About Reba's Deli & Pizzeria

Reba's was founded by owner Joe Schroeder in 1999 in La Grange, Texas. Born in New York, he has spent over 50 years in the restaurant and catering business. When Schroeder began exploring his culinary prowess, he quickly discovered that going to a trade school or taking an apprenticeship would equate to the same thing as a college degree in the food and beverage industry. So, he became an apprentice seeking opportunities working at the hand of numerous talented chefs in a variety of restaurants.  "I worked with European, German, and French chefs until I finally became a chef myself. From there I went on to become an Executive Chef for many country clubs and hotels along the east coast," says Schroeder.

It was while working as an apprentice in an Italian restaurant at the age of 15 that Schroeder cultivated his skills for sauce-covered masterpieces. While many of his duties included "grunt work" such as prepping salads and assisting the lineman, he was also tasked with helping the pizza chef. It was at the foot of this master pie man that Schroeder began to hone his craft. "Eventually that chef left the position and I was promoted to his job," he recalls. "This gave me background and experience in making authentic, New York-style pizzas- it started my culinary career."

Rebecca is the fourth and final child of Joe and Kathy Schroeder and was born in 1996, and the first family member to be born in Texas! A surprise and welcome edition to the family, grandma nicknamed her "Reba" and three years later she had a restaurant named after her. After college Rebecca chose to pursue a career in wedding videography and soon after formed her own business filming couples in their happiest moments.