About Us
A Family Tradition, Rekindled
Salvatore’s Italian Restaurant began in Northport, New York — and it’s always been part of my DNA. My parents opened the original Salvatore’s when I was just a kid. We lived above the restaurant for the first couple of years until business took off, and we moved the family to Crab Meadow Beach nearby. That Restaurant quickly became a beloved local spot — the kind of place where everyone knew your name and every pizza and dinner was made with care.
When my father passed away unexpectedly, I was just 19 years old. I stepped up to run the family restaurant, and I did it proudly for over 15 years. During that time, I also launched several other successful businesses: a limousine service, an antique moving company, and even a full recording studio we built in our basement. Every venture I took on was grounded in what I learned from that restaurant — hard work, treating people right, and doing things the old-school way.
Now, years later, life has brought me to Shawnee, Oklahoma, and a new chapter is about to begin. With the support of local investors and the encouragement of friends, I’ve decided to bring Salvatore’s back to life — with the same heart, tradition, and food that made it special the first time around.
I’m now joined by Jonas Sikes, a dedicated local who’s come on as a partner. Jonas is not just a hard worker — he’s a true people person, someone who brings warmth, charisma, and heart into every shift. I’m also excited to welcome my cousin from Denver, who’s coming back to help launch this new location. He actually started out working for my dad when we were kids — I remember watching him work the line when I was just 10 years old. He went on to build a fleet of successful restaurants in Denver and brings a lifetime of experience to our team.
Why Salvatore’s?
🍕 Real New York–style pizza made the way my dad taught me
👨👩👧👦 A family atmosphere, from the kitchen to your table
🔥 A fresh team with decades of experience
💬 Community-driven, with people who care behind the counter
Come taste the legacy. Come be part of the next chapter.
We’re proud to bring Salvatore’s to Shawnee — and we look forward to serving you like family.
Salvatore Minetta
Founder & Owner
🎭 About Our Mascot
The charming character you see in our logo is inspired by classic Italian street performers from the tradition of Commedia dell’Arte — a centuries-old form of Italian theater.
Dressed in a whimsical Harlequin-style costume and strumming a mandolin, a beloved Italian folk instrument, our mascot captures the lively spirit and cultural roots of old-world Italy.
Paired with our red and green accents and a proud nod to New York heritage and tradition since 1955, the mascot symbolizes the heart, music, and flavor behind every pizza we make.
Our Legacy in Photos:
From Northport to Shawnee — a family, a tradition, and a dream that never stopped cooking.
