That's amore: Your guide to a dozen Corpus Christi Italian restaurants, pizzerias

John Oliva, Corpus Christi Caller Times
·7 min read

Corpus Christi is ranked the sixth-best city for an affordable date, according to SmartAsset, a financial information and advice website.

Based on data analysis, SmartAsset determined that the average price of a meal for two at an inexpensive restaurant in Corpus Christi is around $30.

With this information, a date night with your loved one should be in the works. But instead of hitting up a steakhouse or Chinese buffet, Italian food should be the go-to.

Think about it. You have romance, dim lighting, jazz music, wine and pasta.

Here are 12 local restaurants that specialize in Italian food to plan your next date, as well as what managers and owners recommend for a romantic outing at their spot.

Authentic New York Pizza

5838 S. Staples St.

Kylie Painter, a pizzaiolo at Authentic New York Pizza, slices up a chicken Alfredo pizza on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023.
Kylie Painter, a pizzaiolo at Authentic New York Pizza, slices up a chicken Alfredo pizza on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023.

Authentic New York Pizza has provided handmade pies with fresh ingredients for more than a decade. Thinking of going on Valentine's Day? There will be heart-shaped pizza for sale.

  • Hours: 3-9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; noon to 7 p.m. Sunday

  • Contact: 361-986-1151

  • Website: newyorkstylepizza.cc

  • Recommended dish: "Our meatball or chicken Parmesan would be great."

Bella Luna Downtown

429 Schatzell St.

Bella Luna Downtown is an Italian restaurant at 429 Schatzell St.
Bella Luna Downtown is an Italian restaurant at 429 Schatzell St.

Bella Luna opened in October 2014, and owner and chef Salvatore Colicci has been adamant about food quality and taste. Sauces are made from scratch daily and orders are made fresh to order. The menu includes stuffed mozzarella bread and fettuccine Alfredo.

  • Hours: 5-10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; noon to 8 p.m. Sunday

  • Contact: 361-887-4777

  • Website: bellalunadowntown.com

  • Recommended dish: "I would suggest our cavatelli bolognese."

Bellino Ristorante Bar

3815 S. Alameda St.

Bellino Ristorante Bar is an Italian restaurant at 3815 S. Alameda St.
Bellino Ristorante Bar is an Italian restaurant at 3815 S. Alameda St.

Located in The Village Shopping Center, Bellino features authentic Sicilian cuisine with an extensive list of imported Italian wines. The restaurant uses local and sustainable ingredients, when available, and offers traditional Sicilian meat, fish and vegetarian dishes. All bread, pastas, desserts and sauces are made in house daily.

  • Hours: 4-9 p.m. Monday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday

  • Contact: 361-814-8998

  • Website: bellinostexas.com

  • Recommended dish: "We'd recommend one of our pinsas. Our Alessandro pinsa comes with burrata cheese, mozzarella, prosciutto and basil."

Cafe Italia

4117 S. Staples St.

Cafe Italia is an Italian restaurant at 4117 S. Staples St.
Cafe Italia is an Italian restaurant at 4117 S. Staples St.

Pizza is the staple at Cafe Italia. A popular dish is the Neapolitan-style cheese pizza, but there is a variety of gourmet pizzas and specialty pies. The business also offers pizza by the slice or hot pockets as a quick snack. Other menu options include salads, subs and seafood plates.

  • Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

  • Contact: 361-929-5835

  • Website: cafeitaliamenu.com

  • Recommended dish: "Our chicken forest or chicken francese would be our most romantic dishes."

Frank's Spaghetti House

2724 Leopard St.

Frank's Spaghetti House, on Leopard Street, is one of the oldest restaurants in Corpus Christi.
Frank's Spaghetti House, on Leopard Street, is one of the oldest restaurants in Corpus Christi.

Frank's is one of the oldest restaurants still kicking in Corpus Christi. Frank Toeross, originally Torregrossa, opened his Italian restaurant in 1947. Now owned by the Moody family, the restaurant still serves all of Frank's original recipes, including cheesecakes and chicken Parmesan.

  • Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday

  • Contact: 361-882-0075

  • Website: franksspaghettihouse.com

  • Recommended dish: "The Don Corleone. It comes with chicken Parmesan, fettuccine Alfredo and lasagna."

Island Italian Restaurant

15370 S. Padre Island Drive

Plates of shrimp scampi and baked lasagna, along with garlic bread and a house salad, rest on the bar of Island Italian Restaurant on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023.
Plates of shrimp scampi and baked lasagna, along with garlic bread and a house salad, rest on the bar of Island Italian Restaurant on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023.

The Tagliaferro family opened Island Italian in 1987 using their family recipes. The business suffered major damage during Hurricane Harvey, but it reopened a year later and will soon be run by the third generation.

  • Hours: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 5-9:30 p.m. Sunday

  • Contact: 361-949-7737

  • Website: islanditalian.com

  • Recommended dish: "Our baked lasagna has had the same recipe since 1987."

