Reader: With Pagliacci's closing, are there any decent red-sauce joints left?

On August 19, Pagliacci's -- which has been owned by the same family since 1946 -- will serve its last bowl of minestrone. "It's been an awesome experience," says Mark Langston, whose mother bought the place from other relatives in 1977. "It's just time to move on." A developer has...

By Patricia Calhoun

July 16, 2012

What happens on the ground matters — Your support makes it possible.

We’re aiming to raise $17,000 by August 10, so we can deepen our reporting on the critical stories unfolding right now: grassroots protests, immigration, politics and more.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal

$17,000

$3,700

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "23668565",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "23853568",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17242653",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "24956856",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25 
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17676724",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

On August 19, Pagliacci's -- which has been owned by the same family since 1946 -- will serve its last bowl of minestrone. "It's been an awesome experience," says Mark Langston, whose mother bought the place from other relatives in 1977. "It's just time to move on."

A developer has bought the property, and plans to tear down Pagalicci's and replace it with apartments on the edge of LoHi. it's possible that the neon clown sign over the building will stay, but another red-sauce standby will be gone.

Says Brian:

Damn, are there any decent family-run Italian restaurants left? Valente's closed a few years ago, Gaetano's is out of action and will be rebooted, and now Pagliacci's will be gone. Garramone's is still around and I've eaten there since I was a kid, but the options for red-sauce joints are dwindling fast.

What's your favorite red-sauce option in the metro area? Post your faves below, or join the conversation already under way here.

Follow @CafeWestword

Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

A message from Patricia Calhoun: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Denver’s evolving dining scene and the latest culinary innovations our community offers.

Support Today