The History of Buca di BeppoBuca Di BeppoThe Food, the Fun, the Pope!
Did you know the first Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant opened its doors in 1993? Buca started in the basement of a Minneapolis apartment building which also inspired our name (more on that below). Emphasizing family-style dining for large groups in a fun atmosphere, the restaurant was an immediate hit with local diners.We've come a long way from those humble beginnings, and our restaurants have grown in size over the years! We've opened Buca locations across the United States and around the globe as demand grew for our delicious Italian inspired dishes. But our mission remains the same. To capture and share the fun and enthusiasm of a lively Italian gathering filled with generous portions of classic Italian food. Every Buca di Beppo restaurant offers an eclectic setting designed to make every meal feel like a celebration.
Most Buca di Beppo locations now boast multiple dining rooms. Our expansive restaurants can accommodate the entire neighborhood! However, we have preserved the intimate setting with semi private rooms to give you that same family style dining room feeling from the first Buca di Beppo years ago.
The Buca Experience is all about Family Style Dining
At Buca di Beppo everyone is part of the famiglia and our food is the star of the show! Our menu of classic Italian food is inspired by the cuisine enjoyed by Italian Americans for generations. Delicious dishes with roots in the villages throughout Italy are served just the way Italian American families enjoy at home – family style!Bring your appetite! Each menu item is meant to be shared around the table and offered a la carte in two sizes: Buca Small to feed three or more, and Buca Large to feed an average sized country! Well, actually five or more.
Nothing brings a group closer together than trying a bit of this and a taste of that. The portions are plentiful and just like any successful family dinner, no one ever leaves hungry!
At Buca, we continue to innovate and create recipes beyond our traditional style by adding new menu items inspired by Northern and Southern Italian cuisine. Indulge in the Buca experience of family style dining sharing unforgettable appetizers like our World Famous Meatballs, fresh salads, pastas, pizzas, entree specialties, and desserts. Save room for tiramisu!
DEFINITIONThe name "Buca di Beppo" roughly translates as "Joe's small place" in Italian.Celebrate with the Pope!
From the very beginning, guests have been charmed by our themed rooms, thousands of vintage photographs covering every wall in our restaurants, and fun details like recorded sounds of men and women laughing and conversing in Italian in the restrooms. We knew the importance of gathering around the dinner table sharing great food, laughter and fun times.Each location features a few extra special tables you can reserve, including our iconic Pope Table! It's the restaurant's largest table, in its own room, named for the centerpiece bust of the Pope. Most locations also have a Chef's Table, usually inset to the wall, located directly across from the main kitchen, where the waiters and chefs will chat with guests and bring you samples of the kitchen's magnificent dishes. These unique rooms, tables, and details have drawn guests to return over and over again for a fun group lunch or dinner with family and friends.
Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, planning a business dinner or having a night out with family and friends, you'll enjoy Buca di Beppo's classic Italian food in an eclectic, vintage setting. All Buca di Beppo locations are known for fun! The friendly staff and whimsical atmosphere are sure to be a hit.
Keep the conversation flowing by admiring the walls covered in family photos and candid shots of Italian-American icons such as Sophia Loren and Joe DiMaggio, while you listen to the classic tunes of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Buca di Beppo has the festive atmosphere to make any gathering feel like a special occasion with family and friends.
- Salads
- Soup
- Appetizers
- Pizzas
- Shareable Sides
- Entrees
- Stuffed Pastas
- Specialty Pastas
- Traditional Pastas
- Fresh Bread
- Salads
- Pastas
- Soup
- Handheld
- Fresh Breads
- Entrees
- Desserts
- Soda
- Water
- Coffee
The first Buca di Beppo opened its doors in 1993 in Minneapolis, Minnesota serving family style traditional Italian meals in an atmosphere full of lively music, laughter and lots of fun. Every Buca di Beppo restaurant across the United States was designed to capture the enthusiasm of a lively Italian gathering filled with generous portions of classic Italian food. Gather around our tables with family, friends, co-workers and large group events.
