Johnny Carrabba and the first family of Houston restaurants

Wherever you are in the Houston area, you’re bound to be close to a restaurant tied to one local family. The restaurants have become dining destinations for generations of Houstonians.

We’re talking about the Carrabba-Mandola family, and in this episode of “Eat Like a Local”, the spotlight is on Johnny Carrabba.

Host Chris Shepherd and Carrabba have been friends for a long time, and it shows when they talk about Carrabba’s food, family, and how they became such a prominent part of Houston’s food scene.

While the restaurant is now franchised, Carrabba himself still owns the two original Carrabba’s locations on Voss and Kirby.

His parents had a small neighborhood grocery store on the East End, which they sold when Johnny opened the Carrabba’s restaurants. His 87-year-old mother can still be found every day at the Voss location.

“I’ve never seen as much energy as this lady has,” said Carrabba. “The employees walk in every morning and they hug her. She goes through the kitchen to say hello to everyone.”

While his family is part of his business, his employees have been part of his team long enough to feel like family.

“I have 25 people that have been with me 30 years or longer,” said Carrabba. “You know that’s unheard of in our business.”

Chris Shepherd shares what to order at Carrabba's (Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

In 2014, Carrabba opened Grace’s restaurant which is named after his grandmother Grace Mandola. He also owns Mia’s Table which has six locations with more to come.

His family is tied to many other restaurants, including Mandola’s Deli and Tony Mandola’s. Learn about the connections by watching this episode of “Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd” in the video player above.

The Carrabba-Mandola family is tied to multiple popular Houston area restaurants. (Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.)

“Eat Like a Local with Chris Shepherd” is your guide to the best food in Houston. Watch new episodes Saturdays at 10 a.m. on KPRC 2.


Season 2 of “Eat Like a Local”


About the Authors
Dawn Campbell headshot

Sports mom, amateur nature photographer, and regional Emmy award-winning television producer

Field producer by day. Cruise director by night to a busy, foodie, outdoorsy family, which includes two sports loving boys and one craft beer loving husband.