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Don Boyd | all galleries >> Memories of Old Hialeah, Old Miami and Old South Florida Photo Galleries - largest non-Facebook collection on the internet >> Miami Area RESTAURANTS, Drive-Ins, Bars, Lounges, Liquor Stores, Clubs, Strip Joints, etc. Gallery - All Years - click to view >> Picciolo Italian Restaurant - click on image to view the gallery > 1960's and 70's - Picciolo Italian Restaurant on Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
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1960's - 1970's Courtesy of Robert Bowman

1960's and 70's - Picciolo Italian Restaurant on Collins Avenue, Miami Beach

136 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida


Thank you to Robert Bowman for contributing this great old image. Robert says "the local kids knew that there were always free garlic rolls and bread sticks (just out of the oven) to be had by the back door. The family had a long history on South Beach."


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George Van 28-Sep-2024 17:07
George Van Gezzzee I remember going there on family vacation from NJ, It was the best, first class service and the food delizioso. If only the resturants of today could take a lesson from the past it would be instant Amore.....
Guest 30-Sep-2021 03:23
My father, Rinaldo Lamonti was the Chef at piccolo’s.
PoppySummers02-Sep-2021 00:36
60's - i like it
John Novak 02-Jun-2021 01:32
Mrs picciolo why didn’t any family members takeover the restaurant after your aunt and uncle retired didn’t they have any kids
John Novak 02-Jun-2021 01:21
Correction Samuel picciolo dies in 1988 at age 88
Wife confined to wheelchair after stroke did they have any chrildren
Joseph r godleski 02-Jun-2021 01:01
My parents. Joseph w godleski and Barbara godleski.
In July of 1964 went to Miami Beach Florida on their honeymoon
they ate at Piccolo restaurant and said it was the best restaurant
It is too bad they didn’t have children to keep the business going
I was on colins ave in 1986 the building was shuttered and a sign
Saying either it was good will or the Salvation Army store was coming
To that location I just saw on the internet it has become a nightclub
In 2017 it is ashame it went out of business I also saw the husband John
Piccolo died in 2007 or 2008 at the age of 88 does anyone know if his widow
Is still alive or has she died also in the last 12 years
Sam 17-Feb-2021 21:33
Sam Jacks I used to take dates there when i was in High School, you could always order a bottle of wine even though I was only 17-18 years old at the time. They were really cool about it. I remember their menu stating the proper pronunciation of the name was "Peach-o-lo" nit Pickolo. very fond memories from those years!
neil m. lasky 12-Jun-2020 03:39
I lived at 3rd and Meridian in the early 50'. I went to Washington park for organized sports. Sonny Heham was the coach.Every afternoon at the park, Piccolo's backed up to the south fence. The shefs would hand out garlic sticks. what memories
Leighton 04-Apr-2020 01:20
Newer building now - it has to be. "Story Nightclub" in 2020.
Guest 16-Jan-2020 20:43
So funny. I grew up on Miami Beach. Well, flash forward a number of decades and I had a dream last night I was in a food store on the Lower East Side (NYC) and I said to the owner, "Remember PIcciolos." He said, "Remember it? I lived it." This makes no sense, but I had to look this up. Garlic rolls--that's what rings a bell. But I don't recall it being so far down on Collins. Maybe it moved up some blocks nearer the library later?" I could believe we kids went there for lunch while doing "research" in the library.
guest 23-Nov-2018 02:05
Ahh Picciolo"s Restaurant, incredible. I went there the first time with my father and another attorney (from central Florida and attending a school board attorney's convention). We had been to watch big screen of the Muhammed Ali-Ken Norton fight in 1973. I was so wowed by the place, the mystique, and the food, that I returned with my new bride on our honeymoon in 1976. Wow I miss it. Addio cielo.
Guest 02-Oct-2018 18:15
I was friends with Dennis and Vince. My father talked Mr. Picciolo into opening a second operation north of Sunny Isles Blvd (163rd Street) across from the Sun City Motel, which my father had an interest in. Dennis and I played together in the 3rd grade and rode the school bus. Vince opened a restaurant in the Keys after Mr. Piccolo died and Dennis took over the South Beach operation.
Ron 05-Sep-2018 14:40
My grandmother took me and my brother, sister and mother there for dinner in the mid 60's. She asked what I wanted for dinner, and I said lobster. She shocked me when she said yes. I picked the lobster out of the tank, and had one of my best dinners. I think I was only ten or twelve years old.
Joe 15-Jun-2018 01:05
My parents Dennis and Maryrose met there. My mom’s sister was Dolores who was married to Dennis.
Richard Bykowski 19-Jan-2018 23:28
Wow, I was a bus boy there around 1968. I moved to south beach from L.I. New York. Really enjoyed working there but I did not see a future in south beach then. Who knew what would happen after Miami Vice started filming there! Great memories and if anybody worked there at that time leave a message!!!
Piccolo 02-Dec-2017 01:50
I went to school with Vincent Piccolo, St. Patrick School Miami Beach. Our 8th grade graduation lunch was at Piccolo’s restaurant.
Randy 10-Aug-2017 19:42
The whole neighborhood smelled like breadsticks and garlic. That's how we all knew that soon they would be unloading the ovens. Butch, Joel, and I, would hustle down to the back door and take off our shirts so that we could catch the hot rolls and breadsticks that the crew would toss at us as they unloaded the ovens. Then it was over to the pier to eat.
Elizabeth Beasley 30-Jun-2017 00:01
elbe112560@gmail.com
Elizabeth Beasley 30-Jun-2017 00:00
Here is my email if any one wants a pic of the menu.
Guest 29-Jun-2017 23:59
I found a menu from maybe the fifties in my late uncle's family treasures.
Don Boyd23-May-2017 23:36
Joseph, if you could scan the menu of the family and the prices on the menu I would appreciate it. Please send the scans to: OldMiamiMemories@gmail.com . I will give you credit on the photo, under the photo and in the comments under each photo. I know you directed your comments to one of the Piccolo family members but at least let me display the menu on my site for the enjoyment of many others. Thank you.

