Every once in a while, a restaurant that is truly special shows up in town – a place that seems to be made of the very fabric of the community, and you just can’t imagine the town without it.
Lino’s is just such a place, and we sat down with Charlie Schweinler and Joe and Jim Battista to hear the beautiful story about one of Rockford’s favorite pizza restaurants.
The story begins with Joe and Jim’s father, Mike Battista, and an unlooked-for opportunity. While Mike was working in Chicago doing research and development, he suddenly found himself faced with a difficult choice: transfer to Phoenix or find a new job. At around the same time, Joe and Jim’s uncle bought Capri, a pizza restaurant in downtown Rockford.
Mike made the decision that would change his family’s life – he joined up with his brother-in-law, pouring his life’s savings into Capri. “He decided the opportunity for a better life was in Rockford,” explained Jim. One restaurant led to another, and in October of 1972, Mike bought some property and opened up Lino’s.
From the very beginning, Lino’s was a joint venture between the Battista family and the Rockford community. Carryout pizza and a few pasta dishes got them started, but the menu grew as they listened to the requests of their customers. For a time, it almost seemed as though Lino’s was a custom-order restaurant! The whole family, having grown up with the same type of cooking and taste, took a hand in developing recipes, but Jim’s mom was the genius behind revamping traditional dishes and making them something truly special. As the restaurant grew and patrons gave their feedback, the menu expanded. “This is our customer’s creation. They’ve told us what they’ve wanted and we’ve produced it,” Jim explained.
Lino’s tagline is “Come Home to Lino’s,” and it’s not just a catchy phrase. It’s what the Rockford community has branded them with. Lino’s has always been a homey, comfortable place. Even as they’ve grown (three major additions and six renovations!) they have strived to maintain small spaces and familiar faces that keep that homey feeling alive. In fact, long-term patrons and staff are considered ‘extended family.’ “We’ve accumulated 45 years of weddings and traditions and memories and celebrations. It’s very humbling to be a part of so many people’s lives,” shared Charlie.
Coming from the corporate world to working in a family-owned business, Charlie can see the benefits of the atmosphere that Lino's offers. “Everybody’s there for each other, always working together,” he explained. “I think that feeds out to our customers as well, as far as customer service and taking care of people, making them feel like they’ve come home to Lino’s.”
Familiarity is important to them, but so is innovation. Lino's has recently started hosting “Speakeasy” nights, where, as Joe explained it, patrons come in the back door and immediately get pulled downstairs for live jazz and a taste of the new appetizer menu. Their next Speakeasy night is St. Patrick’s Day. You can also hear live jazz every Tuesday and Thursday night. Keep your eyes open for their Mother’s Day meal – the only day of the year Lino's serves prime rib!
Lino's is truly a mainstay in the Rockford community, and a place to come home to. “We really appreciate how Rockford has supported us all through the years and continues to,” shared Jim. “We feel blessed by how Rockford has embraced us.”
Written by Rebecca Aupperle
Rebecca Aupperle holds a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from Millikin University. She is a piano teacher at the Studio and an active participant in Rockford’s local music scene. She can be found reading, gardening or hanging out at the Edgebrook Farmer’s Market.