Gargano’s Pizzeria

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Gargano’s was a pizzeria at 437 State St. from September 1964 to January 1984. Biagio Gargano, the owner was the brother of Peppino and Gino, who also owned Italian restaurants in Madison.

Biagio Gargano came to Madison in 1960. By 1962 he had a pizzeria called Guiseppe's near the corner of Randall and University avenues, which he soon moved to State Street and renamed Gargano's. He died in December 2012, aged 76[1].

Its opening advertisement ran on September 11, 1964: "Italian Foods 'At Its Best' — Now Open — Gargano's Pizzeria", with carry-out and delivery, "specializing in Pizza, American & Italian Dishes", at 437 State St., telephone 255-3200[2]. Biagio Gargano applied for a beer license there in 1970[3]. In 1971 it advertised "dozens of varieties of pizza", Budweiser on tap, homemade lasagne as "our specialty", seating for 75 and free campus delivery, open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.[4]; by April 1974 it opened at 11:30 a.m. for lunch[5]. The 1975 license was held by Broom & State Corporation[6].

Gargano's won the Daily Cardinal pizza contests of 1971 and 1972[7][8]. The Cardinal's "State Street Gourmet" wrote in 1973 that compared with Gargano's "every other pizza delivered was chintzy"; he ordered his pizzas "from the bottom of the list", made with imported Italian pear tomatoes, and watched Biagio make them in the kitchen[9]. By 1974 Gargano's also sold a "Pizza in the Pan", which finished second in that year's contest[10].

In 1973 it stood on State Street at the corner of North Broom Street, in a building whose signs read "Carry Out Pizza Service" and "Spaghetti & Pizza", next to Martin's Midwest Western Wear[11].

The 1980 Yellow Pages list Gargano's at 437 State St., with two numbers and a third for "Pizza in the Pan". Its menu ad offered thin, regular and thick crusts in 10-, 12- and 14-inch sizes and pan pizza in 9, 10 and 12 inches, sixteen extra ingredients, the Togo and Vesuvio sandwiches, a "Pizzaloka" of garlic bread with pizza sauce and mozzarella, and pasta dinners. It was open from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.[12]

Biagio Gargano had sold the restaurant by November 1980, when he opened The Monastery on East Washington Avenue[13]. From 1977 it was run by Dollhausen Enterprises, Inc., which held its license in 1983[14][15]. In October 1983 the company opened a second restaurant, Gargano's East, at 2415 E. Washington Ave.; that month Gargano's on State Street was still hiring pizza drivers[16].

Both restaurants closed in January 1984. On March 9 the company filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, listing debts of $529,388 and assets of $32,151. Its largest unsecured creditor was the landlord, Broom & State Corp., owed $244,664 in remaining lease payments and $150,000 on a 1977 purchase agreement[14][17]. The Noble Roman’s franchise opened in the building in January 1985[18]. "The Grotto and Garganos are, sadly, just State Street memories now," the Capital Times wrote that June[19]. See 437 State Street.

Pizza

  • Pizziola: "a Gargano's pizza built on a Gargano's garlic bread foundation" (1974)[20].
  • Pizza a la Napoletana; garlic bread under a mat of mozzarella and romano; the hot Togo submarine; an Italian roast beef sandwich, "Biagio's pride, made according to his mother's recipe" (1973)[9].

Former Locations

  • 437 State St., at Broom and Gilman streets (September 1964[2] to January 1984[14]).
  • 2415 E. Washington Ave., as Gargano's East (October 1983 to January 1984)[14].

External links

Notes

  1. ↑ Moe, D. (2013, July 5). "Doug Moe: Gino's at 50." madison.com.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 (1964, September 11). Gargano's Pizzeria "Now Open" advertisement, 437 State St. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 39. Newspapers.com image 397277939.
  3. ↑ (1970, May 20). City of Madison notice of new Class B beer license applications, May 1970. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 23. Newspapers.com image 396874370.
  4. ↑ (1971, December 9). Gargano's Pizzeria advertisement, 437 State St. The Daily Cardinal. p. 6.
  5. ↑ Gourmet, S. S. (1974, April 25). State Street Gourmet on pan pizza at Pino's and Rocky Rococo. The Daily Cardinal. p. 8.
  6. ↑ (1975, May 28). City of Madison license list, May 1975. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 35.
  7. ↑ Anchovy, W. J. (1971, November 5). "Promises, promises: First annual pizza contest." The Daily Cardinal. p. 9.
  8. ↑ McCue, M. (1972, November 17). Second Annual Cardinal Pizza Delivery Competition. The Daily Cardinal. p. 15.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Gourmet, S. S. (1973, February 16). State Street Gourmet on Gargano's. The Daily Cardinal. p. 8.
  10. ↑ Calhoun, H. (1974, October 14). "Pizza hits the Rocky." The Daily Cardinal. p. 11.
  11. ↑ Garner, B. (1973). "Gargano's Pizzaria." Photograph, Wisconsin Historical Society, Unique ID W01263O (WHI 137704). Bruce Garner photographs of State Street area, Madison, Wisconsin, circa 1973.
  12. ↑ (1980). Madison Yellow Pages, 1980 edition (Wisconsin Telephone Co.), 'Pizza' classification, p. 447: listings Barnaby's Family Inn (4802 E. Washington Ave. 241-2131; 6613 Mineral Point Rd. 833-1671), Brat und Brau (1421 Regent; …. Madison telephone directory. p. 447.
  13. ↑ Campbell, G. (1981, March 1). "A Gargano scores again." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 84. Newspapers.com image 401048042.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Parkins, A. (1984, March 16). "Gargano's files for bankruptcy." The Capital Times. p. 12. Newspapers.com image 521415520.
  15. ↑ (1983, May 5). 1983 license applications: 'Dollhausen Enterprises, Inc., Ruth Dollhausen, Agent, DBA Gargano's, 437 State Street'; 'Gargano Brothers, Inc., Stella Gargano, Agent, DBA Gino's, 540 State Street'; R & R Pan Style Pizza (Rocky…. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 20. Newspapers.com image 405904686.
  16. ↑ (1983, October 19). Help-wanted: 'Pizza driver wanted. Must have own car, we pay salary & commission. Apply at: Gargano's, 437 State St.'. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 35. Newspapers.com image 404934219.
  17. ↑ (1984, March 17). "Bankruptcy petition filed by Gargano's." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 1. Newspapers.com image 402629288.
  18. ↑ Kallio, S. (1985, March 17). "Noble Roman's not distinguished." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 96. Newspapers.com image 402064727.
  19. ↑ Egerton, B. (1985, June 22). "Madison has right stuff for making — and eating! — pizza." The Capital Times. p. 14. Newspapers.com image 519961462.
  20. ↑ Gourmet, S. S. (1974, March 7). State Street Gourmet's list of favorite sandwiches. The Daily Cardinal. p. 7.
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