In January of 2019 Ventura’s Restaurant celebrated is 75th anniversary. In 1943 Rufus Sr. And Marie Ventura opened the doors. Marie loved cooking and running the kitchen while Rufus was the welcoming host.
Today the second and third generations of the Ventura family run the restaurant together.
Being avid sports fans and a die-hard NY Yankee supporter, Rufus started traditions such as flying a NY Yankees flag on the roof of the restaurant to let the neighborhood know if the Yankees won or lost. Full-mast for a win and half-mast for a loss.
He was also a huge supporter of youth athletics in Utica and coached a semi-pro football team called the East Utica Vets and the Proctor High School football team.
Many famous NY Yankees have visited us over the years. Joe DiMaggio dined with us when he visited Utica for a golf tournament that we sponsored and that opened the doors to other Yankee greats who have dined with us over the years such as Bernie Williams and Brett Gardner.
Other notable sports stars who have dined at our restaurant include Oriole great Cal Ripken Jr. , NY Giant Kyle Rote and even Rocky Marciano and Carmen Paciello.
