TooHot wrote:That Salerno's was owned by Arnie Salerno. His son, along with a partner, opened up two restaurants-one in Hodgkins and the other in Villa Park. They both have an OTB (off track betting) on the premises and offered almost the same excellent menu/pizza as Arnie and his brothers had at the original place on 16th in Berwyn. Brother Adam still has that menu/ pizza at Salerno's on the Fox in St. Charles. The Villa Park location changed into a grill after maybe 6 months and is usually empty. I have heard the other restaurant is struggling in Hodgkins. A real shame because the menu and food was so good in the '70's, I ate there all of the time! Another original brother has a place on Roosevelt just east of Harlem.
Anyway, all of the Salerno's brothers are getting up in age and it appears there's limited interest in the family to carry on. I'm also thinking they're kind of pricey and not making the killing they did in the past. I found the place on Grove to seem neglected in the last 5 years. The whole family was raised in the restaurant business and had alot of internal problems which would maybe put a damper on wanting to be in the biz or even franchising.
I love pizza.

What is it about these family owned pizza dynasties that lead to such turmoil? This sounds a lot like the Vito & Nick's saga. Is it that the families grow so large, there's not enough pieces of pie (sorry) to go around, so instead there is bickering and the business gets neglected?

Where's the Salerno's on Grand fit in. I've always found this place somewhat under-appreciated in the red sauce genre. I generally like the place in Oak Park, but for various reasons, I like Jimmy's in Forest Park or Al's in Cicero just a bit better (in different ways), so I don't really go that often to Salerno's. I will say, however, that Salerno's, at the least the OP branch makes some really great red sauce, and I also love their house salad dressing (but I love nearly all house salad dressing at these kinda places).

Arnie's is not quite dead yet!



We will see if they can uphold the old tradition of fine pizza.

As I drove by it looks like they are almost ready to open. There was someone hanging curtains in the windows.

It would be nice if both The Penguin and Salerno's were ressurected in the same place.

Very interesting. Supposedly, Salerno's is slinging pizza out of the Brando's Beef around the corner. I had no idea that "The Penguin" planned to sling out the Salerno's pies. A shiny nickel says I'll be the first one on lth to try them.

seebee wrote:Supposedly, Salerno's is slinging pizza out of the Brando's Beef around the corner.

Got the lowdown last night redeeming a Groupon at Brando's...

Brando's is serving Salerno's Pizza. I would think they would have signs up?

After closing on Grove, Arnie and his kitchen crew moved over to Brando's in somewhat of a partnership. After a while Arnie stopped coming by although his crew is still there.

Had the pizza last night and it is pretty close to what I remember Arnie's to be. A good amount of spice in the sauce, very good sausage and cheese. The crust seemed to be lacking a touch.

The Blue Penguin (The Original Salerno's) is kaput. For Lease signs in the windows.

True dat about the crust, Panther -
I had a pie from Brando's a few weeks ago, and sadly, the crust was nowehere even close. Not even in he same ballpark for the pie I got. My beloved Salerno pie is, I fear, no more.

THE END

seebee wrote:True dat about the crust, Panther -
I had a pie from Brando's a few weeks ago, and sadly, the crust was nowehere even close. Not even in he same ballpark for the pie I got. My beloved Salerno pie is, I fear, no more.

Is the Salerno's in St. Charles still open? It was run by one of the brothers and the pizza was the same as the places in Berwyn.

John Danza wrote:

seebee wrote:True dat about the crust, Panther -
I had a pie from Brando's a few weeks ago, and sadly, the crust was nowehere even close. Not even in he same ballpark for the pie I got. My beloved Salerno pie is, I fear, no more.

Is the Salerno's in St. Charles still open? It was run by one of the brothers and the pizza was the same as the places in Berwyn.

I believe that is one of Joe's places (same as Oak Park and Hodgkins).

Not the same as Arnie's.

Panther in the Den wrote:

John Danza wrote:

seebee wrote:True dat about the crust, Panther -
I had a pie from Brando's a few weeks ago, and sadly, the crust was nowehere even close. Not even in he same ballpark for the pie I got. My beloved Salerno pie is, I fear, no more.

Is the Salerno's in St. Charles still open? It was run by one of the brothers and the pizza was the same as the places in Berwyn.

I believe that is one of Joe's places (same as Oak Park and Hodgkins).

Not the same as Arnie's.

OK, thanks. At least there are still places available to get a Salerno's pizza. They do have a unique flavor profile that is different than most.

John Danza wrote:OK, thanks. At least there are still places available to get a Salerno's pizza. They do have a unique flavor profile that is different than most.

At the Roosevelt location in Oak Park, that flavor profile is currently air-exposed Pillsbury dinner rolls with creme d'Chef Boyardee layered in Aramark cheeze surfacing product and Bridgford unearthly-circular pepperoni sweepings discs.

Santander wrote:

John Danza wrote:OK, thanks. At least there are still places available to get a Salerno's pizza. They do have a unique flavor profile that is different than most.

