Inspiring Conversations with Ace Haidrey of Aroma Pizza and Pasta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ace Haidrey.

Hi Ace, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Our journey began with a dream and the resilience of immigrant parents who taught us that hard work and perseverance can turn the impossible into reality.

My family emigrated from Afghanistan with almost nothing—my father, Said Haidrey, arrived in Orange County with less than $50 in his pocket. He worked tirelessly as a shuttle driver at the airport, supporting not just our family here but relatives back home. My parents worked multiple jobs and ran small businesses—mall kiosks, Christmas ornaments, jewelry stands—whatever it took to build a foundation for our future.

Growing up, my mother Sonia always had a passion for cooking, particularly Italian food. When we first tried pizza in America, we fell in love with it—something so simple yet so magical. In 2009, when I was a freshman in high school, a family member approached my father about investing in a struggling pizzeria. Despite having no restaurant experience, we saw potential and used our savings to take a chance. We eventually took full ownership and learned the business inside and out.

But my mother’s dream was to have her own kitchen, her own recipes, something truly ours—not a franchise. After settling in Lake Forest in 2010 and buying our first home (something we never imagined possible), we fell in love with this community. Lake Forest welcomed us with open arms. My siblings attended El Toro High School, and we became deeply rooted here. There’s something special about this area—the mix of families, the diversity, the human element. It felt like home.

We looked at over 100 locations before finding the right spot in Foothill Ranch, near homes, schools, and families. In 2019, we built Aroma Pizza and Pasta from the ground up—literally from nothing. No pipes, no walls, just an empty space and a vision. Every member of our family contributed—my mother Sonia, my father Said, myself (Ace), my brothers, my sisters, even our in-laws. It was filled with hard work, stress, tears, and doubts, but also immense pride.

We’ve faced our share of challenges—break-ins, COVID, fires, employee issues, personal losses—but we’ve never missed a day of work. That commitment comes from our love for this community and our desire to make everyone who walks through our doors feel a little better than when they came in.

Today, Aroma Pizza and Pasta is a family-run, female-owned, minority-owned business that serves authentic Italian cuisine with halal options. We offer dine-in, takeout, delivery, and catering for everything from school events to weddings. But what we’re most proud of isn’t just the food—it’s the relationships we’ve built, the families we’ve served, and the opportunity to give back to a community that gave us so much.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not—it’s been anything but smooth, but every challenge has taught us something invaluable.

Starting with almost nothing meant every setback felt monumental. In those early days with our first pizzeria investment, we faced significant financial struggles. We had no restaurant experience, we were learning on the fly, and there were times we genuinely didn’t know if we’d make it through the month. But giving up was never an option—not after everything my parents had sacrificed to get us here.

When we decided to build Aroma from the ground up in 2019, it was one of the most stressful periods of our lives. Construction delays, budget concerns, equipment issues—you name it, we dealt with it. We looked at over 100 locations before finding the right one, and even then, we were starting with an empty shell. No pipes, no walls, nothing. Every dollar counted, and every decision felt like it could make or break us.

Once we opened, the challenges didn’t stop. We’ve been broken into twice. We’ve dealt with the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the restaurant industry. We’ve had fires, equipment breakdowns at the worst possible times, and employee issues that tested our patience and resolve. We’ve experienced personal losses and family milestones while trying to keep the business running.

There have been moments of real doubt—times when we felt defeated, exhausted, and questioned whether we could keep going. The restaurant industry is unforgiving. Long hours, thin margins, and constant pressure to deliver excellence every single day.

**But here’s what I’m most proud of: we have never missed a day of work.** Not once.

Through every challenge, our family showed up. My mother Sonia is there every morning and throughout the day. The kids—myself included—handle the nights. I manage everything from customer relations to vendor negotiations, bills, technical issues, equipment repairs, payroll, and operations. When one of us couldn’t be there, someone else stepped in. When we got married in recent years, we gained extra hands (though admittedly less time in the store!).

What kept us going was our commitment to this community and to each other. We’ve built relationships with employees whose entire families have worked with us—we’ve been to their kids’ birthdays, they’ve been to our weddings. We’ve provided free meals to customers who couldn’t afford food because we remember what it was like to struggle.

The road hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been worth it. Every obstacle forced us to innovate, to find solutions, and to become stronger. We learned to embrace technology and change—like adding virtual brands and delivery optimization tools—to stay competitive. We learned that perseverance isn’t just about working hard; it’s about adapting, staying resilient, and never losing sight of why we started.

