Popular Raleigh pizzeria plans new Triangle location. When it will open

A downtown Raleigh pizzeria plans to open a third location in the Triangle.

Vic’s Pizzeria, which has locations on Glenwood Avenue and at Triangle Town Center, is expanding to the eastern Wake County town of Wendell, owner Michael Longo told The News & Observer by phone.

Two factors drew Longo, whose siblings and father also own Italian restaurants in Raleigh, to the town.

One is growth. Anecdotally, Longo has seen the area develop over the past six years or so and said he thinks that trend will continue. U.S. Census data backs him up: The town’s population was estimated at nearly 17,000 in 2024, around 7,000 higher than its 2020 estimate.

The second factor that attracted Longo to Wendell is a lack of Italian restaurants in the town. There’s a Marco’s Pizza near the development where Vic’s Pizzeria will open, but otherwise, the town’s dining options span American, sandwiches, barbecue and fast food.

“I figured it’d be a good location for a Vic’s Italian restaurant,” Longo said.

Vic’s Pizzeria opening in Wendell

Expected to open in January 2027, the restaurant will open in a 2,400-square-foot space at 2241 Big Falls Drive, within walking distance of residential areas, Longo said.

The location will have an indoor dining room and a large patio with seating for 50, plus a full bar inside, Longo said.

Wendell’s restaurant will also have a more expansive food menu compared to the Glenwood location, which serves a handful of pasta dishes and pizza.

Customers should expect offerings more in line with those of Vic’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria’s City Market location on Blake Street, which is run by Longo’s father, Mario Longo Sr., and his sister, Mia Longo.

“You’ll find a lot of the fan favorites, the local favorites,” Longo said.

Vic’s restaurant family expands in the Triangle

Michael Longo’s brother, Mario Longo Jr., recently announced plans to take over a former fast-food restaurant building in North Raleigh.

Longo Jr. will transform an old KFC and Taco Bell space at 5434 Six Forks Road into Vic’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria. He currently owns a Vic’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria on Lake Boone Trail in Raleigh.

Expected to open in about three months, the restaurant will have a drive-thru for pickups and a counter inside for placing dine-in orders.

Renee Umsted

The News & Observer

202-383-6008

Renee Umsted is The News & Observer’s Affordability Reporter. She writes about what it costs to live in the Triangle, with a consumer-focused approach. She has a degree in journalism from TCU.