The Grotto - Revision history

Jacques: Link the 3 Sisters Dining Room; Mary Schiro was one of the three sisters

2026-10-28T19:07:42Z

Link the 3 Sisters Dining Room; Mary Schiro was one of the three sisters

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:07, 28 October 2026
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	==History==		==History==
	The Grotto opened in January 1949 in the former Busch's Tea Room in the Busch Building: "It's called Pizza Pie ..... and in our NEW ITALIAN GROTTO we make the best — Yes, the new home of Pizza Pie and other fine Italian foods invites you to join us in the University District now ... and don't forget to ask for PIZZA PIE"<ref name="wsj-1949-01-09-p40">(1949, January 9). "It's called Pizza Pie ... and in our new Italian Grotto we make the best" — The Grotto (formerly Busch's Tea Room). ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 40. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/401293135/ 401293135].</ref>. Five days later the 3 Sisters Dining Room on West Washington Avenue answered with a banner ad: "PIZZA PIE PIZZA PIE PIZZA — YES we're still the home of PIZZA PIE"<ref name="wsj-1949-01-14-p11">(1949, January 14). "Pizza Pie Pizza Pie Pizza — Yes we're still the home of Pizza Pie" — 3 Sisters Dining Room, Tony's Bar, 736 W. Washington Ave. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 11. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/401296779/ 401296779].</ref>. By September the Grotto sold pizza to take out ("Take out some PIZZA'S for your party"), open until 2 a.m. every day<ref name="ct-1949-09-23-p6">(1949, September 23). The Grotto, 636 State St., Busch Bldg.: "Take out some pizza's for your party". ''The Capital Times''. p. 6. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/520626789/ 520626789].</ref>. Al and Mary Schiro were the proprietors<ref name="wsj-1950-07-08-p14">(1950, July 8). The Grotto, Al & Mary Schiro: pizza pie with mushrooms, anchovies, bacon or Italian sausage. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 14. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/402327446/ 402327446].</ref>; through the early 1950s the Grotto advertised every week on the entertainment pages<ref name="wsj-1952-03-08-p7">(1952, March 8). Grotto and Bunky's ("Pizza Pie on Fridays") advertisements. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 7. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/402633003/ 402633003].</ref>.		The Grotto opened in January 1949 in the former Busch's Tea Room in the Busch Building: "It's called Pizza Pie ..... and in our NEW ITALIAN GROTTO we make the best — Yes, the new home of Pizza Pie and other fine Italian foods invites you to join us in the University District now ... and don't forget to ask for PIZZA PIE"<ref name="wsj-1949-01-09-p40">(1949, January 9). "It's called Pizza Pie ... and in our new Italian Grotto we make the best" — The Grotto (formerly Busch's Tea Room). ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 40. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/401293135/ 401293135].</ref>. Five days later the [[3 Sisters Dining Room]] on West Washington Avenue answered with a banner ad: "PIZZA PIE PIZZA PIE PIZZA — YES we're still the home of PIZZA PIE"<ref name="wsj-1949-01-14-p11">(1949, January 14). "Pizza Pie Pizza Pie Pizza — Yes we're still the home of Pizza Pie" — 3 Sisters Dining Room, Tony's Bar, 736 W. Washington Ave. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 11. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/401296779/ 401296779].</ref>. By September the Grotto sold pizza to take out ("Take out some PIZZA'S for your party"), open until 2 a.m. every day<ref name="ct-1949-09-23-p6">(1949, September 23). The Grotto, 636 State St., Busch Bldg.: "Take out some pizza's for your party". ''The Capital Times''. p. 6. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/520626789/ 520626789].</ref>. Al and Mary Schiro were the proprietors<ref name="wsj-1950-07-08-p14">(1950, July 8). The Grotto, Al & Mary Schiro: pizza pie with mushrooms, anchovies, bacon or Italian sausage. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 14. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/402327446/ 402327446].</ref>; through the early 1950s the Grotto advertised every week on the entertainment pages<ref name="wsj-1952-03-08-p7">(1952, March 8). Grotto and Bunky's ("Pizza Pie on Fridays") advertisements. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 7. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/402633003/ 402633003].</ref>.

