Lorenzo's Italian Ristorante
The History
If you ask Rick, chef and owner of Lorenzo's Italian Restaurant in San Antonio, Texas, the reason for his eatery's success, his answer is always the same - his family. From his grandparents on both sides to his aunts and uncles to his mom and dad, the restaurateur credits his relatives for his business and culinary skills.
Rick has a right to be proud of his family. He is the third generation to successfully enter the Italian food restaurant business. His grandfather, Gaetano Capparelli, began by opening the first pizzeria much farther north - Pennsylvania. In 1961, Capparelli decided to retire and moved to San Antonio where his son James was stationed in the Air Force.
Retirement didn't last long for the pizza maker. Within a short period of time, Capparelli opened another pizzeria. In the next few years, he opened six more, which were all run by family and friends.
One of the Pizzerias was located on Pecan Valley and Goliad. Rick's mother and father, Robert and Corinne, started their restaurant career at this location in 1966. Rick joined them and his older brother Bobby in 1968. At only 9 years old Rick started his long trek in the restaurant industry, at the bottom. Working only 3 hours on Saturday morning doing pots and pans, Rick's internship began.
In 1972 Robert and Corrine created a new chapter for the family by starting Lorenzo's - a full-service Italian restaurant on Wurzbach road in the newly developing Med Center. Now 13, Rick graduated to working the pizza oven, with his father Robert on the stove.
Mom Corinne handled the Dining room. many a night was spent passing out glasses of wine to the multitude of guests waiting to be sat in an almost always full dining room. It was here Rick started honing his culinary skills. Then in 1982 the restaurant moved to a much bigger location on San Pedro. Rick, with the help of his brothers, Bobby in the Kitchen, Randy on dishes, and Russell and Ronnie at the bar, on the floor, or in the kitchen the new location became a success. Mom and Dad took care of overseeing the whole operation. It was here where Lorenzo's Culinary creativity exploded.
From our Clam Chowder to Chocolate Pie, our Chicken Lorenzo to Spinach Pizza, our Oysters Lorenzo to Red Snapper Romanto, Lorenzo's definitely became one of San Antonio's Primo Italian Restaurants. Having won many awards, including Best Dessert, Best Pasta, Best Lasagna and in 1994 the National "Pasta Maker of the Year," Lorenzo's was pleasing the critics as well as the clientele!
Now, Mom and Dad, both semi-retired, remain on call, while Rick has downsized the Restaurant to it's current location in the Med Center area at Fredericksburg and Medical. Opened in 1997, again with the help of his Brothers, Bobby, Ronnie, Russell, and Randy, Rick added another family member - his son, Ryan. Ryan, now away at college, spent 7 years with his father cooking in the kitchen and earning his chef status, becoming the Fourth Generation of Restaurateurs in the family.
Will it stop here, who knows, but in the meantime, come visit Lorenzo's and experience a little bit of Italy, right here in San Antonio.
Vita, Amore e Salute!
Life, Love, & Happiness!
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Lorenzo's Italian Restaurant
www.LorenzosRistorante.com
8032 Fredericksburg @ Medical
San Antonio, Texas 78229
(210) 692-9900
Lunch Hours: Tuesday thru Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dinner Hours Tue thru Sat 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Closed Monday & Sunday
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