Gasper’s Casual Italian Dining and Pizzeria

I am so sad this place is closed… What a shame.

This place is great.
Get a pizza for an appetizer!
It’s quality home made italian food at a fair price.
I consider myself a regular here, although the world sees it differently

There are a few things I might’ve done differently but really I have nothing to complain about. The décor/​ambiance is nice. Staff is helpful and nice, not too snooty.
The few things — I’d serve the bread and oil separately so its not all dripping with oil. I’d chop the artichoke hearts a little on the pizza — the bite they land on is a bit overpowered. The oil’s a tiny bit heavy on the mushroom paperdelle. I’d just take the top off the strawberries on the cheesecake — they’re sliced but with caps on so you have to knock them off the cake and cut them off. Why?
But the food’s really solid and the pricing’s appropriate. I’d definitely come back.

Fresh, tasty Italian in a relaxed setting. Fresh really is the operative word here. I should bust out the thesaurus for some other substitutions, but I’m not going to.
Service was slow — I can see how it would annoy people in the other reviews. But it wasn’t incompetently slow, just kinda slow. Like, you know, they were preparing the food fresh.
The portions were generous — I felt like I had a whole beach-​worth of clam shells after finishing my pasta. The pasta itself tasted fresh, as did the delightfully zesty, peppery red sauce.
The pizza was another fine entry to the crowded Phoenix fancy-​pants pizza crowd — chewy, with a crispy, almost burnt crust. The house-​made mozzarella was wonderful, and the roasted veggies on top were just right.
Icing on the cake: a great wine list and fun nightly specials.

Well, again, it seems a shame that I’m not allowed to give NO STARS. I just read Melissa E’s review and it’s like we ate at two different restaurants.
I tried to eat here on Mothers Day, with a Groupon. The young man on the phone told me «not on Mother’s Day», which did make sense to me. When I returned on another night, the gentleman seating me told me, «That’s crazy! We would have served you». Which is it? After all, I originally wanted to eat there Sunday but was told no. Now on Tuesday you say Sunday WAS ok? Sheesh.
I ordered a pizza. 17 minutes later, now I’m starving, «we’re out of pizza». Out of pizza? Really? Really. How does a pizza restaurant run out of pizza? Ok. It happens (wait. no, it’s never happened to me. Ever. Not once. EVER!) So I ordered a salad and the evening special: flank steak.
Another 20 minutes, I’m fearing the salad and the steak will show up at the same time but no, the caprese salad just took 20 friggin’ minutes. It’s ok. Nothing special.
The steak arrives and it’s not so much inedible as it is horrible. It’s typically, tough flank steak, a few flakes of Parmesan cheese… no one in the kitchen could have tasted this and thought, «Eureka!».
My side of pasta is ok… just ok. I ask for a box for the pasta. That was a huge problem. I left.
The personnel at the restaurant are straight out of Prizzi’s Honor and being compared to William Hickey is not a compliment.
Do yourself a favor and go to any of the 2700 Italian restaurants in this town BEFORE you go to Gapsers…

What a fabulous dining experience! This wasn’t our first time to Gasper’s and definitely didn’t disappoint. We love supporting local businesses. The outside of Gasper’s is misleading… The inside is decorated with local art and reflects a quaint, intimate setting. The wait staff was attentive and were knowledgeable in their suggestions.
We started with Sangria and the Gasper’s sampler platter. The food was fresh, hot and fast. We shared the special pasta of the day and a pizza. Each was perfectly seasoned and fresh. We ended with the cannoli which was made in house by Marie. Seriously one of the best I’ve had.
The owner, Marie, made the experience even more memorable. She checked on us several times. When she found out we were celebrating my promotion, she asked to share a Limoncello shot with us to celebrate. She was so sweet and personable!
We had a $ 10 off charity card (Phoenix dining cards) and she said she would accept cards from other restaurants as well. Score!!! :)
Highly recommend! Thank you Marie and Zachary for making our night so special!!!

