A new counter-service Italian American spot has settled into Austin's Hyde Park neighborhood, serving comfort food classics like baked ziti and chicken parm. Panciuto opened September 15 at 4413 West Guadalupe Street, bringing hoagies, pastas and tiramisu to a corner of the neighborhood that had only just gotten used to its predecessor.
The restaurant is the latest project from Mo Pittle, the founder of JewBoy Burgers and JewBoy Sliders, according to Nation's Restaurant News. Panciuto follows Umarell, a restaurant that changed hands after Pittle and a partner opened it in that same space in February, the outlet reported. The 1,100-square-foot restaurant seats 63 people inside, including at the bar, with room for another 16 outside.
Service at Panciuto runs on a hybrid model: guests order at the counter, and staff then bring the food out to the tables, per the same account. The restaurant's website confirms the full menu is also available for takeout.
Hoagies, Pastas and a Pick-Your-Parm Build
The hoagie lineup includes an Italian, a sliced Italian beef, and a build-your-own pick-your-parm option, with choices of fried chicken cutlet, fried eggplant or meatballs, all topped with red gravy and melted cheese, the station's report notes. Pasta offerings include baked ziti Bolognese, shrimp scampi and pappardelle al ragù, while heartier plates run to fried chicken piccata and chicken parm alla vodka.
Antipasti and salads round out the menu with provolone-stuffed arancini, house-made focaccia, zucchini fries and a Caesar salad, and desserts include tiramisu, cannoli, cheesecake, gelato and affogato. Per Appetito Magazine, Pittle predicts the focaccia pizza square in particular could turn into a sleeper hit on the menu.
A Vegetarian-Friendly Concept Built to Travel
Pittle, who was raised in El Paso and studied advertising at the University of Texas at Austin, is bringing Italian American food to the neighborhood with Panciuto.
For now, the bar only pours beer and wine, though the website notes a full bar is coming soon. Austin CultureMap reported that Panciuto is expected to have a full bar by the end of 2026.
Panciuto's Menu and Bar
Panciuto's menu includes sandwiches, pastas and entrees, while a full bar is expected in the future.
The Panciuto launch comes as Pittle's broader group keeps growing. JewBoy Sliders currently operates four locations, each either a food trailer or situated inside a bar in a popular nightlife area.
Pittle previously told Austin Business Journal that he had two upcoming Austin locations in the works, including one in the Domain. A separate report from the Austin American-Statesman stated that JewBoy Sliders had already expanded into the St. Elmo Arts District and debuted at the Domain, though that account differs from the bizjournals.com report describing those sites as still upcoming.
