The Story of Isgro’s Italian Restaurant:
Felix Isgro was born in Messina, Sicily. Though he was only a child when he came to America, he brought two great ambitions with him:
One, he loved Italian music and hoped that someday he would become a great musician. Two, he loved good food and hoped that someday he would have his own restaurant. During the depression years he worked as a chef in a New
York hotel restaurant. Although he liked the job, the pay was poor and there was no chance to save any money for his dream. He quit his job, returned to Hamilton and went to work as a core maker at a foundry. The pay was better and provided a better chance to save some money to fulfill his ambition. He married Josephine “Jo” Scrimizzi, a beautiful Calabresa, and from this dream two beautiful children were born: Marion, now Mrs. Robert Miller, and Vincent. Vince is the well-known musician who has often played for the enjoyment of the Isgro’s patrons as well as in many other night spots. With expenses of raising a family, Felix’s dream seemed to be fading away, yet Felix was a determined man. He continuously talked to Jo about a steak house or a real Italian restaurant, serving all Italian specialties, where the people of Hamilton could spend a joyful evening at a reasonable price. His first try was made in 1944 while still working for someone else. He purchased a bar in New Miami, Ohio. After a few months and little progress, he decided “that’s not it” and sold it, barely getting his money out. In 1946, he purchased a better bar on High Street In Hamilton. Business was good but his luck was bad. After a few months the landlord informed him that the entire building was sold, and he would have to move because the building was going to be torn down to make room for progress. This was bad news for Felix. He sold all the fixtures and licenses at a loss. He returned to work at the foundry. One hot night while sitting with his wife on the front porch of his home Felix was feeling very depressed. His understanding wife knew what was wrong with him. Felix just wanted another try at his own restuarant. Jo said to Felix, “you are not happy, why don’t we try one more time? Let’s look for a hole in the wall somewhere.” That’s just what Felix wanted to hear. The next day he started to search Hamilton for that hole in the wall. After months of looking, in February 1955, he found a spot at 309 East Ave. It wasn’t just what he wanted, but it would do. Jo agreed, but there was the usual problem – money. But where there’s a will there’s a way. With the help of his parents, a friend, and the bank, he borrowed the money and bought the restaurant. After many nights, weeks, and months of hard work, Felix’s friendliness and Jo’s good home cooking, the restaurant became a great success. There were many parties, many reservations and before they knew it, the place was too small to accommodate all that came. As more and more room was needed, Felix and Jo purchased the adjacent two stores and the entire corner of East Avenue and Ludlow. The remodeled it into one of the fanciest night spots in Hamilton, Ohio, to serve te best food at the most reasonable price. The Isgro family has promised to always carry on serving the best meals possible and to serve the best of everything to make your evening more joyful – not only the original Italian Sicilian food which made Isgro’s famous but also steaks, sea food and other American specialties with domestic and imported wines. To the people of Hamilton, Ohio and surrounding area, Jo and Felix say thank you very much for your patronage and for making their dream come true
- Written by Vito Lingardo
After 30 years of great food, and entertainment Isgro’s Italian Restaurant closed its doors in November of 1984. Sadly Felix passed away a few short years later in 1987 while Jo passed away in 2004. Felix, Jo, and their dream reality of a fine Italian restaurant are survived by Vincent Isgro and his son Dion Isgro, Marion Miller and her two sons Jonathan Miller, and Phillip Miller as well as his daughter Allison Miller.
