In 1945, a young marine named Lou stopped in New York City on his way home on leave from overseas. He and a buddy had dinner at Mama Leone's family Italian restaurant. The line of people waiting was so long, Lou knew he wouldn't be able to make his train home to New England. Lou's buddy, a New Yorker, knew one of Leone's cooks. So the two went around back to the kitchen.
They found the cook who introduced the hungry men to the "boss" and explained their plight. The "boss" promptly seated them in the employees' room just off the kitchen and told them they could have anything from the menu.
Lou was highly impressed with the activity in the kitchen: the great pots of sauces, pastas, meats sizzling on the grills and broilers, and hot breads in the ovens. He told the "boss" he would have his own Italian restaurant some day. The "boss" who turned out to be Gene Leone, Mama Leone's son, gave Lou a cookbook he had written. The cookbook became the basis for many of Lou's recipes and are still being used today. The cookbook is now covered with stains, but still serves as a reminder of the act of kindness which inspired Lou to finally open the first and finest Italian Restaurant in Roanoke.
The Story Of Luigi's...
We hope you enjoy our delicious entrees cooked in the
old Italian manner or one of our many gourmet favorites.
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