I was here with a large group last week. Towards the end of our meal, we ordered two each of three desserts. Our waiter brought those desserts, plus a chocolate cake that he said he thought we’d like and put it on our bill. The $ 7.50 isn’t a big deal, except that it’s stealing. We didn’t ask for it, he brought it, and charged us for it.
The pizza was good, but the tiramisu was pretty disappointing.

So we walk in and grab a seat at the bar while waiting for a table and are warned by another group about the service. Ok, the bartender seemed to be having a bad night and was a bit rude and un-​attentive. Then, we overheard all the other employees complaining about issues with the restaurant and I felt like I was on an episode of Kitchen Nightmares! We finally were given our table and service was a bit slow (thank goodness for all the wine) but not extremely bad. The waitress (who was really sweet) apologized for the kitchen and comped a dessert.
The 2-​star review is mostly for the food since I’ve just had better italian elsewhere and for cheaper. We had the calamari which was good but not amazing, the caprese which was fresh and you really can’t mess up, the fettucini w/​light cream sauce and the tiramisu. The sauce on the entrée was uneventful and not reduced enough and the peppers were undercooked. The tiramisu was not the best I’ve ever had… bit too much cocoa powder on top and a little light on the espresso. Will prob visit the other Phoenician italian restaurants for comparison before returning.

Carb out with your c*ck out! Go for the pizza and pasta!
Grimaldi’s gets a zillion recommendations, but I prefer the wood fired pizza here. The oven is practically in the dining area and smells wonderful. I ordered the Al Sole topped with sun dried tomatoes, basil, and unapologetically big fresh garlic chunks. The marinara sauce and thin crust were winners and obviously home made.
The mushroom papardelle was as pasta should be, freshly made and not drowned in liquid. The light sauce and juicy mushrooms were flavorful, but still allowed the pasta to take center stage. If you want sauce topped with noodles, stay home and go ape sh*t with Ragu.

I have been driving by this place every day since it opened, but was never enticed to check it out because it doesn’t have much curb appeal. The curiosity got to me, so I tried it. Boy am I so happy that we stopped in. It’s like they say don’t judge a book by it’s cover. That’s exactly what fits the description of this place. Outside it doesn’t look like much. In fact we thought the place was closed upon getting there. We were seated immediately, the service was timely and so friendly. Gasper the owner stopped by to check in on us at the end of our meal. — We ordered two pizza’s the formagio and Regina. Wow, they were exceptional and I would rate them right up there with Cibo and Pizzeria Bianco.
What really appealed to me was the environment, I felt like I was in a little italian villa. It was a great dining experience and highly would recommend it to anyone that lives in Phoenix. I am looking forward to our next meal there.

Thank you Unilocalers for this great little find. I was out there to run the PF Changs RnR and was over by the hoity-​toity mall but none of the nearby restaurants were appealing. Opened up Unilocal and came across this little nearby gem. Directions were super easy to get to. From the outside this place looks completely questionable. I thought at first that there must have been a mistake but once you open the doors and step in… AHHHmazing!
We were greeted right away by a friendly lady who actually didn’t «work» there but was there to help out. She continually stopped by to see how we were doing and compared notes on our items. The table next to us were friends with our waiter, which was slightly annoying as they were young college kids that kept interrupting while we were talking with him, but this is definitely a family owned business.
The décor is rich and luxurious without being overpowering and the same applies to the food from the calamari to the pasta with mushrooms and my daughters ravioli. The crostini was divine and the cannoli (which was a fresh batch) left me speechless. The college boys next to us got the calzones… Oh.Em.Gee…HUGE and looked so good.
Go to Gaspers, you won’t go wrong. The service was not «slow» but it’s the Italian way… enjoy your time dining, enjoy the company, enjoy the experience, and drink it all in as you sip on a glass of wine. We were there for maybe a bit longer but it was worth it, it’s not Olive Garden, and thank goodness it’s not. Thank you Gasper’s for leaving a lasting impression of Phoenix. Would love to see a location in San Diego… just saying ;)

Been dancing around trying to go here for almost a year now. Finally did.
It is a cozy spot family owned and pocket friendly prices. I ordered a green salad ($ 5) very large and good price. Hubby ordered fried ravioli and the sauce was very good. For the mains he had chix parm it was good. I ordered a mushroom tagliatelle ($ 14) with truffle oil. Mine i wasn’t very excited about. I didn’t taste any truffle oil and it wasn’t what I was hoping for. I don’t think we will be back unless I ran out of places to try. It doesn’t make the go back list.

