Like his eatery’s namesake—the Italian word for “champions”—Campioni owner Ric Mausser strives to be a champion in Spring’s restaurant industry.

Campioni is in its 27th year of business and has come a long way from its humble beginnings. Mausser said he and a former business partner founded the restaurant as a pizzeria. Originally located in a strip center at Champion Forest Drive and FM 1960, the small eatery’s following and menu gradually grew.

“One day, before we knew it, we had a full-blown Italian restaurant,” Mausser said.

The restaurant moved to its current building on Cutten Road three years ago when County Line Barbecue left, he said. Because large stand-alone locations are hard for independent businesses to find and acquire, Mausser, who lives a few blocks from the property, said he knew he had to jump on the opportunity as soon as possible.

Campioni now accommodates up to 250 guests for regular dining and private parties. The large space has allowed the restaurant to provide services it was not able to before, such as hosting large parties, Mausser said. It has become a popular spot for rehearsal dinners, corporate events and other formal gatherings. Each of the three private spaces has a screen for slideshows and other displays.

Campioni’s menu has also transformed from over-the-counter pizza to offerings such as ahi tuna, veal and traditional Italian fare. Guests can also browse an extensive wine list for drinks by the glass or bottle.

Manager Pam Aman attributes the restaurant’s success to Mausser’s respect and care for customers as well as the quality of the food. The kitchen staff members, some of whom have been with Mausser since Campioni’s inception, work to accommodate all of the guests’ needs. A regular customer who has a gluten allergy brings her own pasta that the chefs boil and prepare, Aman said.

“One of our busiest nights was 9/11, because people were sad and knew they would run into people they knew at our restaurant,” Aman said. “They wanted to be around friends. And I think that says a lot.”

Campioni

13850 Cutten Road, Houston 281-893-2267 www.campioni-restaurant.com Hours: Mon.-Thu. 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5-9 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5-10 p.m.; Sat. 5-10 p.m.; closed Sun.