Mama Louisa's

Roam Arizona

17 Sep 2025 — 2 min read

Mama Louisa’s is one of those Tucson places that feels baked into the city. It opened in 1956 and has carried the same spirit for decades. You get red sauce comfort, fresh pasta, and a room that knows its regulars. The restaurant began with the real Mama Louisa herself, Luigia Casadei. In 1973 the Elefante family bought the place and kept the focus on Italian American comfort food. Today Michael Elefante represents the next generation in the kitchen.

What We Ordered

We wanted a clear snapshot of the menu, so we built a small spread. Breadsticks and fried calamari to start, shrimp scampi and Joe’s Special at the center, and a bowl of minestrone. The photos show the plates as they landed.

Warm breadsticks hit the table fast. Good chew and a soft center. Perfect for a first dunk in the house red sauce.

Classic minestrone in a bright tomato broth. Tender vegetables and small pasta in each spoonful. Warm, clean, and comforting. A good reset between richer plates.

Light crunch on the outside and tender inside. I went Joe’s Style, tossed with hot pepper seeds, garlic oil, and melted cheese, then finished with house red sauce. A little heat and a lot of flavor.

Jumbo shrimp over linguini with garlic, butter, lemon, white wine, and fresh herbs. Simple and rich with a bright finish from the citrus.

The signature since 1956. Linguini with hot pepper seeds, garlic oil, melted cheese, and a generous pour of house red sauce. It comes out bubbling and the edges pick up a little color. It is the dish people talk about and it has been on the menu since the beginning.

Good to Know

There is a full menu of pastas and classics and a few seasonal touches show up from time to time. If you want to branch out, ask what the kitchen is excited about that week. For takeout or delivery the major apps carry the menu with the staples listed above.

2041 S Craycroft Rd, Tucson, AZ 85711. Call ahead or check their site for the most current hours before you go.

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