Gasper’s may not look like much from the outside but the inside is a whole different story. This place is super cute inside! I have been on a «eat local» kick for a while so I was excited to try this place that I had been hearing about from friends. The people are super nice and seated us right away.
The menu was pretty diverse and has everything from antipasta, salad and pizza to normal pasta dishes. My bf had penne pasta with a tomato cream sauce and meat balls. I had the eggplant parm which was great! The food was amazing and I am so glad that we found this place!
There is a lot on the menu that I want to try so I will be returning to this place! Good Job Gasper’s!

She’s sassy, she’s charismatic, she’s Maria Manno and if you’ve ever wanted to know what its like to have a gorgeous Italian mother, I mean younger sister, than I have the place for you, Gasper’s Casual Italian Eatery. Along with husband Gasper we were made to feel like a part of their family with a laid back atmosphere, fantastic Italian food and some of the most reasonable prices I’ve seen with cooking of this quality.
While Maria is busy making sure everything is running smoothly in the dining room, Gasper is manning the open pizza kitchen. Let me tell you, he cranks out some mighty fine pies, no wonder the place is named after him, and they’re spot on. Before you even get to taste the pizza your table is graced with a basket of freshly baked focaccia bread slathered in nutty olive oil. Be careful not to eat the whole thing, there is so much to try from pasta to plates all the Italian classics are covered.
There are two camps when it comes to Toasted Ravioli ($ 7). Some say that it’s a Sicilian Christmas tradition taking ravioli filled with cheese then breaded and deep frying until crisp. While the other camp uses the same preparation, they claim it’s strictly a St. Louis invention. Either way we’re talking about one tasty belief system.
Fried Calamari ($ 10) is pretty much a mainstay on any menu these days, though few can manage a light fluffy crust while keeping the inside tender and flavorful. A generous squeeze of fresh lemon and a spoonful of marinara sauce and these crispy rings were as good as they get.
I’m not sure who Regina ($ 15) is, but she must have been pretty awesome to have a pizza like this one named after her. Thin slightly charred crust was crisp on the outside chewy on the inside topped with red sauce and cheese then finished with fresh sliced prosciutto, Parmigianino cheese and arugula. This was the perfect balance of salty cured meat countered by the peppery greens.
Another favorite the Quattro Formaggi ($ 13) has the same crust but is covered with mozzarella, fontina, Parmigianino and provolone. The cheeses all played off each other, a milkiness from the mozzarella, a little bit sharp and tangy from the fontina and provolone with a nutty finish from the Parmigianino, its not wine tasting but its certainly has a subtle complexity.
If you order one pasta dish make sure it’s the Fettuccini all Burina ($ 14). Ribbons of toothsome pasta bathed in a light cream sauce then tossed with prosciutto, mushrooms and basil was simply perfect. My next favorite was the Rigatoni con Ricotta ($ 12), thick tubes of pasta were the perfect vehicle for the fresh cheese and tomato sauce, heart and comforting.
Don’t even get me started about dessert, Maria makes all of them. The Cheesecake ($ 6.50) was fresh baked that it was still slightly warm. The only time I’ve had cheesecake like that was when I made it myself and let me tell you what, mine doesn’t even compare. If available, be sure to ask about the fresh made Cream Puffs ($ 6.50). Made with layers of flaky dough then filled with banana or vanilla pastry cream and like the Manno family, they were warm and delightful.
Closed Mondays

True taste of Sicily. Our visit started with a very knowledgeable bar tender who recommended a great bottle of wine. The mean and cheese plate included fresh cheeses, grilled veggie and very good salami. The prosciutto was more of a ham style then a cured meat but the ap was incredible.
Ordered 3 specialty pies. Each one has fresh and delicious ingredients and cooked to perfection. The chef/​owner greeted us and asked how everything was. And helped us wrap it up with a lemon cheese cake that was light and delicious.
The atmosphere and staff was welcoming and warm. A classic Italian restaurant with fresh Sicilian tastes. Bravo!

