Luigi’s Pizza Owner Sebian Bardhi’s family moved from New York to start a restaurant.[/caption]

Luigi’s Pizza has been serving classic Italian dishes in Frisco for 22 years, aiming to create an atmosphere where the community feels like part of the family.

“It’s not like a big chain; we’re family-owned. We know everybody, sometimes we even know what they order,” owner Sebian Bardhi said.

Bardhi has owned Luigi’s Pizza on Preston Road for 10 years since taking over for her cousin at the family-owned restaurant. Bardhi’s family moved from Queens, New York, to Frisco in 1985, she said, but she and her husband did not move from New York until years later. Her family always planned on opening the restaurant in Frisco, and Bardhi took over the Italian restaurant two months after moving to Texas.

Luigi’s Pizza Antipasto Salad ($7.99) Tossed greens, salami, provolone, tomato, black olives and pepperoncinis[/caption]

Luigi’s is best known for its pizzas, which customers can create or order off the menu. Pizzas include the Veggie Delight with mushrooms, onions, green peppers and black olives; the White Wonder with mozzarella cheese; and the Meat Lovers with pepperoni, Italian sausage, hamburger and Canadian bacon.

Bardhi said Friday is her favorite day, because it brings in the most people for her to talk to—one of the perks of owning a restaurant that Bardhi said she loves.

“I love the people,” Bardhi said. “Frisco people are really nice and they’ve supported us for all these years. I am very, very happy. That’s why we opened [Luigi’s], because we wanted to interact with the customers and make them feel at home.”

Luigi’s Pizza Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake ($4.49) New York-style cheesecake with a swirl of strawberry[/caption]

Designed to feel like home, the dining area has cozy lighting and a view of the kitchen where customers can watch cooks craft pizzas, calzones or pasta dishes. Even the restaurant name Luigi is centered on the idea of home and family.

“We have a Luigi relative in Italy, and we decided [on] that, since it’s an Italian name. We also thought it would be kind of a cool name for the kids, like Mario and Luigi,” Bardhi said. “When they come they say, ‘Where’s Mario?’ and I’ll say, ‘Mario’s not here.’”

Luigi’s Pizza 4944 Preston Road, Ste. 120, Frisco 972-712-5850 www.luigispizzafrisco.com Hours: Tue.-Thu. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.