The First Buca di Beppo
Nutritionals
Each Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant offers an eclectic setting designed to make every occasion a celebration! Guests are charmed by our themed rooms, thousands of vintage photographs covering every wall in our restaurants, and fun details like recorded sounds of men and women laughing and conversing in Italian in the restrooms. The decor at every Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant is meant to be over the top!
The DecorWe promise to tickle your funny bone and spark conversation. Everyone loves admiring the walls covered in family photos and candid shots of Italian-American icons such as Sophia Loren and Joe DiMaggio, while listening to the classic tunes of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. But of course our classic Italian food is the star of the show! The portions are plentiful and just like any successful family dinner, no one ever leaves hungry.
The Pope Room at Buca di Beppo is iconic! Found at every Buca di Beppo location, it is decorated with statues, photos and memorabilia from Popes of the past. An important part of Italian culture is gathering around the dinner table. This is why we've integrated a few special tables into each of our restaurants including our most famous, The Pope Table, located at the center of The Pope Room, of course!
The Pope Room
You can reserve the Pope Room!The Pope Table is the largest table in the restaurant, seating from 12 – 18 guests. Perfect for celebrating any special occasion. And because Buca di Beppo's Italian food is meant to be shared family style, at the center of The Pope Table you'll find a lazy Susan with the bust of the Pope on top and room to share bread and salad around.
Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurants are owned and operated by Buca Inc. which in turn is owned by Planet Hollywood International Inc. / Earl Enterprises, a recognized leader in the hospitality industry for over 30 years, building innovative, sustainable brands that guests can enjoy today and in the future.
Planet Hollywood
Meat-balls! Pasta!
We made them fresh
For you!
Home-made mar-i-nar-a...
Lots of garlic too!
It's your day to Bucaaa...
So we're here to say, have a Happy Birthday...
The Buca di Beppo way!
Buca di Beppo
WIKIPEDIABuca di Beppo
American restaurant chain specializing in Italian-American food. The name roughly translates as "Joe's small place" from Italian (buca, which literally means "hole" or "pit", can be a dialectal word in Tuscany for a small room or place, and Beppo is a diminutive of the name Giuseppe). The chain of 81 establishments (76 company-owned, 5 franchises in UK) has been a subsidiary of Planet Hollywood since 2008. They are known for vintage photographs hung closely spaced throughout the restaurant.The food at Buca di Beppo is served family style, each item served a la carte and shared among the dining party. Some locations also have a lunch menu, featuring individual-sized portions. Each room at Buca is themed, and all restaurants have a Pope table-the largest single table, round, in a room by itself, with a bust of the Pope as centerpiece.
History
Phil Roberts founded Buca di Beppo in 1993 as an imitation of "red sauce joints", Italian-American family restaurants in the northeast United States. Not Italian himself, Roberts wanted his restaurant's stereotypical depiction of Italian-American culture to be "intentionally in bad taste, but good-natured bad taste". He hired Vittorio Renda, a Milanese chef, and Roberts's architect son decorated the restaurant with Italians' family photographs from flea markets.
- The first restaurant, named Buca Little Italy, was opened in the basement level of a Minneapolis apartment building in 1993 by Twin Cities restaurant company Parasole Restaurant Holdings. Five years later, it was spun off and renamed Buca di Beppo.
- In 1996, a new CEO, Joseph Micatrotto, brought less exaggerated Italian-American cultural depictions, based on his family's history, to the chain as it prepared to go public.
- By 1999, there were 20 locations when Buca, Inc. began trading on the NASDAQ stock exchange.
- In 2008, Planet Hollywood International agreed to purchase the Buca chain for US$28.5 million. Under terms of the deal, Buca became a wholly owned subsidiary of Planet Hollywood. Its founder, Robert Earl, restored Buca di Beppo's gaudy decor of photographs covering walls.
- In 2011, Buca moved its headquarters from Minneapolis to Orlando, Florida, home of its parent company, citing financial incentives.
- In 2012, Rick Tasman was named CEO & President.
- In 2015, Rich Saultz was named the new CEO & President and is currently in that position.
- By 2016, the company had 100 locations in the U.S. and U.K.
