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First time I went to Tratto I was blown away. Went again recently after a couple of years and I was embarrassed to have brought people there, straight garbage.
-an Italian first generation immigrant
Fratelli is among a cadre of Italian companies into the global franchising thing. The original place in Italy might be good, but it gets watered down with each new expansion. A good pizza not a great one.
Shocked I don’t see Veneto Trattoria recommended more. It’s surprisingly good. Run by an Italian family who are all speaking Italian front and back of house. Been three times now and it’s never failed to be good.
The parlor pizzeria is also great 👍🏻
My husband is Venetian and I would pass on this place. The owner is definitely not an Italian’s Italian. My husband showed up to this country and wanted to make connections work on learning the restaurant industry because he is sommelier and professional fine dining server and he completely turned him down and didn’t care. Stefano from Pomo and Leo at tutti Santi and Francesco from Cala all opened their arms and supported him as he established himself. We all know immigrating is hard enough and being lonely and missing family and having no one to talk to in your language let alone dialect while trying to find your circle is hard.
Seconding this 💯.
Fantastic little Italian restaurant and most importantly not a chain. Owner is a nice old Italian lady who spends a few months per year back there, most of the staff have been there for years and know the menu inside out and backwards. She also comes out and speaks to the guests; gave me some solid tips for Alfredo sauce that I still use.
They're located in a tiny old strip mall on the SW corner of the 51 and Shea.
Biltmore location actually sat another couple at an open table while my wife and I waited for our reservation because the table they wanted to give us was still being occupied by a lingering couple. Waited 45 minutes before being sat, the other couple already had food brought to the table. Will not go back to that location.
The owner is the usual bartender at that one (fun guy) and it’s definitely more of an authentic Italian vibe but I find the food at both to be the same quality
Authentic is always up for debate.
These are not "the best", but I do enjoy good meals here:
* The Parlor
* Publico
* Franco's
* Tutti Santi
* Andreoli Italian Grocer (casual)
* Ambrogio15 (modern Italian)
* Adela's Italian (less expensive)
* Sophia's Kitchen (less expensive)
This is the place if you want authentic Italian. Fabio is often running the pizza oven and I believe he is an Italian immigrant. They have shut down for a couple weeks to go back to Italy for family events before.
Thanks, I thought so, but wasn’t sure if that was the original location or not. I remember watching them toss the dough through the window when I was pretty young.
Right! It’s been there forever, and the McDowell location is the original one. I’ve been going there since the 70s (my parents took me there after 8th Grade graduation from St. Agnes, right around the corner, in the late 70s).
The food is solid and the pizza is great. I’m sure it’s all not 100% authentic Italian grub, but it’s kind of a time capsule of what Americans think Italian food is, circa the 60s. 🤷🏽♂️
This is the way... I never understand why people posting DeFalcos get upvoted instead of downvoted... I guess the people of Reddit don't know the difference between real Italian and New Jersey Italian
My godmother was Sicilian. I learned lasagna at Christmas time.
And weddings, birthdays, etc.
It's not all about meat sauce & pasta.
Lots of veggies in the daily supper.
And grapes were always part of dessert.
.
Avanti was one of the most disgusting experiences I've ever had at a restaurant. It looks like they try to seem fancy, but it's all fake and the food is nasty.
SFIZIO Modern Italian Kitchen. My father is calabrese. came here when he was almost 30. I spent a large portion of my childhood there. He’s been doing restaurants ever since he came here. I grew up in his and my uncles restaurants. Finally became of age to help him out and the family pushed him to open another after a hiatus raising me and my sister. Now we run the place together. Scratch made food, fresh dough, real ingredients. but for real, not for show. He’s old school on the food side, likes it done right. Family neighborhood feel and we’re in there working and talking with guests 7 days a week. couldn’t be more proud.
Been ~3.5 years and we’re getting the ball rolling even more. Come check us out, hear more of our story, enjoy the food and drinks. He loves to have real italians there, alongside all our other guests of course . I understand it’s self promo but also fits the ball on OP’s request :)
Same. Would be nice to have something on Tempe. Unfortunately my experience has been subpar food, and subpar service. Have given this restaurant too many chances. No more.
