Innovating and Celebrating: 10 Caterers Delivering the Fast Casual Italian Trend
By Jacqueline Raposo
Chef Mark Ladner made waves when he left the world of fine dining to open Pasta Flyer, a restaurant serving a small menu of fresh, flavorful pasta bowls with lightning-speed service. Ladner had won four stars from the New York Times, a Michelin star, and a James Beard award for his work at New York’s Del Posto. When he turned his attentions to Pasta Flyer, Eater marked his exit from Del Posto, or what they deemed a “jewel of Manhattan dining” as a big win for fast casual Italian cuisine. In a follow-up interview, Ladner asserted that he wanted Pasta Flyer to be the McDonald’s of pasta.
Fast casual Italian restaurants — those fulfilling our cravings for pizza, pasta, and Italian entrees quickly and with little fuss — have long since had a home in the American dining scene. But a recent uptick in popularity allows Ladner to go bold, innovating in such ways that he can serve $6 bowls of pasta inside a space that feels like an upscale Golden Arches.
While Ladner tests his concept in New York, fast casual Italian catering restaurants all over the country continue to innovate. They’re adding healthier and vegetarian options to menus, reconnecting with old ingredients, and pushing flavor and service to new heights. Here are ten Italian catering restaurants that are serving up the dishes you want to eat right now.
Axcess Catering Company (Addison, TX)
You can certainly get your happy fill of classic fast casual Italian dishes like chicken Parmesan, lasagna, and Mediterranean pasta at Axcess Catering Company. But the team innovates to feed comfort-craving vegetarians, too. A customer favorite, the Stuffed Bell Peppers, come packed with rich mushrooms and fragrant wild rice; and then there’s the Stuffed Squash with tart wild rice cranberry pilaf and a sweet balsamic drizzle. Just don’t forget a side of cheese bread — it makes all eaters extra happy.
The Pasta Bowl (Chicago, IL)
With two locations serving the greater Chicago area since 1996, The Pasta Bowl delivers deliciously fresh, flavorful bowls of — what else! — straight to you. Signature $12 deals mean every pasta on the menu carries equal clout. Mix-and-match vegetarian linguine with garden vegetables, macaroni and cheese, or Penne Puttanesca with farfalle and chicken. Garden sides and beverages round out every buffet. And irresistible apps like antipasto skewers, cheesy garlic bread, and bruschetta make a meal even more festive.
Read about our other 8 best Italian caterers and what they’re serving here.
