A Brief History of Crystal's Pizza and Spaghetti

Crystal’s Pizza and Spaghetti can be described in two words, “family fun”...or even 5 words, “the queen of family fun”.  Either way, this restaurant was one of the top establishments for food and games in Dallas and the Southwest for almost three decades.

Crystal's left an indelible mark on the Dallas community. The restaurant was launched in 1978 by Bill Waugh, his wife Mary, and their friends Frank and Crystal Marzano. It quickly became a beloved local institution, known for its pizza, generous portions of spaghetti, and warm, friendly atmosphere. They also went on to create Casa Bonita and Taco Bueno, which resulted in my addiction to the 'Beef Muchaco'.

Proclaiming Crystal’s as a top tier family restaurant is a bold statement.  After all, Dallas was not lacking in restaurants in that space, especially in the 90’s.  Chuck-e-Cheese, Showtime Pizza, Fun Fest, DZ Discovery Zone, and Mr. Gatti’s were only a few of the behemoths that dotted the landscape of DFW.  While many of these places have come and gone, Crystal’s impact on the community still resonates even a decade after its closure.  

What set Crystal's apart from other restaurants was its unique entertainment offerings. In addition to great food, the restaurant also had games and a movie theater that was a popular hangout spot for families and friends. This made Crystal's not just a place to eat, but a destination for fun and entertainment.

Lasting Impact on Irving

Despite its success, Crystal's faced challenges in keeping up with rising costs and increased competition. In 2013 it was announced that Crystal’s would be closing forever. This was a heartbreaking moment for the community, many of whom had grown up with the restaurant and had fond memories of meals shared with loved ones.