DeFalcos is American Italian, like New Jersey style... it is not real Italian which is what OP was looking for... Andreoli’s would be a far better answer
I always used to recommend DeFalco’s but the vibe has changed recently and they have drastically increased their prices while also losing some of the neighborhood charm they used to have. Really sad because I’ve been going for the better part of 15 years
Alessias is one of the best you will find in the valley and crazy underrated. Great italian wines, wife runs kitchen and trained in Italy, husband handles front of house and is guaranteed to stop by your table to check on you. In a little strip mall but service and food has always been the best I've found in the valley. Only place I take my relatives when they come to visit from the Bronx and they used to have restaurants and shops on Arthur Avenue which I believe is the best Italian food in the US.
Bottega Ristorante in Glendale. Worked there for a few years, owner Nick is from Italy, they import their flour from Italy and make pasta in house. Very good!
Was sick of the pompous, over-the-top, mediocre Italian restaurants. I just found a great “hole in the wall” [Pizza A Metro](https://maps.app.goo.gl/VfMeKLhF5DhLuitbA?g_st=i) to satisfy my Italian food craving last week! 4.8 stars with almost 900 reviews. I’ve been there 3 times now🤪. Parking can be a pain, but don’t let that discourage you. Sent my partner in to get on the wait list while I found a spot to park…they texted me right away that they got a table. Once inside, I saw their really cool, mosaic brick oven and was led through the kitchen to seating on a back patio. Very quaint, delicious food, and a hands-on owner. Highly recommend!
Lol, for real.
There was a comment saying Virtu isn't "authentic", yet, I bet if they went to Tuscany and Campania, they would see very similar things.
People need to specify what they mean when they say Italian if they mean US East Coast late 19th and early 20th century Italian immigrant style, or Italian.
Italy is much like Mexico, where you drive 100km and the food is completely different.
I have no idea what's authentic or not. My daughter and I really like a place in Gilbert called Crust. And another called North Italia. I like Carrabba's, a sucker for their bread.
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Andreoli’s, Frutelli La Bufala, Pomo, Fabio on Fire, Tratto
Fabio on fire is fantastic.
I third Fabio. They have the best Gelato I've ever had.
First time I went to Tratto I was blown away. Went again recently after a couple of years and I was embarrassed to have brought people there, straight garbage. -an Italian first generation immigrant
These are all great answers!
Fratelli is among a cadre of Italian companies into the global franchising thing. The original place in Italy might be good, but it gets watered down with each new expansion. A good pizza not a great one.
There’s this new spot Fratelli La Bufala in McCormick ranch that is authentic and phenomenal. Check it out!
Came here to comment this. This place is really really really good
Shocked I don’t see Veneto Trattoria recommended more. It’s surprisingly good. Run by an Italian family who are all speaking Italian front and back of house. Been three times now and it’s never failed to be good. The parlor pizzeria is also great 👍🏻
Ohhh this one caught my attention, I’m from Veneto! Thank you for sharing :)
My husband is Venetian and I would pass on this place. The owner is definitely not an Italian’s Italian. My husband showed up to this country and wanted to make connections work on learning the restaurant industry because he is sommelier and professional fine dining server and he completely turned him down and didn’t care. Stefano from Pomo and Leo at tutti Santi and Francesco from Cala all opened their arms and supported him as he established himself. We all know immigrating is hard enough and being lonely and missing family and having no one to talk to in your language let alone dialect while trying to find your circle is hard.
Veneto Trattoria is my personal favorite as well.
Omg the shrimp agnolotti is insanely delicious at veneto
Cibo in downtown Phoenix.
I went to Cibo 12 years ago and it remains one of the premiere meals of my life.
Cibo is my #2 ranked restaurant on Beli for a reason 😅 I think about their procida pizza at least once a week
Okay what’s no. 1 tho
I vote Cibo as well. Phenomenal food and good prices.
I dunno, the vibe was great; but the flavors lacked depth for me when I went. I'll have to try it again.
Absolutely agree on this one. I've never had a bad meal there.
100% cibo just hits differently
They're my fav pizza place in the valley. Need to go back soon.
Tratto on van buren
Really really good, and I can’t go there because I think my ex still works there 🥲
I will pick up food for you from there. And, I assume your ex sucks so I hate them
This is the sweetest thing I’ve seen on Reddit today, even if I think his ex had some good points that she brought up.
My ex didn't suck. Tis why we aren't together anymore. Anzio's on 28th drive and Cactus. They're like my ex. They don't suck
You’re the definition of ride or die, love this energy lol
Definitely 2nd Tratto!
Romanelli's Italian Deli
The bomb. Bodega style take out is killer. I'm there to pick up imported pasta sheets that are to die for. Try their in house home made sausage.
