At Candelari's Italiano, we bring authentic Italian cuisine and warm hospitality to the Houston community. Our menu features wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, and the signature sausage that made our name. Candelari's Italiano grew out of the renowned Candelari's Sausage Company, and while we're proud to be one of Houston's most recognizable Italian destinations, we've never lost sight of the family roots that started it all.
The Candelari story begins in 1959, a time of change and new beginnings across America. That year, Albert Candelari began crafting artisanal sausage in the back of his liquor store, Rex Liquor. Using traditional Italian herbs and spices, he created a bold, zesty, perfectly balanced sausage that would become a cherished family tradition for generations to come.
In 1993, Albert's grandson Michael May and his sister brought the family recipe to a wider market. Over the next decade, Candelari's Sausage Company became one of Houston's most respected sausage brands. The move into a full-service restaurant started when longtime friend Greg Wheeler suggested crumbling that same legendary sausage over a wood-fired Italian pizza. Almost overnight, Candelari's became the restaurant Houstonians know and love today, celebrated for both its signature sausage and its commitment to classic Italian cuisine. Locally owned and deeply rooted in Texas, Candelari's Italiano continues to welcome guests with great food and a story that spans generations.
