Tucson FoodieCelebrating local food, drink, and community.
Restaurant of the Week: Dominick’s Real Italian

Shrimp Scampi at Dominick’s Real Italian (Photo by Jackie Tran)

Restaurant of the Week: Dominick’s Real Italian

Oct 3, 20242 min read

Each week, we want to highlight one of our favorite restaurants in Tucson!

If you’re living on the northwest side of town, and then also craving some Italian goodness, look no further than the delightful Dominick’s Real Italian. Actually, it doesn’t matter which side of town you call home, the restaurant is a treasure trove of traditional Italian cuisine.

Over the years, the team at Dominick’s has really stepped up their menu and restaurant — dining here feels like a family dinner at your cool Italian aunt’s place.

a bowl of food on a plate
Chicken Parmesan (Photo courtesy of Dominick’s Real Italian)

Located at 8330 N. Thornydale Rd., Dominick’s is known for making dishes in a traditional and classic way by incorporating family recipes and using quality ingredients.

Appetizers include fried ravioli and steamed mussels, and the pasta on hand is as simple as spaghetti with meatballs to Dominick’s Scampi, which tosses both chicken, shrimp, and veggies in the house’s special scampi sauce.

They don’t skimp on the quality of their ingredients.

And hey, don’t skip their spaghetti and meatballs!

Pizza, Pizza

Their pizza is a total game-changer. It’s hot, it’s fresh, and the sauce is a bit on the sweet side.

The Italian restaurant has a pretty great lunch special daily until 4 p.m. — giant slices of cheese pizza for $8. If you’re a big spender, toss some toppings on it for $0.75 each (up to three toppings). Then, add a non-alcoholic drink for just $1 (dine-in only).

(Photo courtesy of Dominick’s Real Italian)

More pizza by the slice options in Tucson.

Foodie Club members

Dominick’s is also a Restaurant Partner, meaning that Foodie Club members can score $20 off their meal every six months.

For $20 a month, Foodie Club members get a stack of cash vouchers to local restaurants worth over $5,000, free tasting events at local restaurants every month, access to members-only monthly dinner series with local chefs, discounts on events, and monthly mixers with other members. Learn more and join!

Dominick’s Real Italian is located at 8330 N. Thornydale Rd. For more information, visit dominicksrealitalian.com.

RECENT RESTAURANTS OF THE WEEK:

Article written by:

Matt Sterner

Matt Sterner

More about Matt

At a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.

He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.

If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.

Get our free Tucson Foodie weekly newsletter

New openings, events, dish recommendations, and guides — every Wednesday. No spam.

Take us with you.

Discover the best local spots, browse the dish database, build and share your to-visit lists, support local, and join the Foodie Club when you're ready.

Advertisement

Follow @TucsonFoodie136.2K followers
@Heartswellbooks GRAND OPENING PARTY is happening this Friday, October 16, from 10am to 8pm.💐📚🍷

@Yogawaja, @knghtmvs, @slowbodybeer, @lalalinks.tucson, @ensenadastreetfood, and their neighbors at @dilunacandlestore will also be open and joining in on the celebration!

Vegan & gluten-free options🎉@Heartswellbooks GRAND OPENING PARTY is happening this Friday, October 16, from 10am to 8pm.💐📚🍷 @Yogawaja, @knghtmvs, @slowbodybeer, @lalalinks.tucson, @ensenadastreetfood, and their neighbors at @dilunacandlestore will also be open and joining in on the celebration! Vegan & gluten-free options🎉
Foodie mixer at @kindeethaiaz!🌸 Thank you to Kin Dee Thai and everyone who came out to enjoy the evening with us!

Want to explore Tucson’s restaurant scene, eat at exclusive dinners with local chefs, and get $7,500+ in perks at 130 local spots? Tap the Tucson Foodie membership link in bio.Foodie mixer at @kindeethaiaz!🌸 Thank you to Kin Dee Thai and everyone who came out to enjoy the evening with us! Want to explore Tucson’s restaurant scene, eat at exclusive dinners with local chefs, and get $7,500+ in perks at 130 local spots? Tap the Tucson Foodie membership link in bio.
IOU Sushi III has closed. The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on North Oracle Road announced the news on Facebook after about 10 years in Tucson. “This is the hardest post I’ve had to write,” the owners said. The post continued, “we have met some great friends who have become family to us.” Tucson Foodie first visited the restaurant in 2017, when it operated as IOU Sushi IV. 

Read the full story on tucsonfoodie.com.IOU Sushi III has closed. The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on North Oracle Road announced the news on Facebook after about 10 years in Tucson. “This is the hardest post I’ve had to write,” the owners said. The post continued, “we have met some great friends who have become family to us.” Tucson Foodie first visited the restaurant in 2017, when it operated as IOU Sushi IV. Read the full story on tucsonfoodie.com.
THE FALL SOUTHERN AZ HOME SHOW RETURNS OCT. 16-18 WITH TWO BIG CULINARY HEADLINERS🔥 

@Tcctucson welcomes award-winning pitmaster @Sloanrinaldi for an “All Things Brisket” demo at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by a meet-and-greet. 

Three-time Iron Chef Tucson champion @Chef_antbanks of @Obonsushi takes the Culinary Showcase Stage Saturday at noon. 

The show will also feature 200+ vendors, food trucks, pet-friendly attractions, adoptable animals, HGTV’s Matt Blashaw, the Kids Market, and more. 

WHEN: Oct. 16-18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
WHERE: TCC 📍260 S. Church Ave.
TICKETS: $8 | $4 with discount coupon | Kids 12 & under free
 
SPECIAL ADMISSION: 
• Friday: Seniors 65+ free; half-price for military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers with ID 
• Saturday: Half-price for seniors and the same groups
• Sunday (Heroes Day): Seniors half-price; military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers free with ID

ALL DAYS: $2 admission from 3-5 p.m. Free parking in Convention Center Lot B.THE FALL SOUTHERN AZ HOME SHOW RETURNS OCT. 16-18 WITH TWO BIG CULINARY HEADLINERS🔥 @Tcctucson welcomes award-winning pitmaster @Sloanrinaldi for an “All Things Brisket” demo at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by a meet-and-greet. Three-time Iron Chef Tucson champion @Chef_antbanks of @Obonsushi takes the Culinary Showcase Stage Saturday at noon. The show will also feature 200+ vendors, food trucks, pet-friendly attractions, adoptable animals, HGTV’s Matt Blashaw, the Kids Market, and more. WHEN: Oct. 16-18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. WHERE: TCC 📍260 S. Church Ave. TICKETS: $8 | $4 with discount coupon | Kids 12 & under free SPECIAL ADMISSION: • Friday: Seniors 65+ free; half-price for military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers with ID • Saturday: Half-price for seniors and the same groups • Sunday (Heroes Day): Seniors half-price; military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers free with ID ALL DAYS: $2 admission from 3-5 p.m. Free parking in Convention Center Lot B.