Where the Game Ends and the Table Begins: Inside Azzurri Pizzeria + Bar at Soccer Spectrum

More Than just a Soccer Facility: A Richardson Community Hub

At Soccer Spectrum, the community has always been just as big as the game. It is where families gather after practices, friends meet up for matches, teams celebrate wins, and Richardson comes together. Now, with Azzurri Pizzeria + Bar, the food has become part of what makes that experience feel complete.

Head Chef Eloy Tejeda Costeno standing proudly at the service counter in an orange Soccer Spectrum shirt, presenting a fresh, heart-shaped pepperoni pizza. — If people can taste the care that went into it, then I’ve done my job,” says Head Chef Eloy, who brings quality and heart to every single dish.

Meet Head Chef Eloy Tejeda Costeno: Raising the Bar on Game-Day Food

Led by Head Chef Eloy Tejeda Costeno, Azzurri brings a level of food people would expect from a pizzeria, not tucked inside a soccer facility. This is not concession-stand pizza or forgettable game-day food. Eloy and the Azzurri team have built a menu around fresh preparation, thoughtful flavors, comfort, consistency, and intention.

“I’d describe my style as honest and straightforward,” Eloy says. “I’m not trying to reinvent anything. I just want to make food that feels comforting and made with intention. If people can taste the care that went into it, then I’ve done my job.”

For Eloy, cooking started simply. He grew up helping his mom in the kitchen, where he first discovered the joy of making something by hand and watching people enjoy it. What started naturally at home eventually became a career built around the same idea: food should make people feel taken care of.

An overhead view of a wooden dining table spread at Azzurri Pizzeria + Bar featuring a large cheese pizza, sliced paninis, dynamic side salads, and dipping rolls. — For guests walking in expecting simple concession snacks, Azzurri offers a scratch-made menu of crowd favorites crafted with elite technique.

Quality and Heart: A Menu Built for Everyone

That mindset is at the center of Azzurri. The menu is familiar in the best way, with dishes people already love, but each item is made with better technique and extra attention. For guests who may walk in expecting basic bar food, Azzurri offers something worth driving for.

“The food at Azzurri is all about quality and heart,” Eloy says. “It’s familiar, but with a level of care you don’t always expect in a sports environment. We want people to feel like they’re getting a real meal, not just something quick to fill up on.”

That difference is especially meaningful at Soccer Spectrum, where the crowd is always changing. On any given day, Azzurri may be serving players after a league game, families between practices, fans watching a match, guests attending a private event, or people stopping in simply because they heard about the food. The menu has to be approachable, but it also has to be memorable.

“Most people expect basic bar food, something fast, something fried, something forgettable,” Eloy says. “At Azzurri, we try to go beyond that.”

A fresh, specialty dessert pizza dusted with powdered sugar sitting on a table alongside a can of NÜTRL seltzer, with an indoor soccer goal and league game happening in the background. — Where the game ends and the table begins: Families, players, and fans can enjoy an elevated menu right by the pitch at Soccer Spectrum.

Scratch-Made Perfection: The Art of the Pizza

Azzurri’s pizza is the item Eloy is most proud of. Made with fresh, handmade dough and a sauce he spent years perfecting, the pizza reflects the scratch-made care behind the kitchen. Eloy says it took years of trial and error to find the right balance, especially with the sauce. He adjusted it little by little until it became what he always imagined it should be.

“It’s simple, but it represents a lot of patience and learning,” he says. “I’m proud of how it turned out.”

A close-up shot of a sliced panini sandwich at Azzurri Pizzeria + Bar, showcasing melted cheese, meats, red onions, and fresh peppers inside a toasted, scratch-made crust. — Going beyond basic bar food: Head Chef Eloy Tejeda Costeno focuses on honest preparation, fresh ingredients, and comfort food made with real intention.

A New Reason to Gather in Richardson

At Azzurri, that pride is easy to taste. The food is not just something on the side of Soccer Spectrum, and it is not only for people coming in to play or watch a game. It has become a reason all its own to visit. Whether guests are here for soccer, a private event, a night out, or simply a really good pizza made with care, Azzurri gives people a reason to stay, gather, and come back.