Melo’s has its roots in a remote village in the lush hills of the province of Calabria in the south of Italy. There, two brothers, Carmelo and Gaetano Piccolo, were raised on simple, rustic meals prepared with the best regional ingredients such as pure olive oil, wild oregano, handmade pasta and hearty bread. The brothers absorbed the love of simple, flavorful food and the passion for cooking for which the people of southern Italy are known worldwide.
The memory of the local flavors and traditions traveled with Carmelo and Gaetano as the family re-settled in America. In 1956, the brothers opened the Napoli Pizzeria in Vallejo, California -- a thriving and popular place for decades! Their success continued when a new venture took them to Pleasant Hill, California. Melo’s original store opened in 1971. Ten years later, with Carmelo now retired, Gaetano expanded the modest pizzeria, modernizing the design and adding over 30 regional pastas, gourmet salads, and savory Italian sandwiches.
Family has always been central to Melo’s, and with a new generation, the Melo’s family has expanded to new locations! Brentwood, Livermore and Danville are the latest additions.
Popular opinion has it that Melo’s has set the standard for New York style pizza and Italian regional pasta in the greater East Bay area for over 45 years. Today, Melo’s consistently strives to offer a menu that is fresh, healthy, and updated in a setting that is appropriate for families, romantic dates, and business occasions. Over the decades, Melo’s has stayed true to its roots by staying Passionately Italian!
