Italian Delight

Italian Delight is a family-owned New York– and Sicilian-style pizzeria and Italian restaurant in Kansas City, Kansas, founded in 1977 by Italian immigrant Francesco “Frank” Brunetti and now run by his family at 8145 State Avenue.

Description

Italian Delight is a family-owned Italian restaurant and pizzeria in Kansas City, Kansas, specializing in New York– and Sicilian-style pizza alongside sandwiches, calzones, pasta, garlic knots, and house bread. It is one of the longest-running independent Italian eateries in Wyandotte County, in business since 1977.¹

The restaurant is best known for its New York–style pizza slices, a reputation it built during its long original run inside the Indian Springs shopping center and carried with it to its current State Avenue home. Its branding emphasizes longevity — “Serving Kansas City for over 47 years” — and a multigenerational immigrant story it summarizes as a journey “from Italy to New York to Kansas City.”

The current location sits at 8145 State Avenue (around 82nd & State Ave) near the former Indian Springs / Westfield retail area. NOTE: the base-data record listed a different address (1401 Kansas Ave, Armourdale) and a “2000s” founding; independent and official sources place the operating restaurant at 8145 State Ave with a 1977 founding — the base-data address and date have been corrected here.

Ownership and history

Italian Delight was founded in 1977 by Francesco “Frank” Brunetti together with his friend Joe (Joseph) Avelluto. Frank Brunetti was born September 2, 1942, in Mola di Bari, Italy; he served in the Italian Navy at 18 (where he learned to cook), immigrated to Brooklyn, New York with his wife Vittoria in 1971, and ran a sandwich shop before relocating to Kansas City and opening Italian Delight.

In 1983, Brunetti and Avelluto split operations: Brunetti kept the Kansas City, Kansas restaurant (Italian Delight), while Avelluto took a Johnson County location and went on to operate other metro Italian restaurants (the Avelluto family is associated with Mission-area and Overland Park Italian eateries). Italian Delight operated for decades inside Indian Springs Mall, where its New York–style slices became a local favorite; when Indian Springs closed, the restaurant relocated (reported around 2010) west to 8145 State Avenue, “packing up their recipes” to keep the same flavors.

Frank Brunetti was widely described as “a staple in KCK and a much-loved member of the community.” He died July 20, 2024, at age 81, survived by Vittoria (his wife of 52 years) and three adult children — Rene, Daniela, and Sabrina (all of Shawnee, KS). The restaurant remains identified as Brunetti-family-owned; the exact current operator(s) among the family are not spelled out in available sources, though the family’s continued ownership is consistent across sources.

Menu

Last verified: 2026-08-26 · Source: Official Menufy online ordering (italiandelightks.com/order) · URL: https://www.italiandelightks.com/order · Confidence: High (first-party itemized menu with prices)²

Pasta plates — honest ceiling. Spaghetti/Penne variants, Chicken Parmesan, Eggplant Parmesan, Beef Lasagna, and Ravioli (Beef or Cheese) are name + price only on every first-party surface (live /order, no PDF or image menu on the site or Wayback; 2011 HTML menu and 2021 /order capture are the same). Operator copy for the section is only “Served with side of bread” plus the order-size notes already on a few items. Dish descriptions have not been invented from the names.

MERCHANDISE

• T-Shirt — Shirts. Please specify size and color. Small color options, grey, black, blue Med-XXXL Black, Blue ($20.00)

MONDAY LUNCH SPECIAL

Available daily until 2 p.m.

• Any Sandwich Special ($9.25+)

TUESDAY LUNCH SPECIAL

Available daily until 2 p.m.

• Any Spaghetti ($9.45+)

WEDNESDAY LUNCH SPECIAL

Available daily until 2 p.m.

• Broccoli Caserole ($9.45+)

THURSDAY LUNCH SPECIAL

Available daily until 2 p.m.

