The first Joe's Italian Restaurant was established in June of 1981 in Gilroy, California by Giuseppe and Elvira Bertolone. Joe and Mamma emigrated from Italy in 1977 with their small children Michael and Sonia. Joe's quickly became a beloved local icon and Gilroy landmark and has been featured in the Library of Congress and on the Food Network.After dedicating 27 years of their lives to their successful family restaurant business, Joe and Mamma decided to retire, subsequently selling their beloved restaurant in early 2007, and relocating to Alabama to be closer to their daughters Mary and Sonia. Soon after, their son Michael, decided to join the rest of the family in Alabama and the new adventure begins to unfold.