The perfect union of pizza and sandwich may be celebrated today with the union of Deco Pizzeria & Bistro and Uptown Subs.
The proposal for Uptown Deco occurred several months ago, said owner Karisa Aebi.
Deco Pizzeria was located on 104 N. Independence before Aebi purchased Uptown Subs, 1909 W. Garriott. Aebi said Deco’s downtown location now is closed.
“We’ve taken Deco’s menu and integrated the Uptown Subs everyone knows and loves,” she said. “Deco has eight to 10 signature pizzas and then a make-your-own option. Now we’re adding several subs. We may not have every Uptown Sub but if you don’t see it on the menu, ask for it and we will make it.”
Aebi said over time the menu will change and adapt to customer’s wants.
“We may develop more subs, pizzas and pastas,” she said. “We like to try new things.”
In addition to an expanded menu, Uptown Deco also has new hours. The restaurant will be open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
“The comment I got the most was wanting Uptown Subs to be open on the weekends,” she said. “My goal is not to change this but to preserve it.”
Aebi said she’s happy Deco found its “forever home” with Uptown Subs.
“Deco has been like a nomad starting in Broadway Tower and then moving to the location on Independence,” she said. “We’ll be open two years in March and I’ve been looking for our forever home. Deco needed a place to grow and Uptown Subs needed to continue.”
Uptown Subs has been in business for more than 15 years. Aebi said she promises it will continue to live on in Uptown Deco.
“We used to, when we first opened, be involved in local organizations and we donated our tips every month to several different organizations,” she said. “Then business slowed, and now we want to get to a place where we can do that again. I’ve also wanted a place to have live music and host open mic nights.”
Uptown Deco has a designated meeting area and more space than its previous location. Aebi said she hopes mic nights become part of the restaurants draw.
“I love cooking, trying new things and creating,” she said. “This allows us such a great opportunity. I feel luck and blessed. Even though we’ve moved a lot, we’ve moved up each time. I’d love my kids to be able to have the restaurant in 18 years because I would know I did well.”
As the business continues to grow, Uptown Deco will be hiring. Those interested in applying should stop by the restaurant 2-4 p.m. to pick up an application.
Story provided by: Enid News & Eagle
Written by: Emily Summars