IN North Allegheny Winter 2016 | Page 34

SPONSORED CONTENT DINING OUT SPONSORED CONTENT Generations of Just Plain Good I n the nearly 40 years that Monte Cello’s has been around, the one constant that has always been the main focus of the restaurant is commitment to quality food and ingredients. When the average life cycle of a restaurant is seven years, constant quality has allowed Monte Cello’s to best that time frame more than five times over with no signs of slowing down. “We offer a great product for a fair price,” said Greg Wadlow, one of the owners of the business, which has five locations throughout the North Hills. “People want quality. We could cut corners if we wanted, but we’ve never been about that. Cheaper usually isn’t the right way, and I feel that people see a value in that.” And the value that people see in Monte Cello’s not only surprises first-time diners, but also keeps them coming back again and again. Wadlow notes that the weekly regulars of the restaurant aren’t just the backbone of its longevity and success, but have a true love for the food. “We have customers coming in two or three times per week, or who have standing orders—a pick-up for a large pepperoni order every Friday at 6 p.m., or a large Sicilian every weekend,” he says. “It’s amazing and we are all thankful for it, to see these people over and over again is really flattering.” Monte Cello’s popularity in the North Hills extends far beyond the regulars who enjoy the menu from week to week. It is the official pizza of North Allegheny athletics, a distinction that Wadlow feels is important in the community. “It’s important to me personally that NA knows we’re behind them. We support all of the sports teams and groups that we can,” he explains. “The school district is an important part of our business not only because it is right next door, but because there are students who work here, eat here and they come in to support us. It is a big circle of everyone supporting everyone and it is what makes our relationship with NA special.” The restaurant’s old slogan used to be “We’re more than just pizza,” but as simple as that sounds, it’s more than true. Pizza is what put Monte Cello’s on the map nearly 40 years ago, but the expanding menu is what allowed the restaurant to make it this far. “People don’t come here expecting a great New York strip, but we have one—hand-cut by butchers and delivered to us fresh. They don’t expect us to have a delicious burger, but we have customers who won’t go anywhere else but here for a burger,” says Wadlow. Other menu items that Monte Cello’s offers that people may not expect to see include gluten-free pizza and pasta options, new flatbreads that are on the fall/winter menu, and delectable desserts such as the Conley Cookie, an enormous cookie dessert served in a 9-inch cake pan topped with ice cream and chocolate sauce. The restaurant also offers an extensive catering menu for your next event or function. For more information on Monte Cello’s including the full menu and directions, go to the website at montecellos.com or call 724.935.4151 to order today. Monte Cello’s is open to serve you for eat-in, take-out or Greg Wadlow delivery seven days a week. 32 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | North Allegheny