If you live in Rome, you know that the city is currently divided between two great obsessions: the craze for padel and the hunt for the ultimate smash burger. Now, combine these two forces of nature in a kiosk inside a suburban market and you have the recipe for Padel Burger’s success.
We are in Casalotti, just outside the Ring Road. Here, among the historic market stalls, a new venture has sprung up that is rewriting the rules of Roman street food.
This is not your usual soulless franchise: it is the brainchild of Filippo Tonielli, 28, a young Roman chef who decided to swap Michelin-starred kitchens for the hot grill of a local market.
From Michelin stars to the market: Filippo Tonielli’s revolution
Seeing a talent who has worked in the kitchens of Il Pagliaccio (2 Michelin stars),the Hotel Hassler, and The Pantheon Iconic Rome in a neighborhood market might surprise you.
Yet Filippo’s decision to open in the Casalotti Market makes sense: to bring excellence to where people really live. In this new venture, his passion for padel —a sport he has been playing regularly since 2018—was the creative spark that gave the project its name and soul.
It is his “obsession” with precision, typical of both Michelin-starred cuisine and a match on the field, that has transformed a simple kiosk into the new must-visit destination for every self-respecting Roman burger lover.
The butcher’s shop next to the grill: zero km wins the set
The real magic of Padel Burger happens thanks to its strategic proximity to its neighbors. The meat, in fact, arrives fresh every day from Il Macellaio di Enzo & Mary, an institution within the Casalotti market.
Each sandwich is named after a shot or technical term in padel. It’s a fun game that makes ordering part of the experience.
But it’s not just the meat that will make your eyes pop. Here’s what makes this place a must-visit for you:
- The Artisan Bun: Filippo recently introduced a homemade bread, designed to be as soft as a cloud but able to withstand the impact of sauces without falling apart.
- Handmade sauces: forget industrial jars. From crispy sauce to smoke sauce to cacciatora sauce, everything is produced in the kiosk following original recipes.
- Nuggets and wings: even the fried food is handmade. The chicken is juicy and the breading is designed to stay crispy even when taken home.
Where is Padel Burger and how much does it cost?
If you want to try an authentic experience, Padel Burger awaits you in a genuine and welcoming atmosphere. Don’t expect white tablecloths: here you eat on market stools or take away, but the quality of the food is top notch.
📍Address: Via Ovada, Rome (inside the Casalotti Market).
🕐 Opening hours: open for both lunch and dinner. Follow their Instagram profile @losmashburgeraroma for the latest news and special offers.
🫰Prices: individual burgers €9-12. Set menus (sandwich, fries, and drink) cost between €14 and €17.
🚗 How to get there: take the Casalotti exit off the G.R.A. and continue towards the center of the neighborhood; you’ll find the market easily.
