Matchbook
Object number2013.38.12
Manufacturer
W.S. Cominos, Inc.
MediumPaper
Credit LineGift of Lou and Theresa Minutello
DescriptionUsed matchbook. Grey cover with dark red printed text on obverse, front flap, top saddle, and reverse providing restaurant information. On bottom edge is maker's information. Inside packet are safety matches; missing approximately two matches.Dimensions2.125 x 1.5 x 0.375 in. (5.4 x 3.8 x 1 cm)InscriptionsDark red printed text on obverse: "MINUTELLO'S / RESTAURANT / & LOUNGE / [image of a shield with two diagonal lines and "M" on upper right] A PITTSBURGH / DINING TRADITION / SHADYSIDE / 226 SHADY AVENUE / [directions]".
On front flap: "361-9311".
Top saddle: "TAKE OUTS".
Reverse cover: "[image of a shield with two diagonal lines and "M" on upper right] / ITALIAN SPECIALTIES / FRESH DOUGH PIZZA / ANTIPASTOS VEAL DINNERS / LASAGNA / OPEN FOR LUNCH & DINNER".
MarksOn bottom edge "W.S. COMINOS, INC. PITTSBURGH, PA".
Historical NotesLouis Minutello, Jr., proprietor of Minutello's Restaurant and Lounge, donated this collection related to his family's business. The restaurant began its over fifty decades long history when his father, Louis, Sr., and his uncle, Al Minutello, along with their brother-in-law, Sid Aurilio, bought the Meadow Grill at 420 Larimer Avenue from their friends Josephine and Alex Napolitano in 1957. Renamed Minutello's Meadow Grill, they opened a second location by 1959 in Swissvale, aptly named Meadow Grill No. 2. The original location remained in the East Liberty location until the late 1960s, when the brothers relocated their restaurant (re-named Minutello's) to the former Penn-Shady Ballroom at 226 Shady Avenue in Shadyside, where it remained until 2013. Around the same time the brothers opened a third location in Mount Lebanon on Cochran Road and, in the early 1970s, a fourth location in Ross Township on McKnight Road. Louis, Jr., began at the restaurant as a dishwasher and busboy at the age of 12. After attending Penn State University and graduating with a degree in restaurant management, he returned to work at Minutello's with his father and uncle; eventually he and his wife, Theresa, purchased the restaurant from his mother, Rae, and his aunt, Eve, in 2000. The restaurant was a popular spot among both Italian American and non-Italian Americans, with many families hosting banquets for weddings, first communications, anniversaries, and wakes in the flagship location's 5,000 square foot space. They were beloved for their brick-oven baked pizza, antipasto salads, homemade lasagna, eggplant parmigiana, and chicken parmigiana.
Related institution
Minutello's Restaurant and Lounge
Related person
Louis Minutello Jr.
Related person
Louis Minutello Sr.
Related person
Al Minutello
Related person
Sid Aurilio
Related person
Theresa Minutello
On View
Not on view
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