The opening of the Imperial Beach Filippi's Pizza Grotto happened to coincide with my son's third Birthday. Today would be a special day for celebrating with the family. I told my wife to bring the kids in the car and catch up with me. I hopped on my bike and pedaled from Oneonta and East Lane over to Palm and Third Ave. Lucky for me, I was first in line at 10:43am. I wanted to make this a special day and be the first official customer in the door. A few minutes later, the host; Michelle DePhilippis arrived in the parking lot. She walked up to us and graciously invited us to come in early. I congratulated her and her family for choosing Imperial Beach to set up their pizza grotto. I especially thanked her on behalf of families here in Imperial Beach. Filippi's of IB now offers another choice for families who wish to gather before or after a special event at a reasonable cost. The parking lot is freshly paved and marked with plenty of space. Palm and Third also offer side street parking. I'm confident even those spaces will be filled on those busy days when lines will form outside. The bright exterior colors of the Filippi's theme and logo cannot be missed when driving on Palm at Third. Walking inside reassures the customer that tradition and comfort never goes out of style. From the same style menu's to the themed red and white picnic table cloths to the bright red carpets and seats; you know you've arrived at Filippi's. Add the beautiful mural wall art and interior lattice designs to the setting and you could probably spend a few hours of quality time with yourself or a loved one. As for menu items, not much has changed, even the way the menus are printed. Even for prices, the large vegetarian pizza pie with fresh garlic was around $22.00. Consistency and family tradition are key factors for the ongoing success of the Filippi’s restaurant chain, with over 14 family run locations spread mostly throughout Southern California. With Filippi's in Imperial Beach, it should be considered one of the best case studies on how to identify changing needs and demographics of a community and how best to capitalize on fulfilling those needs. Oh, look over there, it's the Mayor of IB looking at a menu. Even he understands the importance of family values and encouraging family businesses to succeed in Imperial Beach. I went to shake his hand and told him that this was a very historic day for Imperial Beach families. He was very gracious and quietly stayed low keyed. Best of all, by investing in the local community of Imperial Beach, Filippi's has continued to maintain it's image of a locally owned and operated family oriented business that loves to serve young families. Kudo's to Filippi's and thanks again to the DePhilippis family. Acknowledgement and a job well done also goes to the City of Imperial Beach for helping the Filippi's business become a reality. Please show your support of local businesses by visiting. It shows true unity of family and community. And if you've never tried Filippi's, perhaps it's time to gather up the family and neighbors and take a walk. The beach is only one block away. Perhaps the best reason to visit: They make great tasting pizzas!
Celebrating Family on Opening Day at new Filippi's Pizza Grotto in Imperial Beach
Imperial Beach families thankful for new Filippis Pizza Grotto and grateful to DePhlippis family and City Of Imperial Beach.
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Marcus Boyd June 17, 2013 at 05:41 pm
My daughter made one for me on her laptop... now I see why!
Lucky me though, it was one-of-a-kind!
ibcalif June 17, 2013 at 01:10 pm
Poor Tom still unhappy when pet owners DO pick up after their pets?? Yes, Tom, kids do play on their…Read More parents lawns. And on all their neighbors lawn. And in the streets. And on their cars. And demand their neighbors pay for parks programs so the kids parents don't have to. It must be that "we all live in the same community" thing and have to get along thing, eh? Yes, you are as "wierd" (sic) as you guessed. BTW, nice bragging about threatening to make someone eat dog crap from your yard.
Tammy Petersen Jenkins June 18, 2013 at 06:53 pm
My faith has been restored. Looking outside my kitchen window this a.m. I saw a man walking his dog…Read More with a bucket and pick-up grabber. I couldn't believe my eyes. He was cleaning up all of the dog feces along the estuary on Seacoast. I will keep my eyes out for him again so that I can go out and personally thank him for his great volunteer work. What a great IB resident!!
Ed Kravitz June 16, 2013 at 08:34 pm
You could call Pacifica Companies...Maybe Alison Rolfson? You could call your local City Council…Read More Representative or go to the Council Meeting early on Wednesday evening and fill out a speakers card and post the same question to the City Council. Share with us what you find out! (If Anything?) Tell them you don't care for the way they pick City Attorneys, City Managers or replacement Council Members in closed session while you're at it.
