If a Southlake resident has lived in the community long enough, he or she will likely be familiar with Joe’s Pizza Pasta Subs sitting adjacent to SH 114 and Carroll Avenue. Owner Jimmy Lusha, a Brooklyn native, has been making pizza for 45 years, spending nearly 24 of those years in Southlake and cranking out New York-style pizza and more since the restaurant first opened in 1995. Although multiple restaurants with the same name can be found in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Joe’s in Southlake is one of four locations owned and operated by the original family. Joe’s in Southlake was the third to open. Lusha worked with his brother, the eponymous Joe, to open the restaurants. Joe still works at the first location in Carrollton, he said. Other relatives also help in each restaurant as needed. By Lusha’s estimate, Joe’s in Southlake sells more than 100 pizzas per day on average. The trick to good pizza, he said, is in the dough. The pies are cooked in a Bakers Pride oven with stones specially made for pizzas. In addition, the restaurant sells pasta, sandwiches and desserts. Cooks make everything by order, and all the dishes are homemade. The most popular menu items—aside from pizza—include calzones, stromboli and pasta. When Joe’s first opened in 1995, customers immediately flocked to the restaurant, and some families have been coming to eat there for decades, Lusha said. Lusha himself is typically in the restaurant seven days a week. Although he lives in Arlington, Lusha has close ties with the Southlake community. The walls of the restaurant are covered with photos—of Southlake police officers, Carroll ISD student athletes and Lusha’s family. Along one dividing wall that runs through the restaurant is a litany of trophies from local sports teams. CISD football players often come in to eat before games for good luck, he said. Lusha also sponsors and donates to other CISD teams, including cheer and hockey. “The people have supported me all these years, and I have customers from day one [who] are still coming in,” he said. “I’ve been in this field for 45 years. If I can’t make it right by now, then I shouldn’t be here.” Joe’s Pizza Pasta Subs 1101 E. SH 114, Ste. 103, Southlake 817-421-2482 www.joespizzapastasubs.com Hours: Sun.-Thu. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.