Italian Village

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Revision as of 01:42, 29 October 2026 by Jacques (talk | contribs) (Troia's Steak House was open by December 1954)

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 was open by December 31, 1954, when Edwin Stein photographed its sign and grill[8], and advertising by September 1956[9] and had live music by December 1961[10][11]. In 1970 he was running Paco's, a Mexican and Italian restaurant in the 100 block of State Street[12]. Around 1981 he managed the Capitol Hill Supper Club at 5164 Verona Road[13]. 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[14][15]. 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"[16].
  • 1954: "Headquarters for Pizza," with cheese ($1.00), anchovy ($1.25), mushroom ($1.35) and shrimp ($1.65) as meatless favorites[17].

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. ↑ Stein, E. (1954, December 31). "Troia's Steak House (WHS W011L7T and W011L8B)." Wisconsin Historical Society image collections.
  9. ↑ (1956, September 6). Restaurant ads welcoming the Shriners: DiSalvo's, 810 Regent St. (Friday specials); Amato's Holiday House; Troia's Steak House. The Capital Times. p. 50. Newspapers.com image 522548854.
  10. ↑ (2020, June 28). "Throwback photos: Madison-area restaurants you'll never eat at again, part 4." madison.com.
  11. ↑ (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.
  12. ↑ Rettgen, G. (1970, October 8). State Street night life: Paco's, 100 block, owned by Bill Louther and run by veteran restaurateur Joe Troia (Mexican and some Italian food); the Villa Tap at 306 State was once DiSalvo's Restaurant, featuring pizzas and othe…. The Capital Times. p. 49. Newspapers.com image 519326278.
  13. ↑ (2019, October 17). "Your memories: Readers share stories of restaurants from the past." madison.com.
  14. ↑ (1961, April 20). "Licenses Sought." The Capital Times. p. 1. Newspapers.com image 519847668.
  15. ↑ (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.
  16. ↑ (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.
  17. ↑ (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.
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