From Lubbock to the White House: One Guy From Italy’s Gabe Vitela Honored by President Trump

From Lubbock to the White House: One Guy From Italy’s Gabe Vitela Honored by President Trump

LUBBOCK, Texas — Gabriel “Gabe” Vitela, owner of One Guy From Italy, brought his Lubbock restaurant story to Washington when President Donald Trump recognized him during the White House’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on Wednesday, Sept. 30. The event took place in the East Room, where Vitela addressed the audience with Trump standing beside him.

As Trump thanked supporters near the end of the celebration, he invited Vitela to the podium. The restaurant owner reflected on the opportunity to represent his hometown on a national stage.

“A Hispanic man that owns an Italian restaurant, married to a white woman from Lubbock, Texas, getting to speak at the White House,” Vitela said.

Vitela spoke about his experience waiting tables and bartending before becoming an employer. He praised his employees’ work ethic and described the financial pressures facing families who depend on restaurant jobs.

His remarks connected the discussion of tax policy to parents buying groceries, covering utility bills and trying to give their children better opportunities. Vitela thanked Trump for supporting tax provisions affecting tips and overtime, explaining that he viewed those changes through the experiences of working families.

The provisions promoted as “no tax on tips” and “no tax on overtime” provide federal income tax deductions for qualifying earnings, subject to eligibility requirements and limits. The IRS says both deductions apply to tax years 2025 through 2028.

Vitela’s appearance was part of a broader celebration recognizing Hispanic Americans’ contributions to business, public service and American culture. During the event, Trump described Hispanic Americans as champions of “faith, family, and our God-given freedoms.”

Back in Lubbock, Vitela’s business interests also include Giorgio’s Pizza on Broadway. One Guy From Italy has served the community for more than 40 years, building its identity around Italian food, pizza and its signature calzones, according to the restaurant’s website.

The business also highlights its involvement with Covenant Children’s Hospital, support for local schools and a Dine and Donate program benefiting charitable organizations. Those community connections form part of the local restaurant story Vitela carried to the White House.