In April of 1995, Rick moved from Lebanon to Canada. After some work in Grande Cache, he settled in Edmonton and started to look for a job in the big city.
He ultimately applied to be a delivery driver for the Beverly Boston Pizza in early 1996. At that time, Beverly's Boston Pizza sat at 4702 118 Avenue, but was working on a move down the Avenue to the location where it still operates today at 3303 118 Avenue.
Rick decided to instead sublease their old location and open his own restaurant, and so Pappa's Restaurant was born.
Officially opening on March 8, 1996, Pappa's Restaurant has now operated in that same location for 30 years. Early days were not easy, and saw Rick lose his business partners because there simply was not enough money coming in.
Rick saw it as a challenge and declared, in his words, "I'll make it on my own or I'll break it on my own."
He kept the restaurant going, working 7 days a week to survive. Rick was always there, always working, and ultimately it succeeded and Pappa's became a beloved staple of the Beverly community.
From delicious pizzas to burgers to pastas to steaks, Rick's restaurant continues to offer a tasty menu worthy of exploring, but more than anything it is Rick's commitment to, in his words, "generous portions" that makes Pappa's stand out.
Meals are enormous, making it a safe bet you will be enjoying the rest of it as leftovers for lunch the next day. From their famous loaded thick-crust pizzas to their hearty pastas, every dish is made with care, and the restaurant preserves a true family dine-in experience.
Rick speaks quickly to the support he has received from the community to make his restaurant ownership dream one that has thrived for 30 years. "I like the area," he says. "They keep coming and supporting me. I'm not going anywhere, I'm staying here."
In more recent years, the restaurant introduced a lounge and VLTs in 2018. They offer delivery, dine-in, and pick up, with online ordering available directly on their website. They are a great spot for group bookings, watching a sports game, or an outing with the whole family.
All are welcome to pop in to Pappa's Restaurant to experience their delicious food, their generous portions, their inviting atmosphere, and be part of a Beverly institution that has served its community so well since that first day in 1996.
Congratulations to Rick and the whole team at Pappa's Restaurant on 30 years of business! Learn more and order at pappasfamilyrestaurant.ca.
