Phoenix Spotlight: The Old Spaghetti Factory

The Old Spaghetti Factory in Phoenix is a highly unique and beloved dining destination known for its classic Italian-American cuisine and exceptional historical ambiance.¹

🍝 What Makes It Unique?

The Old Spaghetti Factory offers a distinctive dining experience that goes far beyond the food.²

• Unique Decor and Ambiance: Each location, including the one in Phoenix, is famous for its eclectic, turn-of-the-century decor.³ The Phoenix location is nestled in a historic Roosevelt Neighborhood building and is adorned with antique lighting, intricate stained glass displays, and large, colorful booths.⁴

   

• The Trolley Car Dining: A full-sized, old-fashioned trolley car is typically situated in the center of the dining room, offering a truly unique and memorable seating option for guests.⁵ This is a signature feature across the chain.

   

• Complete Meals at Value Prices: Every entrée is a “complete meal” that includes fresh-baked bread, soup or salad, and a scoop of ice cream (often Spumoni) for dessert, offering a great value.⁶

   

📜 History of The Old Spaghetti Factory

The Old Spaghetti Factory was founded by Guss and Sally Dussin in Portland, Oregon, in 1969.⁷ They aimed to offer deliciously affordable three-course Italian meals in a beautiful, classic setting.⁸ The company remains family-owned and operated today, with over 40 locations across the U.S., carrying on the tradition of unique decor and signature dishes.⁹ The Phoenix location has been a staple in the Historic Roosevelt Neighborhood since the early 1970s.¹⁰

🗣️ Customer Feedback Highlights

Patrons consistently praise The Old Spaghetti Factory Phoenix for several key aspects:

• Inviting Atmosphere: The unique and whimsical decor, especially the trolley car, is frequently highlighted as a major draw for family celebrations and special occasions.¹¹

   

• Classic and Consistent Menu: Reviewers often appreciate the reliable quality and generous portions of the traditional Italian dishes.¹²

   

• Great Value: The all-inclusive meal (entrée, bread, soup/salad, and dessert) is frequently cited as an excellent offering.¹³

   

• Family-Friendly: It’s well-known as a fantastic place for families, offering a fun environment and a dedicated kids’ menu.¹⁴

   

A common point of feedback is that, due to its popularity, the restaurant can experience long wait times during peak hours, and making a reservation is recommended.¹⁵

🍽️ Highlighted Menu Items

While the menu features many Italian-American favorites, there are a few standout items that are essential to the Old Spaghetti Factory experience:

• Spaghetti with Mizithra Cheese and Browned Butter: This is the restaurant’s most famous and popular dish. It’s an old family recipe featuring spaghetti tossed with warm browned butter and topped generously with salty, shredded Greek Mizithra cheese.¹⁶

   

• The Manager’s Favorite: This option allows you to pair two different sauces on your spaghetti, such as Mizithra Cheese & Browned Butter and Rich Meat Sauce.¹⁷

   

• Our Famous Baked Lasagna: Layers of noodles, Marinara Sauce, ground beef and pork, and four delicious cheeses.¹⁸

   

• Sicilian Garlic Cheese Bread: A popular appetizer served with Marinara sauce.¹⁹

   

• Spumoni: The traditional Italian ice cream served as part of the complete meal dessert.²⁰

   

📅 Significant Events

While the restaurant hosts numerous birthdays, anniversaries, and family gatherings, the most publicly noted recurring events and local stories associated with the Phoenix location include:

• Murder Mystery Dinner Shows: The Old Spaghetti Factory in Phoenix frequently hosts interactive Murder Mystery Co.²¹ Dinner Theater Shows, where guests can enjoy a three-course meal while trying to solve a crime.²²

   

• Haunted Lore: Due to the restaurant being housed in a building from the 1920s, which reportedly has a history of tragic events from when it was a residence, there are local stories and anecdotes from staff about various unexplained phenomena and alleged paranormal activity, adding to its unique local lore.²³

   

📍 Location & Contact Information (Phoenix, AZ)