Lily's Pizza Celebrates 5-Year Anniversary With Special Deals

Owner Fernando Fuentez marks milestone for restaurant that opened during COVID-19 pandemic.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Lily's Pizza in San Angelo, Texas is celebrating its 5-year anniversary on Friday, February 20th. Owner Fernando Fuentez, a former longtime owner of the Chadbourne Tavern, will offer $5 medium pizzas and nanjos (similar to Shakey's rojos) for dine-in customers. There will also be live entertainment, a free arcade, and $9.47 combo meal deals in partnership with local radio station KIXY 94-7-FM.

Why it matters

Lily's Pizza's 5-year anniversary is a significant milestone, especially considering the restaurant opened during the COVID-19 pandemic which presented major challenges for the food service industry. The event highlights Fuentez's perseverance in running a successful independent restaurant in San Angelo, a market dominated by national chains.

The details

Lily's Pizza, located across from Angelo State University, will be offering several specials and activities to celebrate its 5-year anniversary. In addition to the $5 medium pizzas and nanjos, there will be live music from Nathan Vinson, a free arcade, and $9.47 combo meal deals in partnership with local radio station KIXY 94-7-FM. Fuentez, a San Angelo native, initially purchased Lily's to help keep his previous business, the Chadbourne Tavern, open, but he now sees it as part of a new path forward after the tavern closed in 2024.

  • Lily's Pizza opened in February 2021.
  • The 5-year anniversary celebration will take place on Friday, February 20, 2026.

The players

Fernando Fuentez

The owner of Lily's Pizza, a San Angelo native who was the longtime owner of the Chadbourne Tavern before it closed in 2024.

Lily's Pizza

An independent restaurant in San Angelo, Texas that opened in 2021 and is celebrating its 5-year anniversary.

Nathan Vinson

A local musician who will be providing live entertainment at Lily's Pizza's anniversary celebration.

KIXY 94-7-FM

A local radio station partnering with Lily's Pizza on a $9.47 combo meal deal promotion for the anniversary event.

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What they’re saying

“It was a hard struggle the first five years, because for two years there was no college or anything at all, and I didn't know anything about the restaurant business. Now I'm hoping I've kind of hit every brick wall I can hit.”

— Fernando Fuentez, Owner, Lily's Pizza (sanangelolive.com)

“I ran the bar for 23 years, and that was kind of my thing. But I think this was God's way of telling me it was too much of the bar business, and the man upstairs said it was time to take a different path. So it's been a learning experience.”

— Fernando Fuentez, Owner, Lily's Pizza (sanangelolive.com)

What’s next

Lily's Pizza plans to begin offering beer at the restaurant soon, transitioning from its current BYOB model.

The takeaway

Lily's Pizza's 5-year anniversary is a testament to the resilience of independent restaurants, especially those that opened during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event highlights how a longtime local business owner can successfully pivot to a new industry and build a loyal customer base in a competitive market.