Italian Village: Difference between revisions

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Add the 1947 opening date given in a 2019 photo caption
Add the 1947 opening date given in a 2019 photo caption; Troia's Steak House by 1961; the Capitol Hill Supper Club
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==History==
==History==
Matt Lombardino ran the Italian Village by February 1950<ref name="ct-1950-02-24-p7">(1950, February 24). The Grotto Lenten specials: pizza with anchovies, pizza pie with ricotta; trays to go out. ''The Capital Times''. p. 7. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/518406698/ 518406698].</ref>. A 2019 State Journal photo caption says he opened it in 1947<ref name="mc-2019-09-16-never-eat-part-2">(2019, September 16). [https://madison.com/life-entertainment/local/food-drink/restaurants/collection_b071673f-68e3-58e2-80aa-e91eea88c6b4.html "Throwback photos: Madison-area restaurants you'll never eat at again, part 2."] ''madison.com''.</ref>; no earlier record has been found. Its 1951 ad promised "Quaint Old Italy Street Atmosphere" and said it was "Recommended by Duncan Hines"<ref name="wsj-1951-05-11-p22" />. In about late 1952 he turned it over to his nephew, Joseph Troia<ref name="ct-1954-04-03-p13">Kreisman, B. I. (1954, April 3). "Lombardino Has A Dream, And Lo, It Comes to Pass." ''The Capital Times''. p. 13. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/518688905/ 518688905].</ref>. This was Joe Troia, who had opened [[Paisan’s]] with his sister Rose and her husband Roy McCormick<ref name="cress-2017-roy-mccormick">(2017, May). [https://www.cressfuneralservice.com/obituaries/roy-mccormick "Roy McCormick obituary."] ''Cress Funeral and Cremation Services''.</ref>. In 1964 a Troia's Steak House advertised next door at 661 State St.<ref name="wsj-1964-08-28-p30">(1964, August 28). Restaurant ads: Josie's — 3 Sisters Supper Club, 906 Regent (Friday menu); Troia's Steak House, 661 State St. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 30. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/400626857/ 400626857].</ref> In 1954 Matt Lombardino opened [[Lombardino’s]] on University Avenue<ref name="ct-1954-04-03-p13" />.
Matt Lombardino ran the Italian Village by February 1950<ref name="ct-1950-02-24-p7">(1950, February 24). The Grotto Lenten specials: pizza with anchovies, pizza pie with ricotta; trays to go out. ''The Capital Times''. p. 7. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/518406698/ 518406698].</ref>. A 2019 State Journal photo caption says he opened it in 1947<ref name="mc-2019-09-16-never-eat-part-2">(2019, September 16). [https://madison.com/life-entertainment/local/food-drink/restaurants/collection_b071673f-68e3-58e2-80aa-e91eea88c6b4.html "Throwback photos: Madison-area restaurants you'll never eat at again, part 2."] ''madison.com''.</ref>; no earlier record has been found. Its 1951 ad promised "Quaint Old Italy Street Atmosphere" and said it was "Recommended by Duncan Hines"<ref name="wsj-1951-05-11-p22" />. In about late 1952 he turned it over to his nephew, Joseph Troia<ref name="ct-1954-04-03-p13">Kreisman, B. I. (1954, April 3). "Lombardino Has A Dream, And Lo, It Comes to Pass." ''The Capital Times''. p. 13. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/518688905/ 518688905].</ref>. This was Joe Troia, who had opened [[Paisan’s]] with his sister Rose and her husband Roy McCormick<ref name="cress-2017-roy-mccormick">(2017, May). [https://www.cressfuneralservice.com/obituaries/roy-mccormick "Roy McCormick obituary."] ''Cress Funeral and Cremation Services''.</ref>. Troia ran Troia's Steak House next door at 661 State St., which had live music and was advertising by December 1961<ref name="mc-2020-06-28-never-eat-part-4">(2020, June 28). [https://madison.com/life-entertainment/local/food-drink/restaurants/collection_42fc28bb-795a-545b-9f92-1457ceeca2be.html "Throwback photos: Madison-area restaurants you'll never eat at again, part 4."] ''madison.com''.</ref><ref name="wsj-1964-08-28-p30">(1964, August 28). Restaurant ads: Josie's — 3 Sisters Supper Club, 906 Regent (Friday menu); Troia's Steak House, 661 State St. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 30. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/400626857/ 400626857].</ref>. Around 1981 he managed the Capitol Hill Supper Club at 5164 Verona Road<ref name="mc-2019-10-17-your-memories">(2019, October 17). [https://madison.com/life-entertainment/local/food-drink/restaurants/collection_46981793-22c6-50c1-bed4-f01d534c3ae9.html "Your memories: Readers share stories of restaurants from the past."] ''madison.com''.</ref>. In 1954 Matt Lombardino opened [[Lombardino’s]] on University Avenue<ref name="ct-1954-04-03-p13" />.


