Students, faculty, visiting parents and game-day crowds around Arizona State University all end up looking for the same thing at some point: a sit-down Italian dinner that doesn’t require a long drive. Tempe has plenty of options, and knowing what to order ahead of time makes the choice easier.
This guide focuses on Red Devil Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, a family-owned restaurant that has operated in the Valley since 1960. Their Tempe location sits on West Southern Avenue, a short drive south of ASU’s Tempe campus. Below is a practical look at what to order depending on the occasion.
What Kind of Restaurant Is It?
Red Devil is a casual, family-style Italian pizza place with a full dinner menu. The menu covers pizza and calzones, pasta, baked dishes, entrées, subs and salads, so it works for a quick meal or a longer dinner.
It’s part of a small, locally owned group. The family runs four locations: two in Phoenix, one in Tempe and one in Pinetop-Lakeside. For diners who prefer local Italian restaurants over national chains, that’s a useful detail.
What Should You Order for a Group of Students?
Large groups usually do best with shareable food. A practical order for four to six people might include:
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Two large pizzas in different styles, such as a Red Devil Combo and a Red Devil White. Their pizzas use homemade, hand-tossed dough and come in 10-, 14- and 16-inch sizes.
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One starter to share, such as cheesy garlic toast, mozzarella sticks or a sampler platter.
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A large salad, such as a Garden or Caesar, to balance the meal.
Splitting pizzas and a starter usually keeps the cost per person lower than ordering individual entrées. Calzones are another option: they’re 10 inches, hand-crimped and served with marinara, which suits anyone who wants an individual portion.
What Should You Order When Parents Are Visiting?
Family visits often call for a fuller sit-down meal. The entrée and favorites sections of the menu fit this well:
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Chicken Marsala: chicken breast sautéed with butter, Marsala wine and mushrooms.
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Stuffed Baked Lasagna: three layers of noodles with seasoned ground beef, sausage and four cheeses.
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Shrimp Scampi: shrimp in a butter, garlic and scallion sauce over pasta.
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Red Devil “Trio”: fettuccine Alfredo, cheese ravioli marinara and chicken parmigiana on one plate, useful for anyone who can’t decide.
Entrées and favorites come with fresh bread, and garlic toast can be added.
What Works for a Date Night?
For a dinner for two, a mix of one shared item and two individual plates tends to work well. Bruschetta or spinach artichoke dip makes an easy shared starter.
From there, lighter dishes such as Pollo Basil, with fresh Roma tomatoes, basil and garlic over pasta, pair well with richer ones like Chicken Di Parma. Sharing bites of both gives a better sense of the menu.
Are There Options for Different Diets?
Yes, several dishes cover common needs:
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Meatless: Eggplant Parmigiana, Baked Manicotti, Portobello Mushroom Ravioli and veggie or white pizzas.
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Lower-carb: zucchini noodles can replace pasta in many dishes for an extra charge.
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Lighter meals: salads such as Greek or Strawberry Spinach.
Their gluten-sensitive and keto menus are offered only at the Bell Road and McDowell Road locations in Phoenix, not in Tempe.
How Do You Get There and Order?
The Tempe location is at 208 W Southern Ave. Diners can eat in, order take-out by phone, order online for pickup, or get delivery through DoorDash, Grubhub and Uber Eats.
On ASU home game days, traffic around campus can be heavy. Ordering ahead for pickup or planning an earlier dinner helps avoid long waits.
What About Diners Elsewhere in the Valley?
Not everyone visiting ASU stays in Tempe. Families often book hotels in Phoenix, and many students live across the metro area.
Red Devil also runs Italian restaurants in Phoenix, one on East McDowell Road and one on East Bell Road in north Phoenix. Their Phoenix-area restaurants share the same main menu, so the dishes above apply there too.
How Do You Spot Good Italian Restaurants Near Campus?
When comparing Italian dinner places around ASU, a few questions help:
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Is the full menu posted online with clear descriptions?
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Are there shareable options for groups as well as individual entrées?
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Does the restaurant offer take-out, pickup and delivery for busy weeknights?
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Is it locally owned, with a history in the area?
Good Italian restaurants tend to answer all four clearly before you walk in the door. Checking the menu before a visit also keeps ordering quick, especially for larger groups splitting pizzas and plates.
