SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — “Sharing Stories of the Crossroads” is an Ozarks-based history-themed radio show on KICK 92.3 FM & 1340 AM.
This week host John Sellars spoke with Jay Parrino of Queen City Deli.
Last week’s Springfield restaurant health code violations, January 15-19
In St. Louis’ Italian section of the city, The Hill, Parrino first began in the food industry when he was only 13. He said he was too young for payroll so he would wait on cab drivers getting $0.25 a head.
“We would make about five or six bucks. Pretty good,” said Parrino.
Parrino worked his way through the business working as a busboy, waiter, and eventually a cook for Ruggeri’s, an Italian steakhouse.
After visiting Springfield in the early 80s, Parrino and his business partner Bob Ikemeier saw a need for more ethnic variety in restaurants besides Asian in the city. In 1983, J. Parrino’s Pasta House & Bar opened in The Galleria at 1550 E. Battlefield bringing dishes to the area that were unique at the time, like fettuccine alfredo and toasted ravioli.