Salvatore's Restaurant

Salvatore’s Restaurant is a family-owned Italian restaurant in Independence, MO operating since 1991, born from the same Garozzo family lineage responsible for Kansas City’s landmark downtown Garozzo’s Ristorante — opened originally as Garozzo’s Due and renamed Salvatore’s in 2003 in honor of the Garozzo son who became its owner.¹

Description

Salvatore’s Restaurant carries forward one of Kansas City’s most celebrated Italian restaurant legacies to the eastern Jackson County suburbs. The restaurant at 12801 E. US-40 has operated continuously since 1991 — over 35 years — serving Sicilian-inspired Italian-American cuisine rooted in recipes associated with the Garozzo name. The dining room retains an unpretentious, deeply familiar character: checkered vinyl tablecloths, string lights, and artificial plants create an atmosphere The Pitch KC described simply as “classic.”²

The menu centers on the Garozzo family’s signature dishes. Chicken spiedini — the dish that made Michael Garozzo’s downtown restaurant a Kansas City institution — remains a centerpiece here, served on angel hair pasta with olive oil, garlic, fresh spinach, basil, crushed tomatoes, and Romano cheese, with multiple preparations available.³ The broader menu includes veal parmigiano, chicken marsala, stuffed artichokes, rigatoni, lasagna in red sauce, beef tenderloin, and cannoli.⁴ The restaurant serves dinner only, Tuesday through Saturday, and offers catering for corporate luncheons, wedding receptions, and holiday gatherings.⁴

Unlike its downtown Garozzo’s counterpart, Salvatore’s operates as a neighborhood anchor rather than a destination restaurant — a place where Independence and eastern Jackson County residents have gathered for Italian dinners across three-plus decades. Its continuity on the US-40 corridor, just east of the stadiums, gives it a parallel role to V’s Italiano a few miles to the west: a multigenerational Italian-American restaurant on a highway that has been KC’s eastern spine since the mid-twentieth century.

Ownership and history

Origins — Michael Garozzo and Alfio “Fred” Garozzo (1991): The restaurant was founded in 1991 as Garozzo’s Due by Michael Garozzo and his uncle Alfio “Fred” Garozzo.¹⁵ Michael Garozzo had opened the original downtown Kansas City Garozzo’s Ristorante two years earlier, in 1989, in the historic Columbus Park Italian neighborhood. Alfio “Fred” Garozzo — whose name echoes Michael’s grandfather Alfio, mentioned in the Garozzo’s family history — co-founded the Independence location as a suburban complement to the downtown flagship.⁵ The restaurant traded under the Garozzo name and served the same core menu.

Transition to Salvatore’s (2003): After Fred Garozzo’s retirement, his son Salvatore — known as “Sam” — took over as general manager. Sam and his wife Becky eventually assumed full ownership and renamed the restaurant Salvatore’s in 2003, honoring both Sam’s given name (Salvatore) and the Italian heritage the name carries.¹² The Garozzo’s Due Yelp listing confirms the original restaurant at this address is now permanently listed under the Salvatore’s name.⁶

Current operators — Sam and Becky Garozzo: Sam (Salvatore) Garozzo and his wife Becky operate the restaurant today. The restaurant’s own marketing frames it as “a family legacy of Italian hospitality” with over 35 years of service to Jackson County families.⁴ The connection to Michael Garozzo’s downtown operation is a matter of family record, though Salvatore’s and the main Garozzo’s chain operate independently.

The Garozzo connection clarified: Michael Garozzo’s father was named Salvatore and his uncle was named Alfio — the same Alfio “Fred” who co-founded this Independence location.⁵ That makes Sam (Salvatore) Garozzo, son of Fred/Alfio, Michael’s cousin. The restaurant name “Salvatore’s” thus carries double significance: Sam’s given name and his grandfather Salvatore’s name (Michael’s father). This is a genuine KC Italian restaurant dynasty with the Independence location as a direct branch of the original Garozzo’s family enterprise.

