NORTH SALEM — As a Tri-West High School graduate, Bob Miller knows western Hendricks County well. It's this community he's most fond of.
"To me, this has always been the Wild West of Hendricks County," Miller said. "It kind of gets forgotten about."
He and his brother-in-law, Damiano Perillo, are trying to change that.
They and other family members opened Perillo's Pizzeria in December. The restaurant is at 5 S. Broadway St., behind the antique shops that comprise North Salem's historic downtown district.
Miller felt things changed here when the Red Dog Tavern, a longtime staple, closed.
"When that happened, I think the life started to drain a bit from this town," he said. "There were a lot more houses than businesses. I hate to see that because there's a lot of great people here. We're just trying to help build it back up."
Opening Perillo's was no small task however. The building they bought last April dates back to 1890, starting as a doctor's office. Miller, Perillo, and the rest of the family spent about six months gutting it. That entailed removing about four layers of drywall and adding all new plumbing and wiring. They did most of the work themselves.
"My father is an engineer and I grew up on a farm," Miller said. "It was very handy when we put it all together."
This is his first experience in the restaurant business. With a background in landscape design, Miller took care of the patio that offers outdoor seating. Perillo has at least 14 years of experience as a chef. He met Miller's sister while working as a cook at Frank's Place in Danville, where she was a waitress.
"It's still something new for me," Miller said of working in a restaurant. "I'm still not used to working long nights. But it's been quite an experience so far. I'm happy with it."
Perillo's vision for the restaurant was to not solely be a pizzeria, but not necessarily be fine Italian either.
"He wanted to get the flavors of New York and Chicago Italian here," Miller said. "It's a smaller market, but I think it's a great destination."
Pizzas start at $11.99 and include traditional toppings, as well as more exotic ones like artichokes and eggplant. There is also pasta for $9.99, calzones and subs for $5.15, and salads. Perillo's menu includes wine and domestic and imported beer. Craft brews from Indianapolis-based Sun King were also recently tapped at the restaurant.
A key to Perillo's food is the freshness.
"We're making the dough, shredding the cheese. We're doing it all right here," Miller said. "It's a small kitchen, but somehow (Damiano is) making it work."
Their efforts to help revitalize North Salem have not gone unnoticed by locals.
"We've had no problems with neighbors or the (town) board," Miller said. "They've all been willing to help. It's more than I even imagined. That says a lot about the people here."
For more information, call (765) 676-4171 or search for Perillo's Pizzeria on Facebook.
wade.coggeshall@flyergroup.com
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