Prior to the move, Tony and Cheryl had experience in construction and hairdressing, respectively. However, in Pflugerville they decided to lean on the Bardhi family’s history in the restaurant business and open a restaurant of their own, naming it after a spelling variation of their last name.
“It’s in our blood,” Tony said. “We have over 100 restaurants in the family—even a couple in Waco, in Denton [and] in Dallas.”
That family history meant Tony and Cheryl had a wealth of family recipes and expertise to draw on when putting together Baris’ menu.
Today, the restaurant’s menu includes Italian subs, New York-style pizza and an array of different pasta dishes with homemade sauces and specials available at lunchtime.
Cheryl said large portions and fresh ingredients are two of the factors that keep customers coming back to Baris.
“We use high-quality [ingredients],” Cheryl said. “Everybody’s like, ‘You guys are the only ones who don’t dump it out of a bag.’”
Since opening, Baris has remained in the same spot at the corner of Heatherwilde Boulevard and Pecan Street, but the restaurant has undergone a few changes since then, including new items on the menu and the addition of an outdoor patio area.
Cheryl said when Baris first opened, it was one of the first Italian restaurants in the area.
“Three Points Plaza ... was there, Springhill [Restaurant] was open and that was about it,” Cheryl said. “[Pflugerville] didn’t have any Italian food.”While the city has since grown substantially and more competition has cropped up, Tony said Baris’ history in Pflugerville is something that cannot be replicated.
Popular picks
The menu at Baris includes New York-style pizza, Italian subs and pasta dishes with a variety of sauces made in house. Here are a few of the most popular items:
- Chicken Parmigiana ($13.95)
- Baris Salad ($6.95)
- Bianca Pizza ($11.95-$14.95)
- Rigatoni in Pink Alfredo Sauce ($13.95)
1501 W. Pecan St., Ste. 100, Pflugerville
512-989-8900
www.barispastaandpizza.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., closed Sun.
