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If you’re looking for a delicious Italian Eatery that has an old-fashioned neighborhood comfy-cozy vibe suitable for families and dinner-dates, then Geraldi’s in Fayetteville is your place.
New York Style Italian Food
Andy Taber, the owner of Geraldi’s Italian Eatery in Fayetteville, knows a thing or two about pizza and pasta. When he was nineteen years old, he started working for Mr. Geraldi in Portland, Oregon.
Working at Mr. Geraldi’s Italian restaurant introduced Andy to old-fashioned Italian cuisine. His world was filled with authentic flours, pasta, sandwiches, salads, tiramisus, and calzones. Four years later – at the ripe age of twenty-three – Andy became partners with Mr. Geraldi at his restaurant.
From Portland to Northwest Arkansas
Eighteen years ago, Andy picked up and moved to Northwest Arkansas. He opened Geraldi’s Italian Eatery in Berryville and another one in Eureka Springs. Two years later, he sold those original restaurants and opened up new Geraldi’s in Fayetteville, blocks from the University of Arkansas. And then… he put down roots.
Best known for New York Style Pizza
The door to Geraldi’s in Fayetteville has stayed open since relocating from up in the hills of Madison County.
Geraldi’s is known for its New York-style pizza. They serve it Neapolitan style with a very thin crust and a healthy amount of whole milk mozzarella. They’re also very generous with drizzling olive oil on their pizzas.
Everything is made from scratch.
When Andy worked with Mr. Geraldi in Portland, most of the recipes came from the Geraldi family. While Andy has kept many of those recipes on the menu for almost thirty years, some of the menu items have evolved over the years.
Basically, everything is homemade. They cook the noodles, grind the beef, and prepare all the steps in between. Everything is from scratch, and Andy intends to keep it that way.
Like Andy says, “We stick with what we do. It’s a small menu, but we’re proud of it.”
What is popular?
If it’s your first or your hundredth time, you’ve GOT to order a pizza! For those times when you are in the mood for something else, I believe their lasagna is the absolute best lasagna in Northwest Arkansas.
Geraldi’s is also known for its house salad. Specifically, it’s the feta vinaigrette. Made in-house – just like everything else – their vinaigrette is heavy on the oregano. According to Andy, he was quick to tell me, “Boy, oh boy, does it really take off!” I completely agree with him, and now, when I make my own vinaigrette, I will go heavy on the oregano!
Local Place Appeals to Everyone
Geraldi’s old-fashioned neighborhood vibe definitely appeals to locals, yet it is more than simply a neighborhood spot. What started sixteen years ago as a local-only restaurant surrounded by apartments and dormitories suddenly became a legacy place for many.
Local students took their parents to Geraldi’s when they visited. Then, as they started growing up and having kids, they took their kids to Geraldi’s. It really is a perfect family place and a perfect date night spot.
Service at Geraldi’s Stands Out
Andy quickly stresses that excellent customer service is extremely important to him. But it wasn’t always that way.
“About thirteen years ago,” Andy told me, “I had a man who was a local customer. He told me one day that we had excellent food… but our service was crap. It really stung. But after that, I did a little soul searching, and I thought, okay, so it’s not very good. He’s right.”
“That man changed my business, and we became more service-oriented. It’s really important to us, and I think that’s why people come to Geraldi’s. If you come here, you’ll be treated very well and served in an orderly fashion. And, quickly.”
If you live in the Northwest Arkansas area or come to visit, please put Geraldi’s Italian Eatery in Fayetteville on your must-try list when you’re with your family or on a dinner date.
20 S. University Ave
Fayetteville, AR
479-575-0556
HOURS:
Monday-Tuesday – 11 AM – 8:30 PM
Wednesday – Closed
Thursday – 11 AM – 8:30 PM
Friday-Saturday – 11 AM – 9 PM
Sunday – 11 AM – 8 PM
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