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Villagio owner George Vasiliou said the Port Richmond restaurant is much more than just a meal ticket.
After the deaths of both his wife and his brother, Vasiliou, who said he’s been in the restaurant business for 35 years, took ownership of Villagio with two others in October last year.
“It keeps my mind away from bad memories,” he said of his work. “I can move on. I don’t like to stay home. I’m always here.”
As Vasiliou shared details about Villagio, he pulled pizzas out of the brick oven, dashed back and forth for ingredients and said kind words about his staff members. He called his restaurant co-owners his “brothers.”
He said not only does owning the popular restaurant help him personally, but it affords him the chance to give back to the community he calls “beautiful.”
“They support us, we support them,” he said of neighborhood residents.
Villagio’s menu boasts dozens of unique pizzas, platters, Italian and Greek entrees and an abundance of salads, sandwiches and side dishes. Customers can order pickup or delivery or eat in the restaurant’s full-service dining room.
Vasiliou said that thanks to its catering and event services, Villagio also sees its fair share of graduation and birthday parties, and has even played host to a wedding reception.
“People like to celebrate here,” he said with a smile.
Call Villagio Pizza Café at (215) 291–9499.
-Mikala Jamison
Runner Up: Aramindo Diner at 3356 Aramingo Ave.
