A new calzone shop, Mezzo Calzones, opened earlier this month in Costa Mesa, making it one of a few Italian eateries in the area focused solely on calzones.
The menu is short and sweet with eight different calzone fillings, various dipping sauce options, salad, wings and the option to get a side of meatballs, pasta salad or garlic knots.
“I loved going to this Italian spot that had calzones, but I was always wishing for more flavors,” co-owner Natalie Burke said. Burke and her husband, John Sanchez, partnered with the Kelektiv Group to make that happened for Mezzo.
Burke describes the eatery as a fast-casual, on-the-go type of restaurant. The space has 17 seats inside for sit-down guests, but the packaging of the calzone (red, foil-lined sleeve) makes it easy to open up and start chomping for those on the run.
The fillings range from vegetarian to meat lover, with a specialty calzone — Mezzobucco. It’s a play on the famous Italian ossobuco (wine braised beef or veal) with an ossobuco stuffing and an au jus (broth) cup on the side for dipping.
“It’s ossobuco meets French dip meets calzone,” Burke said.
A combo meal, which includes the calzone, a drink, and choice of a side, ranges from roughly $13 to $15 per person.
Burke has been working in the food industry for more than 25 years and has lived in Fullerton since her teenage years. Her husband has about 35 years of experience in the industry and is also an Orange County native.
Although the couple live in Fullerton, Costa Mesa was a more centralized location to open up shop. They searched for about four to five months before settling on the Fair Drive location.
“We wanted to spread our wings and try something new. Costa Mesa is an intriguing city,” Burke said. “We’ve had such a great reception from the community so…
Read the full article here
