By Carmen Rodgers
Elmore Autauga News
Phillip Heady and Lisa Wright first opened Heady’s, located at 2872 US HWY-231 in Wetumpka, 11 years ago. What began as a small shop specializing in handcrafted goat milk soap quickly grew into much more.
They continued to grow and expand their visionary horizons. The couple, who had years of experience in food service, always aimed to open a restaurant. Together, they have made that vision a reality.
“We both have areas of responsibility that we focus on, mine is in the kitchen,” Heady said. “It’s what I love. After 24 years in food service, you figure out where you want to go. Over the years, I figured out what it is that I want to do, and I have gravitated towards that now.”
Today, Phillip and Lisa own and operate what may be one of the best restaurants in the country. Their dedication and hard work were recently recognized with a nomination to be featured on America’s Best Restaurants Roadshow.
Moving into the restaurant business, the two made small steps that led to a big-time pizza restaurant that continues to expand and grow its menu to a full-fledged Italian restaurant.
Heady’s started out serving ice cream, milkshakes, and smoothies. Even in those early days, Phillip and Lisa took careful measures to bring the best products to market.
“I must have tasted 100 different ice creams before I found the perfect one,” Heady said.
Recognizing the need for a lower-calorie alternative to ice cream, they decided to add smoothies made with the freshest natural ingredients to the menu.
“We didn’t offer a sugar-free or low-calorie, ice cream, but we did want to offer a healthy option,” Phillip said. “So, we added the smoothies to the menu.”
With nearly two and a half decades of food service under his belt, it was Phillips’s very first job that sparked his love for Italian cuisine.
“My very first job, I was a teenager in high school, was in a little town in New Jersey where Italian food is very serious business,” he explained. “It was a little place called Turvinos.”
Phillip and Lisa believe strongly in giving back to the community. They seek to help others whenever possible.
“You never know when that small act of kindness can make a big difference in someone’s life,” Phillip said.
This past Christmas, Heady’s opened the restaurant to the public and fed, at no charge, anyone who wanted to join them for a hot meal.
To encourage community involvement in the restaurant, Phillip actively uses social media to gather input from patrons about what new menu options they’d like to see.
He asked, and the community responded.
“They told us what they wanted,” Phillip said. “We have worked to create just that.”
Spaghetti, stuffed rigatoni with Bolognese sauce, lasagna, cheese ravioli with Alfredo sauce, Alfredo pizzas, meatball subs, and tiramisu are just some of the specials that you can catch at Heady’s on any given day or night.
Heady’s is also looking to add a customizable meal option where customers can craft their pasta dish by choosing from a choice of pasta, sauces, and toppings.
Conveniently located in Wetumpka, Heady’s offers dine-in, takeout, and curbside pickup.
Can’t or don’t feel like driving? No problem, Heady’s has you covered. Just give them a call, and they’ll deliver your meal right to your door.
Heady’s not only serves some of the best Italian cuisine in the area but also features an arcade room that offers fun for both kids and adults alike.
The Italian restaurant also has event space for anyone looking to host a party.
To see the full menu visit, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067641652696
For more information, or to place an order or reserve an event space, call 334-478-3355.
