Anthony Gambino is an owner of Cucina Paradiso in Oak Park and Burger Moovment in Elmwood Park.
Q: Where did you grow up and go to school?
A: I grew up in Elmwood Park. I went to Holy Cross High School. I went to Rosary College, which is now Dominican University. I’m a local boy.
Q: When did you become interested in owning businesses?
A: My family was in the restaurant business when my brother and I were small kids. When my dad retired in the late ’80s, my brother and I started our own restaurants.
Q: What are the names of your restaurants?
A: I have Cucina Paradiso in Oak Park and Burger Moovment in Elmwood Park.
Q: How long have you had these restaurants?
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A: Cucina Paradiso just turned 22. Burger Moovment has been there for six years.
Q: Why did you decide to have one restaurant that serves Italian cuisine and one that serves American cuisine?
A: My brother and I like to try different things and eating different foods. We’re Italian by nature, and who doesn’t love American food such as burgers and fries?
Q: What kind of cuisine does your catering business, Twomaytoz Event Catering serve?
A: We cater all different types of cuisine, from Italian, to Greek, to Spanish, to American to barbecue. We have a great team with a lot of knowledge about all different cuisines.
Q: What changes did you recently make to Cucina Paradiso?
A: We remodeled Cucina Paradiso in February. The last time we remodeled was eight years ago. We gave it a good, fresh change.
Q: What are some challenges that go along with owning a business?
A: The amount of competition that’s out there and the changing segment of consumers’ wants and needs. We have to stay on edge and keep up with the technology and people’s habits.
Q: What’s it like owning a business where you grew up?
A: I think it’s always been a blessing to own a business where you grew up. I tried harder to be successful because I knew so many people in the area. We love Elmwood Park.
Q: What dish do people like the most at Burger Moovment?
A: Customers like the Elmwood Park burger.
Maryann Pisano is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.