Along U.S. Highway 395 in the small Owens Valley town of Big Pine stands a bright red building locals instantly recognize — Rossi’s Place. For generations, the Rossi family has operated restaurants, markets, and gathering spots that became part of the social heart of this Eastern Sierra community.
I first encountered the Rossi name in 2007, when I lived in Big Pine. At the time, Rossi’s Steak & Spaghetti stood out immediately. The restaurant had a distinctive small-town Italian ambience — warm, rustic, and unmistakably old-school. It felt like stepping into a piece of local history.
I remember being intrigued by it and wondering:
Who were the Rossi family?
How long had they been here?
Was this an old Italian family business?
Unfortunately, I moved away before I had the chance to dig deeper into its story.
During that same time, I also shopped regularly at Carroll’s Market, another local institution tied to the Rossi history. Like many small-town markets across California with Italian roots, it blended grocery, community, and conversation — the kind of place where locals ran into each other and news traveled quickly.
Only later did I realize that these businesses were all part of a larger Italian-American story in Big Pine.
Looking south on Main Street in Big Pine, CA when I lived there in 2007. What was then Rossi's Steak & Spaghetti is the gray building on the left with the small yellow sign.
The Origins of the Rossi Businesses
The Rossi family’s presence in Big Pine goes back decades. The original Rossi restaurant was operated by Alma Rossi, who ran the business from 1939 to 1954, before her son Mike Rossi took over. Over time, the Rossi operations moved between different buildings along Main Street while remaining in family hands.
At various times, Rossi businesses included:
Rossi’s Place
Rossi’s Steak & Spaghetti
Restaurant inside Carroll’s Market
Bar and local gathering spot
This pattern — restaurant, market, bar, family ownership — mirrors many Italian-American small-town enterprises across the West.
Rossi’s Steak & Spaghetti
For many longtime residents, Rossi’s Steak & Spaghetti was the most memorable iteration of the family business. It offered:
Italian comfort food
steakhouse classics
bar atmosphere
local hangout
historic interior
It was the kind of place where ranchers, travelers, and locals all mixed — a true small-town institution.
The 2014 Relocation
In 2014, the Rossi bar operation relocated and reopened as Rossi’s Place at its current Main Street location. The move preserved the Rossi family presence in Big Pine while transitioning to a smaller, more casual format.
The new Rossi’s Place continued:
handmade pizza
sandwiches
beer & wine
local bar atmosphere
community gathering spot
Despite the relocation, the spirit of the original Rossi businesses remained intact.
Carroll’s Market Connection
The Rossi story is also tied to Carroll’s Market, where the restaurant operated at one point. This reflects a classic Italian-American model:
Market + deli + restaurant + bar
All run by the same family
These types of businesses served as community anchors in small towns.
A Multi-Generation Eastern Sierra Family
The Rossi family is deeply rooted in Big Pine and the Owens Valley. Like many Italian families who settled in the Eastern Sierra, they became part of:
ranching culture
mining town life
Highway 395 travelers
small-town hospitality
local business ownership
Why Rossi’s Matters
The Rossi businesses represent:
Italian family entrepreneurship
Owens Valley settlement history
Highway 395 road-trip culture
multi-generation ownership
small-town Italian America
Rossi’s Place
142 N Main St
Big Pine, CA 93513
Phone: (760) 938-2308
Located along U.S. Highway 395
Between Bishop and Lone Pine
Perfect stop for:
Eastern Sierra road trip
Death Valley drive
Owens Valley exploration
Italian California heritage travel
The Bottom Line
When I think back to Big Pine in 2007, I remember Rossi’s Steak & Spaghetti and Carroll’s Market — places that felt historic even then. I didn’t know the full story at the time, but I sensed there was one.
Today, that story is clearer:
The Rossi family helped shape Big Pine’s small-town culture for generations.
Their restaurant wasn’t just a place to eat —
It was a piece of Italian California in the Eastern Sierra.
