Danny’s has been pleasing palates for 65 years
Bill Mazeroski and the Pirates weren’t the only individuals to leave an indelible mark on the Pittsburgh area landscape in 1960. So did Danny Rowsick, whose Bethel Park restaurant continues to hit it out of the park.
Rowsick launched Danny’s Pizza and Hoagies in that locally iconic year during the Eisenhower administration. He ran this dining destination for 59 of the 65 years his shop has been open at 5159 Library Road (Route 88), about three miles from the entrance to South Park.
“He is now very, very, very retired,” Alex Hvizdos said of his uncle, laughing. “He’s 93, and he looks pretty good.
Hvizdos and his mother, Michele, now are co-owners of the business, after succeeding Danny in 2019. Rowsick now mostly spends time at his farm in Eighty Four, but does occasionally visit his familiar former workplace.
“He comes in from time to time to talk to customers,” the nephew said. “He was here for our 65th anniversary celebration in June.”
Hvizdos, 30, has a high regard for his uncle/predecessor – professionally and personally.
“I take very little credit. My uncle set the foundation years ago. He worked very hard to give that store the reputation it has. I’m fortunate I took over from him. His recipes and philosophies set us up for success.”
Hoagies and pizzas are Danny’s trademarks, but its menu is more extensive. Diners can select from 12 different toppings for standard pizzas. There also are seven specialty pizza selections, five varieties of calzones, 10 different hoagies, chicken wings and salads.
The Famous Italian hoagie – as designated on the menu – “is our No. 1 recipe, Hvizdos said. “That is 100% my uncle. We go with a lot of meat he used.” Another popular selection – The Original Steak, with Danny’s Steak Sauce – was his uncle’s specialty as well.
“We’re using fresh pack tomato, which keeps the flavor more natural,” Hvizdos said. Our sauces, cheeses and dough are all made in house. A lot of our products come from local suppliers.”
Hvizdos, who built and bought a house in Eighty Four, grew up in Peters Township. He is established in his job and oversees a staff of about 15.
“That number fluctuates depending on the time of year,” he said. “We try to keep 13 to 18. We’ve had good luck with staffing,” including a number of students from Bethel Park High School. I have a pretty good team around me.”
In charge of an established establishment for the past six years, Hvizdos does not have to overhaul a business that has been a success for six-plus decades. “But I try to innovate, “do new things, like bringing in machinery and focusing more on pizza.”
He strives to include pizazz in the pizzas.
“We had always heard that our sandwiches are great, and our pizzas are OK. My challenge is to make our pizzas better.”
There was a second Danny’s for years along Route 51 in Whitehall, but that shop eventually shuttered. Hvizdos said, “We’ve always thought about expanding, but we would want to make sure that would be a strong move. Location is everything, and this is a prime location in Bethel Park.”
It also is a family-run business, Hvizdos pointed out. He and his mother are ably complemented by Alex’s sister, Aimee, who handles the majority of marketing, and their father, David, an attorney who provides counsel.
“Both of my parents had worked here before,” Alex added.
Danny, of course, can provide direction any time.
Restaurant hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 11 to 8:30 Friday and Saturday; and 11 to 5 on Sunday. Danny’s is closed on Mondays and Tuesday.
Alex Hvizdos is not planning to switch careers. “This place is very near and dear to my heart,” he said. “Fortunately, I do what I do every day.”