It’s been one of Washington’s staples for Italian food for 30 years.

Frank’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant is known for a few things — a family-friendly atmosphere, its famous pizza by the slice, and a soccer game playing on the big screen.

Don’t be surprised if owner Vincento Cilluffo, known by most as Vinny, stops by a table to say hello.

Back in July, the restaurant celebrated 30 years, and while it hasn’t always been easy, Cilluffo said he’s happy to call Beaufort County home.

“If heaven is the view of my backyard, it’s beautiful there,” he said.

Cilluffo was born in Sicily and moved to the United States when he was 15 years old. He’s lived all over — in Philadelphia, New Jersey and Virginia.

Cilluffo said he hadn’t even heard of Washington, North Carolina, until a restaurateur in Greenville offered him a position running a restaurant location here. With a baby on the way, that offer of job security led him to take a leap of faith.

Frank’s Pizza originally opened in Washington Square Mall, then moved to a place on John Small Avenue near Eastern Elementary School, and finally settled at its current location on John Small Avenue near Ninth Street. Cilluffo also temporarily opened a second location in Greenville, but it became too much.

Looking back, Cilluffo knows it was the right decision coming to Washington, and he wastes no time insisting this is the place he calls home.

“The people have been great to us,” he said. “We really appreciate it. … I owe a lot to this town.”

Cilluffo said he has no plans to slow down right now, but he hopes to turn the restaurant over to his children when the time comes.

“I want to retire when I can enjoy life a little bit,” he said. “I don’t want to blink my eyes too fast.”

No matter where he travels, Cilluffo can’t wait to come back to Washington. With a successful business, his wife and two children and a new grandchild, it’s right where he wants to be.

“This is home now, you know,” he said.