Riazzi’s Italian Garden
2700 S Mill Ave, Tempe, AZ, 85282
Riazzi’s Italian Garden Menu
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Address :
2700 S Mill Ave
Tempe, AZ, 85282 - Phone (480) 731-9464
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Charles W.
Good service and good food. The fried calamari and steamed clams were great for appetizers.We probably would've enjoyed place more, but our Grandson was with us and wasn't cooperating. Hard to fully enjoy your meal when you're worried about disturbing other diners. I will definitely return.
(4)Gloria C.
Service: 5/5 overall they do a really good job at getting you more water, food & checking on you. No complaints Food: 4/5 not the best ever but for a local Tempe place it's good and you get a lot of food, worth the price (around $12) for the entire meal in my opinion. Experience: 4/5 some people say that this place is in need of remodeling and it's outdated but to be honest I think that is what gives it it's charm. This place has been around for ages and the feel inside the restaurant is reflective of that. Pictures attached
(4)Brianna W.
I've been here about 3-4 times over the last ten years, and let me tell you- it certainly has not changed in all those years! Good for service and food, bad for the scenery and, well, bathrooms. A mini-remodel would benefit them. You start with delicious, warm, soft bread. Each entree comes with either a soup or salad. I got the Italian house salad. Crisp produce and the dressing was good. I ordered the Chicken Parmesan. Holy cow, was it awesome! Good amount of sauce, and the chicken was not over cooked. My chicken came with a side, so I chose the Alfredo, which was great as well. The sauce is slightly thicker than some other Italian restaurants, which I appreciate. I hate thinking the sauce is watered down. My husband ordered the veal- piscatto, I think (which ever has lemon and wine sauce). The flavors were fantastic- just the right amount of lemon, which was strong but not overwhelming. He chose the angel hair pasta with garlic and olive oil, which I was very jealous of. That flavor was amazing! My sister is a huge fan of Riazzi's and comes here often. She loves the gnocci and has tried many, many dishes- none of them disappointing. We should have ordered dessert but didn't. Next time we will!
(4)christin f.
Honestly I don't understand how this place has been around so long. I definitely appreciate a good mom and pops restaurant, and I so badly wanted to love it here. The patio is gorgeous but for some reason you can't dine out there. The decor is so incredibly outdated and feels like you should only be there if you're over 60. The cocktails were nicely poured but the wine was pretty mediocre. My friend and I shared two dishes, one was the pesto tortellini, which was fabulous, and the other was the beef ravioli. The ravioli seriously tasted like the pureed meat in chef boyardee from the can. Just to make sure I wasn't crazy I made everyone at the table taste it, and they all agreed it was not edible. I did complain and they took it off the bill. I just can't justify spending my money here because it's so lackluster. To each their own.
(2)Jeff T.
I always make it a point to eat here when I am in Phoenix. My favorite spot is at the bar. The bartender gives great service, with a smile. The baked Penne, with sausage ground up in the sauce is very delicious. The meatballs are spectacular, and the sauce...what can I say about the sauce? It's what keeps me coming back again and again. When you try the ravioli, see if you can guess the spice that has been added. I think it is very unique!! You can't beat old family recipes that came over with Nona from the old country!! Definitely not a chain restaurant!!
(5)Lily K.
Dined at Riazzi's for the first time last night and was very impressed. It has a cozy family italian feel with all the classic dishes on the menu. The staff was very attentive and the chicken parm with fettucine was delicious!
(5)Sharma P.
The food was slow to come out of the kitchen. The overall food was good. We ordered ribs and they were a little dry. The garlic noodles were awesome. The chicken picatta was tasty. Our server Josh was very nice.
(3)Casey B.
Me and My girlfriend Jessica come here all the time. House made raviollis and their Egg parm is always a safe bet.
(4)Artemis S.
Just moved to Tempe and wanted some gnocchi (my FAVE) and this seemed to be the only place nearby that serves it, though they call it "cavatini" and it's more like little snakes than potato dumplings. As usual for me, I replaced the normal marinara for alfredo; pretty much the most bland alfredo sauce I've ever tasted, but I guess they do advertise it as mild (though there doesn't seem to be any alternative alfredo sauce.) I just threw on salt and it was okay. The atmosphere is nice; dark Italian restaurant and all that. It's nice enough that you can bring business guests but not too hoity-toity to just have a night out with pals. I was impressed with the service, and our waitress in particular was very down-to-Earth. Like other reviewers have said, the place is old but it didn't negatively affect my experience. I also agree with other reviewers that they should do outdoor dining; not only is it nice out there, but it could open up more tables so patrons wouldn't have to wait. All-in-all good service and atmosphere, decent food.
(3)Amanda D.
One of my favorite places to eat in Pheonix. I have been here many times and it is always perfect. I am from the east coast and desperately miss the Italian restaurants. This place ( and the cavatelli ) reminds me of home. The service is outstanding, the food is delicious, and the atmosphere is spot on. It is perfect for a date night or a family dinner. Highly recommend checking it out!
(5)Jared B.
The food was good. It didn't knock my socks off. I may go again. But it was clean and the service was acceptable.
(3)Jim S.
I agree with the posted comments about the décor. The owners are obviously making money and have been for years; why not invest a little in an atmosphere that matches the food and prices (which are good and reasonable, respectively)? This decor more resembles what you would find in a backwater western town. Also, a quick tip for the hostess: at the nicer establishments, the hostess doesn't just toss the menus on the table and tell the customers that the waitress will be right with them; she waits for the customers to seat themselves and politely hands them the menu.
(2)Tina L.
My husband and I went there for our friends birthday dinner. The food wasn't that great and the salad looked like it was from one of those salad bags that you can get at a grocery store. Our waiter was very nice, but the food wasn't so great. I think Olive Garden is better than this.
(2)Phil R.
I've been dining at Riazzi's for more than 20 years. Every time we go the services is good, but the food is fantastic. If I have a person in town, Riazzi's is on top of my list as a place to take them. Their meat sauce is terrific. My wife just love their Fetticini Riazzi. I recently (yes, after all those years) tried their pizza and it was fantastic.
(5)Matt I.
Excellent local place that's been around for a long time. Chicken piccata was great as have been all the dishes we've tried here. The side salad is their wreak spot, nothing special. The prices are surprisingly low, you'll spend as much or more at olive garden. But why would you?! Eat here instead!
(5)Elizabeth K.
Gave them another chance and am glad I did. The chicken picatta was amazing and Christopher the bartender won me over with his service. I guess everyone has a bad night... I just wish they would give the patio a server and a hose down. Its lovely to sit outside during the cooler AZ months. Enjoy!
(4)Jaycee V.
Amazing homemade Italian food! Start out with the fried mushrooms or zucchini! I always order the house salad and angel hair pasta with spicy marinara with mushrooms and peppers! Or the minestrone soup is good too! This place is very quaint!
(5)Renata L.
Since it was Friday night, we had to wait 20 minutes to be seated. I had "cavatelli (gnocchi)", as they put on the menu. It was the worst gnocchi I had ever had - very thin and long, it lacked potatoey taste of real gnocchi. There should be disclaimer explaining what cavatelli is, without any link to gnocchi. The amount of sauce was very frugal, so when I was halfway through with my cavatelli, it was all gone. Also, to improve the taste of the sauce, I had to add some butter and parmesan crumbs. Grated parmesan was served in little ramekin which was fresh. Butter came in little plastic single-serve containers you may find in diners but not in fine Italian dining. Also, crackers were single-serve, too; last time I had those when I ordered to go from a deli. Bread was just plain white baguette, no rosemary nor olive oil.
