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This article is sponsored by Cucina Calandra.
Not all chicken parms are created equal — and in a place like New Jersey, where the Italian dish is essentially its own food group, our standards are high. While there are statewide requirements for a good chicken parm (crispy, cheesy, saucy), everyone has their own preferences. North Jersey restaurant Cucina Calandra, located at 216 U.S. Highway 46 East in Fairfield, is now giving diners the chance to build their own parms, with a new, customizable take on the Italian staple. Read on to learn more about La Parmigiana, a new choose-your-own-adventure chicken parm concept at Cucina Calandra in Fairfield.
La Parmigiana: Chicken Parm, Your Way
The newest addition to the Cucina Calandra menu, La Parmigiana, reimagines a traditional favorite with a choose-your-own approach. Each dish features a crispy breaded chicken cutlet, topped with melted mozzarella and served over linguine and finished with a sauce of your choice:
Options include:
Classic (Marinara sauce)
Fra Diavolo (Spicy marinara sauce)
Pesto (Basil pesto cream sauce)
Vodka (Creamy vodka sauce)
Bolognese (Slow-braised beef sauce)
The variety makes it easy to tailor the dish to any craving or come back to try a different version next time (and trust us, we will be going back for the vodka parm very soon)
A Comfort Dish Worth Reserving
With its customizable format, La Parmigiana adds a fun, modern spin to a classic comfort dish. It’s the kind of meal that works just as well for a casual weeknight dinner as it does for a group night out, making it a standout addition to the North Jersey dining scene. Because one chicken parm style is simply not enough.
A North Jersey Staple for Italian Dining
Part of the Calandra family’s collection of restaurants, Cucina Calandra has been a go-to destination for classic Italian cuisine for years. The space is designed to feel like a true family kitchen, blending a family-friendly atmosphere with made-from-scratch dishes.
Operated by the third generation of the Calandra family, the restaurant stays rooted in tradition. Expect everything from handmade pastas and house-made sauces to fresh seafood, Italian specialties, and an extensive dessert selection from the family’s longstanding bakery of the same name. The restaurant is within the Best Western Plus Fairfield Executive Inn, located adjacent to the Fairfield Bakery in Calandra Plaza, making it a full destination for dining, celebrations, and special occasions.
The restaurant has also become known for its unique dining experiences throughout the year, making it a destination for both locals and visitors.
The Essentials
Located in Fairfield, New Jersey, Cucina Calandra is open for both everyday dining and special occasions. For more information or to make a reservation, visit cucinacalandra.com or follow along on Instagram (@calandrasbakery), Facebook (@teamcalandra), and TikTok (@calandrasbakerynj).
Dining and Cooking