Panighetti’s Eatery opened on Dec. 7 and already it’s the talk of the town. From their eclectic menu to their friendly customer service, the owners have created a meal worth remembering.
“It’s been great, better than I expected,” said Mark Panighetti, owner of Panigetti’s Eatery. “Five nights a week we’ve been packed.”
Panighetti’s has brought the family dining experience to life by blending fine dining with a casual vibe. This mixture creates a relaxing atmosphere with quality food at a great value.
They offer a variety of Italian and American Dishes. The prices range from kid’s meals at $3.95, house salads at $4.50, pasta starting at $8.95 and the most expensive entrée being the Ribeye at $19.95. With a combination of salads, sandwiches, pasta, pizzas and more Panighetti’s presents tastes meant to satisfy the whole family.
Everything is made from scratch, Panighetti said. All the ingredients are fresh and nothing is ever microwaved.
During the day, the flat screen TV’s, wooden booths and lunch menu create a perfect setting to enjoy the ball game or escape from work. After 4 p.m. the lights dim and the TV’s go off, transforming the restaurant into a peaceful place to enjoy an evening meal.
Panighetti started working on this project two and a half years ago. He and his wife were both managing restaurants in San Diego and were ready for a challenge.

They wanted to raise their kids in a small town, and Chico seemed like the perfect place to live out their dream, he said.
Panighetti’s in-laws were living in Sunnyvale at the time and decided to move along with them, turning the restaurant into a full on family business. His wife works nights, his mother-in-law does the bookkeeping and his father-in-law bartends during the day.
“I’m honored to be a part of the restaurant, and I’m enjoying Chico,” said Ken Britten, Panighetti’s father-in-law. “I feel like I’m in a time warp here. People just have heart.”
Panighetti’s has brought the spirit of Chico into their restaurant with their friendly service. When walking in expect to be greeted with a smile and treated like part of the family.
“We want the experience to be nice,” Britten said. “We want the customers to see the price and say, ‘wow that’s a good price,’ and then taste the dinners and walk out with a smile.”
The restaurant was created to provide a service and product that’s different than everybody else, Panighetti said. He wanted this to be a place for families to build memories while having a delicious meal.
“I want families to bring in their kids, and I want those kids to bring their kids back someday,” he said. “That’s the ultimate goal because that means that we’re surviving, doing the right things and keeping relationships with customers.”
Although the restaurant has been running smoothly since the opening, starting this business wasn’t easy.
Originally they were planning to open in the middle of September, but with the economy in its current state many of the rules changed for businesses trying to open their doors. From banking to permits everything became a struggle, and then getting a liquor license set them back even further.
“We probably opened a restaurant at the worst time in history,” Panighetti said. “But people open businesses all the time and they last if they do it right. We’re just trying to do it right.”

Visit Panighetti’s Eatery at 2760 Esplanade. Their doors are open Mon.–Thurs. 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–10 p.m. and Sun. 11 a.m.–9 p.m.

By Kayla Cook