Fritella Italian Cafe carries on 20-year Bryan tradition

For more than 20 years, Bryan has been home to an Italian restaurant offering made-from-scratch pasta, bread and soups. Fritella Italian Cafe may have a new inside look with ongoing renovations and new owners, but the food is made with the same love and culinary heritage. 

The backstory

Fritella was founded in 2003 by Italian immigrant Adriano Farinola after operating restaurants with his brother Pino in Houston. The cafe was operated by Farinola until 2022, when he decided to retire. 

The business and building were sold to current owner Tracy Munden and four other business partners and A&M graduates, eventually reopening in 2023. Munden, a former medical sales professional, said he was a loyal customer and never thought he would get into the restaurant business until Fritella closed.

“I started reaching out and it took me 11 months to get the building bought and two months to get it back open,” Munden said. “I bought it with four other Aggies and now I’m working harder than I ever have.”

What’s on the menu?

Fritella serves a wide variety of made-to-order classic Italian dishes, desserts and soups with fresh ingredients. The restaurant also offers catering services for large orders, all made with the same care and attention as the individual meals.
Munden said he takes pride in keeping the preparation methods Farinola pioneered and doesn’t plan on stopping.

“We sell as many bread sticks as we do drinks,” Munden said. “You don’t find homemade pasta often. Our homemade lasagna is to die for. We’ve got a great group of servers too.”

Munden said he and his staff arrive early to prepare the dough and pasta for the lunch shift and throughout the day.

“We open at 11 a.m., but we’re here every morning at 8 a.m. to prep the food,” Munden said. “The chefs continue to do it all day with the bread and pasta.”

A long time coming

Ever since Munden bought the building, he and his partners have been making updates to the structure. The exterior of Fritella’s might not look like a place housing authentic Italian cuisine, something Munden said he always loves telling people about. 

“When Adriano bought this place, it was originally an old Taco Bell,” Munden said. “That’s why we still have the backward drive-thru outside in the back.”

However, this doesn’t mean Fritella hasn’t maintained its outside appearance. Munden said the upkeep has been important for keeping high standards.

“We painted the outside a fresh color and are in the process of changing the landscaping,” Munden said. “Landscaping can be a long process sometimes, but we’re really looking forward to it being done.”

After the restaurant's interior went unchanged for years, Munden set out to revitalize it with new additions and changes. While the changes have been ongoing, Munden said they all have been done with the character of the restaurant in mind.

“We added a new sound system, string lights, a new host stand, neon lights, silverware and tables,” Munden said.

Along with the homemade cheesecake and tiramisu, an Italian favorite is being added to the menu soon.

“We’re going to add homemade gelato to the menu and I’m very excited about it,” Munden said.

Going forward

With the renovations and additions nearing completion, Munden said Fritella will serve and support the community with its food and outreach. 

“The people here in Bryan-College Station are great to us,” Munden said. “We’re an official sponsor of Texas A&M athletics and I’ve lived in this area for a long time. There are so many more restaurants here than there used to be, but it’s good, made-from-scratch food, and it’s hard to beat.”