Today Gini Calarco Gollnitz, the granddaughter of the restaurant’s founder, is the owner and head cook, with her son Brian, who also works in the kitchen, serving up homemade specialties.

Virginio Calarco began Calarco’s Restaurant in October, 1933, after having first trying his hand at running a small grocery store during the Great Depression. “He had a big heart and ended up giving away food to many people that couldn’t pay him back. So he burned the charge account book, closed up the store and turned it into a bar and restaurant,” explained Gini.