Mario’s Pizzeria specializes in customer favorites
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Mexican entrees, Mario’s Pizzeria
By David Hoekman
Great food, consistent and friendly service, and reasonable prices make a winning combination at Mario’s Pizzeria at 850 Butternut Drive in Holland.
Mary VandenBosch and Jeff Riemersma have owned the home of Mexitalian cuisine for 36 years.
“You have to be consistent in food and quality of service,” Riemersma said. “We try to keep things consistent, and with the reviews we get online and the comments we get, it seems like we are doing that.”
“And friendliness is big,” VandenBosch added. “I think that is important. It’s kind of like family.”
Pizzas, wet burritos and taco salads are some of the favorites at Mario’s. Wednesday’s spaghetti dinner special is a popular one.
Take and bake pizza, which is buy one, get one free, is another big seller.
And take-outs are a major part of the business at the 90-seat restaurant.
“People come in for take out and talk to two or three of their friends on their way out,” Riemersma said.
“If your food gets cold, it’s not our fault,” VandenBosch added.
It’s all part of the friendly, neighborly feeling at the restaurant.
“It’s not a chain [restaurant] where you never see the same face,” Riemersma said. “There is tremendous turnover in the restaurant business, and we have been fortunate to not have a high turnover rate.”
“A lot of the employees have been here a while,” VandenBosch said. “Like over 30 years.”
Although regular customers have go-to favorite meals, they have responded well to Mario’s new menu items.
Several specialty pizzas were recently added, such as a Hawaiian, vegetarian, thin and crispy, and one for meat lovers. An antipasto salad and a grilled chicken Caesar salad also are new to the menu.
“The thin and crispy pizza has been a big hit,” VandenBosch said. “We use a five-cheese blend on the thin and crispy.”
Riemersma said Mario’s may develop other specialty pizzas and salads, and broaden its selection of microbrews.
Community-minded, Mario’s Pizzeria has hosted many benefits and fundraisers over the years. n
Mario’s Pizzeria
616-399-2570
mariospizzaholland.com