Luigi’s Restaurant and Delicatessen celebrates 100 years of authentic Italian cuisine

The streets of Bakersfield were transformed into a “Little Italy” as Luigi’s Restaurant and Delicatessen celebrated it’s 100 year anniversary.

The renowned restaurant opened it’s Bakersfield location in 1910 and is one of the city’s oldest continuous family operated businesses.

It all started when Joe Lemucchi, the founder of the business, immigrated to California from Lucca, Italy and started his original cafe in 1906 that boasted a grocery store, cafe, bakery and even a gasoline station.

“It just all started when we were little, before we could even see over the tables. It’s really fun to be here today and see all these people sharing the love and passion that we have for our family heritage, out business and this food that’s just so delicious,” Lanette Valpredo and Monica Sacco, granddaughters and co-owners of Luigi, explained.

The authentic Italian menu is famous for it’s wide selection of sangucci, antipasta, pasta e fagioli and more. Guests and generations have come to Luigi’s for decades to enjoy the taste of Italy and the sense of a true family-owned operation.

To learn more about Luigi’s Restaurant and Delicatessen, watch the full segment below or see it air nationwide on California Life with Heather Dawson.