The Surprising History of Buca Di Beppo
The Daily MealBuca di Beppo
Several things distinguish playful and weird Buca di Beppo from fellow sit-down Italian chains. For one, there's the name. It's a casual expression that's meant to reference the restaurant's first location. Then, there's the decor. The walls covered in picture frames and other oddities may seem random, but these zany interior design choices were made with purpose. Family-style dining is also a notable aspect of this chain. Instead of ordering individual plates, guests pass around shared dishes of Italian favorites. All of these choices have distinct ties to Buca di Beppo's founding. These choices have all helped create the famous chain restaurant we know today.The first location opened in Minnesota
The first Buca di Beppo opened in an apartment building in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This location was owned and operated by Buca di Beppo until as recently as 2021, when it was put up for sale. The restaurant space was a whopping 4,200 square feetThe name translates to 'Joe's small place'
The first Buca di Beppo wasn't identical to the chain we know today. It was initially called "Buca Little Italy." However, some aspects of this first location inspired the company to change. Since it was founded in the basement of a Minneapolis apartment building, the name was adjusted to reflect this. The new name "Buca di Beppo" loosely translates to "Joe's small place" in Italian. Other rough translations could be "my buddy's basement" or "Joe's basement".Family-style dining was at the heart of its restaurant concept
Buca di Beppo's family-style dining mimics the way that people eat around the dinner table, helping the chain to appear more welcoming. Dishes are ordered two ways. "Buca Small" dish sizes contain enough food for roughly three or more people. "Buca Large" dish sizes are capable of feeding around five or more diners. Each dish can be ordered either "Buca Small" or "Buca Large."Since everything is offered a la carte, diners are encouraged to build a combination of dishes. Then, instead of being served in courses, all plates are brought out at once, to be passed around and shared during dining. However, this doesn't mean there aren't traditional food categories on the menu.
Appetizers offered include things like garlic bread, Caprese salad, fried calamari, and the chain's famous meatballs prepared with marinara sauce and ricotta. If your party wants to share a salad, you can do that as well. Antipasto salad, Caesar salad, and mixed green salads are all on the menu. Pasta is far and away one of the chain's most popular categories. This menu section includes lasagna, rigatoni, manicotti, stuffed shells, ravioli, spaghetti, fettuccini, baked ziti, and many more. Some non-pasta entrees you can order include chicken or eggplant parmesan. The sides section is full of vegetable-based dishes such as Brussels sprouts, green beans, and broccoli. With so many dishes in every menu category, it's not difficult to find items that everyone in your party likes.
New locations are blessed by Catholic priests
To promote its atmosphere of Italian authenticity, family values, and tongue-in-cheek antics, Buca di Beppo has gone to some extremes. One of them is inviting Catholic priests to officially recognize the opening of new locations. As of 2012, Catholic officials had blessed all the restaurants opened to date. This religious ritual apparently happens at every Buca di Beppo before its opening and is usually (but not always) done by a Catholic priest.Strange decor has always been part of its schtick
This interior design concept was meant to be the opposite of upscale Italian dining decoration."When we started Buca, all the Italian restaurants were sleek and slick, with marble and beveled glass and granite and all that, so I said, 'You know? I want a sleeves-up restaurant where the guest feels superior to the restaurant, rather than being looked down on.' That's why the interiors of Buca are so tasteless," Roberts recalled. Guests enter knowing they will get comfort food, and, looking around at the restaurant's tacky trappings, they feel they are above their surroundings.
This is what inspired the creation of Buca Di BeppoThe Untold Truth Of Buca Di Beppo
According to Bon Appetit, founder of Buca Di Beppo, Phil Roberts became infatuated with the red-sauce joints of the Northeast. Being from Minneapolis, he had never seen anything like them. "The way they displayed wealth was in the food they served," he said. "They kept the Christmas lights on all year-round. They hung up velvet paintings of Mount Vesuvius." So, Roberts wanted to bring a red-sauce joint to the midwest, and that's what really inspired the idea of Buca Di Beppo - a classic red-sauce joint that could thrive just about anywhere.Buca Di Beppo's founder wanted accessible Italian food
Even though the founder of Buca Di Beppo, Phil Roberts, was inspired by the red-sauce joints of the Northeast, there was one thing that he wanted his own restaurant to be above all else: accessible. Though his hometown of Minneapolis obviously had some Italian restaurants, he wanted to open one that no one would feel intimidated by.In an interview with Twin Cities Business, Roberts explained that he was sick of Italian restaurants all being so fancy. "When we started Buca, all the Italian restaurants were sleek and slick, with marble and beveled glass and granite and all that, so I said, 'You know? I want a sleeves-up restaurant where the guest feels superior to the restaurant, rather than being looked down on.'"
