Fat Papa’s, an upcoming “gangster” themed Italian restaurant, is gearing up to move into 61 E University Drive.
“We’re moving in late September,” Owner Frank Ruffalo told What Now Phoenix Tuesday. “We’re hoping to be open by November.”
In terms of the speakeasy, he said, “It’ll have the speakeasy drinks but also the regular drinks. With the gangster theme, it’ll be pretty cool.”
For those unfamiliar with speakeasies, they’re bars intended to give the patron an experience similar to that in the Prohibition era when alcohol was illegal. Back then, the establishments that continued serving alcohol illegally were known as “speakeasies.”
On the restaurant side of things, the menu is set to serve the traditional Italian favorites, as well as some Chicago-style pizza.
The space, which covers 7,300 square feet, has been utilized as a restaurant ever since its conception in 1986. The most recent remodel in 2017 added a chef’s kitchen, three separate dining areas, a large wrap-around bar, and two patios with a large tree as the centerpiece in the main dining room.
Fat Papa’s is taking over from the most recent establishment, Perla Negra, which was a Mexican seafood restaurant. The lease for Fat Papa’s is set to cover a minimum of 10 years.
