Buddy LaRosa came from a working-class neighborhood on Cincinnati’s West Side. After his hitch in the Navy, he worked a couple of different jobs. But he knew his real passion was to build his own business. But what would that business be?

Growing up, Buddy always loved the pizza that his Aunt Dena made. He thought other people might love her pizza, too. So, he made a couple dozen for his church’s summer festival – San Antonio Roman Catholic church in Cincinnati’s Little Italy. As it turned out, Buddy was right. Lots of people loved Aunt Dena’s pizza.

So in 1954, with $400 and a couple of partners, Buddy opened a small pizzeria to serve his neighborhood. In post-war, white bread America, pizza and Italian food were as exotic as cous cous or tabouleh are today. And did people eat it up.

Buddy’s pizza gained a fast following. But LaRosa’s was different from other pizzerias. Buddy offered a full menu including hearty salads and entrees like spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, ravioli and other Italian specialties.

In the 50 years that followed, LaRosa’s has grown to serve hundreds of neighborhoods throughout Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, the Miami Valley, and Southeast Indiana. Millions of people have made LaRosa’s pizza number one in Greater Cincinnati.

Today, LaRosa’s pizza is still made from the recipe Buddy used so long ago for the San Antonio church festival. And you and your friends can still choose from other LaRosa’s favorites like calzones, focaccia, and tangy chicken wings.

Maybe you’re already a fan. Or maybe you’re just getting to know us. Either way, one taste of our old-world goodness, and you’ll think of LaRosa’s as an old family friend.

As Buddy always says…buon appetito!