Marcus Boyd June 15, 2013 at 06:57 am
Looks great!!! I'll be there tomorrow morning for breakfast to let you know!
Jim June 7, 2013 at 10:58 am
This is a delaying tactic. They are going to try to appease enough of the groups to break up the…Read More coalition. The IBCC has given away millions to some of the richest men in San Diego County. Why are the people forced to take a hair cut on the budget crisis. Let the city employees who stood by and did nothing while getting raises as IB was looted.
Sincerely,
IBMad@madenoughyet.com
Marcus Boyd June 7, 2013 at 11:46 am
Thank you for posting this. Great job to all who were involved with the Alternative Solution to IB…Read More Sports Park Privatization Planning Committee.
While the above referenced "delaying tactic" is likely true, it will be up to the community's grassroots activism to force the council to a public decision on the issue.
Their "delaying tactic" comes with a price in 2014 - when two council seats and the mayors seat is up for grabs.
Who's interested?
Ed Kravitz June 7, 2013 at 01:42 pm
Mayor Janney seems anguished at finding a process he can still control ? Probably so he can finish…Read More the deal and deliver the goods; per the previous DONE DEAL. He acts like; No matter what process they do, the only decision will be YMCA.
16:08 Janney: "We can appoint our plants on the committee?"
Gary Brown: "Oh Yea!"
"OH YEA!"
_____________________________________
If the YMCA took over ownership of Municipal Property and then went Bankrupt....would tax-payer assets be sold off to the highest bidder via Bankruptcy Proceedings? Maybe the YMCA is going to pass the properties through to another entity that will buy them out when they file for planned future bankruptcy? Hey ...If the YMCA is running the Municipal Pools in Chula Vista and National City now...maybe they'd like to build a pool for Imperial Beach with their own money; since all the Imperial Beach RDA money went for "OTHER PROJECTS"?
Is this a classic struggle over who controls the children in the community?
Kelly Tracy June 6, 2013 at 09:03 am
I have been here in IB for ten years and maybe shopped at moldies/Wallys a dozen times 9 of those…Read More were for wine.
The first experience at walley was a sale on bad meat for a BBQ and yogurt that was expired the second time was canned goods that were on sale and I was charged full price the third time was a watermelon well at least the mellon was good ;-/ we need a Whole foods or Trader Joes in IB
Erika Lowery June 11, 2013 at 12:23 pm
Is there any update? I see the flyers as I go around town and I worry about her.
Pat P June 12, 2013 at 07:30 am
Have you checked Chula Vista AC on Beyer? They pick up dogs in IB that are loose.
Agenta Nines June 13, 2013 at 10:10 pm
i seen a dog that looked like her in a yard on the corner of elder and 3rd. small house. It might be…Read More their dog. but it is worth driving by
Your neighbor up the street, Ed.
As a former city dweller, a block to the beach is different than a walk in the park. Either way, we are blessed to live in Imperial Beach where we can get outside and bask in the sun.
he wrote a very enthusiastic post, and you come along and criticize gentleman that he is, he graciously accepted you pointing out the distance. i am a short time resident here, only 28 years, thank you to the Filippi family for opening here. IB-ED
Molto Buono, Filippi's!!!
Location, a nice stroll to the beach. Success is not a givin, but it should do well.
the hostess seated me and gave me a glass of water. IB water, ugh, they do have water in a bottle, you have to ask. i ordered the shrimp filippi. 5&1/2 shrimp, 1 of which was not peeled. i did not count the mushrooms, i think they were canned and only just a few. the sauce, where was the sauce? minuscule and zero flavor. i used the butter for the bread and the Parmesan cheese to perk it up. i overheard the folks at the table next to me, their food came in stages and also had issues. they actually laughed about the pizza. not a very good start for me. i do not send food back , EVER. too many horror stories about doing that. granted it is a new kitchen and staff. maybe they will get it together, i will try it one more time. I do want to give a thumbs up to the ladies at the door, the hostess and server. they deserve better from the kitchen
http://www.yelp.com/biz/filippis-pizza-grotto-imperial-beach