Delizioso!

Find out why after 27 years, this finicky business owner continues to draw rave reviews for his portions—and his prices.

By: Ken McEntee
Date: 09/25/2009
If you’re looking for a complex, in-depth thesis about success in the restaurant business, you’re not going to get it from Dave Epifano, owner of Alfonso’s Restaurante, in Middleburg Heights.

“We serve good food, priced better,” is Dave’s analysis. “It’s all very simple.”

While many of his competitors try to wiggle through a tough economy by reducing portions and cutting corners in the kitchen, Dave refuses to change a thing.

“Why would we stop doing what has worked for 27 years?” he asks. “We don’t take short cuts. We continue to cook with olive oil and real butter. We continue to use only the best ingredients. That’s what makes us different.”
Featuring a menu of homemade Italian dishes and other favorites, Dave emphasizes quality and consistency of his homemade entrees over the pre-fabricated portions his corporate competitors unload off freezer trucks.

One place where Dave will boast of a little change is on the menu—but this change is good and comes in the form of a couple new dinner entrees.

New on the menu is Apricot Chicken, a light dish featuring a grilled chicken breast covered with a delicate apricot sauce, for $16. That includes the house salad or soup, fresh Italian country bread and homemade dipping sauce with every dinner entree.

Also new is the Veal Alfonso, at $17.95. “This is a spectacular dish for people who love veal, and there are a lot of us,” Dave insists.

Those entrees supplement the selection of traditional favorites, like Alfonso’s baked lasagna, for $13.95.

“It’s just the standard classic that we’ve made the same way for years, with real Italian sausage made especially for our restaurant, fresh Ricotta and seasoned, lean ground beef, so it is health conscious,” Dave says. “That’s the case with all of our food. We prepare everything correctly. We don’t use margarine. When we fry something we use non-transferring non-fat oil. When you walk into our restaurant you don’t need to have a special healthy menu. Healthiness is built into our menu.”

If you’re having trouble selecting, you might try the Sicilian casserole, made of sausage, pasta, cheeses, red and green peppers and meatballs, for $14.50.

“It’s a beautiful blend of all of the great Italian ingredients served over pasta,” Dave says.
Unlike some other restaurants, Alfonso’s is happy to make separate checks for large parties.
Along with the restaurant’s dinner and lunch menus, Alfonso’s has expanded its on- and off-site catering options.

Now, along with its own party room, Alfonso’s offers the same catering menu at several other locations that seat up to 500 people. To book your next event at the Shrine Center, in Broadview Heights; the St. Matthews Event Center, in North Royalton; the Middleburg Heights Recreation Center;  the State Road Event Center, right next to the Original Mattress Factory, in Cleveland; or the Olde River Yacht Club, all you have to do  is call Dave on his cell phone, at 440-821-6145. He’ll take care of the rest.

“By calling my personal cell phone, you will get personal assistance from the owner,” he promises. “You’re not going to have to press ‘1’ for this or ‘2’ for that like at some other places. I have more respect for my customers than that.”

If you like the personal service, you’ll love the price.

“Our catering service starts at $9.95 per head at the restaurant and $12.95 off premises for salad, fresh bread with butter and a homemade dipping sauce, one pasta or potato selection, vegetables, a finger pastry, beverage and a choice of a chicken, beef or pork entrée—everything except tax and gratuity,” Dave says. “When we host your party, you’ll be served family style and get your meal piping hot in 15 to 20 minutes. It’s quick, hot and delicious.”

When you eat at Alfonso’s, you support local owners and local employees, Dave says.

Alfonso’s is open seven days a week, at 7786 W 130th Street, in Middleburg Heights. Call 440-845-9610. You can find more information, including menus, at www.alfonsosrestaurante.com.

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