Customers are often surprised to learn there really is a person behind the name Nunzios, the popular Italian restaurant located at 5800 North Second St., in Loves Park.

The man is Nunzio Canale, a Rockford native whos built a name for himself in the restaurant business, thanks to 35 years of dishing up excellent food and quality service.

Nunzio got an early start, when he landed a job at the age of 14 busing tables and washing dishes at DAugustines, a restaurant that was located at Five Points in Rockford. With books in hand, Nunzio went straight to the restaurant one day after school, calling his parents with the good news about his first job. About a year later, he became the cook and kitchen manager at Michaels, which opened in the DAugustine location.