Stickers on the Window, Pizza on the Counter

In Como, there’s a particular place the place you’ll be able to nonetheless take pleasure in conventional dishes and pizza by the slice in an environment that seems like stepping again in time, with checkered tablecloths and previous photographs of town hanging on the partitions.

It is Pizzeria Da Quinto, on the town for the reason that Nineteen Forties, after its founder opened the primary store in Varese. Today, Luigia De Matteis, who runs the enterprise, welcomes clients along with her contagious smile: amongst them, many Como 1907 supporters. Her household took over the pizzeria in 1989 from the earlier proprietor, for whom Luigia’s father had labored as a waiter for greater than 15 years. Now, alongside Luigia on the counter, there may be her mom within the kitchen, nonetheless enthusiastically making ready the dishes which have made Da Quinto one of the beloved spots for the individuals of Como.

Luigia, along with the workers working in her pizzeria, modelled our new Players’ Collection tees, which brings the Como 1907 squad to life by means of the individuals who give the Club its id: its group.

“It’s wonderful for me to be part of this campaign, especially now, with the team playing so well and with an enthusiasm that you can feel throughout the city and beyond. I’m happy to wear the shirt with the face of Edoardo Goldaniga, one of the key players in our promotion to Serie A. Our bond with Como fans has always been very strong, and this is a way to share this incredible moment with them.”

Her curiosity in Como 1907 goes means again: “We have always followed the team’s journey, in every division. Da Quinto is — and has always been — a meeting point and a stopover for many fans we have grown fond of. Through their stories, we have lived the team’s most important and most difficult moments. Unfortunately, because of our work, we can’t go to the stadium, but we cheer from behind the counter and in the kitchen, and we offer all the fans who come here our culinary contribution.”

Luigia’s favorite participant is Nico Paz — “he’s just too good,” she says. And the keenness for Como 1907 is clearly seen on the store window going through Via Milano and contained in the pizzeria: “It all started by chance. Since we returned to Serie A,” Luigia explains, “fans walking by began sticking their stickers on the window. Now we have them everywhere, and it is wonderful because such a simple, spontaneous gesture has created a movement that so many people have joined and continue to join. Initially, those who put up stickers attempted to do so discreetly. Now it’s become a trend.”

Some individuals cease exterior to admire the window, whereas others are available in and ask if they will add their very own sticker: “One Sunday, a young boy came in to ask if he could place his sticker among the others. It’s beautiful to see such great participation from both adults and kids.”

Fans are all the time current at Da Quinto: “Organised supporter groups come, families too. There are fathers with their children who stop by before the match to enjoy our lasagna. And many fans book a table for the following game.”

Da Quinto, Luigia remembers, “was the first pizza‑by‑the‑slice shop in Como,” and over time, it has preserved the attraction of its origins: “I took over from my father in 2005, but I’ve practically lived in this place my whole life. I grew up here, helping my parents on weekends when I was younger and had another job. This place is special because it does not change. It matters to people who appreciate the simplicity of the past and keep coming back because they feel at home here. It’s a historic business and will continue to be so: offering quality, traditional food that is genuine and accessible to everyone.”

The tavern-style tablecloths and home-style cooking inform a protracted story of affection for this place, which attracts many individuals from Como who rediscover, within the dishes ready by Luigia and her mom, the flavours of the previous. Besides the tall, tender pizza by the slice, Da Quinto serves lasagna, pizzoccheri, varied kinds of meatballs, coda alla vaccinara, braised and boiled meat.

The pizzeria is open day-after-day from lunch to dinner, closing solely on Monday and Tuesday evenings. Breaks from work are uncommon for Luigia, however when she manages to carve out a while, she enjoys going for a stroll: “Como is beautiful, and there are so many lovely places. I think of the viale Geno promenade, always charming, and the enchanting view of the city from Brunate.”

If she had to decide on just a few locations to eat and drink in Como, Luigia has no doubts: locations just like Da Quinto, the place a lot of her fan clients additionally go. For a beer, Il Birratrovo in by way of Carducci; for an evening out, the Super Social Club behind the Teatro Sociale. For high quality merchandise and glorious native dishes, she recommends L’Ora della Pasta in by way of Diaz, Ristorante Sociale in by way of Rodari, and Osteria Brillo in by way of dei Partigiani.