Gino’s Sicilian Express Celebrates 30 Years with 99 Cent Pizza Slices

CARPINTERIA, Calif. (KEYT) - One of the smallest restaurants in Santa Barbara is celebrating a big milestone.

Gino's Sicilian Express thanked its customers and the community with 99 cent slices of cheese and pepperoni pizza. The doors opened at 11:30 Thursday morning and the line was down the side of West Figueroa Street in downtown.

Each customer could buy three slices. We talked to the first ones in line and the owner about the connection the tiny "hole in the wall" type spot has with Santa Barbara.

Joshua Morlin was the first customers to get a slice with Sarah Clark. He said, "I have been coming here for 20 years. We would hang out at the Sportsman (former nearby bar) and have pizza delivered when the Sportsman was still here."

Clark said, she got a "free cannoli" for being first. She saved it, "because I am full from the pizza!"

Owner Loren Manser said, "never would have expected this much. Super heartwarming, thankful. Just awesome to be blessed in this community."

Gino's has room for about 13 customers inside and two at the outside table.

The fresh dough is made daily. They are expected to sell about 600 slices today. And in addition to pizzas, the restaurant has paninis and calzones.

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