Firefighters work outside the Aurelio's Pizza in Munster, where a fire damaged the restaurant in November 2018. It reopened Monday after a complete renovation.
The Aurelio's Pizza in Munster reopened Monday after rebuilding nearly two years after a devastating fire.
The longtime pizza restaurant at 416 Ridge Road in Munster that specializes in Chicago-style tavern-cut thin crust completely renovated after a fire forced it to close its doors in November 2018. The Munster outpost, which is part of the Aurelio's chain that started on Ridge Road in Homewood in 1959 — will celebrate its 38th anniversary this fall.
Owners Christine and Nick Ruggeri have owned both the Munster and Hammond franchises for more than 20 years.
"While we were saddened after the fire, we are grateful to be a part of the Aurelio's franchise and to have received the support from our community while we repaired the damages," Nick Ruggeri said. "It brings me great joy and excitement that we are able to serve the community again with the best pizza in the Region."
Aurelio's was the first Chicago-style pizzeria to franchise in 1974. The Chicago-area staple, whose slogans include "Tell 'em Joe sent me," "It's the sauce," "The family pizzeria" and "Aurelio's is pizza," now has more than 40 franchise locations in six states, spread across the country.
Founded by Joseph A. Aurelio Jr. with the old oven in Homewood, Aurelio's is known for topping square-cut pizza with homemade Italian sausage, mozzarella and its signature garlic basil tomato sauce.
"The Ruggeri (family) understands our mission to maintain the authenticity in every community we serve by honoring and celebrating its families," Aurelio's President Joe Aurelio said. "I know how devastated both Christine and Nick were after the fire, as was I, so I am just as excited for their location to open back up and start serving our loyal customers in and around Munster once again."
The restaurant is open for carryout and delivery from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday; and 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, visit www.aureliospizza.com, call (219) 836-2336 or find the business on Facebook.
Best Pizza in the Region
Multiple locations
Website: aureliospizza.com
What started as a neighborhood pizza parlor in 1959 in Homewood, Illinois, has now become one of the most popular pizzerias in the Region and beyond. Aurelio’s has grown to about 40 locations spanning six states, including Cedar Lake, Crown Point, Griffith, Hammond, LaPorte, Lowell, Munster, Portage, Schererville, Valparaiso, Winfield and South Holland.
Regarding its longevity, Nick Ruggeri says, “It’s in the sauce.” He credits a great-tasting sauce and fresh ingredients as key components in the franchise’s popularity. Ruggeri owns the Munster and Hammond locations, which both have a dining room and bar.
Although known for their pizza, the menu includes a variety of sandwiches, pastas and salads. Ruggeri says that a lunchtime buffet is available on weekdays at the Hammond location and it’s a good way to sample additional menu items. He also runs nightly specials and offers catering service.
“Our sauce is the best tasting and people enjoy it,” says Ruggeri. “That’s a good reason why we’re up there as being the best.”
Multiple locations
Website: gelpizza.com
A Region mainstay since its first location opened in 1979 in Portage, a local could throw an ingot and it will probably hit a Gelsosomo's. And that, my dear Regionites, is a good thing.
Joseph S. Pete
Business Reporter
Joseph S. Pete is a Lisagor Award-winning business reporter who covers steel, industry, unions, the ports, retail, banking and more. The Indiana University grad has been with The Times since 2013 and blogs about craft beer, culture and the military.
