Phoenix Italian restaurant Giuseppe’s on 28th closes after longtime owner retires

PHOENIX — Giuseppe’s on 28th, an Italian restaurant, closed over the weekend after serving patrons in Phoenix for more than two decades.

The eatery, which was located off Indian School Road and 28th Street, had its final day of operations on Sunday due to longtime owner Richard Bock retiring.

“This restaurant has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Bock said in a social media post. “To be embraced by this community — and recognized on a national level — is something I will always treasure. I’m deeply grateful to our guests, our staff and everyone who has walked through our doors.”

Bock purchased and opened the restaurant in 2002, using the skills he learned from studying cooking in Italy for nine years while he was principal cellist in the Maggio Musicale Florentino Orchestra.

Giuseppe’s on 28th recognized locally and nationally

Throughout its 24 years of operation, the Italian eatery was recognized not only locally but nationally as well.

The restaurant’s list of accolades includes:

• Being featured twice on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” hosted by Guy Fieri.
• Making an appearance on Arizona PBS’ “Check, Please! Arizona,” which has three guests dine at and review local eateries.
• Getting a visit from Emmy Award-winning newscaster Jaime Cerreta for her “Local Love” podcast.
• Earning four Best of Phoenix awards from Phoenix New Times.

Giuseppe’s was also a five-time winner of the Diners’ Choice Awards by OpenTable, which recognizes restaurants based on thousands of customer reviews.

The restaurant’s social media post announcing its closure was flooded with comments from community members sharing their appreciation for Giuseppe’s on 28th.

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