Buon Appetito! Buca Di Beppo to Bally's

The Southern Italian cuisine of family-style dining chain Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant is headed to Bally’s Las Vegas. With three local locations, Buca is already a fixture on the Strip's landscape, serving on the mezzanine level of the Excalibur.

Very early details only point to a 7,557-square-foot space with an estimated $394,824 allocated in construction costs. The expansion plans have been formally in the works since June. By comparison, the Excalibur location fills 8,500-square-foot with seating for up to 300 guests.

The question of where this new restaurant will land on property has yet to be determined. Inside the resort, Bally's hosts BLT Steak, The Sidewalk Café, The Tequila Bar and Grill and Sea: The Thai Expereince. It also remains to be seen if Bally's will build another Pope Room, Buca's papal-themed private dining room found at Excalibur, that seats 14 around the "Pope's Table." In the middle sits a pope bust centerpiece and pontiff-accented decor covers the walls.

Buca di Beppo recently debuted at Bally's Atlantic City in October, creating their only location in the Northeast to serve breakfast. The chain specializes in large, shared, hearty portions of dishes like their half-pound meatballs in marinara sauce, plus pastas, salads, pizzas and desserts. No timetable for completion has been announced.