Trasca & Co. Eatery is celebrating a major anniversary of one of the aspects that makes the restaurant so unique, and that is the 50th anniversary of the panino, which is their signature wrap.
It coincides with the nine-year anniversary of Trasca, and it has led to owner Sara Frasca spending a lot of time reminiscing and looking back on the history of her family and the legacy she continues to carry on.
“I literally grew up in the kitchen where my parents would put my basinet up on top of the oven while they prepared food,” Frasca chuckled. “That’s what makes this time so fun, because it incorporates a lot of my family’s history.”
According to Frasca, she watched her parents and the way they took pride in the way they served the community they were in and that’s the environment she has strived to instill at Trasca.
“I learned how to appreciate food and how important service is,” Frasca said. “Connecting with customers is a necessity for the success of a business, and they in turn appreciate that.”
The history behind the panino dates back to her parents’ business in Colorado Springs, Colorado called Pizza Plus, where they featured a rolled-up sandwich that was highlighted by the family’s secret recipe dough stuffed with ingredients similar to a pizza.
The panino quickly became the focal point of the restaurant, and it is something that Frasca has continued to perfect over the years, as nowadays it is stuffed with a variety of meats, cheeses and vegetables but continues to be a staple of the menu at Trasca.
Other changes included Frasca putting her spin on the restaurant and changing the name as she sought to rebrand while still maintaining the family tradition nine years ago with her location in Ponte Vedra Beach.
“I brought my best ideas when I opened the restaurant here, and I know I continue to need the best ideas out there to help grow this restaurant to where I believe it can be,” Frasca said.
One of Frasca’s goals is to expand the brand and make Trasca’s and the panino a household name across the country, which is what she is hoping to achieve when she opened the restaurant up to be franchised last year.
“I wanted to do a fast casual atmosphere,” Frasca said. “The panino didn’t change, but the way it was served was what changed. I can imagine paninos being served in every state across the country. It is that special.”
Her mom passed away 19 years ago and she continues to be at the forefront of her mind and thinking with everything she does and each decision she makes pertaining to the business.
“Looking back, my mom is the reason that I started Trasca’s and look to serve the community like I do,” Frasca said. “When my mom passed, it was important for me to continue her warm attitude and genuine care for people. She had such a passion for her employees and was known for helping people after their shift study for their college degree.”
Trasca will be having a party to celebrate the family history and the legacy behind the anniversary’s during an event held at the Trasca located in the Sawgrass Village Shopping Center at 155 Tourside Drive, Suite 1500 in Ponte Vedra Beach.
