(COLORADO SPRINGS) — If you’re faced with more than one of P74: The Downtown Panino’s massive, fresh-made panino sandwiches, you might need a breather! This week’s FOX21 Foodie Finds looks at how this local favorite has kept its fans coming back for 50 years.
Panino’s Restaurant in Colorado Springs has been a family-run staple since 1974, and for lots of locals, the secret is out.
“The panino is my grandmother’s recipe and a definite fan favorite,” owner Christina Frasca said. “It’s made by rolling out the dough flat, adding ingredients on top, and then baking it in the oven. It’s finished with cold toppings and sauces, cut in half, and eaten like a sandwich.”
The Frasca family has been in downtown Colorado Springs for 50 years. Christina’s grandparents started Panino’s Restaurant. Her dad owned it after them, and she bought it from him about three years ago.
Panino’s continues to serve up more than just great food and cocktails.
“We have generational customers. Lots of times, people come in and tell us that they grew up eating here, and now they’re taking their kids here,” she noted. “My grandma recently passed away, but she used to come and eat here a lot. This was her favorite location, so she would come in and enjoy it every single time.”
A quick glance at Panino’s menu explains it all: appetizers, salads with homemade dressings, pasta, pizza, panino sandwiches, and various house cocktails.
And you know a restaurant is a winner when the staff sticks around. For instance, the bartender, Kim, has been with Panino’s for 32 years and even used to babysit Christina when she was a child.
“It’s a sense of home for sure. Once we hire employees, they are part of the family,” Christina said.
Visit The Downtown Panino’s to check out the panino and all the amazing eats that have kept this Colorado Springs favorite around for so many years.
“We would not be here without the support of our community,” Christina said. “We hope we can continue doing this for another 50 years and that they can keep supporting each generation of the family.”
Visit FOX21 Deals under Features on fox21news.com, or scan the QR code and purchase a $50 gift certificate to P74: The Downtown Panino’s for only $25. There are only 100 certificates available, so get yours today!
