FRANK'S PIZZERIA

In December of 1948, Frank and Costanza Aloe were married in the small town of Amantea in Calabria, Italy. They soon moved to Ambridge where Frank worked in the steel mills. But the job instability of the steel mills in the mid-1950’s caused Frank to look for a more steady flow of income to help him provide for his wife and two young children.

In 1958, after two other business ventures didn’t prove as profitable as he’d hoped, Frank purchased the Italian newspaper Il Progresso at Karolewski’s. In the newspaper, Frank saw an advertisement for a pizza making school located in New York City. The program was sponsored by the Mastro Equipment Company. For only $600, the company would train you and provide you with a pizza oven, a work table, and a dozen pizza trays. Soon after, Frank left for New York and learned how to make his famous “cheese-under-the-sauce” pizza.

On September 22, 1958, Frank’s Pizzeria opened its doors for the very first time. That night, pizza was free. Frank wanted everyone to try his pizza in hopes that its great taste would bring the customers back for more. His plan worked, and nearly 60 years after it first opened, Frank’s Pizzeria is still a family-owned and operated award winning business. As the pizza shop grew, so did the family – 4 children, 8 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren, and while Frank passed away in 2010, Costanza is still here making pizza (and her famous calzones) alongside her sons and grandchildren. Frank’s prides itself on making fresh pizza. The dough, sauce, and real mozzarella cheese are prepared daily.