Don
.
Bruce Rubenstein 01-May-2017 21:53
I went there as a boy as I lived just a few blocks from there..... all us young kids would line up for free breadsticks after school at miami beach elementary school,which they would give us....I remember Sam and Denny....I just loved that place as a boy
Guest 21-Mar-2017 02:42
I grew up on south beach. .was friends with Dennis Piccolo. We played at south shore park then we would run over to the back door of the restaurant for the garlic rolls and bread sticks. Those were the days on south beach. Artie Jacobs
Guest 26-Oct-2016 17:36
My family & I ate here many times & we loved it!
Guest 12-Sep-2016 20:09
While going through some items from my deceased parents, I found a postcard from their honeymoon which was June 8,1952. Printed on the back it reads "Under Soft Skies, Where the Trade-winds Rustle the Swaying Palms. Our Patio Offers a Delightful Change from Ordinary Dining" Angie and Fred, Your Hosts. I'm sure they loved the restaurant and the food.
bart herndon 23-Aug-2016 04:55
picciolos was an institution, you had the dog track, joes, the playhouse, teds hideaway, the turf pub, , the beach, ginos pizza, fun times, never to be duplicated, the 70s were fun
bart herndon 23-Aug-2016 04:49
I started as a valet parking cars for smiggy, delores' brother., 1975 or so, I was good friends with vince jr, he was a couple years younger. big vince & denny ran the place, grooming jr. to take ottjemver. sam & dorothy lived in their house across the back alley. they were always super nice. denny asked if I would help out ib the kitchen, sure, worked the salad.dept, make cannolis, broke stone crabs, made appetizers, shucked oysters, hard fast work, moved upop to maitre de, vince & denny couldnt get along, so they sold it to some argentinians, who were nasty & ran it into the ground, terrible end
Rose 24-Jun-2016 07:27
Great memories with my parents in the mid and late 60s. Loved the outdoor dining area with the colored lights. My favorite restaurant.
Lisa 21-Apr-2016 15:58
I was 20 and got bombed on gin and tonic.......over heated....drinks went to my head.....had a great time and a great dinner. That was 1978. Picciolo's was the top rated restaurant in Miami Beach back then! I got up to go to the LR to cool off and my table thought I was ducking out on the check!! Just a little buzzed from the drinks!! Good times back then!!
Guest 31-Mar-2016 10:04
Memorable vacation train trip from N. J. to Miami Beach in January 1956 with my Dad. Arrived at the Miami train station in full winter coats ! I immediately fell in love with the warmth, palm trees, boating,ocean,etc. We stayed at a hotel on Ocean Ave around 5th street. I still remember the terrific dinner at Picciolas in the outdoor terrace. I was a skinny kid but I gained five pounds the week I was in Miami Beach. Now live in Palm Harbor Florida. email: gsacco@tampabay.rr.com Mar 31,2016
broadway max 1-12-2016 12-Jan-2016 05:25
iwas seven years old went to s.beach.elementry on alton rd.mymom was a waitress at restaurant alperts rest famous for matzo ball soup we lived at 202 oceandrive the mari-vist apartments 2nd floor
facing the ocean j came home from school my mom said your dad across at the ocean sitting on the
corral wall i was seven years old the year was 1945 he left when i was two.she took me 2 piccollos many times it was onlyaround the corner had my first shrimp cocktail there that was 70 years ago orig.from bklyn n.y.now retired in ft.lauderdale
Jan piccolo 09-Jan-2016 23:33
I am Jan piccolo and it was my Aunt Dot and Uncle Sam who owned the restaurant. My parents had their wedding reception there. When we visited my Grandparents, we never left hungry. It was my Uncle Sam who taught us how to eat pasta with a spoon. I am planning on a trip with members of my family to Miami next year and one of our stops will be to see the restaurant.
Richard 25-Nov-2015 19:20
Wow. Somebody asked about the Shoreham-Norman Hotel. Amazing memory for me.

