Ricardo's Tavern Grand Opening 1948 Erie PA

Ad in Erie Daily Times, May 17, 1948.

Ricardo's Tavern opened in May of 1948 at 2112 East Lake Road in Erie, PA. The restaurant is still in business at the same address. It was remodeled following a destructive fire, reopening in 2012.

Jimmy Manucci and the Tune Toppers headlined the festivities on the opening night.

"Lovers of fine Italian foods will welcome the opening of Ricardo's Tavern. Skilled Italian cooks are on duty during hours the tavern is open. Antipasto, spaghetti and a variety of other tasty dishes...both Italian and American...will be prepared to patron's individual likes without advance notice. All popular beverages and mixed drinks are also served."

Ricardo's Tavern had fresh pizza every Friday and Saturday night.

The business was owned by Ricardo 'Ric' and Hank DeDionisio. (It was formerly Arduini's.)

Chuck and Ginny's opened in 1961 in Erie, PA

ad in the Erie Morning News, May 26, 1961.

Chuck and Ginny's opened in 1961 in Erie, PA

Chuck and Ginny's is well known for its spaghetti sauce. This family operated Italian restaurant was opened by Chuck and Virginia Serafini Smith in May of 1961 at 1064 West 5th Street in Erie, Pennsylvania and shut its doors in October of 2007. The address of the business was later shown as 429 Raspberry Street, but it is the same corner building. 

I ate at Chuck and Ginny's with co-workers a few times before the restaurant closed, and the plate of spaghetti and meatballs was served on a huge plate, providing enough food for two meals. Annie was our hostess. There was a small dining area as you walked in the entrance on Fifth Street, and the bar was in the north part of the building. If those walls could talk. It's a shame that many of the old family owned restaurants no longer exist.

You could still buy their sauce at Ginny's Place on West Ridge Road after Chuck and Ginny's closed. Not sure if that is still the case.

Enjoy more fun and fascinating strands of Erie, PA's history at: Old Time Erie