Where Buca Di Beppo's name came from
If you thought Buca Di Beppo was a weird restaurant name, then hold on to your hats because you're going to be shocked at the fact that it loosely translates to "my buddy's basement." And that's exactly where the first-ever Buca Di Beppo opened up. Specifically, the first-ever location of the eventual chain restaurant opened in 1993 in the basement of an apartment building in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Clearly, founder Phil Roberts wanted the name to be clever, while still sounding super Italian. And he definitely achieved that.It's family-style Italian dining
Unlike most other Italian restaurants, the food at Buca Di Beppo is almost exclusively served family-style, which means they're meant to be shared by the table. This obviously means that eating at Buca Di Beppo probably isn't ideal for a date night where each person wants their own dish, but it's just part of the Buca charm.The restaurant is seemingly religious
If you've ever eaten at a Buca Di Beppo then you know that a lot of the decor in the restaurant is centered on religion, particularly Catholicism. And back in 2012, Trib Live reported that every single new location of Buca Di Beppo was blessed by a Catholic priest upon opening. As if that wasn't enough, each Buce Di Beppo location also has a Pope Room or Pope Table meant for larger parties. Clearly, the Italian chain loves to incorporate religion into just about everything it does.It was part of a big buyout in 2008
While Buca Di Beppo first got started way back in 1993 by Phil Roberts in a small basement, it's now a huge and successful business. And part of that is because it was actually part of a huge buyout in 2008, which officially made the chain restaurant part of the Planet Hollywood group.This might be their most famous dish
Obviously, since Buca Di Beppo is an Italian joint, they know how to make a good meatball. Whether it's in a sandwich, on a bowl of spaghetti, or just served by itself with some sauce, there's nothing quite like a tasty meatball, and at Buca Di Beppo, it might just be what the chain is most famous for.In fact, in a cooking segment with Marie Osmond, a Buca Di Beppo chef explained that the chain restaurant's signature dish might just be their meatball. As the chef explained, the meatball at Buca Di Beppo is super special, always homemade, and uses a secret recipe.
Yes, Buca Di Beppo's interior is ugly on purpose
Aside from the food, the thing that probably makes Buca Di Beppo stand out amongst it's competitors is the decor inside the restaurant. Unlike many other chains out there, Buca doesn't try to look super fancy or even classy. Instead, the decor is pretty ugly, gaudy, and tacky.It doesn't try to be authentic
According to Tim Alevizos, a consultant who worked on Buca's branding, people didn't really care if the food was authentic. "As the original red sauce joints were dying off, Buca was the introduction to that type of Italian," he told Bon Appetit. "I don't know if they were keyed into whether Buca was authentic or not, but they didn't have a lot to compare it to. Plus, it was fun and the food was tasty." Buca Di Beppo might not be exactly like dining out in Italy, but it's still tasty food, and definitely one-of-a-kind.
8 Family-Style Facts About Buca di Beppo
- The first Buca di Beppo opened in the basement of a Minneapolis apartment building.
In 1993, Twin Cities restaurateur Phil Roberts teamed up with restaurant manager Joseph Micatrotto to open Buca Little Italy. They expanded their idea to create an "unchained chain" restaurant in multiple locations. Roberts envisioned his new, family-style Italian joint as an alternative to what he saw as cookie-cutter restaurants.- The name translates to 'Joe's basement.'
