Gatto's celebrating 20-year anniversary opening first location

Gatto’s Italian Restaurant & Bar is celebrating its 20-year anniversary of opening its first location in Tinley Park.

“There’s some days where I can’t believe it’s been 20 years,” Owner Chuck Gatto said. “From the day we opened our doors and why we’re here today is because we’re still so genuinely supported by the communities.”

The Gatto’s in New Lenox opened in 2006. Gatto’s has a location in Downers Grove, which opened in 2008, and used to have one in Orland Park, but it closed this year.

Brothers Chuck and Frank have known from the beginning that what they put out into the community is what they will get back.

“It feels good to know you’ve been a part of people’s lives,” Frank said. “People will come back to town and make it a point to come here. It’s never about the money. It’s stuff like that that makes it so rewarding.”

Those in New Lenox know that if there is an event, Gatto’s name is often attached as a sponsor or the food is being supplied by the restaurant.

And even though the business has three — formerly four — locations, as owners, they wanted to make it a point to make those that enter, leave as part of the Gatto’s family.

“I’m one of the rare ones that can say I get to drive to my dream every day,” Chuck said. “This isn’t work. When I hear the phone ringing or the noises in the kitchen, that is music to my ears.”

The brothers agreed that year 20 has been as difficult as year one because of the pandemic. They wanted to have a big party and open the doors for everyone to come in and see people they have not in years, even if it’s just for the night.

The coming year “is going to be a heck of a party,” Chuck said with a laugh. “It still doesn’t take away the pride and joy.”

Part of what makes the Gatto brothers want to be so ingrained in the community is looking back on their own childhoods.

“You get to a point where all the things you received as a kid from local businesses and you want to give back the way people gave to you growing up,” Frank said. “You do remember those business owners and the people that treated you well. When you get to a point where you can do that for others, that is the thing that makes it enjoyable.”

However, the south suburbs were almost overlooked 20 years ago. Chuck wanted to get out here, Frank was a little weary. There was not a lot of growth — it showed some potential — but it was a cornfield mostly.

“Thank god he didn’t listen to me,” Frank said, who soon realized that it was the perfect spot. “This is a place you want to live.”

And while some customers will joke and say “I haven’t see you in a while,” it’s simply because they were checking in on the other communities.

“We got so much support early on and if it weren’t for those families, we wouldn’t have made it five years,” Frank said.

“We wouldn’t have made it five months,” Chuck added.