At the Roosevelt location in Oak Park, that flavor profile is currently air-exposed Pillsbury dinner rolls with creme d'Chef Boyardee layered in Aramark cheeze surfacing product and Bridgford unearthly-circular pepperoni sweepings discs.

Oh God! Thanks for the warning. It takes me about the same time to get there as it does the St. Charles restaurant. I'll head west!

St Charles should be the same as Oak Park.

Panther in the Den wrote:St Charles should be the same as Oak Park.

It's never been to the extent that you described. That's not a good sign. I'll have to get back there and report back.

Santander wrote:
At the Roosevelt location in Oak Park, that flavor profile is currently air-exposed Pillsbury dinner rolls with creme d'Chef Boyardee layered in Aramark cheeze surfacing product and Bridgford unearthly-circular pepperoni sweepings discs.

This is the most hyperbolic post I've ever read on this message board. Congratulations.

I was wondering about the connections between the different Salerno's and grouping them by their websites seems to work...

Joe Salerno
http://www.salernospizza.com/
Chicago, Oak Park, Bolingbrook, Glenview

Arnie Salerno
http://www.arniesalernos.net/
Berwyn

http://www.salernoscatering.com/
Mount Prospect

Adam (Arnie Salerno's son)
http://www.salernopincente.net/
Hodgkins

Adam (Arnie Salerno's son)
http://www.salernosonline.com/
St Charles

Panther in the Den wrote:I was wondering about the connections between the different Salerno's and grouping them by their websites seems to work...

Joe Salerno
http://www.salernospizza.com/
Chicago, Oak Park, Bolingbrook, Glenview

Arnie Salerno
http://www.arniesalernos.net/
Berwyn

http://www.salernoscatering.com/
Mount Prospect

http://www.salernopincente.net/
Hodgkins

http://www.salernosonline.com/
St Charles

So based on this, it looks like Oak Park and St. Charles may be different. I'll definitely try St. Charles soon and report back.

I know I mentioned this earlier in the thread, but looking at the "history" portion that harkined back to the original tavern on 16th and Wesley really brings back memories. My family started going there right after they opened. I can still see the place, which was a bar with four or five four-tops with two hour waits. These days I would never wait two hours for any restaurant (aka Ruxbin Kitchen), but it was fun back then.

Just to muddy the waters a little bit more--
http://palatine.patch.com/articles/pala ... restaurant

I believe that Frank has owned Salerno's Catering for a handful of years, and no, I can't comment on the pizza since I've never had it. We'll pick up pasta dishes from there when we have a taste for the old Rossini's. Haven't heard any news regarding the new restaurant that he plans on opening.

John Danza wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:St Charles should be the same as Oak Park.

It's never been to the extent that you described. That's not a good sign. I'll have to get back there and report back.

Is Uncle Steve's still open in Naperville? The used to make a great pie.

Cogito wrote:

John Danza wrote:

Panther in the Den wrote:St Charles should be the same as Oak Park.

It's never been to the extent that you described. That's not a good sign. I'll have to get back there and report back.

Is Uncle Steve's still open in Naperville? The used to make a great pie.

I don't know. I've never ordered from them.

Joe does not own the Hodgkin's location, thats's Arnie's son and a non-Salerno partner gig. The same son that opened the Salerno's on North Ave. in Villa Park next to the OTB, which he appeared also to be involved with. That restaurant lasted about 6 months. Adam still has the Salerno's in St. Charles.

TooHot wrote:Joe does not own the Hodgkin's location, that's Arnie's son and a non-Salerno partner gig. The same son that opened the Salerno's on North Ave. in Villa Park next to the OTB, which he appeared also to be involved with. That restaurant lasted about 6 months. Adam still has the Salerno's in St. Charles.

Thanks for the info! I have updated the list.

The only one's lineage in question is the one in Mount Prospect.

So can anyone comment on the pizza in St. Charles? I've read some pretty lousy reviews, especially about their service. But, I used to live down the street from the old Salerno's on Grove and if it is anywhere close as good, I'll deal with some service issues or get take-out.

Vital Information wrote:Where's the Salerno's on Grand fit in. I've always found this place somewhat under-appreciated in the red sauce genre. I generally like the place in Oak Park, but for various reasons, I like Jimmy's in Forest Park or Al's in Cicero just a bit better (in different ways), so I don't really go that often to Salerno's. I will say, however, that Salerno's, at the least the OP branch makes some really great red sauce, and I also love their house salad dressing (but I love nearly all house salad dressing at these kinda places).

Sometimes you just got be a yelper even if you don't yelp...

As noted, I've had a longstanding appreciation and love for Salerno's on Grand in Chicago. That ended last night.

Coming back from Good Food Festival 2015, we thought Greek Town, until we realized how crowded Greektown is on a Saturday night--someone's doing something right. It's a short little zig-zag to get from the West Loop to Grand and Racine. Better, Salerno's has a parking lot. And as expeced, not quite the madhouse. We got a table, ordered our fried calamari and expected a the kinda meal of a host who called us youze guys would give us.

