From Italy to Illinois
Gennaro DeMarco (Jerry) was born in Altomonte, Italy to his parents Vincenzo (Vince) DeMarco and Gemma Iannuzzi. His father Vince worked as an olive tree farmer, producing and selling olive oil. His mother Gemma tended to growing fruits and vegetables on the family farm while also taking care of her eight children. In 1967 when Vince fell ill and could no longer work, Jerry and Gemma made the difficult decision to leave Italy in search of work opportunities in Chicago.
The early days in Illinois
From 1967 to 1969 Jerry and Gemma worked tirelessly and sent money back home to Italy to help save the farm. Unfortunately, life moved on when Vince passed away in 1971.
While Gemma returned home to deal with the loss of her husband, Jerry stayed behind where he worked at Turano Italian Bakery. In the years that followed he found his partner in life, Nancy Joyce. Jerry and Nancy were happily married in 1980.
Jerry finds success in hospitality
With his entrepreneurial spirit in 1989, Jerry partnered with two friends in the opening of Cafe Cappuccino in Berwyn, Illinois.
As time went on and success came to Jerry it became clear that he missed authentic Italian cuisine and the flavors he had grown up with.
Determined to bring back the recipes of the homeland to Chicago, alongside his wife Nancy, DeMarco’s was opened to the public in August of 1993 in Itasca, Illinois. Jerry and Nancy have served the community spectacular Italian food ever since.
Strangers become friends, friends become family...
Keeping true to Jerry’s vision, the menu at DeMarco’s has stayed rooted in family recipes that go back generations.
The quality cooking brings folks back for more. So much so that guests commonly become friends, and those friends become like family.
The walls at DeMarco’s are covered in old photos to remind folks of the good times and to memorialize the dining room with guests that have enriched our lives for decades.
Serving the community for over 30 years
Since the beginning, DeMarco’s has always served the community. From celebrities passing through, to “local celebrities” we know and love… plus all the families that have grown much bigger over time.
They all find their favorite table, favorite dish, and make new stories every time they visit.
For those that have been coming in for years, we thank you for making DeMarco’s a part of your story. For those new to town, we’ll keep a seat warm…