Frank's Pizzeria

In December of 1948, Frank and Costanza Aloe were married in the small town of Amantea in Calabria, Italy. They soon moved to Ambridge where Frank worked in the steel mills. But the job instability of the steel mills in the mid-1950’s caused Frank to look for a more steady flow of income to help him provide for his wife and two young children.

Having been a fisherman in Italy, Frank decided to open a fish market. He began selling fish in 1956 from a store-front located below his house on Duss Avenue. After some time, the business was not as profitable as he had hoped. Frank decided to close the fish market and try his hand at an Italian pastry shop. Unfortunately, Italian pastries were not as popular in the 1950s as they are now and the Aloe’s were forced to come up with a new business venture.

In 1958, Frank purchased the Italian newspaper Il Progresso at Karolewski’s. In the newspaper, Frank saw an advertisement for a pizza making school located in New York. The program was sponsored by the Mastro Equipment Company. For only $600, the company would train you and provide you with a pizza oven, a work table, and a dozen pizza trays. Soon after, Frank left for New York and learned how to make his famous “cheese-under-the-sauce” pizza.

On September 22, 1958, Frank’s Pizzeria opened its doors for the very first time. That night, pizza was free. Frank wanted everyone to try his pizza in hopes that its great taste would bring the customers back for more. His plan worked, and Frank began selling pizza for $.15 a slice or two slices for $.25. Toppings included pepperoni, mushrooms, and extra-cheese. Throughout the years, different toppings were added such as anchovies, sausage, black olives, and green peppers. The calzone was added to the menu in 1983, and white pizza was added in the early 90s.

As the pizza shop grew, so did the family – 4 children, 8 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. And nearly 50 years after it first opened, Frank’s Pizzeria is still a family-owned and operated business with Frank and Costanza making pizza along side their sons and grandchildren. Frank’s prides itself on making fresh pizza. The dough, sauce, and real mozzarella cheese are prepared daily. Frank’s only uses the finest ingredients in making its pizza.

Stop in soon and join us as we celebrate 50 years!!


Favorite Toppings
Pepperoni	...	45%
Extra Cheese	...	12%
Plain	...	8%
Ex. Cheese & Pep.	...	7%
Mushrooms	...	5%
Sausage	...	3%
Everything	...	2%
Green Peppers	...	1%
Anchovies	...	.5%
Other	...	17%


Zip Codes
15003	...	45%
15005	...	15%
15001	...	8%
15042	...	7%
15143	...	6%
15061	...	3%
15056	...	2%
16066	...	2%
Others	...	10%

How Long Have You Been Buying Franks?
1958-1968	...	30%	1989-1998	...	16%
1969-1978	...	26%	1998-2007	...	9%
1979-1988	...	19%