From A&M to Pucillo’s, Mancino’s, Mannino’s to Bartolo’s, Soprano’s and Trattoria Fratelli, it seems like Italian food is everywhere today in Central Pennsylvania. But that was not always the case.

It was not until the middle of the 20th century that Italian cuisine was introduced to Lebanon County, but when it was, it caught on fast. During the 19th century, most restaurant food in the United States was Germanic, and this was no different in Lebanon County.