In its first two years of operation on Barker Cypress Road in Cypress, Charlie D’s Pizza has thrived on word-of-mouth recommendations, owner Charlie Dababneh said.

The restaurant has received many first-time customers over those two years as well, with new customers coming in on a daily basis, he said.

“What’s funny is we end up seeing them at least 2-3 times a week, and they’re bringing someone back with them,” he said.

The menu at Charlie D’s centers on pizzas, including classics, such as margherita and veggie, as well as house specialties named after places in New York City. Customers can also design their own pizzas or try an item off the shop’s pasta or sandwich menu. The eatery offers dine-in services, catering services and free delivery.

Dababneh—who lives in Cypress with his wife and three children—said pizzas are made with a sauce recipe passed down from his wife’s parents, who operated a pizza restaurant in New Jersey.

“I believed in the product, and it’s an honor for me to be able to carry on the recipe for them,” he said.

All sauces are made in-house, and the dough is cooked on a daily basis and proofed to ensure the quality of the yeast, Dababneh said.

“It’s nice and crispy on the outside and stays soft on the inside,” he said. “We’ve modified our oven to provide the type of dough that makes us stand out.”

Some menu changes could be coming in the future, Dababneh said, including the addition of cold-cut and panini-style sandwiches and a craft pizza menu with more experimental pizzas.

Dababneh said he has also prioritized giving back to the Cy-Fair community, including at Cy-Fair ISD spirit nights and catering events at the Berry Center. Whether it is through his food or community events, Dababneh said giving back has been its own reward.

“It’s the hospitality of it; getting to see smiling faces of people eating and enjoying food is a big thing,” he said. “You do something good for someone, and it makes them feel good, which makes you feel good. At the end of the day, I get a joy out of this.”

7160 Barker Cypress Road, Ste. H, Cypress 281-671-4000 www.charliedspizza.com Hours: Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun. noon-9 p.m.