Mama Luigi’s celebrates big on their 75th anniversary

By Carol McGowan

The spotlights to the skies directed folks into the parking lot of Mama Luigi’s restaurant at 75th and Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview on St. Patrick’s Day as the restaurant celebrated its 75th anniversary.

More than 175 guests, including family, village officials, and the public, were on hand to celebrate and take in food, drink, desserts, and entertainment from their list of regular performers that are there on the weekends and special events.

It may sound odd that a well-known Italian restaurant held their anniversary on March 17, but that’s the day the legendary restaurant opened 75 years ago.

Current owners, Jim and Victoria Talerico, and their son, Dominic, who is the general manger, explained why the day, and week of St. Patrick’s Day is special to them.

Jim’s parents, Lewis and Evelyn Talerico, lived in Bridgeview for 10 years before the restaurant opened and picked their anniversary, which was March 17, to open.

They are a family-owned restaurant for three generations, and have enjoyed being part of the community for more than 75 years.

Lewis and Evelyn cooked delicious food and catered weddings, and that’s how the idea came about to open a restaurant in 1948.

After the original restaurant space opened, the addition of a dining room was added in 1951. In 1969, a banquet area was added, and in 1974, a bigger kitchen and large banquet room were opened.

“Through the years, we have remodeled and added on,” said Jim Talerico. “You can tell where the different areas were added on by the ramp areas in our restaurant.”

The Talericos credit their longevity and success to the quality of their food, and the great employees that they have and have had over the decades.

“We take pride in our food, and constant work of improving our facility,” said Victoria Talerico. “We have a family atmosphere to dine in, and our staff goes through three generations as well.”

Not only do they have a wonderful dining atmosphere, they have a bar and gaming area, and host showers, corporate/group events, and have hosted generations of family weddings in their large banquet room.

From their many favorites, which of course is their savory lasagna, to Mama’s Sunday Gravy, sausage and peppers, pork chops, salmon, steak and ravioli, their appetizers and especially their complimentary bruschetta is second to none.

They take pride in the portions that are served.

“We see customers have the bruschetta and bread before dinner, then end up taking a great portion of their dinner home for lunch or dinner the next day,” said Victoria.

Going back to St. Patrick’s Day, the Talericos noted that during that week around the holiday every March, they go through 800 pounds of corned beef. It’s cooked to perfection and has become a yearly tradition for scores of customers.

Another favorite is their BBQ ribs. Jim says back in 2013 or 2014, they tried to take them off the menu, and for about six months, customers hounded them to bring them back as they are fall off the bone good.

They listened to their customers, and put them back on the menu where they have stayed and become a favorite to many more since then.

Their mouth-watering desserts include Victoria’s recipe for tiramisu which she has been making at the restaurant for 29 years. It’s a must try.

They also have cannoli, cheesecake, carrot cake, brownie ice cream sundae’s, gelato, sorbetto and more decadent treats.

One thing Victoria pointed out was that they have a gluten-free menu, that even includes appetizers like their calamari and wings.

They have top-notch entertainment on the weeks including singers, bands, karaoke and a DJ.

Mama Luigi’s is open seven days a week. Their hours are Monday through Thursday, from 3-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 3-10 p.m., and Sunday from noon-9 p.m.

They have banquet events earlier in the day as requested.

For more information, their menu, and information on their Royalty program, visit their website at mamaluigis.com, or check them out on Facebook.