2161 S. Oneida Street, Green Bay, Wisconsin 54304
Phone: 920-499-6644 Open 7 Days a Week
Sammy's Pizza & Restaurant
It's a Family Tradition…Like many members of our family, our great uncle, Sam Perella, was a miner on the iron ranges of Northern Minnesota. As iron production declined in the early 1950s, Sam and many others were laid off from their jobs at the mine. It was during this time that our industrious uncle and his wife, our great aunt Louise Perella, turned their talent for cooking into a source of revenue for the family. They spent many hours in the kitchen perfecting family recipes, and in 1953, the first Sammy’s Pizza & Restaurant opened its doors in Keewatin, MN. Space quickly ran out in the tiny store and in 1954 it was moved to the larger town of Hibbing, MN, where it remains today.
Similarly, our grandfather, George Clemo, was also a miner on the iron ranges of Upper Michigan. With the dismal future of the iron industry becoming apparent, George and his wife, Flora Clemo, (Louise’s sister), began considering a career change. In 1958, after many visits with Sam and Louise, the decision was made to enter the pizza business. Due to the uncertain economic future of the area, it was also decided the larger city of Green Bay would be a better place to open a business.
On December 8,1958, Sammy’s Pizza & Restaurant opened its doors at 228 E. Walnut Street. George and Flora successfully ran the small shop with the help of our parents, Alfred and Bernadine Crispigna, for ten years until their retirement.
In 1968, our parents bought the restaurant and continued the downtown business. On October 30,1981, Al and Bernie opened a second location at 2161 S. Oneida Street, the home of Sammy’s Pizza & Restaurant today. Because this location was more spacious, our parents felt able to offer a larger menu selection than just pizza. They used recipes from home for sauces, soups, pastas, meatballs and sausage, and added them to the menu. These are the same recipes we use today.
In 1982, the original store on Walnut Street was torn down for the Walnut Street Bridge Project. But little else has changed. We proudly prepare our recipes on site, using the freshest ingredients, according to our family tradition. After the passing of our beloved father, Alfred R. Crispigna, our mother Bernie and we, the children, Steve, Audrey, Lori, Paul and brother-in-law Jesse, continue the Sammy’s tradition.
We hope you enjoy dining at our table and thank you for continuing the tradition.
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