Repeat customers are eatery’s bread and butter

When Nevzat “Nick” Llulla left his home country of Albania in 1980 for America, he worked as a dish washer and construction worker in New Jersey. His wife, Findes “Frida” Llulla had family who owned restaurants, including her brother Fred Staraveci, owner of Alfredo’s Pizza & Pasta in Dallas. While visiting, the Llullas liked Texas so much, they decided to follow suit.

The couple opened Nick’s Pizza & Pasta in Lewisville on April 11, 1995.

“He opened the restaurant for a better life,” said Lejla Haliti, one of Nick and Frida’s daughters. “He wanted to be his own boss and do better for his wife and children.”

Nick used his construction skills and renovated the interior. He built the kitchen, bathrooms and counters. Staraveci shared popular recipes from his restaurant with the couple, including proprietary salad dressings, homemade pasta dishes and New York-style pizza. Nick said they have had the same cook since opening, which results in consistency and has led to repeat customers.

“I have a customer from the first day I opened; he moved to Arkansas, but every time he comes to visit his daughter, he comes in. He’s almost 80 years old,” Nick said.

Another familiar face sits at the same table every Tuesday night.

“He eats the same dish for 27 years—Chicken Venecia,” Nick said. “He says it’s the best chicken.”

Haliti is the manager and handles daily operations. Frida runs the salad bar and makes sandwiches. Nick comes in around 5 p.m. and handles the dinner rush.

Nick said his favorite thing about owning his business is that he fulfilled his American dream of giving his family a better life.

Nick’s Pizza & Pasta

1301 Justin Road, Lewisville

972-317-4344

www.nicks-pizza-pasta.com

Hours: Sun. noon-10 p.m., Mon. closed, Tue.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.