Family Owned Pizza Cafe Growing

ANDERSON, IN - Tommy J's Pizza Cafe, which opened on December 7, 2007, is planning to expand this summer according to Ben T. Jewell, one of the owners.

The restaurant, located on 1000 W. 3rd, has started work on an outdoor eating area in front of the restaurant. Business has been good so far according to Jewell, who runs the pizza cafe with his brother, Terry Poole, and father, Tom Jewell.

They're expecting to get their liquor license any day now and plan to offer beer and wine with lunch or dinner.

Plans go beyond that as well, with the family wanting to offer wine tasting and live entertainment on the only street in Anderson that runs straight through the city from North to South.

Ben's interest in authentic italian food began while he was working at The Pepperoni Grill in Bloomfield, IN. His father had a location and when Ben expressed interest, they put a plan together and opened.

Asked how Tommy J's was different than other pizza places in town, Ben answered, "We're family owned and operated and we use all fresh ingredients. We try to keep it low key and simple, giving good, authentic Italian food."

The outside cafe consists of a couple tables and chairs at the moment, but Ben said plans are in the works to construct a three foot fence around the eating area to cut down on the noise from traffic some while still allowing patrons to see through.

Also new this summer is ice cream on the menu.

According to Ben business has been great so far for them, with a lot of repeat customers.

If you're on that side of town, he welcomed people to check them out for lunch or dinner.