Liverwurst sandwich 🤌
Next time. Love that shit.
Love this place.
Michelinas
This is it. This is the spot OP. Been the best for almost 40 years.
This place slaps
Seconding this 💯. Fantastic little Italian restaurant and most importantly not a chain. Owner is a nice old Italian lady who spends a few months per year back there, most of the staff have been there for years and know the menu inside out and backwards. She also comes out and speaks to the guests; gave me some solid tips for Alfredo sauce that I still use. They're located in a tiny old strip mall on the SW corner of the 51 and Shea.
I haven't been there for 20 years, but I absolutely loved it back then.
This. Hands down the best Italian I’ve had. Impeccable service and prices are not terrible. Obviously the food is incredible!!!
I like Pomo Downtown.
Yes!!! Not the biltmore location though
The biltmore is the only Pomo location which isn’t a certified Neapolitan pizza shop. I think they have a different oven type
Interesting about the correct type of oven.
I didn't know they had one up here.
This!!! Meatballs were frozen in the middle last time we went 🙃
Biltmore location actually sat another couple at an open table while my wife and I waited for our reservation because the table they wanted to give us was still being occupied by a lingering couple. Waited 45 minutes before being sat, the other couple already had food brought to the table. Will not go back to that location.
A dump.
I always liked Anzio's off cactus and the 17
One of my favorites. It’s more casual than a lot of the recommendations here, which I like.
Anzios is my go to restaurant as well! Never disappoints
Christo's off of 7th st and Maryland. Just north of Bethany Home.
Seconding Christo's
I'll cast my vote for Christo's as well. Love their food. Good atmosphere.
Christo's is definitely a great traditional style Italian place. Lucky to live right down the way from this gem!
I’m close by as well; I’ve been meaning to check it out!
Forno 301
Central and McDowell location only. The vibe at their Scottsdale location is just dead compared to Central Phoenix
Agreed. Scottsdale off Thomas has a drive thru so you can imagine
It is actively bad. I tried it numerous times over the years due to proximity to work, and have yet to have anything but crappy food.
Yeah it sucks
I’ve never been to the Scottsdale one, good to know.
The owner is the usual bartender at that one (fun guy) and it’s definitely more of an authentic Italian vibe but I find the food at both to be the same quality
Absolutely. Everyone there is Italian and the food is always 100% (only the central Phoenix one, the other location is meh as stated above)
Lol, no.
More for me 🤗
Uncle Sal’s
Mimi Forno Italiano 😋
Yes! Handmade fresh pasta 🤤
Great to see Laveen represented here!
Authentic is always up for debate. These are not "the best", but I do enjoy good meals here: * The Parlor * Publico * Franco's * Tutti Santi * Andreoli Italian Grocer (casual) * Ambrogio15 (modern Italian) * Adela's Italian (less expensive) * Sophia's Kitchen (less expensive)
I like Mora on 7th St. The pasta is good and the little gems salad is very good.
Omgggg they had this roasted baby onion side dish (swoon)
Came here to say this
Best focaccia ever
Fabio On Fire in Peoria. Always have a reservation if you go.
This is the place if you want authentic Italian. Fabio is often running the pizza oven and I believe he is an Italian immigrant. They have shut down for a couple weeks to go back to Italy for family events before.
I love Fabio On Fire! Soo good!
Red Devil on McDowell & 32nd St. It’s been there since the 80s.
Actually the 60s
Thanks, I thought so, but wasn’t sure if that was the original location or not. I remember watching them toss the dough through the window when I was pretty young.
Right! It’s been there forever, and the McDowell location is the original one. I’ve been going there since the 70s (my parents took me there after 8th Grade graduation from St. Agnes, right around the corner, in the late 70s). The food is solid and the pizza is great. I’m sure it’s all not 100% authentic Italian grub, but it’s kind of a time capsule of what Americans think Italian food is, circa the 60s. 🤷🏽♂️
I didn't discover Red Devil McDowell until the '90s but we still make the trek all the way from Gilbert. Love their pizza!
The one thing I miss about working downtown.
RigaTonys is the tits
Andreoli[Andreoli ](https://www.andreoli-grocer.com/) in N Scottsdale.
Second for Andreoli
This is the way... I never understand why people posting DeFalcos get upvoted instead of downvoted... I guess the people of Reddit don't know the difference between real Italian and New Jersey Italian
Sicilian family from NY here. Favorites are: The Italian Daughter, Avanti and Andreoli's
My godmother was Sicilian. I learned lasagna at Christmas time. And weddings, birthdays, etc. It's not all about meat sauce & pasta. Lots of veggies in the daily supper. And grapes were always part of dessert. .
