Los Alamitos’ iconic Fio Rito’s Italian Ristorante closed its doors on Sunday, but plans on relocating to a new location sometime in the not too distant future. Still, the restaurant will be missed by the many families who have patronized it for the last 49 years.
The award winning family restaurant was full of patrons who had waited in line or booked reservations in the last week or two that it remained open. “We’ve been having groups of 20 to 50 people come in this lately,” said Ken Skinner, owner/manager. “It’s sad but also uplifting to have the public come by and thank us for years of service.”
Neighboring Fish Company restaurant is expanding, and will be taking over Fio Rito’s space. Fio Rito’s lease was up a year ago in December in 2011, and they had been leasing the site month-to-month since, knowing for awhile they would be closing their doors. But Fio Ritos is looking for another location in the area.
“Right now, people are giving us their email addresses so we can let them know where we move to,” he said.
“We first have to find a location,” said Skinner. “It will probably be several months before we reopen.”
Skinner’s parents, Pat and Phyllis Loughran, bought the restaurant from Leonard Fio Rito in 1976. Skinner and his wife, Cecily, have managed the restaurant since 1983. Fio Rito Italian Ristorante, known for its thin crust pizza, lasagna, spaghetti and meat balls, scampi, blue cheese and Italian salad dressings, will at least be temporarily missed by the many families who have dinned there.
“Oh we’ve had people be really upset that we are closing,” said Skinner. The restaurant has proudly served many families into the third and fourth generations. Part of their success is that they have retained “Freddie,” head cook for over 30 years along with their head waitress, “Jan,” who has been working for Skinner and his wife since the 70’s. “Our staff is really going to miss all the people until we reopen,” said Skinner. “They all want to return, and have offered to repaint and come back.”
Skinner said that part of their success is that the restaurant is a family environment with everyone knowing everyone else, kind of like the sitcom “Cheers.” “They come in large groups and really enjoy themselves,” he added.
“I think it’s among one of the best restaurants around,” said Paul deSha of Rossmoor and patron of more than 40 years. “It’s a shame to see it go.” He and his wife, Dolores, hope they find a new place soon.
For Bob and Judy Fitzroy of Los Alamitos, patrons for more than 20 years, coming to Fio Rito Ristorante has been like coming home to a place with the best pizza in town. “We’re going to exchange emails,” said Bob Fitzroy. “Hopefully they will find a new place soon.”
“I’m going to miss the people, as it’s more than a restaurant, it’s a family connection,” said Skinner. “It’s really been a wonderful experience.”