(2)The P.
We have been frequenting Riazzi's for years - even when they were on Van Buren many moons ago. The Eggplant Parmigiana & gnocchi - always the same, (2 of our favorite dishes), salads fresh & love the touch of the added beet. The service has always been great & the restaurant is clean & old school. Great long time Mom & Pop business that we will continue to dine at.
(5)Stephanie B.
This place is shamelessly affordable and has a great atmosphere, for business, family or friends. My grandma liked the eggplant parmisan (a full inch of fried eggplant, the best in the valley for sure. I ate half because she couldn't finish it.) I love the manacotti. Seriously, when are you ever going to make this at home? -For lunch it's $7.95 with a decent sized salad and a full side of spaghetti. Everything comes with free baguette and butter. My uncle likes the garlic cheese bread. My mom likes the shrimp thing she always gets. My friend liked the chicken dish he had. Inside is a little different than most places. The decor is traditional, the atmosphere is calm and cool, and you can't see or hear the traffic, so it's like getting out of Arizona for a minute. The only difficult thing is remembering how to spell the name so your friends can find the place.
(4)Mark T.
I gave Riazzi's a second chance this evening after a lengthy boycott. I was seeing a play at Gammage and the location made it a convenient choice for pre-theater dinner. My first experience with Riazzi's came as a team lunch about 3 years ago. The food was good, but when the waiter brought each person their check, he brought one of my co-workers two receipts. The co-worker looked them over and told the waiter he charged his card twice. The waiter said let me take care of that, tore one receipt in half and walked away, not fixing the problem. As the group left the restaurant he chased us down in the parking lot and said we didn't leave enough of a tip. I have not been back until tonight. The restaurant is noticeable thanks to the large tree in the front yard. That tree as well as many others were decorated with lights for the holiday. Inside the restaurant was very festive and had a nice feel. Using my handy Yelp mobile application, I read some of the reviews and decided to order the Toretellini Riazzi with pesto cream sauce. My friend went with the stuffed eggplant. The salad arrived first and it was an interesting blend. The first thing I noticed was the presence of beets. I have never had a beet, but it was there so I figured I might as well try it. It wasn't as bad as I expected - firmer and tasted like pickled dirt, but it was okay. The house dressing and the pepper made a good combination. The entrees came out and my friend looked over her plate. The appearance of the dish was mostly that of the sauce and cheese. She offered a bite and I had to play Jacque Cousteau to actually find the eggplant. While she said it was good, she was not impressed with the swamp of sauce covering the dish and though flavorful, she admitted she would not order it again. The side fettuccini was good. As for the tortellini, what can I say? Fabulous! It was very flavorful, huge portions and one of the best things I have had in some time. Unfortunately I was headed to the theater and didn't want the car to smell like pesto all night, so half of it had to go. No time for dessert. The waiter was very pleasant, provided ample time to review the menu, answered questions and kept the drinks filled. Service was excellent this time, my dish was incredible and the menu large enough that I am sure my friend could find something more to her liking next time. And the price - very nice. We both had water, but with both entrees, the included salad and her included side of fettuccini, it was just under $30. Pretty good for a evening with a nice Italian dinner. I think my first experience with this place was a fluke and based on tonight, I would definitely give it another shot. My next play tickets are in 3 weeks, so I might be back then!
(4)Julie M.
This restaurant is a part of Tempe history. We lovingly call this the best restaurant in Tempe. This place does need a serious make over. It looks tired but that doesn't hurt the food. The spaghetti and meatballs and the meatball sand which are hands down my favorite items on the menu. I LOVE their meatballs. I would say they are the best I have ever tasted outside the east coast. I prefer their marinara sauce over their meat sauce which I find flavorless. I have had several of the other entrees but they are not as good.
(4)Kimo K.
Had not been here for about six years, but decided to try dinner here again. Cocktails are generous and very affordable. Dinner prices are reasonable, but food is mediocre at best. IMO, food quality and taste is not as good as before. I ordered the large antipasto appetizer platter and was disappointed. Cheese was like sandwich cheese slices. Meats were like prepackaged sandwich meat. The so-called prosciutto was like sliced deli ham, but the olives and marinated mushrooms were OK....would have liked to pay more for better quality ingredients. My sausage and peppers were not tasty. Bland sausage; more like hillshire farm kielbasa instead of spicy Italian sausage, and just peppers, no onions -- and just sautéed in olive oil, no marinara sauce. My friend's fried raviolis were big and looked good, but I did not taste it. But prices are cheap so I guess you get what you pay for. Service was acceptable, but hostess was sort of ditsy.
(3)Melinda R.
We have been frequenting Riazzi's for the past few years and have always had great service and great food. We had friends visiting from New Jersey who loved the food so much, they wanted to go again before they had to leave. They even brought their business partners when we went back.
(5)Krysten F.
Riazzi's was a place I had wanted to go for my birthday for over a year. When I finally went there, I loved it aside from the prices. The food was fantastic, the patio was gorgeous, the staff was attentive and friendly, and the atmosphere was perfect. It had a mom and pop feel and allowed me to feel relaxed and family oriented. I really enjoyed having my family experience Riazzi's with me! All around fantastic experience aside from the prices. The prices were a little steep for the amount of the food one received. Other than that this place was amazing.
(4)Brandon M.
My wife and I had dinner here last night... Appetizers were ok, my wife enjoyed her meal but when I ordered the Seafood Diavola everything appeared ok at first. Nicely cooked shrimp and scallops on a bed of spicy marinara sauce. HOWEVER, when I began to dig in the pasta they had hidden half of the muscles under the pasta and they were closed. Serving unopened muscles is a HUGE health risk. It is usually because they are dead at the time of cooking and can be host to a ton of different food born illnesses. I gave them two stars because my wife enjoyed her meal, but hiding the closed muscles under the pasta says that they knew better and showed a complete disregard for the health and safety of their guests.
(2)Art R.
Two words describe this place, Old School. The restaurant and bar area are certainly dated, kind of like a throwback to the 60's or 70's and could certainly use a makeover and the food is Old school Italian as well which is actually just fine with me as there is nothing better to me than an heaping portion of spaghetti and meatballs to bring back old family memories. Service was friendly and food came out fairly fast.
(4)Jasmine C.
Went again (a friend from out of town *really* wanted to go. This time I ordered the tortellini with pesto cream sauce after reading reviews that it was good. It was. I really liked it. However, it did not reheat well so you must try not to eat to much bread and salad before the entree arrives. Ordered a large pizza for my children and they did not like it. After eating bowls full of bread and butter before it arriving they were also not hungry. If I am ever in a situation to eat here again I would try very hard not to bring the children with.
(3)Connie Weber W.
We were here on Tues. March 5, 2013 a party of six, with reservations. We all enjoyed the ambience, food, wine and service. Everyone in our party thoroughly enjoyed the appetizers of mussels and then their entree. Not one of us had room for dessert . The service was friendly and professional with a fresh basket of bread and butter delivered to our table before it was needed. Would highly recommend dining here to anyone and will dine here again when back in Tempe, Az.
