Romano's Macaroni Grill celebrates its birthday and self-declared food holiday, National Chicken Parmesan Day, starting Wednesday with a five-day deal. The offer — buy one chicken Parmesan entree and get the second for free — is valid for guests at any of the nationwide Italian restaurant chain's 125 locations through Sunday.
Inspired by the southern Italian regions of Campania and Sicily, chicken Parm has been one of the most popular Macaroni Grill entrees since founder Phil Romano penned the brand's original recipe book on April 19, 1988. (Get the proclamation of Chicken Parmesan Day as April 19 now?)
The made-to-order plate takes chicken breast, coated with a Milanese-style breadcrumb Parm mixture, and tops it with Pomodorina sauce and buffalo mozzarella; the whole thing is then served with a side of capellini, whose bronze die cut allows it to hold more cheese, meat and sauce.
Macaroni Grill's BOGO birthday promotion is available for dine-in and takeout customers during lunch or dinner. The chain operates locally in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Brandon.
This article appears in Apr 13-20, 2017.