Campisi’s Dallas roots run just about as deep as they come. Since the
Mockingbird Lane location opened in 1946, this neighborhood institution
for casual Italian dining has acquired a sterling local reputation and
an infamous history that forever entwines it with its host city. From
rumors of the family’s long-ago Mafia connections — a "myth," the
present-day owners insist, although they seem to welcome the mystique
— to the curious "Egyptian" designation of the original restaurant
(so-named for the eatery it annexed upon opening), Campisi’s staffs four
generations of the proprietary family. They'll still tell you how Jack
Ruby (Lee Harvey Oswald’s assassin) dined with them the night Oswald
murdered JFK. Tables of customers often seat patrons who’ve been coming
on a weekly basis since infancy or Dallas emigrants who’ve been looking
forward to returning home just for this meal. As the chain now boasts a
handful of locations throughout the DFW metroplex, Campisi’s has grown
and prospered alongside the Big D. Although these popular eateries offer
a full-blown Italian menu — including spaghettis, lasagnas, raviolis
and house-made sausages and meatballs — locals consider the Campisi name
to be almost synonymous with gourmet pizza. Pies retain an oval shape
and come with a cracker-thin crust and a mysteriously delicious sauce
that is simultaneously sweet and bitter, rich and light. And don’t
forget about the side salads and meaty crab claws with garlic butter
sauce.
"The secret, in our humble opinion? ... it's the sauce:
slow-simmered, richly concentrated, slightly sweet and slightly bitter,
with a perfect nip of spice."
— Dallas Observer
Full bar. Serving lunch and dinner Mon–Sat. Closed Sun.
ADDRESS
1520 Elm St,
Suite 111 ,
Dallas, TX 75201
LOCALEATS AWARDS
Top 100 Restaurant
Best Pizza in Dallas
WHAT WE SAY
Campisi’s Dallas roots run just about as deep as they come. Since the
Mockingbird Lane location opened in 1946, this neighborhood institution
for casual Italian dining has acquired a sterling local reputation and
an infamous history that forever entwines it with its host city. From
rumors of the family’s long-ago Mafia connections — a "myth," the
present-day owners insist, although they seem to welcome the mystique
— to the curious "Egyptian" designation of the original restaurant
(so-named for the eatery it annexed upon opening), Campisi’s staffs four
generations of the proprietary family. They'll still tell you how Jack
Ruby (Lee Harvey Oswald’s assassin) dined with them the night Oswald
murdered JFK. Tables of customers often seat patrons who’ve been coming
on a weekly basis since infancy or Dallas emigrants who’ve been looking
forward to returning home just for this meal. As the chain now boasts a
handful of locations throughout the DFW metroplex, Campisi’s has grown
and prospered alongside the Big D. Although these popular eateries offer
a full-blown Italian menu — including spaghettis, lasagnas, raviolis
and house-made sausages and meatballs — locals consider the Campisi name
to be almost synonymous with gourmet pizza. Pies retain an oval shape
and come with a cracker-thin crust and a mysteriously delicious sauce
that is simultaneously sweet and bitter, rich and light. And don’t
forget about the side salads and meaty crab claws with garlic butter
sauce.
WHAT THEY SAY
"The secret, in our humble opinion? ... it's the sauce:
slow-simmered, richly concentrated, slightly sweet and slightly bitter,
with a perfect nip of spice."
— Dallas Observer
ADDITIONAL INFO
Full bar. Serving lunch and dinner Mon–Sat. Closed Sun.