Mama Louisa's
The Story of Mama Louisa's
Pinch of Tucson Heritage & a Whole Lot of Heart
On behalf of my family, I'd like to thank you for dining with us today. As you may know, we turned 60 in 2016! Since we opened our doors in 1956, Mama Louisa's has strived to bring your family great-tasting, homemade Italian American cuisine. As we move into our third generation of family ownership, I wanted to share a little history with you that will help shed some light on our new menu.
My grandfather, Joe Elefante Sr., moved to Tucson from Long Island, New York in 1973. Looking for a way to bring the Italian American tastes he grew up on back east to his new home, he bought Mama Louisa's from Luigia (Louisa) Casadei & her family… Yes, there actually was a Mama Louisa! My parents, Joe Jr. & Suzanne, moved here shortly after, and the family business was under way. As kids, we practically grew up in this place, and as soon as we could carry a tray, we were on the floor too.
Through the years, our grandparents, parents, aunts & uncles, cousins and all of us kids have worked together to keep the history alive. The recipes and the keys to the place have been passed down over time, and each generation has put their own signature on the business. This menu is a toast to all of those people who have walked these floors and preserved the heritage, and now it's time we put our own twist on things.
Our Chef
A Tucson native who literally grew up in this kitchen, Chef Michael Elefante is going back to his roots and rejoining his family-owned restaurant, where for as far back as he can remember he was helping both his grandfather and father make pasta, pizza and sauce. In 2010, in order to gain more experience in the culinary world, Chef Elefante joined the culinary team at The Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain. He moved up numerous ranks and through many kitchens and most recently held the position of Chef de Partie at Cayton's Burger Bistro. Chef Elefante is looking forward to modernizing the old world traditions and cuisine of Mama Louisa's. When not in the kitchen, he can be found watching Food Network and spending time with his wife, daughter, and son. You can watch Chef Michael Elefante on Guys Grocery Games, Nothing But Noodles Episode Season 24 Episode 9.