Italian Village

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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 also ran Troia's Steak House, a separate restaurant next door at 661 State St.[8], which was open by December 31, 1954, when Edwin Stein photographed its sign and grill[9], and advertising by September 1956[10] and had live music by December 1961[11][12]. According to the Wisconsin Alumni Association, he sold the Italian Village in 1962 to Nick Safina, who ran it until 1966, when Best Steak House replaced it[8]; the steak house was still advertising at 661 State in 1964[12]. In 1970 he was running Paco's, a Mexican and Italian restaurant in the 100 block of State Street[13]. Around 1981 he managed the Capitol Hill Supper Club at 5164 Verona Road[14]. 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[15][16]. 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"[17].
  • 1954: "Headquarters for Pizza," with cheese ($1.00), anchovy ($1.25), mushroom ($1.35) and shrimp ($1.65) as meatless favorites[18].

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. ↑ 8.0 8.1 (2026, October 28). "Italian Village Restaurant (Ask Flamingle)." Wisconsin Alumni Association.
  9. ↑ Stein, E. (1954, December 31). "Troia's Steak House (WHS W011L7T and W011L8B)." Wisconsin Historical Society image collections.
  10. ↑ (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.
  11. ↑ (2020, June 28). "Throwback photos: Madison-area restaurants you'll never eat at again, part 4." madison.com.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 (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.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ (2019, October 17). "Your memories: Readers share stories of restaurants from the past." madison.com.
  15. ↑ (1961, April 20). "Licenses Sought." The Capital Times. p. 1. Newspapers.com image 519847668.
  16. ↑ (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.
  17. ↑ (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.
  18. ↑ (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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