(4)Mark B.
In Tempe for a triathlon, and needing to carb-load with some pasta, I found this place on Yelp. It was about two miles from my hotel, and the reviews here were good enough for me to check it out. It's a perfectly fine, mid-range, family-oriented Italian restaurant. When I dine alone, I take a book, so I always request a quiet corner booth. The hostess gave me the best that they had, as it was a crowded, busy Saturday night. There was a chatty family at the adjacent table, but they left halfway into my dinner. I had a Veal Piccatta, fettucini alfredo, a Moretti beer, and a glass of the house Chianti. Hot Italian bread came out immediately, and it was excellent. The salad was uninspired - just iceberg lettuce with a few garnishes. The blue cheese dressing was great, though, being thick and chunky. The pasta and veal were perfectly cooked, and I was given a bowl of parmesan cheese, which went great with the pasta. The tab? $30 (before tip) for bread, salad, entree, a beer, and a glass of wine. The food was excellent and the ambiance is very nice. Reading the other reviews that complain about Riazzi's having dated decor - I don't agree. The floral patterns in the booth are appropriate. The only thing that I thought could stand an improvement was the chairs - they're quite worn, and I remember seeing the same chairs in a pizzaria in the 70's. But it's not a big deal. This is a very nice, reasonably-priced Italian place with excellent food and great ambiance.
(4)Greg T.
I used to love this place, but something is obviously different now. Frozen seafood, small portions, so-so service and staff not knowing the menu. In a town starving for a good Italian restaurant, this one is just not worth it.
(1)Jake P.
My girlfriend summed up everything that was both good and bad about Riazzi's with a single statement: "It's like Olive Garden, just without any of the things that suck about Olive Garden." The flavors are good, the food well-prepared, but not spectacular. The architecture and the garden are interesting, the decor is flat. The service is good and personable, but not top-of-the-line professional. It's a neighborhood restaurant with good (somewhat Americanized) Italian dishes served at a consistent quality, with a character that says nothing flashy - reminding you that this really is a satisfying, locally-owned Italian bistro.
(4)Kristen B.
One of my favorite hidden treasures in Tempe. If you have been in the Tempe area you probably have driven past this family establishment, it doesn't look like much from the outside, but once you enter it's like being in someone's home. The ambiance here is very intimate and comforting, as if you're in the family's personal dining room enjoying their recipes passed down from generation to generation. The service is exceptional, always bringing you more bread, filling your glass before it empties, and asking if you need anything. The food is tradtional italian fare, they offer you bread as soon as you sit down and nearly everything meal comes with your choice of garden salad or soup, unlike a lot of restaurants today where it's an additional cost. They have a wide vareity to choose from and everything I've had there has been great. I highly reccomend Riazzi's during the holiday's, the decorate the interior beautifully and really put you in the spirit of things. Would reccommend for a Christmas eve dinner out or what not. My favorite dishes: the calamari appetizer, the calamari linguini, and the sausage and bell peppers! Yum!
(5)Rickey Lynn G.
I've eaten at Riazzi's for many years, and sad to say, the food is not what it used to be. I went with a party of 20, and even though they knew we were coming with plenty of advanced notice, they were overwhelmed. Service aside, the food just wasn't on point. Red sauces were bland, and seemed in short supply. I asked for Pasta Carbonara, and it was so salty as to be virtually inedible. There was so much pancetta in it that it overwhelmed completely the rest of the dish. One of our party had pizza, and found it to be just ordinary. Most of the dishes were not enjoyed with the one exception of the calamari, which was perfectly fried. I realize that times are hard all over, but the temperature in the restaurant was unbelievably warm, and members of our party kept having to get up and go outside to cool off. I hope they go back to the fine food they used to serve, because this was a not what I remembered from the past. 2 stars
(2)Joshua M.
dinner was fantastic...all four of us were extremely happy with the food, service was get. Overall this place is a great local restaurant
(5)David K.
Came here the other night for dinner with friends. This is a nicely decorated place with a relaxing ambiance that also serves very good food. I ordered the chicken marsala with a vegetable side and its was excellent. The menu has an extensive selection and I would definitely return to try one of their other dishes.
(4)Mel P.
We had a lovely meal after a long day of site seeing. The food is tasty and the service was good. My husband had the mushroom Gorgonzola soup special that was delicious. All our entrees were well prepared and very good. The atmosphere is fine - but not trendy.
(4)Albert B.
Good old fashioned Italian food their salad lasagna was excellent when I'm back in az u will see me there lol but really
(5)Shelby H.
I loved this place. I had just called because I wanted to do a take out order to get lunch while I was at work. At first the woman on the phone seemed a little aggrevated with all my questions I was asking, but it was simply because she had a bunch of people walk in at the same time, she politely asked me to call back and which I did. She answered all my questions and since I'm a plane Jane as it is I just had ordered the Penne Noodles with Marinara. Since I was ordering for my boyfriend who is Vegan she continued to impress me with the news that their marinara had NO cheese in it. Which was good and meant he could eat it too. So Vegans! You can eat here with the noodles and sauce! Add it to your list. It was done quickly and the exterior and interior was very adorable. I wish I had the chance to sit down and experience more of it. Considering it was lunch menu it was very inexpensive and delicious! It came with slices of bread which is always a plus! I would definitely go back there.
(5)Giuseppe B.
I generally will not write a review but when it comes to this time around I feel compelled to. I went to Riazzi's last night because my mother was in town and wanted a nice dinner and my wife and I suggested Riazzi's my wife has been coming here for years with her family (her parents even have had big anniversary dinners here) it was only my second time. Well the service to start with was OK not great not bad just OK the salads were ehh way to much vinegar in the dressing then we got our entrees I got Gnocchi which was a childhood favorite of mine (Grandpa amazing cook) and my wife got the Lasagna my first bite of mine all I could taste was salt just heavy salt in the sauce and my wife could not stand her dish either she couldn't put a finger on why just did not enjoy and only ate half. Well I did get through my meal I was hungry the waiter was nowhere to be found to share any displeasure well about fifteen minutes after all of us were done a bus boy took our dishes and we had asked for the check well twenty minutes passed and we finally saw our waiter and reiterated we had asked for check some time ago he just turned around to retrieve it no apology just handed it over and took credit card. My wife and I discussed on way home that this place was going down hill and would not go to again we even suggested this could be a candidate for a kitchen nightmare episode, well I had figured I would not think of my experience again at least for a while but to my dismay I am now up at 3:00 am writing this because I am not feeling well and it is not pretty Shame on you Riazzi's for putting out a poor experience
(1)Jim J.
I was really disappointed. I would describe this establishment as frumpy, dated, and in desperate need of a facelift. The atmosphere is dark and lost in the early 70's. The food was below average. Being from the Northeast, perhaps my expectations were too high, however nothing measured up to even average. I would not recommend dining here.
(2)Tom S.
