and homemade pizzelle (traditional Italian waffle cookies) all on the same trip. The hot food is made to order but worth the roughly 30-minute wait, so order ahead if you wish to grab and go.

It is a go-to spot to take visiting friends and relatives who want a taste of authentic Italian food. I just love The Beach House in Central Phoenix ... Which grocery stores are open on Easter ...

It's more Italian-American than Italian if we're splitting hairs, but anybody who grew up with Italian subs, cannoli and a big pot of gravy on Sundays is going to feel right at home in this place.