If The Parlor wasn’t closed on Sundays I might never have gone to Gasper’s, which would have been tragic.
The décor conjures images of days past, days of sharkskin shoes and martini lunches. That is to say, it’s pretty neat.
I’ve sampled the bruschetta, calamari, and a host of pizzas. Everything has been delicious, with bold flavors and good preparation. The service has always been spectacular, though to be honest I’ve always had the same guy.
I very much enjoy having the option of grabbing a tasty pie to bring home after a hard day of work. Gaspar’s is that option.

Twice now, once for dinner, then once for lunch. Dinner was above our expectations. We were one of only 3 tables in the joint, and both the service & food were top notch. They have Moretti, which is the Miller Lite of Italy, and something I always ask for at Italian restaurants. My date’s mixed drinks were good. We had a full meal, an app, salads, the Vesuvius (sp?) pizza & canolis. I have to say it was all pretty yum. Our app was the Italian meats & cheeses platter and it was soooo good. The salads were above average and we both agreed that the pizza was perfectly done and very tasty. A little heat (not too much), which was actually a little milder than what you would expect from a pizza named after a volcano. The canoli was good but not great. Would do dinner again.
Went back for lunch with one of the principals of my company and we both had the lunch special — House salad, minestrone soup & chicken parm sandwich combo for $ 10 each. Simple, quick, affordable & we were both extremely happy with the meal. Once again there was nobody in the place — we were literally the only table during the hour or so we were there. I just hope they get more busy — would hate to see this place close down.
Pay attention people this is a great restaurant!
Edit, as I feared Gaspar’s never got much busier, and eventually closed its doors.

Mmmmmmmmmm… Gaaaaaaaaspers! Mary S. took me here (see her review below) and we definitely enjoyed ourselves. The fresh bread they brought out enticed me right away and their menu choices for creative pasta and meat dishes did as well. I had so much trouble choosing off the menu, that our super nice waiter talked me into one of their specials. It was a chicken dish that had a lemon sauce to die for! The chicken was cooked to perfection and the sauce was not too tart or thinned out. I thoroughly enjoyed it and ate way more than I normally do.
Mary let me try a piece of her margherita pizza that she had them add sausage to and I must say, it is way better than the pizza over at Pizzeria Bianco. It wasn’t burnt on the bottom or edges and the toppings were flavorful… and I didn’t have to wait in line for 2 hours to eat it!
We agonized over the dessert menu and finally decided to share the cheesecake. It did not disappoint and was moist as moist can be. Yum! Gasper’s definitely requires a return trip, or two, or three!

I’ve given myself a little bit of time to cool down and write a proper review of Gasper’s without all of the excitement. I have to say though, Gasper’s was damn good!
When I think of Italian restaurants, I start presuming that I know every flavor that is going to hit my mouth, and unfortunately, my presumptions usually steer me clear of dining at a lot of Italian restaurants. But on Valentine’s Day I told my girlfriend to pick a spot for a date and I promised that I wouldn’t put up much of a fight. I’m so happy I didn’t because I had one of the best meals I’ve had out in a while!
Here’s what we got (we went a little overboard, but took a bunch home):
Antipasti Platter —
Bruschetta! Caprese! Toasted Ravioli! Fried Calamari! Everything was so good! My first bite was the calamari and it sure made me feel grateful that I was at Gasper’s. The second bite was calamari again but with marinara and (holy crap) that was delicious! I was not expecting marinara to be so tasty. Third bite, bruschetta, and «Mmm!» There were little pieces of freshly chopped garlic in it and it packed a wonderful punch! The caprese and toasted ravioli were good but they didn’t stand out as much as the others.
Cheese Ravioli w/​Bolognese & Meatballs —
I really thought, again, that I knew exactly what to expect, but I didn’t. The ravioli was perfecto and the bolognese was some of the best I’ve had out at a restaurant. The meatballs though, those were the prize of this dish. There was a distinct flavor to them, unlike any other restaurant that I’ve had meatballs from. Each bite made me want more; I was impressed.
Al Sole Pizza (we were at a pizzeria… had to try some, right?) —
Oh, boy… This pizza was fantastic. Mozzarella, sun-​dried tomatoes, fontina, garlic and basil. So. Flippin’. Tasty. The crust was good and slightly charred on the edges for flavor.
Cream Puff —
Now, I was ready to stop, but the girlfriend insisted. When it came out, it was beautiful, and I already knew how rich it was going to be. Take a look at the pictures and see for yourself. We did not take any of it home.
I had such a good time at Gasper’s. The food was surprisingly unique and undeniably delicious. The staff was extremely friendly and tried to make it an enjoyable experience. It’s almost certainly a 5 star joint, but I need to go back to make sure my first experience wasn’t a fluke. Expect an update! Thanks, Gasper!

