RECREATION & LEISURE
By Randy B. Young
Correspondent
CHAPEL HILL – Whatever sports team you root for, from Chapel Hill’s UNC teams in residence to your personal NFL, NBA, or MLB favorites—yes, even (God forbid) Duke—most fans will agree to one self-evident fact: whether you win, lose, or tie, the experience is better when shared with a crowd of like-minded fans.
If your team is losing, well, “misery loves company;” if your team is winning, “the more the merrier.”
Italian Pizzeria III at 508 West Franklin Street in Chapel Hill (endearingly known as “IP3”) has long been a mecca for viewing televised sporting events, particularly as an alternative to the 100 block of Franklin Street. While bars and restaurants just to the east may offer proximity to street celebrations for a UNC-Duke, this unassuming jewel offers one thing that can’t be offered anywhere else: IP3’s delicious food.
Now, amidst FIFA World Cup “soccer” mania (apologies to “football” purists), fans from around the world coalesce with regularity at IP3—be they US fans, ex-pats from Mexico, Argentina, or France, or even first-time soccer fans—donning their countries’ colors, singing their countries’ anthems, and sating their appetite with great Italian food served in a celebratory atmosphere.
Co-owner of IP3 (with his brother Angelo) since 2000, Vincenzo “Vinny” Marrone doubles as chef/kitchen manager, serving up delicious Italian standards and MC-ing the nightly show, tooting horns, shouting, ringing bells, and acting as deejay to bring watch parties to a fever pitch.
“This is just fun for me, “Vinny Marrone said. “I just love to see people happy, and I love to share my passion with other people for (soccer). I love it.”
Vincenzo “Vinny” Marrone has been a co-owner of IP3 with his brother Angelo since 2000, serving as chef, kitchen manager, and unofficial hype-ster and master of ceremonies/deejay for game festivities. Photo by Randy B. Young.
Food for thought
According to the restaurant’s website (www.italianpizzeria3.com), Vinny’s brother, Angelo, moved from Italy to the US in 1996 at age 20 to seek new opportunities. When his uncle in Chapel Hill wanted to sell his pizzeria, Angelo and Vinny took over the family business.
“Since 2000, (the Marrone brothers) have owned and operated IP3, proudly serving the community,” the site noted. “Known for our welcoming and friendly atmosphere, we treat everyone who walks through our doors like family…
“Our mission is to create an authentic, family-oriented dining experience that combines the warmth of Italian hospitality with the heart of our Chapel Hill community…where we strive to make every meal memorable and every visit a reminder of home.”
Lines can extend around the block from the front door of IP3 on evenings showing FIFA World Cup matches through July 19, other major international soccer tournament games, or even UNC-Duke games. Photo by Randy B. Young.
A Melting Pot
While IP3 specializes in sumptuous Italian food, the crowd is an international conglomeration of sports fans, and never more so than during World Cup contests, when fans treat the establishment like their own living room.
“This place was already famous for watching sports, especially college basketball: all the kids from the University come here,” said Damian Brachetti, who was on hand with friends Nikki Kourie, Laura McDonnell, and Gustavo Canteros to root on his Argentinian team to a 3-0 victory in its opening round match versus Algeria on June 16, much thanks to a hat trick by international superstar Lionel Messi.
“I think people started noticing and thought this was a good place to come watch soccer games,” Brachetti added.
English soccer fans David Hare and his father Peter Hare (from Marlow, England, west of London) were at IP3 with family members for a decisive first-round win for England.
“They looked good,” David Hare said. “The defense looked less convincing, though. At halftime, we looked equally good, but after halftime, we went on a run. The final was 4-2, so a big win: England never scores four goals, so that was exciting.”
“That’s good,” said Peter Hare, “because it’s frequently ‘nil-nil’ or ‘one-nil’ in the World Cup.”
The Hares said they were longtime fans of IP3, having seen many notable contests both in World Cup competition and in UNC Basketball games.
“We’ve come here primarily for UNC basketball games since like 2007 or something,” David Hare explained. “We were here for the 2017 win, but also the 2016 loss and the 2021 loss. In between, we’ve also seen a lot of UNC-Duke games here.”
Crowd Pleasers
Marrone said IP3 and its great atmosphere for televised sports were no secret recipe.
“I just think it’s because we’re such big soccer fans,” he said, “but back in the day, people just started coming in and watching some soccer. My brother and I: we were fun. We created a good atmosphere with the head horn, speaker, music, and all of that. I think people start enjoying it, so every time we had a big tournament like the World Cup, a Champions League final, the Euro Cup…people started coming. We get pretty crowded.”
