurant will feature classic Italian food as well as chef’s creations and Italian food trends. The menu will include lasagna bolognese, homemade pasta, fresh seafood and, of course, the homemade cannoli. A complete wine list and a full bar round out the menu. You can’t leave without the Iozzo’s limoncello to help digest the great meal you just had.

From the Iozzo sauce to the soppy tomatoes, family recipes are still in use today. All of the love that Fred “Santora” Iozzo put into those recipes in the 1930s is poured into every recipe and every plate that is created and presented to the guests today. There is a great Iozzo family story that is best told by Harris. When you are dining at Iozzo’s, ask to hear that story.

The restaurant leadership is planning an opening date in mid-July. Iozzo’s will be open seven days a week, serving lunch Monday through Friday and dinner Monday through Sunday. For any questions, please visit the Iozzo’s on Jefferson Facebook page.

The Franklin Foodie welcomes your input. Please feel free to send any questions, thoughts on food, and comments to kathy@franklinfoodie.com.

Buona mangiata!