Stella’s Restaurant

Stella’s Restaurant is a family-owned New York-style Italian restaurant, deli, and live music venue located at 6015 82nd Street, Suite #1, in Southwest Lubbock, Texas. Tracing its culinary lineage to 1973, when matriarch Stella Rizzo opened her original Italian deli on Airmont Road in Suffern, New York, the Lubbock establishment was brought to West Texas by her son, managing partner Billy Rizzo, alongside managing partner William Harper. Today, travelers and locals visit Stella’s Restaurant for scratch-made pasta, hand-tossed New York-style pizzas, hand-cut steaks, an on-site Italian market deli, and weekend jazz brunches.

What to Expect at Stella’s Restaurant

The dining experience at Stella’s bridges the gap between an upscale Manhattan neighborhood trattoria and a relaxed West Texas social hub. Inside, the venue is divided into distinct zones: a welcoming main dining room suited for family gatherings and date nights, an energetic front bar that hosts live acoustic and jazz performers, an authentic Italian delicatessen counter, and The Copper Room, a dedicated private event space. The kitchen emphasizes house-made execution, rolling fresh pasta daily, simmering marinara and Alfredo sauces from family recipes, and baking crisp, foldable New York-style pies.

Menus shift throughout the day to match diner schedules. Midday guests take advantage of the “Lunch in a NY Minute” express offerings, piled-high deli sandwiches under the Stacked concept, and seasonal Prime Rib lunch specials. Evening service expands into full-scale Italian-American classics—such as chicken parmigiana, lasagna, fettuccine Alfredo, fresh seafood, and hand-cut steaks—paired with an extensive wine list and seasonal craft cocktails. On Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, the restaurant transitions into a popular weekend brunch destination, supplemented by $3, $4, and $5 afternoon happy hour specials from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

• House-Made Pasta & New York Pizza: Freshly extruded and rolled pastas alongside thin-crust New York-style pizzas rooted in Stella Rizzo’s 1973 Suffern, New York recipes.
• Weekend Brunch & Live Jazz: Saturday and Sunday brunch service from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, highlighted by scheduled Jazz Brunch performances in the front bar from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM.
• Lunch in a NY Minute & Deli Counter: Fast-casual weekday lunch selections, Italian cured meats, artisan cheeses, fresh breads, and takeaway family packs for easy dining.
• Hand-Cut Steaks & Chef’s Dinner Features: Rotating evening specials combining West Texas beef cuts and fresh fish with traditional Italian preparations and wine pairings.
• The Copper Room & Catering Services: Dedicated on-site private dining and full-service mobile catering for Lubbock corporate gatherings, rehearsal dinners, and holiday feasts.

Stella’s Restaurant at a Glance

Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings

Stella’s Restaurant sits just east of Frankford Avenue on 82nd Street in Southwest Lubbock, roughly a 15-minute drive from Texas Tech University and downtown Lubbock via Marsha Sharp Freeway (US-62/82) and Loop 289. A spacious, free surface parking lot directly in front of Suite #1 makes arrival by car straightforward. While weekday lunches are designed for quick turnaround, Friday and Saturday evenings as well as Sunday brunch draw steady crowds; diners should book tables in advance through the official reservation portal. The restaurant features a step-free ground-level entrance, wide aisles between booths and tables in the main dining room, and ADA-compliant restrooms, ensuring comfortable navigation for wheelchairs and strollers.

Because the 82nd Street and Milwaukee/Frankford corridor is one of Lubbock’s primary retail and entertainment districts, pairing a meal at Stella’s with nearby attractions is simple. Canyon West shopping center along Milwaukee Avenue is less than five minutes away by car, offering major retail stores and movie theaters. Families and outdoor walkers can head five minutes north to Huneke Park or drive ten minutes east to the Lubbock Arboretum and Clapp Park. Wine enthusiasts exploring the Texas High Plains AVA can also pair dinner at Stella’s with an afternoon tasting at nearby McPherson Cellars or English Newsom Cellars.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the operating hours and brunch times at Stella’s Restaurant?

Stella’s Restaurant is open Monday through Thursday from 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM, Friday from 11:00 AM to 10:30 PM, Saturday from 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM, and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM. Weekend brunch is served every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, followed by a weekend happy hour from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Do I need a reservation to dine at Stella’s in Lubbock?

Walk-ins are welcome for weekday lunches, deli counter orders, and afternoon happy hours in the front bar. However, reservations are strongly recommended for Friday and Saturday dinner service, holiday menus, and Sunday Jazz Brunch dates, and can be made online or by calling (806) 785-9299.

How much time should I budget for a meal at Stella’s Restaurant?

Guests ordering from the “Lunch in a NY Minute” menu or picking up deli items typically spend 45 to 60 minutes. For a full multi-course Italian dinner, wine pairing, or weekend live music brunch, plan on 1.5 to 2 hours.

Is Stella’s Restaurant family-friendly and wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Stella’s welcomes families with a dedicated Kid’s Menu, shareable New York-style pizzas, and takeaway Family Packs. The single-story suite offers step-free access from the front parking lot, accessible table seating, and smart-casual attire norms suitable for both families and date nights.

When planning your Lubbock travel guide or comparing verified restaurants and event venue in Lubbock, pair this stop with standout local spots including Embassy Suites by Hilton Lubbock, Cotton Court Hotel, La Sirena, and The Funky Door Bistro & Wine Room (1.7 km away).