			Mary Schiro was herself one of the three sisters of the 3 Sisters; a 1954 Grotto ad announced that "One of the Three Sisters of the famous 3-Sisters Dining Room is now operating the GROTTO Restaurant"<ref name="ct-1954-06-18-p26">(1954, June 18). "One of the Three Sisters of the famous 3-Sisters Dining Room is now operating the Grotto Restaurant and Flamingo Bar, 636 State Street — Al and Mary Schiro, Props.". ''The Capital Times''. p. 26. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/518353707/ 518353707].</ref>.

	In January 1980 the State Journal's "Diner's Scorecard" described the Grotto as Marv and Albert Schiro's restaurant of 31 years and added that "the pizza is rated highly, too"<ref name="wsj-1980-01-13-p86">(1980, January 13). Diner's Scorecard 'recently reviewed' digest: the Grotto, 636 State St., Marv and Albert Schiro's restaurant of 31 years — 'the pizza is rated highly, too'. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 86. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/405587044/ 405587044].</ref>.		In January 1980 the State Journal's "Diner's Scorecard" described the Grotto as Marv and Albert Schiro's restaurant of 31 years and added that "the pizza is rated highly, too"<ref name="wsj-1980-01-13-p86">(1980, January 13). Diner's Scorecard 'recently reviewed' digest: the Grotto, 636 State St., Marv and Albert Schiro's restaurant of 31 years — 'the pizza is rated highly, too'. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 86. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/405587044/ 405587044].</ref>.

Jacques: Add the January 1949 opening, the pizza-pie ad war and the 1949–51 menus

2026-10-26T18:29:26Z

Add the January 1949 opening, the pizza-pie ad war and the 1949–51 menus

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:29, 26 October 2026
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	'''The Grotto''' was a bar and restaurant at 636 State St. that is remembered as the first place in Madison to advertise pizza. "It was 1949 when Albert Schiro, an Italian immigrant of Albanian descent, hung Madison's first pizza sign over the entrance to his legendary Grotto bar on State Street," the Capital Times' Weekender editor wrote in 1985<ref name="ct-1985-06-22-p14">Egerton, B. (1985, June 22). "Madison has right stuff for making — and eating! — pizza." ''The Capital Times''. p. 14. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/519961462/ 519961462].</ref>.		'''The Grotto''' was a bar and restaurant at 636 State St. that is remembered as the first place in Madison to advertise pizza; in fact [[Joe’s Pizza Pie]] on Regent Street had advertised it in 1945. "It was 1949 when Albert Schiro, an Italian immigrant of Albanian descent, hung Madison's first pizza sign over the entrance to his legendary Grotto bar on State Street," the Capital Times' Weekender editor wrote in 1985<ref name="ct-1985-06-22-p14">Egerton, B. (1985, June 22). "Madison has right stuff for making — and eating! — pizza." ''The Capital Times''. p. 14. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/519961462/ 519961462].</ref>.

	==History==		==History==
			The Grotto opened in January 1949 in the former Busch's Tea Room in the Busch Building: "It's called Pizza Pie ..... and in our NEW ITALIAN GROTTO we make the best — Yes, the new home of Pizza Pie and other fine Italian foods invites you to join us in the University District now ... and don't forget to ask for PIZZA PIE"<ref name="wsj-1949-01-09-p40">(1949, January 9). "It's called Pizza Pie ... and in our new Italian Grotto we make the best" — The Grotto (formerly Busch's Tea Room). ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 40. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/401293135/ 401293135].</ref>. Five days later the 3 Sisters Dining Room on West Washington Avenue answered with a banner ad: "PIZZA PIE PIZZA PIE PIZZA — YES we're still the home of PIZZA PIE"<ref name="wsj-1949-01-14-p11">(1949, January 14). "Pizza Pie Pizza Pie Pizza — Yes we're still the home of Pizza Pie" — 3 Sisters Dining Room, Tony's Bar, 736 W. Washington Ave. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 11. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/401296779/ 401296779].</ref>. By September the Grotto sold pizza to take out ("Take out some PIZZA'S for your party"), open until 2 a.m. every day<ref name="ct-1949-09-23-p6">(1949, September 23). The Grotto, 636 State St., Busch Bldg.: "Take out some pizza's for your party". ''The Capital Times''. p. 6. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/520626789/ 520626789].</ref>. Al and Mary Schiro were the proprietors<ref name="wsj-1950-07-08-p14">(1950, July 8). The Grotto, Al & Mary Schiro: pizza pie with mushrooms, anchovies, bacon or Italian sausage. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 14. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/402327446/ 402327446].</ref>; through the early 1950s the Grotto advertised every week on the entertainment pages<ref name="wsj-1952-03-08-p7">(1952, March 8). Grotto and Bunky's ("Pizza Pie on Fridays") advertisements. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 7. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/402633003/ 402633003].</ref>.

