Entering its 25th year of operation, Spizzico Pizza & Pasta was at a crossroads. With a host of options available to the owners of the Elmwood Park dining landmark, the path forward was nevertheless clear: Keep it in the family. “We’ve been in business since 1996,” co-owner Rocco Spizziri says. “My parents (Tito Sr. and Edvige) had this building on North Avenue, and when my brother (Tito Jr.) asked if he could put in a pizza place there, my dad let him.”

Thus, Spizziri Company, aka Spizzico, was born. Known for its double crust pizza and other casual Italian fare, Spizzico quickly gained a following throughout the area. Then tragedy struck. Tito Jr. passed away, and Tito’s wife, Linda, needed help, so the entire Spizziri family pitched in.