Fresh Daily Pasta at POPS Italian Eatery in Canton
The yellow brick exterior of POPS in downtown Canton, GA
AUTHOR: ARTSY CHOW ROAME
POPS Italian Eatery In Canton
fresh daily pasta
If you are searching for authentic, scratch-made Italian comfort food, look no further than downtown Canton, GA. POPS, which stands for Palermo’s Original Pasta & Sandwiches, brings a vibrant fast-casual spin to classic Italian-American culinary traditions. Stepping inside this local favorite means being greeted by the mouthwatering aroma of fresh, house-made pastas and towering artisan sandwiches crafted from recipes passed down through generations. Whether you are craving a comforting bowl of radiatore bolognese after a day at the park or a hearty Daily Grind packed with premium sliced meats, this bustling neighborhood eatery proves that Italian dining doesn't have to be slow or stuffy. Here’s just a few reasons why.
Fun family photos grouped together on the wall
a little about them
At its heart, POPS is a true family affair driven by owner Andy Palermo, his wife Amber, and their two children, Agnes and Augustine. You’ll see them all on a fun family tribute wall over a corner table in the restaurant. Growing up in Connecticut surrounded by classic Italian eateries, Andy cut his teeth in the industry bussing tables at a young age before building a high-profile culinary career managing restaurants for renowned Atlanta Chef, Ford Fry. The nickname is a direct tribute to Andy’s father, and the entire menu serves as a living family scrapbook. Coming from a large family of seven siblings, Andy named several dishes after his loved ones—like the popular “Sammie Sammie” meatball sandwich, named after his younger brother Samuel.
Upon entry, you are greeted by all and it feels like a neighborhood store with food you might actually find in Italy. Having been there many times myself, I have eaten in more than a few of these places and it sets up a certain expectation. The counters are scrubbed and clean with lots of color from canned cocktails and sodas. The small cook station looks busy and smells grand. Luscious breads, herbs and sauces fill the air and make your tastebuds stand up and salute.
the menu
The menu is thoughtfully divided to celebrate classic Italian comfort across three distinct worlds: fresh, house-made pastas, classic salads and yummy artisan sandwiches. There are several choices for sides and shares like pop’s meatballs, melon and prosciutto or sausage and peppers. What are Sundays all about? Your Nonna’s chicken scarparello ofcourse! Roasted with mini yukon potatoes, sausage and roasted sweet peppers-you’ll love this juicy bird. The kids have got their own menu highlighting mac ‘n cheese and spaghetti with red sauce to keep them happy.
You order at the counter with this simple fun menu
hand-made pastas
If you are leaning toward pasta, the dishes are organized by their custom dough shapes, featuring everything from traditional, heavy-sauced classics to inventive creations like the spicy shrimp alla vodka or their signature seafood scampi tossed with ribboned mafalde pasta. For those looking for something unique, their vegetarian-friendly eggplant meatballs pair beautifully with rich, slow-simmered Palermo's Red sauce, proving that the kitchen puts just as much care into contemporary alternatives as they do their time-honored meats.
I had to go for the Norcina which is apparently a much loved favorite by many for the restaurant. Trenna triangular ridged pasta was the perfect choice to capture the herb roasted mushrooms and house-made sausage bits in a pecorino cream sauce. I could eat that sauce on cardboard it was so good! The mushrooms were other worldly in a way I never get from grocery store purchases-like where did they come from?
the sandwiches
My husband chose the Hey Frankie sandwich with sausage, aged provolone and roasted peppers and onions. It was on a classic soft sub roll and had just the right amount of toast on it. He said it was delicious. He was tempted to try the Jane Doe with the eggplant meatballs and spicy mayo. I would have tried the Mad Hatter myself just get another taste of that pecorino cream sauce with a crispy chicken breast, bacon, tomato and mozzarella cheese. A brunch favorite has gotta be No Reservations with mortadella, frired egg, provolone, hot honey mustard and gem lettuce. I know right?
Best dish in the house is Norcina featuring trenne pasta, house-made sausage, mushrooms and cream sauce.
bread & Salads
If you want a little snack or light lunch try the crostini with honey whipped ricotta or tomato basil bruschetta. They are warm, crusty and delicious. Add on a wonderful Caesar with house croutons or Pops chopped with chickpeas and salami and you got yourself a great lunch. The caprese panzanella offers a lovely orange balsamic vinaigrette with fresh mozzarella and a spring arugula caught my eye with strawberries, gorgonzola and walnuts. Any of their salads can be topped with crispy or roasted chicken of gulf shrimp.
cocktails and drinks
No Italian meal is truly complete without the perfect pairing, and the beverage program is thoughtfully curated to complement the hearty comfort food. The drink menu balances old-school tradition with modern casual dining, offering a diverse variety of wines by the glass or bottle, crisp draft and bottled beers, and refreshing cocktails. Wine lovers can enjoy a rich glass of house red or opt for a chilled, crisp white to cut through the richness of a creamy pasta dish.
For those looking for something a bit different, POPS features a unique selection of ready-to-drink and house-crafted cocktails in cute little tiny cans. A standout highlight of their beverage lineup is their signature frozen drinks—which can be ordered fully buzzed or kept non-alcoholic—offering a fun, refreshing contrast to the warm, savory dishes on your plate. Between the fairly priced alcohol options and their hyper-popular seasonal collaborations like the frozen caramel cold brew, there is an ideal sip available for every mood and palate. My only criticism of the place comes from the plastic samey cups for everything. I get we want plastic but how about considering the more expensive sustainable cocktail shapes that are available. I say yes to that to improve the casual but dressier evening atmosphere.
retail finds
Beyond the incredible kitchen output, one of the most charming elements of POPS is how the restaurant doubles as a boutique Italian grocery. Scattered throughout the brightly lit space is a beautifully curated miniature market overflowing with eye-catching, imported goods. Instead of just drooling over the rich flavors on your plate, you can actually browse the shelves to recreate a piece of the experience at home. The retail finds include everything from premium olive oils and specialty condiments to luxurious balsamic pearls. They even stock professional pasta-making tools for home chefs looking to test their skills, alongside branded apparel so local fans can show their neighborhood pride. Tucking a bag of specialty imported sweets or a bottle of artisanal oil into your bag before grabbing your receipt adds a wonderful, interactive layer to the meal that makes POPS feel less like a standard restaurant and more like an authentic neighborhood staple.
modern interiors
I love the fresh clean and modern interiors mixed with the high open loft ceilings where everything shows. The old-fashioned light fixtures bring a warm glow to the space at night and retro chairs that line the windows with a street view make this the perfect spot to see and be seen on a Friday night. They had a really nice station tuned in on their music while we were there that brought that real Italian vibe to the experience. If I closed my eyes, I could almost imagine being back in Europe where everyone just got off from work on a busy week and piled into the local for a little fun, music and wine.
Perfect Friday night spot to enjoy a little red wine and share a bit of pasta
Get your Italian on at this lovely little family owned business
FINAL THOUGHTS
The family's hands-on devotion is woven into every detail of this restaurant, down to their kids working side-by-side with them during the eatery's opening week. Even the counter features a miniature Italian market showcasing a small pasta maker affectionately named "Nonna," paying homage to the grandmothers who inspired their generational recipes. This is a really fun spot. Pull up a chair, have a little wine and share a bit of homemade pasta-what’s not to love?
If you enjoyed what you read, you might also enjoy other posts under Edible Fare. There you will find restaurant reviews, recipes, foodie tips and best spots to eat in a variety of cities. I also put emphasis on food experiences in my travel posts under Explore the World. Until next time…
Cheers!
Artsy Chow Roamer
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