Delicio’s Pizza
Irina Boca and Peter Papaspiros (second and third from left) and their Delicio’s Pizza employees hold menu items at the new Highway 280 location. Photo by Leah Ingram Eagle.
Italian food lovers have a new dining option on 280. Chef Peter Papaspiros, who has worked at various restaurants in the Birmingham area for the past 30 years, opened Delicio’s Pizza and Pasta in February.
Delicio’s was previously located in Mountain Brook off Overton Road, but Papaspiros decided to move to a larger location due to space issues. His wife, Irina, said he went “berserk” when this space became available.
Irina Boca has been married to Papaspiros for three years and is experiencing her first time in the restaurant business. She describes her husband as a workaholic who is passionate for cooking and always looking to develop new things.
“Peter never rests,” Boca said “He always tries to make his recipes better. This process never stops for him. He is always improving. Plus, he is doing this from his heart. He is so dedicated to this business.”
Serving authentic Italian cuisine, including homemade soups, pizza, pasta and subs, Papaspiros makes all his items in house. He starts around 6 a.m. each morning chopping vegetables and preparing meats.
Delicio’s menu continues to evolve and at the request of customers, Chef Papaspiros has partnered with Carol Key, owner of dedicated gluten-free bakery The Funky Muffin, to offer gluten-free options.
The gluten-free products are stored in a separate refrigerator. Key provides the restaurant with gluten-free pizza crust, cheese bread, garlic bread, breadcrumbs for the meatballs, garlic croutons, spaghetti and desserts, including a Mississippi mud brownie and cheesecake. In the future, Papaspiros plans to add a thin crust, 10-inch gluten-free pizza and gluten-free lasagna.
“We want everyone to come in and be able to order anything on the menu without feeling left out,” Papaspiros said.
Papaspiros doesn’t use preservatives in any of his products and makes the food so customers leave feeling full, but not stuffed. Quality and value are very important to Papaspiros. He visits each table to speak to customers and get their opinions. The goal is to make high quality products at a reasonable price.
“We always keep in mind what customers think about our food,” Boca said. “We take suggestions and complaints, but the complaints aren’t many.”
Delicio’s has seating for 40 inside and 12 outside. They offer dine in, take-out and delivery options.
Delicio’s Pizza
5479 Highway 280,
Suite 126
968-2323
Tues-Thurs: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Fri-Sat: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
