Rastrelli’s Restaurant was
started by Pete and Ida Rastrelli, my father and
mother. Dad, an Italian immigrant from the small
town of Fornaci De Barga in
the Tuscany region of Italy, came across the ocean
to settle in the land of
opportunity. Mom, the child of Italian immigrants
who were from the same
region as Dad, was born in Chicago.
Life was not easy for either of my
parents. Knowing very little English,
Dad was blessed that his trade was working with
his hands. With the help of
his sister and two brothers, Dad found his way to
Chicago and put his talent
to use as a candymaker. At an early age, Mom was
orphaned and shortly
afterwards adopted by her aunt Emma from Sterling,
Illinois.
While looking for a job, Dad found
an opening in a small town west of
Chicago. The opening was for a candymaker in
Clinton, Iowa at the Marcucci
Candy Shop. Mom was a soft, loving person who had
a desire to help people.
With these characteristics, she entered nurses
training at St. Joseph’s
Mercy Hospital in Clinton, Iowa. One day, these
two met in the candy shop
and fell in love, ah amori! In 1929 they married
and started a family.
In 1939, this strong-willed,
self-taught couple opened Rastrelli’s Revere Candy Shop in the
Revere Hotel at 4th Avenue South and 2nd Street. The Revere had a long
soda fountain with a marble and stainless steel back bar,
fifty mahogany booths, a popcorn machine, glass
cigar cases, and soda jerks in white shirts and bow ties. The Revere
was a very popular place to meet and hang out. Many couples shared
their first date here over a Revere sundae. The menu featured burgers,
sandwiches and also Dad’s handmade ice cream and candies. Does
anyone remember the Olive Nut Sandwich?
In 1950, the Revere Hotel was sold.
All of the tenants were being forced to move and so were Mom and Dad.
They moved to the north end of town on Main Avenue in the Lyons area.
The store was smaller containing only seven booths, two tables, and a
soda fountain. This reduction was not going to hold back any of the
dreams that my parents had though. The menu increased, spaghetti,
burgers, chicken, chopped steaks, and a new creation were offered now.
This new creation was known as Pizza.
With the candy business struggling
because of big names like Russel Stover’s and Brach’s, Dad
needed something new, something to give the restaurant a boost. At this
time, my brother Bob came home from the Navy. With him, he brought the
idea of pizza because it was such a big hit. Carol, my sister, brought
home the same idea from Chicago. This pizza idea was the spark that Dad
needed to get the business rolling again.
Knowing that he had to do something,
Dad got a hold of Angelo-Pasquenelli, the man that found him the
candymaker job. The two of them went into Chicago to look at the
pizzerias and get an idea of what had to be done. With this valuable
information Dad came back to Clinton and worked on his new pizza idea
until he got it perfect. He had done it! The Revere sign came down and
a new Rastrelli’s Pizza Shop sign went up. With the help of his
children, Dad had found what was going to make the business continue,
and also to be stronger than ever!
In 1964, more changes took place.
The Madden building, which you sit in today, was bought by Dad and Mom.
This purchase allowed enlargement of the dining area, the kitchen, and
the storage area of the restaurant. The menu also increased. Steaks,
seafood, and Italian dishes were also served now. It was in this year
that our famous bread was created to go along with the famous cabbage
salad of 1957. The sauces for the pastas were made in a large copper
kettle and we were still grinding our own beef and sausage. Dad and Mom
always wanted to make sure that the quality was the best, and making
everything from scratch was a sure was of quality control.
In 1966, our family faced the
greatest challenge. Dad died of a massive heart attack while working in
the restaurant. We now had to carry on with what he had given us. Mom,
Jim, Tom and I continued to look forward. In 1968 we remodeled
Rastrelli’s again. This time we added one more dining room with
booths, table, and chairs, and once again enlarged our menu.
The tradition continues today. With
the restoration of the building completed, we now reflect the history
and tradition of the building and the restaurant. Many changes will
come in the future, but there will always be a constant. Dad and
Mom’s way of offering good food and good service at reasonable
prices.
