In our annual Best of the Best competition, Mario’s Italian Café was named the best Italian restaurant in Indio by our readers. The local restaurant chain, helmed by patriarch Mario Del Guidice, and his sons, Matthew and Peter, is a popular choice with six locations across the Coachella Valley. We spoke with Mario to learn more about the family business.
How important is it that eight family members work in your six locations?
My family is my strength. My two sons started working with me when they were 8 and 9 years old. Two things I taught my children: work ethics and to have a heart for the community.
What is one of your charitable programs about which the public may not know?
Every Thursday, all year, we feed 200 homeless people. We supply the food, and Street Life Project distributes it.
What do you consider to be the No. 1 reason for Mario’s success?
Consistency. I have employees that have been with me for up to 45 years. Regarding food consistency, I mix the spices for the sauces used in every location, and one son and I make our sausage. Also, we haven’t raised our prices for four years.
Is there anything unusual on your Italian-based menu?
We have the best Chinese chicken salad in the valley. I was taught to make a Chinese dressing by an Asian gentlemen when I was [learning the restaurant business] in Brooklyn.
How have you continued to, as your branding says, sell the valley’s “largest glass of wine for $5”?
In 1955, when I worked in my uncle’s restaurant, he made me swear to give customers a good, reasonably priced, and big glass of wine. I have been doing that since opening in 1972. That’s my vow to my uncle.
If forced to choose, would you rather have pasta or pizza?
I’m an old-school guy. I love my plate of pasta.