	In January 1980 the State Journal's "Diner's Scorecard" described the Grotto as Marv and Albert Schiro's restaurant of 31 years and added that "the pizza is rated highly, too"<ref name="wsj-1980-01-13-p86">(1980, January 13). Diner's Scorecard 'recently reviewed' digest: the Grotto, 636 State St., Marv and Albert Schiro's restaurant of 31 years — 'the pizza is rated highly, too'. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 86. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/405587044/ 405587044].</ref>.		In January 1980 the State Journal's "Diner's Scorecard" described the Grotto as Marv and Albert Schiro's restaurant of 31 years and added that "the pizza is rated highly, too"<ref name="wsj-1980-01-13-p86">(1980, January 13). Diner's Scorecard 'recently reviewed' digest: the Grotto, 636 State St., Marv and Albert Schiro's restaurant of 31 years — 'the pizza is rated highly, too'. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 86. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/405587044/ 405587044].</ref>.

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	==Pizza==		==Pizza==
			* Pizza pie with bacon, Italian sausage or anchovies (1949)<ref name="ct-1949-11-04-p15">(1949, November 4). The Grotto advertisement: pizza pie with bacon, Italian sausage or anchovies. ''The Capital Times''. p. 15. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/523339788/ 523339788].</ref>, or mushrooms (1950)<ref name="wsj-1950-07-08-p14" />; for Lent in 1950, pizza with anchovies and "Pizza Pie with Rigotta (Italian Cottage Cheese)", and trays to take out, "large or small"<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>.
			* "Choice of PIZZA ... 70c" — "Treat your friends to our famous PIZZA after the game" (1951)<ref name="ct-1951-11-02-p11">(1951, November 2). The Grotto Restaurant, 636 State: choice of pizza 70¢; "our famous pizza". ''The Capital Times''. p. 11. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/521609197/ 521609197].</ref>.
	* Thin, crisp crust, made from scratch (1979)<ref name="wsj-1979-12-02-p104" />.		* Thin, crisp crust, made from scratch (1979)<ref name="wsj-1979-12-02-p104" />.

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	<references />		<references />

			[[Category:1940s]]
			[[Category:1950s]]
	[[Category:1970s]]		[[Category:1970s]]
	[[Category:1980s]]		[[Category:1980s]]

Jacques: Add the 1979 Diner's Scorecard review

2026-10-25T16:06:49Z

Add the 1979 Diner's Scorecard review

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:06, 25 October 2026
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	==History==		==History==
	In January 1980 the State Journal's "Diner's Scorecard" described the Grotto as Marv and Albert Schiro's restaurant of 31 years and added that "the pizza is rated highly, too"<ref name="wsj-1980-01-13-p86">(1980, January 13). Diner's Scorecard 'recently reviewed' digest: the Grotto, 636 State St., Marv and Albert Schiro's restaurant of 31 years — 'the pizza is rated highly, too'. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 86. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/405587044/ 405587044].</ref>.		In January 1980 the State Journal's "Diner's Scorecard" described the Grotto as Marv and Albert Schiro's restaurant of 31 years and added that "the pizza is rated highly, too"<ref name="wsj-1980-01-13-p86">(1980, January 13). Diner's Scorecard 'recently reviewed' digest: the Grotto, 636 State St., Marv and Albert Schiro's restaurant of 31 years — 'the pizza is rated highly, too'. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 86. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/405587044/ 405587044].</ref>.

