During a recent trip across the country, I had the pleasure of stopping by Carrabba's Italian Grill, a chain that's carved its name into the world of Italian eateries in the US. Despite its large scale, I found an undeniable allure to the familial roots it prides itself on. Displaying an undeniable contrast to the Olive Garden, its biggest competitor, this restaurant franchise holds on to its heritage by sticking to its family roots. As a bit of trivia, the original Carrabba's Italian Grill was born out of a family collaboration between Carrabba the 3rd and his Uncle Mandola on Kirby Drive, Houston, Texas. Quite a start, right?
During my travels, I realized how deeply embedded Carrabba's is across the US. As of August 2022, there are over 220 locations of the Italian grill that have sprung up across the country. As I drove down the sunny roads of Florida, I couldn't help noticing a Carrabba's sign every few miles. With 69 locations throughout the Sunshine State, the restaurant caters to about 311,275 people at a time. Meanwhile, Texas and North Carolina come a close second and third, where they are equipped to serve a whopping 2.8 million people combined. To top it all, the restaurant chain also has firm footholds in various other states, some of which include Georgia, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Michigan.
What Set Carrabba’s Apart for Me
The thing that struck me the most during my visit to Carrabba’s was the authentic and natural taste of the food. They stick closely to their handmade pasta recipes, ditching processed pasta for higher quality. With the famous chicken Bryan, the restaurant blows your senses away with the blend of natural ingredients and spices, all marinated for over 24 hours, enhancing the flavor.
Another standout for me was the pizza. With a wood oven, they follow the traditional hand-tossed Italian method. The dough is made in-house, tossed in the air, and baked to a smoky finish in the wood oven. The result is a perfect blend of a crispy crust with a soft, flavor-filled interior. Furthermore, they offer a loyalty program, which is open to everyone and covers notifications of new items on the menu and special invites to wine tasting, themed dinners, and cooking demos.
The Tantalizing Spread at Carrabba’s Italian Grill
Delving into the dishes on offer, Carrabba's finds the perfect fusion between traditional family recipes and the current dining landscape. Starters like meatballs and ricotta, mozzarella marinara, zucchini fritte, classic combinations, and an assortment of bread with dipping sauces, had set the tone for a phenomenal dining experience.
Following up the delectable starters were the main course options that can satiate even the pickiest of eaters. Whether your palate craves a perfectly baked pizza, succulent chicken, delightful seafood, or warm pasta, Carrabba's got you covered. And if you've still got room for something sweet, don't forget to indulge in a sinful tiramisu or a decadent chocolate cake.
A Seamless Ordering Experience
Personally, I dined at the Carrabbas for an authentic experience, but the restaurant offers flexibility in terms of ordering. You can sit down to enjoy table service, or head to the counter, place your order, and pay there. If you're crunched for time, you can even order online. Carrabba's has teamed up with services like Uber Eats, ensuring you can still enjoy a hearty Italian meal from the comfort of your own home.
A Treat for the Vegetarians and Vegans
Being a vegetarian myself, I appreciated the diverse range of veggie options. You can enjoy appetizers like bread burrata and tomato Caprese, a variety of salads, and pasta options like whole grain pasta with Pomodoro sauce, and gluten-free Casarecce pasta. Even dessert has a vegetarian twist – chocolate cakes and cinnamon apples!
And fear not, vegan friends! Carrabba's hasn't forgotten about you either. The dedicated vegan menu excludes all animal-based products and offers choices like bread with herbs and oil for appetizers, a variety of salads, and pasta options that include gluten-free pasta and spaghetti with Pomodoro sauce. It's a plant-based paradise!
Enjoying Carrabba’s at Convenient Hours
My trip to Carrabba’s was quite spontaneous, so their flexible opening and closing hours were a godsend. They’re open from 11 am until 10 pm from Sunday to Thursday, and they extend their closing hours to 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. So whether you're craving a midday pasta or looking for a late-night pizza fix, they've got you covered.
Kid-Friendly Options
My five-year-old niece accompanied me on my visit, and Carrabba’s had her covered just as well. Their kids' menu is filled with child-friendly options, including spaghetti and meatballs, pizzas, salads, and even treats like chocolate cake and chicken fingers. Plus, the kids can play with dough at the table (after washing their hands, of course!), keeping them entertained while the food is being prepared. This innovative idea seemed to keep all the kids at the restaurant pretty busy!
Health Friendly too!
If you're on a health kick, like I am, you'll be glad to know that Carrabba's offers several healthy choices. They serve fresh salads, gluten-free pasta, and whole-grain pasta, ensuring you get your dose of nutrients. With most of their meat being grilled, you can enjoy a hearty meal with less fat than fried alternatives. You can also request complete nutritional information at the restaurant or directly from the website.
Chicken Bryan, Anyone?
Given how I absolutely loved their Chicken Bryan, I couldn't resist trying it at home. Luckily, Carrabba's shares their recipes on their website for culinary enthusiasts like myself. All the ingredients, from goat cheese to olive oil and garlic, are not just readily available at local grocery stores, but I was also able to follow the steps clearly—great for honing those home-cooking skills!
Parting Thoughts
Overall, my experience at Carrabba's Italian Grill was phenomenal. The atmosphere, the food, the service, everything was top-notch. They've managed to tie in their family traditions with modern culinary practices beautifully. If you're after an authentic Italian experience with natural, traditional ingredients, I'd definitely recommend giving Carrabba's a go.
Pros
- Authentic Italian food made from traditional recipes.
- Fantastic service from friendly staff.
- Special menus for vegetarians and vegans.
- Kids' menu and activities to keep the young ones engaged.
- Handmade pasta and wood-oven pizza.
- Diverse menu catering to different cravings.
- Recipes available online for home cooking.
Cons
- Sometimes, the restaurant can get crowded leading to delays.
- Prices can be a bit high depending on the location.