HR1337 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1337 LRB096 22623 KXB 41945 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the owners and staff of Vito and Nick's Pizzeria in Chicago on their 90th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, Vito & Nick's is a family-owned business whose roots originated in Sicily; in 1923, Vito and Mary Barraco opened their first tavern in Chicago; in 1932, Vito opened a new location at 80th and Halsted, calling it Vito's Tavern; in 1939, Vito moved to 79th and Carpenter, adding eight restaurant tables and a bar where they served Italian sandwiches, sausage, beef, and snacks; and

WHEREAS, Vito's son, Nick, joined the business in 1945 after being discharged from the Army Air Force; several years later the family expanded the business to include home cooked meals; in 1949, with the help of Mary, they began making pizzas; the original Sicilian style pizza combined quality tomato sauce, carefully seasoned sausage, pure cheese, and a guarded dough recipe; and

WHEREAS, In 2003, Vito & Nick's opened a second location in Lemont, combining an expanded restaurant menu and original thin crust pizza, a bowling alley, banquet facilities (seating 150), on/off premise catering, a lounge, karaoke every Friday evening, and live bands; and

WHEREAS, Vito & Nick's Pizzeria was featured on the television program, Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives on the Food Network; and

WHEREAS, The anniversary celebration will be held on June 26, 2010 at the original Vito & Nick's Pizzeria on South Pulaski Road in Chicago; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the owners and staff of Vito & Nick's Pizzeria on their anniversary celebration and wish them continued success for years to come; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the owners of Vito & Nick's Pizzeria, Rosemary and Larry George, as a symbol of our respect and esteem.