After reading the other reviews, I thought perhaps I would weigh in - they seem to be all over the place. The critics are correct that the decor seems dated. To me, having grown up back east with this very sort of restaurant, it was charming. The restaurant is particularly enjoyable to visit at night, when they turn on the lights in the garden. I enjoy the layout of the dining room, although I agree it is a 'cooler' experience to eat in the bar. I guess some people could be offended that the staff sit down and eat in the bar when it is slow, but I'm not one of those people - I think it adds to the charm. I had a very late lunch yesterday - around 3 - thanks to an appointment that went on forever. So we ended up heading to Riazzi's for a late dinner, around 8:30. At that time of the evening, the dining room was closed., so we sat in the bar. Their service is truly one of the strengths of this restaurant. On this night, they were unusually attentive - even for them. The waters came out immediately upon sitting down, then they took your drink order - as it should be. Neither my iced tea or water ever got below half a glass. This is something I occasionally find annoying at places where the staff draws a lot of attention to itself when they refill drinks - particularly when it interrupts the flow of conversation. Not at Riazzi's - they are attentive but unobstrusive. Their bread is my favorite restaurant bread in the Valley - hands down. It is actually better than the Italian bread I grew up eating back east in Hartford, New York, Boston and Providence. It's so good that I wish they had loaves available. You have to possess a lot of discipline not to fill up on the bread. The salad is as others have described it - traditional, but fresh. My favorite item on the menu is now listed under pizzas and described as a Spinach Pie. This used to be listed under appetizers as the Grass Pie, but if you order a Grass Pie, they'll still know what you mean. It is a cheeseless pizza with spinach and arrabiata sauce. Confession: I love all things arrabiata. But this combination here is perfect. For about 1.50 (I can't recall the exact figure), they'll add mozzarella to it, but I've never done that because it is perfect as it. They bring you a healthy amount of tasty parmesan cheese, so you can always throw that on the Spinach Pie. So, I had that. Outstanding as usual. My wife ordered the Penne Primavera, which was very good. Last time I was there with my daughter, she had the penne with garlic and oil, which I thought was just superb. Simple, but perfect for a garlic fan like me. I have a feeling most folks skip over such an entree in favor of something more elaborate, but I recommend it. We didn't have an appetizer, and even though I wouldn't describe the portions as enormous, they were generous and neither of us could finish our entrees. Is Riazzi's going to be sexy for the young, hip crowd? Probably not, although it is romantic at night with their lights and sunken/elevated dining room, and has the 'cool' factor of the bar. It totally hit my 'nostalgic for the east-coast Italian restaurant' needs. I just wish the service at most modestly-priced Valley eateries approached Riazzi's. You can get spoiled with the bread and service over here.
(4)Zachary C.
Riazzi's is the type of place that you need to know what you are doing and what to expect to enjoy it. Other reviewers are right on about some of the negatives: the decor is horrible and certain menu items are fine but not impressive. Here is what you need to know to dig it: 1. Sit in the bar-- it has a cooler vibe than the dining room (kind of mobstery) 2. Order seafood or one of the specialty dinners. Don't fill up on bread or salad, the bread is great, and the salad is the old school iceberge lettuce with beets and pepperochinis. 3. If you want pizza, they make great pizza, but keep it simple, this is not the type of pizza you want to ruin with a ton of toppings. We usually order it with just onions or just garlic. I wouldn't add pepperoni, it just isn't that type of pizza. If you don't like onions, you don't know anything about food, and should eat every meal at Applebee's. 4. I also recommend the chicken Marsala, but I have never had it anywhere else, so it is hard to say if it is a good one. I like it, and I am a fan of food. 5. The prices are reasonable to cheap for a sit down place. Can't go wrong with that! It's a good place! Don't let the other review fool you, just be prepared, and don't expect Olive Garden. This is real food. I think some people have forgotten what real food is.
(4)Joseph M.
I have discriminating tastes when it comes to Italian food and despite the less than favorable reviews listed here, I decided to try it. It was relatively quiet and intimate and has a unique style about itself (hence "Garden" in the name). I found the pasta to be cooked very well. However, the meat sauce was a bit runny. If they had less water in it, it would be perfect. The time it took for the food to be served was good - not rushed and not unnecessarily delayed. The waiter service was great. Again, not being super-busy, this is expected. They delivered and I was very happy with it. The critique about interior décor is a hyperboles at best. Simply, the floral patterns on the booths are a bit dated, but this has no bearing on the dining experience. By the description of the reviews from others, I was expecting to walk into sea-green and puke-yellow color. It was nothing of the sort and I found the interior calming and quiet - the way an Italian restaurant should be. While I'm still exploring about additional sit-down Italian restaurants across Tempe, I will keep this on my short list of places to hit. Oh yeah, friends don't let friends go to Olive Garden or Sbarros. Shop local! ;-)
(4)Holly W.
Affordable, delicious food, variety in both dinner and lunch menus. Service is occasionally mediocre, but overall great restaurant!
(4)Kevin G.
Upon entering Riazzi's, Kevin and I were unsure if we had stepped into an Italian restaurant or a nursing home. The patterns on the carpet and booths were horrifyingly dated, and the place was dingy and dark. The only thing that kept me from whole heartedly believing that we were visiting my great grandmother's home was the waiters/waitresses/bus boys playing Rhianna full blast in the kitchen as they talked loudly about their personal lives and friend drama and hair cuts. Food was fine. Nothing to write home about. But the atmosphere, oh gosh. Never again.
(1)Jim W.
Came for dinner New Year's Eve with friends and had a great meal. The Caesar salads to start were always good and just the right size. The entrees that we selected covered a generous portion of sausage & peppers, Lasagna, Shrimp Scampi (which as described are large), and my favorite, Veal Piccata. All were prepared perfectly and appropriately spiced. Accompanying pasta and various sauces were perfectly cooked. The service was the same "relaxed" approach that I've received over the last several visits - despite a full restaurant with several large groups. No issue here, just a different experience than the more commercial chain restaurants. Just a great home-style family experience.
(4)Brian B.
If you've read my reviews, you know that I think that The Olive Garden chain is singlehandedly dumbing down America's taste for Italian cuisine. Riazzi's deserves your support for keeping this corner of Tempe a place where the three fs of Italian flourish: flavor, family and um, OK two fs. When the place was last decorated in 1971, it was perfect. So why change? Yeah, it's dark and oddly laid out but so was my first girlfriend. If Riazzi's isn't what you're looking for in an independently run family Italian place, get your ass to Little Cesear's and eat cheezy breadsticks until they start tasting good.
(4)Pet H.
Pretty bad. Decor hasnt been changed since the 80's and the food tasted the same. Salad and bread = terrible. You can get way better stuff packaged from a grocery store. I got the lasagna. First bite was an okay mix of sauce, cheese and sausage. After that there was nothing but cheese and noodles. All the sausage pretty much was gone. It got really heavy tasting pretty quick. Avoid unless your taste buds are stuck on 1979.
(1)Anna P.
Great food, nice waiters, and lovely atmosphere. It's a good place for a date. I like that it's not snooty, but it is nice and romantic. Really good pasta.
(4)Amanda B.
Riazzi's has been on my list of places to write about, but somehow it never happened. This served as a great fall back restaurant for a couple of years. If we couldn't figure out where to go, we would just dart off to Riazzi's; it was something that everyone could always agree upon. The food remains consistent with each visit and the wait staff always has a smile. They're endlessly friendly and patient, even to wee babies who adore the bread. On weeknights, I've never encountered a wait for a table nor any delay in service. One of my issues is the vegetable of the day. It feels strange to order broccoli in fettuccine alfredo only to be told "we don't have any broccoli today. We have zucchini instead". There are some vegetables that should be staples and my general idea that broccoli should be available at all times tends to clash with their philosophy on the topic. This is a great spot for a small, cozy dinner with a group. We've gotten together for more than one birthday celebration and the facilities are perfect for a group of ten or so if reservations are made ahead of time. It's a quiet restaurant with lighting dimmed appropriately. The dinners are wonderful and the portions huge, however this isn't a stellar place. This is one of those reviews where half stars would come in handy; it's not quite a four star restaurant, but it's definitely more than three.
