Esposito’s treats customers like family

By Francesca Abarca •

Once a week for the past two years, the Olaya family enjoys “high-quality dining” at Esposito’s Pizza Bar and Restaurant, according to their children who tend to only eat chicken nuggets and pizza. What makes their time at the restaurant memorable is the people who serve them.

“This place is just so special as everyone treats me like a part of their family,” Camila Olaya said. “It’s a good atmosphere that makes me feel at home.”

A sense of community is what keeps them and others coming back.

“My daughters are really picky eaters but coming here, everyone makes them feel like royalty and like they are not alone in their picky eating habits, and I really love that,” Olaya said.

In September 2004, Davie’s Esposito’s Pizza Bar and Restaurant opened its doors for the first time in the Tower Shops before University Drive was even a thing.

The current owner, Joe Lay, had two failed attempts starting a restaurant before buying Esposito’s. The restaurant is named after Ethan Esposito, a middle-aged Egyptian, who originally ran the restaurant by himself.

The restaurant is praised for its original dishes that stray from traditional Italian food, its incredible customer service, welcoming ambiance and quick service.

The restaurant decor ensures peaceful vibes, while still bringing the excitement of a typical bar.

Fiorella Shepia, general manager, has worked at the restaurant since it opened 20 years ago

“It used to [have] carpet everywhere and pink tables,” Shepia said. “After the remodeling 10 years ago, we added hardwood and opened up the back and added a coal-fire oven which many other restaurants do not have.”

The restaurant’s staff prides itself on being very family friendly, not only toward the guests but the rest of the staff as well.

“After moving from Peru, my English was not good, but coming to Esposito’s allowed me to find people that did not care about my accent or where I had come from. Esposito was the first person to treat me like part of his family. [The restaurant]  takes care of its employees and still considers us family,” Shepia said.

Esposito’s emphasizes Italian culture, which serves as the inspiration for the well-rounded menu. Customers often return to the restaurant for the pizza and specialty dishes.

“Our most popular dish besides the pizza is the Penne Esposito – grilled salmon sautéed in a brandy sauce, with fresh asparagus served over penne pasta,” Lay said, who helps out in the kitchen almost every night.

The menu offers a wide variety of dishes, including some not typically found at other Italian restaurants, like Fiocchi di Pera and Pork Chop Palliard. The menu includes two kinds of pizza, coal-fire and New York style. The restaurant also serves homemade bread, pasta, fish, chicken, veal, salads and desserts.

“This place has become the best pregnancy craving, I love coming back here to consistently see the same flavors, atmosphere and food that I love eating. I can’t wait to come back here with my newborn baby because to us this place is home too,” Olaya said.