Corelli’s Italian Café

By Jordan Kiefer
| Photo
by Candor
Pictures

Opened in 1997, Corelli’s Italian Café has
become a Sugar Land staple. Having survived every crisis – from flooding and
hurricanes to electric failures and the pandemic, Corelli’s is proud to be a
part of a resilient community. Named after one of Italy’s most famous tenors,
Corelli’s mission is to deliver the freshest, most authentic, homemade
Italian cuisine to their customers. Owner Don Guggenheim founded it and has
seen tremendous change over the years. Highway 6, where Corelli’s is located,
has grown from a two-lane road to a multi-lane business highway, and with
that has come more competition. However, Don sees this as a positive for the
restaurant. “The growth has been wonderful. More competition has made us
better restaurateurs,” he explains. “We always strive to make Corelli’s a
high-quality, local favorite.”

The
Corelli’s Difference

In the 25
years since opening, three things about Corelli’s have stayed consistent: its
commitment to its employees, the feeling and atmosphere inside the
restaurant, and the delicious food. This consistency is greatly appreciated
by the public as Corelli’s has been voted by Living readers as Best Italian
restaurant multiple times. By making Corelli’s an excellent workplace, the
restaurant has ensured that its employees love going to work daily, so much
so that one of the staff has been there for 20 years. They come from all
walks of life, but they all become
family.

Warm and welcoming, the atmosphere at
Corelli’s Italian Café is unmatched, so much so that the restaurant has regular
customers who come every week and have been for generations. “We’ve had
multiple generations of the same families become treasured customers,” Don
remarks. “From our original clientele to their children and then their
grandchildren – it’s a wonderful feeling. Another key is the consistency of
our food. When you come, the taste of the food is how you remember it from
years ago.”

Making an
Impact

As a family-owned business, Corelli’s Italian
Café is committed to giving back to the community by partnering with the
Exchange Club of Sugar Land, a local chapter of a national organization that
strives to make America a better place to live. The funds raised support
local community service projects, including Child Advocates of Fort Bend,
Fort Bend County Women’s Center, Texana Center for Autistic Children, Fort
Bend Council on Substance Abuse, Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels, Crime Stoppers, YMCA, Literacy Council
of Fort Bend, and many others. This commitment to the surrounding area, its
employees, and the delicious Italian food brings people back time and time
again.

“We’ve been blessed with numerous accolades –
which means a lot to us since it comes from the public,” Don says. “It’s all
about the people. Seeing how much they love and appreciate this restaurant is
incredible. Above all, we want to thank Sugar Land, Fort Bend County, and all
the people who’ve supported us over the years. You’ve made these 25 years
memorable, and we hope to be here for another 25 years – and beyond!”