Mayor Cathy Carlat awarded Ray’s Pizza as the Mayor’s Restaurant of the Month for September 2021.

Located at the southwest corner of 83rd Avenue and Deer Valley Road, the top-rated Ray’s Pizza has been serving the Peoria community with cherished family recipes for nearly two decades.

Owner Arian Kasapi learned the family business by working at his uncle’s pizzeria. Kasapi says he loves his career and prides himself on offering guests his family’s traditional recipes.

“We try to give the best products to our customers because they deserve the best,” Kasapi said.

From the moment guests walk in, they are greeted with a warm welcome and the enticing aroma of fresh prepared Italian specialties. Pizza is offered by the slice or the whole pie in a variety of options including meat lover’s, garden white, and buffalo chicken. The specialty crust of the Sicilian pizza is a mouthwatering temptation. The menu also includes calzones, salads, wings, and New York style hoagies. Hot plates like lasagna, baked ziti, and chicken parmesan are served with salad and bread, and offered as a complete take-home meals.

While the pandemic brought about unique challenges for many small businesses, Kasapi said their loyal customers went above and beyond to support them.

“We love this community,” Kasapi said. “Through COVID-19, we saw just how much our neighbors love us.”

Vice Mayor Jon Edwards attributes this success to how welcomed guests feel.

“Arian and the staff at Ray’s Pizza make every customer feel like they are old friends,” he said.