Founders Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi say that they modeled the menu, decor, and atmosphere on mid-century Italian restaurants popular in New York City.

The restaurant's founders had previously opened a deli, Torrisi Italian Specialties, and a sandwich shop, Parm.

[4] The New York location added a weatherproofed structure for outdoor eating in late 2020, featuring the same floor tile and tin ceiling as the restaurant's interior.

[6] It was alleged that sauces sold by Major Food Group brands were displayed in a market using trademarks belonging to the Barsotti family.

[14] The New York Times food and restaurant critic Pete Wells first reviewed Carbone in 2013, giving it three out of four possible stars.