You will be hard pressed to find two nicer human beings than Greg Kowalczyk and Ronnie Vojka, owners of Fabio’s Bistro in Fanwood, NJ. It is impossible not to like them. Adore them, really. They are a constant presence for the families of our community, whether it be pizza night, or a backyard graduation party; Daily lunch or a special dinner. No matter when you visit Fabios, you will find Greg and Ronnie. And you will find them smiling.
They are the heartbeat of this small town pizza joint that, over time, has become exponentially larger. Not in size or space - but in presence. They seem to be at every town function as a sponsor, contributor, host, or benefactor. Their list of regulars gets longer by the day, and the pile of bikes outside the front gets bigger every summer. The stories around their acts of kindness, from simple gestures to large scale impact, are countless. Interestingly, it is their own gratitude that fuels the generosity they eagerly share back with our community. Greg and Ronnie famously tell their customers “I appreciate you”. Well, this is our turn to say it back. We appreciate you Greg and Ronnie. We are grateful for you, Fabios.
It started in 2017 when Ronnie, a lifelong resident of Staten Island, bought the existing Fabios. And while he didn’t change the name, he would eventually change just about everything else. But not alone. As a local resident, and recently retired police officer, Greg quickly became a trusted advisor. They met in the back of the kitchen and have been best friends ever since. “Brothers actually,” says Ronnie. In 2019 they solidified their partnership as co-owners of Fabios, sharing their families and lives - and a common goal: To make Fabios a place “where friends become family”.
And so it began. A transformation that had Ronnie practically living in the kitchen, adding new menu items and creating a new sauce recipe that stands on its own. Every single order that entered the kitchen went through Ronnie before exiting. Meanwhile, Greg introduced fresh ideas and new processes to ensure a positive customer experience. He leveraged his connections to help spread the word about Fabios, and soon it became a local favorite of community police, fire, rescue and other service organizations. “We started by ASKING for the community’s trust, then EARNING it, and now KEEPING it,” says Greg. “It is only right we serve the community back”.
Serving the community back feels like an under-statement. Over the years Fabios has sponsored numerous SPF sports teams and donated both money and food to a variety of charitable organizations. They consistently support the Fanwood-Scotch Plains Rotary Club, and Fanwood Rescue Squad with fundraisers, and go out of their way for local police and fire departments. This was evident recently when the Fanwood Fire Department was allowed to perform live simulation exercises at Fabio’s future business site, prior to the building’s scheduled demolition, after which they were well fed! They also sponsored the PBA fundraiser for fallen Officer Carlos Gonzalez and for the second year in a row, became the NJ dinner stop for “Race for Remembrance”. Here, dozens of runners travel 485 miles in honor of the victims of 9/11 raising money for the Towers to Tunnel Foundation. Not only do they feed the runners but they donate personally while also raising funds from the community. So many organizations have benefited from Fabios, including Fanwood’s Famous Christmas House (fundraiser for NJ Institute for Disabilities), the College Club of Fanwood/Scotch Plains, SMAC Down Cancer, Knights of Columbus, Center for Hope, Toys for Tots, and Preserve Shady Rest (to name a few!)
When Greg and Ronnie know there is a need, they literally feed it. After the recent floods and power outages they gave free pizzas to anyone without power. During Covid, Fabios provided pizzas every week to kids who were previously receiving free lunch at school. And if a kid on a bike doesn’t have any money to eat with their friends, they’re getting a slice anyway. “We would never let a kid not eat,” says Ronnie.
The duo’s commitment to our community has made them more than a local restaurant. They know most of their customers by name and have watched our children grow up. They have served trays of food at parties, events, weddings and funerals. Even their investment in a new location (across the street) is embedded in their desire to service their customers better. “We don’t want anybody waiting for a pizza” an issue they have contended with due to their popularity. The new location will have 160 seats and a bar. It will remain affordable and comfortable. A place where “friends become family”. Yes please! And thank you. From all of us in the community - we appreciate you.