If you’ve been following Fresno’s food scene at all lately, you already know the name Jimmy Pardini. The chef and restaurateur behind Annex Kitchen, Annesso Pizzeria, and the much-celebrated Willow Osteria, which opened just this past fall, has done it again. His latest venture is Strada, and a fter just two days open, it’s already clear that this one is something special. Strada means “road” in Italian, and the concept is focused and confident: Italian-style sandwiches made with premium ingredients, built on a foundation of housemade focaccia that is, without exaggeration, some of the best bread I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating. Located in the Park Crossing Shopping Center at Friant and Fresno Street, Strada sits in the newest, northernmost building in the center, just across the driveway from Annesso. The space itself is modern, clean, and crisp, with warm wood accents and muted reds that give it an inviting Italian warmth without feeling overdone. It’s a touch more elevated than your average counter service spot, but still completely comfortable and casual, the kind of place you’d be just as happy grabbing a quick lunch as you would lingering on the patio on a nice afternoon. When you arrive, you get in line, order at the counter, and watch your sandwich get made and wrapped fresh right in front of you. My son and I visited today, only the second day Strada has been open, and we were fully prepared for a wait. Thirty minutes in line, and honestly? We didn’t mind. Partly because the energy inside was exciting and fun to soak in, and partly because watching loaf after loaf of focaccia come flying out of 600-degree pizza ovens every few minutes kept us thoroughly entertained. I ordered the Spicy Soppressata sandwich with sun-dried tomato spread, peppered toscano cheese, arugula, and spicy soppressata. My son went with the Prosciutto sandwich, loaded with burrata, balsamic vinegar, tomatoes, arugula, and prosciutto. Both were excellent, generously sized, and reasonably priced between $12 and $14. The spreads and premium cheeses elevate every sandwich well beyond what you’d expect at this price point, with options like lemon basil pesto, bacon and onion jam, and burrata that make every combination feel very intentional. (I was offered modifications, but trusted the intent in the flavor combinations, so asked for none. No regrets on this.) Let’s talk about that focaccia, because it is the undisputed star of the show. Chewy but not too chewy, bubbly, brushed in just the right amount of olive oil, and perfectly fresh because it is, quite literally, made every few minutes. My son and I were in agreement: the bread alone makes Strada worth the visit. We also shared one of their giant chocolate chip cookies, which at $4 is an absolute steal and a honestly a menace. Ha! It’s layered with melted chunks of chocolate, with crispy caramelized edges and a perfectly a chewy center. The two of us couldn’t finish it, brought some home for my husband, and there is still half a cookie left. That’s a lot of cookie. (I am not complaining!) Jimmy Pardini himself was present during our visit, personally pulling focaccia loaves from the oven, and his team was already hitting a groove on just day two, with excellent customer service from start to finish. Online ordering and an activated take-out window are both on the way once the soft opening phase wraps up, which will things more convenient when you’re grabbing a workday lunch and need to skip the line wait. Strada is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:30am to 9pm. There is no other place in Fresno making Italian sandwiches at this level, with focaccia this fresh, made right in front of you. It is a wonderful addition to our food scene, and I’d highly recommend getting there soon. Just maybe don’t be surprised by the line. It’s absolutely earned. ...read more read less