Niles Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Riggio's Restaurant is the July Chamber Business of the Month

Riggio’s Restaurant located at 7530 West Oakton Street in Niles is the July Business of the Month.  In 1952 Adreana  and Pasquale Riggio moved their family from the near north side of Chicago, then known as "Little Sicily" to what is now Northcenter into a building across from Welles Park. Opening a small storefront pizzeria, they worked with their children, making homemade pastas and pizzas right in the store window so people could watch the action. In 1957 they opened Riggio's in Niles. Today, 60 years later, the family carries on the proud heritage of the woman everyone called "Mama."  The neighborhood children still return to enjoy those original recipes and the innovative dishes inspired by La Terra del Sole: The Land of the Sun.

      Today Tony and his wife, Trish carry on the tradition of their family and keep the original recipes, while lending a cosmopolitan flavor to their other food selections. In the 1980's Tony & Trish went to Livorno, Italy (outside of Florence) to work with his cousin at the hotel there. They learned the Italian cuisine  of middle and northern Italy to incorporate into their restaurant’s menu at home in the USA. After having success with the new items on their menu, Trish spent a year in France learning even more about food, its preparation and presentation. She became enamored with Julia Child and used her original recipe book for further recipe development. Trish was able to visit with Julia Child in Chicago for a book signing. Armed with her original recipe book she conversed with Julia in french for about 10 minutes while Julia signed her book. How much fun was that! 

  Besides being a major contributor to the business community, Tony and Trish support ministries like Misericordia, Maryville, Marquard shelter and night ministry. The people they employ help them with preparing food for the homeless and doing whatever is necessary to carry on the work of helping people until they can help themselves. They have dedicated and loyal employees, who have worked many years for them. Their #1 cook, Umberto has been with them for 40 years.