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DIXON – Over the past two decades, the Mazzarisis family has become a Dixon institution.
Vince Mazzarisis, 43, opened Maria's Pizza in Dixon in December 1989.
Back then, the restaurant was on Galena Avenue across from the former Clark gas station.
Originally from Rockford, Mazzarisis grew up in the restaurant business. His uncle owned Alfano's Restaurant in Belvidere, so Vince has worked in the food industry in one way or another since he was 12.
"I began busing tables at the Open Hearth Restaurant, then I worked at Sam's Pizza in Belvidere when I was 13, and continued there until I was 15, and would make my own pizzas on my lunch break. I finally left there when I was 17," he said.
When his father lost his job at a Rockford factory, the family opened up its own restaurant, and his mother made homemade pizza and homemade sauce.
Then one day, "I was driving through Dixon and felt that there were a lot of possibilities for success here," Mazzarisis said.
Armed with his Sicilian mother's recipes and his father's work ethic, Mazzarisis chose to branch out on his own, and Maria's Pizza was born.
Part of the reason for Maria's longevity in an ever-changing economy, Mazzarisis says, is that he puts customer loyalty and service above all else. He runs daily and weekly specials at affordable prices, and when he absolutely has to raise a price, he does so with the customer's wallet in mind.
"We have an everyday special of a large one topping pizza, pick up only, for $7.50. When we opened in 1989, the price was only $5, so I've only raised the price once in 20 years of business and people appreciate that," he said.
All of Maria's food is made daily from scratch, and the vegetables and cheeses are cut and shredded fresh daily.
Mazzarisis enjoys the friendliness of his customers and gives back to the community that has so lovingly embraced him, his family, and his business by donating to every single charity that comes through his door.
"The people of Dixon are very loyal to us, and I like to give back some of that loyalty by doing my part in the community," he said.
Vince's 18-year-old son, Anthony, manages the business, while his younger son, Phil, has aspirations of becoming a chef, so the likelihood the business will stay in the family seems fairly high.
Maria's also employ's eight people, and can accommodate up to 32 people in its newly redecorated dine-in section adjacent to the pizzeria.
About us
Maria's Pizza
420 W. Third St., Dixon
815-288-6969
Hours: 4-11p.m. Monday to Thursday, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday and 11a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, with delivery to Dixon, Grand Detour, Lost Nation, Eldena, Woosung, and Franklin Grove.
The Mega Maria Pizza Challenge: If two people can eat a 24-inch cheese and three-topping pizza and down two glasses of pop in 48 minutes, the meal is free, and their photo hangs on Maria's wall of honor for a limited time.