⭐ What Visitors Are Saying About Rossi’s Place
One of the best ways to understand Rossi’s Place is through the voices of travelers and locals who have stopped there along U.S. Highway 395. Across review sites like TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Google, a consistent picture emerges: a historic, family-style Italian-American stop with strong small-town character.
TripAdvisor Reviews
Visitors frequently describe Rossi’s Place as:
“A great little small-town bar and restaurant with friendly locals and good pizza.”
“Classic roadside stop with history — you feel like you're stepping back in time.”
“Simple menu but everything is homemade and delicious.”
Common themes:
Friendly locals
Historic atmosphere
Homemade pizza
Small-town charm
Good stop between Bishop and Lone Pine
Yelp Reviews
Yelp reviewers often emphasize the personality of the place:
“This is the kind of place you hope still exists — family-run, unpretentious, and welcoming.”
“Pizza was surprisingly good. Loved the old-school vibe.”
“Feels like a true local hangout.”
Common Yelp highlights:
Cozy bar atmosphere
Local crowd
Casual dining
Italian-style comfort food
Friendly service
Google Reviews
Google Maps reviews reinforce the same impression:
How Governments and Italian American Organizations Are Expanding Opportunity in 2026
In 2026, something important is happening quietly but significantly: Italian and Italian American businesses are receiving growing support from both governments and major Italian American organizations.
This isn’t one single program. It’s a network of initiatives — trade missions, grants, networking conferences, export programs, heritage tourism, and business incubators — all designed to strengthen the Italy–United States economic relationship and help entrepreneurs on both sides of the Atlantic.
Here’s what’s happening right now.
Italian Government Initiatives (2026)
Italy has made international business expansion a major priority — especially in the United States.
Key 2026 Italian Government Programs
Export Action Plan for Italian companies entering the U.S.
Italian food & wine companies entering U.S. markets
Italian fashion and design exports
Tourism partnerships
Italian manufacturing expansion in America
Italian startups entering U.S. venture capital networks
The Italian government is actively encouraging Italian companies to open U.S. offices, partner with Italian Americans, and invest in local communities.
This directly benefits:
Italian restaurants
Import businesses
Wine distributors
Travel companies
Cultural tourism operators
Italian heritage businesses
In other words — Italian American entrepreneurs become the natural bridge.
U.S. Government Support (2026)
The United States is also promoting Italian investment and partnerships.
U.S. initiatives supporting Italian-American business ties
Italian American organizations are beginning to act like:
business chambers
trade groups
networking associations
economic development organizations
The Big Picture
In 2026, support for Italian and Italian American business is coming from:
Italian Government — export and investment programs
🇺🇸 U.S. Government — trade and investment support
🤝 NIAF — business leadership networking Sons of Italy — entrepreneur connections
🎓 UNICO — professional networking
💼 Italy-America Chambers — direct business matchmaking
This type of grassroots networking is increasingly important for Italian American entrepreneurs, especially in cities like San Diego where Italian businesses are spread across neighborhoods.
🍝 What These Organizations Support
They collectively help:
Italian restaurants Italian delis & markets Italian import businesses tourism companies travel blogs Italian American media wine importers Italian retailers Little Italy districts Italian festivals startup companies Italian entrepreneurs
The 2026 Opportunity
For Italian American entrepreneurs, these programs create opportunities to:
Import products from Italy
Partner with Italian companies
Launch Italian themed businesses
Expand Little Italy districts
Start tourism companies
Join Italy-USA startup networks
The result is a growing transatlantic Italian business ecosystem.
Italian American organizations are evolving from heritage groups → economic development networks — and both governments are encouraging it.
🤝 How to Get Involved
You can:
Join NIAF business membership
Join Sons of Italy lodge
Join UNICO chapter
Attend Italy-America Chamber events
Participate in SelectUSA programs
Connect with Italian Trade Agency
These organizations are actively trying to grow Italian and Italian American business networks.