I was planning on going in to check the place out a few weeks ago — with friends that spent the day moving. (Pizza is the universal moving food, right?) I checked out the website — and seeing the photos and menu, it didn’t seem «Casual» as the sign outside indicated. At least not casual enough for people who smelled like they’d spent the day moving. In August. In Phoenix. So, we went somewhere else.
I forgot all about it until I spoke with my friend Kim T (See first review) today.
Next thing I know, I am hungry. My friend who lives close has to go to work, leaving her husband loaded on pain pills for a bad back and two children at home. Happy hour seems perfect… LoopyMan doesn’t have to consider how to do feed himself and the squatlings — and the kids get pizza. Perfect!
We walk in, and Maria (the co-​owner) immediately thinks she recognizes me and I have been in before. I assured her it must have been my evil twin, and we ask about happy hour. The food special is $ 3.00 of all pizzas, and several drink specials. (I didn’t pay much attention to drink specials — as my limit was one. I was driving and responsible for getting children home safely… call it my one bow to responsibility.) We are told happy hour can be at the bar or at the pizza bar. We opt for the pizza bar.
While all one room, the place has three distinct areas. Bar, dining room, pizza bar. All are immaculate. Had it been regular happy hour with adults, I would have opted for the bar. Had it been a real sit down dinner, definitely the dining room. For our purpose — the pizza bar was perfect — and of course, meant we could watch the pizza being made.
Kim T was not exaggerating at all! The kids were treated SO well. The happy man (Gasper himself!) was making the pizzas, and friendly as could be. He offered the kids pizza dough to play with! It was amazing! For all intents and purposes, it’s play dough — and they were quite wrapped up creating animals and objects to entertain us with. Better than an activity placemat and blue crayon any day!
I asked LoopyMan what the kids liked on their pizza — pepperoni, of course. Gasper’s does not have pepperoni. The closest option was the Vesuvio Pizza with Italian Hot Salami and Italian Hot Capicolla. I asked Gasper how spicy it was… these are children after all. He gave them each a piece to try, and it was thumbs up across the board. I judge pizza at it’s most basic, so we also ordered the Margherita.
Both were fantastic… and it’s been decided when I make pizza at home, fresh salami and capicolla will permanently replace pepperoni. It was AMAZING!
Our waitress (Josephine, a real gem!) came by to suggest dessert — which we were going to pass on. Then Maria approached and started telling us about the cream puff. She personally makes them (the pride shows!), told me how wonderful they are, and assured me once I try her cream puff, I will never miss a canolli again. It was also supposedly large enough to share. How can I resist at that point?
Well, she was correct across the board. Huge and delicious!
Breakdown —
3 soft drinks, 1 well cocktail, 2 pizzas, 1 dessert big enough to share — under $ 40.00. (A $ 6 dollar savings on the happy hour pizzas)
Great food, lovely setting, spectacular service and made to feel like welcome family members — priceless!
Two children that were entertained and fed and happy — we will absolutely be back!
Can’t wait to try it again for dinner — checking out the menu, there’s a LOT I want to try… and based on Kim’s review of the osso bucco, I will be in sooner rather than later!