MONROE - Vince's Pizza now has something else to get excited about besides moving to a new location.
The Best Independent Restaurants Association (BIRA) awarded Vince's Pizza with a Gold Plate Award for Best Independent Restaurants.
After a mystery shopping visit and applying national guidelines and standards, BIRA judged Vince's Pizza to meet its rigorous standards for its Gold Plate Award.
"Our mystery shoppers gave us a terrific report, and we are proud to include it in our exclusive nationwide directory," Robert Skrob, executive director of the BIRA, said in a press release Wednesday.
The BIRA is a national trade association encouraging consumers to dine at the nation's best independent restaurants.
"I'm very excited. This award is very important, not only to me, but to Monroe. Receiving this award is like winning the gold medal at the Olympics," said Fabio Grado, co-owner with his wife, Maria, of Vince's Pizza.
"I was almost brought to tears. A little guy from a little town with a pick-up and delivery," he said.
Grado learned to cook "the traditional, old way" from his grandmother in Italy.
It's the "poor way to cook," he said.
But his lessons, starting at age five, were somewhat a forced education.
"Grandpa was not a joke. Now I know what he was trying to do. That's why I thank him now. I still hear his words in my ears: 'Watch your grandma,'" he said.
When he grew up, Grado flew nine hours from Italy without knowing how to speak a word of English, and put to work what he knew.
"I think they (customers) love it more here," he said about his Italian dishes.
Vince's Pizza has served Monroe residents for over seven years.
"I still cook the old way. It's the only way I know," he said.
When invited to cook for friends, Grado asks first if they have flour and eggs.
Vince's Pizza is one of 22 Wisconsin restaurants recognized by the BIRA.
Grado said he did not know when the mystery shoppers came in, but the award is a verification of what he already knew.
"Food - I've got good food. Service - I've got good service," he said.
Grado took a challenge to the BIRA to try his food.
"I've been to their restaurants, I've eaten there. It may cost $50 to $60 a person, and it looks like a Picaso. But I tasted them - the flavor just isn't there," he said.
The Grados are moving their restaurant. Under general contractors Home Craft Construction, the new 4,000-square-foot Vince's Restaurant and Pizzeria will be located at 619 Fourth Ave. The restaurant will feature fine Italian dining, pizza dining and takeout.
The BIRA was formed to provide information and resources for restaurants to thrive in today's economy. A complete BIRA member directory is available at www.BestIndependentRestaurant.org/directory
The Best Independent Restaurants Association (BIRA) awarded Vince's Pizza with a Gold Plate Award for Best Independent Restaurants.
After a mystery shopping visit and applying national guidelines and standards, BIRA judged Vince's Pizza to meet its rigorous standards for its Gold Plate Award.
"Our mystery shoppers gave us a terrific report, and we are proud to include it in our exclusive nationwide directory," Robert Skrob, executive director of the BIRA, said in a press release Wednesday.
The BIRA is a national trade association encouraging consumers to dine at the nation's best independent restaurants.
"I'm very excited. This award is very important, not only to me, but to Monroe. Receiving this award is like winning the gold medal at the Olympics," said Fabio Grado, co-owner with his wife, Maria, of Vince's Pizza.
"I was almost brought to tears. A little guy from a little town with a pick-up and delivery," he said.
Grado learned to cook "the traditional, old way" from his grandmother in Italy.
It's the "poor way to cook," he said.
But his lessons, starting at age five, were somewhat a forced education.
"Grandpa was not a joke. Now I know what he was trying to do. That's why I thank him now. I still hear his words in my ears: 'Watch your grandma,'" he said.
When he grew up, Grado flew nine hours from Italy without knowing how to speak a word of English, and put to work what he knew.
"I think they (customers) love it more here," he said about his Italian dishes.
Vince's Pizza has served Monroe residents for over seven years.
"I still cook the old way. It's the only way I know," he said.
When invited to cook for friends, Grado asks first if they have flour and eggs.
Vince's Pizza is one of 22 Wisconsin restaurants recognized by the BIRA.
Grado said he did not know when the mystery shoppers came in, but the award is a verification of what he already knew.
"Food - I've got good food. Service - I've got good service," he said.
Grado took a challenge to the BIRA to try his food.
"I've been to their restaurants, I've eaten there. It may cost $50 to $60 a person, and it looks like a Picaso. But I tasted them - the flavor just isn't there," he said.
The Grados are moving their restaurant. Under general contractors Home Craft Construction, the new 4,000-square-foot Vince's Restaurant and Pizzeria will be located at 619 Fourth Ave. The restaurant will feature fine Italian dining, pizza dining and takeout.
The BIRA was formed to provide information and resources for restaurants to thrive in today's economy. A complete BIRA member directory is available at www.BestIndependentRestaurant.org/directory