Aurelio's Pizza coming to Arlington Heights

Aurelio's Pizza, a South and West suburban staple, will open its first Northwest suburban location in Arlington Heights early next year.

A plan to build the restaurant at 2944 W. Euclid Ave. received approval from the Arlington Heights village board on Monday, and owner George Vassos said he hopes to open in mid-March 2015.

The 5,100-square-foot restaurant will seat 183 people inside and have an outdoor seating area for 25, Vassos said. The restaurant will serve thin and thick crust pizza, meatball sandwiches, pasta, salads and other classic Italian dishes.

“We are predominantly on the South side of the city, but we wanted to bring it to the North side,” Vassos said of the franchise that has locations in Naperville, Tinley Park, Downers Grove and more than 30 other locations in the suburbs and Northwest Indiana. The closest Aurelio's Pizza to Arlington Heights is in Addison. The first Aurelio's opened in 1959 in Homewood.

“It's something that is sorely needed in this area — a pizza place with One Arlington (apartments) and all the residents in that area,” Trustee Tom Glasgow said.

The restaurant will be in a shopping center along Euclid Avenue, down the street from the large mixed-use Arlington Downs. That development eventually will include a mix of luxury apartments, retail shops and restaurants.

Aurelio's will offer pickup, eat-in and delivery services, Vassos said. He said he is in the process of applying for a liquor license.

“I agree that this is a great location and something we need in that area, especially with the new apartment complex,” said Trustee John Scaletta. “There's a lot of businesses in that area, so they won't have to go too far for a good meal.”