MY STORY

 

I was born in Park Ridge, IL and raised in family-owned restaurants on the Northwest side of Chicago. My parents opened their first business, a hot dog stand, The Triangle Drive-In, across from Schurz High School in 1963. They bought their first sit-town Italian restaurant, called Napoli Pizzeria, and owned that from 1968-1973. Their pride and joy came when they opened the doors to Casa Luna Pizzeria on Elston Avenue from 1974-1994. It was a long-time favorite for families living in the Irving Park area of Chicago for over 20 years. My mom, Lucy, and father, Bob, were loved by both employees and customers alike.

 

In 1993 they sold Casa Luna to "Leona's" franchise, which still operates in that space today. In between this time, my family took over Sally's Stage on Western Avenue, where they were known for their roller skating servers. My parents retired in 1994 after working side by side for 30 years. 

 

Carrying on the restaurant legacy in the family, my brother ran the kitchen in Slugger's, across from Wrigley Field from 1993-2018 and currently owns and operates Catered Productions in Libertyville, IL as well as Firelit Pizza, a wood-burning travel pizza truck. My sister makes wine in Napa Valley with her boutique rosé called, PInk Girl.

 

As for my journey, I graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1990. I started working and cooking in both my brother's and parent's restaurants and later worked for Ed Debevic's, Star of Chicago (Cruise Dining Ship docked at Navy Pier) and in 1994 worked as a server at Bob Chinn's Crab House in Wheeling, IL for 11 years.

 

In 2008, I moved to Evergreen, CO and worked at The Lodge Casino in Blackhawk, CO. I returned back home to Chicago in 2011 and decided to try something different and worked at the United Center as a Supervisor of Concessions. I worked for the Blackhawks (2 Stanley Cup wins) and the Bulls for 4 years. Missing the beautiful mountains of Colorado, I returned in 2016 and worked in the private suites in the Pepsi Center, Coors Field and CU Football. I loved my job for 5 years and then Covid hit.

 

I was out of work, while tirelessly building my dream of having my own food truck/trailor. I opened in February, 2020 and had great success for 2 years across from the library in Evergreen on Route 73. In October of 2022, I closed due to the end of my lease and since then had been looking for a new spot. Well, I finallly found it! I will be reopening Fall, 2023 at my new location: 3949 Evergreen Parkway (The Christmas Tree Lot). I am so excited to be serving delicious food to all of those whom I have not seen in over a year!

 

As always, thank you for your love and support! 

Hope to see you soon!

 

Laurie