From Our Family to Yours

One quality that has become synonymous with Zappi's Pizza & Pasta is an ongoing commitment to foster healthy relationships with the Niagara community and its families. According to the latest census, there are over 20,000 families in Niagara Falls, which is a large market in an area with only a handful of designated family-friendly restaurants.

In an article published by Food & Drink Magazine in May 2020, Zappi's was listed as one of Niagara's top five family-friendly restaurants in Niagara. Read more here.

Why is family so important to us? 

As the owner of this second generation family-run business, Al Zappitelli understands firsthand the importance of making time for family. 

"Family is built into the heart of everything we do." says Al. "We want people to relax and really enjoy time with their family without feeling rushed."


Getting in Touch with Old World Values:

The Zappitelli family: Santa Lucia, Italy

A few years after Al had reopened Zappi's restaurant, he often had people lined up down the sidewalk at the front entrance to the restaurant. Wanting to accommodate as many of his customers as quickly as possible, Al's initial approach to the customer experience was to provide fast, efficient service. Get people in and out and on with their day. 

Then something changed. 

On a trip to Italy to visit his family in the old country, one night Al took his family out to dinner at a local restaurant. They waited thirty minutes to be seated and an additional hour to be served their food. 

A bit annoyed by the lengthy wait time, Al went looking for the chef and found him in the kitchen watching the soccer game on a television set. Their food had not been prepared yet, and when Al asked him what was taking him so long, the chef's response was, "Half time is coming up soon."  

He then added, "Where do you have to go that's so important? Sit and relax, enjoy the time with your family."

This is a commonly recognized difference between North American and Italian culture. Here we are a slave to the clock, constantly rushing to get to our next "event" that we miss taking a beat to enjoy the present moment.

Al decided to change his approach to service and allow his customers and their families ample time to enjoy their meals in the restaurant's warm, ambient space without feeling rushed.

"Nothing brings me more pleasure than looking out the window from the kitchen into the dining room, and seeing families laughing and enjoying their time together." says Al. "And if our food can help bring them together, there's no greater reward than that!"     

When you're at Zappi's, you're family! 



Did you know that Zappi's has a "Create your Own Pizza" kit? We'll bring the pizza dough out on a wooden tray and let your kids have fun spooning out the sauce, sprinkling on the cheese and adding their favorite toppings to their very own pizza! Ask your server for details on your next visit!


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