One Dish, Five Local Takes: Chicken Parm in Indian River County
Chicken Parm is one of those classic comfort foods that’s hard not to love. Crispy breaded chicken, rich tomato sauce, and plenty of melted cheese make it hearty, satisfying, and a longtime favorite among Italian food lovers. What I didn’t expect when setting out on this foodie adventure was just how many different variations of the dish I would find. Each restaurant puts its own spin on Chicken Parm, from how it’s prepared to how it’s presented, and I can tell you right now—they were all delicious! Come along with me as I venture across Indian River County to discover five local takes on this beloved Italian-American classic!
Aunt Louise’s Pizzeria – Sebastian, FL
Aunt Louise’s Pizzeria has been a longtime Sebastian favorite, serving the community since 2006. While pizza may be in the name, their menu goes well beyond the pies with a wide selection of Italian-American classics, including pasta, stromboli, calzones, and subs. We’ve enjoyed plenty of great food here over the years, including one of our favorites, the Meat Stromboli, which we featured on Season 3 of Holy Grail Eats. This time, I had my sights set on the Chicken Parmigiana. A large breaded chicken cutlet is topped with melted cheese, a generous helping of chunky red sauce, grated Parmesan, and herbs, all served over a bed of penne pasta. It’s a comforting take on this Italian-American classic that brings together all the familiar flavors Chicken Parm fans know and love.
Aunt Louise’s Pizzeria
Address: 13423 US-1, Sebastian, FL 32958
Phone: (772) 388-1800
Pet Policy: Inside dining room, service animals only. On the outdoor patio, well-behaved pets are allowed.
Featured on Holy Grail Eats: https://youtu.be/ibqe_QILNYo?si=Ev5aig8CAF4jVRNM
Cap’s Pizza & Pub – Vero Beach, FL
Cap’s Pizza & Pub is a Vero Beach institution, serving generations of locals with pizza and Italian-American favorites since 1987. Among their longtime specialties is the Spinach Pie, a Cap’s classic and one of our personal favorites whenever we visit. For this feature, I turned my attention to their Chicken Parmesan, featuring a breaded chicken cutlet served on top of a generous mound of spaghetti with red sauce and melted cheese, then finished with grated Parmesan, herbs, and fresh basil. It’s a hearty, old-school presentation of this Italian-American classic with a portion that definitely won’t leave you hungry!
Cap’s Pizza & Pub
Address: 725 27th Ave SW, Vero Beach, FL 32968
Phone: (772) 770-2277
Pet Policy: Only service animals allowed.
Johnny D’s Market & Bistro – Vero Beach, FL
Johnny D’s Market & Bistro has been a Vero Beach favorite since opening in 2012, but the Amelio family’s local restaurant roots stretch back to the early 1970s. We’ve been fans of Johnny D’s for years and even featured their Gnocchi Carbonara on Season 1 of Holy Grail Eats, so it was only fitting to include them in our county-wide Chicken Parm search. Their version starts with lightly panko-breaded chicken that’s pan-seared, topped with house marinara and beautifully browned melted mozzarella, then finished with fresh herbs. Spaghetti is served alongside with marinara and fresh basil, creating an impressive presentation that looks every bit as good as it tastes.
Johnny D’s Market & Bistro
Address: 1409 Jimmy Buffett Mem Hwy, Vero Beach, FL 32963
Phone: (772) 234-4181
Pet Policy: Inside dining room, service animals only, on the outdoor patio, well-behaved pets are allowed.
Featured on Holy Grail Eats: https://youtu.be/TfR9M1rAAsU?si=WDrwv21iJ14Yd0A0
Nino’s Cafe – Vero Beach, FL
Nino’s Cafe has been part of the Vero Beach dining scene since 1981, serving generations of locals and visitors from its longtime beachside location next to Humiston Park. Known for its casual, family-friendly atmosphere and fresh Italian fare, Nino’s has become a familiar favorite for everything from pizza and pasta to traditional Italian-American dishes. Their Chicken Parm made quite the impression, with a generous breaded chicken cutlet covered in marinara and melted cheese, served alongside rigatoni tossed in red sauce and finished with shaved Parmesan and fresh basil. It’s a colorful, hearty presentation of this classic dish from one of Vero Beach’s longtime Italian favorites.
Nino’s Cafe
Address: 1006 Easter Lily Ln, Vero Beach, FL 32963
Phone: (772) 231-9311
Pet Policy: Inside dining room, service animals only, on the outdoor patio, well-behaved pets are allowed.
Vic’s Pizza Italian Restaurant – Sebastian, FL
Vic’s Pizza Italian Restaurant has been a longtime favorite in Sebastian, serving up pizza, pasta, and classic Italian-American dishes in a casual, family-friendly setting. Vic’s takes pride in making their sauces and pizza dough fresh daily, and their menu is filled with the kind of hearty comfort food that has kept locals coming back over the years. Their Chicken Parmigiana features two breaded chicken cutlets, each topped with marinara and a blanket of melted mozzarella, with spaghetti and marinara served alongside. It’s a generous plate with plenty to satisfy your Chicken Parm craving!
Vic’s Pizza Italian Restaurant
Address: 1140 US-1, Sebastian, FL 32958
Phone: (772) 589-8989
Pet Policy: Inside dining room, service animals only, on the outdoor patio, well-behaved pets are allowed.
