I found this old photo on a Facebook page titled Old Minneapolis. I used to love going to the Venice Cafe. A friend and I would bus downtown frequently to have lunch there way back when we were high school students. We'd usually order spaghetti and meatballs because it was the cheapest thing on the menu. They also had really good pizza. I don't remember the place lasting past the 1980's. I don't know how long it had been around since it closed but this photo looks like it's from the late 50's/early 60's.
Nice memory. The picture, unfortunately does not include the great Venice Cafe neon sign. Guess that came later. The Venice Cafe owner, Jimmy Graziano, is in his 90's and is still a charming, roguish character. He helped out at the Cafe DiNapoli, around the corner on Hennepin Ave, for years after the Venice closed. The Venice antipasto salad was awesome, as well, but that red sauce was the best in town.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this!
DeleteThank you for writing these kind words. You might be happy to know that the owner, my grandfather, is still cooking! He turned 97 earlier this month and just this week made over 400 meatballs for a church spaghetti dinner!
ReplyDeleteI worked at the Academy Theater, and the World AND the Venice Cafe, all in the late 60s, early 70s. I remember Jimmy and Vito and Rosie very well - they were good to me, although when Jimmy would give the staff a ride home after closing...I never wanted to be the last one in the car....he would really try to get a kiss! I too, would like that pizza recipe. I am now in Seattle. What fond memories!!
DeleteAnd my name then was Kathy Freeman...doubt that he would remember me...
DeleteIs there still a Venice Pizza or anything close to that style of pizza? It was so good! I remember getting up at 2am to get tha square 🍕
DeleteI remember that when I would order spaghetti w/ meatballs, a few square slices of pepperoni pizza would be included on the plate. Best pasta and pizza - loved it!!!
DeleteI wish I could have been there!
ReplyDeleteThat is my photo (and no, I don't mind your using it). I was an usher at the World at the time, and The Turning Point was an excellent movie, the Christmas movie in 77. The people in the pic look petty warm, so I bet I took it on a nice day toward spring '78. From the woman's great retro dress, I can see why a person might think it older! By the way, I have a fiction manuscript I'm starting to shop around, titled "Venice Cafe." www.williamburleson.com
ReplyDeleteI loved the Venice Café! My friend and I also use to take the bus downtown while in highschool and eat there. I have yet to find any pizza better. Is there anywhere in town that has your grandfather's pizza recipe? I would love to taste that pizza again!! I remember the pizza was served on jelly roll pans, cut in square pieces. It was so mouthwateringly good.... I need to find that pizza again...please somebody help me!!
ReplyDeleteHi Sally,
DeleteI'm not aware of anywhere with the recipe, but my father said Savoy Pizza tasted the closest he's had in a long time. Here's the website: http://savoypizza.com/location/minnesota/st-paul-7th-street/
Anna
Oh boy, Sally, can I relate to your comment! I would give up pizza for a year just to have one Venice Cafe pizza again. It had a taste all its own. I can actually still remember the taste and the smell of it. And, yes, you are right .... it was served on jelly roll pans and cut into squares. When our first daughter was born in 1975, my husband brought a Venice Cafe pizza to me in the hospital. And later when we moved to Omaha, my sister brought two Venice Cafe pizzas to me on her first trip to visit us. That pizza had a flavor all its own. Never have tasted anything like it since. If you ever find anything like it, please let me know(mmaustinson@comcast.net). My condolences to your family, Anna. Your grandfather sounds like someone I would have loved to have known.
DeleteA question about the neon sign…
ReplyDeleteCan anyone tell me what the character is doing, or what is the animation? is a pizza being tossed, or something else?
Thanks.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your lovely notes. I failed to check the 'Notify Me' button the last time I was on this thread, and missed all your kind words until today.
My grandfather passed away yesterday morning, peacefully at home.
Our family would welcome any other stories or tidbits you have to share, colorful as they may be. :) Please feel free to post here or write to me separately at annakgraziano@gmail.com.
Anna
I fell in love with Jim back at the pizza shop on 23rd & E 38th St. My a friend rented the apartment upstairs, and Jim watched out for us. Good to learn that he had a good long life with lots of folks loving him
DeleteI worked at the Venice making pizza "skins" down in the catacombs for a short time in the late 70's. I saw some crazy things down in that dungeon...never did get my last paycheck. But yes, the pie was great! RIP Jimmy
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ReplyDeleteWow! Neat to see these stories about the Venice Cafe. My grandfather, John Marinelli was the original owner. It was across the street from 1st Avenue for years. When the city wanted to demolish and put a parking lot there my grandfather partnered up with Jim Graziano. They then changed Casino Cafe to The Venice Cafe. My grandpa owned it for 42 years. He passed away in 1973. Would love to hear more stories, especially ones of when it was across from 1st Ave.
ReplyDelete*deleted above comment because I entered the casino cafe name in wrong. 😉
And it looks like the incorrect one posted twice...🤔
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ReplyDeleteHi Joe, this is Rob! This was so fun to run across today 😀 Too bad this wonderful old restaurant is no more, it is definitely the best red sauce ever, second only to Papa Milano's in Chicago.
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ReplyDeleteHi Joe! I just ran across this today, made my day 😀 Best red sauce ever! Papa Milano's in Chicago is a close second. I remember those warm summer afternoons spent at Musicland, Dayton's, Venice Cafe; what delightful memories, the olden days.
ReplyDeleteHi Joe! I just ran across this today, made my day 😀 Best red sauce ever! Papa Milano's in Chicago is a close second. I remember those warm summer afternoons spent at Musicland, Dayton's, Venice Cafe; what delightful memories, the olden days.
ReplyDeleteForgive my weird posting, I thought I had deleted two of those comments.
ReplyDeleteI delivered pizza for the Venice cafe in the 50's. Whatever happened to John Fragale.
ReplyDeleteI remember being a little kid, and my mom woukd come home from work, and order an ITALIAN HAMBURGER.... It was so good. When I was old enough, unfortunately, they closed. I have spent YEARS trying to copy the recipe, because I had none to start with. I may not have it perfected, but, I think it's close. It was THAT good....
ReplyDeleteI grew up on Venice pizza as a child of the 60’s. What a treat when dad would bring home a pizza from the Venice cafe. I feel almost criminal for asking, but would you be willing to share your recipe with me? I would be so grateful to you. To be able to at least try and make a pizza like the Venice cafe would truly be one of my dream come true. I totally understand if you’d rather not. Thank you for taking the time to read my message. I’m Carol at caroll5347@gmail.com
DeleteAte a lot of french fries there, but that pizza with real Italian sausage was the best, I worked at the World theater in 67 to 69
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