Alongi’s Since 1933 was founded by Guy Alongi, an Italian immigrant from Cinisi Sicily, who came to the United States in 1908. Guy worked in the mines and along with his brother Frank opened a dry goods store, then later a beer and soft drink distributorship. In the years following prohibition “Guy’s Place”, as it was first known, was a saloon that consisted of a 60 ft. bar and liquor store in the east building. As business grew it was the first to introduce pizza into the Southern Illinois area.

In 1953 Jerome “Mimi” and John Alongi inherited the family business. With John telling stories or talking politics and Mimi collecting baseball memorabilia and scouting for the New York Mets, it’s a wonder how they sold one million pizzas and five million glasses of Budweiser. Celebrities from the state fair such as Red Skelton, Sonny & Cher, Connie Stevens and great sports personalities such as Stan Musial, Joe Garagiola and Jack Buck have visited Alongi’s.

Following remodeling in 1985, Guy Alongi III continued the family tradition as owner and operator of Alongi’s. 1994 brought John Alongi II into the business along with the expansion into the old State Theater. The State Theater, which sat empty for forty years, is now the west portion of the building consisting of a new waiting and dining area, bar, fireplace, and banquet room that can accommodate groups of up to 60. National publications Pizza Today Magazine and Restaurant Business Magazine have featured Alongi’s as one of the “top independent Italian Restaurants in the nation.”

Feel free to browse the restaurant to see old photos of the buildings and some of Mimi’s prized baseball memorabilia on display. We are always happy to answer questions on reserving our banquet room for your special engagements, gift certificates, or even take-out which are all available to you. Be sure to try our special Italian salad dressing created by Guy and John’s grandmother, Rosalie Alongi. So thank you for visiting Alongi’s and let us treat you to some great Italian food and hospitality.