Mister C's
Encyclopedia
Mister C's Steak House was a landmark Italian restaurant located at 5319 North 30th Street in North
Omaha
, Nebraska
. After operating for almost 55 years, the restaurant closed September 30, 2007. The mayor of Omaha and Omaha City Council
declared September 18, 2007, "Mister C and Mary Caniglia Day" in honor of the owners' service to the city through the restaurant. The North Omaha Commercial Club also honored them.
, from Carlentini, Sicily
in the early 1900s. In 1946, after working in the family Bakery for several years, Caniglia pooled his money together with his four brothers to transform the family bakery business into Caniglia's Pizzeria. In 1953 Sebastiano Caniglia left the family business to buy a drive-in in North Omaha. It was called Caniglia's Royal Boy Drive-In, but Caniglia started adding sit-down seating in the 1950s and closed the drive-in portion in 1970. In 1971 he renamed the restaurant "Mister C's", which became his nickname, too. It was always a family partnership, with his wife Mary and their children, Larry and David who all worked in the restaurant at one time.
The other Caniglia brothers went on to open several successful restaurants, as well. Ventures included a range of styles and price points, from the Palazzo Italiano at 84th and West Center, Lou Caniglia’s Steak House & Little Luigi’s Tower of Pizza at 88th and Maple, to "The Top of The World" at the Woodmen Tower
and Piccolo Pete’s Restaurant on South 20th Street. In 1988 Mister C's was cited by an industry magazine as one of the USA's leading independent restaurants within its income bracket of $6 to $7 million in annual sales.
The restaurant and its owners were widely regarded as important contributors to the local community; it was a gathering place for students and their families from Omaha North High School
, a place of weddings and parties. Mary Caniglia said that Mister C's would close in the fall of 2007, and that she and her husband would retire then.
, the restaurant was regarded highly for its Italian cuisine and ambiance. Features of the restaurant included holiday lights throughout the main dining area, a 3-D panorama featuring local notables and the Piazza di Maria an outdoor Italian themed courtyard. Many items were made available for public purchase before the building would be razed. The building and property still sit awaiting a buyer.
North Omaha, Nebraska
North Omaha is a community area in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. It is bordered by Cuming and Dodge Streets on the south, Interstate 680 on the north, North 72nd Street on the west and the Missouri River and Carter Lake, Iowa on the east, as defined by the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the Omaha...
Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
. After operating for almost 55 years, the restaurant closed September 30, 2007. The mayor of Omaha and Omaha City Council
Omaha City Council
The City Council of Omaha, Nebraska is elected every four years on a nonpartisan basis. The next election will occur in 2009. Omaha has a strong mayor form of government. Members are elected by district...
declared September 18, 2007, "Mister C and Mary Caniglia Day" in honor of the owners' service to the city through the restaurant. The North Omaha Commercial Club also honored them.
History
Sebastiano "Yano" Caniglia's family came to Little Italy, south of downtown Omaha, NebraskaOmaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
, from Carlentini, Sicily
Carlentini
Carlentini is a town and comune in the Province of Syracuse, Sicily .The city's name has its origins in the neighboring town of Lentini. In 1551, Vice-King Giovanni De Vega founded a new city in honour of Emperor Carlo V, naming it in Latin Carleontini, or Leontini of Carlo...
in the early 1900s. In 1946, after working in the family Bakery for several years, Caniglia pooled his money together with his four brothers to transform the family bakery business into Caniglia's Pizzeria. In 1953 Sebastiano Caniglia left the family business to buy a drive-in in North Omaha. It was called Caniglia's Royal Boy Drive-In, but Caniglia started adding sit-down seating in the 1950s and closed the drive-in portion in 1970. In 1971 he renamed the restaurant "Mister C's", which became his nickname, too. It was always a family partnership, with his wife Mary and their children, Larry and David who all worked in the restaurant at one time.
The other Caniglia brothers went on to open several successful restaurants, as well. Ventures included a range of styles and price points, from the Palazzo Italiano at 84th and West Center, Lou Caniglia’s Steak House & Little Luigi’s Tower of Pizza at 88th and Maple, to "The Top of The World" at the Woodmen Tower
Woodmen Tower
The Woodmen Tower is a 478-ft high-rise building at 1700 Farnam Street in downtown Omaha, Nebraska, and is the headquarters of the Woodmen of the World insurance company. Originally completed in 1969, the Woodmen rises 30 stories...
and Piccolo Pete’s Restaurant on South 20th Street. In 1988 Mister C's was cited by an industry magazine as one of the USA's leading independent restaurants within its income bracket of $6 to $7 million in annual sales.
The restaurant and its owners were widely regarded as important contributors to the local community; it was a gathering place for students and their families from Omaha North High School
Omaha North High School
Omaha North High Magnet School is a public high school located at 4410 N 36th Street in Omaha, Nebraska. The school is a science, technology, engineering and mathematics magnet school in the Omaha Public Schools district. North has won several awards, including being named a 2007 Magnet Schools of...
, a place of weddings and parties. Mary Caniglia said that Mister C's would close in the fall of 2007, and that she and her husband would retire then.
Food and environment
Described as a "required place to visit" in Omaha by the Fort Worth Star-TelegramFort Worth Star-Telegram
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram is a major U.S. daily newspaper serving Fort Worth and the western half of the North Texas area known as the Metroplex. Its area of domination is checked by its main rival, The Dallas Morning News, which is published from the eastern half of the Metroplex. It is owned...
, the restaurant was regarded highly for its Italian cuisine and ambiance. Features of the restaurant included holiday lights throughout the main dining area, a 3-D panorama featuring local notables and the Piazza di Maria an outdoor Italian themed courtyard. Many items were made available for public purchase before the building would be razed. The building and property still sit awaiting a buyer.