Zuccarelli's Italian Restaurant and Bar recently hit a major milestone, celebrating its 45th anniversary.
The popular restaurant was founded by Ralph and Franca Zuccarelli and opened on Oct. 16, 1981 in the Pine Trail Shopping Center at the southwest corner of N. Military Trail and Okeechobee Boulevard.
With roots that stretch back to Calabria, Italy, Ralph and Franca served dishes crafted from their family recipes to guests and built a loyal customer base. For four and a half decades generations of residents have made the restaurant a place for celebrations, wedding receptions, birthdays, baptisms, bar mitzvahs, and more.
In 2009, Zuccarelli's moved across the street and into the Emporium Shoppes shopping center at 4595 Okeechobee Boulevard where
they have been ever since.
Though Ralph died in 2024, the restaurant remains family owned and operated.
Franca still opens the restaurant every day and daughter Olimpia Zuccarelli comes in in the early afternoon to take over. "We take turns. It's a great set up," Olimpia said. "One of us is always on the premises."
Olimpia manages the restaurant, and Franca works in the kitchen making those traditional dishes. Whether she's making limoncello or tiramisu, customers love watching her cook through the glass window. This is just one of the reasons Zuccarelli's stands out: It's a great place to get homemade Italian food just like grandma used to make.
Olimpia said Zuccarelli's is packed with dishes from her parents' recipes and that a few have been on the menu since the very first day. Among them: The Chicken Mediterranean, Antipasto Di Mare and Farfalle Bianco Rosso.
She said they began making their own limoncello about 30 years ago. You can buy the limoncello, she said, but mostly they give away complimentary bottles to customers after they have dinner.
Employing a staff of nearly two dozen, most of whom have been with the restaurant for more than 25 years, she said. And one server has notched 35 years at the restaurant.
Though there's a slight uptick in business when season hits, they say they're steady all year thanks to local customers.
"We've watched families grow up, get married, have children, they get married... we become family after so many years."
And Zuccarelli's makes sure to take care of family. Olimpia said that even though some dishes may no longer be on the "official menu" they're always available for longtime customers. "They'll ask if they can still order it and we say absolutely."
One of those dishes is the Rigatoni Granata. It features rigatoni with a fresh tomato sauce, sautéed zucchini and a little fresh mozzarella that's then baked in the oven.
“We are very proud of our loyal clientele and continuing our business with our employees; most of our staff has been with us for over 25 years. We have become one big family, and we just want to say thank you to the community."
Catering has become a big part of Zuccarelli's business in recent years. They are able to handle all types of engagements. They will also rent out their fabulous covered patio area for parties as well and accommodate groups of up to 150 people.
Zuccarelli's Italian Restaurant and Bar
Where: 4595 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach
Hours: 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; closed Monday and Friday
Information: zuccarellis.com
Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: West Palm Beach Italian restaurant celebrates 45 years in business
