Omaha Exploration

Before the Sortino brothers opened their pizza parlor on 72nd and Pacific, they worked at their father’s fruit and produce stand in the area that would become the Old Market. Sam Sortino started his business in 1928 after immigrating from Carlentini, Italy. He was especially known for his watermelons which he stacked and displayed out front. It even earned him the nickname Watermelon Man. During the winter months, Sam, like others in the area, sold fresh cut Christmas trees. 

By 1960 sons Tony and Johnny would open a drive-in market of their own at 72nd and Pacific. From the market they started a small pizza operation which took off. Eventually they closed the market and converted into a restaurant and bar full-time. The father joined them after closing his stand in 1970 which would go on to become the French Cafe. 

Johnny and Tony Sortino’s Pizza proved so popular that they remodeled and expanded the restaurant in 1970 so that it could accommodate 240 people. Just one year later the building was destroyed by a fire. After rebuilding at the same location, Johnny bought his brother’s share of the business in 1971.

While Johnny continued to operate the original business, Tony opened another pizza parlor in Ralston at 84th and Park Dr. It was short-lived and the building would become El Fredo’s fourth location in 1976. From there Tony operated a coffee shop and cafe inside Omaha Tower at 72nd and Mercy Rd in 1977. After his father passed away in 1978, Tony got out of the restaurant business completely and went back to his roots selling fruits including watermelons, vegetables and Christmas trees in the winter. The nursery was on 303 N Saddle Creek Rd and is the current side of Indian Creek Nursery. 

Johnny Sortino’s continued to thrive, resulting in a second location at 79th and L in 1977 and a third location at The Blue Jay Bar on 24th and Davenport in 1986. Eventually Johnny would consolidate and close both the original and the downtown locations. 

Johnny remained active in the pizza parlor and even greeted customers just days before he passed away in 1998. Tony had passed a few years earlier in 1992. Johnny’s wife Nancy and their daughters took over the restaurant from that point forward. 

Still located at 79th and L St, the restaurant is equipped to handle large groups and families with a capacity of 420 and a two tiered pizza oven that can cook 24 pies in eight minutes. The old school pizza joint requires that you order at the counter and then wait for your name to be called. Inside there are televisions and an arcade to keep the kiddos entertained while you wait.  

While primarily known for its pizza which is made to order from scratch. The menu includes other items such as burgers, Italian sausage and wings along with other items. The menu says their motto is “quality with quantity” and this is evident with pizzas that are loaded with cheese that extends nearly to the crust. 

Even though Sortino’s reduced its hours during the pandemic and continues to close relatively early, the family owned business still serves the same pizzas using the original recipes that made them famous when they opened 58 years ago.

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Until next time, keep exploring!

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