Press Release

Papa Joe’s Rises From The Ashes

By Loretta Lambright

March 4, 2015

Brooksville, FL-  Just over a year ago, Papa Joe’s Italian Restaurant suffered a devastating overnight fire that left 45 employees without a job and a community without their beloved local eatery.  On the coldest morning of last year as the building smoldered, owner Joe Giarratana said “we will, God willing, rebuild and it will be better than ever”.  Today marks just over 13 months since that tragic day and a brand new building stands tall on the same footprint.  The design is reminiscent of Papa Joe’s tiny hometown in Palermo, Italy.  “Its got a familiar feel, like coming home but its all custom and new”  said long time employee, Lindsey Tafelski.  The heavy, solid wood front doors are not yet open to the public but there is a big production taking place behind them.  The Papa Joe’s family of employees is busy stocking and preparing to reopen.  Standing in the stately foyer, there are tradesmen putting on finishing touches, an old world fountain being plumbed, beer taps being set, and the clank of shiny new pans being stocked in the kitchen.  Stemware is being polished and crystals hung on the chandeliers.  A brand new, state of the art automatic barista is working overtime making fresh lattes and chai tea and the aroma permeates through the place.  Three days after the fire, Joe and Donna called a meeting in the garden, on site faced with the task of laying off all of their employees.  “We were so very heavy hearted to leave 45 people without a job and we are so very blessed to have so many of them back again” Donna said.  Many of the long time veterans of the iconic restaurant are back to work at their little Italian home away from home. The restaurant will begin soft openings this weekend and intends on a somewhat hush, hush opening on Tuesday at 11:00.  The grand reopening festivities are scheduled to take place starting Tuesday, March 17th.  Nearly 35 years ago Papa Joe and Momma Donna opened their tiny pizza parlor in the middle of nowhere.  Today they look forward to opening a beautiful, state of the art, custom restaurant and continuing their lifelong passion on the very same foundation.  Salute!  Papa Joe’s is now refined by fire!

special thanks to Ezekeil’s Photography

Sneak Peak: The New Papa Joe's

It's been four hundred three days since fire ravished through the iconic Papa Joe's restaurant.  Today we look in humble amazement at a beautiful, new building!  Shiny stainless steel appliances are in place, shelves are being stocked, and tables assembled.  The anticipation of the aroma of meatballs in the oven and sizzling steaks on the grill lingering through the dining room has us very excited. We look forward to the hustle and bustle of our little Italian home and are ecstatic to soon welcome you as our dinner guests, once again!  So, with out further a due, a little sneak peek at Papa Joe's, now refined by fire!  

We just can't for the big reveal.  Your going to love it!  See you soon!

Thank You For 33 Years!

A huge "thank you" to our beautiful community for making our 33rd annual anniversary event a success.  This years celebration was the first of its kind as we served up our famous .99 pasta take-out style. And thanks to your support, we even set a record in pounds of pasta and hand-rolled meatballs sold.  Area youth ministries who blessed our staff during the aftermath of our fire were our cause for raising funds this year and you, our loyal community made it happen. Our makeshift kitchen included a few tables under a tent along with our catering truck parked just behind our new restaurant construction site.  It was a sweet reunion to have the Papa Joe's family of old employees back together again and we had a blast!  To our extended Papa Joe's family, our customers, it was great to see you all, it is because of you that Papa Joe's has had a reason to celebrate for the past few decades.  Your smiling faces and and encouraging words have touched our hearts and we are so thankful to call you our friends!  We look forward to our next celebration, the grand opening of your new Papa Joe's Restaurant, refined by fire! Thank you for 33 years!

.99 Dinners To Celebrate 33 Years

Papa Joe's Restaurant will be celebrating its 33rd anniversary tomorrow, October 7th, 2014. Every Fall has marked another year for the iconic restaurant and since the 80's this has been cause for a huge, community wide festival hosted by Papa Joe's. Tomorrow marks the 33rd year of business for owners Joe and Donna and although their restaurant was destroyed by an attic fire back in January, the tradition is not to be missed.  The festivities of years past have included Italian cart rides, face painting, pony rides, music, and performances of all kinds and of course, the famous .99 spaghetti!  This years anniversary celebration will be much more quiet and in fact, the most humble ever.  Instead of the usual, patriotic festivities, Papa Joe's Catering will set up a drive thru serving the most scrumptious pasta and garlic bread around for only .99, that is right...dinner for less than a dollar!   Perhaps the most beautiful part of this annual event is that it has always been about giving back to the community, each year a charity is chosen to benefit from the proceeds.  This will never change!  More than ever, it is the heart of Papa Joe's to contribute to the wonderful people of Brooksville!  Hernando county youth ministries will benefit this year.  Door prize tickets will be available to further support the ministries and you need not be present to win.  Prizes include game tickets, flat screen TV's and more.  Papa Joe's t-shirts and his famous meatballs will be available for purchase as well.  The Capricci's Gift Shop will be open for browsing and will hold a store wide sale.  The event is to be held at the original Papa Joe's site for drive thru, cash only service.  Come out and get your Papa Joe's pasta fix and support our great community!

Tampa Bay's Wedding Catering

Papa Joe's recently attended the bridal expo in Citrus county at the Central Florida State College.  Papa Joe recognizes the importance of every detail for a bride and grooms special day.  He is an expert in the kitchen, creating scrumptious recipes, and has equally perfected the logistics involved in successfully catering an event.  The professional, experienced staff at Papa Joe's is passionate about providing beautiful tablescapes and top notch service.  Joe and his team are the industry leaders within the Tampa Bay Area and boast versatile menus fit for all weddings and events.  Call Papa Joe and discuss your wedding vision and anticipate an exciting and fitting menu designed "Justa For You".

Papa Joe (352)799-3904

www.papajoes.org

Annual 4th of July Party

Papa Joe's has closed in honor of Independence Day and held an annual employee party for as long as I can remember.  This year, we may not have a restaurant to close however, the tradition of gathering the Papa Joe's family remains!  Since our tragedy, I have realized how easily we take things for granted and how important it is to appreciate even the littlest things in life.  This years 4th of July party was extra special and we look forward to many more!

Papa Does House Calls!

Papa Joe's does house calls!  Why not plan a summer gathering at your home?  With the help of Papa Joe's Catering, its a sure success.  Customize your menu with Joe's creative and expert planning at (352)799-3904