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BUSINESS
WEST VALLEY VIEW NEWS | JULY 4, 2018
Babbo Italian Eatery coming to Goodyear in 2019 By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
Babbo Italian Eatery is bringing its “bold, fresh flavors” to Goodyear in early 2019, making it the ninth location in the family-owned, local company. The exact location has not been revealed. “We’re all across the Valley from Surprise to Mesa,” said Ken Pollack, founder. The restaurants are Pollack’s longtime passion, as he opened the doors to the first Babbo in Glendale in 2002. “Babbo” is an ode to his role as father; Babbo is Italian for “daddy.” “The name reflects how important it is for me to be a good dad and a good father,” said Pollack, who has been in the business for 25 years. “I was a single dad at the time (I started the restaurant). When I met my wife I have right now, she was a single mom. Just being ‘dad’ to all those kids was real important for me. “We have four children altogether. We had a merger and acquisition between us. It’s been great. All of them are our kids. There’s no distinguishing between biological or nonbiological. They’re all my kids and I love them all
the same.” With eight Valley locations, Babbo serves Italian classics and modern ItalianAmerican cuisine. The menu boasts creative dishes like pistachio mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, pistachios, fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil and balsamic reduction ($9.50); steak and tequila lime salad, mixed Spaghetti and meatballs sells for $6.99 on Mondays and Tuesdays, and $13.50 the rest of the week. greens, onions, tomatoes, Left, It’s among the more popular dishes on the menu at Babbo, which is coming to Goodyear in early 2019. mozzarella and housemade (Photo courtesy Babbo) Right, Chicken limone piles roasted chicken breast, artichokes, capers, fresh lemon ranch, topped with flank butter sauce and garlic on fusilli ($12.95). (Photo by Jason Fair) steak ($10.50/$12.95); and We take the roasted chicken, flat iron doesn’t mean it has to be super pricy,” chicken limone, with roasted chicken steak, shrimp or salmon and we sautee Pollack said. “We keep the prices breast, artichokes, capers, fresh lemon them in a sweet and spicy honey chili affordable so people will continue butter sauce and garlic, served on glaze. We put it on top of brown rice to come back. We want to be the fusilli ($12.95). and red quinoa, broccoli, yellow squash neighborhood Italian restaurant. New to Babbo are protein bowls, “People ask me all the time what and zucchini.” which feature chicken ($10.95), flat the name means. The name is really Since he founded Babbo, however, iron steak ($12.95), shrimp ($12.95) important. It signifies family and just the favorite dish among customers has and salmon ($13.95), and zoodles, or how important it is to be a good role been clear: spaghetti and meatballs, zucchini noodles. model for your family and friends. which sells for $6.99 on Mondays and “These are all new items that, I think, I think that’s what the restaurant Tuesdays. are healthy alternatives,” Pollack said. represents.” “It’s such a good value for people,” “The protein bowls are super popular. Pollack is proud of his staff and what he said. “We charge $13.50 on the they have accomplished together in 15 other days. My favorite dish, though, years. is actually the sautéed Brussels sprouts “It’s a big deal for us,” he said. “When I and beets on the chalkboard menu.” look back, I’m super proud of everybody Pollack prides himself on using fresh who’s been involved, and who’s helped ingredients and keeping the dishes us get to this point. I’m really excited affordable. about the future as well.” “We use fresh ingredients, but that
Of hot dogs and America’s freedom By John Safin President and CEO Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce
WEST Serving VALLEY VISION CENTER the West Valley for over 50 years. Christopher Furey, OD, PLC • Brent Wilson, OD • Stacee Burson, OD • Anna Moore, OD, FAAO Brayden Lundquist, OD, FAAO, FSLS • Nicole Anderson, OD, FAAO Optometrists
2580 N. Litchfield Road, Goodyear (One block south of Thomas Road)
(623) 932-2020 www.westvalleyvision.com
Fourth of July: Our Independence Day. Back in the 1970s, we were told America meant baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet. Guess which car manufacturer created that advertising campaign? I like all of them unless the hot dogs have ketchup. Ew. Traditions, a person, standards and institutions can be symbols of the United States. Thanksgiving is a tradition, Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr. are icons, the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights are standards, and the Smithsonian is an institution. The Chamber of Commerce is also an institution and the best resource for maintaining free enterprise. Think of it this way: Our Republic
formed 242 years ago on individual freedoms, specifically, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. A free-market society, capitalism, provides the highest level of personal freedom. You, me and everyone else can grow up to be whatever we want to be. In the spirit of pursuing life, liberty and happiness, the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce serves as the central resource of a strong and collaborative business community by advancing economic growth, cultivating a vibrant business environment, and facilitating our members’ success. Becoming who and what you want to be will take education and effort just
Freedom...continued on page 15