A very Grumpy Christmas

When Steve Deorio opened the doors of the Grumpy Italian five years ago his goal was to have a place where families could sit down and step back into a bygone era where people shared stories and tales while eating classic Italian-American fare. Deorio grew up in North Denver where there were a lot of Italian families. He wanted to provide family-focused food and dining that he remembers when he was a kid.

Deorio said in interview in 2018, "I wanted to give people the experience of sitting on the stoop. The way we did "social networking" back then was everyone came over on Sunday and would dig in, talk and play games."

Judging from the Grumpy Italian's Facebook page, customers are having fun just as much as Deorio. Deorio's wife, Eden, manages the social media for the business and posts very regularly, often with photos of customers enjoying the food or picking out a shirt or hat to wear. Those photos are later printed off and placed on the walls of the eatery.

Deorio said that food played a central part when friends and family congregated. The importance of food isn't just a cliche, it's a passion for Deorio.

Everything in the restaurant is made in-house from scratch, including his own recipe for sausage. Salsiccia is the recipe made with spicy hot pepper flakes and fennel, making it an experience unlike the store-bought Italian sausage.

Crust for the pizza is made fresh every day and proofed several hours before it is baked into a thin crust. Sauce is made every day as well, started very early in the morning and cooking slowly for hours.

The Grumpy Italian menu features not only pizza, but include sandwiches, pasta dishes, a grab and go sandwich, appetizers, soups, salads, calzones, paninis and desserts. There is also a kids menu. Deorio has embraced the internet with a website where orders can be placed for pickup later.

Deorio focuses on consistency. Being consistent with their hours of operation, service and food is important to him. Deorio doesn't believe in wasting food. He says he cooks like everybody is coming to his own dining room for dinner.

Deorio isn't kidding about the no Wi-Fi in his establishment. There's a big sign on the wall that suggests people talk to each other instead of sitting across from one another staring at cell phone screens.

In celebration of the Grumpy Italian fifth anniversary, Deorio is doing something he calls the Grumpy Italian Slipper Giveaway. He's partnered up with two national brands, Isotoner totes and Pepsi. Deorio said they are taking slippers to the Saratoga Care Center and the Rawlins Rehabilitation Center to give to the residents. He plans to continue this tradition every year. Deorio said the reason for starting this program is they are so grateful for everybody that supports them. He said, "this is a family operation and we are blessed."

Deorio said he wanted to include Carbon County as a whole and would like to include other facilities if they'll just get hold of him–he'll see what he can do next year.

The Grumpy Italian is also helping the Saratoga Museum with their first ever Christmas eve game night for all those who do not have family in the area or just like to play board games. Deorio is donating the food to help brighten the holidays.