Meet Nicolas Carretero from Guido’s Pizzeria and Tapas – “A Classic on The St. Louis Hill”
As you may know, The UB Blog loves doing interviews from all walks of life within the restaurant industry. From food bloggers, owners, and even software programmers. If they are involved within the industry, we want to meet them.
Today we get to interview an individual who is aspiring as the next generation taking over his family restaurant. Over this past month, I have had the privilege of working with Nicolas Carretero from Guido’s Pizzeria and Tapas located on The St. Louis Hill. Before I start yapping away, let’s get to the interview!
1. First off, welcome to The UB Blog! Whenever I get the privilege to interview a local restaurant, I want to know the background. Can you tell me the story behind Guido’s Pizzeria & Tapas?
My Grandpa Carretero immigrated over to NYC for a few years to check out America for the first time. He decided to move my family here to US for better opportunities. He chose Saint Louis because there was a Spanish movement in the Mid-West.
My uncle, Miguel Carretero opened his first Guido’s in January 1988 in Holly Hills on Morganford Rd. Two years later, two more Guido locations: one in Maplewood and one in Afton. Later, he relocated the three pizza places to 5046 Shaw on “The Hill” and has been there ever since.
2. Tapas (one of my favorite menus) have become very popular and trendy in The US. Can you tell us a bit about Tapas? What are your favorites that Guido’s offers?
Tapas are authentic Spanish finger foods meaning small appetizers. Well, I am Spanish so I love them all! But my top two musts:
“Bacalao a la Vizcaina” (codfish)
and
“Alfcachofas con Jamon” which is Spanish artichokes cooked with white wine, olive oil, peas, and Jamon Serrano (Spanish ham).
3. I know Guido’s has been around for 22 years, which is very impressive. How does an established restaurant stay fresh? Are you guys using traditional marketing/advertising or turning online to social media and new forms of marketing?
We travel to Spain every year, not just to visit familia. Nah, not for vacation but for business purposes and creating new innovations for the restaurant. The basic “word of mouth” does a lot for us. We rely heavily on Guido’s regulars to keep spreading the word. But we are also trying new strategies online like Facebook, Twitter, Dig, Stumbleupon, and Linkedin.
Guido’s is also doing some new stuff; promos for AC St.Louis Soccer team, Saint Louis Athletica Soccer and promoting the Soccer World Cup 2010.
We do some advertising, but very little. Hopefully through word of mouth and new strategies online, we can reach out to all St. Louis audiences.
4. Sites like Yelp, bloggers, and social media have changed the hospitality industry. Now everyone is a critic with a voice. Do you believe it’s important that restaurants pay attention to their online reputation?
Of course, I believe it’s extremely important for us to pay attention to what customers have too say and what people are thinking. Especially online, it is the wave of our future.
5. Last question, from a personal suggestion: Do you go with the pizza or tapas at Guido’s?
I love both! Put it this way, you can’t go wrong with either of them! Just trust me, Guido’s Pizzeria and Tapas is the authentic and fresh mother ship of Tapas! And we make a great Saint Louis style pizza.
Guido’s Pizzeria and Tapas
5046 Shaw Ave
St Louis, MO 63110
314.771.4900
Friend up Guido’s on Facebook here…or Follow on Twitter here
Tags: guidos pizzeria and tapas, Interviews, pizza, Restaurant Marketing, social media, St Louis MO, tapas