THE SUCCESS OF RIZZO’S RESTAURANT IN WINDBER IS A TWO FAMILY, FOUR GENERATION, STORY....
In 1924, Celestine and Mary A. Rillo, who had immigrated in the early 1900’s from the Northern Central region of Italy, built their home at 2200 Graham Avenue. The Rillo’s lived on the second floor and operated a general store and meat market on the first floor. In 1937, the Rillo’s decided to open a restaurant at the location. At that time, Windber was a coal mining center of activity where Rillo’s “Fairway Café” enjoyed a successful start. Our industrious Grandma Rillo was in charge of the kitchen where tasteful and authentic Italian foods were prepared from old world recipes. In 1965, the restaurant was passed on to her daughter Amelia (Mildred or "Millie") and her husband Anthony Rizzo. In the years that followed, “Rizzo’s” established itself as a regional favorite. Rizzo’s passing in 1983, Millie and her children, Dominick, Marie, Tony Jr., David, and David’s wife, Norma, continued the family business. departed Rizzo's to open his own restaurant, Anthony's, in neighboring Geistown. David oversaw a series of expansions of the restaurant to its current size and developed the fine service that Rizzo’s is known for, before suddenly passing away in June 2001. Following David’s passing, Marie’s son, Dominick Chippie returned home to join his grandmother, mother, aunt, and uncle with the everyday operation of Rizzo’s. The success of Rizzo's is a two-family, four generation story that stands firm on it's foundation of tradition and excellence through service, quality, and love for it's patrons and community. Not only Windber, but it's surrounding communities and the region as a whole has embraced and supported Rizzo's over the last 40 years....making Rizzo's not just another local establishment, but a familiar place full of love, good food, fun times, and priceless memories that many families have shared throughout their own generations. We enjoy serving you all....and thank you for your support and loyalty throughout the years. Look forward to seeing you soon....BUON APPETITO!
