When Fabio Jardim moved from Brazil to the U.S. in 2006, he never imagined he’d find his purpose in serving pizza.

“I came to the U.S. to study theology, but God had other plans,” he said.

After several years working at Guido’s, a pizzeria under owner Chris Osani, Jardim took over the business in 2010 with $93 in his pocket and changed the name to My Pizzeria.

Fifteen years later, the eatery is rebranding from My Pizzeria to Fabio's Italian Kitchen to represent his connection with locals who have come to know the eatery as Fabio’s.

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Jardim said though he intended to leave his business aspirations in Brazil where he operated a clothing factory for 25 years, when the opportunity came, he decided he was meant to take this path to serve his community.

Over the years, Jardim has served people in need during natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic with discounts and free food.

When his wife passed away in 2019, Jardim said he was struggling financially and came close to closing down the pizzeria.
It was a Twitter post created by his daughter, Giovanna Apelbaum, that became the lifeline of the business. Soon after customers came into the restaurant giving them business and leaving generous tips. In 2022, the business expanded into the neighboring suite.
The Sweet Hawaii ($21.95) is made with Canadian bacon, dried cranberry, pineapple and mozzarella. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
The Sweet Hawaii ($21.95) is made with Canadian bacon, dried cranberry, pineapple and mozzarella. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
The spaghetti meatball ($15) is an award winning pasta simmered in marinara sauce. (Courtesy Fabio's Italian Kitchen)
The spaghetti meatball ($15) is an award-winning pasta simmered in marinara sauce. (Courtesy Fabio's Italian Kitchen)
What’s special about it?

The eatery's Italian influence comes from Jardim’s Brazilian roots, a country that has a large population of Italian people, he said.


Under his ownership, Jardim created his own wheat flour pizza dough recipe for crispy pizzas baked in a coal stone fire oven.

Fabio's Italian Kitchen offers several gourmet pizzas including Brazilian options such as the Portuguese pizza made with sausage, boiled eggs, onion and garlic. The eatery is also known for its pastas and meatballs.