Our Story

   Our Story: From Sicily to Whitney Point – The Aiello Family Journey

My name is Charlie (Calogero) Aiello, born in the heart of Sicily. My brother Vinnie (Vincenzo) was born in Piemonte, Northern Italy — two regions with rich, distinct culinary traditions. We grew up surrounded by the smells and sounds of authentic Italian cooking. Mamma’s kitchen was our classroom, and it’s where we first learned the meaning of real food: simple, fresh, and made with love.

In 1972, chasing the American dream, we landed in Brooklyn. Ten years later, our parents encouraged us to open an Italian restaurant. My father, a passionate hunter, had fallen in love with upstate New York’s beauty and lifestyle. Family had already started laying roots: my cousin Charlie (Calogero) Aiello opened a pizzeria in Walton, and my Uncle Raimondo Aiello launched a restaurant in Roscoe after we opened there was the Colosseum in Verona NY my cousin Bartolo and Mattia Trinca. Inspired, we took a leap of faith and opened our first pizzeria in a tiny town called Whitney Point — population 900.

Failure wasn’t an option. My father had invested everything into us, and we were determined to honor that sacrifice.

Over time, that small pizzeria transformed into something much more. Through collaboration with incredible chefs and a hunger to learn, we evolved into a true culinary destination. Today, Aiello’s is a place where tradition meets innovation — and every dish tells a story.

So, what’s our secret?
It's not complicated: we love people, and we love seeing them enjoy what we create. Freshness is everything. We make our own fresh mozzarella, our own sausage, hand-roll meatballs just like Mamma used to (ground beef, veal, pork), cut our own veal, filet, and steaks, and serve fresh seafood and pasta delivered multiple times a week. We refuse to compromise on quality — because our customers can taste the difference, and our reviews speak for themselves.

But it’s not just the food that makes Aiello’s what it is.
It’s family.

Big Vito (nephew) runs the back of the house with focus and pride. Little Vito (my son) brings the energy and warmth to the front of the house. Stephen — our adopted son in spirit — wears every hat and keeps everything moving. And then there’s the rest of our incredible team who show up every day with passion and purpose.

Even the location plays a part. Nestled just off the highway, we’ve become a hidden gem for travelers and locals alike. People walk in expecting a quick bite and leave saying, “We’ll definitely be back.”

None of it would be possible without the unwavering support of our wives, who step in wherever and whenever needed, holding it all together behind the scenes.  

And this? This is just the beginning. There’s so much more to tell.
So next time you're in, ask us about the journey. We’d love to sit down, share a meal, and tell you the rest of the story.

From our family to yours — welcome to Aiello’s.