Amici Pizza, a beloved pizza concept that lives on the southwest corner of Dobson and Guadalupe, is getting ready to open a new location in Queen Creek at 22480 E Ocotillo Road, Unit C101.
The restaurant, owned and operated by Vinny Pante and Kateri Cusumano, is set to move into the former home of Duck Donuts on the northeast corner of Signal Butte and Ocotillo. Cusumano tells What Now Phoenix that they are shooting for a late summer opening, but couldn’t provide an exact opening date. Regardless, this is a massive accomplishment for the relatively new ownership team, considering they have grown Amici Pizza’s social media following significantly, amassing an impressive 300,000 subscribers on TikTok, with behind-the-scenes videos of small restaurant life drawing over 20 million views.
Kateri began working in pizzerias at age 16, gaining extensive experience in service and management, while Vinny, raised in the restaurant business, pursued culinary school and became a chef. Vinny’s father, Jimmy Pante, previously owned Buono’s Pizza from 1989 until the early 2000s. The Cusumano family acquired the restaurant, formerly known as Buono’s, in the summer of 2018. After a significant restoration, Amici Pizza officially opened its doors on January 2, 2019, offering New York-style pizza and top-notch service to the East Valley.
The name “Amici,” which means “friends” in Italian, reflects the restaurant’s focus on where families and friends can enjoy delicious food and create lasting memories. Amici Pizza prides itself on offering authentic, family recipes and superb service. The restaurant’s transformation began after the Cusumano family took ownership in August 2018, with extensive renovations before the grand reopening. Photos documenting the five-month restoration process show the dramatic changes made to the space, culminating in the grand opening in early 2019. Amici Pizza continues to serve as a local favorite, offering a welcoming atmosphere and some of the best Italian food in the valley.
