Description
Many in our community have enjoyed the crispy, thin slices from Marco's Gulf Pizza for decades. Locals, who might have had their first taste of the pie as long ago as 1983, still make this restaurant their go-to pizza place, bringing in their own children or grandchildren to continue the tradition. In the winter, snowbirds often make their first and last stop a visit to this mainstay on Thomas Drive and, in the spring and summer, many returning visitors do the same. Veteran patrons remember fondly the boisterous personality of the restaurant's namesake, "Marco” Mark Sheikh, who welcomed new and old customers alike with his own unique style of customer service. More often than not, when one bought a pizza from Marco, they received not only a great pizza made from scratch, but a night's worth of entertainment and a new and lasting friend.
In 2005 Marco retired and passed the torch down to his friend and employee, Marcus Haines. Marcus, a local musician with many ties within the community, has retained the great quality pizza and the community-friendly, laid-back atmosphere of his predecessor for nearly a decade now, still using the ever-turning, constantly-rotating oven that has amused customers since the beginning. A strong supporter of local businesses, Marcus is always quick to point patrons to other quality restaurants in the area that they have yet to visit, even if that restaurant happens to be a next door competitor or another mom-and-pop pizzeria.
It has been over 30