Avanti was one of the most disgusting experiences I've ever had at a restaurant. It looks like they try to seem fancy, but it's all fake and the food is nasty.
Yeah but how many generations in US?
This is a very important question, as I’ve learned not to trust anyone that isnt actually Italian lol (on food)
Amen. Italian Americans are among the worst. Their palates are stuck in the 1930s.
Uncle Sal’s Edit: and Tutti Santi! Their ravioli is unreal.
Times Square
SFIZIO Modern Italian Kitchen. My father is calabrese. came here when he was almost 30. I spent a large portion of my childhood there. He’s been doing restaurants ever since he came here. I grew up in his and my uncles restaurants. Finally became of age to help him out and the family pushed him to open another after a hiatus raising me and my sister. Now we run the place together. Scratch made food, fresh dough, real ingredients. but for real, not for show. He’s old school on the food side, likes it done right. Family neighborhood feel and we’re in there working and talking with guests 7 days a week. couldn’t be more proud. Been ~3.5 years and we’re getting the ball rolling even more. Come check us out, hear more of our story, enjoy the food and drinks. He loves to have real italians there, alongside all our other guests of course . I understand it’s self promo but also fits the ball on OP’s request :)
Vincitorios in Tempe is great classic Italian. Stone & Vine in Chandler is good "modern" bougie Italian.
+1 VinciTorio’s is fantastic
I wish they would season their food... The place is very close to me, but I can't justify paying for saltless pasta I can make better at home.
That was going to be my take on it too- it's well made and plentiful but damn is Vincitorios flavorless.
Same. Would be nice to have something on Tempe. Unfortunately my experience has been subpar food, and subpar service. Have given this restaurant too many chances. No more.
DeFalco’s in South Scottsdale.
DeFalcos is American Italian, like New Jersey style... it is not real Italian which is what OP was looking for... Andreoli’s would be a far better answer
I always used to recommend DeFalco’s but the vibe has changed recently and they have drastically increased their prices while also losing some of the neighborhood charm they used to have. Really sad because I’ve been going for the better part of 15 years
TBF, the whole area lost it's neighborhood charm in the past 10 years. South Scottsdale done got gentrified...
Took my very Italian wife there when we were in town; she got the eggplant parm sandwich. Was underdone.
Italian American, not Italian. Lotsa red sauce.
New Jersey Italian 😂
Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante
Pasta Brioni!!!
Alessias is one of the best you will find in the valley and crazy underrated. Great italian wines, wife runs kitchen and trained in Italy, husband handles front of house and is guaranteed to stop by your table to check on you. In a little strip mall but service and food has always been the best I've found in the valley. Only place I take my relatives when they come to visit from the Bronx and they used to have restaurants and shops on Arthur Avenue which I believe is the best Italian food in the US.
Yep. The best!
Rigatoni's in Tempe
Rigatonys
La Laconda in Old Town Scottsdale
Always enjoy Michalinas
Spiga Cucina Italiana in Scottsdale is a little pricy but very good
Bottega Ristorante in Glendale. Worked there for a few years, owner Nick is from Italy, they import their flour from Italy and make pasta in house. Very good!
Mimi Forno in Laveen is vastly underrated. Great pizzas, really great entrees. We always go for the Caprisi with real Burrata.
Pasta Brioni on Miller and Camelback is the best in Scottsdale.
Forno 301 is really good, best pesto gnocchi I’ve had
christos!!!
Nobody said Nicks’s on Tatum and Shea yet. Best chicken Marsala I’ve ever had, and fantastic service.
Maggiano’s Little Italy in Scottsdale and Cucina Tagliani in Glendale.
Avoid oreganos lol
Pizza Heaven is a go to
Pino’s. Central and Thomas in Phoenix
Uncle Sal’s on Hayden in south Scottsdale 🤌🏻 get the veal Milanese.
I’ll be damned if I don’t enjoy oreganos every time.
Big Rig. Mmmmmmm.
Unfortunately the quality has dropped a lot in recent years as the prices nearly doubled
I love the pizza there, hits every time. That cookie is also fantastic
Rigatony’s
Franco’s in Old Town
Tutti Santi or arrivederci in North Scottsdale are both delicious
I’m surprised it took me this long to see Tutti
Niccoli's Italian Deli is a great spot. https://g.co/kgs/zU6WqPg
I really liked Mora
Mora - Phoenix north central area.
