For more than six decades, Mike’s Pizzeria has been a familiar stop for Fresno residents looking for a meal – and a memory.<\/p>\n
Located at Shields and West in central Fresno, the family-owned restaurant has been serving the neighborhood since 1962. Customers who once dined there years ago still find their way back.<\/p>\n
“They’re like oh my God, I can’t believe you guys are still on the same corner. You know, the town has moved, has grown,” owner Peter DiNuzzo said. “Fortunately, we’re still here.”<\/p>\n
DiNuzzo grew up in the kitchen his parents started, and he says the restaurant remains rooted in the homemade dishes that have defined it for generations.<\/p>\n
“Our famous calzoni. That’s the Nonna special,” he said.<\/p>\n
The calzoni are filled with pepperoni, salami, ground beef, bell pepper, onion, and mozzarella cheese, and are fried instead of baked, a choice DiNuzzo says gives them a unique flavor.<\/p>\n
“Just unique flavors, something different,” he said.<\/p>\n
Mike’s Pizzeria moved across the street in 1975, keeping a simple menu centered on Italian staples made from scratch.<\/p>\n
“Things you can’t find in town. Homemade pasta. Homemade ravioli. Homemade lasagna,” DiNuzzo said.<\/p>\n
The menu also includes saut\u00e9ed mushrooms and sausage appetizers prepared with olive oil, butter, garlic, and Marsala wine, along with specialty pizzas for adventurous diners.<\/p>\n
DiNuzzo says many recipes come directly from his family’s roots.<\/p>\n
“This is how dad and nonna made it in Italy,” he said. “That’s pretty much how my parents cooked. They taught us just growing up in the business.”<\/p>\n
Dishes are often paired with wine selections, including Bordeaux and Chianti, and the restaurant features a banquet room that can host up to 50 people, along with a lounge area and full bar.<\/p>\n
“People seem to like that activity. There’s TVs. They can watch the game. Have dinner,” DiNuzzo said.<\/p>\n
After decades in business, DiNuzzo says he feels a responsibility to the customers who have made Mike’s Pizzeria part of their lives.<\/p>\n
“I feel like I have a responsibility to the public,” he said. “I get a lot of them that are saying, thank you for being here. Please don’t close. Please don’t move.”<\/p>\n
Visit the Dine and Dish interactive map<\/a> to find this location and all previously featured restaurants!<\/p>\n For news updates, follow Dale Yurong on Facebook<\/a> and X<\/a>.<\/p>\n