Menu

Last verified: 2026-07-24 · Source: official site (dinner menu page) · URL(s): https://salvatores.us/dinner-menu · Confidence: High (full dinner menu captured with prices; the online dinner menu lists no dessert section — cannoli attested in press coverage²; a separate catering menu also exists on the official site)

Sicilian-inspired Italian-American. Dinner only — Tuesday–Saturday. All entrees served with choice of house salad, Caesar salad, or soup of the day.³

Antipasta (starters)

• Italian Butter — olive oil, fresh garlic, basil, Italian spices, and Romano cheese — $5³
• Seafood Stuffed Mushrooms — fresh mushroom caps filled with shrimp and clam stuffing, covered in a light cream sauce — $11³
• Gambretti Gaetano — breaded and grilled shrimp in spicy tomato diablo sauce — $10³
• Calamari Fritti — calamari dusted with seasoned flour and deep-fried to a golden crisp — $11³
• Mozzarella Fritti — mozzarella cheese sticks, breaded and deep-fried — $11³
• Melanzane Fritti — eggplant, breaded and deep-fried — $11³
• Ravioli Fritti — cheese- or meat-filled, breaded and fried, served with house red sauce — $10³
• Stuffed Artichoke — baked whole artichoke stuffed with modiga-seasoned bread crumbs and garlic butter sauce — $10 (add shrimp $11; “Alla Sicilliano” with prosciutto ham, shrimp, and melted Provel cheese $15)³
• Toasted Garlic Bread — $4³
• Toasted Garlic Bread with Cheese — $5³

Insalata (salads)

• Insalata Casa — iceberg and romaine lettuce, pimentos, artichoke hearts, red onion, Parmigiano cheese in house Italian red wine vinaigrette and olive oil — $6³
• Insalata Caesar — romaine lettuce, Parmigiano cheese with Caesar dressing and croutons — $6³
• Insalata Lombardo — tomato wedges, fresh garlic, basil, and red onions in house Italian dressing — $8³
• Olive Schiacciare — large Italian olives, carrots, and celery marinated in house Italian olive oil — $8³

Specialita della Casa

• Melanzane Parmigiano — fried breaded eggplant topped with sugo and melted Provel cheese — $17³
• Tour of Italy — Italian sampler: lasagna, cannelloni, manicotti, and spiedini chicken breast chunks on fettuccine with creamy Alfredo sauce and artichoke hearts — $22³

Vitello (veal)

• Garozzo — lightly breaded veal sautéed in butter, lemon, fresh mushrooms, capers, and black olives — $23³
• Carciofo — sautéed veal with wine, butter, lemon, and artichoke hearts — $22³
• Marsala — veal sautéed in Marsala wine with green peppers and mushrooms — $23³
• Parmigiano — veal breaded and sautéed, topped with sugo and Provel cheese, then baked — $23³
• Marion — veal breaded and sautéed, topped with Alfredo sauce and artichoke hearts — $23³

Bistecca (beef)

• Bistecca Sinatra — sliced beef tenderloin stuffed with Gorgonzola cheese and char-broiled, topped with red wine reduction sauce and fresh mushrooms over sautéed spinach — $27³
• Bistecca Michael — sliced beef tenderloin, char-broiled, topped with prawns in white wine lemon butter sauce with capers, basil, prosciutto ham, and fresh mushrooms — $27³
• Bistecca Salvatore — sliced beef tenderloin, breaded, char-broiled, and served in Amogio (olive oil, lemon, basil, and garlic marinade) — $22 (add Gorgonzola crumbles $2)³
• Bistecca Modiga — sliced beef tenderloin, breaded, char-broiled, topped with melted Provel cheese in white wine, lemon, and butter sauce with fresh mushrooms — $26³
• Bistecca Marsala — sliced beef tenderloin served in Marsala wine sauce with green peppers and fresh mushrooms — $26³
• Spiedini Pereira — chunks of marinated beef tenderloin, lightly breaded, skewered, char-broiled, and served in Amogio — $24³

Pollo (chicken)

• Pollo Salerno — grilled boneless chicken breast topped with melted Provel cheese in white wine, lemon, and butter sauce with fresh broccoli and mushrooms — $20³
• Pollo Amogio — boneless breast of chicken, marinated and char-broiled, served in Amogio — $18³
• Pollo Marsala — grilled boneless chicken breast in Marsala wine sauce with green peppers and mushrooms — $20³
• Pollo Parmigiano — boneless breast of chicken, marinated, breaded, and fried, topped with Provel cheese and sugo house red sauce, then baked — $20³
• Pollo Saltimbocca — boneless chicken breast topped with slices of prosciutto ham and melted Provel cheese in a light beef stock reduction sauce with a hint of lemon — $21³

