Business Details
17 Years
experience
Authentic Italian Restaurant in Plano, TX
Urban Crust, established in 2009, is a family-owned Italian restaurant located in historic downtown Plano, Texas. Founded by Nathan and Bonnie Shea, the business blends the building's 19th-century heritage as a harness and saddle shop with modern urban design, featuring a handcrafted wood-fired oven that serves as the heart of its culinary operations. Our team, led by Chef Proprietor Salvatore Gisellu, specializes in authentic Italian cuisine, using imported and locally sourced ingredients to create wood-fired pizzas, house-made pastas, and entrees. With over a decade of experience, we combine traditional techniques with innovative flavors, offering a diverse menu that includes gluten-free options and seasonal specialties. Our commitment to quality extends to our private dining spaces, catering services, and vibrant rooftop bar, ensuring a memorable experience for every guest.We prioritize fresh, house-made ingredients, from our daily-prepared mozzarella to our hand-tossed dough, reflecting our dedication to culinary excellence. The restaurant's design honors its historical roots while providing a contemporary atmosphere for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. Our staff, trained in Italian hospitality traditions, strives to create a welcoming environment where guests can savor authentic flavors. We continuously refine our recipes and techniques, maintaining rigorous standards for ingredient selection and preparation. This dedication to authenticity and quality has established Urban Crust as a trusted destination for Italian cuisine in Plano.
Services
Wood-Fired Pizza
Catering Services
Private Events
Brunch
House-Made Pasta
Rooftop Bar
Mobile Pizza Catering
Gluten-Free Options
Seasonal Specials
Wine Room Rentals
Details
- Year established: 2009
Highlights and features
- We offer wood-fired pizzas crafted in an authentic Italian oven with imported ingredients.
- Our menu features house-made pasta and daily-prepared fresh mozzarella.
- We provide private dining spaces for events up to 40 guests.
- Our catering team offers mobile wood-fired pizza services for events.
- We maintain a 15-year tradition of Italian culinary expertise and hospitality.
Services
Wood-Fired Pizza
Our signature wood-fired pizzas feature hand-crafted dough and imported Italian ingredients. The dual-chamber oven cooks pizzas to perfection at 800F, creating crispy crusts and authentic flavors. Available with traditional or creative topping combinations.
Private Events
Host gatherings in our Wine Room (16 seats) or Mezzanine (24 seats). Both spaces offer private dining experiences with customized menus. Ideal for birthdays, corporate events, and special celebrations in a historic setting.
Catering Services
Mobile wood-fired pizza catering brings our signature dishes to your location. Our team provides on-site preparation using portable ovens, serving fresh, hot pizzas at weddings, festivals, and corporate events across the Dallas area.
Brunch Service
Weekend brunch features creative Italian-inspired dishes from 11 AM - 3 PM. Highlights include truffle-hollandaise Benedict, wood-fired smoked salmon pizza, and house-made gelato. Live music enhances the relaxed atmosphere.
House-Made Pasta
Daily-prepared pastas use traditional Italian techniques with local ingredients. Signature dishes include Rigatoni Pomodoro with fresh basil and Pappardelle Alla Bolognese with all-beef sauce, both available with protein upgrades.
People
Nathan Shea
Co-Owner
Co-founder with 15+ years in restaurant operations. Preserves historic building heritage while maintaining culinary innovation. Oversees business strategy and customer experience.
Bonnie Shea
Co-Owner
Co-founder responsible for interior design blending historic elements with modern urban flair. Manages hospitality standards and community engagement initiatives since 2009.
Salvatore Gisellu
Chef Proprietor
Former owner of Daddy Jack's Wood Grill with 20+ years Italian culinary expertise. Develops recipes using traditional techniques. Operates the wood-fired oven daily for optimal results.
Jay Scharnell
General Manager
Manages daily operations with 10 years restaurant leadership experience. Ensures service quality and staff training align with Italian hospitality traditions.
Adam Young
Manager
Coordinates event planning and private dining services. Brings 8 years hospitality management experience, focusing on client satisfaction and customized event execution.
Questions
What type of cuisine does Urban Crust offer?
We specialize in authentic Italian cuisine featuring wood-fired pizzas, house-made pastas, and entrees using imported and local ingredients.
Do you offer private dining options?
Yes, we have two private spaces: the Wine Room (16 seats) and Mezzanine (24 seats), available for reservations daily.
Are catering services available?
We provide mobile wood-fired pizza catering with on-site preparation for events across the Dallas area using portable ovens.
What are your weekend brunch hours?
Weekend brunch service runs Sundays from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM with a special menu and live music.
Do you have gluten-free options?
Yes, we offer gluten-free pasta substitutions and several naturally gluten-free menu items like our wood-fired appetizers.
What makes your pizzas unique?
Our dual-chamber wood-fired oven cooks pizzas at 800°F using imported Italian ingredients and hand-crafted dough developed over six months of testing.
