PINO'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT THAT SERVED PINO'S NEW COMMERCIAL KITCHEN! EXCITING NEWS ~ PINO'S COMMERCIAL KITCHEN IS NOW COMPLETED AND OPERATING!!!
Pino’s Restaurant History: Giuseppe “Pino” Fortunato Farinola was born in Brindisi, Italy on February 26, 1931, the 10 th of 12 children. As a young man, Pino grew up in his father’s restaurant known as “Ristorante Moderno.” It was an interesting name for an eatery established in 1912. In 1950 Pino and brothers joined together to open the “Ristorante delle Nazione” on the waterfront of the port of Brindisi, Italy. It’s location and food quickly made it a popular stop for the tourists and locals alike. With nearly 300 hundred chairs it was a far cry from the 50 seat “Moderno.” It was here that Pino developed the skills which would soon change his life.
The year was now 1960, and at the young age of 29, Pino met a bright eyed young beauty named Lenora Dayhoff. The couple would wed two and a half weeks later and two short months after that, together they opened Pino’s Italian Restaurant at its original location on 3000 Cullen Blvd. by the University of Houston. The restaurant was in an old home that was converted to a dining room of 50 chairs and kitchen. The students from the University of Houston quickly discovered Pino’s as their new favorite restaurant little restaurant. For about $1.50 they could enjoy an authentic Italian home cooked meal. In 1970 Pino’s Italian Restaurant took a great gamble and they sold “the house.” They pooled their resources to by a piece of land at the corner of Hillcroft and Westheimer. In 2004 Pino retired and sold the land on Hillcroft and Westheimer. As many of our dear customers already know, there is also a second Pino, Pino Jr.. Pino Jr. and his sister Claudia were a constant help to their father, Pino, in the restaurant business. All would benefit from the leadership and knowledge of Papa’ Pino. Now in 2007, Pino Farinola Jr. along with his sister, Claudia, are very proud to present to our loyal customers in Houston, the tomato sauce that comes “from our kitchen to yours.” It is with the utmost respect and pride that we continue to share our family’s fine kitchen and name with the city that was so generous in our growth and in our lives. This has been a project that has taken some time to complete. It is exciting to share our fresh and delicious sauce with you all. Visit our website at www.pinosoriginalsauce.com to learn more about the sauce, recipes and where it is available to purchase. If you would like to receive updates in regard to Pino’s Sauce or Pino’s Restaurant, please email us at PinosRest@aol.com and we will keep you informed of any developments. |
In early 1958 Pino immigrated to America aboard the ocean liner “Ile De France.” Pino would follow in the footsteps of his father in continuing in the restaurant business. He soon settled in Houston and quickly found work as a cook at Maxim’s when it was still located downtown and would eventually move on to Villa Roma’s Restaurant in Riverside. There, in the evenings, after the restaurant had closed, Pino began to mass produce his homemade Cannelloni, Lasagna and tomato sauce. He would sell it to other restaurants in the area. He had created a profitable business of his own.
The area was relatively undeveloped, and having already extended themselves, opening the new restaurant became critical. To save time and money brothers, Pino and Adriano, brought with them the original blueprints to the old house on Cullen and would duplicate that building at their new location on 2711 Hillcroft. The brothers had a plan, open the restaurant and if it succeeds they could expand later. Later turned out to be around three months, for business was booming in 1970. This constant change and expansion would become the famous trademark or rather never ending remodeling story of Pino’s until it would reach it’s final size of 200 seats.