Notable owner of Italian eatery
FRANKIE B. MANDOLA: 1947-2016
Longtime Houston restaurateur Frankie B. Mandola died Friday at age 68 from complications following a heart attack.
A member of one of Houston’s best-known restaurant families, Mandola helped bring Italian food to the Bayou City during his four-decade career.
Mandola, who is of Italian descent, was wellknown for operating a string of successful Houston restaurants, but his greatest talent, his son said, was his customer service.
Mandola knew his diners’ names, faces and stories, said his son, Johnny B. Mandola.
“He was definitely a presence walking through a room,” he said. “He was loud, very loud, and very Italian.”
Mandola opened his first Houston restaurant in 1974 with his brother and another business partner. Now called Ragin’ Cajun, the menu included 6-footlong po’boys.
When Mandola and a cousin purchased Damian’s Cucina Italiana in 1992 from another family member, authentic Italian food in Houston was hard to find, his son said.
“There was no chicken Parmesan or fried calamari,” Johnny Mandola said. “No one had heard of any of that stuff here. That was just what my dad would eat at home.”
Mandola, a Rice University graduate, co-owned Damian’s until his death.
Mandola later opened Frankie B. Mandola’s Steaks & Burgers on Kirby Drive. It closed in 2003.
Mandola is survived by his wife of nearly 48 years, Judy, two daughters Claresa Mandola, Stephanie Pollard, son, Johnny Mandola, and five grandchildren.
As of late Saturday, Mandola’s funeral arrangements were not confirmed.