Bella's Pizza Villa Brings Chicago to Murrieta

Translated from Italian, "bella" means great or beautiful.

And that's what keeps many loyal customers coming back to Bella's Pizza Villa in Murrieta.

"Every week my son makes me bring him home Bella's pizza," said Loretta McKinney, Murrieta Public Library director. "If I don't, I'm in trouble."

When husband and wife team William and LaDonna Olson, owners of , see McKinney walking in they start her order--no need to write it down.

It's customer service like this and of course, the pizza, that not only draws folks from Southwest Riveside County, but San Diego and Orange counties.

Bella's Pizza Villa serves thin crust, hand-tossed Chicago-style and New York-style pizzas, and many faithfuls have East Coast roots, LaDonna said. They are also famous for their garlic rolls.

The couple moved to Murrieta in 2002 to open the Italian restaurant.

LaDonna grew up in an Italian family in the suburbs of Chicago. William grew up in the city of Chicago. They met when William finished a military enlistment, and moved to Florida, where they learned the pizza business.

Many of the recipes they use today have been passed down through their families.

It has paid off. William has won numerous awards for his pizza. He swept first, second and third places in the Third Annual West Coast Pizza Championship in 2007. Then in 2009, he was a finalist in the International Pizza Challenge, Western Region.

Bella's Pizza Villa was also been voted "Valley's Best Pizza" a few years in a row, LaDonna said.

The secret, they say, is using fresh, high-quality ingredients such as real Italian sausage and select cheese.

Add in hard work, as William arrives each morning at 6 a.m. to prepare the dough.

"We put everything into this," LaDonna said. "We take pride in our food and we want everyone to feel like family here."

They've also watched the community grow, to more than 104,000 now.

With the increasing, more spread out population and a tucked away location by off of Murriea Hot Springs Road, Bella's Pizza Villa recently decided to add delivery to their services. They will deliver to anywhere in Murrieta, as well as Wildomar and French Valley.

The couple also recently did an interior makeover of the cozy restaurant. To celebrate, Bella's Pizza Villa is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony in September.

LaDonna asks those who have yet to try Bella's not to be shy. The restaurant gives free garlic rolls or homemade cannolis to first-time customers. Their menu also includes calzones and some staple Italian salad and pasta dishes, such as Chicken Picatta.

Bella's Pizza Villa is located at 25320 Madison Ave. Suite E in Murrieta, by IHOP. For more information, call 951-677-2341.