October 1970
Benvenuto!
Mario’s Italian Delicatessen got it’s humble beginnings in La Habra, California in 1970 when John Lascari, called “Mario”, decided to start out on his own and purchased a small Italian deli with his wife Gail. The two were highschool sweethearts, and ran an Italian market together.
October 1973
Celebrating 3 Years
Mario’s Italian Delicatessen quickly became a neighborhood favorite! The La Habra Daily News published an article commemorating the Third Anniversary.
May 1975
Mario’s Original Deli
Mario and his wife Gail standing in front of the original deli location.
October 1987
The FIRST Lascari’s Restaurant Opens
Quickly Mario’s customer’s had come to love the quality and taste of his Sicilian style cooking. John then decided to open up a new location in Whittier in 1983, and word got out!
November 1995
A Family Affair
As time passed and the business grew, John and Gail were joined by their oldest children, which freed them up for the day-to-day running of the restaurant. Since then, Lascari’s has completely remodeled the main location in Whittier, and has opened additional locations.
April 2010
100,000 VISITS
From the beginning, Mario’s and now Lascari’s, has seen changes and continued growth, but there are two things that will forever remain the same: our treasured family recipes—including our famous lasagna and linguini with clams—and the joy and pride we take in sharing them with our guests.
We invite you to come in and enjoy a meal with us so we can continue to serve you for the next 50 years.
Pictured is one of the many menu designs we’ve had through the years. Circa 2010.
August 2023
Italian Redefined
As John and Gail Lascari took that leap of faith in 1970, today, the Lascari family proudly presents 19seventy, a rebranded modern Italian cuisine restaurant that blends the cherished family recipes with a contemporary twist, inviting patrons to savor a culinary journey honoring tradition while embracing the future. A world where every bite tells a story, and every meal is a celebration of over 50 years of tradition.