a celebration of the Italian-American restaurants we love!

I used to love a small Italian restaurant in Chicago (I think on Oak ST) called Papa Milano's , its probably no longer there. There was also a place called Uncle John's, I think 3 brothers owned it and they had a small band that played for the diners and one of the owners would sing, they also coaxed diners into dancing the tarantella. This was in the 70's. It seems like everything is a chain like Olive Garden, no ambience and "ho hum" food.

There are 12 gazillion Italian restaurants in San Francisco.  (Or, is it 13?)

I love some of them, from the Red-Sauce category.  As the article stated, the food is plentiful, delicious, but on the "plain" side.  They're homey and comfortable.  And, the wine ... possibly from a jug ... is served in (full) tumblers.  

One of them, Gaspare's on Geary St., is only a few blocks from me.  

Two others, which are not part of a chain, but carry the "Joe's" title *, were forced to move.  They both re-opened, but the "new, improved," versions lost a little something in coziness.

-- Original Joe's, on Taylor St., was the quintessential Red-Sauce restaurant.  Unfortunately, it burned several years ago, and relocated to the North Beach area, which is the notable Italian neighborhood.  They also own, Westlake Joe's, which is just south of the city limits, in Daly City, and was refurbished.  I haven't been there, since it re-opened.

-- Little Joe's, formerly on Broadway, had to relocate due to renovation of the larger building.  It has moved twice, since, and I'm not even sure where it is, now ... or IF it is.


* (I learned, recently, that "Joe's," isn't a name that can be copyrighted [obviously].  It refers to a style, of Italian restaurant - at least, by California law.  There are tables and/or booths, throughout the restaurant.  And, there is a large counter-seating area, for those who choose to dine that way.  Much of the cooking is done in front of the counter, and in full view of the diners.  There may be kitchen facilities behind the scenes, but the diners can always see bubbling pots, and active grills.)

Some people let everything freak them out.  If you are on a public street minding your own business, no one has the right to call the cops just because they don't like your skin color. People like that should be issued a warning from the police for wasting their time.  The small subdivision I live in is mixed,  if the cops are called its usually because a bear has decided to stroll down the sidewalk.  The police won't come out because they don't handle bears, they just tell people to stay inside until they go away.  I've seen many bears this past month.

p.s. Maybe the cops didn't know who Enrique Iglesias is.