This profile is in active compilation — some details are awaiting a cited source.
Cupini’s is a family-owned Italian deli, pasta shop, and restaurant in Westport, Kansas City, founded in 2003 by Eddie Cupini and his father, Rome-trained chef Franco Cupini, known for house-made fresh pasta visible from its storefront window.
Description
Cupini’s is an Italian deli, fresh-pasta shop, and sit-down restaurant on Westport Road in Kansas City’s Westport/Midtown area. The operation is built around house-made pasta — a pasta machine sits in the front window, and the restaurant’s tagline emphasizes “#tuttofresco” (everything’s fresh) and a passion for “pasta, and Italia.”
In addition to its made-from-scratch pasta and signature lasagna, Cupini’s operates as a deli and Italian-products catering business, selling imported and house-made Italian goods alongside sandwiches and prepared dishes. The restaurant has earned national exposure, including a feature on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (the “Pork, Pasta, and Barbecue” episode, aired December 2, 2013), where its lasagna was singled out, as well as mentions in USA Today and a Zagat rating.
Local and student-press reviews (Spoon University, The Hilltop Monitor) consistently describe Cupini’s as one of Kansas City’s most underrated authentic Italian spots, anchored by the fresh-pasta program.
Ownership and history
Cupini’s was opened in April 2003 by Eddie Cupini together with his father, Franco Cupini. Franco’s background is well documented: after studying industrial engineering in Rome and attending hospitality/culinary training (the Culinary School of Rome), he worked on a cruise liner and at Rome’s Grand Hotel, and reportedly served in the household of former Italian President Giovanni Leone before coming to the United States.
When Eddie left the U.S. Navy, he wanted to honor and share his Italian heritage, and began distributing Italian products in Kansas City — a venture his father helped build by driving in from St. Louis weekly for production and recipe development. This grew into Cupini’s, which opened with the now-signature pasta machine in the front window, one deli case, and a few tables. Franco’s youngest son, Dino, has joined seasonally; Eddie married Nerissa, and the family includes the next generation (grandchildren Allessandro and Sofia). The business is explicitly framed by the family as a multi-generation Italian-heritage operation.
Menu
Last verified: 2026-06-02 Source: Official website + active Toasttab ordering Source URL(s): https://www.cupinis.com/menu, Toasttab (1809 Westport Rd) Confidence: High
Current menu focuses on fresh Italian deli and house-made pasta/pizza. Build-your-own options and classics like lasagna and ravioli.
Highlights
- Build-your-own pasta and 6” pizza
- Lasagna (meat and vegetable)
- Various ravioli (meat, cheese, sausage fennel)
- Italian deli items, sandwiches, desserts (cannoli noted in reviews)
Full details in 99_Archive/2026-06-02_cupinis-menu/capture.md. Good for earned tags around Italian classics if they rise to signature level for this spot.
Tier classification
Tier 1. Cupini’s is a family-owned, owner-operated Italian business with deep generational roots: founder-operators Eddie and Franco Cupini, with additional family (Dino, and a next generation) involved. More than two decades of continuous Westport tenure, no chain affiliation, and an identity built entirely around the family’s authentic Italian heritage and house-made craft. Strong Tier 1 fit on local-pride and family-operation grounds.
Links
- Website: https://www.cupinis.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cupinis/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cupinis/
- Menu / order: http://www.cupinisonline.com/
See also
- westport
- Registry
- italian-sausage-co
- il-lazzarone
- leos-pizza
Sources
- Cupini’s — official “About Us” page — https://www.cupinis.com/about-us — accessed 2026-05-30 (Cupini family, Franco’s Rome/cruise-liner background, Eddie’s Navy service, opening story, pasta-machine origin, social links)
- Our Changing Lives — “Cupini’s – Friends, Family, and Food” — https://www.ourchanginglives.com/cupinis-friends-family-and-food/ — accessed 2026-05-30 (family history, 2003 opening, fresh-pasta focus)
- Flavortown USA / Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives — https://www.flavortownusa.com/locations/685/cupinis — accessed 2026-05-30 (DDD “Pork, Pasta, and Barbecue” feature, aired Dec 2, 2013, signature lasagna)
Verification
Drafted 2026-05-30 from web research; 3 sources. Founding (April 2003) and father-son Cupini ownership confirmed across official site + independent coverage. Social links found: Instagram and Facebook confirmed via official site; separate online-ordering domain noted. No tier or address uncertainties.
Menu capture (2026-06-02): Added menu_last_verified, menu_status, menu_source_types frontmatter + earned tag (italian-pasta). Inserted standardized ## Menu section with current offerings + Toast/website sources + archive pointer (huge batch). Updated Edit History.
See also
- Registry