Guide to Old School Italian Restaurants in Tucson

If you’re looking for a fun atmosphere and great Italian food, then you MUST eat in the bar at this Foothills fave. (Pizza is only served in the bar.) The vibe is right out of the swinging 60’s; the food is right out of Nana’s kitchen. Start with the toasted ravioli, but be forewarned, ALL entrees come with the antipasto salad (YUM!) and pasta fagioli soup.

The grandfather of old school reds, Caruso’s has been serving the tastes of Italy since 1938. And while pizza is the draw for many people, the lasagna is primo. Folks also rave about the antipasti, with its assortment of meats, cheeses and bites. The best tables are on the patio, which may be one of the most beautiful in town.

For those living on the far Northwest side, Dominick’s Real Italian offers plenty of choices to get their Italian fix. Appetizers include fried ravioli and steamed mussels. Pastas are as simple as spaghetti with meatballs to Dominick’s Scampi, that tosses both chicken, shrimp, and veggies in the house’s special scampi sauce. Two kinds of risotto are on the menu. Check out the Monthly Specials menu.

Pastaria isn’t in the name just for the hell of it. Chef Mat Cable uses his mom’s recipes in everything from the Caesar salad to the New York style cheesecake. In between, there’s artichoke fonduta, lasagna, linguini Florentine, cannelloni, cannelloni, and other pastas for every craving. Stromboli and calzones with various fillings are served along with subs. The meatballs pass my very finicky test….as good as mine.

Mama Louisa’s can fit in both categories. The Heritage Menu offers fresh pastas and a full menu of Italian dishes. Try the famous, Joe’s Special, which was created by Mama Louisa herself for her son, Joe. Thanks to the creative mind of Chef Michael Elefante’s Third Generation Menu you can savor Roasted Bone Marrow or Cioppino. Lunchtime is popular with the folks from Davis Monthan.

Yes, Rocco’s is famous for their pizzas and their award-winning wings, but have you tried the meatball sub? Or the Italian Beef that’s been SOAKED in au jus and topped sweet or hot peppers (just like they do in The Windy City.) Rocco’s also offers a full assortment of Specialty Pies. Finish your meal with a couple of homemade cookies. The recipe is straight out of the Chicago Public School System.