• Chicken or Veal Parmesan ($9.45+)

FRESH SALADS

• Dinner Salad — Lettuce, tomato, and onion. Served with choice of dressing. ($4.19+)
• Chef Salad — Lettuce, tomato, black olives, mushrooms, onion, four Italian deli meats, and mozzarella cheese. Served with choice of dressing. ($11.55+)
• Antipasta — Includes a scoop of health salad, olive salad, and mushroom salad. Served on lettuce, topped with onion, chopped salami, and mozzarella. ($11.55+)
• Health Salad Scoop (8 oz.) — Cucumber & tomato, marinated in Italian dressing. ($4.49+)
• Mushroom Salad Scoop (8 oz.) — Mushrooms & celery, marinated in Italian dressing. ($4.49+)
• Olive Salad Scoop (8 oz.) — Green olives & celery, marinated in Italian dressing. ($4.49+)
• Macaroni Salad Scoop (8 oz.) — Macaroni, diced veggies, and cheddar cheese, with a sour cream based dressing. ($4.49+)
• Italian Classic — Lettuce, tomato, onion, pepperoni, black olives, mozzarella cheese, and ranch or Italian dressing. ($7.45+)
• The Quad — A 32oz. container of your choice of Health, Mushroom, Olive, or Macaroni Salad. ($17.85+)

NEW YORK STYLE PIZZA

Made with a thin crust.

• BYO New York Style Pizza (4+ Toppings) — Includes mozzarella cheese and four or more toppings, with a thin crust. ($26.39+)
• NY Style Pizza (3 Toppings) — Includes mozzarella cheese and three toppings, with a thin crust. Don’t forget to select your toppings! ($24.39+)
• NY Style Pizza (2 Toppings) — Includes mozzarella cheese and two toppings, with a thin crust. Don’t forget to select your toppings! ($22.39+)
• NY Style Pizza (1 Topping) — Includes mozzarella cheese and one topping, with a thin crust. Don’t forget to select your topping! ($20.39+)
• NY Style Cheese Pizza — Includes mozzarella cheese, with a thin crust. ($18.39+)
• NY Style Delight Pizza — Includes mozzarella cheese, Canadian bacon, pepperoni, sausage, hamburger, onions, green peppers, mushrooms and black olives with a thin crust. ($25.50+)
• Take & Bake Pizza ($19.75+)

SICILIAN STYLE PIZZA THICK CRUST

Made with a thick crust.

• BYO Sicilian Pizza (4+ Toppings) — Includes mozzarella cheese and four or more toppings, with a thick crust. ($31.15+)
• Sicilian Pizza (3 Toppings) — Includes mozzarella cheese and three toppings, with a thick crust. ($29.15+)
• Sicilian Pizza (2 Toppings) — Includes mozzarella cheese and two toppings, with a thick crust. ($27.15+)
• Sicilian Pizza (1 Topping) — Includes mozzarella cheese and one topping, with a thick crust. ($25.15+)
• Sicilian Cheese Pizza — Includes mozzarella cheese, with a thick crust. ($23.15+)
• Sicilian Delight Pizza — Includes mozzarella cheese, Canadian bacon, pepperoni, sausage, hamburger, onions, green peppers, mushrooms and black olives with a thick crust. ($31.15+)

GLUTEN-FRIENDLY PIZZA

• BYO Gluten-Friendly Pizza (4+ Toppings) — Includes mozzarella cheese and four or more toppings, with a thin crust. Don’t forget to select your toppings! ($15.61+)
• Gluten-Friendly Pizza (3 Toppings) — Includes mozzarella cheese and three toppings, with a thin crust. Don’t forget to select your toppings! ($14.62+)
• Gluten-Friendly Pizza (2 Toppings) — Includes mozzarella cheese and two toppings, with a thin crust. Don’t forget to select your toppings! ($13.63+)
• Gluten-Friendly Pizza (1 Topping) — Includes mozzarella cheese and one topping, with a thin crust. Don’t forget to select your topping! ($12.64+)
• Gluten-Friendly Cheese Pizza — Includes mozzarella cheese, with a thin crust. ($11.65+)
• Gluten-Free Delight Pizza — Includes mozzarella cheese, Canadian bacon, pepperoni, sausage, hamburger, onions, green peppers, mushrooms and black olives with a thin crust. ($15.61+)

