Auction Ends: May 10, 2013 01:30 AM PDT

Eat & Drink

Gift Certificate for One Large Pizza of your choice- Giorgio's Italian or Frankie, Johnnie & Luigi T

Item Number: 427

Estimated Value: 30 USD
Sold: 20 USD to COBALLE

Number of Bids: 3 - Bid History

Item Description

You are bidding on a gift certificate good for One Large Pizza of your choice at Giorgio's Italian Food & Pizzeria or Frankie, Johnnie & Luigi Too!

In 1947, Rocky D'Augustino, an orphan from New Haven, Connecticut, moved out west to California. One of the first things he discovered was that the wonderful pizza from his old neighborhood did not exist in his new hometown. Renting the old pharmacy building from the Mantelli family, Rocky introduced the first and only pizza house between Los Angeles and San Francisco. After nine years in business, Rocky decided to move north.

At that time, Frank D'Ambrosio Sr., also from New Haven, was looking for a business opportunity for his brother John and himself. When their WWII buddy, Luigi, expressed interest in joining his friends in the new venture, Frankie, Johnnie, & Luigi Too! was born.

In February, 1958, Frank and his wife, Concetta (Tina), along with Mario and Enza Volpe, opened the original Giorgio's Pizza House at 1445 Foxworthy Avenue, in the Foxworthy Shopping Center in San Jose, California. In 1960, they sold out to Louise and Anthony D' Ambruoso, affectionately known as Sash and Lou who were cousins to the family.

Sash and Lou owned and operated Giorgio's from 1960 to 1968, at which time, Frank and Tina's four sons, Don, Nick, Frank and John purchased the restaurant. In 1972, they subsequently purchased Frankie, Johnnie, & Luigi Too! after the business changed hands briefly. Both restaurants are still owned and operated by the D'Ambrosio Family to this day, along with other locations throughout the Greater Bay Area.