About Us
Piccola Italia first opened its doors on April 8, 1982, by owner Frank Amato. Frank was born and raised in Palermo, Sicily where he learned about the ethics of business early on. As a young boy Frank sold fish and gelato on the streets of his home town to help support his family. He learned his cooking skills and recipes for sauces and dough’s from his mother and from the army. It wasn’t until he was in the army that he really got interested in cooking, where he had the opportunity to cook for generals.
Frank traveled and lived in Switzerland and South America before immigrating to the United States in 1971. He lived first in New Jersey and then Brooklyn, New York. Frank learned how to make pizza while working at a pizza shop in Brooklyn. This is where he developed his love for making pizza and knew that one day he wanted a place of his own. Soon Frank moved to Norristown, PA where he opened Valli Pizza and Restaurant.
In 1976 Frank would move and put down roots for the last time in Raleigh, NC. He opened his second restaurant, Frank’s Pizza in Longview shopping center, where he met his wife Jane. Then in 1982 he opened Piccola Italia, which he says will be his last restaurant. Frank did decide to take a risk in 2005 when he gutted out the dining room and remodeled, giving it a fresh more open and airy feel. (Our restaurant review in the N&O) Turns out it was the best thing he could have done. Business has been great and customers appreciate the updated look.
One day Frank hopes to hand all this down to his children Johnny and Natasha, who have been working here since they were kids. Frank says it hasn’t always been easy, but he enjoys working with the public and loves cooking. He gets great pleasure and satisfaction to see customers enjoy what he has worked so hard to create.