Madison Italian Village, Inc. applied for city licenses for 651 State St. in 1961 and 1965<ref name="ct-1961-04-20-p1">(1961, April 20). "Licenses Sought." ''The Capital Times''. p. 1. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/519847668/ 519847668].</ref><ref name="wsj-1965-11-09-p15">(1965, November 9). State Street beer and liquor license applications: Biagio Gargano (435-37 State, pizza restaurant), Carlo Caputo (320 State). ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 15. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/403856450/ 403856450].</ref>. When it closed has not been found. Rocky Rococo applied for a license at the address in July 1975<ref name="wsj-1975-07-29-p6" />.
Madison Italian Village, Inc. applied for city licenses for 651 State St. in 1961 and 1965<ref name="ct-1961-04-20-p1">(1961, April 20). "Licenses Sought." ''The Capital Times''. p. 1. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/519847668/ 519847668].</ref><ref name="wsj-1965-11-09-p15">(1965, November 9). State Street beer and liquor license applications: Biagio Gargano (435-37 State, pizza restaurant), Carlo Caputo (320 State). ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 15. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/403856450/ 403856450].</ref>. When it closed has not been found. Rocky Rococo applied for a license at the address in July 1975<ref name="wsj-1975-07-29-p6" />.

Revision as of 20:42, 28 October 2026

The Italian Village was an Italian restaurant at 651 State St., at Lake Street. In May 1951 it announced that it "Introduces Famous Italian PIZZA!"[1]. The building later became the second Rocky Rococo[2][3].

History

Matt Lombardino ran the Italian Village by February 1950[4]. A 2019 State Journal photo caption says he opened it in 1947[5]; no earlier record has been found. Its 1951 ad promised "Quaint Old Italy Street Atmosphere" and said it was "Recommended by Duncan Hines"[1]. In about late 1952 he turned it over to his nephew, Joseph Troia[6]. This was Joe Troia, who had opened Paisan’s with his sister Rose and her husband Roy McCormick[7]. Troia ran Troia's Steak House next door at 661 State St., which had live music and was advertising by December 1961[8][9]. Around 1981 he managed the Capitol Hill Supper Club at 5164 Verona Road[10]. In 1954 Matt Lombardino opened Lombardino’s on University Avenue[6].

Madison Italian Village, Inc. applied for city licenses for 651 State St. in 1961 and 1965[11][12]. When it closed has not been found. Rocky Rococo applied for a license at the address in July 1975[3].

Pizza

  • 1951: "Real Italian PIZZA," with anchovies, mozzarella cheese or Italian sausage for $1.00, or a "pizza for two" for $1.75. Pizza could be ordered "to take out for picnics, parties or family occasions"[13].
  • 1954: "Headquarters for Pizza," with cheese ($1.00), anchovy ($1.25), mushroom ($1.35) and shrimp ($1.65) as meatless favorites[14].

Locations

  • 651 State St. (by 1950 to before 1975).

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 (1951, May 11). "Extra! Italian Village Restaurant Introduces Famous Italian Pizza!", 651 State St. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 22. Newspapers.com image 400557812.
  2. ↑ (2013, January 13). Retrospective naming the Italian Village restaurant at 651 State St. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 46.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 (1975, July 29). License application, Rocky Rococo, 651 State St. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 6.
  4. ↑ (1950, February 24). The Grotto Lenten specials: pizza with anchovies, pizza pie with ricotta; trays to go out. The Capital Times. p. 7. Newspapers.com image 518406698.
  5. ↑ (2019, September 16). "Throwback photos: Madison-area restaurants you'll never eat at again, part 2." madison.com.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Kreisman, B. I. (1954, April 3). "Lombardino Has A Dream, And Lo, It Comes to Pass." The Capital Times. p. 13. Newspapers.com image 518688905.
  7. ↑ (2017, May). "Roy McCormick obituary." Cress Funeral and Cremation Services.
  8. ↑ (2020, June 28). "Throwback photos: Madison-area restaurants you'll never eat at again, part 4." madison.com.
  9. ↑ (1964, August 28). Restaurant ads: Josie's — 3 Sisters Supper Club, 906 Regent (Friday menu); Troia's Steak House, 661 State St. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 30. Newspapers.com image 400626857.
  10. ↑ (2019, October 17). "Your memories: Readers share stories of restaurants from the past." madison.com.
  11. ↑ (1961, April 20). "Licenses Sought." The Capital Times. p. 1. Newspapers.com image 519847668.
  12. ↑ (1965, November 9). State Street beer and liquor license applications: Biagio Gargano (435-37 State, pizza restaurant), Carlo Caputo (320 State). Wisconsin State Journal. p. 15. Newspapers.com image 403856450.
  13. ↑ (1951, August 24). Italian Village, 651 State St.: "Real Italian PIZZA": with anchovies, mozzarella cheese or Italian sausage $1.00; pizza for two $1.75; pizza to take out. The Capital Times. p. 12. Newspapers.com image 517907879.
  14. ↑ (1954, October 22). The Italian Village, 651 State St.: "Headquarters for Pizza": cheese 1.00, anchovy 1.25, mushroom 1.35, shrimp 1.65 (ran Fridays Oct.–Dec. 1954). Wisconsin State Journal. p. 32. Newspapers.com image 404939017.