I was 23 years old, left U of Oregon in mid-December, 1970, got to Miami Beach maybe Jan 3, 1971. No money, no job. At 5th & Ocean, on the ocean side, was the rundown, boarded-up Shoreham-Norman Hotel. I found a way in, stayed there for 3 or 4 nights, with a few other derelicts. Got a job, got a real place to live. But I've never forgotten those first few nights at the Shoreham-Norman.
Guest 19-Oct-2015 20:32
I remember you could upgrade to a 7 course meal for an extra one dollar.
Tony Z 26-Apr-2015 19:13
Its been 58 years ago since we ate at Picciolos, it was our favorite place, the bread sticks were to die for. Our vacations in Miami were the greatest times in my Young life. Every year would be off to Miami for school vacation, looked forward to the warm weather being from Boston.
Guest 05-Dec-2014 04:12
I was one of those kids at the back door, for the most fabulous bread sticks ever. Wore a leopard bathing suit and a Davy Crockett hat!! Will never forget it, nicest people and great bread. Thanks, for a great memory.
Jeff Friend 09-Jun-2014 01:08
Ate there many times growing up on Miami Beach in the 50's/60's.Lived at 1235 Pennsylvania Ave. at the time. Sonny Boncevelos family (friend from school)owned it at that time.
michael zoovas 03-Jan-2014 17:31
MY COUSIN MARCELLA MARRIED VINCENT PICCIOLO AND I WORKED THERE BEFORE I WENT INTO THE ARMY IN 1963. MAURO WAS THE SALAD MAN, LOUIE WAS THE CHEF, REESE WAS THE BAKER AND OL MAN PICCIOLO WAS RUNNING IT ALL WITH HIS SON VINCE. ACTUALLY, AS I THINK BACK IT WAS DOROTHY WHO WAS THE HEAD HONCHO. SOME OF THE WAITERS THERE WERE PAT WHO LIMPED AND AL WHO WE CALLED "CANOLI # 1" BECAUSE HE WAS ALWAYS PUSHING CANOLI'S.
WILLIE WAS ALSO A POT WASHER WHO EVENTUALLY BECAME KNOWN AS "CHAMP".........THERE WAS ALSO A CHEF BRUNO AND GEORGE THE PASTA MAN.
I STARTED AS A KITCHEN BOY WHO PEELED SHRIMP AND CLEANED GARLIC AND AND MADE IT TO POT WASHER AND EVENTUALLY WORKED IN THE SALAD SECTION AND BAKERY AND DID WE EVER PUT OUT THE GREATEST FOOD ON MIAMI BEACH.
AFTER THEY SOLD VINCE AND MARCELLA MOVED TO THE KEYS AND RAN "SNAPPERS RESTAURANT" IN KEY LARGO AND EVENTUALLY MOVED TO PALM BEACH COUNTY..............VINCE DIED TWO YEARS AGO AND THE ONLY PICCIOLO'S LEFT ARE HIS THREE CHILDREN AND MY COUSIN MARCELLA.
WHAT GREAT MEMORIES.............IF ANYONE KNEW ME OR WORKED THERE FROM 1960-1963 I WOULD ENJOY CHATTING WITH YOU.MY E-MAIL zgumshoe@verizon.net
Mike Zoovas
Guest 11-Dec-2013 21:29
I remember going there for lunch with my mom in 1974 and eating the best anchovie pizza ever!
Guest 22-Nov-2013 17:01
I was at piccolo's in the early 60's. I remember the outdoor dining and the delicious breadsticks.
We used to stay at a hotel called the Shoreham Norman. Does anyone know where that was on south beach?
stewart schlau 19-Jan-2011 11:23
I remember my mother taking me there in the 40's for great pizza which I can still taste. The waiters were always amazed at how much I could eat as a 5 year old. I have a souvenir menu from the 60's when my folks went there while on vacation. Imagine a full 7 course meal appetizer, soup,side dish salad, entree, dessert and coffee for nest to nothing. Live 1 1/2 lb lobster dinner for $7.95. That won't even buy dessert in most places.
Jo 26-Dec-2010 23:56