(3)J. B.
This place has adequate food but it is certainly not astounding nor worth the price. The house salad comes with beets that taste canned. It's just not all that great of a place in the food department. However, I found the staff kind and generally willing to work with you on replacement sides. The restaurant is also quite kid-friendly (though there is no explicit "kids menu").
(3)Carol F.
Great service. Good food. Had baked scallops. Reasonable prices
(3)Melissa B.
SUPER DELICIOUS! feels authentic. Get the gnocchi!
(5)Jon N.
I finally went to this place after driving by it for 8 years. I would always see it and say to myself "I need to go there one time," but never actually following through. After reading some quality reviews on here we decided to bring some family there for a graduation dinner. We ordered some Mussels to start and those were very good. They were tender and the sauce was good. We also had the Caprese Salad to share amongst the 4 of us. I was pretty full after the appetizers so the girlfriend and I split the Veal Piccata. It too was quite tasty. The entrance is very cool with the very large and old Ficus tree that had holiday lights woven through it. Aside from some very loud, obnoxious and drunk guidos/meatheads that were there, it was a very enjoyable meal. Bonus points for giving me a healthy serving of Sapphire on the rocks. I will definitely be going back.
(3)Katherine N.
Worst spaghetti and meatballs ever, bar none. It's like they were trying to make me send it back (it worked). The pasta was overcooked and tasted like it was out of a pack of ramen; the sauce was reminiscent of Chef Boyardee; and the meatballs were...odd... On the upside, the service was very prompt and friendly.
(1)Marsha Z.
The service was great--that is, once we were seated. The place was packed, and we were told the wait would be 45 min to an hour. Seeing that home was less than a mile away, rather than stand around, we decided it would make more sense to leave for a bit and come back. We returned to find out our name was called a half hour earlier, and the hostess, clearly agitated that we weren't there, was persistent about having us put our name back on the waiting list, forcing us to wait again. It wasn't until a manager was brought over that the situation was quickly remedied and we were immediately seated. I don't know if anyone spit in our food because of that, but my dish sure tasted delicious.
(4)Joy K.
Riazzi's is what I picture when I think of a small, family owned Italian restaurant. Completely unpretentious, yet has an almost elegant feel. From the moment you walk through the patio of twinkle lights and in the front door you're waited on hand and foot, like a true guest in their "house". I don't think my water glass got below 1" from the rim because the waiter was so attentive! The fresh bread was delicious, and my lasagna was incredible. I'll definitely be back soon.
(5)Jennifer O.
I went here for dinner tonight with some friends and it was a solid meal. It was nothing super special, but it wasn't bad. The decor, as stated before, is super old school, but I don't really mind. The bread they bring out is warm and tasty and the service was wonderful! They filled our waters consistently and brought out more and more bread... which was great! I ordered the cheese ravioli with meatballs and it came with minestrone soup. The soup wasn't bad, but wasn't great. It tasted kind of like canned tomato soup with veggies thrown in. The raviolis are home made, which they looked, but were kind of odd. The plate had three large raviolis on it. They had really thick dough and were large and stuffed with too much cheese. These didn't taste bad, but they were too rich... just too much pasta and too much cheese... I wish they made smaller raviolis with thinner pasta and less cheese. In addition, the meatballs were extremely firm... the flavor wasn't bad, but the texture was off. They were just a little spicy, which was nice. Overall, the place was ok.... not mind blowing or somewhere I would run back to, but it was alright, and if I got invited back, I wouldn't say no.
(3)J Seth A.
When my mom was high school she worked at Riazzi's in their old location. (Torn down looooooong ago.) The same people who owned it then, own it now. Growing up Riazzi's was always a constant part of my restaurant experience. (The owners remember my mom and she still talks to them when we go.) They have great food, made from old family recipes. I have always enjoyed the chicken piccata and chicken marsala. I like the red wine, the bread and desserts. Riazzi's is a true Italian family restaurant that has been a part this community for many years, and for a good reason: They are great at what they do. It's local, it's real, it's my kind of place.
(5)Heather L.
Whenever I am craving decent italian food that is not the dreaded Olive Garden, we usually come here. The lunch specials are awesome and priced just right. I LOVE their lasagna, the sauce is homemade and to die for! But boy howdy bring your tums... I agree with some other reviews, sit in the bar area, much more chill vibe.
(4)Don I.
While living in the Valley for good Italian food, I tripped over this jewel through yelp. I don't see how this place could be considered bad seeing how fresh everything tasted. Salty? Perhaps too much fresh grated cheese with your food (which you get to spoon in yourself). The place is dated, but if the food is good, who cares. My wife got the pesto with cream sauce tortellini while I went with the gnocchi. They were both beautiful things. The tortellini was marvelous with that cream sauce; I was fighting myself from mopping up a bit with some bread. The gnocchi was excellent (though I haven't really had much out there, so i'm not a real pro at spotting the best of the best) and the meatballs...absolutely stellar. They were soft with a small hit of spice while keeping with the meaty texture. After this, we were feeling satisfied. Oh right, dessert! I had to have the canoli while my wife went with the tiramisu. My wife hates canolis, but really liked theirs. The tiramisu? Best she ever tasted. My only complaint is that they're a little expensive, but damn they tasted good. Are there better Italian places? I don't know yet, but I do know that this place is great. I'll be back again soon.
(5)Debbie W.
Yay for local business! I'm always craving Italian food and the chains around here are not impressive. I have a new favorite. For my first visit I stuck with a standard, Fettuccine Riazzi with Grilled Chicken. Wonderful. The grilled chicken was a smidgen too peppery for my taste but the cheese sauce did a great job of making it all better. Next time I want to try something a little more adventuresome. My only real problem was with the salad. It was smothered in dressing and inedible. In this day with everyone watching what they eat, isn't dressing on the side the norm? I'll have to remember to ask for it that way next time. Maybe I visited on an off night (Tuesday) because the place was almost empty. Therefore the service was quick and attentive. I could tell by the conversations around me that most of the customers were regulars and the staff well-liked. That's always a good sign. I'll be back.
(4)ashley m.
Like someone else said...you really need to expect Riazzi's to be what it is to enjoy it. Is this place outdated? Yes. Is the salad a little meh? Yes. And what's the deal with their ranch? It is SO watery. But their bread is awesome! And the Veal Piccata is to DIE FOR. Im somewhat of a Piccata freak considering I make it for dinner frequently and order it almost every time I go to an Italian place (chicken or veal). I have not had a better Veal Piccatta anywhere. So for that I will keep coming here when I am in the mood for a delicious Veal Piccata.
(4)Jillian I.
My husband and I have been going here for years and years. It's been there a lot longer than that... It's a great ma-and-pa neighborhood Italian place that is nice, but not too fancy or pretentious. We haven't set foot in one of the big chain places since discovering this place. Our favorites are any of the veal dishes, the antipasto platter, baked penne and the pesto tortellini. In my mind, if an Italian restaurant doesn't serve veal, keep looking. Riazzi's nails it.
