Faceoff: Walking Tacos vs. Walking Pasta

Walking Pasta

Speck Italian Eaterybegan offering its version of a walking pasta—essentially a pasta sandwich—as a takeout partnership with its downtown Delaware neighbor Staas Brewing Co. Speck’s version takes house-made focaccia bread, splits it and stuffs it with garlic butter, provolone, house-made casarecce pasta and sausage ragu. Parmesan cheese is sprinkled on top. What makes this novelty a winner is the high quality of its components, crafted in Speck’s chef-driven kitchen. Available only on Thursdays (for now), these carb bombs sell out fast.For a walking pasta option closer to Downtown Columbus, Pastaria in the North Market also offers the starchy sandwich daily.

Utensils required?No, but nice to have on hand

Ease of eating while walking:If you’ve eaten a sandwich on the move, you’ll catch on quickly. Plus, a bit of exercise is a good idea, because after finishing your handheld pasta, you’ll be headed straight for a nap.

Messiness factor (0–10): 5

Speck’s pasta sandwich holds up surprisingly well, avoiding that dreaded soggy bottom that causes lesser sandwiches to fall into your lap. It’s a big mouthful, though: Beware of consuming while wearing your favorite white shirt.

Maybe no foodsbetter embody the words “carryout” and “to-go” than this pair of ambulatory offerings—one Mexican and one Italian, but both tasty. The winner of this faceoff is in the hand of the beholder.