Sauk Valley

Open for Business: Lil’ Angelo's

Gary Wright (left) makes a spaghetti pizza on Wednesday afternoon in Dixon at Lil' Angelos. Wright and partners Rhawn Boesen and Gina Chvatal run the business and are located on Galena Avenue. Dayne Coursey stands behind watching. (Chris Padgett)

Address: 117 N. Galena Ave., Dixon

What we offer: Hand-tossed pizza, pasta, sandwiches and appetizers. Our specialties are spaghetti pizza and pasta crocks; they're real famous. We're willing to run specials with all the local schools, churches, and groups.

Contact: 815-288-1800

Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Terms: Cash, credit cards, checks

Owners/Managers: Gina Chvatal, 49, Gary Wright and Rhawn Boesen, both 45, all live in Dixon. Gary is the son of Wayne Wright, who owns Angelo's restaurants in Sterling and Rock Falls. For 20-plus years, Gary worked for his father – the family is from the area. Gary's two sons – Allen, 25, and Chance, 21– also work at Lil' Angelo's.

Founded: We started our own corporation with Lil' Angelo's. We use the same recipes as my dad, every single item, but that's the only thing we have in common. We opened up the day after Thanksgiving. I always wanted to own my own business. I loved working for my dad, but I just wanted to try it on my own.

Motto: "Taste a legend."

We're special: All of our products are made by hand, from scratch, daily. These recipes have been around more than 50 years. Our spaghetti sauce is made fresh every single day; we don't use any pre-cooked or pre-packaged stuff.

Hiring: Free delivery service with $12 minimum orders, will begin March 30. We will be looking for drivers then.

Have you recently opened a new business? Has your business recently moved? Let us know, and we will feature it in "Open For Business." Contact Managing Editor Rich Bird at rbird@svnmail.com or 800-798-4085, ext. 590.