Phoenix Staple Bell' Italia Closes After More Than Two Decades

PHOENIX, AZ — After more than two decades serving Ahwatukee, Bell' Italia has apparently closed its doors for good.

The restaurant's website now displays a brief message announcing the closure, while its social media pages have been removed.

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"We regret to inform that Bell' Italia is closed," the message reads. "We sincerely thank our customers for the support!"

The closure comes several years after founder Mario Caputo died unexpectedly in 2021. According to a GoFundMe campaign organized by his family, Caputo suffered sudden cardiac arrest.

Caputo and his family opened Bell Italia Pizzeria in May 2002, building the restaurant around a passion for good food, conversation and community.

Over the years, Bell' Italia became a neighborhood fixture at Chandler Boulevard and 48th Street, known for its Italian comfort food, East Coast-style pizzas and family atmosphere.

Customers regularly praised the restaurant's personalized service and willingness to accommodate dietary preferences, with many describing it as a go-to gathering spot in Ahwatukee.

No explanation for the closure has been provided beyond the message posted on the restaurant's website, and it remains unclear whether the Caputo family has plans for the business moving forward.