In the heart of downtown Sidney, you’ll find the family-inspired Amelio’s Pizzeria
Toni Thorne can trace her family’s love of pizza back to her great-grandfather, Amelio.
The namesake of her pizza restaurant, Amelio’s, was born in Naples, Italy in July 1896. “In 1920, he immigrated to America, seeking the opportunity for a better life,” she says. “Before long, he settled in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where he found employment with the local street car system and advanced to become a manager.”
When Amelio wasn’t working, he was entertaining the community with his singing and directing the opera at The Mishler Theater in Altoona. And, like most Italians, Amelio loved to cook and eat. In fact, his favorite food was pizza, so a descendant opening a pizza restaurant would be a dream come true for the beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
“Amelio was well-known for his delicious pizza,” says Thorne. “The community would line up in the alley to get the best pizza in town.”
It was Thorne’s father, Steve, who gave her the motivation for one day opening a pizza restaurant. “My dad’s aspirations have always driven the heart of his daughters,” she says. “So, 101 years after Amelio settled in the United States, I took a leap of faith and established Amelio’s Pizzeria to honor the great Amelio Cecere.”
Located in historic downtown Sidney, the establishment specializes in homemade brick-oven pizza as well as a variety of other menu options. The pizza dough at Amelio’s is made fresh weekly by Rise Bakehouse in Bellefontaine, and the pizzas are made with house-made sauce and fresh toppings. Additionally, the menu boasts signature pastas with family recipes, oven-baked sandwiches, salads with house-made dressings and a large appetizer menu.
Thorne says she is proud of her restaurant and its team, as well as the name it’s made for itself in the northern Miami Valley. “We’re the only pizza shop that uses handmade dough and a 600-degree brick oven to ensure our pizzas are cooked to perfection,” she says. “And 90% of our menu is house made with love by our amazing team.”
Thorne says to keep an eye out on new things coming to Amelio’s, including outdoor seating as well as other plans that are too early in development to announce.
Amelio’s Italian Pizza Shop, 115 S. Ohio Ave., Sidney. Tu-Th 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-9 p.m., F-Sa 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 4-9:30 p.m., Su-M closed. 937-658-6270, ameliosdowntown.com.
