Campisi’s is a Dallas landmark and has been for many years. My favorite two locations are Downtown and Mockingbird. I did recently visit both of these locations for this article. It was this most recent visit to the Mockingbird location where for the first time I was seated in the Club Room. Cue Hamilton and “The Room Where It Happens”. ‘Talk less, smile more’… 🙂 You know the song. As iconic as Hamilton is to Musical Theater, Campisi’s is to Dallas area pizza.
I just visited Sicily in April. I even served an entire Sicilian meal at one of my most successful private events. I’m no stranger to Sicily, Sicilian food and to the absolute attraction this iconic Island has had on the food scene. I’m a fan for sure. Competing with all the hype, that can be tough, but Campisi’s does it well!
I have to admit, while I’ve been to Campisi’s many times I do have a couple of clear favorites: the Pasta Combo Plate and the Meat Supreme Pizza tend to dominate my orders. The lasagna is my favorite part of the combo. Mixing it with the spaghetti and ravioli lightens it up and makes it a mouthwatering craveable meal.
And oh, how about that pizza? It’s as good as it gets. ‘Sfincione’ is thought to have originated back in 17th century Palermo. It has of course evolved and adapted over the years but the one constant is the “rectangular-ish” shape. It first made its way to New York where it adapted a lighter, more crispy crust.
The history of Campisi’s dates all the way back to 1904 when the family immigrated from Sicily to New Orleans. Thankfully, they eventually settled in Dallas. In 1946 they transitioned from the grocery business and purchased a bar and the famous Mockingbird location opened in 1950.
The pizza today at Campisi’s has evolved into an oblong shape with the perfect crispy crust. I can’t stay away from the meat lovers. It’s layered with pepperoni, salami, hamburger, Canadian bacon, Italian sausage and the perfect amount of melted cheese. It’s the perfect pizza bite.
If you’ve ever been to the Mockingbird location the first thing you notice is just how dark it is inside. I’m always thinking, can they even see me? It takes a good 15 – 20 minutes for your eyes to adjust. It’s all a part of the nostalgia and the lure of the place. I always see someone with their phone light reading the menu. If you need the light, it’s all good. By the time your food arrives though, you’ve adjusted.
On our most recent visit we were sat in the Club Room. We were the first table that day in the room and it felt special. It has its own bar and servers with upgraded leather chairs. I may have had to break into “The Room Where It Happens”, you know, since we were the first table there and all. 🙂
This particular location has 3 distinct sections, the Club Room, the main dining room and the bar style room with large TVs. All are great and a reminder of the stories and the history of this iconic restaurant. I can only imagine how many big games have been watched here. At the downtown location there was a rehearsal dinner happening in the room next to us, just more memories being made.
While this may be a Sicilian restaurant it’s making Dallas history these days. Whether it’s your first visit or the hundredth, it’s always a good time visit again. It just may be the best pizza in Dallas. www.campisis.us
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