This unassuming strip mall is the home to some of Brampton’s tastiest foods. Hidden gems, tucked away between Hasty Markets and dentist offices, inconspicuously serving customers the best local fare around. You only know about it, if you know about it.

If you’re down for that kind of thing you can find this strip mall at 470 Chrysler Drive (SW corner of Williams Parkway and Chrysler Drive). That Italian Place — that’s actually what it’s called, don’t make this an Abbot and Costello routine — has quality Italian food ranging from fresh salads, artisan sandwiches, wood-fired pizzas, and of course pasta. Although it’s open most nights until 8pm, it’s busiest at lunch, when it serves up quick, warm, plentiful meals, both in-house and take away.

As you walk through the door, you are met with the tempting sweets display and a friendly cashier, greeting you from behind the counter. The décor, like the atmosphere, is warm and casual, with beautiful chalkboard art depicting pastoral scenes of Italy on the walls.

That Italian Place emphasizes its authentic south Italian home cooking, with house-made pomodoro sauce, which is used (to delicious effect) in almost everything on the menu.

We ordered and paid for our meals at the counter and our party of six found a table. We weren’t there long before the first items came out from the kitchen. We ordered separately, and some of us took longer to decide than others—it all looked so good! But the food came out in the sequence in which the order went in and all were fast and fresh.

This eatery also feature a gourmet beverage fridge. Blueberry soda? Yes, please!

The authentic Napoletana wood fired pizza gets a thumbs-up. The crust had a nice flavour and was thin with a slight char to the underside. The pomodoro sauce is used on many of the pizzas adding a beautifully smooth tomato flavour and not at all acidic.

The artisan pressed sandwich was a handcrafted delight. Walnut and olive baked ciabatta bread topped with cotto and brie. The fanciest of ham and cheese ‘gwiches.

The Veal Parmesan was ordered as a classic panino with mozzarella cheese in a soft, crusty bun. The veal was delicately breaded, and the sandwich was moist and not soggy from the sauce. It was the perfect ratio of bread to meat to sauce.

Last came my meal, as I was the indecisive one. So rather than really make a decision, I went with That Italian Plate. My choice of meat, and two vegetable sides, with pasta Pomodoro. I went with chicken, red peppers, and rapini (Italian broccoli). Straight up, it was a lot of food for lunch (and the most expensive item on the menu at $16). The chicken, like the veal, was delicately breaded and tender, hiding beneath a thin layer of that amazing sauce. (I told you it was pretty much in everything). In the end, it proved to be too much and I packed a doggy bag to enjoy for lunch again the next day.

These meals were like eating at a friend’s Nonna’s home, where everything has been made from scratch from old family recipes. So much care and love has gone into each dish and it is evident that only fresh, quality ingredients are used.

The food was gone as fast as it had arrived. Having filled our bellies with such delectable Italian food, we still could not pass up the cannolis and got six to go.

Overall, That Italian Place was a great lunch out. The service was friendly and helpful, the ambiance warm and the price average to other Italian restaurants, the standout, however, is by far the food and its signature tomato sauce.

If you don’t already know about That Italian Place, you do now. You need to go eat here!

That Italian Place

470 Chrysler Dr #31-33

(905) 451-5552

ATMOSPHERE: Casual

SERVICE: Friendly and helpful

Take-Out: Yes, they also offer catering services for social and corporate engagements

Kids Menu: No

RECOMMENDED: The pizzas and anything with the Pomodoro sauce

DRINKS: Gourmet beverages

VEGETARIAN / VEGAN: No

PRICES: Sandwiches $8.50-$11, Pasta $9-$15, That Italian Plate $16, Salads $6-$14, pizzas $12-$14

OPEN: Monday to Friday 8AM-8PM, Saturday 10AM-4PM, Sunday Closed.

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS: Yes

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