Dine and Dish: Mike's Pizzeria continues serving Fresno after more than 60 years

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — For more than six decades, Mike’s Pizzeria has been a familiar stop for Fresno residents looking for a meal – and a memory.

Located at Shields and West in central Fresno, the family-owned restaurant has been serving the neighborhood since 1962. Customers who once dined there years ago still find their way back.

“They’re like oh my God, I can’t believe you guys are still on the same corner. You know, the town has moved, has grown,” owner Peter DiNuzzo said. “Fortunately, we’re still here.”

DiNuzzo grew up in the kitchen his parents started, and he says the restaurant remains rooted in the homemade dishes that have defined it for generations.

“Our famous calzoni. That’s the Nonna special,” he said.

The calzoni are filled with pepperoni, salami, ground beef, bell pepper, onion, and mozzarella cheese, and are fried instead of baked, a choice DiNuzzo says gives them a unique flavor.

“Just unique flavors, something different,” he said.

Mike’s Pizzeria moved across the street in 1975, keeping a simple menu centered on Italian staples made from scratch.

“Things you can’t find in town. Homemade pasta. Homemade ravioli. Homemade lasagna,” DiNuzzo said.

The menu also includes sautéed mushrooms and sausage appetizers prepared with olive oil, butter, garlic, and Marsala wine, along with specialty pizzas for adventurous diners.

DiNuzzo says many recipes come directly from his family’s roots.

“This is how dad and nonna made it in Italy,” he said. “That’s pretty much how my parents cooked. They taught us just growing up in the business.”

Dishes are often paired with wine selections, including Bordeaux and Chianti, and the restaurant features a banquet room that can host up to 50 people, along with a lounge area and full bar.

“People seem to like that activity. There’s TVs. They can watch the game. Have dinner,” DiNuzzo said.

After decades in business, DiNuzzo says he feels a responsibility to the customers who have made Mike’s Pizzeria part of their lives.

“I feel like I have a responsibility to the public,” he said. “I get a lot of them that are saying, thank you for being here. Please don’t close. Please don’t move.”

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