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Francesco
Yarusso, founder of Yarusso Brothers Restaurant was born in a small
village located approximately 140 miles south of Rome. He Arrived
in the United States with his sister Amelia in 1899, at the age
of 18. They settled in Newark, NJ, where Francesco met & married
Dora Corbo in 1901. Francesco & Dora arrived in St. Paul in
1904. Their first home was located in Swede Hollow. They had 14
children. Around 1911, they moved up the hill on Decatuer Street,
which is lower Payne Avenue today. Francesco worked in a foundry,
Northern State Power, & Schmidt Brewery. In 1932 he opened his
own tavern. However, it was prohibition time and he sold only near-beer.
In the following year he expanded by opening the "Square Deal Café".
Every family member, at one time was an employee of the café.
The Italian sport of Bocce Ball quickly became a popular event at
the Square Deal Café. Francesco put in the very first Bocce
alleys in St. Paul. Those same alleys are still in use today. Many
current patrons recall their fathers & grandfathers gathering
on Sunday afternoon to smoke cigars & argue over a game of Bocce.
In
1947, Francesco retired & his sons took over the restaurant
& gave it the name "Yarusso Bros.". Joseph, Ernest & David
were the primary owners and received dedicated assistance from their
sister, Margaret & brother, Lawrence. The five created a special
flavor at the restaurant, each having a distinct sense of humor
& a robust personality.
Other
family members added to that atmosphere. The home-cooked food has
remained very much the same for over 60 years, along with the same
sauce recipe that was created by Francesco Yarusso. David's home
was located just 5 feet from the restaurant & his three sons,
David, Frederick & Michael started working there as youngsters.
As they have often said "the restaurant was and still is their second
home". They have been fortunate to carry on the tradition of third
generation Italians.
While the
world has changed dramatically since the 1930's, Yarussos has remained
much as it was when it first opened & remains a testimony to
Francesco's legacy. David, Fred, & Michael Yarusso have worked
hard to keep the tradition of their father & grandfather alive.
The Yarusso Brothers want to thank their loyal customers, some of
which are now the 5th generation. They have declared that the reason
Yarusso's is so special is because of the patrons who come back
again & again. It is also these customers that have played a
big part in keeping the Yarusso legacy alive.
"Thank You"
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