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Home > Blogs > Taste: Dayton food and restaurants > Archives > 2010 > August > 12 > Entry
Fond memories of Anticoli’s as closing looms
As the closing date for Caffe Anticoli fast approaches — Sunday, Aug. 15 is the restaurant’s last day at its current location in Clayton — customers of the restaurant and especially of its predecessor, Anticoli’s on Salem Avenue, are sharing many fond memories.
The following comes from readers who emailed me after yesterday’s story was posted on our web site, or from the memory book that is inside Caffe Anticoli’s front entrance that customers are signing:
“We were among the many newlyweds who held our wedding breakfast at Anticoli’s in the late ’50s and early ’60s. We also went there quite often with my wife’s parents for other occasions. Gloria and Tony were always very gracious hosts. We have fond memories of the warmth of the Anticoli family. We were married on May 3, 1958. In the past few years we have eaten at Caffe Anticoli for more special occasions celebrating ‘long-ago’ grade school friendships. We hope that the Anticolis do find a new location so that we may once more dine with the Anticoli family.” — Jerome Harting and Barbara (Wyen) Harting, Farmersville
“On Dec. 18, 1958, we became engaged at the Salem Avenue Anticoli’s. We’ve now been married 51 years. So many memories and good times … ” — Carol and Phil Pratt
“Back in 1965 my fifth-grade teacher (Ms. Earl) as Gettysburg Elementary school took a group of us to Anticoli’s for getting good grades. I still remember going to the Salem Avenue location and thinking what a beautiful place it was and how good the food was. Back then, fifth graders didn’t have a lot of money, and usually their parent’s didn’t, either. Getting to go to a restaurant as nice as Anticolis was one of my most vivid memories of my grade-school days.” — Shawn (Wallace) Foley, Clearcreek Twp.
“I’ll miss the great food and the friendly staff. My memories include meeting and talking about old times with my dear friends from Shilohview Elementary School. This was our favorite meeting place.” — Georgette Coleman
“Best wishes to Leo and Gloria! Ask Leo if he remembers that motorcycle ride he received in the parking lot of the Salem Avenue restaurant when I was working as a bus boy for you folks in the late 1950s.” — Richard Zacharias
“Gloria took me back in the kitchen for me to make my own sundae once when I was very young. What wonderful food and memories! There was a bartender, Dee who always made a Shirley Temple for me, and I always ordered the ravioli … .” — Greg Bane, Vandalia
“I grew up in the Northmont area and first enjoyed Anticoli’s as a high school student before my first prom. I went with a young man for Valentine’s day in 1998, after we had dated for 3 weeks. I had Calamari for the first time, before I found out what it was. It was very romantic. In December of 2001 that young man and I had our rehearsal dinner at Cafe Anticoli’s. In September of 2007, the (less young) man planned my 30th birthday party there. In April of this year, we celebrated my mother’s 65th birthday there. Two weeks ago, we took our 6- and 3-year-old sons, wanting to share that special place with them. Anticoli’s/Caffe Anticoli has always been a SPECIAL place. It was welcoming, and even as a teenager, the service we have received has been well beyond courteous and friendly. They made a customer for life out of me and I am saddened by the loss of their establishment in the North Dayton community.” — Debbie Knudsen
Feel free to click on “post your comment” and share your memory of Anticoli’s or Caffe Anticoli.
Permalink | Comments (11) | Post your comment | Categories: Restaurant closings
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By Michelle
December 5, 2010 2:26 AM | Link to this
I will sadly miss Anticoli’s, the cozy romantic atmosphere,friendly service, and the food was good. I was shocked when I drove past and noticed they were closed. We will surely miss it.
By null
November 13, 2010 10:16 PM | Link to this
My first and only time to be in Anticoli’s was a very memorable occasion for me. Little did I know that the resturant was not supposed to be opened yet, since the opening time then was 5: pm. My boyfriend took me for a “date” in mid afternoon. Much to my surprize we and one other “owner” (bartender) person were there. I found out from my boyfriend that it was a setup to show me off to his friend. Now how flattering is that?I didn’t marry the guy, but he sure made his intended impression.
By Thomas J. Kavanaugh III
September 5, 2010 4:51 PM | Link to this
I Remember the Anticoli’s From Wayyy Back My Grand-father Louis A. Sucher Owned the Sucher Packing Company in Dayton and I remember back to The Original Anticoli’s Godd Bless you all !!
By jan
August 16, 2010 9:01 PM | Link to this
My husband and I celebrated all of our special occasions in the 60’s and 70’s at Anticoli’s. We loved it. We are in FL now and still remember it fondly.
By Good times
August 12, 2010 7:34 PM | Link to this
In the late fifties/early sixties, while growing up in the Neal Ave./Belmont Park/Squirrel Road/Corpus Christi School area, (prior to it becoming the ghetto it is now), a special treat was eating at Anticoli’s on Salem Ave. Sad to hear the family/name is out of business.
By Kathy
August 12, 2010 4:41 PM | Link to this
I will miss them, we always had great food.
By null
August 12, 2010 4:10 PM | Link to this
I wasn’t in Dayton longg when Anticoli’s moved from Salem to North Main. But I really enjoyed Caffe Anticcoli the few times I dined there, what a great lunch buffet. I’m not part of the generation that patronized those places, Max, but I can assure you many of us on your coattails still believe in dining as an experience and not just another meal. There still are a few of the great places left.
By Mike
August 12, 2010 3:02 PM | Link to this
My first big high school dance was in 1956 and we celebrated afterwards with dinner on Salem Ave. at Anticoli’s. I wonder if she still remembers the that night so long ago.
By sara batin
August 12, 2010 2:15 PM | Link to this
god bless you leo and dee for sharing our trinity memories at your beautiful place; you and dee are such gracious people best of luck to you both sara&wulliam batin class of 48holy trinity
By Max
August 12, 2010 10:32 AM | Link to this
Like many, I remember the Salem Ave. Anticoli’s as a fine place to dine and special occasions. While I did not have the same dining experience in the Clayton location, I do think it is less an issue of nostaglia and more of the demise of locally owned restaurants which concerns me most with Anticolis’ closing. The generation which owned and patronized places like the old Tropics, Sutmillers, the Colony Club, etc., has been - rightly - displaced by a younger consumer whose dining experience is more suited for the ‘chains’ like Olive Garden, TGIF, Applebees, etc. ‘Taste,’ I suppose, is an ever-changing thing.
By Linda
August 12, 2010 10:00 AM | Link to this
I remember going to Anticoli’s on Salem Avenue with my best friend and joining the Zappia Family and Trout Family for dinner. I always felt special while dinning in such a fine restaurant. Dayton will lose another icon. You will be missed.