Carraba’s Italian Grill is one of those oh-so Houston restaurants that’s either in your regular rotation or you’ve eaten there at least once. This restaurant chain featuring scrumptious Italian-American cuisine has been calling Houston home for nearly 40 years. So, what made an uncle and brother want to open a restaurant paying homage to their family’s Sicilian heritage? Let’s find out!
The Start of Carrabba’s
Johnny Carrabba and his uncle Damian Mandola’s passion for food began around the table with their family. Their family’s ancestors migrated from Sicily to Texas in the 1890s. Food and conversation became their way to connect to one another over the years. Growing up, Damian gained experience in the industry working in his aunts and uncles restaurants. After college, he opened Damian’s Cucina Italian. However, the two men wanted to open their own restaurant together paying homage to their family’s rich Italian heritage. The first Carrabba’s opened in 1986 on Kirby Drive.
The Growth of Carrabba’s
The first Carrabba’s wouldn’t be the first family-owned restaurant to make a splash in Houston. Shortly after, they opened a second location on South Voss in 1988. Now, there are over 200 locations of Carrabba's open nationwide. The family also is behind two other popular restaurants in Houston, Mia’s Table and Grace’s, which is named after Johnny Carrabba’s grandmother and inspired by her Italian-American-Louisiana heritage.
What To Eat At Carrabba’s
You’ll definitely want to order the Chicken Bryan Texas, named after Bryan, Texas where the Carraba family first settled after arriving from Sicily. The dish includes a grilled chicken breast topped with sun-dried tomatoes and goat cheese, and a side of pasta. Also, try their Linguine Pescatore that features shrimp, sea scallops, mussels, and spicy marinara sauce. Enjoy!
Besides enjoying a warm dish of pasta at Carrabba’s, what other cozy Houston dishes should you eat this winter?