PIZZA BY THE SLICE

• BYO Pizza Slice (4+ Toppings) — Includes mozzarella cheese, and four or more toppings. ($6.45+)
• Pizza Slice (3 Toppings) — Includes mozzarella cheese, and three toppings. ($5.70+)
• Pizza Slice (2 Toppings) — Includes mozzarella cheese, and two toppings. ($4.95+)
• Pizza Slice (1 Topping) — Includes mozzarella cheese, and one topping. ($4.20+)
• Cheese Pizza Slice — Includes mozzarella cheese. ($3.45+)
• Delight Pizza Slice — Includes mozzarella cheese, Canadian bacon, pepperoni, sausage, hamburger, onions, mushrooms and black olives. ($6.20+)

PLATES

Served with side of bread.

• Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce ($6.30+)
• Spaghetti with Meatballs ($9.19+)
• Spaghetti with Meat Sauce ($7.89+)
• Spaghetti with Sausage ($7.89+)
• Spaghetti with Sausage & Peppers ($9.45+)
• Spaghetti Veal — Available in full orders only. ($11.29+)
• Spaghetti with Alfredo ($7.69+)
• Spaghetti with Chicken Alfredo ($9.45+)
• Penne with Tomato Sauce ($6.30+)
• Penne with Meatballs ($9.19+)
• Penne with Meat Sauce ($7.89+)
• Penne with Sausage ($7.89+)
• Penne with Sausage & Peppers ($9.45+)
• Penne Veal — Available in full orders only. ($11.29+)
• Penne with Alfredo ($7.69+)
• Penne with Chicken Alfredo ($9.45+)
• Chicken Parmesan — Available in full orders only. ($11.29+)
• Eggplant Parmesan — Available in full orders only. Served with or without spaghetti. ($10.99+)
• Beef Lasagna — Available in full orders only. ($9.99+)
• Ravioli (Beef or Cheese) ($7.25+)

HOT SANDWICHES

• Meatball Sandwich — Meatballs, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan, baked hot. ($10.79+)
• Sausage Sandwich — Italian sausage cut links with mozzarella cheese, baked hot. ($10.79+)
• Sausage & Pepper Sandwich — Italian sausage cut links, mixed sweet peppers, and mozzarella cheese, baked hot. ($11.55+)
• Chicken Parmesan Sandwich — Includes mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce, served hot. ($10.79+)
• Veal Parmesan Sandwich — Veal patty, mozzarella cheese, and tomato sauce, served hot. ($10.79+)
• Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich — Battered and fried eggplant with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese, served hot. ($11.55+)
• Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich — Sirloin meat, onions, peppers, and mozzarella cheese, with ranch. ($11.55+)
• Italian Steak Sandwich — Sirloin meat, marinated onions, tomato sauce, oregano, and mozzarella cheese. ($11.55+)

COLD SUB SANDWICHES

• Combo Sandwich — Ham, salami, and capocollo with lettuce, mozzarella, tomato, onion, and Italian dressing. ($10.39+)
• Ham Sandwich — Ham, lettuce, mozzarella, tomato, onion, and Italian dressing. ($10.39+)
• Salami Sandwich — Salami, lettuce, mozzarella, tomato, onion, and Italian dressing. ($10.39+)
• Capocollo Sandwich — Capocollo, lettuce, mozzarella, tomato, onion, and Italian dressing. ($10.39+)

FAVORITES

Served with sauce.

