Passero's Serves Up Specials as It Marks Its 25th Anniversary

Passero’s has made a name for itself during its 25 years in business: a good family restaurant serving good food at good prices.

Not many restaurants can say that, especially when the original owner sells to a new one. There is the risk that quality and service could suffer in the transition. And sometimes, business is never the same.

Not so at Passero’s. Founder Don Hankin sold the business to Jignesh Patel four years ago. And the transition was a smooth one. Why? Patel credits the staff.

“Sometimes when you buy a business you worry about the staff. But they are all honest, hard working and treat the business as if it is their own," he said.

Customers ask for a manager by name, Patel says. “If they don’t see a manager, they will ask if everything is OK.”

Passero’s will kick off a weeklong celebration in honor of its 25^th anniversary Monday, Aug. 6 with 99-cent hot dogs. Tuesday’s special is 99-cent pizza by the slice; Wednesday, 99-cent homemade hamburgers; Thursday, $1.99 Italian beef sandwiches; Friday and Saturday, 50 percent off any pizza, any size and Sunday, 50 percent of any pasta dish.

On Saturday, Aug. 11, Flirty Cupcakes, which has made a name for itself in the Chicago area’s cupcake world, will join Passero’s celebration from noon to 2 p.m. and sell its gourmet cupcakes from its mobile truck in the parking lot of the restaurant, 5328 S. Main St., (Route 53).

But for Passero’s, business is not only about the food. It is also about giving back to the community that supports you. As part of the anniversary festivities, Patel has teamed up with Heartland Blood Center and Oberweis Ice Cream for a one-day celebration. Passero’s Pizza Community Blood Drive will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8 in the parking lot of the restaurant. Heartland will conduct the blood drive. All donors will receive a coupon for a $5 gift card to Passero’s Pizza and a quart of Oberweis ice cream. To schedule an appointment, go to heartlandbc.org, however walk-ins are welcome.

The blood drive is just one example of Passero’s community spirit. Patel said he does not know how many community good deeds the restaurant does, from sponsorships of softball, baseball and soccer teams to reduced prices for school fundraisers to donations of a day’s sales.

“If we can’t sponsor someone, we make a donation,” he said.

Patel is mindful of today’s economy on business. “It has taken a toll,” he said.

So he said he focuses on the customers to keep them coming back. Passero’s offers free token night for the video games in its game room, student prices for pizza on the weekend, daily specials and two customer appreciation days a year. It has expanded its business and caters corporate lunches and sells hot lunches to two Catholic elementary schools: St. Joan of Arc in Lisle and Ss. Peter and Paul in Naperville.

Patel is proof that the American dream is still attainable.

Patel was 11 when his parents brought their three sons to America in 1991 in search of a new life filled with opportunity. His father bought a bakery in Chicago near Midway Airport and, with one of Patel’s brothers, worked as a baker and eventually bought a second bakery.

Patel was looking for a business venture when he saw online that Passero’s was for sale. He and his wife had one son when he bought the business and now they have a second son.

He works about 50 hours a week but does not regret his decision, and says he is lucky: “Who else can say they have good relationship with a previous owner?”

And, again, he credits his staff, especially the managers who have been with Passero’s for 15 or more years.

“They know what to do,” Patel said. “They take care of everything. They have become so close to the customers."

For complete menus and more information about Passero's, go to passerospizza.com