By the Bucket, a unique to-go pasta concept that prides itself on being “affordable and fun” has a new outpost that’s currently under construction in the Laveen Pavilions, located at 3424 W Southern Ave, and is slated to open early 2023 according to managing partner, Doug DaCosta.
DaCosta is the brother of founder Bret DaCosta, who, as a single dad, was inspired to start the company after seeing the sheer amount of leftover pasta – a go-to meal during the family’s tougher economic times – and would jokingly tell his son, “If we sold our leftover spaghetti, we could make buckets of money.”
That simple joke turned prophecy, and today the brand is booming, though Bret has since retired from the business.
Nevertheless, in a 2021 interview, Bret DaCosta told What Now Phoenix, “It’s crazy. I’ve got something like 26 more stores on the way and that’s not even counting the other states that are trying to get in on this. I opened the first store on June 8, 2018 and now I have people asking me for licenses all the time.”
By the Bucket operates solely as a to-go model, with a menu that includes its signature spaghetti buckets – which come in three sizes – as well as fresh meatballs, meatball subs, cheesecake, cheesy bread, and garlic bread.
Though it is perhaps the affordability that makes this concept such a hit.
As the company writes on its website, “We’re passionate about sharing great food. We believe eating well should be affordable and fun. So we created a restaurant that serves hot, delicious spaghetti dinners at a price most families will appreciate,” adding, “We begin with just a few, simple, fresh ingredients and recipes loaded with flavor.
“Our food is delicious. Our service is fast. And our culture is loaded with love.”