(4)Douglas P.
I've eaten here a dozen times over the last 20 years and love it. Family place, I've never seen an advertisement in the paper or on them Internets. I think Family Owned says it all. Somebody's family has a restaurant, cares about customers and service and good Italian food. The only thing that I ever had that was bad there was the house red wine, which was absolute crap, but I order it all the time. House reds are always crap at family Italian joints! Go here next time you consider going out for Italian.
(4)Amy M.
Had a fabulous meal here last night 6-15. I like the atmosphere as it is dark, cozy and comfortable. Our service was top notch. The server was pleasant and came to our table just at the right time and didn't over extend her welcome. I hate it when servers constantly come to our table and ask how everything is. The french bread was soft and warm and the garlic olive oil was rich with garlic and other spices, almost paste like..fantastic. Not like you get at other Italian restaurants where they squirt a little olive oil on a plate and hand you a pepper shaker. The Caesar salads were fresh and crisp. I had the ravioli and it was superb and homemade like the menu said. My husband had the eggplant Parmesan and he said it was delicious as well. The prices are fair and the portions are large just the way we Americans like them! I would have given 5 stars but the outside entrance could have been tidied up a bit.
(4)Michelle B.
I love this place. It's like stepping back in time in the best way. My boyfriend and I ate there last night and it was delicious. They make their own salad dressings. The antipasti salad was huge and yummy. I had the half and half ravioli and it was so good. Took the leftovers for lunch today and it was STILL good. Fresh hot bread at the table too. Our waitress was awesome and the hostess was a sweetheart. We will definitely be back. It's so nice to find a place with some character in Tempe that doesn't break the bank. Can't wait to try the desserts- we were just so stuffed by the end of our meal, we couldn't handle it.
(5)Mike J.
I've been coming here for 26 years. The service is always great and the food can't be beat. This is old school Italian!
(5)maryanne S.
My first time to Riazzi's was a completely forgettable, mediocre. It was probably my fault, I ordered the wrong thing. I ordered spaghetti and meatballs but the actual spaghetti noodle was just not great. Angel hair is better. But a mom-and-pop Italian joint as good as this deserved another chance. So I read the menu online, figured out the stuffed chicken, the Chicken Valastano", was my next target, OH MY! So good! The pizza is extraordinary. Thin crust, hard to describe. Simply delicious. Had a delicious "pork chop special" on Dad's Day, marinated in one flavor, a different, complimentary sauce in top...delicious! Very nice service, I'll be a regular. DELICIOUS!! 6/25/2015- Hell, Yelp wants me to write a new review when all I want to do is update my previous. It's this simple: best food in Phoenix. BEST. How do I know? 1. I trust my taste buds. This is delicious food. The Italian dressing, not a FEATURED item, per se, but the Italian dressing is the best I've ever had in Phoenix. It's so sour...LIKE AN ITALIAN DRESSING SHOULD BE...just a mere indication of how great the food is...in detail. 2. BUT THE REAL REASON I KNOW THIS IS GREAT FOOD: it's better the second day. Tonite I ate last nights stuffed chicken. Instead of microwave, I conventioned it, literally forgot about it for 45 mintues after it was truly reheated, and STILL, dammit! it was FANTASTIC! DELICIOUS! AS GOOD AS, BETTER THAN THE FIRST DAY! If Riazzi's isn't the best food in Phoenix, I know this for sure: it's my favourite! THE best FOOD in PHOENIX, BAR NONE!
(5)Tom B.
Haven't been in years. I was amazed that although It's been years since my last visit here, not much has changed. The massive ficus tree at the entry looked as good as ever and I noticed that the landscaping surrounding the building were nearly perfect. I also noticed the patio was under utilized, just a bunch of plastic patio furniture scattered about. This might be my only beef with this place. They should fix it up, cover and set those tables, and add some shimmering lights. It might have been so because it was a Monday night but I don't remember the patio ever being used to its amazing potential. We were greeted promptly and with a warm friendly welcome. It felt so inviting like we come every week. A nice old school booth was camp for the next hour or so. Mature service was prompt friendly, and professional, Its a nice change from the 19 year olds in Scottsdale that don't care about what they are doing or serving. as far as the food goes everything started with some fresh baked bread and foil wrapped butters. soup and salads preceded main dishes and there they were, the sliced canned beets and as expected a pool of a delicious tangy red wine Italian dressing topped by Ice berg olives and those slice beets. Gratefully some things never change! Main dishes included Stuffed eggplant that was covered with a half pound of mozzarella and swimming in marinara, it smelt delicious! My buddy had a $15.00 pizza after adding 3 toppings, $15 10 inch pies are becoming the norm around town so it didn't seem too out of line and 1/3 of that pizza made its way home for a snack later. My pasta dish was called Half and Half and included delicious beef ravioli and spaghetti with meat sauce, the sauce was as good as my own, and the pasta was cooked to absolute perfection. Deserts were declined, and our garden party soon came to an end. Thank you's and good bye's came from all directions and that's old school at its best!!! Riazzi's is that touch of nostalgia and the part of Tempe you always want to remember after so much around town is building up, modernizing and going corporate.
(4)Tony M.
Some of the best Italian food I've ever had west of New England. Thoroughly satisfied with everything I ever order from Riazzi's. I highly recommend this restaurant, they do Italian food right.
(5)Jackie G.
First time here. Family owned for over 40 years. The cheese ravioli was awesome. Perfectly cooked and thick. Meatballs were great. The lasagna was delicious. The chicken parmesan was great. The outside was crunchy, not soggy. I would come back if we lived here!! I highly recommend this place.
(5)Sniper K.
50-State traveler experience here, and I always stay in nearby hotels so I can dine at this historic location. The awesome bartender Chris has worked here for 40-years... Yes, 40!
(5)Jeff B.
First time at Riazzi's tonight. Had a celebration for 20 people. Table was ready as promised. I was first to arrive but waiter greeted me quickly and offered to take my drink order. There were already 8-10 parties seated at 5:30 PM -good start. As guests arrived, same good service was offered. Lots of different dishes ordered but I'll stick with what my family ordered. My wife sampled the antipasto salad and steamed mussels as an entree. Our daughter ordered from the gluten free menu and had the shrimp scampi with GF penne pasta and salad. Her husband ordered chicken piccata which came with a side of pasta and salad. Our youngest daughter ordered the spinach lasagne and I had the house special tortellini Riazzi pesto with a salad. The mussels were tender, tasty and hot. There were plenty of them (about 18) too. The GF dish - shrimp scampi and penne, came with gluten ingredients. I don't know if the waiter/cook got confused by taking 20 orders or not, but there was only one GF order for the party. She didn't get to eat anything. Our waiter was so busy keeping up with everything that he didn't even offer a redo until the table was nearly cleared. The spinach lasagne was huge, plenty of sauce and cheese. The piccata was done right, with lots of capers. The side pasta was rather boring tho. My tortellini was outstanding and I recommend it tremendously. Over a dozen big, tender pillows in a rich, creamy pesto sauce. I would have liked to give Riazzi's five stars but you can't mess with allergies. I would suggest he circle the GF order on the ticket, highlight it is something!
(3)Marc A.
