Owning a restaurant was our dream for over 20 years and, 5 years ago, that dream came true. We poured all of our savings and retirement money into this dream. We found a beautiful building that was a former functioning restaurant. It had some equipment and everything! The only problems were some leaks in the roof and the need for some major elbow grease!

Unfortunately, instead of repairing the roof, we had to replace the entire thing. The bank didn't winterize so all the pipes exploded after the sale. Then we found out the hood & duct system was not to code, same with the fire suppression system, then the condenser unit in the walk-in cooler, but what really broke us was replacing the entire septic system...at $60K. 

The restaurant has been an amazing success, and if not for our debt we would be able to tell you that we will be here with you forever. but we chose this building and started out behind and have just been unable to outrun the effect of that choice.

Imagine homemade, rustic Italian cuisine served in a warm, inviting setting. Comfort food, Italian music, inviting decor and superior service are the hallmarks of Italia Ristorante Italiano. One of our proudest accomplishments has been providing over 20 jobs in an economically depressed area within the Lac Court Orielles Indian Reservation. Our staff is committed to our success and consistently go above and beyond in order to help us reach our goals.

We pride ourselves on serving authenic Italian cuisine and use only the finest and freshest ingredients. Our entree menu includes Pollo Piccata, Spaghetti Bolognese, Penne Arrabiatta, Linguine Carbonara, Pollo Marsala all made to order. Our lasagna has become so popular that the food editor of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal told us that it was one of the most requested recipes on their on-line food page. Our pizzas are made Napolitani style - thin crust with authentic toppings. Our homemade desserts include tiramisu, panna cotta and drunken chocolate cake.

In the late fall of 2013, while working for the Navy in Naples, Italy, we purchased this restaurant as a foreclosed property. We put all of our savings and retirement funds into preparing the building for opening. Some of the projects were expected, (converting a walk-in freezer to a walk-in cooler, repairs to the roof, new equipment), but many of the projects turned out to be a surprise. Since the purchase we had to replace the well pump after the plumbing was improperly winterized, replace the whole roof over the restaurant, replace two furnaces, replace the hood & duct and ansul system, replace the flooring in the kitchen and bar, replace carpeting in the bar area and, most expensively, replace the septic system. Much of the electrical wiring needed to be removed or replaced as did the plumbing. The main restaurant needed to be insulated (it was originally built in 1929).

Since opening on Veteran's Day, 2014, we have received 65 5-Star reviews on Tripadvisor. We have 64 5-Star reviews and over 2,050 likes on Facebook. 

https://www.facebook.com/italia.hayward/

We won "Best International Pizza in Sawyer County" and, most recently we won the coveted "Best New Business of 2015" award presented by the Hayward Area Chamber of Commerce.

We use the freshest and finest ingredients, many imported from Italy, to create authentic Italian cuisine. We are the only Italian restaurant in a 2 hour radius. We make our products from scratch and use local sources for many of the items on our menu. We purchase our 18 year old balsamic vinegar, our steaks, fresh fish and coffee from local businesses. 

Our tables are named after cities in Italy and each table features a guidebook for that city and a pitcher purchased in that city.