Maria’s Italian Kitchen today announced the opening of its first Maria’s Express, designed to provide a quick bite for business people on-the-go. Maria’s Express offers a diverse menu spanning breakfast, lunch, and dinner and the flexibility of eating-in or taking-out.

“Everything today is fast–food, cars, communication–and with demanding work schedules, ‘IM’ has come to mean ‘Instant Meal,'” says Madelyn Alfano, owner and CEO of Maria’s Italian Kitchen. “Maria’s Express proves that good, healthy, fresh food can be fast and inexpensive. Our innovative menu and accommodating dining choices work with the demanding and changing schedules of today’s busy professional.”

The new Maria’s Express provides a wide range of Napolitano Italian specialties for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, most under $7.00. The menu features traditional Italian salads, sandwiches, pizza, and pastas, as well as innovative selections like Pasta Bowls that let customers choose their pasta, sauces, and proteins, and Stuffed Breakfast Pizzettes.

Customers can enjoy Maria’s Express food in three different ways. They can dine in, pick-up quickly made-to-order food to go, or place orders via the Internet or telephone.

Maria’s Express is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The new restaurant is located at 615 South Flower Street, between Wilshire Boulevard and 6th Street. For a more formal, upscale dining experience, visit the new Maria’s Downtown right next door.

With headquarters in Van Nuys, California, and more than 400 employees, Maria’s Italian Kitchen is among the leading privately owned restaurant chains in the state. Ten Maria’s Italian Kitchens serve the greater Los Angeles area, including the newest location in downtown Los Angeles and the innovative Maria’s Express, a venue designed for professionals on-the-go. For information, locations, and menus, visit www.MariasExpress.com.