Salute Italian Restaurant

Italian food for everyone to try! When you want homemade Italian food you have to stop in and try our wonderful cuisine. We make fantastic pasta, pizza, calzones, tortellini, gnocchi and more! You’ll love our food and have a great time in our beautiful dining area.

The best in dining out. When you need to have an excellent dining experience, put your trust in us. Our friendly staff and expert chefs will help you have a meal that you’ll want to come back for; time and time again.

Our History

It was the Spring of 1992, and the children of Bruno DeBartolo were visiting this elderly gentleman at the home of his daughter, where he lived since suffering a stroke after the death of his beloved wife, Antonietta. The children and their spouses were all lost in a discussion of "what shall we name the restaurant?", which two of the children were soon going to open. Bruno listened to them use their names, family names, and various others to which no one could agree. When all of the sudden the elderly Bruno raised his glass of wine and speaks over his children: "Salute!"

Thus, was Salute Italian Restaurant established, opening for business on June 4, 1992. The original owners were John and Gemma (DeBartolo) Wells and Frank and Rosaria DeBartolo. From it's very beginning, Salute was and Italian family restaurant. Although sister and brother were the original owners, the family opened and worked in its creation. The family came together cooking, making fresh made pasta and pizza. And the Salute logo of two wine glasses raised in cheer, tipped toward each other, is a tribute to their father's words: "Salute!"

Salute Italian Restaurant opened at 314 Main Street in Downtown Racine, Wisconsin. It was a small restaurant and bar accommodating only about 50 people. But that would change in the future, as the people of Racine, Kenosha and Milwaukee came to discover this hidden Italian family treasure.

After the passing of Bruno on May 1, 1993, the ownership of Salute changed hands. The daughter who cared for him, Ida (DeBartolo) Alia entered the restaurant business along with sister, Anna DeBartolo. They joined Gemma (DeBartolo) Wells, the only remaining owner from Salute's origins; brother, Frank left the business.

Through the years, 'the DeBartolo girls' have maintained a truly Italian restaurant with a Calabrese touch (the region of Italy from which the DeBartolo's immigrated). A taste of Calabria is found in a variety of homemade dishes. Like their mother, their hospitality is huge, with generous portions and wine glasses filled. Along with sisters, Maria and Ada, and sister-in-law, Angie (Alia) Krantz, 'the DeBartolo girls' bring centuries of Calabrese tradition into their food with a variety of homemade pastas - such as their gnocchi, ravioli and tortellini. Anna brings the Calabrese heritage into the best Lasagna and her Lasagna Rolls, not to mention Bracioli - a steak rolled with Prosciutto, ground chuck and cheese. Gemma and Ida display their heritage with such dishes as Chicken Cacciatore, Fafalle Spinaci, Linguini Carbonara and Veal Parmigiana. The Pizza, which was voted "Best Pizza in Racine", is made fresh to order every day with the recipe that comes straight from Calabria.

In addition to good entrees, Salute features delicious deserts (dolce). Their tradition continues with homemade Canoli and Tiramisu. They also feature a chocolate cake topped with the Italian favorite, Hazelnut, and named after a dear friend Nicoletta Dicello. Many wines are imported from Italy to warm the heart. Expresso and Cappuccino, Expresso Martini and Sambuca, all make Salute not only a great restaurant but a loud cheer for all to hear.

In 1998, after retiring from the American Brass Corporation, Ida's husband, John Alia, added his help by running the bar. In the bar area can be seen tributes to the American soldier, as memories from John's years of devoted service during the Vietnam War are on display. A marquee of the Hollywood movie, "We Were Soldiers", starring Mel Gibson, adorns the wall, as the movie tells the story of John's Calvary unit during the Vietnam War.

In 1999, Salute expanded with the acquisition of another downtown Racine building. The restaurant and bar now accommodate over 140 people. With family and friends, the Italian tradition of the DeBartolo Family continues serving delicious food of generous portions, good wine, and shots of Sambuca. Wine glasses are tipped together and everyone hears the words of Bruno once again... "Salute!"