Little Italy in Delaware? Mrs. Robino's Restaurant

When I was 18 years old Jim took me to Mrs. Robino's Restaurant on Union Street in Wilmington, Delaware. It is located in the heart of Little Italy. It was my first real genuine Italian meal and restaurant. It was his families tradition to dine here since it's opening. Matthew tasted his first clams here. I love the traditional paper placemats that have the "old time" classic cocktails listed (stinger, manhattan, creme de menthe frape). Best of all, I still remember trying wedding soup for the first time! To this day, Jim still loyally orders the wedding soup followed by linguine with red clam sauce and two meatballs! Isn't it great when some things never change.

A family tradition since 1940s, this truly authentic Italian restaurant is located in the heart of Wilmington’s Little Italy. Mrs. Tresilla Robino not only looked after her husband and family but also cooked for many husbands and fathers who were on there own in America waiting for the rest of their families to immigrate. Tresilla always had company at her house at dinner time. Someone suggested she open a restaurant and it was then that Mrs. Robino’s was established. At 1903 Howland Street with only a few tables set up in her basement, lines of people started to form out her front door! When her home on Howland Street became to small to meet the demands of the business she and her husband bought 520 North Union Street where the restaurant is located today. Her family moved upstairs and the business was set up downstairs. Looking around the room, you will see many of the same features from 1940s.

When Mrs. Tresilla Robino passed away in 1967 the restaurant was taken over by her daughter Josephine (Pina) Robino Minuti and her grandson Joseph F. Minuti. Josephine and Joseph worked hard to expand the business and over the past 30 years bought the properties where Mrs. Robino’s Restaurant sits today.

When you enter the restaurant, there is a wall completely covered with photos of family, friends, famous entertainers, and patrons that are always happy to come for a delicious plate of homemade pasta, friendly service, and always good hearty meal!