From sun-soaked Arizona strip malls to historic Colorado haunts, the western half of the United States is packed with Italian-leaning spots that have twirled their way onto “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.” Each of the following stops puts pasta at the center of the plate, whether that means hand-rolled ribbons bathed in slow-simmered sauce or family-size casseroles bubbling out of the oven. Plot an epic carb-crawl or simply bookmark a few future cravings with this rundown of noteworthy “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” pasta destinations.

1. Café Citti — Kenwood, CA

Perched along Sonoma Valley’s wine-country highway, Café Citti channels a small-town trattoria vibe: open kitchen, chalkboard specials, and the warm aroma of garlic slicked in olive oil. The family behind the counter keeps recipes squarely Northern Italian—think lighter sauces, seasonal vegetables, and a devotion to durum wheat. When Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives rolled through, the crew zeroed in on the house-made noodles and the laid-back hospitality that makes lingering over lunch almost mandatory.

2. La Piazza al Forno — Glendale, AZ

This downtown-Glendale favorite is best known for wood-fired pizza, yet its scratch kitchen puts equal heart into pasta—from dough to sauce. The owners imported much of their know-how (and a few key ingredients) straight from Naples, pairing them with Arizona produce and a cheery family-run energy. On Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives the pastas earned just as much airtime as the pies, proving the forno isn’t the only carb game here.

3. Mama Cozza’s — Anaheim, CA

Family portraits cover the walls at this Orange County landmark that’s been keeping locals in red-and-white-sauce heaven since 1965. The kitchen turns out comforting plates on a scale that would satisfy any theme-park-sized appetite just a few miles away. Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives showcased the multi-generational staff and the way they honor Sicilian roots while keeping prices neighbor-friendly.

4. Gaetano’s — Denver, CO

Originally opened by the Smaldone family in the 1940s, Gaetano’s mixes storied Denver history with a steadfast dedication to homestyle Italian fare. Dark wood booths and vintage signage set the scene; platters of pasta do the rest. The Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives visit dug into that legacy, spotlighting a kitchen that still respects slow cooks, long simmers, and an “everybody’s welcome” attitude.

5. Joe’s Pasta House — Rio Rancho, NM

mexico/" class="ddd-auto-link">New Mexico’s love affair with green chiles meets Italian comfort at Joe’s, a welcoming neighborhood spot just outside Albuquerque. The kitchen marries regional ingredients with Italian technique, turning out plates that feel both familiar and novel. During its Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives segment, the restaurant impressed with that border-blurring spirit and a dedication to house-made everything—from sauces to sausage.

6. DeFalco’s Italian Eatery, Grocery & Deli — Scottsdale, AZ

Half specialty market, half casual lunch counter, DeFalco’s has been doling out Old-World comforts since the 1970s. Shelves of imported olives and canned San Marzano tomatoes surround a steady stream of customers lining up for red-sauce classics. The episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives highlighted the from-scratch approach: dough mixed each morning, sauces built from long-standing family formulas, and generous portions meant for sharing—or not.