			In December 1979 Genie Campbell reviewed it for the Diner's Scorecard. Mary and Albert Schiro had served spaghetti, ravioli, fettuccine, lasagna and pizza "in the same basement hideaway at 636 State St." for 31 years, in three small connecting rooms lit by candles stuck in bottles. Mrs. Schiro and her cook made the sauce and the pizza dough from scratch, and regulars came "just for the pizza ... because 'of the thin, crispy, almost buttery crust and rich tomato sauce.'" A nine-inch pizza with one meat was $2.35 on Wednesdays<ref name="wsj-1979-12-02-p104">Campbell, G. (1979, December 2). "Grotto thrives on established tradition." ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 104. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/401346848/ 401346848].</ref>.

	By the fall of 1984 the address was the Flamingo Restaurant & Bar ("Fresh, homemade soups and desserts")<ref name="wsj-1984-10-07-p258">(1984, October 7). "Madison Area Dining Guide, Fall 1984." ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 258. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/402306037/ 402306037].</ref>. In 1985 the Capital Times counted the Grotto among the "old institutions" of Madison pizza, with Pino's, [[Gargano’s Pizzeria\|Gargano's]], [[Gino’s\|Gino's]] and [[Paisan’s\|Paisan's]], and wrote that "The Grotto and Garganos are, sadly, just State Street memories now. The Flamingo has taken over The Grotto's old digs"<ref name="ct-1985-06-22-p14" />.		By the fall of 1984 the address was the Flamingo Restaurant & Bar ("Fresh, homemade soups and desserts")<ref name="wsj-1984-10-07-p258">(1984, October 7). "Madison Area Dining Guide, Fall 1984." ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 258. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/402306037/ 402306037].</ref>. In 1985 the Capital Times counted the Grotto among the "old institutions" of Madison pizza, with Pino's, [[Gargano’s Pizzeria\|Gargano's]], [[Gino’s\|Gino's]] and [[Paisan’s\|Paisan's]], and wrote that "The Grotto and Garganos are, sadly, just State Street memories now. The Flamingo has taken over The Grotto's old digs"<ref name="ct-1985-06-22-p14" />.

			==Pizza==
			* Thin, crisp crust, made from scratch (1979)<ref name="wsj-1979-12-02-p104" />.

	==Locations==		==Locations==
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	<references />		<references />

			[[Category:1970s]]
	[[Category:1980s]]		[[Category:1980s]]

Jacques: New page: The Grotto, 636 State St., where Madison's first pizza sign went up in 1949

2026-10-25T02:27:10Z

New page: The Grotto, 636 State St., where Madison's first pizza sign went up in 1949

New page

'''The Grotto''' was a bar and restaurant at 636 State St. that is remembered as the first place in Madison to advertise pizza. "It was 1949 when Albert Schiro, an Italian immigrant of Albanian descent, hung Madison's first pizza sign over the entrance to his legendary Grotto bar on State Street," the Capital Times' Weekender editor wrote in 1985<ref name="ct-1985-06-22-p14">Egerton, B. (1985, June 22). "Madison has right stuff for making — and eating! — pizza." ''The Capital Times''. p. 14. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/519961462/ 519961462].</ref>.

==History==
In January 1980 the State Journal's "Diner's Scorecard" described the Grotto as Marv and Albert Schiro's restaurant of 31 years and added that "the pizza is rated highly, too"<ref name="wsj-1980-01-13-p86">(1980, January 13). Diner's Scorecard 'recently reviewed' digest: the Grotto, 636 State St., Marv and Albert Schiro's restaurant of 31 years — 'the pizza is rated highly, too'. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 86. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/405587044/ 405587044].</ref>.

By the fall of 1984 the address was the Flamingo Restaurant & Bar ("Fresh, homemade soups and desserts")<ref name="wsj-1984-10-07-p258">(1984, October 7). "Madison Area Dining Guide, Fall 1984." ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 258. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/402306037/ 402306037].</ref>. In 1985 the Capital Times counted the Grotto among the "old institutions" of Madison pizza, with Pino's, [[Gargano’s Pizzeria|Gargano's]], [[Gino’s|Gino's]] and [[Paisan’s|Paisan's]], and wrote that "The Grotto and Garganos are, sadly, just State Street memories now. The Flamingo has taken over The Grotto's old digs"<ref name="ct-1985-06-22-p14" />.

==Locations==
* 636 State St. (1949 to the early 1980s).

==See also==
* [[Item:Q2745|The Grotto in the Madison Pizza Wiki database]]

==Notes==
<references />

[[Category:1980s]]