Mike’s Italian Restaurant on Route 1 Closes Its Doors
After 84 years in business, Mike’s Italian Restaurant stops operating as of June 30.
For anyone who has ever lived in Mount Vernon or simply driven down Route 1 on a regular basis, the sight of Mike’s Italian Restaurant (also known as Mike's Ristorante Italiano) at the corner of Richmond Highway and Buckman Road is as familiar as the sight of the Washington Monument – it has pretty much always been there. But that is soon to change.
The restaurant, which opened in 1927, has been Mount Vernon’s very own spot for traditional Italian cuisine, but as of July 30, it has stopped operating.
The menu was always long on delectable Italian dishes--veal, pasta, seafood, tiramisu. The restaurant was also known for its generous Tuesday and Wednesday evening dinners-for-two for just $27.99. The restaurant, owned and run by owner/chef Luigi Tonizzo, hosted diners for special evenings each New Year's Eve.
According to a Facebook message posted by Robert Rocco Tonizzo, a member of the Tonizzo family that owned and operated the restaurant beginning in 1975, the news came on short notice due to requirements from the new tenant. No further details were disclosed.
Telephone and fax lines, as well as the Web site, are still working. In addition to the Facebook message, confirmation of the restaurant’s closing comes from a note at the entrance, informing customers that the owners are retiring.
Although the restaurant changed owners in 1975, the name and the location remained the same for nearly a century.
An update will be provided as soon as the new business is confirmed.
susie m moss
9:13 pm on Wednesday, August 10, 2011
We remember Mike's Italian Restaurant when Mike and Carla were owners; even
before When it was Pat and Mike's.
The antiapasto was delicious and Carla's lasagne great!
No one makes it the way she did.
The Moss Family
Mbracinglife
2:57 pm on Thursday, December 1, 2011
My family was military and we arrived here from Europe in 1975. Over the last several years, I have spent many wonderful evenings dining at Mike's Italian Restauant. Anniversaries, birthdays, and special get togethers. We had no idea it had closed until today 12/1 when we called to make a reservation for this evening to celebrate our annivesary. What a disappointment we can't believe the doors are closed. Always one of our favorite places to dine we shall truly miss it. Its a shame to see so many places over the years that have closed their doors off of Rt. 1.
Steven
1:58 am on Tuesday, March 20, 2012
all of their veal dishes were amazing, their stuffed sole to die for, a great selection of wine. This place was a neighborhood gem that my family spent many special occasions at. It will be missed!
R Harder
5:23 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
So sad to learn of its passing. Mike's was great.
I remember on my first assignment in VA people saying that they would fly into town just to eat at Mike's. I'd think, "that dingy building on my way to work?" I'm so glad we started eating there before they closed!
RDuncan
12:22 pm on Saturday, November 10, 2012
R Duncan ---Long Time Patron
I frequented Mikes from a young girl 16 year old until last year. Been out of the country for two years, but on every visit I had to come to mikes for my favorite since age 16. I am a native Alexandrian raise in Old Town Parents still there, grandparents and great grandparents... But would come from Maryland *Had to have it* Great food Great Service, Great atmosphere; the ambiance was elegant yet even when casually dressed flavor of elegance still loomed. in or out; I started bring my parent there they loved it as well. This is travesty there are not many restaurants that can match the brand.
Mbracinglife
10:53 am on Friday, November 16, 2012
I had to have it too. One of my favorite appetizers was the oyster rockefeller it was out of this world. I miss the food and the atmosphere I always looked forward to eating there.