DICICCO'S HISTORY
About DiCicco's Italian Restaurant of Sanger
Founded in 1956 | Family-Owned Restaurant | Catering Options
Founded in 1956Family-Owned RestaurantCatering Options
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Frank was born in Pacentro, Italy in 1937 to Maria and Paolo Vitucci. During World War II, Frank and his family were forced to flee their home and go into hiding in the surrounding mountains as the Germans invaded their town. In 1943, Paolo died due to an illness and lack of food and medicine, leaving Maria a very young widow with Frank (6 years old) and little brother Roberto (4 years old).
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In 1945, at the end of the war, Pasquale DiCicco returned home to Pacentro to find himself a widow with 4 young children of his own: Nick, Alberto, Giuseppina, and Lucia. Maria and Pasquale married in 1947, joining the two families together. In 1951, Maria and Pasquale immigrated to Detroit, Michigan in search of a better life. In 1952, Frank and Roberto joined Mama and Papa and by this time, baby sister and brother, Giulia and Paul.
Serving the Sanger Area for Decades
Later that year, Mama and Papa made a trip west to Sanger, California to visit their Uncle Rocky. They immediately fell in love with the area that so much reminded them of home. They brought their children here to finally settle and make their new life. Baby sister Rosaria was soon born, and the older boys all had to work to help support their large family. Nick worked at Roma Winery, Roberto worked at Borelli Marconi Factory. Alberto and Frank worked as dishwashers at Marselli’s Italian Restaurant. Money was very tight, so when Mr. Marselli announced that he was going to sell, Frank and Alberto feared the loss of their jobs with their lives! They went home and told their family what was happening, and together decided that the four brothers would buy Marselli’s Restaurant, for the asking price of $12,000.00.
A Family-Owned, Family-Friendly Restaurant
Mama and Papa put their house up for the loan, and the first DiCicco’s Restaurant was opened on Belmont and Blackstone Avenues. The boys quickly became known as the Four Sons of Italy! The restaurant was open from 4 PM to 4 AM, seven days a week. Frank made the pizzas, Alberto worked the steam table, Roberto went back and forth between the two, and Nick worked the floor and the cash register.
Second Generation and Now
Frank's oldest son, Greg Vitucci, was born in 1960. He started washing dishes as soon as he was able to reach the sink. He worked alongside his father, as most of his family did, until he was ready to get married and go out on his own. He had an opportunity to take over a location in Sanger, which was like going back to his old stomping grounds since he moved to Sanger in elementary school. He always knew he wanted to end up there.
So, in 1992, two weeks after getting married, he took his new bride Heather to "honeymoon" at DiCicco's Italian Restaurant in Sanger. After 26 years and 2 beautifully imperfect sons later, I guess it was meant to be. Matteo was born December 14, 1993 and little brother Michael came along August 27, 1996. Both took many of their first steps in the restaurant and learned many of their first words there, too! Greg is thrilled to see many of his old teachers, coaches, principals, and old friends come into the restaurant with their families to share new memories, as well as some interesting oldies. We are blessed to have many long-term employees some who have been with us since the beginning, as well as long-term customers who have become like a second family over the years. Greg still loves to sneak out to every Sanger High Football home game and join the town in cheering on his beloved Apaches!