• Stromboli — Stuffed with sausage, pepperoni, very little mushrooms, and mozzarella cheese. (Only add additional toppings allowed, included toppings may not be removed.) All Stromboli’s are made with mushrooms and we are unable to remove them. ($7.35+)
• Calzone — Stuffed with ham, ricotta cheese, and mozzarella cheese. (Only add additional toppings allowed, included toppings may not be removed.) ($7.35+)
• Sausage Roll — Bread roll, with link Italian sausage and marinated onions. ($4.19)
• Prosciutto Ball — Ham, potatoes, and three types of cheese, rolled up and deep fried. ($2.39)
• Pepperoni Roll (1) — Small roll, stuffed with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni. ($4.19)

DESSERTS

• Tiramisu — Lady finger cookies dipped in espresso coffee topped with mascarpone sweet cheese and cocoa. ($4.49)
• Plain Cheesecake ($4.19)
• Brownie Cheesecake ($4.29)
• Strawberry Cheesecake🍓 ($4.29)
• Chocolate Cake🍫 ($4.29)
• Carrot Cake🥕 — Moist carrot cake layers with a hint of spice, enveloped in a creamy frosting. Iced with nuts. ($4.95)
• Cannoli — Sweetened ricotta cheese stuffed into a hollow pastry shell. Regular or chocolate. ($3.15+)
• Cookie ($1.50)

WHOLE DESSERTS

• Strawberry cheesecake — A crown of Glazed Sliced Strawberries, ringed with creamy Whipped Topping, atop New York Cheesecake. Single slice shown. Whole cake is 12 pre-cut slices. ($41.44)

EXTRAS

• Garlic Bread ($1.59)
• Cheese Garlic Bread ($2.09)
• Garlic Knots — Single knot or an order of 3 with a cup of sauce. ($1.05+)
• Extra Cup of Tomato Sauce ($0.75)
• Extra Cup of Alfredo Sauce ($2.00)
• Side of Ranch ($0.50)
• Side Meatball — One per order. ($1.65)
• Side Link Sausage — One link per order. ($0.85)

BEVERAGES

• Fountain Drink (20 oz.) — Self serve upon arrival. ($2.60)
• Fountain Drink (32 oz.) — Self serve upon arrival. ($2.90)
• Kid’s Cup ($1.49)

BOTTLED BEVERAGES

• Bottled Water ($1.99)
• Gatorade ($2.39)
• Pepsi (20 oz.) ($2.60)
• Diet Pepsi (20 oz.) ($2.60)
• Dr. Pepper (20 oz.) ($2.60)
• Pepsi (2-Liter) ($3.69)

CATERING MENU

All items in this category must be ordered at least 24 hours in advance. Must be ordered 24 hours in advance, or call (913) 287-4323.

• Plates and plasticware — Please indicate in the Special Instructions box the quantity of Plates you need. Serving utensils may be added at no additional cost. ($10.00)
• Beef Lasagna — Click here for additional information and sizes. ($69.95+)
• Spinach Lasagna — Click here for additional information and sizes. ($69.95+)
• Broccoli Casserole — Noodles and broccoli sauteed in oil with fresh garlic and Parmesan cheese. ($69.95+)
• Penne — With Chicken Alfredo, Meatballs, Italian Sausage, or Meat Sauce ($69.95+)
• Spaghetti Noodles — With Chicken Alfredo, Meatballs, Italian Sausage, or Meat Sauce ($69.95+)
• Pasta with Tomato Sauce — Choice of penne or spaghetti noodles. ($59.95+)
• Pasta with Alfredo Sauce — Choice of penne or spaghetti noodles. ($69.95+)
• Dinner Salad — Lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and side of Italian dressing. ($24.99+)
• Health Salad — Cucumbers and tomatoes marinated in Italian dressing. ($29.99+)

Links

• Website: https://www.italiandelightks.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italiandelightkansascity/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/italiandelightkck/

