Mario’s Restaurant & Pizzeria

EricS.

marios-mario1972

Mario Simoni quit his day job at General Motors to start a new life in the pizza business.

marios-mariosimoniMario Simoni worked days at a General Motors plant and nights at a friend’s pizzeria when he decided to strike out on his own. An Italian immigrant, he opened Mario’s Restaurant & Pizzeria in Flint, Michigan, in April 1963. He developed his own recipes and served fellow Italians in the area with a simple menu (pizza, pasta and sandwiches). He offered late-night hours for factory workers, opening from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. each day. “It was a struggle at first, with 12-hour days,” recalls Frank Simoni, Mario’s son and current co-owner with his brother Sergio. “My brother Jerry and I basically grew up in the business just to be able to spend time with Mom and Dad.”

In the ’70s, Jerry and Frank went to work for the family business—now with a full bar and an expanded building—after graduating high school and fully took over the business in 1981, while Sergio, Mario and Mario’s wife, Margherita, moved to California and eventually opened up a restaurant in Escondido. But the family returned to Flint in 1997, and Sergio got involved with the original business, while Jerry struck out on his own to start a new venture.

marios-frankRegardless of changes over the years, the family-oriented environment at Mario’s hasn’t changed. “We’re very old-school, with a loyal clientele and a lot of involvement with local schools and sporting events,” Frank says. “My dad was always big into that, and we continue that tradition.”

From sponsoring local teams to dipping their toes into social media (Frank’s daughter started a Facebook page for the restaurant in 2013), the restaurant maintains a balance of honoring the past while adjusting for customers’ changing demands. Part of the restaurant’s success has involved its dedicated staff and the constant presence of at least one family member, adding a touch of personal warmth that touches every customer. “The pizza business takes hard work and dedication—it’s not the work that’s hard, but the hours you put in,” Frank muses. “But, as I tell my staff, when people come in, we want them to feel like they’re coming to our house for dinner.” –Tracy Morin

17 Comments

  1. gregReply
    July 19, 2015 at 7:14 am

    Is that Frank Serpico, or Frank Simoni? lol

  2. Oscar BarryReply
    July 19, 2015 at 10:35 am

    I remember my dad taking me there the first Saturday they were open as we had a business just down the road from Mario’s

  3. BeaveReply
    July 19, 2015 at 4:18 pm

    Alright, alright, alright!!!!

  4. markReply
    July 21, 2015 at 3:06 am

    Mario’s was a special treat for our family when I was growing up(60’s-80). My pops favored the spaghetti and I lived for their pizza. Great memories.

  5. Raleigh AdamsReply
    July 21, 2015 at 8:35 am

    Being from Grand Blanc I spent many nights eating pizza here. Just incredible pizza. Was there recently. Nothing has changed. Still great Pizza.

  6. Pastor Raleigh AdamsReply
    July 21, 2016 at 9:03 am

    My wife, who was from Grand Blanc, will tell you that Mario’s has the best Antipasto Salad anywhere. She orders it every
    time we are in town.

  7. DeeReply
    July 22, 2016 at 10:43 pm

    The O’Dea family loves Mario’s! We even have a family member with this name. Mario Ausiello.

  8. Tedd CreamerReply
    March 22, 2017 at 9:21 am

    Hey Frank, you look exactly the same as in the 70’s Lol. You are holding up very well. Lots of great memories.
    From baking cookies in the oven to your dad throwing loaves of bread at me and swearing at me in Italian when I screwed up. Good to see that Mario’s is still rolling along. Keep trying to catch you there when I come up from Florida every year but keep missing you. All the best.
    Tedd

  9. Lavora lancourReply
    July 19, 2017 at 5:29 pm

    I’m glad that Marios is still up and running . We all grew up in there. Would love to see you when I come up sometime, Great memories ,Lavora

  10. Jill Foote HaugReply
    July 19, 2017 at 5:55 pm

    I remember going there after football or basketball games in the early 70’s. It was always fun even though we were not allowed to “table hop.” We still enjoy going there now. Great food and a great staff!

  11. pamela spencerReply
    July 19, 2017 at 7:31 pm

    We start every drive-in season with a Mario’s pizza! Love picking up and driving across the street, our tradition! Personally, i’ve been going there my whole life. Our favorite local Italian restaurant!

  12. Rosalba carlini bowdersReply
    July 19, 2017 at 7:32 pm

    My uncle Mario and aunt Margherita worked very hard to make a go of it. They deserve what they have reaped. God bless both of them. Their food is excellent!!

  13. Ryan JReply
    July 19, 2017 at 7:39 pm

    Congrats Marios! Grandma would bring us here for dinner, dad, mom, numerous uncles, aunts, cousins. A true Flint institution to me. You know the food is great when you want to try something different on then menu, but you know for a fact that your usual is going to be amazing. Always bring a friend, so you can try some of their dinner! The atmosphere was always comforting, the staff were always so friendly. Please don’t change a thing Marios!

  14. Sharon ChristmanReply
    July 19, 2017 at 7:45 pm

    Our first date was at Mario’s, Friday night GBHS Homecoming football game, October 1966. We have been married 46 years and STILL stop in at Mario’s when we are downstate. They treat us like family when we walk thru the door. How many businesses strive for that kind of atmosphere today? We love the pizza, spaghetti w/meat sauce or antipasto salad. Frank, Sergio and all the staff are carrying on a wonderful family tradition that will NEVER go out of style. Well done, Mario’s, well done!!!

  15. SteveReply
    July 20, 2017 at 10:32 am

    They always had killer pizza,… one of the things I miss while living in Tucson.

  16. squiresReply
    July 20, 2017 at 11:07 am

    love, love, love the meat sauce!…..bring back the Monday night specials please……

  17. SandiReply
    July 21, 2017 at 9:00 am

    I haven’t had as much fun at any other job like I did working at Mario’s!!! Then going on to breakfast after closing was the best!! The memories will be with me forever!!

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