Historic Pittsburgh Pizza Place With Steelers Connection To Close

PITTSBURGH, PA — Vento's Pizza, an East Liberty institution for nearly seven decades, is shutting its doors on March 4. The Vento family made the announcement of the North Highland Avenue's impending closure on Facebook.

Founded in 1961 and located in several East Liberty locations throughout the years, Vento's perhaps is best known as having founded Franco's Italian Army in 1972. Created by Al Vento and his business partner, Tony Stagno, the group was formed in 1972 to offer support to the late Steelers running back Franco Harris, a rookie who was half-Italian.

More than 50 years later, and two months after Harris died suddenly just days before the Steelers retired his uniform number, Vento's still serves the Italian Army hoagie. The sandwich includes chopped beef, fried onions, marinara sauce, provolone cheese, lettuce and tomato.

There is no word yet on what might occupy the soon-to-be vacant Vento's space located in the Home Depot plaza.