saucin’ since 1961

OUR STORY

From a single steakhouse on Roosevelt Road to kitchens across the country, Giannotti’s has been serving real Southern Italian flavor for over seven decades. Founded by Vic Giannotti and inspired by his late father Nick, the brand was built on strong Italian values of consistency and treating every guest like family.

Family Recipes made into

Chicagoland

traditions

OUR STORY

Family Recipes made into Chicagoland traditions.

From a single steakhouse on Roosevelt Road to kitchens across the country, Giannotti’s has been serving real Southern Italian flavor for over seven decades. Founded by Vic Giannotti and inspired by his late father Nick, the brand was built on strong Italian values of consistency and treating every guest like family.

saucin’ since 1961

Family Recipes made into

Chicagoland

traditions

Our history

  • Black and white photograph of a city street scene with pedestrians walking along a sidewalk lined with storefronts, including a bar called 'Sibah's Bar & Grill' and a sign for 'Michelob' beer. Buildings with multiple stories and fire escapes are visible in the background.

    1950s

    Nick Giannotti, “the creator of Chicken Vesuvio,” immigrates to Chicago from Pozzuoli, Italy in Naples. He opens the original restaurant called “Nicky’s Village” on Sheridan and Wilson.

  • A black-and-white photo of an old brick building with vintage cars parked outside, a sign for a restaurant and lounge, and trees in the background.

    1960s

    Mary Giannotti and Victor Giannotti open “The Armory” restaurant on Roosevelt Road in Forest Park. 

  • A restaurant sign for Giannotti featuring a white illuminated sign with black cursive text, listing hours of operation, and a blue sign with menu offerings including steaks, seafood, banquets, and lounge, against a dark evening sky with some trees and building lights visible.

    1970s

    After Victor Giannotti takes over the North Star Inn in Chicago’s Gold Coast location, on State and Division, Giannotti’s restaurant is born on Roosevelt Road in Franklin Park. 

  • Black and white newspaper article with a photo of Vic Giannotti socializing with patrons at his restaurant, with a man standing and two women seated at a table.

    1980s

    Giannotti’s Steakhouse opens in Norridge, on Cumberland and Lawrence, becoming one of the hottest restaurants in the world. 

  • A jar of Giannotti pasta sauce, a bowl of cooked pasta, and various seasonings and ingredients on a dark surface, with text highlighting 40 years of tradition and product details.

    1990s

    Multiple Giannotti’s restaurant locations are run by Victor, and our sauces become available in select stores nationwide. 

  • A smiling baby wearing a white chef's hat and a red checkered apron, sitting in a large metal mixing bowl outdoors with a dark green leafy background. The baby is holding a jar of Giannetti tomato sauce in one hand and has one leg raised with the foot near the camera.

    Today

    Today, Nicholas Giannotti takes over as the face of Giannotti’s Sauce and continues the legacy of his family’s traditions. 

More than a restaurant,

a community

Three men standing together, smiling, wearing white shirts, in an indoor setting with a woman on the phone in the background.
A framed black-and-white photograph of a man and woman smiling and posing together at a social event. The man is wearing sunglasses, a white shirt, and a beige blazer. The woman has short hair, earrings, and is dressed in a dark satin blouse with a sequined jacket and a scarf at her neck.
A framed black-and-white photograph of a man and woman smiling and posing together at a social event. The man is wearing sunglasses, a white shirt, and a beige blazer. The woman has short hair, earrings, and is dressed in a dark satin blouse with a sequined jacket and a scarf at her neck.
Two men standing together, one in a light-colored shirt holding a blue gift bag and the other in a blue suit, with a woman with glasses in the background. They are smiling in what appears to be a social or celebratory setting.
Two men posing together for a photo, one wearing a beige shirt and holding a small blue bag, the other wearing a blue suit and tie. A woman with glasses is partially visible behind them.
Two men posing for a photo indoors, one in a dark suit and the other in a white shirt with a pen in the pocket, both smiling.
A black and white photograph of a man and woman smiling and posing together, inside a decorative frame.
Three men in white shirts posing together indoors, with a woman on the phone in the background.
Two men standing closely together, smiling, in front of a dark wood-paneled wall. One man is wearing a dark suit with a white shirt, the other is in a white shirt with pens in the pocket.

Meet our founder, Vic

“Consistency: if they come today or they come a year from now, it’s the same thing, it tastes the same, and that makes the big difference”

- Vic Giannotti, on his sauce production

“Consistency: if they come today or they come a year from now, it’s the same thing, it tastes the same, and that makes the big difference”

- Vic Giannotti, on his sauce production