Hiding In Plain Sight

… Such is the case at Nick’s Family Restaurant at 1453 20th Street in the heart of downtown Vero Beach. Located in an unassuming strip of shops on the south side of west-bound State Road 60, you might miss it completely if you didn’t know it was there. Since the only parking is in the rear and the traffic is normally traveling at a fast clip, you might just drive right by this little gem of a place.

Serving down-home fare such as chicken wings, burgers, wraps and pizzas along with wine, draft and bottled beer, Nick’s is owned and operated by Nick Dimino and his wife, Meggin. It is very much a family affair. Helping him out in the small kitchen is Nick’s mother and 16-year-old niece. His brother and cousin pitch in in the evenings. Until recently, his sister served in the dining room. His wife, a dental hygienist by profession, stepped in when his sister left for a nine-to-five job to better accommodate her young children’s schedule. As is often the case in eateries like Nick’s, staff who join the business tend to stay for years and quickly become part of the family.

While the exterior is unassuming, the décor inside lends itself to a no-frills pub you might find anywhere on Long Island. A long mahogany bar stretches the length of the dining room and ten wood tables accommodating four to six people line the opposite wall. Three high-top tables round out the seating for about 50 diners. Bar memorabilia and framed pictures of Filipino boxing star Manny Pacquiao adorn the walls: Nick has a passion
for boxing.