One of the great things about moseying on over to our neck of the woods in Apache Junction is the romance of the mountain scenery and the mystery of our mountain’s history. Paladino’s Italian Eatery provides Family-friendly dining near Goldfield Ghost Town. One of Apache Junction’s most beloved attractions is located in the shadows of the Superstition Mountains.
The Superstitions as we call ‘em round these parts are a mountain range that sits 6,000 feet above the Sonoran Desert. Only 40 miles from the Greater Phoenix area, The Superstitions are said to get their name from the Akimel O’odham people who told stories about strange sounds that have been heard coming from the mountains, people disappearing, and even mysterious deaths.
It is those stories, passed down from generation to generation that contributed to the folklore and mystery that inspired Bob and Lou Ann Schoose to build
in 1984…and the rest is history.
Located only 9 minutes up Rt 88 from us here at Paladino’s Italian Eatery and whether you plan to eat before your adventure or after, let us give you a little background on the history of this area and why we are one of the best dining options near Goldfield Ghost Town.
Discovering Goldfield Ghost Town
The town sprang to life in 1892. Boasting 28 buildings, and a population of up to 4,000. It didn’t take but 5 years for all of the gold in Goldfield to be mined out of the mountains and for it’s reputation as a “ghost town” to show it’s ghastly beginnings. Between 1910 and 1926, the town enjoyed a short-lived revival. During that time the town was renamed Youngsberg. Alas, it was not long before it would once again become an abandoned corner of the Arizona Desert.
Then in 1943, the town was identified as a perfect place to train troops for battle during World War II. Which served its country well until a training flare accidentally ignited a fire that burned down somewhere in the ballpark of 60% of the structures that remained from the past. What was left to be salvaged was then carted off elsewhere leaving only the remnants of a community that sat dormant until Bob Schoose brought his imagination, and his wife, to Apache Junction…and a legend was born.
Shooting for The Stars With The Shoose’s
Bob Shoose was always an adventurer. Much of his young adult life was spent traversing around the Mohave Desert. Excavating old ghost towns, searching for lost treasure, and mining for gold, silver, and tungsten. It was his dream to build his own Ghost Town attraction and in 1984 Bob and Lou Ann Schoose took the first step to turn that dream into a reality when they purchased the Goldfield Mill site from a local business owner named Hub McErachan. Since then the Shoose’s have built an attraction that has been bringing tourists to Apache Junction and since we arrived in 2018, tourists have been telling their friends about us whenever they are asked where to eat when visiting Goldfield Ghost Town.
Family-Friendly Dining Near Goldfield Ghost Town: Dining at Paladino’s Italian Eatery
Paladino’s Italian Eatery is a piece of blue collar Chicago nestled in the Arizona desert. We don’t care a whole lot about decadence, but we care a lot about providing authentic Italian dining near Goldfield Ghost Town and the many other attractions in and around Apache Junction, Mesa, and the surrounding area.
Whether you are wearing your day soaked hiking gear or find yourself out in your bougie best, we want everyone to feel at home and like part of the family. Here are a few of our family favortites such as:
Chicago Italian Beef Sandwiches
Thinly sliced, roasted choice Black Angus beef stacked high on a Turano bun topped with sweet peppers & Au jus.
Chicago Style Hot Dog
100% Vienna beef dog served with mustard, onion, relish, tomatoes, cucumber, sport peppers, pickle spear. Topped with celery salt on a poppy seed bun.
Papa’s Meatballs
Home-made and hand rolled Italian style meatballs in red gravy with sweet peppers served on a Turano bun
Family-Friendly Dining Near Goldfield Ghost Town: Join Us For Our Famous $9.99 Spaghetti & Meatballs Deal
Served with Papa’s plain red gravy or you can add Bolognese Sauce (Meat Sauce), a Sausage Link or if you want to pile it high, you are welcome to add additional Meatballs!
Which is to speak nothing about our family style Pizza.
The Paladino
This 16″ pizza is served with roasted red peppers, spicy Italian sausage, and mushrooms.
Or try our 13” or 16” Authentic Chicago Neighborhood Pizza
Planning Your Visit
Getting to Paladino’s from Goldfield Ghost Town for family-friendly dining near Goldfield Ghost Town is easy. It is a straight shot. Head down AZ 88 N/W Apache Trail less than 5 miles. That’s it. Those are the directions. It is really that easy.
However, if you are like us and still GPS your way home from your neighborhood grocery store here are a couple of links to help you.
Directions from Goldfield Ghost Town
Directions from Phoenix and nearby areas
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