Spirito’s Italian Diner on El Camino Real in Carlsbad has been a North County San Diego Italian institution since it opened, serving the house-made pasta, slow-simmered sauces, and the Italian-American comfort food that earns a coastal California community its go-to neighborhood Italian restaurant in a market where the competition for the Italian dining dollar is serious. It appeared in Season 17, Episode 12 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “From the Heart,” which aired August 12, 2013. Guy Fieri found a Carlsbad Italian kitchen doing things from scratch with the family commitment to quality that earns a suburban restaurant its destination reputation across North County San Diego.
Quick Facts
Restaurant: Spirito’s Italian Diner
City: Carlsbad, California
Cuisine: Italian / Pasta
DDD Season: 17
DDD Episode: 12
Episode Title: From the Heart
Original Air Date: August 12, 2013
Address: 2508 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Phone: 760-720-7111
Website: https://spiritositaliandiner.com
Status: Open
What to Eat
The House-Made Pasta in rotating preparations with slow-simmered sauces is the centerpiece that earns Spirito’s its North County reputation. The Lasagna Bolognese with house-made pasta sheets, slow-braised meat ragu, and béchamel is the classic that most regulars consider the best thing on the menu. The Chicken Parmigiana with house marinara and melted mozzarella is the Italian-American classic done with the quality of a scratch kitchen. The Tiramisu made in house and properly assembled is the dessert that closes every proper Spirito’s meal. Find a San Diego area hotel on Travelocity.
Plan Your Visit
Check the website for current hours.
Address: 2508 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Phone: 760-720-7111
Website: https://spiritositaliandiner.com
Status: Open
Triple D Essentials
Stream the From the Heart episode on Amazon and bring Italian cooking home with Guy Fieri Cookware.
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Spirito’s Italian Diner appeared in Season 17, Episode 12 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “From the Heart,” originally aired August 12, 2013.