Meet Matthew Quintero, general manager of Vic’s Pizza (pizzavics.com) in Lincoln.
Tell us a little about your business. – We at Vic’s Pizza are trying to establish ourselves as the best pizza place in Lincoln. We put a lot of work into our pizza dough creation process and have a bunch of classic and fun specialty pizzas to offer! Some of my fondest memories as a child were in my family’s favorite local pizza place, and I want to pass that experience on to as many families in Lincoln as possible.
How did you get started in the business? – I’ve been in the food service industry for 16 years, working everything from sandwich making, bakery, and serving tables to now management for the last few years. I was hired to run Vic’s earlier this year before we opened in order to help work on the specific processes that we wanted. These processes were important to create something truly special. I’ve been obsessed with pizza ever since I was a kid, so I couldn’t be happier!
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – It’s a boring answer, but the rise of costs and supply chain issues that Covid brought with it. For instance, we import a very specific flour from Italy for our pizza dough blend, and it can be hard to find the right product and not just settle for an inferior substitute.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – The only days I won’t work at all this year were four days in March when I got to go to the Pizza Expo in Las Vegas. I’m like a kid in a candy store when I get there. Also, in Vegas, I can smoke cigars and watch great, live music, get Sloppy Steaks, and sit by the pool—it’s great!
Who inspires you? – My team. We all worked through Covid together. Pizza was really taking off because of carryouts and deliveries, and everyone on the crew really stepped up and we became a real team through that.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – “Find the best person at what you want to do or be, and imitate them. Then find a way to do it even better.”
If you could have a super power, what would it be? – To never need sleep. I could use those extra hours to work out more, watch movies, play games, spend time with friends, and travel!
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – Comedy. There can’t be many better feelings than having a whole room laughing because of how your mind expresses itself.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – The Lord of the Rings trilogy. I’ve read the series 12 or 13 times.
What is your favorite movie? – Casablanca has been my number one ever since I saw it for the first time over 10 years ago, but I actually have a Top 100 list of favorite movies.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – Casa Bovina. I aspire to create as positive an experience at my restaurant as they made for me at theirs.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – The late great comedian Norm MacDonald. Hopefully he’d have something deep or revealing to tell me.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (531) 500-5402; mattq@grounduprestaurants.com; pizzavics.com. We’re located at 8340 Glynoaks Dr.—stop by to say hi, ask me for my list of Top 100 Favorite Movies, and try the best pizza in town!