Last Thursday, the Connelly Center patio turned into the place to be on campus. The Napoletano Brothers rolled up with their signature cheese wheel pasta, and students couldn’t get enough of it. From noon until well into the afternoon, a steady stream of students gathered outside, drawn in by the irresistible scent of garlic, butter and melted cheese and, of course, the chance to watch pasta being tossed in a massive wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Word spread quickly, and soon, there was a line stretching down the steps of the Connelly Center. Whether people had heard about the pop-up in advance or were just passing by, they couldn’t help but stop and see what all the excitement was about. Phones came out, videos were filmed and the Napoletano Brothers became the talk of campus for the day. After all, it’s not every Thursday that you get to watch pasta being cooked live, right in the middle of campus, inside a giant cheese wheel.
The brothers, who are known for serving fresh, made-to-order pasta, didn’t disappoint. Each portion was tossed straight from the cheese wheel, with butter, herbs and hot pasta mixed together until perfectly coated and steaming. The result was a rich, cheesy, flavorful dish that students raved about as they carried their to-go containers around campus. For many, it was the perfect midday treat, especially as a break from dining hall meals and the usual mid-semester grind.
But what made the event even more special for Villanova students was the fact that one of the Napoletano Brothers is actually a Villanova alumnus. James Napoletano graduated from Villanova and returned to campus not just to serve pasta but to bring a little bit of his own story full circle.
“Coming back to Villanova with our food has been something I’ve looked forward to for a long time,” he said. “It’s really great to be here again, but this time on the other side, sharing something I love with current students.”
As Napoletano served students on the same patio where he once grabbed lunch himself, one could tell the moment held real meaning. There was a sense of community and excitement as students realized they were part of something unique: a Villanova alumnus turning his passion into a successful business and returning to share it with the next generation.
The event was part of Villanova Dining Services’ ongoing effort to bring in local vendors and add variety to the campus food scene. With warm weather finally making an appearance and energy picking up around campus, the cheese wheel pasta pop-up felt like a mini food festival. Nearby, other student organizations had set up tables around the Oreo, adding to the lively atmosphere. It was one of those days that felt fun and spontaneous, the kind of event that made campus life more memorable.
For students walking out of the Connelly Center that afternoon, the smell alone was enough to make them stop and pay attention. There was something almost theatrical about the whole process, the giant cheese wheel placed inside the small tent, the steam rising as pasta hit the pan, the sound of laughter and conversation as people waited for their turn.
And judging by the buzz, students were fully on board.
“This is one of the best things that’s happened on campus this semester,” one student said. “I really hope they come back.”
There might be good news on that front. With such a strong turnout and positive response, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Napoletano Brothers make another appearance at Villanova before the semester wraps up. For now, students are left with full stomachs, plenty of photos and videos and a new appreciation for the power of good food to bring people together, even if just for an afternoon.
Whether it was the nostalgia of an alumnus returning, the novelty of cheese wheel pasta or simply the break from routine, the Napoletano Brothers’ visit made a lasting impression. Here is to hoping this is not the last we see of them on campus.
