Located on Maple St. in downtown Fishers, Angelo’s Italian Market has become a cherished spot for Fishers residents seeking fresh, high-quality Italian food. Celebrating its second anniversary, the shop has grown into more than just a market; it symbolizes a true labor of love for owner and Fishers resident Chris Marra and his family. Specializing in house-made pasta, sauces, and other Italian delicacies, Angelo’s brings the tradition of authentic, handcrafted Italian cuisine to the community.
For the Marra family, Italian food is more than just a business—it’s a deeply rooted family tradition. Chris, his father, Mike, and his mother, Kathy, operate the market with an unwavering commitment to quality and authenticity. The store’s name, Angelo’s, is a tribute to Chris’s late grandfather, whose love for family and food inspired the shop’s creation.
“My dad grew up learning to cook from his grandmother and aunts in Cleveland,” Chris Marra says. “Every Sunday, we would make pasta, sauces, and meatballs together. It was a tradition in our home, and now we get to share that with our customers.”
What started as a simple idea—offering high-quality fresh pasta—has evolved into a full-scale market where customers can find everything they need for a homemade Italian meal. From bronze-die extruded pasta to house-made sauces, meatballs, and bread, Angelo’s provides a convenient way for families to enjoy authentic Italian cuisine at home.
While fresh pasta remains the heart of Angelo’s, the market has evolved over the past two years to meet the diverse needs of its customers. Customers can now find a variety of take-and-bake prepared meals, perfect for busy families looking for a quick, delicious dinner. This expansion of offerings is a testament to Angelo’s commitment to its customers.
“We always want people to know that we are a fresh pasta shop first,” Marra says. “But we also offer a range of other house-made products, including lasagnas, meatballs, breads, and various sauces. Everything is made fresh right here in our kitchen with high-quality ingredients.”
“There’s no bleach, synthetic vitamins, or junk,” Marra says. “Just fresh, high-quality ingredients that make a real difference in taste and texture. We take great care in selecting our ingredients, ensuring that every bite you take is a testament to our commitment to quality.”
Another differentiating feature of their pasta is the use of bronze-die extrusion, a traditional technique that creates a rough texture on the pasta, allowing sauces to cling better to the noodle. Unlike the smooth, shiny pasta sold in grocery stores, Angelo’s pasta holds onto sauce for a more palatable experience.
Although Angelo’s isn’t a restaurant, the market provides a selection of grab-and-go options that are ideal for lunch or a quick meal. Their house-made Italian sandwiches, fresh pasta salads, and antipasto boxes are perfect for a convenient and delicious picnic—especially with the warmer weather and outdoor events coming up.
“For summer, we always have pasta salads made with our fresh pasta, along with cold-cut sandwiches and snack boxes,” Marra says. “It’s great for a quick lunch or a day at the park.”
Angelo’s also offers catering, with a unique take on the classic boxed lunch. Their catering lunch boxes include house-made sandwiches on fresh-baked bread, pasta salads, Italian cookies, and imported Italian-style chips. Perfect for office meetings, corporate luncheons, or family gatherings, these catering options bring a gourmet touch to any event.
Beyond selling fresh pasta and sauces, Angelo’s is also dedicated to teaching others about the art of Italian cooking. Their pasta-making classes have become one of the market’s biggest attractions, with sessions regularly selling out.
“I’ve taught over 300 classes in the past 18 months,” Marra says. “We offer both beginner and advanced classes, and people love them. It’s a great way for families, couples, or friends to learn something new and have fun together.”
The classes offer a hands-on experience, allowing participants to roll, cut, and shape their own pasta while learning the traditional techniques passed down through generations of Italian cooks.
For Chris, the family connection to food is what makes Angelo’s truly special. His wife and three young children are already immersed in the world of pasta-making, and he hopes to pass down the traditions that inspired the market’s creation.
“My kids love pasta which was a big reason we started this shop in the first place,” Marra says. “Now they love coming to Angelo’s and playing around with the pasta-making tools. Whether they end up working here or not, they’ll definitely know how to make pasta.”
On March 30, Angelo’s celebrated its second anniversary with special giveaways, including a private six-person pasta-making class. The milestone is a testament to the market’s growing popularity and the community’s support.
Chris and his family plan to keep improving their offerings by focusing on quality and staying true to their roots. Although expansion may be an option in the future, the essence of Angelo’s will always revolve around its family-run, hands-on approach, which is what makes it unique.
“We want to keep doing what we do best—offering high-quality, fresh pasta and Italian specialties,” Marra says. “It’s been an amazing two years, and we’re excited for what’s ahead.”
Angelo’s Italian Market is not just a place to buy pasta; it celebrates tradition, family, and great food. Whether you’re looking for a quick meal, attending a pasta-making class, or stocking up on Italian pantry essentials, Angelo’s provides an authentic taste of Italy right in the heart of Fishers.
Comments 1
Great Fresh Pasta etc.