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Vince's Pizza: Italian tradition at its best

Vince Vinciguerra, owner of Vince’s Pizza on Main Avenue, admits he has kept the traditional Italian recipes that were coveted by his family. Indeed, this is what makes the food at Vince’s Pizza something you can sink your teeth into.

When walking into Vince’s Pizza, the classic tunes of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin make a perfect Italian atmosphere, especially with the collage of Vinciguerra family photos resting on the walls. The collection of pictures tells the following story.

Vinciguerra was a youngster when his family opened their first pizzeria in Akron, OH. When the business became a bustling success, his father sold it to another family member, then hauled his immediate family to sunny California. There, Vinciguerra’s father built the ever-popular Andy’s Pizzeria, which eventually swelled into a full-service restaurant in Inglewood.

“I was about 7 years old when I started working in the restaurant business,” said Vinciguerra. “I would make garlic bread.”

His fondest memory as a child was being with his mother and father while working at the restaurant. “It was great that I was with my mom and dad and not with a babysitter,” shared Vinciguerra.

When Vinciguerra reached his high school years, he and his sisters were running the restaurant. “I was managing the place when I was 15 years old. I wasn’t even driving yet,” he recalled. His parents imprinted a solid work ethic for Vinciguerra, which he has carried throughout his life.

In 1973, Vinciguerra’s father moved to Fallbrook. A couple years later, Vinciguerra and his wife took the same path, settling in the small town. Following stints in the wholesale grocery business, construction and training horses, the restaurant gene grabbed hold of Vinciguerra and pulled him back in once again.

From 1984 to 1998, Vince’s Italian Restaurant on Mission Road was the premier destination for scrumptious Italian food at affordable prices. They decided to close its doors when Rite Aid made them an attractive offer for their site.

Rather than opening a full-service restaurant again, Vinciguerra moved forward with a different concept in 2004. He decided to open Vince’s Pizza, a quality menu of foods but in a to-go business fashion.

Their pizza, for example, can be purchased fully cooked or par-baked. “Our large pepperoni pizza is the biggest seller of everything,” noted Vinciguerra. “The deluxe pizza probably comes second.”

Vinciguerra explained that his customers buy the par-baked on Sundays, put them in the refrigerator when they get home and then pop them in the oven for Monday Night Football. “In five to 10 minutes it’s done,” he said.

If the thought of a pizza makes your stomach rumble but you’re not quite in the mood for a whole pie, this eatery provides tasty cooked pieces by the slice.

Their sandwiches, calzones, spaghetti, lasagna, ravioli and other specialty dishes are prepared to Italian perfection. “We have a $3.95 spaghetti and meatball dinner,” said Vinciguerra. “We haven’t changed the price for 15 years.” Providing high-quality, affordable meals with friendly and speedy service has always been Vinciguerra’s business motto.

Their homemade sauce and loaves of Italian bread are fresh and made daily. “We also bake Italian cookies and biscotti.”

Vinciguerra has built a loyal relationship with his clientele, some of whom he has known for the last 25 years. “I am here for the customers.”

To learn more about Vince’s Pizza and their catering business, call (760) 723-4997 or log on to http://www.vincespizzafallbrook.com. The restaurant can be found at 855 South Main Avenue, Suite A.

 

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