Tomaso's closing after 46 years. How to visit the iconic Phoenix restaurant one last time

Endia Fontanez, Arizona Republic
·3 min read

Tomaso's has long been an Italian cuisine institution in Phoenix, the first of what would become a family-run Italian restaurant empire.

But after 46 years, the Maggiore family announced they are ready to close the chapter.

The restaurant was opened by Tomaso and Patricia Maggiore in 1977 and their children went on to open their own restaurants around metro Phoenix. Joey Maggiore and his wife, Cristina, are known for Hash Kitchen, The Sicilian Butcher, The Sicilian Baker, The Mexicano and two new concepts opening soon. And Tomaso's daughter Melissa Maggiore-Meyer is the owner of The Italian Daughter.

Tomaso Maggiore died in 2021 after a 2-year-long battle with lung and brain cancer. He was 73 years old. His family plans to keep his legacy alive by opening a new restaurant inspired by the original.

The last chance to visit the iconic Tomaso's on Camelback will be in May before the restaurant closes its doors for good.

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Tomaso Maggiore, a celebrated chef and restaurateur, opened his first restaurant in Phoenix in 1977 and went on to open more than 50 restaurants in Arizona and California. Maggiore died at 73 years old after a battle with lung cancer.
Tomaso Maggiore, a celebrated chef and restaurateur, opened his first restaurant in Phoenix in 1977 and went on to open more than 50 restaurants in Arizona and California. Maggiore died at 73 years old after a battle with lung cancer.

A new chapter for Tomaso's

The new restaurant will be called Il Massetos, which the family says means Tomaso in Sicilian. II Massetos will be located on the northwest corner of Camelback Road and 32nd Street in a former Bank of America building and is projected to open in 2024.

The Maggiore Group called II Massetos "the ultimate homage to Tomaso Maggiore." It will include a piano bar, two large outdoor dining patios and private dining rooms. Some of the Tomaso's favorites will be on the menu, but chef Joey Maggiore also plans to add his own twist to many of his father's iconic dishes.

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The seafood medley cioppino at Tomaso's.
The seafood medley cioppino at Tomaso's.

How to visit Tomaso's for the last time

The Maggiore Group is hosting a number of community events to celebrate the legacy of Tomaso's before saying goodbye to the restaurant.

The final installment of the long-running Passport Wine Dinner will be held April 26 at 6 p.m. The dinner will feature food and wine from the Italian regions of Lazio, Emilia-Romagna, Marche and Aosta Valley for $200 per person.

For its final week of service, May 15-20, the restaurant will hold Tomaso's Throwback Week, featuring original menu items and prices from when it first opened in 1977, such as baked stuffed clams for $7.95, chicken parmigiana for $14.95, linguini with clam sauce for $11.95 and lasagna for $12.75.

The restaurant's last day of operation will be May 20.

Hours: Lunch is served Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner is served Sunday to Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 9 pm. and Wednesday to Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Details: 3225 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 602-956-0836, tomasos.com.

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Reach the reporter at endia.fontanez@gannett.com. Follow @EndiaFontanez on Twitter.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Italian restaurant Tomaso's closing. Maggiores on what's next