Profiles In Business excellence: Lino's Pizza & Restaurant

     Nothing says perseverance, dedication, and hard work more than the growing success of Lino’s Pizza & Restaurant. Owner Nestor Mahuiz works 90 hours a week at his eatery. About 12 hours a day, seven days a week, and with only three part-time employees, Nestor is busy cooking and serving customers.

     “I love my job,” he said. “I like to work in the kitchen. I like to cook and that’s what made me want to get into the restaurant business.”

     Nestor worked in the pizza and restaurant industry for 10 years before opening Lino’s in 2003.

     “It was a challenge for me to make this business succeed because we started from scrap and we finally did it,” he said. “My wife passed away last November. She was the best help that I ever had. Lino’s succeeded because of her and Lino’s offers a wide variety of pizzas and dinners, but its top sellers are the chicken, bacon, and tomato pizza; chicken francese dinner; chicken marsala; and baked lasagna. Every Sunday at Lino’s, customers can get a large pizza for only $7.99. Every day of the week, Lino’s offers a 16’’ pizza with wings for only $15.95.

     Lino’s is busy at times and slow at others, but no matter how busy it is, it always treats its customers like friends.

     “My goal is to have no complaints,” Nestor said. “I feel good when customers say good things about this place and about my food. I feel in heaven when they say your food is so great and we’ll be back.”

     Besides serving his customers, Nestor also gives back to the community by giving donations to Wyoming Valley West, local churches, bazaars, the CYC, and the local fire department. In June 2006, when the Susquehanna River seemed like it was going to overflow again, Lino’s gave the workers food because Nestor knew they were going to be hungry.

     Due to Lino’s success, Nestor would like to open another restaurant in the future.

     Lino’s is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., and on Sunday, noon-9 p.m. The restaurant can be reached by phone at (570) 283-4322 or 283-4323 or by fax at (570) 283-4324.