Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Juy.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
From Argentina to our home in Kissimmee We are Erica and Ariel, an Argentine couple who, after more than 28 years together and with two beautiful children, decided to take a huge leap: leaving everything behind and starting over in the United States. On January 1, 2021, with heavy hearts but full of hope, we boarded the plane to Florida. That day we not only closed a door; we opened a new chapter, one that has made us grow in ways we never imagined. In Argentina, we had a stable life: clothing businesses that allowed us to live well, and Ariel, who is a systems engineer by training, spent the last 15 years fully dedicated to taxes. We worked a lot, but we felt that our family’s future needed more. We wanted security, opportunities for our children, and, above all, to be able to breathe a sense of tranquility. So, with tears in our eyes and the support of our loved ones, we left.
We arrived in Central Florida and, from the very first moment, Kissimmee embraced us. The downtown, with its lively streets, lights, and warmth, reminded us so much of our Argentina… It was love at first sight! We walked along Broadway and felt like the place was waiting for us. We visited 32 different businesses, one by one, looking for that opportunity that would tell us: ‘This is it.’ And then we found it: The Italian Joint. We bought the restaurant in 2021 and, from day one, we made it our own. It wasn’t easy: starting from scratch, learning to run a place like this in another country, with a different language and customs… There were long nights, doubts, exhaustion. But every dish we prepared —the wood-fired pizzas, homemade pastas, Argentine empanadas, milanesas— carried our love and that of our families. We blended authentic Italian cuisine with Argentine love: because in Argentina, the Italian influence is so strong that it is a part of us.
“It’s ‘Italian cuisine with Argentine love,’ as we always say. Today, almost 5 years later, we are about to celebrate them here in Kissimmee. This restaurant is more than a business; it is our home. We treat every customer as if they were family, because that is what we are: a big family that grows every day. We have a small team that feels like part of us, and seeing people come back, how they get emotional over a dish that reminds them of their childhood… that fills our souls. We have cried with joy seeing our son adapt, our eldest lives in Argentina and visits us whenever he can. We have celebrated every small achievement: a nice review, a customer who becomes a friend, a day when everything goes perfectly. And although we miss our people in Argentina, we know that this path was worth every effort. If you ever happen to pass by 215 Broadway, in the heart of Kissimmee, come in. We will welcome you with open arms, as we always do. Because there is always room for you at our table.”
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it has not been a smooth path at all. Every day has been a new challenge, and looking back, we realize that those difficulties have made us stronger, closer, and more grateful for every small victory. We arrived on January 1, 2021, right when the world was still dealing with the pandemic, and the three of us came alone: just us and our youngest son (the older one stayed in Argentina). We had no family nearby, no friends to lend a hand, no support network that we so desperately needed in a new country. All we had was our faith, our love, and the determination not to give up. The first year was especially tough. I remember the phrase I repeated the most was: ‘Is it Friday again?’ The days flew by: we opened early, closed late, cleaned, cooked, served tables… and the next day, it all started over.
Every action was a steep learning curve: from understanding health regulations and permits in the U.S., the language, learning to use point-of-sale systems we didn’t know, and dealing with suppliers who didn’t speak our language. There were mistakes, unexpected bills, sleepless nights worrying about whether the money would arrive to pay for everything. But the hardest part wasn’t the paperwork or the finances; it was the emotional loneliness. We went through deep disappointments: people who promised help but only wanted to profit from our inexperience, procedures that became complicated without explanation, and many times the tears just came on their own. We felt vulnerable, as if we were starting from scratch at an age when many already have everything set up. There were days when we questioned whether we had made the right decision. Nevertheless, every stumble made us stronger.
It made us more resilient and, above all, inclined to lend a hand to those who come after us. That is why, since we started to stabilize, we try to help other Argentinians or Latinos who arrive in Kissimmee: we give them advice, tell them which mistakes to avoid, or simply listen when they need to vent. We know what it’s like to arrive and start over, and we want them at least not to go through the same pains we did.
Today, about to celebrate 5 years here, we can say that it was all worth it. The difficulties didn’t make us lose our essence and reminded us that true success is not in what’s easy, but in continuing forward with love. Our restaurant is not just a business; it is a living testament that, with effort and heart, you can build a home anywhere in the world.
If you’re going through something similar, know that you are not alone. Come visit us, tell us your story… and we will welcome you with the same hug we wish we had in that first year.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Italian Joint. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
As the owners and heart of The Italian Joint, we can say that we are a family restaurant that centers its service around family, quality time, and the warmth of homemade meals. We are dedicated to preparing authentic Italian cuisine from scratch, and over time we have incorporated Argentine dishes at the request of our own clientele. We are known for that perfect fusion: Italian cooking with Argentine love, because in our culture the Italian influence is enormous and we bring it to every dish.
What sets us apart from the rest? We are a 100% family-run business, operated by ourselves. There are no chains or middlemen: every day we are in the kitchen, serving tables, and welcoming customers as if they were family. Everything is made by hand — doughs, sauces, desserts — with fresh ingredients and the same care we put into our own home. We blend Italian classics with Argentine favorites like homemade empanadas, milanesas, and churrasco, creating a warm and unique experience.
What aspects are we most proud of?
We are proud to have turned The Italian Joint into a place where people feel at home. We take pride in our wood-fired pizzas, fresh pastas, and desserts that always bring smiles. But what fills us the most is seeing families and friends gathered, enjoying themselves, and coming back again and again.
What do we want readers to know about our brand, offerings, and services? We want them to know that The Italian Joint is a welcoming place to enjoy quality Italian food with that Argentine warmth. We offer gluten-free options, Italian, Argentine, and Californian wines, and a small market with Italian products to take home. We especially highlight our private room for intimate gatherings, birthdays, corporate dinners, or family events. It is a warm and private space for groups of 10 to 50 people, where we offer a customized buffet menu with the same quality and freshness as our regular menu. Many say it’s like throwing the perfect party without worrying about anything.
Additionally, we provide catering for events outside the restaurant. We are open from Thursday to Sunday, perfect for a relaxed lunch or a special dinner, and we are just minutes away from Disney and Universal parks.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Habitos Atomicos,
Margarita Pasos
Mery Sanchez
la Vida que te espera de Mery Sanchez
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theitalianjoint.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theitalianjoint_ok/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theitalianjointfl
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-italian-joint-kissimmee