My grandparents stayed in an apt nearby for the season and we would come to visit with them- number one memory was going over to stand and watch the lobsters in the tank- the guys by the door were really nice to us three kids and let us stay until the crowds came. I don't remember why we were so facinated by the lobsters but it was boring sitting around listening to the older people talk -so we'd always make are way over there. Its a great memory -one I always tell my kids about. It was a very popular place and alot of celeberties found there way there.
Guest 15-Jan-2010 16:47
Well now I'm pretty teary! There was not a week of my childhood that we didn't eat in the amazing out door dining room. It was and will always be my favorite restaurant ever!
Peggy Green
JIM BEATA 03-Jan-2010 06:38
IN 1977/78 IWORKED NEAR THE END OF THE ERA WHAT A RESTURANT THE OLD MAN WAS STILL ALIVE BUT THE TWO BRO AND DELORES RAN IT ONOFRIO MADE THE BEST BREAD EVER GEORGE WAS THE PASTA MAN I WAS THE PREP /RUNNER CHAMP WAS THE MANAGER WHAT A FEAST LEG OF LAMB FOR MRS P ON EASTER HAD A BREAD CRUMB CALLED SICILIANO THAT I WOULD MAKE DAILY USING ONLY THE WHITE PORTION OF THE BREAD I STILL HAVE MY APRON FROM THOSE DAYS MORRIS SALADS AND DESERTS THE OLD BUTCHER I LIVED AT THE SEACREST APTS 121 OCEAN DRIVE STILL THERE THE WAITERS WHERE LEGENDARY DOG TRACK WAS OPEN AS WAS THE PLAYHOUSE IWAS 19 YEARS OLD WHAT FOND MEMORIES LA DOLCE VITA I STOOD AS BEST MAQN AT A WEDDDING IN THE GARDENROOM WITH CHAMPAGNE FOUNTAIN
Albert Ayala 10-Oct-2009 18:35
Wow ... I remember skipping Ida Fisher with my buddies and going to Picciolo for fresh bread sticks in the mid 70s. Very fond memories that I had lost, thank you!
dave d 19-Aug-2009 03:46
my mother and father lived a few blocks from there in the late 30's and 40's , i think they said it was open back then
Kathy Hughes 18-Aug-2009 04:38
My husband and I ate there twice while on our honeymoon in Miami 35 years ago in 1974. We have never forgotten the wonderful bread.
Philip Bezzone 21-Jul-2009 19:56
we would go every night for dinner year after year on vacation
Mrs Piccolo put Veal Parm on the childrens Menu for me we thought of them all as a second family and our fave waiter was Pat
Mike Hannau 16-Feb-2009 05:20
Had first Pizza there in the early 50's with brother George. Post card shown was produced by my dad, Hans Hannau.
Was great food, great family (the Picciolo's). St Pat's families and kids were regulars. There was also another great Italian restaurant, Sorrento's, owned by the Amanzio family. They were another St Pat's family. It was frequented by opera and theatrical people, as well as U of M students. Was out SW 8th St and 32Av.
Martha Pierson 23-Aug-2008 22:50
Club Ophium is located on this site now. The address was 136 Collins Av.