Lascala Restaurant Group

In 1920, on a ship named The Italia, my grandparents
traveled from Calabria, Italy to Philadelphia
with only a few pennies in their pockets.

Francesco and Tommasina Rocchino
worked incredibly hard, raised a large
family, loved their South Philadelphia
neighborhood deeply, and never
hesitated to lend a hand to fellow
immigrants especially during the war.

Over time they built two successful
businesses — Rocchino & Sons, a corner
deli & grocery store legendary for
grandmom’s fresh pastas & sandwiches
 — and a construction company through which
my grandpop built many of the
neighborhood’s row houses with
great attention to detail and quality.