I heard great things from others. I was not impressed. Service moved at a glacial Pace, food came out lukewarm to cold. Staff was stressed and underprepared for the Sunday dinner crowd. I will probably never be back.
(3)+TheGeneralofHope +.
My friends and I enjoyed the food and service. The place could use a, "refresh and update" but I enjoyed it overall. The food alone was worth it. The desserts were homemade and spectacular.
(5)Marrissa S.
I've been coming here for years with my in-laws. We always order the Shrimp Scampi with garlic/oil linguine. The shrimp is so plump and wonderfully seasoned with garlic and oil. Very yummy! The salad and house dressing is always fresh and delicious. I always go to the restaurant with the intention of trying something new, but I just can't resist my original order. Service is good.
(4)Alicia T.
This is our family's "special occasion" place. It is "old fashioned' in decor, but the rest of the place is also "old school" which translates to professional service, home cooking and a trained bartender who actually knows how to properly mix drinks! We also enjoys the music selection which is again "old school" with Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and others to set the mood. So, if you're looking for a trendy, "hipster" place, this ain't it. But our family loves it.
(5)Ian C.
Riazzis Italian Garden in Tempe is a place I've always thought about going to. Well, I finally made it the other day. I took my roommate with me, so I didn't look like a goober sitting in a booth by myself. We walked in as the Hostess was finishing a reservation over the phone, and we were greeted when she finished. She gave us the option of booth, or table. I went with booth (I didn't want to sit at a table in the middle of an empty room). The hostess took us to our booth, set our menus down, said the server would be here in a minute, and took off. Not to friendly, but she did her part. As we looked over our menu a staff member brought us some bread, and water. Seconds after, our server came to our table and introduced herself, asking if we wanted anything else to drink besides water. Both my roommate and I ordered a Peroni, which is an Italian beer. I also asked for an order of calamari which she stated was "very good." The server brought us our drinks followed by the calamari. She came back a minute later and asked if we were ready to order, or if we needed more time to look over the menu. Both my roommate and I were ready; so we placed our order for the main course. I ordered the baked penne, and my roommate ordered the chicken Marsala. During our order the server gave us the option of soup or salad. I got the soup, which was minestrone, and my roommate went with the salad. Our server filled our waters without us having to ask, and kept us informed on the progress of our main course. Once the calamari was finished she cleared our plates and went to get our main course. She brought our main course out one at a time (probably because the help she needed was napping in another booth off in the corner, where I saw him). Once she placed our food down she asked if we needed anything else: We said no, and she took off after saying "enjoy your food guys." The calamari was covered in breading and had good flavor, despite its being mushy in texture (It came with ranch, marinara, and cocktail sauce). My minestrone soup was bland and lukewarm, the salad my roommate had was in his words, "pretty good." My baked penne looked really good, but fell just shy of making par. The penne was cooked perfectly and there was plenty of ground Italian sausage (which was very good). However, the sauce was a bit watery, and the cheese that was on top was a bit rubbery. I asked my roommate how his chicken marsala was, and he said it was great. I can't say much more than that since I didn't eat it. After we had finished as much as we were going to eat; the server cleared our plates and asked if we would like any dessert. Since my roommate and I were full, we said no to the offer of dessert after she listed a few of the options to spark our interest. The options sounded good, but we were just too full from our meal. Our server thanked us for coming in when she brought our check back to the table after we paid. As we left, the Hostess station was empty but we still got a, "goodnight and thanks for coming in" from somebody, who I did not see anywhere. Over all, the service was great and made up for my food that wasn't great, but not bad. I might try going back sometime to try another dish, and maybe find a different kitchen crew working.
(3)Mary N.
This is a cozy Italian restaurant near Arizona State University. The prices are reasonable for those of us on a budget. The food isn't spectacular, but it's what you might expect from a run-of-the-mill Italian restaurant. The service is usually very good. Overall, a good place to go if you're looking for Italian that's not Old Spaghetti or Olive Garden.
(3)Ramze S.
Ridiculously cheap so so Italian food. Very old school and needs a renovation 20 years ago. Not bad if you just want some cheap Chianti and pasta.
(3)tania c.
Very disappointing. The ranch dressing was good and that was about it! We waited quite a while before we just seated ourselves and then waited another while to be acknowledged. I had the fettuccine alfredo. The pasta was overcooked and the sauce was not enjoyable in the least. I didn't even eat more than 1/4th my plate before I finally gave up and decided to just be hungry till dinner.
(2)B D.
Great food! Best Italian food out here. Veal Marsala is better than any place in New York. Their chicken stuffed with three cheeses is also delish. The bread and salads are simple and classic. This restaurant is a staple of mine, and I've been going here for countless years. Yes, besides the unique tree growing over the entrance, the decor is bland (1980's Italian style). I think it makes it feel a little more like if you were eating at Ma's house, and she was stuck in the 80's. Love this places food!
(5)Debbie L.
This is your old school Italian restaurant. I wouldn't be surprised to see Tony Soprano there. The food has always been excellent and appears to be all done in-house. The waiter even commented that the sausage was made in-house so the spices could vary depending on the chef. I usually get the mussels which are served swimming in a big wide bowl with butter to dip. And they are not too shabby considering we are in the middle of the desert. How I miss good seafood. My next favorite is the eggplant parm. Very yummy. This is one of my favorite restaurants.
(4)Nikki S.
I live in the townhomes right next to this restaurant and it still took me 4-5 months to actually try it. Absolute blasphemy as I see it now. This is a charming little place, decor outdated enough that it's sweet again, friendly servers, and man, great food. The pesto cream sauce ravioli (I believe) will blow you away. The wine glasses are filled high. Everything is great quality. Prices are medium-range, most dishes ranging from $11-18 but coming with a salad or soup and bread. This would be a great, great date night spot.
(5)Jason B.
This is the best Italian restaurant in town. While eating dessert, I died and went to canoli heaven .
(5)Kevin M.
You have to be kidding? Sure, this place was a landmark in its day and WAS a great inexpensive treat but they have no doubt adopted a don't care attitude. Antipasta plater with peppers, mushrooms in a sauce and bologna? Please. It went downhill from there. The service is worse and the place is tired looking. Head North to Lo Cascio's Italian Restaurant on Scottsdale Road, North Tempe. Kitschy, sure, and you will love the owner with her over-the-top glasses yet when the food comes, now that's Italian.
(1)Ron H.
When I planned our visit to Phoenix and decided to eat Italian food one night while we were there, I envisioned one of those old style southern Italian neighborhood eateries that I remembered, and so often enjoyed, growing up in New York city (many years ago). Turning to Yelp reviewers and after reading Riazzi's accolades, I was sure I'd found a real winner. When I saw that Riazzi's promoted the fact that they've been around since 1947, I was doubly confident that I'd found exactly what I was looking for. Not so. Maybe it was that 50 years ago, but no longer. Cocktails were the best part of the meal. From that point, everything went down hill. Bread was soft and spongy, not the crusty chewy loaf I expected. Butter was soft and in a tiny prepackaged tub. The quality of the antipasto ingredients although plentiful, tasted like they came directly from a super market salad bar; breaded and fried calamari was overly bready and strangely mushy; two of the salads were over dressed, and one barely moistened, with a watery overly vinegary house Italian dressing. For our main courses we chose; chicken parmigiana which was deemed "not as good as Olive Garden"; Shrimp parmigiana (4 medium sized shrimp smothered in tomato sauce and mozzarella for $17.95); baked sea scallops which were overly breaded and tasted of some indistinguishable and unpleasant spice or herb; and traditional lasagna. Our collective conclusion was that the least offensive choice was the latter, although it was skimpy with meat and unnecessarily abundant with cheese. All entrees included the aforementioned salads and (except for the lasagna) a side of overcooked pasta. Red sauce on the pasta was edible, but the Alfredo congealed into one sticky like warm mass. Don't bother with this place unless you have a time machine and set it back half a century.