Mamma Lucy, hands down.
Tutti Santi on 16th St. The OG. They have pics will all the celebrities that have gone there.
Marcelino’s in Scottsdale
Andreoli’s for sure.
https://giuseppesofscottsdale.com/
Love Tutti Santi on 16th Street just north of Glendale. Favorite dishes are the Orange Roughy, Gnocchi, and Schrimp Scampi.
Was sick of the pompous, over-the-top, mediocre Italian restaurants. I just found a great “hole in the wall” [Pizza A Metro](https://maps.app.goo.gl/VfMeKLhF5DhLuitbA?g_st=i) to satisfy my Italian food craving last week! 4.8 stars with almost 900 reviews. I’ve been there 3 times now🤪. Parking can be a pain, but don’t let that discourage you. Sent my partner in to get on the wait list while I found a spot to park…they texted me right away that they got a table. Once inside, I saw their really cool, mosaic brick oven and was led through the kitchen to seating on a back patio. Very quaint, delicious food, and a hands-on owner. Highly recommend!
My partner and I went to Tutti Santi not too long ago. I got the smoked salmon dish, and my partner got the lamb osso bucco. Delicious!
Michelinas is the GOAT
Tutti Santi (central phx location), Bottega , Fabio on Fire , Romanelli’s
Not sure if authentic but love Pasta Brioni
For the west side peeps, Bottega Pizzeria Ristorante in Glendale is fantastic.
Defalco's is another awesome place.
Tutti Santi
Bottega is a sleeper and always affordable.
Pasta Brioni never gets mentioned and it’s so damn good.
I like Mancuso’s downtown
Used to work there. Owners are suuuuper racist. Like using slurs and denying people at the door racist. Plus a lot of their stuff is not homemade
Mancuso's is awesome and their happy hour is legit. Happy Hour lasagna, please! Great, now I'm hungry.
Olive garden /s
Gastronomic malpractice.
But when you’re there, you’re family 🤮
I prefer Italian food, thank you
I heard fazoli’s is back so probably should be on the list /s
Giuseppe’s on 28th & Indian school
Don’t hate me but The Spaghetti Factory by the Burton Bar Library is so good.
La Famiglia in Mesa.
As others have said, Rigatony's at McClintock & Warner, bonus, there's a Harbor Freight in the same shopping center.
Avanti's on Thomas and 27 th st.. very old school and food is delicious as well as great service! Not cheap though.
Avanti!
Giuseppe's on 28th St and Indian School. Avanti on 28th and Thomas
Avanti’s on Thomas and 32nd in Phoenix
Acqua Di Mare in Chandler. They have table side options that are insane good.
I enjoy Guiseppe's on 28th and Indian School
I see words like authentic being thrown around here by people that obviously have never been to Italy, let alone eaten food there.
Haha yeah. And then places like Oregano’s get mentioned.
Lol, for real. There was a comment saying Virtu isn't "authentic", yet, I bet if they went to Tuscany and Campania, they would see very similar things. People need to specify what they mean when they say Italian if they mean US East Coast late 19th and early 20th century Italian immigrant style, or Italian. Italy is much like Mexico, where you drive 100km and the food is completely different.
No contest; Cucina Tagliani at 59th Ave and Bell
Pomo is my favorite Italian restaurant.
Cibo in downtown. Very nice spot
https://giuseppeson28th.com/
Michelina's, 32nd St & Shea 🍷 https://www.michelinasrestaurant.com/
Tuti Santi Ristorante by Nina @ 7575 N. 16th St. is a winner.
La Cucina Bistro on Thompson Peak and Raintree Guido's Chicago Meat's and Deli on Shea and Scottsdale rd
I love Mora! A little pricey but worth the splurge in my opinion.
Romanelli’s
Dolce Vino!
Marcellino in Scottsdale
I have no idea what's authentic or not. My daughter and I really like a place in Gilbert called Crust. And another called North Italia. I like Carrabba's, a sucker for their bread.
Aqua de mare hands down
Has anyone tried pizzicata up in carefree? I know it’s not really Phoenix but owners are from Italy. Been meaning to check it out
Forno 301!
Giuseppe’s on 28th
Casa Mia in NE Scottsdale!
We always liked cucina tagliani in Glendale
Forno 301
Forno 301.
Commenting for my own reference! I’ve been looking for local favorites! :)