Our Famous Chicken Spiedinis

• Garozzo — chunks of chicken breast, marinated, breaded, skewered, and char-broiled, served in Amogio — $20³
• Samantha — chicken spiedini topped with artichoke hearts in Alfredo sauce over fettuccine — $21³
• Gabriella — chicken spiedini served in diablo sauce (spicy garlic red sauce) — $20³
• Giovanni — chicken spiedini sautéed in butter, lemon, fresh mushrooms, capers, and black olives — $21³
• D’Angelo — chicken spiedini on angel hair pasta covered in olive oil, garlic, fresh spinach, basil, and crushed tomatoes, topped with grated Romano cheese — $22³
• Atkins — chicken spiedini topped with Alfredo sauce, prosciutto ham, and artichoke hearts — $22³
• Pesto alla Pesca — chicken spiedini on angel hair pasta in pesto cream sauce with fresh spinach and diced tomatoes — $22³

Pesce (seafood)

• Gambretti Angelina — jumbo prawns, breaded and char-broiled, in white wine, lemon, butter sauce with fresh mushrooms and broccoli — $25³
• Gambretti Isabella — jumbo prawns, breaded and char-broiled, in light garlic cream béchamel sauce with diced tomatoes and fresh spinach over linguini — $25³
• Scampi Evola — jumbo prawns, breaded and char-broiled, in white wine, butter, lemon, and garlic sauce on linguine — $25³
• Salmon alla Piccata — fresh salmon, lightly breaded and char-broiled, topped with spinach, mushrooms, and capers, over linguini with lemon butter sauce — $24³
• Tilapia alla Fresca — fresh tilapia, lightly breaded then char-broiled, in olive oil, lemon, and caper sauce with diced tomatoes, celery, onions, and oranges; served with linguine in olive oil and garlic — $24³

Pasta

• Gnocchi alla Pesto — homemade gnocchi in pesto cream sauce with grilled Italian sausage — $19³
• Gnocchi Pasquina Formaggio Tre — homemade gnocchi in red sugo sauce blended with three cheeses — $17³
• Rigatoni Angela — sautéed beef tenderloin tips, green peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, and garlic in light Marsala wine sauce over rigatoni, topped with Romano cheese — $20³
• Tortellini Gina — pasta stuffed with chicken, cheese, and prosciutto ham, served in Alfredo sauce with mushrooms and peas — $20³
• Three Way Pasta — ravioli, spaghetti, and mostaccioli topped with meat sauce, meatball, or Italian sausage and melted Provel cheese — $19³
• Capelli d’Angelo — angel hair pasta in crushed tomato, garlic, fresh basil, and olive oil sauce, topped with Romano cheese — $18³
• Cannelloni — tubular egg pasta stuffed with veal and beef, served in Canzoneri tomato cream sauce — $17³
• Mannicotti — tubular egg pasta stuffed with ricotta cheese, served in Canzoneri tomato cream sauce — $17³
• The Hill Special — choice of spaghetti, mostaccioli, or cavatelli in house red sugo sauce — $15 (with meat sauce, meatball, or sausage $3 more)³
• Ravioli — meat- or cheese-filled ravioli in house red sugo sauce — $16 (with meat sauce, meatball, or sausage $3 more)³
• Linguini alla Frutti di Mare — clams, shrimp, scallops, fresh tomatoes, and mushrooms in light garlic cream béchamel sauce — $22³
• Linguini con Vongole Bianco — linguine in white cream sauce with clams — $17³
• Lasagna — layered pasta, ricotta cheese, meatballs, Italian sausage, topped with Provel cheese and sugo red sauce — $16³
• Fettuccini Alfio — fettuccine with cream, butter, and Parmigiano cheese — $16³
• Grilled Chicken Fettuccini Alfio — fettuccine with Alfredo sauce topped with grilled chicken — $17³
• Shrimp Fettuccine Alfio — fettuccine with shrimp topped with Alfredo sauce — $19³
• Rigatoni Canzoneri — rigatoni in tomato cream sauce with peas, mushrooms, and prosciutto ham — $20³
• Cavatelli Catania — cavatelli in fresh tomato sauce with sautéed red onions, garlic, and fresh mushrooms, sprinkled with Romano cheese — $17³
• Mostaccioli Prima Vera — pasta in light garlic cream béchamel sauce with fresh tomatoes, peas, zucchini, squash, and broccoli — $17³
• Mostaccioli Victoria — tomato cream sauce with fresh tomato, capers, fresh basil, and prosciutto ham, topped with black pepper and Romano cheese — $16³

Dessert

• Cannoli — attested in press coverage; not listed on the current online dinner menu —²

Full dinner menu: salvatores.us/dinner-menu · Catering menu also available on the official site.

