Due Amici — a community icon with a devoted following, and gratitude to spare

The founders of Due Amici Pizza & Pasta Bar in Ybor City know Italian food. They also know restaurants. So for them, it was a no-brainer to buy what was in 2015 a failing restaurant in Ybor City, because they knew they were going to turn it around and make it into a local landmark. After renovating the restaurant and the kitchen, and customizing the menu, they did exactly that. But they didn’t stop there. Several years later they added a wine and charcuterie bar right next door – Geo’s – that is also a hit. (Side note: Check out the underlit bartop, which is wicked cool.)

Now an established favorite of the locals as well as the occasional celebrity, Due Amici is a welcoming place where diners can order to go (or for delivery), or dine in and savor the industrial-rustic atmosphere and heavenly aromas while they enjoy fresh-made Italian specialties. (Nothing, by the way, is microwaved.) The star of their menu? Pizza. Due Amici’s pizza dough is made in-house, as are their artisanal-quality pizza and pasta sauces. Among those sauces, proceeds from sales of the Pink (vodka-style) Sauce and the Blue Marinara Sauce go to fund breast cancer research and autism research, respectively.

The business is also involved with 1Voice, a Tampa-based foundation that benefits families affected by pediatric cancer, through Cooking for a Cure, a fun and interactive cooking class program. Due Amici’s owner invites 1Voice families into his restaurant kitchen to make pasta, pizza and desserts. He also teaches them virtually with at-home cooking classes. Additionally, he sponsors Moms Night Out for 1Voice moms and dinner – Dads Night Out – for 1Voice dads. Due Amici hosts a fun and festive holiday party for 1Voice families as well, and delivers food to their hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses.

From their arrival in 2015, the owners have felt embraced by Tampa and Ybor City, and believe in showing their gratitude by giving back to the community that has welcomed and supported them. That includes not just their work with 1Voice, for breast cancer, and for autism, but also includes seizing day-to-day opportunities to be of service, like providing bottled water to those who need it when a hurricane threatens. Showing their appreciation and community support in all these different ways is all part of their business philosophy.

Due Amici Pizza & Pasta Bar is open daily from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m., at 1724 E. 7th Ave. in Ybor City. Reach them by phone at 813-443-0906 and online at https://dueamiciybor.com.