A slice of Ausiello’s Homeslice
The Homeslice advertising sign on their outdoor window (Photo: Maya Ferrari, The Puma Prensa)
By Maya Ferrari, staff writer
It's a Saturday night and you're hanging with your friends looking for a bite. Everyone is split between Italian or a good ol’ fashion burger. Instead of picking one, you can now have both at Ausiello’s Homeslice! Although this restaurant just opened in our own Rincon Valley last December, it has already provided a unique and charming spot for nearby residents to enjoy amazing food and fun. It is consistently packed with many families and friends spending time together and eating good food. Its plethora of dishes ranging from pizza to burgers to ribs, ensures each person has an option they'll enjoy. If you don't want to split up your group, try Homeslice!
The restaurant was created by the Ausiello family, who have decades of experience in the restaurant business. Their other establishment, Ausiello's 5th Street Bar and Grill, serves as a staple to many people here in Santa Rosa. The 5th Street Bar and Grill was opened 23 years ago, and is still thriving to this day. With a similar ambiance, these two restaurants bring a great sense of community to our town. The Ausiello family chose their new location specifically because they wanted to keep a family restaurant in Rincon Valley. This has proven a great idea as families love to start their night with a fun dinner at Homeslice.
Homeslices’ main sign on their building (Maya Ferrari, The Puma Prensa)
Homeslices’ menu consists of many different types of food, with the most popular dishes being the Smash Burger, and all of the pizzas. The Smash Burger is a classic, yet very unique, and delicious dish. If you're looking for a new, and also familiar taste, this burger is the way to go. My personal favorite dish on the menu is their Margarita Pizza. This pizza's fresh ingredients, along with its crispy crust, allow for a delicious meal. One aspect of the Homeslice menu that particularly surprised me was their Cauliflower “Steak”. This vegetarian dish was something I had never heard of before, and is a desirable versatile option for those who do not eat meat. Local member of the Skyhawk community Jenna Sannar said that “it's so nice to have Homeslice in the neighborhood because it's so easy for me and my friends to hang out there and get some food”. Sannar and her family were the first Homeslice customers and her favorite dish was the Crispy Chicken Sandwich accompanied by Tangy Slaw, and a Sriracha Aioli. She enjoyed the diverse flavors throughout the dish, and “recommends it to everyone [she] knows”!
Homeslice currently has about 30 employees, and are not hiring right now. They predict that as different sports seasons start, some of the younger staff will not be able to work as much. Employee Max Petersen, a student here at MCHS, believes that “homeslice is a great place to work, and has been a good learning experience for [him] as a first job”.
Located at 5755 Mountain Hawk Dr, just off Sonoma Highway, this new restaurant gives Santa Rosa locals a new place to hangout and grab a bite to eat. Try out Ausiello’s Homeslice restaurant to enjoy their variety of exceptional dishes and to have fun doing it!