Mains at Grasso — the chicken parm and Big Caesar Salad

We have two mains on the menu at Grasso, and since opening, both have proven to be very popular with our diners.

Firstly, there’s the chicken parm, a whole fried cutlet, covered in our house tomato sauce and cheese. Secondly, there’s the Big Caesar Salad which is available on its own, with chicken, or with artichoke.

Below, we give a little history lesson on each dish, it’s connection to Italian-American dining, and share a bit of info on how we serve our versions of them.

If you’re after the allergen info, you can check that out here, and you can find our full menu via the button below.

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A plate of spaghetti with tomato sauce and grated cheese being handed over in a restaurant kitchen, with three staff members in orange shirts and aprons preparing the dish.

Chicken parm

The chicken parm is one of the most popular dishes on the menu, and you can order it on its own, with spaghetti pommodoro, or with a side of salt and pepper fries.

The parm itself is seasoned and breaded by hand every morning, using our own secret blend of herbs. We fry it to order, and cover it in our house pommodoro sauce (which is cooked for at least five hours), before being topped with cheese and grilled.

And if you’d like a second opinion here’s a customer review of the Grasso chicken parm.

It’s believed that the chicken parm dates back to the early 20th century, and is a descendent of the aubergine parmigiana.

A person in a black apron mixing a green salad in a large metal bowl while another person drizzles dressing onto it in a kitchen.

The Big Caesar Salad

So, what does a Caesar Salad have to do with Italians or Americans? Well, it was invented by Caesar Cardini (not Julius Caesar!), an Italian immigrant who ran restaurants in the United States and Mexico.

And it was at his restaurant, Caesar’s in Tijuana where the famous salad was invented in 1924.

Right, now the history lesson is over, let’s look at the Grasso Big Caesar.

If you’re looking for a light and healthy treat, this might not be for you, but if you’re looking for something tasty and great to eat, then this is the salad you’re looking for.

Our Caesar Salad comes served with either chicken, or artichoke, both fried in home-herbed breadcrumbs, and served warm.

The Caesar salad recipe does include eggs and anchovies, so it’s not something you might want to eat if you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet.

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about us

  • "Unreal, chicken parm and Mom’s Spaghetti both to die for! Don’t get me started on that tiramisu..."

    Emma

  • "Really lovely atmosphere and really great customer service. Mozzarella sticks are a must."

    Alice

  • “The whole package... a genuinely sensational tiramisu.”

    Jimi — The Standard

  • "Worth the hype, especially for mozzarella sticks. Truly American portions."

    Aarushi

  • "The staff are so friendly and the honey drizzled mozzarella sticks are the best."

    Alice

  • "The penne alla vodka is rich and creamy, and covered in a snowstorm of pecorino."

    The Infatuation

  • “Amazing food. Will defo go back. Chicken Parm was immense. Great service.”

    Joe

  • "From New Jersey - this place hit home for me. Food was so amazing and big portions."

    Adil

  • "Everything from the mozzarella sticks, chicken parm, and penne alla vodka is so delicious."

    Sarah

  • "Super tasty food. Staff are so warm and friendly. Nice chilled atmosphere."

    Katie

  • "Amazing food, huge portions and VERY friendly staff, definitely recommend."

    Jason

Main course FAQs

  • We have two signature main courses at our Dean Street restaurant in Soho.

    First up is our chicken parm , which is available on its own, with spaghetti pomodoro, or with salt and pepper fries.

    Our Big Caesar Salad comes with your choice of either a fried chicken breast or fried artichoke, both breaded in our house herb blend.

    Both of these dishes represent Italian-American dining, and have been customer favorites since we opened.

  • Absolutely. Every chicken parm cutlet is seasoned and breaded by hand every morning using our house blend of herbs.

    Each cutlet is cooked to order, then topping it with cheese and grilling it until golden, before covering in our house pomodoro sauce, and topping with Parmesan.

  • Our Big Caesar Salad isn't your standard light option.

    We serve it with either fried chicken or fried artichoke, both prepared by hand in our homemade herb breadcrumbs and served warm on top of fresh romaine and baby gem, with freshly toasted croutons.

    This is then mixed with our Caesar dressing which was originally named after the Italian immigrant, restaurateur and chef, Caesar Cardini back in 1924.

  • The Big Caesar Salad can be made with fried artichoke instead of chicken, but the Caesar dressing itself contains anchovies and eggs, so it's not suitable for vegetarians or vegans.

    We do have vegetarian and vegan options when it comes to pizza and pasta.

  • The chicken parm is believed to date back to the early 20th century, and is a descendant from the Italian dish melanzane alla parmigiana (aubergine parmigiana).

    Story has it that when Italian immigrants arrived in America, they adapted the eggplant dish using the more readily available chicken, which then became the Italian-American classic we know and love today.

  • The Caesar salad was invented in 1924 by Caesar Cardini, an Italian immigrant who owned restaurants in the United States and Mexico.

    The Caesar salad was created at his restaurant, Caesar's, in Tijuana, Mexico.

    Even though the salad was created by an Italian, and orginiated in Mexico, the Caesar salad is considered an Italian-American staple

    At Grasso, we serve ours on its own, with fried chicken or fried artichoke, both breaded in house herbs, making it a substantial main course rather than just a side salad.