Though "buca" technically translates from Italian as "hole," it is commonly used as a term for a basement. Combining that with "Beppo" - a nickname for Giuseppe (the Italian version of "Joseph") - loosely translates to "Joe's Basement," which was quite appropriate, considering their first location.- All the food is served in large, family-style portions.
Dishes at the restaurant can be enjoyed in two sizes, small and large, which are intended to feed at least two people, or as many as 20 if you opt for a pan of pasta.- The decor is meant to resemble a post-world war II Italian neighborhood.
The walls of Buca di Beppo are lined with photos of Italian immigrants and artifacts from the post-war years. Multiple rooms are themed: The walls and ceiling of the Poster Room are covered with vintage Italian posters, and in the Wine Room, wine bottles, vines, and twinkle lights decorate the ceiling.- Its decor is intentionally hideous.
"When we started Buca, all the Italian restaurants were sleek and slick, with marble and beveled glass and granite and all that," its founder, Phil Roberts once said. "So I said, 'You know? I want a sleeves-up restaurant where the guest feels superior to the restaurant, rather than being looked down on.' That's why the interiors of Buca are so tasteless." Once, Roberts overheard a woman telling her husband that "some god-awful" statue in the restaurant was so tacky that she'd never allow it in her home. Roberts was thrilled: "I thought, 'Yes! Yes! Yes! We did it!'"- You can dine with the Pope at every Buca di Beppo location.
In addition to the Poster and Wine rooms, large parties of 12-18 can reserve the "Pope Room." It's decorated with statues, photos, and memorabilia from popes past in addition to a large round table in the center of which sits a bust of the pope on a Lazy Susan, to help you share bread and salad.- A religious figure has blessed the opening of every location.
While some Catholic officials are less than amused at the slightly irreverent aspect of Buca di Beppo's decor (which includes a print of The Creation of Adam from the Sistine Chapel that has a speech bubble of God saying "Pull my finger"), the company says it's all in good fun and that the religious artifacts are all part of honoring the Italian immigrant experience. And while the company traditionally has a priest come to bless the opening of each new location, they've been known to have a local rabbi do the honors before.- Actor Jason Schwartzman once got fired from a Buca di Beppo - in a movie.
In a scene from last year's indie comedy 7 Chinese Brothers, Schwartzman's character gets fired from a Buca di Beppo for allegedly stealing $5 out of a $10 tip. His character says goodbye to the kitchen staff and steals a bottle of liquor on the way out. Wonder what the pope would think about that?
2023
Buca di Beppo Celebrates 30 Years of Service
FSRBuca di Beppo
The renowned Italian restaurant chain, announced its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of serving authentic Italian cuisine and creating unforgettable dining moments. Since its inception, Buca di Beppo has remained a beloved destination for families, friends, and food enthusiasts seeking exceptional Italian flavors and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.Buca di Beppo started in 1993 in the basement of a Minneapolis apartment. From the start, the restaurant emphasized family-style dining in a fun and cozy atmosphere. Buca di Beppo has become an iconic name in the culinary world, with over 80 locations across the U.S. The restaurant's commitment to providing delicious food and an immersive dining experience has made it a cherished destination for celebrations, gatherings, and everyday dining.
As Buca di Beppo celebrates this significant milestone, it reflects upon a rich history filled with culinary expertise, heartfelt hospitality, and a passion for creating lasting memories. Over the years, the restaurant has delighted guests with an extensive menu featuring classic Italian dishes prepared with the finest ingredients, flavorful sauces, and traditional cooking techniques.
Buca di BeppoOur 30th anniversary is a testament to the dedication of our team, the loyalty of our guests, and the timeless appeal of Italian cuisine. We are immensely proud of the relationships we have built and the memories we have helped create over the past three decades. It is an honor to continue serving our guests with the same passion and authenticity that have made Buca di Beppo a household name.
-Emily Bishop, Vice President of OperationsAs Buca di Beppo embarks on its next chapter, the restaurant remains committed to its core values of culinary excellence, genuine hospitality, and an ambiance that fosters togetherness. With a renewed dedication to innovation and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction, Buca di Beppo is poised to continue its legacy as a leader in the Italian dining scene for years to come.
