The new Della Casa Pasta shop in Tomball. Courtesy photo.
Local pasta artisan Luisa Obando has opened a new storefront for her business, Della Casa Pasta, at 22525 Hufsmith-Kohrville in Tomball. While Della Casa Pasta has supplied both consumers and restaurants for years, this is the first time Obando has opened a retail store. She hopes the store will be a resource for customers in not only Tomball, but also other nearby communities such as Spring, The Woodlands, Cypress and Klein.
“We had so many customers coming daily to our factory and every day more, that we decided to open to the public,” Obando explained when asked why she opened a store. “My original goal when I opened my business 13 years ago was to make life easier for families without sacrificing having quality meals at home.”
Obando started making pasta in 2011 on a rented table in a Mexican restaurant kitchen using just a KitchenAid mixer. She started selling Della Casa Pasta products are local farmers markets, and eventually was able to acquire a machine to make pasta and ravioli. That allowed her to expand the business, adding a wholesale side to supply local restaurants. She says that same first pasta machine she acquired is still in use to this day.
With the new space come expanded offerings in addition to the pastas, which come both fresh and dried in numerous shapes ranging from essentials like spaghetti, angel hair, linguine and pappardelle to harder-to-find offerings such as radiatori, campanelle and macaroni creste di gallo.
The shop also offers imported foods, such as jarred sauces, jams and imported butter, tinned seafood, wines, olive oils, dishware and even frozen entrées. Since opening, Obando has said the 32-ounce pan of lasagna Bolognese is a best-seller. “We’ve barely been able to keep up with demand for that one,” she said.
There are new services, too. Monday through Saturday, Della Casa Pasta offers daily meal kits called Casa Meals to help customers get a home-cooked meal on the table. On Thursdays, for example, the featured meal is Loaded Mac & Cheese, while Fridays offer Salmon Truffle Fettuccine with creamy truffle sauce. The meals offered will change regularly.
With the holiday season approaching, customers are likely also going to appreciate the Fill & Gift option. They can pick up a gift box, then fill it with whatever goodies they choose for their recipient, such as wine, snacks, dried pasta and gourmet ingredients. “We have a great selection of imported items and wines!” Obando said. “These are not things you’re likely to find in the big grocery stores.”
Della Casa Pasta’s shop hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The store is closed on Sunday.
Phaedra Cook has written about Houston’s restaurant and bar scene since 2010. She was a regular contributor to My Table magazine (now closed) and was the lead restaurant critic for the Houston Press for two years, eventually being promoted to food editor. Cook founded Houston Food Finder in November 2016 and has been its editor and publisher ever since.
