Howdy,

This weekend we are going to a Christmas party in St. Paul.  We will be eating a huge spaghetti lunch at Yarusso Bros Italian Restaurant.  

Apparently, it is the oldest Italian restaurant in St. Paul started in 1933 by Francesco Yarusso who was born 140 miles south of Rome! That is pretty cool. 

He immigrated from Italy to New Jersey and married Dora Corbo.  Together they moved to Minnesota, settling in Swede's Hollow and then later to Payne Avenue.

Francesco worked a variety of jobs until he opened his tavern in the 1930's during Prohibition and then expanded to Square Deal Cafe the next year.  He used his Italian heritage to help promote his Italian Bocce Ball alleys that he opened at Square Deal.  

I wonder if the Bocce Ball alleys are still at the restaurant.  THAT would be fun.

Have you been to this restaurant on Payne Avenue?  If you have, what can you tell me about it?  

Let's see what is happening this week!

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