After
four decades in business, Amato’s Café & Catering in Omaha has
closed its doors. The popular restaurant, known for its Italian
sausage and ricotta pancakes, stopped serving the public June 23.
Sam
Amato, who died a few years back, began the business almost 50 years
ago – starting with a food truck and then moved to establishments.
His current building on Center Street and 64th
Avenue was opened in 1993.
Ann,
Sam’s wife, also worked with him in the restaurant. Before his
death, the couple had talked about when it was time to wrap the
business up. They wanted to spend more time with their family,
including the grandchildren.
After
his death, Ann continued with the business with her son Tony Amato.
According to Tony, his dad liked joking that Amato’s was a place
people could laugh out loud and put their elbows on the table. He
said it was the kind of place where everybody knew everyone’s name.
Tony said he was grateful for the customers’ loyalty over the
years.
The
restaurant has been featured on both Man vs. Food (Travel Channel)
and “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” (Food Network).
Ann
said the restaurant was a labor of love, and the customers became
part of the family. She said saying goodbye will be hard, but the
time is right to close the restaurant. According to Ann, they will
hold an online auction to sell off the restaurant supplies.
The location where Amato’s is located has been purchased already.
