“Giro means ‘tour.’ The name translated to ‘tour of pizza,’” Diego said.
However, the pandemic prompted a pivot, which resulted in only to-go options. When the restaurant reopened its doors to the public, it continued to change, he said.
“We had to change into more of a restaurant than just a pizzeria,” he said. “People ... saw this is much more than a pizza place. They said we needed to advertise this. We made the decision to change the name to Giro Trattoria & Pizza.”
Diego was born in Milan, Italy, and said many of the recipes are those passed down from his mother and grandmother. He points to his mom’s recipe for fresh gnocchi and his grandmother’s recipe for Bolognese sauce as being customer favorites, he said.
“The concept was something I always wanted to do—a way to share the food and recipes from my home with the local Flower Mound community and surrounding areas,” said Diego, who is a Flower Mound resident. Diego said in addition to his wife being the business co-owner, she is also the daytime manager.
His younger daughter works as a hostess, and his older daughter used to sing at the restaurant on Saturdays, he said. She is away at college, but when she is home, she is a server.
“When all four of us are here together it brings the whole meaning of family-owned business to reality,” Diego said.
Based on multiple customer requests, last year Diego added Diego’s Deli and Italian market inside the restaurant.
“We opened this up and do authentic paninis, which I’d find back home,” Diego said. “We also have Italian meats and cheeses. You can get a pound of this or that.”
In addition to its regular hours and menu, the owners also offer special events, such as five-course dinners paired with wines as well as “Cars and Cappuccinos,” which is a Sunday event featuring an authentic Italian breakfast and car show.
Diego realizes he is surrounded by many restaurants and is very appreciative of their loyal customer base, he said.
“We need to give them a reason to choose us again time after time,” he said. “The way you do that is stay consistent with food and customer service. They are no longer customers; they have become friends.”
Giro Trattoria & Pizza
3711 Justin Road, Ste. 100, Flower Mound
214-513-1777
www.giropizzatx.com
Hours: Mon. closed; Tue.-Thu. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 4:30-8 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