The struggles have shaped who we are as a business. They’ve taught us empathy, grit, and the importance of community. And honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Aroma Pizza and Pasta?
Aroma Pizza and Pasta is more than just a restaurant—it’s a labor of love built on family values, community connection, and an unwavering commitment to quality.

We specialize in authentic Italian cuisine with a unique distinction: we offer halal options, making our food accessible to diverse dietary preferences and cultural backgrounds. Our menu features everything from classic pizzas and calzones to hearty pasta dishes, fresh salads, sandwiches, and wings. We’re known for our generous portions, rich flavors, and fresh ingredients—customers consistently rave about our margherita pizza, meat lasagna, and our famous garlic cheese bread, which has become a must-try appetizer.

What sets us apart is simple: we genuinely care.

This is a family-run, female-owned, minority-owned, immigrant-owned business. My mother, Sonia Haidrey, leads our operation with a passion for cooking that inspired this entire journey. Every member of our family plays a role—from my father Said to my siblings, and even our in-laws.

But what truly distinguishes us is our relationship with our customers and community. I personally read every single review. I communicate directly with customers via text and phone calls—many still prefer to order directly through me because we’ve built that personal connection. We listen to feedback, both good and bad, and we act on it. We work within people’s budgets, and yes, we’ve given free food to those who can’t afford it. Our philosophy is simple: we want everyone who walks through our doors to leave feeling a little bit better than when they came in.

We specialize in three main service areas:

1. **Dine-in** – particularly popular for our lunch special: 2 slices and a drink for just $5.99
2. **Pickup and delivery** – we deliver ourselves to ensure quality and care
3. **Catering** – we serve offices, schools, churches, mosques, and special events. We recently catered a wedding at the Lake Forest Civic Center!

We also run weekly promotions: buy one specialty pizza, get one half off (Monday-Wednesday), and $5 off orders over $35.

What I’m most proud of—brand-wise—is our consistency and resilience. I’m proud that we’ve created a workplace where employees’ entire families have worked with us.

What I want readers to know is this:
Aroma Pizza and Pasta represents the American Dream in action. We’re proof that with hard work, family support, and community backing, anything is possible. My father arrived here with less than $50. Today, we operate a thriving business that serves hundreds of families, provides jobs, and gives back to the community that welcomed us.

When you order from Aroma, you’re not just getting visually appealing, delicious, generously portioned Italian food (though you’re definitely getting that). You’re supporting a family that truly values you. You’re part of a story that spans continents, generations, and countless acts of perseverance.

Lake Forest gave us a home when we never imagined we’d own one. This community accepted us, supported us, and allowed us to thrive. Aroma Pizza and Pasta is our way of saying thank you—one pizza, one pasta dish, one conversation at a time.

We’re here for you, and we always will be.

What matters most to you?
Family and community—they’re everything to us.

My parents taught me that family isn’t just about blood—it’s about showing up for each other, especially when times are hard. When my father arrived in America with less than $50, he worked tirelessly to support our family here and relatives back in Afghanistan. That taught me that success isn’t measured by what you accumulate, but by how many people you can lift up along the way.

What matters most is real, human connection. I still take orders via text. I read every review. I ask “how are you?” and genuinely want to know the answer. We have employees whose entire families have worked with us—we’ve been to their kids’ birthdays, they’ve been to our weddings. That’s not just business; that’s family.

Keeping our word matters. No matter what we’ve faced—and we’ve faced plenty—we’ve stayed open and stayed committed. When this community counts on us, we don’t let them down. That’s a promise we’ve kept since day one.

Giving back matters. We’ve given free food to people who couldn’t afford it because my parents knew what it was like to struggle. Lake Forest welcomed an immigrant family and gave us opportunities we never thought possible. When you’ve experienced that kind of acceptance, you don’t take it for granted. You give back.

At the end of the day, Aroma is just a restaurant. But what happens within those walls—the conversations, the celebrations, the simple act of sharing a meal—that’s what creates community. My mother always loved to cook because food brings people together.

That human element—that’s why we’re here. That’s everything.

Pricing:

• 14.99
• 29.99
• 5.99

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.aromapizzaandpasta.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aromapizzaoc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aromapizzaandpasta
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/aroma-pizza-and-pasta-lake-forest-3?osq=aroma+pizza+and+pasta