I guess youze guys shoulda expected meat in the baked cavatelli regardless of whether you wanted it, no? My wife, who very pointedly gave up flesh a few years back, asked if the baked pasta could be made with marinara instead. Sure, especially as this was not such a hard request to meet. Until it came back with meat.

After a while, they did whisk it away. They did ask if she wanted anything else. Then came the generous offer, "we'll take it off your bill." Yes, thank you for not charging us for the dish we did not want nor the dish we did not eat. That was that. No offer of a glass of wine to sooth the heartache of accidentally swallowing what one does not want to swallow. No home made canoli on the house. Not even, do you want to keep the pasta for the person on the table who eats meat, after all, what would they do with the dish now?. Instead, like negotiating with Michael Corleone, we got nothing.

OK, all you why did you say somethings come at us. To some extent we did "say something". We said, this was not what we ordered. To say, treat us better you schmucks, sorry, I do not believe one has that obligation. You may disagree. So, I will take my displeasure out in this tiny rant. I shall also say that while Grand is dead to me, I reserve the right to eat at Oak Park.

Maybe it was youze guys way of saying to you "your wife's decision to stop eating meat is unacceptable to us."

I grew up in Riverside in the 60's and 70's. A version of Salerno's existed on 16th Street, Windsor Ave. 34th and Grove,12th and Maple all in Berwyn and the newer Oak Park location. Comparing Villa Nova and Salernos is similar to comparing KFC to Boston Market (sorry about low brow analogy). They are both pizza but in completely different styles. I am not usually in the mood for the thick buttery Salerno's style, but when I was in the mood, Salernos was awesome. I have been to most of the modern versions of various family members outlets but never really found the same magic as the old ones. I never really liked the Oak Park Location as it did not seem to have an identity. This may be poor sense memory or nostalgia but I found a new spot (for me) that hits the Salernos home run. Evviva Pizzeria in Wheaton is some Salerno relative, shirttail or otherwise, producing the thick tasty pizza of yore. I saw a groupon that mentioned the Salerno connection and the photo evoked clear memories. The menu has a quote "Bringing old school taste to the next Generation--Rob Salerno" This is mostly a take out spot but there are a few tables.

Evivva has a sister restaurant near the Lisle train station which was good but not quite the same to me.

I would love to hear thoughts from the oldsters who ate the originals.


Evviva
1022 College Ave.
Wheaton
630-510-4000
www.evvivapizzeria.com

It looks like the Berwyn Salernos is kaput. I never did get to try it. Nor have I tried the one on Roosevelt I will stay away based on reading this. I have tried Villa Nova. It was okay. Nice sausage but there was something about it that just did not ring my bell. I will give it another try at some point and will try Evvivva. What I do like is Al's pizza on Cermak in Cicero. The Uncle bobby's special. Spicy meaty thin crust and delicious. Honestly could not stop eating it. It has pepperoni, sausage bacon green olives, jalepenos, and maybe other things....sound bad but its very compelling once you start with it. I order it well done.

cito wrote:Just to muddy the waters a little bit more--
http://palatine.patch.com/articles/pala ... restaurant

I believe that Frank has owned Salerno's Catering for a handful of years, and no, I can't comment on the pizza since I've never had it. We'll pick up pasta dishes from there when we have a taste for the old Rossini's. Haven't heard any news regarding the new restaurant that he plans on opening.

This thread appears to be a catch-all for Salerno's discussion even though it seems undetermined the exact affiliation. I work near the Salerno's Catering location in Mt. Prospect and have it in my occasional lunch rotation. I absolutely love their red sauce. One of the few places where I'd be completely happy with a simple plate of spaghetti and marinara, preferably not the meat sauce. I'm a meat eater, and I've had one bite of their meat sauce from one lunch with my fiance, but I prefer the meatless. As a further suggestion, their chicken parmigiana is fantastic. They offer a "sandwich" and an entree portion with spaghetti. On the sandwich, the excellent piece of chicken overwhelms the bread and I go the fork and knife route. The sandwich ($6.25 per their website) teamed with a side of spaghetti as well as the entree portion serves me two meals for around $12, or at least a hearty appetizer as a second meal. However, I try to avoid the lunch food coma so perhaps I do limit myself at times.

I also can't speak for the pizza but I would recommend you steer clear of the burger. Tasted more like a meatball. From their website they claim "Not affiliated with other Salerno's Locations". They also list the following affiliations on their history page:

Rossini’s (Niles)
Sassi (Prospect Heights)
Spazio di Lucca (Deerfield)
Salerno’s Catering (Mount Prospect)

The Salerno's Catering location in Mt. Prospect is more informal with counter order/service but I'm not sure if they offer waiter service at dinner. Perhaps the other locations may offer a more formal dining experience with similar quality/recipes.

[Edit] They also offer exceptionally reasonable lunch specials daily that often sell out. Usually various pasta dishes like stuffed shells and they are usually priced under $6. Truly a great deal for a cheap meal.

The Mount Prospect one does have wait service, it's one of our walk from the house regulars (outdoor seating in the summer makes it a good excuse to walk the dog).
The sign used to say "Arnie Salerno" but they changed it a couple years ago, I think.