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Serving seafood and oysters at a haunted Tempe restaurant

Harry November 4, 2024

TEMPE, AZ (AZFamily) — Halloween may have passed, but there’s a Tempe restaurant you can visit year-round and see ghosts.

Casey Moore’s Oyster House It is located less than a mile from ASU’s Tempe campus and has a long history. Stories about its ghosts go back decades.

Casey Moore's Oyster House is located near 9th Street and Ash Avenue in Tempe. — Casey Moore’s Oyster House is located near 9th Street and Ash Avenue in Tempe.(Arizona’s Family)

The building was built in 1910 and served as the home of William and Mary Moeur for decades. By city tempehWilliam was a prominent Tempe citizen who helped organize the Tempe school system and was a member of the first Tempe school board.

In the 1920s, William died of a cerebral hemorrhage at home. Mary later died of natural causes in her upstairs bedroom in the 1940s.

The house was renovated and turned into a restaurant in 1973. It was sold again in 1986 and has been owned by Casey Moore ever since.

The upstairs bedroom was converted into a dining room but was little used. This is where the ghosts of William and Mary were seen dancing.

Jeff Titone, a server at Casey Moore’s, says: “During the days when we had dinner service (upstairs), there were other reports of ghosts changing the layout of the venues and forks and knives being found in the ceiling.”

Many ghost sightings occurred after hours, including a corner south of the bar where ghosts have been seen.

Titone said the staff was familiar with unexplained situations and said: “We will turn off the lights for no reason, cabinet doors will open for no reason, items will fall off the shelves. That’s usually when we know it’s time to head out for the night.”

Apart from its ghost sightings, another innovation from Casey Moore is its food.

“It’s kind of a paradox to have an oyster house here in the middle of the desert, but our oysters come from the Chesapeake Bay. They are from the Delaware area. We fly them in five times a week, so they’re very fresh, and we actually consume so many oysters because people love them,” Titone says.

Oyster Rockefeller served with half a dozen or a full dozen East Coast Blue Point oysters... — Oyster Rockefeller is served by the half dozen or full dozen with East Coast Blue Point oysters cooked with spinach, bacon and Mornay cheese sauce.(Arizona’s Family)

One of the most popular oyster dishes and Titone’s favorite is Oyster Rockefeller. It takes a little time to make but is full of flavor and flavour.

“They’re stir-fried with spinach, bacon, morning dressing, cheese and some onions,” says Titone.

The restaurant also serves classic fish and chips with homemade tartar sauce, flaky and tender. The clam chowder is excellent, and the creamy Cajun pasta is a little spicy.

Linguini pasta comes with a variety of customization options, including Cajun Cream. — Linguini pasta comes with a variety of customization options, including Shrimp Cajun Creme.(Arizona’s Family)

Casey Moore’s also offers classic bar fare like chicken wings, onion rings, burgers and sandwiches. Last year, they added a vegan menu that includes plant-based chicken fingers, potato skins, pasta and plant-based meatball subs.

Whether you dine on the patio next to the koi pond or sit inside, Casey Moore’s offers a full-service bar. Some of their signature cocktails include the Heidi’s Mule, a version of the classic Moscow Mule, and the Cactus Cooler, which is common among college students.

Casey's Fish & Chips is made with beer-battered North Atlantic Cod and served with Parmesan cheese. — Casey’s Fish & Chips is made with beer-battered North Atlantic Cod and served with Parmesan fries, coleslaw and homemade tartar sauce.(Arizona’s Family)

There are also rotating beer taps with many local offerings from Four Peaks and Huss Brewing. One of the most common choices is “Church Music” from The Shop Beer Co. in Tempe. Titone says they sell about one keg a day.

They also focus on specialty beers by offering a “beer of the day” deal.

“Customers can enjoy a $1.50 discount on draft beers for the day, and we try to highlight some of the exceptional beers available on draft,” Titone says.

Located in Tempe near ASU, Titone says Casey Moore’s Oyster House serves students and locals. He says many families come to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere or to cheer on the Sun Devils on game day.