Recent UNC graduate Ben Tomcho, who was on hand for England’s first-round win, said IP3 had a great reputation as a local gathering place for World Cup fans.
“I’ve tried new places around locally,” Tomcho said, “and I heard that this is the place: so far, it’s been the best atmosphere. Other than the US, I’ll root for Mexico and Canada.”
“They’ve got a good price on beer too,” said Tomcho’s friend Aaron Neighbors, a UNC rising senior. “Apparently, it got really crazy last night for the Argentina game, but I think France was the best out of any team that I’ve seen. I don’t want to like them, but they just look so elegant. And then apart from that, Argentina looks really good.”
Ardent fans celebrate one of three goals scored by legendary Argentinian soccer player Lionel Messi during the team’s first FIFA World Cup soccer match. Argentina is considered one of the front-runners to win, alongside the US, Spain, and France. Photo by Randy B. Young.
Don’t Cry for Argentina
Marrone explained that, while all nations and teams are equally welcome at IP3, some “welcomes” are more equal than others.
“US…Mexico…England: we get a crowd from everyone,” he said. “But being honest, it gets more crowded when Argentina plays. Argentinians have a big passion for the game.”
“The craziest time here was when Argentina won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar,” he added. “This place was like full of Argentina fans going nuts—people cried they were so happy: everybody was really, really happy to see Argentina win.”
“Yeah, I saw it,” said Argentina fan Hanna Sprintzik. “It was packed. Everybody was standing everywhere. It was crazy.”
Argentina fan Hanna Sprintzik said that, beyond the FIFA World Cup, IP3 is also a favorite among Argentinians because of the food.
“In Argentina, we have a large population of Italians—like 60% or 70%—a heavy percentage, and so we naturally like this food,” Sprintzik said. “There are a lot of Italians in Argentina, so there’s a connection.”
Argentina fans Damien Brachetti and Nikki Kourie said they’ve seen IP3 evolve into a local destination for soccer viewing and a mecca for Argentinian fans.
“Actually, I think we were some of the ones who first started and made this place the World Cup place,” said Brachetti, who originally hails from Buenos Aires.
“We’ve been coming here since 2010 either for (soccer) or for the food,” said Kourie. “I think it started when a bunch of Argentines got together and said, ‘Let’s watch the World Cup here,’ and people came and even brought drums—it was pretty insane.
“I just moved here a month ago,” said an Argentina fan who gave his name as Eshwanth. “I was asking like so many people at my apartment—they’re all like students—and they were all talking about this place.”
Daniela Schwartz, 15, was visiting IP3 with her father, David, for Argentina’s opening game.
“We only do this during the World Cup,” said Daniela, whose mother is Argentinian, “…and we only do this when Argentina has a good chance. The last World Cup was the first time we did it.”
Asked whether rooting for the Argentinians throughout the tournament might be grounds for a regular presence at IP3 over the next few weeks, Schwartz was optimistic.
“Oh, I hope so,” she said. “Otherwise, it would be very disappointing.”
Eshwanth noted that, when Messi is playing well, anything is possible.
“We’re Messi fans,” he said. “When the World Cup comes on, I become Argentinian.”
Argentina fans wear the team’s colors and a good number of smiles as their team advances past the first-round opening match of the FIFA World Cup. Photo by Randy B. Young.
A ‘Crowding’ Achievement
While the World Cup doesn’t last forever, until a winner is crowned on July 19 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the next best place to watch the game may indeed be at this humble home of authentic Italian food and worship of all things soccer/football.
“The place is just so connected to the people,” David Hare said. “Vinny and Angelo and all of them have always been in here; it’s not like they just manage it. They’re always here welcoming you in, and (IP3) has a great energy.”
Emma Orr agreed that it has great energy, and even if you’re not a soccer fan. Shortly after an early goal by Messi in Argentina’s opening game, Orr walked into IP3 to thunderous applause.
“I was just here for the food,” Orr said, laughing. “I’m just picking something up, and I was walking (through the doors), and I was like, ‘Whoa, I’m honored!”
A Dartmouth College graduate, Randy B. Young first worked as an award-winning advertising copywriter in New Hampshire, then in communications at UNC for over 30 years. He maintained an award-winning newspaper feature covering Recreation and Exercise in the Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Orange County. Retired and living in Chapel Hill, Randy continues to write for regional publications both locally and in New England, and his book, And the Stars Flew With Us, is available through Amazon and at independent bookstores. He coaches track at Chapel Hill High and has a photography business, Pierless (sic) Photography. This reporter can be reached at: Information@TheLocalReporter.press
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