Chappie's Lunch
438 Preston Street
Written by Bytown Museum
on
03/Dec/2009
In 1945, Albert (Chappy) Carmanico returned to Ottawa after serving in World War II. At that time, Chappy and his wife Mary lived at 438½ Preston Street with their six children (with one more on the way!). To earn a living, the couple decided to turn their first floor store into a restaurant.
Eating out wasn't fashionable at the time, but the Carmanico's had a secret – Mary's irresistible spaghetti and meatballs. The four older children helped make the family business a success, with daughter Mary rising early to bake cherry, apple and raisin pies.
Chappie's Lunch would become the first Italian restaurant in what was then known as the “The Village” and is today known as Little Italy. The eatery operated from 1945 to 1956.
Do you have a favourite restaurant in Little Italy? Tell us about it.
