Special to The Laker/Lutz News
By William Jacko
Shortly after Charles and Nancy Frankulin began dating in 2003, they started working at Bosco’s Italian To Go! in Wesley Chapel. They never imagined that one day they would marry and buy the business.
“We started dating in 2003 when we were seniors in high school, and have been together ever since,” Charles said. “I started at Bosco’s as a delivery driver when I was going to USF, and Nancy got a job as a cashier. We both worked here several years and, after college, moved onto different jobs. Then we both came back here about a year before the owners decided to sell, and since we always wanted to own our own business, this was a perfect fit.”
The Frankulins retained Bosco’s original recipes, and have added many more menu items requested from their customers, including a rice-based, gluten-free pizza, ravioli with smoked mozzarella, baked chicken wings, and CinnaStix with a cannoli filling dipping sauce.
The couple also started a suggestion box.
“People actually drop suggestions into our box, which is why we now have Greek Salads and Tater Tots,” said Nancy.
One of Bosco’s most unusual pizzas is its Swamp and Turf pizza — a combination of toppings that include steak and alligator bellies.
“We went to a trade show and one of the vendors had farm-raised gator belly from Louisiana. We tried it, liked it, and thought that this is something no other Italian restaurant or pizzeria is going to have,” said Charles. “It so delicious, we also offer Gator Alfredo Pasta.”
The Frankulins use the freshest ingredients they can find, preferring small farmer markets like nearby Boyette Family Farms.
“There’s nothing like going out and actually picking your own green peppers, bringing them back to the shop and chopping them up,” said Nancy. “We grate our own cheese and slice our own lunchmeat. We hand-make our meatballs, and of course, make our own pizza and bread dough —all done by hand.”
The Frankulins are proud to be small business owners.
“If you’re a small business, you usually have more of a heart,” said Nancy. “We’re out to make a living, not a killing, even if it’s sometimes hard to stay a mom-and-pop business with so many chain restaurants popping up. People try the new franchises, but come back to Bosco’s because our food is fresher, our service is better, and our prices are fair and affordable.”
The Frankulins donate to a food pantry year-round, and also give back to the community with a toy drive at Christmas. As a Christian business, they value their employees and treat them well.
813-907-2440 • www.BoscosItalianFL.com
Published 8/21/19
