The Family Behind Lo Sole Mio and an Omaha Italian Food Legacy

For more than three decades, Lo Sole Mio was part of Omaha’s Italian restaurant tradition. In this episode of Italians Who Fed Omaha, host Tony Vacanti Jr. sits down with Don and Marie Losole and their son David to preserve the family story behind one of Omaha’s most remembered Italian restaurants.  Don and Marie share the path that led them into the restaurant business, from Marie’s childhood in postwar Italy and journey to America to the couple’s early years working in Omaha hospitality. They tell the story of opening their first restaurant downtown and eventually creating Lo Sole Mio with the help of their children, relatives, friends and community.  The conversation explores the work, sacrifice and family relationships behind a successful Omaha neighborhood restaurant, along with the role Italian and Sicilian families played in shaping the city’s food culture.  David also shares how parts of that family tradition continue through Virtuoso Pizzeria in Benson, where lessons about ingredients, hospitality, hard work and family remain connected to what he learned growing up around Lo Sole Mio.  Italians Who Fed Omaha is a podcast from La Casa Pizzeria dedicated to preserving the stories of the Italian and Sicilian families who helped shape Omaha’s food culture. Hosted by fourth-generation pizzaiolo and La Casa owner-operator Tony Vacanti Jr., the series documents the restaurants, bakeries, recipes, traditions and families that helped make Omaha taste like home.  References: https://www.reddit.com/r/Omaha/comments/1nawfsa/lo_sole_mio_italian_restaurant/ https://www.ketv.com/article/bittersweet-lo-sole-mio-closing-doors-after-30-years/40304790 https://virtuosopizzeria.com/ This podcast is part of Hurrdat ONE, an Omaha-based podcast and digital media network dedicated to telling the stories of our city and the people who make it what it is. Hurrdat ONE brings together local voices, creators, businesses, and communities through original podcasts, video, and social content made for Omaha and by Omaha. Discover more local stories and shows at Hurrdat ONE and subscribe to the Hurrdat ONE YouTube channel.