Pacino’s Italian Restaurant will mark a major milestone on Saturday, April 11, celebrating 13 years of serving the community with the same warmth, generosity, and old-world Italian spirit that inspired its beginning. And this year, the celebration is bigger and brighter than ever.
Guests can expect live music all day, face painting, a lively chicken-wing eating contest, free meatball appetizers, and a raffle for gift cards, as well as a ’73 Chevy Cheyenne Pickup — a full day designed to bring people together in the way Pacino’s does best.
But behind the festivities lies a story of family, resilience, and a deep commitment to giving back.
A LEGACY ROOTED IN FAMILY AND FOOD
When Pacino’s celebrated its 10-year anniversary, owner Frank Spaccarelli reflected on the foundation that shaped both his life and his restaurant. His memories returned to Sundays after church — moments filled with a big pot of gravy, pasta, and meatballs. Those simple, joyful meals became the blueprint for many of Pacino’s signature dishes today.
“It was happiness built on a foundation of food,” Frank shared at the time. That sentiment still guides the restaurant’s heart and soul.
A YEAR MARKED BY LOSS — AND STRENGTH
The 11-year anniversary carried a different tone. As the restaurant prepared to celebrate, Frank lost his father, Angelo Spaccarelli. The milestone became a moment of remembrance, honoring the man who helped shape Frank’s values and work ethic.
“Life is significantly different now,” Frank reflected. “Our instant gratification and fast-pacedsociety have really diminished the memory of lessons in a simpler time.” Yet it was Angelo’s legacy — faith, family, and perseverance — that carried Frank through that difficult season and continues to influence Pacino’s today.
THIRTEEN YEARS STRONG: A CELEBRATION OF TRUST, CONSISTENCY, AND HEART
This year, the mood is triumphant.
Pacino’s 13th anniversary isn’t just a celebration of longevity — it’s a testament to the trust the community has placed in the restaurant and the unwavering heart Frank pours into his work. He believes the secret to Pacino’s success is simple: give back.
Frank actively supports the Jack Sullivan Foundation for autism awareness and provides monthly meals to the children at Sunshine Acres Children’s Home. For him, it’s more than charity, it’s his purpose.
“I’m using my gift, that the Lord has given me,” he says. “Loving on people, paying it forward, and praising HIM.”
A FRESH LOOK, A FAMILIAR SOUL
In recent years, Pacino’s has undergone a transformation of its own. The dining room now features an upscale, rustic Italian aesthetic, blending modern warmth with timelesscharm. Signature photos of Al Pacino remain proudly anchored on the walls, honoring the restaurant’s roots while the remodeled dining room embraces its growth.
It’s a space that feels both new and nostalgic; much like the journey Pacino’s Italian Restaurant has taken over the past 13 years.
WHO SAYS 13 IS AN UNLUCKY NUMBER?
For Pacino’s, 13 is a badge of honor — a symbol of resilience, community, and the enduring power of good food shared with good people.
On April 11, the doors will open not just for a celebration, but for a continuation of the story Frank began more than a decade ago: one built on family, faith, and the belief that a restaurant can be so much more than a place to eat.
Pacino’s Italian Restaurant is located at 2831 N. Power Road, in Mesa, at The Village at Las Sendas. For more information, call (480) 985-0114, or visit pacinositalian.com.