See also

• kansas-city-kansas
• indian-springs-mall
• wyandotte-county
• garozzos-ristorante
• Registry

Sources

1. Italian Delight — official website (8145 State Ave; (913) 287-4323; “Serving Kansas City for over 47 years”; NY/Sicilian pizza, calzones, pasta) — https://www.italiandelightks.com/ — accessed 2026-05-30
2. Johnson County Post — “Francesco Brunetti” obituary feature (born 1942 Mola di Bari, Italian Navy, Brooklyn 1971, 1977 founding with Joe Avelluto, KCK staple, died July 20 2024, survived by Vittoria + Rene/Daniela/Sabrina) — https://johnsoncountypost.com/2024/07/23/francesco-brunetti-238320/ — accessed 2026-05-30
3. Johnson County Post — “Beloved Italian eatery prepares for official comeback in Mission” (1977 founding by Avelluto + Brunetti; 1983 split with Brunetti keeping the KCK location) — https://johnsoncountypost.com/2024/05/07/avellutos-mission-open-233302/ — accessed 2026-05-30
4. Our Changing Life — “Italian Delight: A Kansas City Favorite That Stands the Test of Time” (Indian Springs origin, ~2010 move to 8145 State Ave, NY-style slices) — https://www.ourchanginglives.com/italian-delight-a-kansas-city-favorite-that-stands-the-test-of-time/ — accessed 2026-05-30
5. Amos Family Funeral Home — Francesco Brunetti obituary — https://www.amosfamily.com/obituaries/francesco-brunetti — accessed 2026-05-30
6. Italian Delight — official website (live; Mon–Sat 11am–8pm, Sun closed; 8145 State Ave; (913) 287-4323; online ordering; “Serving Kansas City for over 47 years”; no closure notice) — https://www.italiandelightks.com/ — accessed 2026-06-23
7. Yelp — Italian Delight, 8145 State Ave, Kansas City, KS (“Updated June 2026,” 167 reviews, 78 photos; no permanently-closed flag) — https://www.yelp.com/biz/italian-delight-kansas-city — accessed 2026-06-23
8. Italian Delight — official Menufy online ordering (8145 State Ave, Kansas City, KS 66112; itemized menu with prices; PLATES header “Served with side of bread”; pasta plates name+price only) — https://www.italiandelightks.com/order — accessed 2026-08-26

Verification

status re-verification 2026-06-23: confirmed ACTIVE via live official site + Yelp (“Updated June 2026,” 167 reviews); no closure/relocation/rebrand. Drafted 2026-05-30 from web research; 5 sources (official + 4 independent). CORRECTED from base data: address (1401 Kansas Ave → 8145 State Ave), founding (“2000s” → 1977), phone, and website domain (italiandelightkc.com had a TLS cert mismatch; official site is italiandelightks.com). Confirmed across sources: 1977 founding by Frank Brunetti + Joe Avelluto, 1983 split, Indian Springs origin and relocation to State Ave, Brunetti’s immigrant biography, his 2024 death, and continued family ownership. UNVERIFIED: which specific Brunetti family member(s) operate the restaurant today (); whether a 1401 Kansas Ave/Armourdale location ever existed separately (base data may have conflated a different business).

Footnotes

1. Italian Delight — official website — accessed 2026-07-17. Asserts: New York– and Sicilian-style pizza; calzones, pasta, sandwiches, garlic knots, house bread; “Serving Kansas City for over 47 years”; 8145 State Ave, KCK. ↩

2. Italian Delight — official Menufy online ordering — accessed 2026-08-26. Asserts: storefront address 8145 State Ave, Kansas City, KS 66112; first-party priced menu; PLATES “Served with side of bread”; pasta plates published as name + price (order-size notes on a few items only); lunch specials “Available daily until 2 p.m.”; no dish-build copy on Spaghetti/Penne plates, Chicken Parmesan, Eggplant Parmesan, Beef Lasagna, or Ravioli. ↩