Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
An iconic Italian restaurant that attracted a faithful following over nearly four decades is no more.
Ristorante Agostino owners Agostino Fiasche and his wife, Anna Longobardi Fiasche, announced the “bittersweet ending” of their “second home away from home” with a Facebook post on Aug. 1, marking the closure of their restaurant at 2817 N. Harlem Ave. in Chicago.
“When we migrated from Italy to start a new life in America, little did we know we would own a successful restaurant together with our family, cook for thousands of people, and meet so many wonderful clientele and staff we would call friends,” their post said.
The couple’s son, Anthony Fiasche, told Eater Chicago that his father thought of selling or retiring even before a yearlong closure following a kitchen fire in June 2021. “It was hard for them because they love the place so much, but I feel like it was the right way to do it because they went out on top. No one could ever say they had a bad meal there.”
Ristorante Agostino “ruled Harlem Avenue,” said Jim Graziano, whose family owns J.P. Graziano Grocery Co.
“I’m happy for Agostino. Selfishly, it bothers me, but I’m ecstatic for him,” Graziano told Eater Chicago. “He fought through the pandemic and came back from a massive fire, and now goes out on his terms.”
