Rosati’s Pizza’s route to Sun Prairie started in Italy, made a home in Chicago, and then took a right turn to Wisconsin. The husband and wife team of Jim and Brandy Davis will open the Sun Prairie Rosati’s Pizza franchise this month. Customers will soon get a peek into the Italian roots of the modern restaurant with photo murals of the Rosati family, red and white checked tablecloths on the table, and a menu of Italian beef sandwiches, antipasti, tiramisu, and the signature pizzas.
 
“The food is really steeped in that Italian tradition of Chicago,” Brandy said. “It’s the spices in the sauce—a very special recipe that is unique to Rosati’s.” Italian immigrant Fernando Rosati opened up a restaurant in New York in the late 1890s, featuring the food of his homeland. When the family moved to Chicago, son Sam started a restaurant serving customers eager to try the popular appetizer of tomato sauce on crispy bread.