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Owner Brings Culture To Menu

CANDACE C. MUNDY/TAMPA TRIBUNE PHOTO

At Dominick's Deli, cuban are one of their specialities. IN PHOTO--employee Elizabeth Salcedo prepares cubans to be cut and sold in the deli, located at 5305 Ehrlich Rd.

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By JESSICA BALANZA | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 19, 2007

CARROLLWOOD - Dominick's, a longtime Carrollwood business, has a new owner.

The restaurant/deli at the northwest corner of Ehrlich and Hutchison roads has been around since the mid-1980s and was purchased two months ago by Northdale resident Flor Pignano.

The family owned-and-operated business, previously known as Dominick's Meat & Deli, will be called Dominick's To Go.

Pignano said she has made changes since acquiring the business, including renovating the restaurant, having a breakfast menu and adding foods from other cultures, including her own.

Born and raised in Peru, Pignano began learning about the business at a young age at her father's bakery.

'I have always wanted to have a sandwich shop,' Pignano said.

She wants to incorporate her heritage into her menu, which will feature Italian, Cuban, Peruvian, American and Greek dishes.

Customers will find pasta, gyros, Cuban sandwiches, wings, empanadas (stuffed pastry) and salchipappas (thin sausage with French fries). Customers may take food out or to dine in.

'We want to cook here the way we would cook for ourselves,' said Benjamin Rodriguez, the restaurant's manager.

The business is managed by Pignano's family members, such as her aunt, Elizabeth Salcedo, and her children, Lily, 18, and Hector Rosina, 13, who helps when he gets out of school.

With the business open, Pignano said she hopes with time to expand.

Until Dominick's has steady business, Pignano is working at another job during the day and can be found at the restaurant in the mornings and evenings.

'It's hard,' she said. 'But this business is for my children.'

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Dominick's To Go

WHERE: 5305 Ehrlich Road Suite 3

HOURS: 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sundays

CALL: (813) 649-8526

Jessica Balanza can be reached at (813) 865-1518 or jbalanza @tampatrib.com.

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