Some adults collect hockey cards or trinkets from their youth for nostalgic purposes, while others buy restaurants.
Mario Grossi and Max Massimiliano of Sudbury purchased Don’s Pizza on Lorne Street in January 2021 in an effort to buy a piece of their childhood back.
“I grew up in Gatchell on this pizza as a regular,” Massimiliano said. “It had a distinctive taste. We wanted to buy it to preserve the building and the taste.”
Previous owner Peter Cousineau owned the business for 37 years before turning over the keys.
Massimiliano reminisces about his first visit to Don’s with Peter at the helm. Massmiliano says it was with his Italia Flyers soccer team.
“After the game, our coach took us out for pop and pizza to celebrate. It was the same for Mario. Our families did not have enough money to take us out for pizza but it was through the coach we learned about this place.”
Massimiliano confirms that the recipes are the same. Each pizza is still cooked on stone. The dough is still made daily and hand stretched with fresh ingredients.
Massimiliano says his favourite item on the menu is the standard pepperoni pizza.
“We still load the pepperoni on just like the previous owner. People call and ask if they accidentally ordered the double pepperoni because it has always been a generous pizza,” he said.
Many patrons enjoy the house special pizza with pepperoni, and the addition of finely chopped bacon, onion, green pepper and mushrooms.
The chicken wings are also popular and he has begun adding other pasta dishes such as gnocchi as well as salads and sandwiches.
Max Massimiliano is no stranger to the food business. He previously owned Regency Bakery and worked there on the daily for many years.
He believes food is food and decided to try his hand at the pizza business.
The duo of Massimiliano and Grossi have worked on giving the 80-year old landmark a facelift with new floors and fresh paint.
“The Gatchell/West End population is pleased to see the pizza joint going strong again. We believe in quality and our pizza is as back to homemade as you can possibly get,” Massimiliano says.
He’s now menu focused, adding dishes as well as sweet treats that he has become great at making, such as tiramisu, Sicilian cannoli and fresh dessert pizzas.
Massimiliano is ecstatic that after one year of ownership, he is having fun and is thrilled he was able to buy a piece of his childhood back for his kids.
The 80-year-old Don’s Pizza restaurant building is situated at 707 Lorne Street in the West End of Sudbury.
- Dine-in hours are Thursday - Saturday 4:30 - 8 p.m.
- Order for takeout by calling 705-674-7864.
- Don’s is available for pick up or order on Skip the Dishes.
- Follow on Facebook @donspizzasudbury and on Instagram at donspizzasudbury.
- The store also has a website at www.donspizza.ca.
