Pinocchio’s Celebrates 70th Anniversary of Pizza & Hometown Pride

For any restaurant to celebrate 20 years, or even 10 years, in the business is a huge milestone. But 70 years for a restaurant is practically unheard of. But that’s exactly what Pinocchio’s Restaurant in Media, home of pizza, craft beer, and family-friendly service, is doing this year. 

 

Pinocchio’s story begins in 1955; after 10 years in business slinging pizza and tacos, it was purchased by Tom Volikas in 1965. He’d formerly run a Greek diner in nearby Springfield. When he took over, he taught himself to make pizza, but axed tacos from the menu. 

 

“No one had heard of tacos at the time, and there weren’t a lot of pizza shops back then,” remembers Athena Volikas, now a third-generation operator of this family business. “My dad Ted expanded it in the 1970s, and merged two buildings together in the 80s.”

 

While the menu sometimes changed, pizza was always the main attraction. Generations of Delco residents, from Media and beyond, have tucked into its comfy booths, booked the private room for birthday parties and other celebrations, and later, dined al fresco in its beer garden.  

Ted brought his kids Athena and Tim into the fold; they’re now each hitting their respective 20- and 30-year milestones with the business. At times, both thought they might pursue other careers, but eventually found their way back to the family business. Currently, Tim runs the front of the house, and Athena manages the office behind the scenes.  

 

 

Tim was the driving force behind turning Pinocchio’s into a craft beer destination. In the early 2010s, when the craft beer boom was exploding in Philadelphia, he realized there was a great market for it in Media.

Ted and Athena, less familiar with the craft beer and its growing popularity, took a little convincing. 

“Tim had to drive me and my dad downtown to show us what craft beer was,” Athena says.

But once they realized the potential of this here-to-stay culinary trend, they were fully on board with the plan.

“We were one of the first on the scene out here,” Tim says. “I tried all different kinds of beers, and brought that same experience to our customers with our popular mix-your-own six-pack selection.” 

 

Quickly, Pinocchio’s became known as the place to go for obscure pours, like Russian River’s Pliny the Elder double IPA, local favorites, like Victory Pale Ale, and seasonal releases, like Tröegs Nugget Nectar.

 

During Covid, the Volikas pivoted again. Ted turned over the reins to his kids and stepped away from daily operations and into retirement. Trying to maximize all their available space, Tim and Athena decided to erect a huge tent outside of the restaurant to create an outdoor dining room.

 

“We were trying to utilize every inch of the building, with the beer garden, the tent and a food truck that pours beer,” Tim says. “People still love the tent, especially families with little kids.”

Thoughtful touches, like a great kids menu and dough balls for little ones to play with, has made Pinocchio’s an especially popular spot for families. And even as Media has turned into a bustling dining destination, the Pinocchio’s regulars have stayed loyal.

“Sometimes, we’re serving the fourth or fifth generations of families that have been coming to us since the beginning,” says Tim. “Or, people who’ve moved away come back to see us during the holidays—they always know they can count on us.”

“We’re very fortunate that, because of the hard work of our grandfather and our dad, the business is a neighborhood staple, known for really good food and service,” Athena echoes. “We also have an incredible team that makes this place work, and we are so grateful—a lot of them have been with us for a long time, we couldn’t do it without them.”

 

Pinocchio’s celebrated its 70th anniversary in style earlier this spring, with a big week-long party, with kids games, giveaways and menu specials, where some items were rolled back to 1955 prices. 

 

 

While Tim and Athena keep focused on the day-to-day, all the hard work that’s gone into the last seven decades is never far from their minds. The back party room is filled with old photos, menus, ads, newspaper articles and memorabilia from Pinocchio’s seven-decade history. And while enthusiastic customers sometimes urge them to consider opening additional locations, the Volikas are content to keep their roots planted in their hometown of Media. 

“I always just remember what my grandfather would say: ‘Be happy with what you’ve got,’ Tim says.

Pinocchio’s Restaurant is located at 131 E. Baltimore Ave., in Media, PA; phone: (610) 566-7767.

 

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– Emily Kovach

 

Featured photo: Ted Volikas in the pizza room at Pinocchio’s in the 1970s. All photos courtesy of Pinocchio’s.