Massa Cafe Italiano, 7434 W. North Ave., Elmwood Park, has been around for decades, but it never stops evolving. The restaurant has a deep and wide menu that includes many Italian favorites, such as paninis, panzerottis, pastas and salads. But it is the pizza and gelato that grab you when you walk in the door.
You expect the gelato case, showing off more than 20 flavors, but there is also a pizza case – with slices ready to go.
One of the offered toppings is Italian beef with giardiniera. The pie is a Sicilian deep-dish pizza with a crisp, crackling crust and flavors that scream “Chicago.” It’s no wonder that these toppings are also available in take-and-bake form through the Massa Pizza Company – which can be ordered online or found in local grocery stores. Other popular toppers, pepperoni, sausage and margherita, are available too.
Now back to the gelato. Sixty flavors rotate through the case.
“We like to go with whatever’s precious and seasonal. It’s summer now, so we like to do a lot of the fruit ones with strawberries and all the different berries,” owner Gia Lollino said.
Their Vero brand of gelato and coffee of the same name are also distributed widely.
For those attending the Taste of Elmwood Park Family Festival in August, Massa is bringing Sicilian pizza and gelato to the party.
The fest is Elmwood Park’s premiere event. It has been going strong for more than 30 years. This year’s edition is Thursday through Sunday, August 8-11, in Central Park at 2430 N. 75th Ave. Entry is free and open to the public.
“The Taste of Elmwood Park is an opportunity for our restaurateurs to showcase their culinary skills, and it’s also an opportunity for the whole community to come together to eat, drink, and enjoy a weekend filled with fun and entertainment,” said Angelo “Skip” Saviano, Elmwood Park village president.
Come hungry. Twenty-four food vendors will be offering their best: Armand’s, Caputo’s Fresh Markets, Caruso’s, Circle Tavern, Donny G’s, Elmcrest Banquets, Fit To Be Fried, Grecian Kitchen, Gringo & Blondie’s Taqueria, Jimmy’s Red Hots, Johnnie’s Italian Beef, Maria’s Mexican Restaurant, Massa Café Italiano, New Star, Rosebud Restaurants, Russell’s Barbecue, Shwings, Sicilian Bakery, Spizzico Pizza & Pasta, Strawberry Slushies, Top Butcher, Tri Cafe, and Union Tap.
Food is cash only, but drinks (both alcoholic and non) are available with tickets, purchased in $5 bundles. ATMs will be on site. If competitive eating is your jam, there is a meatball eating contest Saturday at 4 p.m. In the premium Taste Lounge Tito’s vodka will be pouring cocktails and each night live DJs will set the pulse for the party.
Need to stretch before you dig into another day? Renew Studio will offer fitness in the park each morning. Additional activities for young and old alike dot the calendar during the four-day event. There will be a bocce tournament, arts & crafts, kid’s games and rides.
On the mainstage, bands will rock out all weekend long. There is something for most any music lover to enjoy: 80s classic rock by One of the Boyzz; music of Queen and Lady Gaga by Radio Gaga; 70s yacht rock by EZFM; the classics from Sinatra, Martin and Davis by Ocean’s Rat Pack – and more.
Getting there is easy. Handicap parking will be available along Fullerton Avenue. The Metra Milwaukee District West Line’s stop at 75th and Grand is directly in front of Central Park. A shuttle service will run from John Mills School, the Parks & Recreation Center and Elm Middle School.
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