Long before The Back Porch Restaurant became one of the region’s most beloved dining traditions, it was simply an abandoned old house—weathered, forgotten, and waiting for a second life. Where most saw decay, Joe and Sally Pappalardo saw possibility. Guided by Joe’s entrepreneurial spirit and a love for New England–style historic preservation, they spent three years restoring the home, transforming it board by board into a warm, welcoming restaurant that felt like stepping into another era.
When The Back Porch opened its doors in 1975 inBelle Vernon, the Pappalardos didn’t just launch a restaurant—they built a legacy. Today, 50 years later, that legacy continues strong under the stewardship of the second-generation Pappalardo family, who remain deeply committed to preserving everything that makes this place special.
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