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Links

• Official website: https://salvatores.us/
• Secondary website: https://salvatores-restaurant.com/

Sources

• Status verified active 2026-06-23 via Yelp — Salvatore’s Restaurant, Independence (accessed 2026-06-23). Yelp listing updated March 2026 (241 reviews); active dinner service Tue–Sat; address 12801 E US Hwy 40, Independence, MO confirmed; corroborated by City of Independence visitors directory.

Disputes

The prompt brief suggested the name might be “Salvatore’s Ristorante Italiano” — current operating materials use “Salvatore’s Restaurant” and “Salvatore’s Italian Restaurant.” The formal Italian subtitle does not appear on current menus or signage. The exact generational relationship between Michael Garozzo (downtown KC) and Alfio “Fred” Garozzo (Independence co-founder) is confirmed as uncle/nephew via Garozzo’s own published history, making Sam Garozzo Michael’s first cousin. This is a tighter and more direct family connection than “lineage” alone implies — it is the same immediate Garozzo family, one generation down from the original co-founder.

Footnotes

1. https://salvatores.us/ — Salvatore’s official website. Asserts: Opened 1991 as Garozzo’s Due by Michael Garozzo and Alfio “Fred” Garozzo; Fred retired; son Salvatore “Sam” became GM; Sam and Becky took ownership; renamed Salvatore’s in 2003. ↩ ↩² ↩³

2. https://www.thepitchkc.com/independence-mo-places-to-eat-2019/ — The Pitch KC (2019). Asserts: “named after the son of Alfio ‘Fred’ Garozzo, cofounder of Garozzo’s”; originally called Garozzo’s Due; checkered tablecloths, string lights, artificial plants; serves chicken spiedini, stuffed artichokes, veal parmigiano, chicken marsala. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

3. https://salvatores.us/dinner-menu — Salvatore’s official dinner menu (accessed 2026-07-24). Asserts: full itemized dinner menu with prices — Antipasta, Insalata, Specialita della Casa, Vitello, Bistecca, Pollo, chicken spiedini variations (Garozzo, Samantha, Gabriella, Giovanni, D’Angelo, Atkins, Pesto alla Pesca), Pesce, and Pasta sections; entrees served with salad or soup; no dessert section on the online menu. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵ ↩¹⁶ ↩¹⁷ ↩¹⁸ ↩¹⁹ ↩²⁰ ↩²¹ ↩²² ↩²³ ↩²⁴ ↩²⁵ ↩²⁶ ↩²⁷ ↩²⁸ ↩²⁹ ↩³⁰ ↩³¹ ↩³² ↩³³ ↩³⁴ ↩³⁵ ↩³⁶ ↩³⁷ ↩³⁸ ↩³⁹ ↩⁴⁰ ↩⁴¹ ↩⁴² ↩⁴³ ↩⁴⁴ ↩⁴⁵ ↩⁴⁶ ↩⁴⁷ ↩⁴⁸ ↩⁴⁹ ↩⁵⁰ ↩⁵¹ ↩⁵² ↩⁵³ ↩⁵⁴ ↩⁵⁵ ↩⁵⁶ ↩⁵⁷ ↩⁵⁸ ↩⁵⁹ ↩⁶⁰ ↩⁶¹ ↩⁶² ↩⁶³ ↩⁶⁴ ↩⁶⁵ ↩⁶⁶

4. https://salvatores-restaurant.com/ — Salvatore’s secondary website. Asserts: 12801 E US Highway 40; “family legacy of Italian hospitality”; Tue–Thu 4pm–8:30pm, Fri–Sat 4pm–9pm; phone (816) 737-2400; active reservations and catering. ↩ ↩² ↩³

5. https://www.garozzos.com/history/ — Garozzo’s Ristorante official history. Asserts: Michael Garozzo’s father was Salvatore; his uncle was Alfio — both waiters who encouraged Michael; Michael opened first Garozzo’s 1989 in Columbus Park/North End KC. ↩ ↩² ↩³

6. https://www.yelp.com/biz/garozzos-ristorante-due-independence — Yelp (Garozzo’s Ristorante Due — CLOSED listing). Asserts: Former name of the same address (12801 E US Highway 40) before renaming to Salvatore’s. ↩