Loyal customers keep coming back for pizza at Zazzo’s

With a full menu from pasta to salads and dinner specials, too, customers return time and again to grab the crispy crust and cheesy slices of handmade pizza at Zazzo’s Pizza & Bar.

Brothers Dominic and Michael Barraco grew up in the restaurant business on the South Side of Chicago, where they rolled their first dough from a young age at their father’s restaurant, Barraco’s Pizza. They brought their experience and love for pizza first to Westmont and later at a second location in Darien.

“It’s about doing what we love,” Dominic Barraco said.

And the love is delicious as proved by the loyal customers who have made Zazzo’s their place for pizza, as well as pasta, dinners and more. Dominic Barraco said he’s pretty traditional when it comes to his pizza toppings, but to meet his customers’ requests they’ve delved into some new designs including the chicken bacon Alfredo pizza and the new trend of adding hot giardiniera and sliced beef to a pizza.

Customers can even purchase a frozen Zazzo’s pizza for last-minute meals.

“You’re getting what you know and you know it’s good,” Dominic Barraco said.

To meet customers’ requests, he’s added gluten-free options to the pasta and pizza menu. Pizza also includes a cauliflower crust.

While there have been challenges to the restaurant business the past two years, Dominic Barraco said his restaurants had the infrastructure to weather the COVID-19 pandemic with online ordering, takeout and delivery options and a patio at the Westmont restaurant to provide customers with on-site dining.

The Darien location offers a sports pub feel and is a great place to watch a game and hang out with friends. Dominic Barraco said he’s based at the Westmont location, where he’s excited to have customers returning to enjoy family dinners – whether it’s to celebrate a special occasion or enjoy a post-baseball game meal with dust still on the cleats.

He has been happy to see celebrations return to the banquet space in Westmont, where he can host wedding and baby showers, anniversary parties and birthday celebrations. The restaurant’s catering menu provides options for customers in the banquet room or their own homes.

Launched just more than a year ago, the restaurant’s VIP program combines a subscription program with customer loyalty rewards to earn free dinners, pizza and even a bottle of wine with their dine-in or takeout orders.

“It’s a customer appreciation with great benefits,” Dominic Barraco said.

With handmade meatballs, eggplant Parmesan and a variety of pasta dishes, there are options for everyone to enjoy, but he said there’s still something about that first slice of a favorite pizza on a Friday night.

Visit the Westmont location at 200 W. Ogden Ave. or the Darien location at 7360 Route 83. The restaurants are open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

Go to www.zazzospizza.com for information.