By Emily Call, Senior Editor
When Adela’s Italian Restaurant opened its doors in October of 2014, their mission was simple: serve their community with the highest quality of food, service, and care. Nearly 10 years later, this commitment has turned this thriving restaurant into an Italian staple in Arcadia’s vibrant restaurant scene. Loyal customers come from across the valley (from North Scottsdale, Sun City, even Glendale) to savor what is arguably some of the best Italian food Arizona has to offer.
So what is Adela’s recipe for success and beating the 5-year average restaurant failure rate of 80%? According to Jamie Delgado, General Manager of Adela’s, “We have a big heart for this style of food. We made a business out of this ten years ago to live out my dad’s dream and it’s been working wonders.”
Delgado believes their success breaks down into three basic strategies.
Create A Family-First Environment
Adela’s was founded by Jaime Delgado’s father, Pedro, who had been cooking Italian food at restaurants for over 44 years. His deep love for Italian cuisine, which he exclusively focused on throughout his career, inspired him to start his first chef-owned restaurant. But working in the industry also taught Pedro an important lesson—treat others like family and good things will come. As Jamie says, “We are a family business, and we always put the family first. We’ve created a very calm and loving environment. We’ve even seen growth in employees who aren’t family.”
These deep-rooted values of family and tradition aren’t just marketing buzzwords, but truly the essence of Adela’s business operations. Not only do they have a strong and loyal customer base, but the restaurant is consistently praised for its warm, family-like atmosphere, making every visitor feel like part of the family.
This family-first approach has earned Adela’s glowing reviews on Yelp and Google, further solidifying its reputation and place in the community. Even during the pandemic, it was the community’s support that was crucial to their survival, showcasing the strong bond between the restaurant and its patrons.
Use Only Quality Ingredients
A restaurant is only as good as it’s food, and if Adela’s online review are any indication, it’s is a fan favorite. Among the most beloved dishes are their homemade gnocchi, which Jaime describes as “melt-in-your-mouth goodness,” and their signature Polo al Limone. This creamy lemon chicken dish stands out as a unique offering customers can’t find elsewhere. Another favorite is the Fettuccine Della Casa, a hearty dish with cream sauce, bacon, peas, mushrooms, and onions.
While their recipes are a part of what makes Adela’s special, it’s a commitment to quality food that has kept their customers coming back for more. As Jamie puts it, “We speak the language of food and only use the freshest ingredients.”
This discernment can be tasted in every dish they prepare and is apparent in online reviews. First-time and regulars alike call out the quality as one of the reason’s they become repeat customers!
Rely on Word-of-Mouth Marketing and Online Reviews
A huge part of Adela’s growth and success is tied to word-of-mouth and exceptional online reviews. “We hear it all the time – people come from all over the state because we were recommended by a friend,” states Jamie. “And the feeling I get when a regular comes through the door is indescribable.”
Adela’s consistent regulars and a big following on Yelp and Google community are the backbone of the restaurant’s continued growth. They have never spent a dollar on any marketing since their opening and have relied on this organic growth to fuel their community impact. “This restaurant has given us so much, and it’s going to give us much more,” added Jamie.
With long-standing success behind them, the possibility of expanding Adela’s Italian Kitchen to other parts of the valley is most likely in the future. And of course, the same family-oriented atmosphere and quality will be a part of any new location.
