The Grimaldi’s family business began with the opening of their first location under the Brooklyn Bridge in the borough’s DUMBO neighborhood in 1990. It all started with their coal-fired, brick-oven pizza and over 100 years of pizza-making traditions. With 50 successful Grimaldi’s Pizzeria restaurants currently in operation, they are even looking to expand their restaurant concept from the most famous award-winning and only 5 Star Diamond Award Pizzeria in the United States to the rest of the world.
My family and I were invited to Grimaldi’s Chandler, for a family night out. Now let’s get this straight, taking 3 kids to dinner is sometimes a chore. Our ten year old daughter is never an issue, but the 6 year old twins tend to get bored very quickly, and if the food is not fast coming, we run into issues. When we arrived at Grimaldi’s, we were shown to our table quickly, and mere minutes later, the waitress came by to get our drink order and dropped off dough for the kids. Let me tell you, that stuff is heaven sent! Our kids each had their own piece of dough to play with, Play-doh does not hold a candle to this stuff. They were all entertained the entire time we were there, we actually had to take it away to get them to eat their dinner.
We started the meal with the antipasto: fresh Mozzarella, oven roasted sweet red peppers, genoa salami, olives and fresh baked bread. It was amazing, everything was so fresh and light, the bread was perfect with a soft warm center and a perfect crust. The kids gobbled it right up, and even my picky twin boy, ate everything but the olives and oven roasted sweet red peppers.
Next up was the strawberry spinach salad from the seasonal menu. This Spinach salad with a strawberry vinaigrette, feta cheese, red onions, toasted almonds and sliced strawberries was a major hit with our 6 year old daughter, she keeps asking to go back, or if I could figure out how to make it. The tiny bitty girl ate 6 plates of salad, it was so good, not that anyone else got seconds! If the strawberry spinach salad is not up your alley, don’t fret, they have many others to choose from, including the Mediterranean, Spinach, Kale, Caesar, and Grimaldi’s House salad.
The entire time we were enjoying our meal, our drinks were never empty. I have a major pet peeve about being at a restaurant and having to ask multiple times for a drink refill. The kids tried the blueberry and strawberry lemonade off the seasonal menu, and they loved them, and I loved them too as they were full of real fruit. Our waiter was very attentive, which always makes a meal more enjoyable, especially when you’re dining with children.
It was time for our pizza to arrive, and man we were not disappointed. We ordered three different small pizzas, as you know with kids, no one can agree on anything. The kids made their own pizza, as there is always something one or the other doesn’t like. They ordered a pepperoni pizza, with mushrooms and onion on half. They ate every slice of it, and I think could have eaten more, but of course we needed to leave room for dessert.
My husband ordered the seasonal Barbecue Chicken Pizza: a spin on their traditional pizza with Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce, chicken, smoky bacon, red onion and garnished with fresh cilantro. I had to try it, and it was so good, very flavorful with generous toppings and a perfect thin and crispy crust. I decided to make mine own, I love a mediterranean style pizza, so I ordered one with feta cheese, kalamata olives, and sundried tomatoes with the traditional white sauce with garlic pesto. The flavors were so intense, between the salty feta cheese, the strong flavor of the kalamata olives, and the mild garlic pesto sauce it was amazing.
Well it was time for dessert, of course we didn’t really have room, but how could we say no. We decided to share two of the dessert trios between the five of us, which includes your choice of cheesecake, tiramisu, and a cannoli. Oh my goodness we were so glad we found the room, I think next time I will start with a dessert trio all to myself.
If you are a looking for a great family night out location, then Grimaldi’s will not disappoint you. It lends to a more grown up atmosphere, yet it is completely family friendly. You can enjoy your meal, while the kids play with the dough, and if the Chandler location is not close to you, there are several other locations in Arizona including Gilbert.
Click HERE to visit the website, and check out the menu for yourself. Make sure that while you are checking out the website, you sign up for the free eFamily, where you will get a free pizza on your birthday.
