Generations serving generations: Ventimiglia Italian Foods carries on delicious traditions
Once upon a time people would say “That’s like my momma makes it.”
But as families became busier over the last decades — children’s athletic activities and events, work obligations, the convenience of dining out — those home-cooked meals are fewer and farther between.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a delicious madewith-love taste of yesterday’s family dinners, says Tony Ventimiglia, third generation owner of Ventimiglia Italian Foods, located at 35197 Dodge Park in Sterling Heights.
“We make everything from scratch with fresh ingredients, no preservatives, and from generations of tried-and-true recipes
— just like Grandma used to,” Ventimiglia says. That includes freshly made soups, sauces, pasta and gelato. Other menu items include breaded chicken cutlets, salads, fresh pasta lasagna or radiatori alfredo, sausage with peppers & onions, roasted potatoes, and more.
Not to mention the sub sandwiches, for which Ventimiglia is renowned.
As Ventimiglia explains, “the best subs in Michigan have been made by hand every day since the 1960s. It began when
Grandpa Vic would bring sandwiches to all his friends down at Tiger Stadium to watch the Lions games. Since then, generations of our family have continued to serve Ventimiglia subs to generations of your families, using fresh bread, Italian meats and cheeses.”
Today, Ventimiglia offers a variety of sub ingredients, and sizes from individual to 3- and 4-foot party subs.
The Ventimiglia family has been in the food business for four generations and more than 100 years. Antonio Ventimiglia arrived in the United States in the early 1920s with his brothers. Starting with a fruit cart, Antonio
eventually opened his own store in Cagalupo in Detroit. His
son, and four grandsons—Tony, Sam, Vic, and Ronnie—spent a majority of their time working at the store. For example, on the last day of each school year, says Tony, he and his brothers would go straight to the store, working all summer, and only going home on the weekends to cut the grass. Tony learned all the family secrets — from curing olives to making pasta, and all about cheeses, meats, and old school Italian foods — and even delivered groceries to customers’ houses, learning that great customer service is the only kind.
Eventually Victor decided to open Ventimiglia’s on Eight Mile
Road in Detroit, while keeping alive the same traditions his fa- ther taught him. The family then opened the current loca-
tion in Sterling Heights in 1981. Today, Tony’s son, Vic, and his children, continue the tradition started nearly 100 years ago with
a fruit cart in Detroit—serving
up some of the best subs, pastas, prepared food, imported grocer- ies, and more.
This summer — as soon as
school’s out — Tony says Ventimiglia’s will be serving fresh gelato outside as a special treat.
“It’s something we do every year,” he says, adding that he expects
to see many familiar faces. “Our saying is that we are generations serving generations, and it is true. I have served cookies to the grandchildren of customers from years ago. It’s a very rewarding, community-oriented experience.”
In addition to takeout orders, Ventimiglia’s provides catering services. From small family dinners to large scale events, they
have fresh, scratch made food for all to enjoy.