(2)Christy T.
Well, think '70s italian - heavy on the italian dressing and meat sauce and you have Riazzi's. It appears more institution rather than foodie mecca. A lot of regulars that are more about getting together with one another than eating great italian food. My guess, Riazzi's menu and recipes have not changed since the '80s. If you want to check out the denizens of Tempe, hit it up but a decent pasta and Chianti, not so much.
(3)Logie Z.
We've been wanting to try this place for years now and we finally made it last night! Good neighborhood Italian Restaurant. The Linguini and Clams was suggested, so, that's what I tried. My son and I shared it since they didn't have a children's menu. I was informed that they did have half portions. My little pasta monster enjoyed it. I make mine with fresh herbs as to why I was a little disappointed. It was still tasty. My husband had the Turkey and Beef Canneloni. That one was a little strange...in taste and texture. Not a fan. The antipasto salad was good. I find it strange how restaurants would serve half of the salad in bite size pieces and the rest you half to cut with a knife like the onions still in rings.. Overall, it's a good place for an inexpesive Italian restaurant.
(4)Janis W.
I have to say I friggin' love this little Mom and Pop Italian place...and especially around the holidays. They really 'desk the halls' and particularly in the bar area (which is really large and has lots of tables as it has not changed since the "smoking section' era.) After an event in downtown Tempe a group of 7 of us decided to go here for pasta last Sunday evening. Although there was a wait (for 8 people that is expected) in an almost empty restaurant, we were seated in the bar (yay!) and Andrew our waiter come over to tell us "I don't have much to say except there are no specials tonight, and the vegetable of the day is green beans." Don't you love it? And he was witty and attentive the whole evening! Most of us had the famous spaghetti and meatballs and the salad with their homemade blue cheese dressing....the yummiest! One person tried the lasagna and one the pizza, and both looked fabulous. And we topped it off with a bottle of their house (Ruffino) Chianti..well, actually 3 bottles. We stayed for a couple hours just eating, talking and laughing and enjoying the holiday atmosphere. It was a really lovely evening. Thanks Riazzi's.....
(4)Luke J.
I've only been to Riazzi's three times, but I've never ordered anything I didn't like. I ordered a small 10" pizza for grins on my last visit and was very impressed! They also brought my minestrone soup out less than a minute from the time I ordered (the bus boy overheard my order and left to the kitchen before the waiter). I would give it 5 stars but Riazzi's is just a bit lacking in the atmosphere category.
(4)Emily T.
I had been to Riazzi's with co-workers for the affordable lunch specials, so my husband and I decided to give it a try for dinner. We stopped in at just about 5pm on a Sunday. The decor was lovely for the holidays ~ a big fancy tree up front, lights and decorations throughout, and some classic Christmas tunes. Service was very attentive, and we were provided with our drink selections and dinner bread quickly. For dinner, I ordered the tortelloni with a pesto cream sauce for myself and lasagna for my hubby. Each entree came with either a choice of dinner salad or minestrone soup. The salad with Italian dressing was zippy with lots of vinegar, a few beet slices, a pepperoncini, and a few black olives. The tortelloni were giant with lovely ricotta inside and a quality pesto cream sauce. My husband reported that the lasagna was quite good, with a bit of sweetness to the sauce and some nice sausage. We also liked that the server left a small dish of parmesan cheese for us to sprinkle on top of our dishes. All in all, we were very pleasantly surprised by the high quality food and recipes as well as the great service at Riazzi's. Parking was easy and ample in the private lot, and I appreciate the outdoor courtyard with fountain that you walk through to enter the restaurant. Recommended for a mellow and tasty night out with a date, a spouse, or friends!
(4)Shoshanna A.
I like to go here for special occasions with my honey.I LOVE THE PESTO WITH CREAM SAUCE TORTELLONI! It was the first thing I tried and now that's all I order. My honey gets the chicken diablo . Our Kids got the pizza but they thought it "tasted funny" - it did not taste like take out, they are kids, what do you want. So, we go there for an evening alone or with friends.
(5)Jennifer G.
I can't believe I never did a review on this place. I had such high hopes and my hopes were crushed after eating here for the first time. The restaurant looks really pretty from the outside. However, upon entering, the atmosphere is really old and dated. They definitely need to put in new carpet and make a few other updates. We were sat fairly close to a drink dispenser that had broke and was making a horrible noise as workers scrambled to get it under control. In any event, I opted to order the cannelloni (one of my favorite Italian dishes if made right, I will order it if its on the menu) and the hubby ordered the chicken marsala with a side of fettuccine alfredo. We both had a salad with their house Italian dressing. From what I can remember, the bread was simply ok, didn't taste fresh baked by any means. Oh we did order the bruschetta before dinner and it was actually very good, one of the better bruschetta's Ive had. Our meal was a different story. The salad was ok, a decent mix of greens with vegetables, however, I didn't care for the dressing. I am not a huge fan of Italian dressing and prefer ranch. I believe their salad came standard with the Italian dressing though. The hubbys marsala came and was very puny and the alfredo was not that great. In our opinion, it takes a serious talent to make good alfredo sauce that is the perfect consistency and thickness and this was too runny for his liking. My cannelloni was drowned a rose sauce and was nothing memorable. It also was not that big of a portion. Service was decent from what I remember though. All in all, I am not sure why this place gets so much praise. It was simply ok in my book although a little run down and old. Would I go here again? Maybe if someone else wanted to go. Otherwise, I will not waste my time and stick to truly good Italian food at Rigatonies. Now that is my kind of place!
(2)Lili A.
If you like dated restaurants, with carpet that hasn't been clean in a decade, with an air quality that is stuffy and smelly, with long waits because they don't have enough waiters on the floor, and recipes that use the same 4 ingredients in all their dishes (one of them being LOTS of salt), then Riazzi's is the restaurant for you.
(1)Alix G.
i've been here several times over the years and i have to say this is one of my favorite italian restaurants ever. the servers are friendly and the food is consistently delicious.
(5)Jennifer B.
I have never been to the restaurant but I order it "delivery" through Gruhub. Never disappoints and you can get it delivery! The menu has a lot of choices, which generally makes me uneasy about the quality. However, most everything has been either decent, great and/or awesome. So some of my favorites, Drunkin' Bread is yummy and carbsinful! The kalamata salad dressing is amazing.
(4)niki t.
First time going there, although the food was good, but not great. The decor was absolutely hilarious! Interior and exterior. Really $6 plastic chairs? Revamp the place or I won't be back.
(4)Seyhan S.
We came here for our anniversary and were very impressed. The food was, dare I say it? Better than my moms and my mom is a fabulous cook. I had the chicken parm with meat sauce and spaghetti my boyfriend had the lasagna and we both we very happy! Great place for anniversaries and getting great food!
(5)