Mario’s Pizza & Pasta prepares for New Year, New Home
Best known for their experienced pizza makers tossing dough high in the air and handing out dough to kids as they walk in the door, Mario’s Pizza & Pasta has provided a family-friendly, fun atmosphere to their guests for more than 40 years, and will continue to do so when they make the big move to their new home in the Seabrook Center building (2100 E. NASA Parkway) in January 2018.
The new larger location will offer several exciting changes such as an outdoor patio, brand new facilities, tables, chairs and booths for the dining room, and a few new items will be added to the menu as well.
“We are really excited about the new dining space. The important things will remain the same: the employees and the same great food we are known for and our salad bar will still be a great treat for every guest,” said owner Will Whitney.
The move to the NASA Parkway location is because of the State Highway 146 expansion that will begin construction in 2018. But that’s not the only expansion on the horizon, as Mario’s will be increasing their delivery area to include parts of Nassau Bay as well.
“We are really excited about the new dining space. The important things will remain the same: the employees and the same great food we are known for and our salad bar will still be a great treat for every guest,” said owner Will Whitney.
The move to the NASA Parkway location is because of the State Highway 146 expansion that will begin construction in 2018. But that’s not the only expansion on the horizon, as Mario’s will be increasing their delivery area to include parts of Nassau Bay as well.
Although there are changes ahead, the Mario’s brand will remain the same; they will still have pizza makers tossing the dough and handing it out for kids to play with, a comforting thought for those who have been eating pizza from Mario’s their entire life.
“Our kiddos really love coming to Mario’s and getting the pizza dough. They have so much fun as they squish, pull, pound and stretch the dough, and it keeps them occupied while we wait on our food,” said customer Ma’arja Rhodes.
“We have a good original staff of people that have always stuck with us,” said employee, Ronald Hoskins.
Hoskins, is just one of many long-time employees who have worked at Mario’s for more than seven years – a seemingly rare occurrence in the restaurant business. Head chef, Freddy Ramos, has been working there for more than 30 years and Will Whitney, who is now one of the owners, has been there for 22 years.
“Our kiddos really love coming to Mario’s and getting the pizza dough. They have so much fun as they squish, pull, pound and stretch the dough, and it keeps them occupied while we wait on our food,” said customer Ma’arja Rhodes.
Of course, pizza is what they are most known for (including gourmet pizzas, too), but their menu also offers many classic Italian favorites such as Lasagna, Ravioli, Fettucine Alfredo and Eggplant Parmigiana, as well as Calzones and a variety of sandwiches. Other standout menu items include Penne Con Gamberi (fresh Gulf shrimp in olive oil, garlic, basil and diced tomatoes, tossed with penne pasta), Pollo Alla Freddy (grilled chicken and a medley of sautéed vegetables – spinach, squash, zucchini, mushrooms, tomatoes, basil and garlic), Chicken A La Mario’s (breaded or grilled chicken breast sautéed in Marsala wine sauce, with fresh mushrooms, topped with melted provolone cheese, served over a bed of pasta or with side order of spaghetti and meat sauce).
Operating from the old “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” adage, Mario’s Pizza & Pasta will not be changing anything about their pizza, or its ingredients and will continue to offer the same lunch specials, extensive salad bar and high standard of service that their loyal customers have come to expect from the employees at the longest running pizza restaurant in Seabrook.
“We have a good original staff of people that have always stuck with us,” said employee, Ronald Hoskins.
Hoskins, is just one of many long-time employees who have worked at Mario’s for more than seven years – a seemingly rare occurrence in the restaurant business. Head chef, Freddy Ramos, has been working there for more than 30 years and Will Whitney, who is now one of the owners, has been there for 22 years.
With such a solid foundation of employees and 40+ years of success, Mario’s Pizza & Pasta will continue to keep the flying pizza pie of the Seabrook landscape alive and well.
Mario’s is proud to have been selected for catering for many events from weddings to company lunches in the Clear Lake area and they will continue to be offering full service-catering or pick-up/delivery-only catering when they move to the new location. To contact Mario’s catering, email [email protected] or call 281-474-5103 for details.
If you’d like to dine at the long-time location for old time’s sake, be sure to do so in December.
If you’ve never gone in before, now’s your chance! Stop by and wish them luck as they make their transition to the NASA Parkway location. Be sure to tell them The SCENE sent you!
NIGHTLY SPECIALS: Monday: Half-off premium wines (by the glass or bottle), Tuesday: Kids under 12 eat free (from the kids menu, 1 child per adult), Wednesday: 99¢ glass of house wine and Thursday: 99¢ domestic draft beers.
If you’ve never gone in before, now’s your chance! Stop by and wish them luck as they make their transition to the NASA Parkway location. Be sure to tell them The SCENE sent you!
INSIDER TIP: If you’ve only ordered pizza from Mario’s but want to give their classic Italian dishes a try, go during lunch and order one of their Daily Lunch Specials: Monday is Tortellini ($8.95); Tuesday is Penne Con Pollo ($8.95); Wednesday is Lasagna ($8.75); Thursday is Fettuccine Alfredo ($8.95); Friday is Chicken Parmigiana ($9.25).
NIGHTLY SPECIALS: Monday: Half-off premium wines (by the glass or bottle), Tuesday: Kids under 12 eat free (from the kids menu, 1 child per adult), Wednesday: 99¢ glass of house wine and Thursday: 99¢ domestic draft beers.
