- Attraction: Little Italy Pizza
- Location: 502 E Pima St, Gila Bend, AZ 85337
- Industry: Restaurant
- Website: https://littleitalyaz.com/
Finding authentic Sicilian cuisine in a tiny desert town might sound impossible until you taste the hand-tossed pizzas and scratch-made pasta that earned royal approval from Prince Harry himself.
Chef Nino Buccellato, a native of Sicily who trained in Palermo’s culinary schools, transformed this unassuming Gila Bend location into Arizona’s most surprising Italian destination after building an award-winning reputation at his previous restaurant.
When Prince Harry stopped for dinner during military training in 2011, he devoured an entire 14-inch Meat Lovers pizza and declared it “the best pizza in the world” – a quote that now proudly graces the menu.
Signature Pizzas & Italian Classics
The Gourmet Pizza: Experience the fan-favorite combination of mozzarella, ground tomatoes, oregano, Parmesan, fresh basil, and olive oil that showcases the pure essence of Italian pizza-making. Every ingredient is carefully sourced and the hand-tossed crust provides the perfect foundation for this authentic creation.
Prince Harry’s Meat Lovers: Try the royal-approved pizza loaded with pepperoni, sausage, bacon, and ham that made international news when the Prince consumed the entire 14-inch pie in one sitting. The menu proudly notes this as “Prince Harry’s favorite” and continues to be one of the most popular orders.
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Keep Exploring →Hand-Tossed Perfection: Watch skilled pizzaiolos create every pizza from scratch using traditional techniques passed down through generations. The dough is made fresh daily and hand-tossed to achieve the ideal texture and flavor that sets authentic Italian pizza apart from mass-produced alternatives.
Calzone Excellence: Choose from medium (12-inch) or extra-large (16-inch) calzones stuffed with premium ingredients and baked to golden perfection. These generous portions easily satisfy two people and showcase the kitchen’s ability to create perfectly balanced flavor combinations.
Specialty Combinations: Explore creative toppings and seasonal combinations that demonstrate Chef Buccellato’s innovation while maintaining authentic Italian techniques and flavor profiles.
Authentic Italian Dishes & Specialties
Spaghetti with Clams: Savor this standout dish featuring fresh clams in a delicate garlic and white wine sauce that transports you directly to the Mediterranean coast. The pasta is cooked al dente and the sauce perfectly balances briny clam flavor with aromatic herbs.
Chicken Parmigiana: Enjoy tender chicken breast coated in seasoned breadcrumbs, topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella, then served over perfectly cooked spaghetti. This classic comfort dish showcases the kitchen’s ability to execute traditional Italian-American favorites.
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Discover MoreManicotti Magnificence: Experience handmade pasta tubes stuffed with ricotta and herbs, then baked in house-made marinara sauce until bubbly and delicious. The portions are generous and the flavors authentic to traditional Italian cooking methods.
Fresh-Made Marinara: Taste the difference that house-made sauce creates, with tomatoes, herbs, and seasonings combined using traditional methods that create depth and complexity impossible to achieve with commercial products.
Homemade Bread Service: Start every meal with warm, fresh-baked bread featuring sesame seed toppings that arrive at your table still steaming from the oven. This complimentary bread service sets the tone for an authentic Italian dining experience.
Sicilian Heritage & Culinary Excellence
Chef Nino’s Background: Learn about the restaurant’s authenticity through Chef Buccellato’s impressive credentials, including culinary training in Palermo, Sicily, and family restaurant experience in Pennsylvania before settling in Arizona with his wife Antonella, also a trained Italian chef.
Award-Winning Reputation: Understand why this restaurant draws customers from Phoenix, Yuma, and beyond, building on the success of Chef Nino’s previous award-winning restaurant that developed a devoted following despite lacking air conditioning.
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Keep Exploring →Cozy Family Atmosphere: Enjoy a welcoming environment decorated with photographs of Italian regions that create an authentic ambiance while maintaining the comfortable, unpretentious feel that makes everyone feel at home.
Practical Details & Value
Extensive Menu Options: Explore a comprehensive menu featuring pizzas, pasta dishes, seafood, chicken, submarine sandwiches, salads, and desserts that provides something appealing for every taste preference and dietary need.
Reasonable Pricing: Enjoy high-quality, authentic Italian cuisine at prices that reflect good value for the generous portions and scratch-made preparation that goes into every dish.
Daily Hours: Visit seven days a week from 10 AM to 9 PM, providing flexibility for lunch, dinner, or any time you’re craving authentic Italian flavors during your travels through the area.
Takeout Available: Order food to go for convenient travel dining, though many visitors prefer the full dining experience to appreciate the atmosphere and fresh-from-the-oven quality of the food.
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Discover MoreWine and Beer Selection: Complement your meal with carefully selected wines and beers that pair well with Italian cuisine, including sangria with frozen fruit that has earned particular praise from customers.
Little Italy Pizza & Restaurant
📍 502 E Pima St, Gila Bend, AZ 85337
