It's always been all in the family at Casale's Halfway Club. Opening in 1937, the popular Italian joint is confirmed by both the Nevada Restaurant Association and Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval as the longest standing, continually family-owned restaurant in Nevada.
Here's a look at some of the truly incredible history behind Reno's oldest restaurant—possibly the longest operating restaurant in the state.
This is "Mama" Inez Casale Stempeck.
According to Reno Historical, Mama Inez was born in 1927 to emigre parents from Italy. That makes her about 10 years old when her mom and dad, John and Elvira Casale, opened a fruit stand at their house in 1937, halfway between Sparks and Reno.
As time passed by, the business evolved from a roadside fruit stand into Casale’s Halfway Club.
The house was slowly transformed.
Seating and a bar were eventually added.
So were additional menu items like ravioli, spaghetti and pizza.
By the mid-1940s Casale's Halfway Club was a full-fledged restaurant.
As the restaurant grew, it remained a family affair.
In 1946, Mama Inez married Casimir "Steamboat" Stempeck. He and Mama Inez' brother, Jerry, also joined in on the family business.
In 2013, Mama Inez received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the governor.
She was recognized as the Continuous Family Proprietor of Casale's Halfway Club. The restaurant was recognized as the oldest continuously family-owned and operated restaurant in Reno, and most likely all of Nevada.
Today the family continues to run the restaurant.
Mama Inez continues to work in the kitchen with her children and even some of her grandchildren (pictured above). That makes four generations of Casales and Stempecks who have dedicated their lives to Casale's Halfway Club.
If you eat at the restaurant they'll treat you like family too.
Casale's Halfway Club, the oldest restaurant in Reno, is located at 2501 E. 4th Street.
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