East Side Mario's's Slogans & Taglines

East Side Mario's is a Canadian chain of casual dining restaurants founded in 1987, inspired by the vibrant atmosphere of New York City’s Little Italy during the San Gennaro Festival. The first Canadian location opened on Richmond Street in London, Ontario, bringing the festival spirit of famiglia, food, and fun to Canadian diners. Originally positioned as A Taste of Little Italy, the brand has since evolved toward a broader Best of Italian Lifestyle identity, moving away from specific New York references while retaining its fun, family-focused atmosphere. Today, the chain operates coast to coast across Canada, managed by Prime Restaurants.

Core offerings include Italian-American classics such as Chicken Parm, Cheese Cappelletti, Hell’s Kitchen Chicken, and Linguine Chicken Tetrazzini, alongside the signature All-You-Can-Eat soup, salad, and garlic homeloaf. Brand messaging has evolved from the early A Taste of Little Italy positioning to the iconic exclamation Hey Budda Boom, Budda Bing! The company later adopted the value proposition Come empty, leave full, and more recently has embraced Mangia! Mangia! as an invitation to enjoy abundant, hearty Italian meals in a welcoming, family-oriented setting.