Luciano's Italian Restaurant

1821 S. Alameda St.

Since 1964, Luciano's has offered traditional Italian dishes passed down by founders Joe and Mary Luciano. The menu includes 25 entrees and an extensive list of red and white wines.

  • Hours: 5-9 p.m. Monday; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5-10 p.m. Friday; 5-10 p.m. Saturday

  • Contact: 361-882-3191

  • Website: lucianositalian.com

  • Recommended dish: "Our pasta Angela — you can't find it anywhere else. It comes with a blend of garlic, onion, prosciutto, dried grapes and pine nuts in a butter cream sauce mixed with linguine."

Maggie's Family Kitchen

5334 Everhart Road

Maggie's Family Kitchen is an Italian restaurant at 5334 Everhart Road.
Maggie's Family Kitchen is an Italian restaurant at 5334 Everhart Road.

Maggie's considers its pizza some of the best in Corpus Christi. Be sure to try out the local favorite, Prima Donna Pizza, which comes with fresh mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, spinach, tomatoes, fresh garlic and oregano on a sesame-seeded crust. While you're at it, grab a slice of triple chocolate cake topped with semi-sweet smooth frosting.

  • Hours: Noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

  • Contact: 361-653-3354

  • Website: maggiespizza.com

  • Recommended dish: "It's a toss-up between our chicken pesto tortellini or our white chicken Parmesan. I'd go for the white chicken, personally."

Mesquite Street Pizza and Pasta Co.

615 N. Mesquite St.; 4535 S. Padre Island Drive

A heart-shaped pepperoni pizza, made by pizzaiolo Robert Treto, sits on a table at Mesquite Street Pizza and Pasta Co. on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023.
A heart-shaped pepperoni pizza, made by pizzaiolo Robert Treto, sits on a table at Mesquite Street Pizza and Pasta Co. on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023.

With two locations, Mesquite Street has been a staple of Corpus Christi since 2013. All food is made in house, from scratch and daily. Not wanting dinner? Check out a stand-up comic show and laugh the evening away.

  • Hours: (Mesquite) 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday; (SPID) 5-10 p.m. Tuesday; 4-10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday; noon to 10 p.m. Sunday

  • Contact: (Mesquite) 361-882-7499; (SPID) 361-500-4599

  • Website: mesquitestreet.com

  • Recommended dish: "We always offer heart-shaped pizzas, so what's better than one of those to share?"

Padre Pizzeria

14493 S. Padre Island Drive

Leah Pezzi, a manager at Padre Pizzeria, pulls a slice from a barbecue pizza on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023.
Leah Pezzi, a manager at Padre Pizzeria, pulls a slice from a barbecue pizza on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023.

Established in the ’90s, Padre Pizzeria is on North Padre Island and uses locally farm-sourced ingredients. Its menu includes pizzas, calzones, lasagna, spicy wings, sandwiches, salads and desserts. The restaurant also sells meals to go.

  • Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

  • Contact: 361-949-0787

  • Website: padrepizzeria.com

  • Recommended dish: "Creating your own pizza so you can pick your own toppings and share. Add a bottle of wine and a slice of cheesecake to complete it."

Rigatoni's Italian Restaurant

10501 Leopard St.

Rigatoni's Italian Restaurant's lemon basil chicken sits in the window on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. The restaurant is at 10501 Leopard St.
Rigatoni's Italian Restaurant's lemon basil chicken sits in the window on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023. The restaurant is at 10501 Leopard St.

Rigatoni's opened its doors in 2000 and has remained a cozy Italian restaurant with a wide selection of plates. The local business also has a soup of the day, such as chicken pasta, and offers catering. Want to make the evening more romantic? Rigatoni's has live jazz music on select nights.

  • Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday

  • Contact: 361-241-4549

  • Website: rigatonisitaliancc.com

  • Recommended dish: "Our cioppino comes with sautéed shrimp, calamari, mussels and clams over spaghetti pasta. It has a lemon butter red sauce with garlic, basil, bell pepper, onions and tomatoes."

Sal's Bronx Pizza

5922 Yorktown Blvd.

A plate of sacchetti alla gorgonzola and spaghetti marinara sit on the bar at Sal's Bronx Pizza on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023.
A plate of sacchetti alla gorgonzola and spaghetti marinara sit on the bar at Sal's Bronx Pizza on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023.

Located on the Southside, Sal's Bronx Pizza offers live jazz music, open-mic Wednesdays and comedy shows every weekend. Colicci, owner of Bella Luna, opened Sal's in 2021 and serves fresh, authentic pizzas straight from a stone brick oven. Not a big pizza fan? No worries; enjoy some gnocchi, spaghetti or lasagna.

  • Hours: 4-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday

  • Contact: 361-462-4667

  • Website: salsbronxpizza.com

  • Recommended dish: "Our sacchetti alla gorgonzola is delicious."

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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva.

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Your guide to a dozen Corpus Christi Italian restaurants, pizzerias