Business Profile: Corti Brothers — Sacramento Italian American Grocery
A Sacramento Italian American Institution
Founded in 1947, Corti Brothers is one of California’s most respected Italian American gourmet markets. The store became famous for importing authentic Italian products long before they were common in the U.S.
“Frank J. Corti, co-founder of Corti Brothers, Sacramento. Courtesy of Calisphere (University of California).”
Behind the enduring success of Corti Brothers is the story of the Corti family itself—Italian immigrants who brought with them a deep respect for food, tradition, and community. Like many Italian American families in California, the Cortis built their lives around hard work and cultural preservation, helping shape Sacramento’s identity through small business and neighborhood connection. What began as a modest grocery in the mid-20th century grew into a landmark not through expansion, but through an unwavering commitment to quality and authenticity.
At the center of this legacy is Frank Corti, whose influence elevated the store into something far greater than a typical market. Known for his expertise in fine foods and wine, Frank became a trusted voice in California’s culinary world, introducing generations of customers to authentic Italian products and old-world standards long before they became mainstream. His hands-on approach—personally selecting goods, maintaining traditional methods, and educating customers—helped preserve a distinctly Italian American food culture in Sacramento.
“Frank J. Corti, co-founder of Corti Brothers, Sacramento. Courtesy of Calisphere (University of California).”
Today, the Corti family legacy lives on not just through their store, but through the broader appreciation of quality, heritage, and tradition they helped cultivate. In a rapidly changing food landscape, their story stands as a reminder that some of California’s most important cultural institutions are built quietly, over generations, rooted in family, authenticity, and pride.
Corti Brothers is widely considered one of California’s most iconic Italian markets and deli counters, famous for its sandwiches, imported Italian products, and old-world grocery atmosphere.
“That was one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had.” “Absolutely loaded with meat… delicious.” “I’m a convert… better than other local spots.”
Another user described it as:
“Best sandwich deal in town… so good.”
And locals often call it a Sacramento institution:
“Authority on what a Sacramento sandwich should be.”
Some reviewers even note the lines:
“Wait can be long… but absolutely justifiable.”
⭐ TripAdvisor Highlights
TripAdvisor Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9 / 5
💬 TripAdvisor Review Highlights
“Huge sandwiches and great Italian specialties.” “One of Sacramento’s best food markets.” “Excellent deli counter and imported foods.” “Must visit when in Sacramento.”
What Reviewers Love Most
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Famous Italian deli sandwiches ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Imported Italian groceries ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Old-school neighborhood market ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Friendly knowledgeable staff ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sacramento food institution
Business Profile: Mona Lisa Italian Foods — Little Italy San Diego
Few businesses better represent Italian American San Diego than Mona Lisa Italian Foods in Little Italy. Founded in 1956 by the Costa family, this market began as a small neighborhood grocery serving Italian immigrant families working in San Diego’s tuna fishing industry.
Today, Mona Lisa remains family-owned, making it one of the last authentic Italian American businesses tied directly to Little Italy’s historic roots.
From my personal perspective, Mona Lisa is one of my favorite restaurants and delis in San Diego — not just Little Italy. I eat there often and regularly shop their market for imported Italian foods. It’s one of the few places that still feels like a traditional Italian neighborhood deli, and that authenticity is a big part of why I keep going back.
The famous deli counter — often with a line out the door — has become a San Diego institution.
In addition to food, Mona Lisa also functions as a mini Italian market and gift shop, selling souvenirs and Italian-themed items — perfect for visitors who want to bring a piece of Little Italy home.
⭐ Internet Reviews — Mona Lisa Italian Foods (Little Italy, San Diego)
Mona Lisa Italian Foods is widely considered one of San Diego’s most beloved Italian delis and casual Italian restaurants, with consistently strong ratings across Google, Yelp, TripAdvisor, and local forums.
