Liz Clark | Special to The Roanoke Times

Joe Pugliese recently opened another Sal's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria in the First & Main development in Blacksburg.

BLACKSBURG -- Joe Pugliese spent his boyhood immersed in his mother and father's passion for Italian food and cooking.

Before he was 10, his parents would often find him in the trunk of their car, eagerly waiting to go to his father's restaurant to help in any way he could.

More than 30 years later, Pugliese owns his father's original restaurant, Sal's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria in Radford, and has opened three more restaurants in the New River Valley -- in Fairlawn, Blacksburg and another in Radford.

The latest addition opened its doors on Feb. 11 at the new First & Main shopping center.

Rooted in rich family tradition, the family has recreated Italian dining in a language of their own. Sal's mirrors the Pugliese family's personality within the restaurant and throughout the community.

"This is the Italian-style experience," Pugliese said. "Forget about the menus and plan on staying a couple hours with us because we are going to cook you an unforgettable four-course Italian meal."

While the restaurant has an extensive menu with more than 100 items made from scratch, Pugliese prefers creating a more personal meal distinct to the customer's appetite.

"We pride ourselves on our new specials we create every day," manager Robert Beatty said. "Joe has a recipe for everything and everyone, and we have 10 great chefs constantly cooking up new things."

Pugliese's inspiration for Sal's came from a variety of experiences.

Pugliese first experienced cooking as a child in Naples, Italy, through his grandmother, mother and father -- his main inspirations. He moved to New York as a child, where he went on to attend the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan and developed into a specialist in New York style pizza.

Pugliese doesn't only have a formula for food for every occasion and taste, but also for fostering relationships throughout the community. Sal's in Blacksburg was designed and built with a local touch.

"Sal's incorporated a lot of people and businesses in Blacksburg," Pugliese said. "We really want to help the local economy."

Tim Colley of Colley Architecture in Blacksburg was hired to assist in developing plans. Colley worked hands-on with Pugliese and his sister to incorporate both a local and authentic Italian perspective.

"Joe was a very integral and collaborative partner," Colley said. "We really had a good relationship throughout, and I keep bugging him to do another restaurant so we can work together again."

Sal's has also fostered relationships with other businesses in the area including neighboring storefronts.

"Joe and his father come over here for their haircuts," Sports Clips owner Fred Selby said, "and we go over there for lunch and our business meetings."

Businesses were not the only ones excited to have Sal's join the neighborhood.

"My wife and I work in Christiansburg and would drive all the way over to Sal's in Radford," Giles resident Chris Woodie said, "Now we are thrilled to see one closer."

Pugliese does not plan to open another restaurant in the near future. He plans to focus on further building and perfecting Sal's relationship with Blacksburg, and this is nothing new for him.

"Everyone I know is very familiar with Sal's in Radford, and now here in Blacksburg, too," Colley said. "The relationship is a regional one."

Sal's has its plate full with upcoming events. Pugliese invites everyone to come out for the grand opening in a month and to join them for festivities and grilling Italian favorites during the street fair on May 2.