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Carrabba’s Italian Grill is a popular chain of Italian-American restaurants known for its delicious pasta dishes, wood-fired pizzas and signature sauces. With locations across the United States, Carrabba’s has become a destination for families and foodies alike. But who started Carrabba’s and how did it become such a popular restaurant chain? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the history of Carrabba’s and the people behind it.
The early years of Carrabba’s
Carrabba’s Italian Grill was founded in 1986 by the Carrabba family, who had a passion for cooking and a love of Italian cuisine. The first Carrabba’s opened in Houston, Texas, and quickly gained a following for its fresh ingredients, homemade sauces, and wood-fired pizzas.
John Charles “Johnny” Carrabba Jr. and his uncle, Damian Mandola, were the driving force behind the restaurant’s early success. The two men had grown up in a large Italian-American family and had spent many hours in the kitchen perfecting family recipes and honing their cooking skills.
Before opening Carrabba’s, Mandola had already built a successful career in the restaurant industry, owning and operating a number of Italian restaurants in Houston. Carrabba, meanwhile, had worked in the oil industry but had always dreamed of opening his own restaurant.
Together, the two men decided to take a chance and open a restaurant that would showcase their love of Italian cuisine and passion for cooking. They named the restaurant after their family name, Carrabba, and set out to create a menu that would showcase the flavors and dishes they had grown up with.
The early years of Carrabba’s were filled with hard work and long hours as Mandola and Carrabba worked tirelessly to build the business. They focused on creating a warm, inviting atmosphere that made guests feel like part of the family, and they made sure that every dish was prepared with the freshest ingredients and the utmost care.
Despite the challenges of starting a new restaurant, Carrabba’s quickly gained a following as guests raved about the delicious food and friendly service. And a popular restaurant chain was born.
The founders of Carrabba’s
The founders of Carrabba’s Italian Grill are John Charles “Johnny” Carrabba Jr. and Damian Mandola. Carrabba was born in Houston and grew up in a large Italian-American family, where he developed a love of cooking and a passion for Italian cuisine. Mandola, meanwhile, was born in Louisiana and raised in a family of Italian heritage, where he learned the art of cooking from his grandmother.
The two men first met when Carrabba was working in the oil industry and Mandola owned a successful Italian restaurant in Houston. They quickly bonded over their shared love of food and their desire to create a restaurant that would showcase their family’s recipes and cooking skills.
In 1986, they decided to take the plunge and open their own restaurant – Carrabba’s Italian Grill. The restaurant was an instant success, with guests raving about the delicious food and warm, inviting atmosphere.
Over the years, Carrabba and Mandola have remained involved with the restaurant, helping to guide its growth and ensuring that it remains true to its roots. Today, Carrabba’s Italian Grill has locations across the United States and is known for its fresh ingredients, homemade sauces and wood-fired pizzas.
Despite its success, Carrabba’s remains a family-owned and operated business with a focus on creating a welcoming atmosphere and serving delicious food that guests will love. And it all started with the shared vision of two men with a passion for cooking and a love of Italian cuisine.
Growing the business: Carrabba’s Expansion
After the success of the first Carrabba’s location in Houston, Texas, restaurant founders John Charles “Johnny” Carrabba Jr. and Damian Mandola set their sights on expanding the business. In 1993, they opened their first franchise location in Florida, and by 1995, they had opened ten additional locations across the United States.
As the business grew, Carrabba’s remained committed to serving fresh, homemade food made with only the finest ingredients. The restaurant’s signature wood-fired grill became a staple of the brand as guests raved about the deliciously charred steaks, seafood, and vegetables.
In 1998, Carrabba’s was acquired by Outback Steakhouse Inc., which fueled the restaurant’s expansion. Today, there are more than 200 Carrabba’s Italian Grill locations in the United States, serving classic Italian-American dishes such as chicken parmesan, fettuccine alfredo, and lasagna.
Despite its growth, Carrabba’s has remained true to its roots, focusing on creating a warm, inviting atmosphere and serving delicious food that guests will love. The restaurant’s commitment to fresh, made-from-scratch dishes and its signature wood-fired grill continue to be a hallmark of the brand, and it remains a destination for families, couples and foodies alike.
Carrabba’s menu and signature dishes
The Carrabba’s Italian Grill menu is filled with classic Italian-American dishes made with fresh, high-quality ingredients and homemade sauces. From pasta and pizza to seafood and steak, there’s something for everyone on the menu.
One of the restaurant’s most popular dishes is the Chicken Bryan, a grilled chicken breast topped with goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and a lemon butter sauce. Another signature dish is the Spiedino di Mare, a skewer of shrimp and scallops marinated in lemon and olive oil, then grilled to perfection.
Other popular menu items include the Linguine Positano, a pasta dish with sauteed shrimp, garlic and tomatoes in a lemon butter sauce, and the Margherita Pizza, a classic pizza topped with fresh mozzarella, basil and San Marzano tomatoes.
In addition to its regular menu, Carrabba’s also offers a number of seasonal specials and limited-time dishes that demonstrate the restaurant’s commitment to using fresh, seasonal ingredients.
No matter what you order at Carrabba’s, you can expect delicious, homemade dishes with bold flavors and perfect execution. It’s no wonder the restaurant has become a popular destination for Italian-American cuisine and a go-to spot for families, couples and foodies alike.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Carrabba’s Italian Grill has become a popular restaurant chain known for its delicious Italian-American cuisine and warm, inviting atmosphere. The restaurant was founded in 1986 by John Charles “Johnny” Carrabba Jr. and Damian Mandola, two men with a passion for cooking and a love of Italian cuisine.
Over the years, Carrabba’s has grown from a single location in Houston, Texas to over 200 locations across the United States. Despite its growth, the restaurant has remained committed to serving fresh, homemade dishes made with quality ingredients and cooked to perfection.
From its signature wood-fired grill to its classic pastas and seasonal specials, Carrabba’s has something for everyone. And with a focus on creating a welcoming atmosphere and serving delicious food that guests will love, it’s no wonder the restaurant has become a go-to spot for families, couples and foodies alike.
So the next time you’re in the mood for classic Italian-American cuisine, be sure to visit Carrabba’s Italian Grill and experience the delicious flavors and warm hospitality that have made it a beloved restaurant chain.
FAQs
Who were the founders of Carrabba’s Italian Grill?
The founders of Carrabba’s Italian Grill were John Charles “Johnny” Carrabba Jr. and Damian Mandola.
When was the first Carrabba’s location opened?
The first Carrabba’s location was opened in 1986 in Houston, Texas.
How did Carrabba’s Italian Grill become a popular restaurant chain?
Carrabba’s became a popular restaurant chain through its commitment to serving fresh, homemade dishes made with high-quality ingredients, its warm and inviting atmosphere, and its expansion through franchising and acquisition by Outback Steakhouse Inc.
What are some of the signature dishes on the Carrabba’s menu?
Some of the signature dishes on the Carrabba’s menu include the Chicken Bryan, the Spiedino di Mare, the Linguine Positano, and the Margherita Pizza.
How many locations does Carrabba’s Italian Grill have?
Carrabba’s Italian Grill has over 200 locations across the United States.