Pizza eatery would make late mom proud

By Pamela Nichols
Correspondent

PORTSMOUTH

Eleven years ago, Gayle Mayo Jr.'s decision to start a business was met with healthy skepticism. His mother-in-law, Rita Quevedo, however, encouraged him and even gave her savings to help fund the venture.

When she died four months before his restaurant opened, Gayle honored her by giving the business her name. Thus was the beginning of Rita's Pizza.

Two new subs have been added to the existing eight-sandwich lineup. The chicken bacon ranch has fajita-flavored chicken smothered in ranch dressing and covered with bacon and provolone cheese. The spicy chicken is hot-sauce smothered, breaded chicken strips and provolone.

Six-inch subs are $4.49 and 12-inch ones are $6.99. Chicken wings come in four varieties: hot, mild, barbecue and teriyaki and are $3.99 for 6 pieces and $6.99 for 12 pieces. Caution, the hot wings are really hot!

Those with a sweet tooth will appreciate the new banana bites. They're bite-sized banana cheesecake with a layer of rum dipped in a crispy golden batter. There is also a double chocolate brownie version. Each is $2.99 for six.

Steak subs, wings and pizza are the shop's best-sellers. Rita's offers six specialty pizzas or you can build your own with any combination of 15 toppings. The carry-out special is a large one-topping pizza for $7.99.

As Chelsea Winters fielded phone orders and handled walk-ins, I chatted with Shoulders Hill resident Helen Freiler. "It's great pizza," she said.

Gayle opened a second shop at 5660 Portsmouth Blvd. two years ago. He has plenty of help from family. His brother Matthew manages the Churchland store.

Wife Kathleen, an Indian River High teacher and daughter Erin, a student at Western Branch High, also do their part. It appears Gayle has learned a thing or two from his beloved mother- in-law. He donated pizza for this summer's poetry reading at the Russell Memorial Library and has offered free or deeply discounted pizza to a local youth group and charity.

Pamela Nichols, pamelawrites@hotmail.com