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Where They're Always Glad You Came

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By ANGELA DELGADO

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 11, 2008

TOWN 'N COUNTRY - Costas "Mr. C." Constantinou wants everybody to know his restaurant's name.

"I want it like 'Cheers' when people come here," he said, referring to the fictional TV bar where everybody knows your name.

Constantino's Pizzeria, Restaurant & Lounge opened in April 2007, and Constantinou has tried various menus, prices and activities for his patrons to make his business a success.

The restaurant, which opens at 11 a.m. in time for its daily $6.95 lunch buffet, offers patrons all sorts of dishes to satisfy the pickiest of palates. Greek and Caesar salads, tuna melts and gyro wraps, calzones and specialty pizzas and even chicken fingers and fried calamari platters are available to order.

"We do everything from scratch," Constantinou said. "We use the best ingredients in the market. I challenge anybody to come and see that."

Constantinou makes his pizza dough and calls his pizza "national pizza" because he said it reminds his customers of Chicago-, New York- and New Haven-style pizza.

Once, an older gentleman customer kissed him on the cheek and tipped him because he took him back to his younger days with the taste of his pizza, Constantinou said.

"This unique combination is making my pizza most special," he said.

Constantinou, a native of Cyprus, said he was born in a restaurant 59 years ago. He's a third-generation restaurateur, and his grandfather and parents opened restaurants in England.

Before Constantinou opened his current place, he had three restaurants in New Hampshire, he said. He has owned businesses for 32 years.

When Constantinou moved to the Tampa Bay area less than two years ago, he did so to retire. But he couldn't stay home, he said.

"This is my life," he said. "I had to get back to what I like best: the restaurant. Some people tell me I married my restaurant, but it's a happy marriage - that's what I say."

In reality, the father of two daughters is happily married to Suzanne, his wife of 35 years. His daughter Stella Millan works with him at Constantino's, staying in the family business.

"You can't escape from this business," Constantinou said.

When Constantinou couldn't stay home any longer, he looked into opening his business in its Town 'N Country location because he liked the traffic, highways and population in the area, he said.

Aside from the restaurant, the 4,500-square-foot space also has a lounge that opens at 3 p.m. The lounge has a happy hour from 4 to 8 p.m. and offers two-for-one deals on liquor and beer, Millan said. Customers also get a free pizza with their happy-hour order.

Constantinou has been working with promoters to continue bringing in Latin Nights on a consistent basis. He also wants to offer the space for private dances and private parties and is planning to add a billiard table to the restaurant.

"We want people to get familiar with this place," he said. "I like this place to be a family place. I want to see people enjoy the atmosphere, enjoy the food. This is my dream.

"I could be anywhere, but I'm just happy to be here. I like to see people with their families with their smiles. I like to see people happy."

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Constantino's Pizzeria, Restaurant & Lounge

LOCATION: 7551 W. Waters Ave., Tampa

DAILY ITALIAN LUNCH BUFFET: $6.95 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closing varies from 9 to 10 p.m.

PHONE: (813) 882-3200

WEB SITE: www.tampapizzalounge.com

Reporter Angela Delgado can be reached at (813) 865-1501 or adelgado@tampatrib.com.

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