Longtime family-operated Paterno’s Pizza getting new owners to carry on the tradition

by BRIAN NADIG

Risk. Sacrifice. Dreams.

Those words sum up the challenges and accomplishments which the Paterno family has encountered since coming to the United States from Italy nearly 90 years ago, right before the start of World War II.

For decades three generations of the family has served pizza, Italian beef and pasta to the Jefferson Park area community,

In 2026, they will be turning operations over to a new family.

“After many years of loving service to the community the Paterno family has decided that it’s time to turn our focus towards the next chapters of our lives. As of the coming new year, we will be transferring control of Paterno’s Pizza to a new family,” the Paterno family recently announced.

“This is a time of mixed emotions, relief, sorrow and much sentimentality. We will miss you all greatly but we trust that the new owners will honor and preserve our family’s legacy and continue to take care of you, our honored customers, friends and family.”

The business started out as a liquor store but later became a pizza parlor and sports bar.

The following is the Paterno’s story in the family’s own words:

“The story of Paterno’s is, of course, unique in its specific, but, for anyone familiar with the long history of immigration in this country, it’s also a familiar one – a story of dreams, risk, sacrifice, pursuit of the golden opportunities promised by the American dream, and, ultimately, success.

“Santo and Josephine, with their 5 year old son John and infant son Paul in tow, left their tiny Sicilian village in 1939 to follow Santo’s brother to America where he’d opened a small grocery store. They were fleeing hardship in Mussolini’s Italy and dreamt of a better life for themselves and their children in America. They moved to Chicago where Santo helped his brother with his grocery business until, in 1954, he and Josephine were able to open a modest liquor store on Central Avenue.

With limited formal education and little money initially they struggled, but they kept their family close. Their sons John and Paul, now established adults with careers of their own, left their jobs to help run the family business. Their success allowed them to, in 1972, construct a building on the corner of Milwaukee and Central that would become, at the time, the largest liquor store in Chicago and is the site of today’s Paterno’s Pizza.

“In addition to changing buildings, the business itself also evolved over the years. Originally solely a liquor store, Santo added a deli and a pizza and sandwich carry-out counter before eventually transitioning the store entirely to the restaurant and bar that it is today. The menu has grown to incorporate many beloved items – pizza, soups, salads, pasta dishes, sandwiches (including favorites like the Incredible Beef), and has continued to evolve with the neighborhood.

“Maintaining family ties was important to Santo and Josephine. Their children, grandchildren and many of their great grandchildren worked at Paterno’s at some point in their lives. Paul and John remained at Paterno’s for their entire lives, John until his passing in 2015, while Paul, at age 87, continues to help manage the business to this day. When Santo and Josephine aged past the point where they were able to run the business, they asked Jojo and Rachale, who by that point had been working at the store for nearly their entire lives, to take up the mantle of ownership.

“They, alongside Paul, have dutifully honored this request – maintaining Paterno’s as the neighborhood cornerstone that you know today.

“The family’s dedication is not the only thing worth mentioning, though – Paterno’s has been incredibly fortunate to have a number of employees who are closer to family, some of whom have been working at the store for nearly as long as Jojo and Rachale. The hard work, dedication, personality, and heart of these people has helped the restaurant thrive as much as anything else, and our sincerest love, thanks, and appreciation goes out to each and every one of you. Thank you for being a part of our lives for so many years.

“Running this business has not always been easy, but even in their most difficult years, the family cherished their place in the community. Santo sent his grandson, Johnnie, out in the great blizzard of 1972 to deliver milk to snowed-in families. I’ll never forget the summers my mother, Jojo, would cut fresh fruit to send home with men who had recently lost their wives. She said she couldn’t stand the thought of their empty refrigerators. There are countless more stories like this, so many that we couldn’t possibly recount them all here. I think I’m most proud of this legacy: they loved you, Jefferson Park. And still do.

“The way I see it, this is not the end of Josephine and Santo’s dream. It’s the evolution. Their grandchildren are retiring. Their great grandchildren have beautiful lives, families, educations, and careers. Their great great grandchildren are brand-new, taking their first steps in this world.

“Nonna and Nonno, Paul and John, Jojo and Rachale: they gave our family a start. Paterno’s gave us a start.

And you, our community, have walked every step with us. From our family to yours, we truly and humbly thank you for your support. Warmly, The Paterno Family”

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