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Community Corner

Pizza Castle to Host Ribbon Cutting Tomorrow & 35th Anniversary Specials Through Nov. 23

Tomorrow, Nov. 20, Pizza Castle Restaurant & Pub at 143 Chase Avenue in Waterbury will host their 35th Anniversary celebration. Owners Peter and Chris Skabardonis will welcome visitors to a special ribbon cutting in conjunction with the Waterbury Regional Chamber on Wednesday, at 11:00 a.m. A celebration party will follow until 3:00 p.m. featuring freshly-made pizza, fresh raviolis made on premises, and a special anniversary dessert.

Anniversary festivities will continue through Saturday, Nov. 23 with special lunches and dinners for two for $35 throughout the four day celebration that will include select appetizers, entrees, desserts, coffee and teas. Raffle drawings will also be held between November 20 and 23 for $50 gift certificates toward any meal through May 2014. No purchase is necessary to enter the raffle, and winners will be announced daily during the four day anniversary celebration at 7:30 p.m. and entrants need not be present to win.

Pizza Castle was begun by Peter and Anastasia Skabardonis in 1978 at the current location of 143 Chase Avenue. “We arrived in America from Greece with just $5 in our pockets,” stated Peter Skabardonis. “We wanted to start a new life with our 7 year old son, Chris.” Without speaking English, the young family found their way to Waterbury where Peter worked in a factory for $1.90/hour earning $355/month. After three years, Peter took his family to Massachusetts to explore the possibility of opening a Carvel franchise. “I asked Chris, who was 9 years-old, what he preferred ice cream or pizza. He said pizza so we opened the Pizza Castle where we all worked including Chris and my brother George who came with us from Greece. It was a struggle starting out so to help pay bills, my wife sold ice cream as well.”

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The family purchased what-was originally a small take-out store and restaurant. For the past 35 years, they have remodeled and expanded the building five times to its current size which includes a green house dining atrium and an outdoor dining area. “We have always been at 143 Chase Parkway, and have always been named Pizza Castle,” stated Skabardonis. “When we expanded 15 years ago, we added the Castle Pub. Today we have 20 employees, a steady dinner clientele and a full menu take-out service.”

Freshly-made ravioli is among the popular trade-mark dishes offered at Pizza Castle. “We make 10 different home-made raviolis on site - shrimp scampi,  lobster, veal and peppers, broccoli rabe, hot sausage with spice, chicken and Portobello mushroom, meatball, spinach, sun-dried tomato, and cheese,” elaborated Skabardonis. “All our pizzas are made with fresh dough every day. We never make pizza on frozen dough.” Pizza Castle Restaurant & Pub also serves, and delivers, freshly-made soups, pastas, seafood and meat dishes for lunch and dinner, and offers delivery and take out services.

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The public is welcome to attend the November 20th ribbon cutting and anniversary party that begins at 11:00 a.m. and runs through 3:00 p.m. Anniversary special lunches and dinners for $35 for two will be served Wednesday, November 20th through Saturday, November 23. Raffle drawings for $50 gift certificates will be held daily at 7:30 p.m. between November 20 and 23rd and winners need not be present to receive their prizes. There is no cost or obligation to enter the raffle contest, however, entrants must be 18 years or older.

Pizza Castle Restaurant and the Castle Pub are open Monday through Thursdays 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.; Fridays and Saturdays 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.; Sundays 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.

To learn more about the Pizza Castle Restaurant and Pub at 143 Chase Avenue in Waterbury, call 203-755-3501 or visit www.PizzaCastleCT.com to enter name and telephone number to enter the 35 Year Anniversary Raffle. Winners will be contacted by telephone or email. 

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