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Gabriella’s
At Home in Edmond Summer 2022
By Rose Drebes Granny did well for her famiGrill and Pizzeria in South Padre A family tradition since 1953, ly, despite the hard times of the Island, Texas, in 2003. Gabriella’s is now open in Edmond Depression. The seven youngsters “It was a bit of a struggle at at 3601 S. Broadway, Suite 600. were always clothed and fed, Vicki first, since we had leapt into an Owner and chef Vicki Johnsaid. entirely new demographic 800 ston-Muhs said the reception has “Little did she know that what miles from anyone who knew been wonderful since the restaushe did out of necessity would what we were about,” she said. rant reopened on Friday, May 13, one day become the foundation of “But our dedication and passion to after moving from Northeast 63rd a successful business that would food made us one of the premiere near the National Cowboy and become a family tradition,” Vicki destination restaurants in south Western Heritage Museum. Texas.” Gabriella’s had outgrown Gabriella’s was the first its previous location and it restaurant in the Rio Grande was “time for a move,” Vicki Valley to serve traditional said. wood-fire pizza. Vicki said “I love Edmond and its they developed a reputapeople.” tion as one of the premiere Vicki said her “famiglia” is -Vicki Johnston-Muhs restaurants south of San originally from the CastigliAntonio. one region of Italy and first In 2009, Alyx succumbed migrated to Oklahoma in 1895 said. to pancreatic cancer. because of the booming coal On Mother’s Day 1953, Gran“We felt it was time for a business. ny’s youngest son, Dominic and change and time to bring what “My great grandfather, Jim Giahis sister Minnie opened the Isle we’d learned back home to Oklacomo provided well for his family of Capri Italian Restaurant in homa,” Vicki said. until his untimely death, leaving Crebs. But what hasn’t changed is the his wife, my granny Rose, as sole “The restaurant’s name was infamily’s traditional recipes. Vicki’s provider for their seven children,” spired by Dom’s time in the Navy grandma’s sauce is made daily by Chef Vicki said. “Granny cooked where he was stationed in Italy great grandson. pasta, fried chicken and even off the island of the same name,” “We make everything in brewed a homemade beer called Vicki said. house,” she said. “Our dishes are ‘Choc’ which she sold to people Vicki and her best friend Alyce continues on Page 9 who came to eat in her home.” opened the first Gabriella’s Italian
“The best part is being able to do what I love,”
