Villa Tronco, a family-owned restaurant serving lunch and dinner at 1213 Blanding Street, celebrates its 75th anniversary Aug. 10-15, 2015, with special pricing on favorite dishes. First opened in 1940, the business is the oldest restaurant in South Carolina.

Sadie Tronco, often known as “Mamma Tronco,” opened Villa Tronco on Blanding Street in 1940 after fire destroyed the family’s fruit shop on Main Street. With very few Italian families living in Columbia at the time, Villa Tronco became a haven of familiar foods for transient Italian soldiers stationed at Fort Jackson. Still owned and operated by the third generation of Troncos, Carmella Martin Roche and her husband, Joe Roche, members of the fourth generation of the family also work at Villa Tronco. Mamma Tronco is known for introducing pizza to Columbia, and the restaurant still serves her cherished recipes.

“We’re proud to be a Columbia and South Carolina institution for serving fine, authentic Italian food to our diners,” said Carmella Roche. “It’s exciting to be celebrating this milestone in Villa Tronco’s history. We’re thankful to our customers, as always, for their business and our dedicated chefs and wait staff, and many are like family. My grandmother had an exceptional work ethic with a love for Italian cooking, and we strive to carry on her tradition.”

To celebrate its 75th anniversary, Villa Tronco is offering its famous pizzas and several pasta dishes for $7.50 during the anniversary week at lunch and dinner. Additionally, on Wednesday, August 12, the restaurant will offer a special live performance of Broadway musical favorites by Steve Hillard and Linda and Kyle Collins. Doug and Bunny Williams will perform jazz and swing standards on Friday, August 14, from 6-9 p.m.

For more information about Villa Tronco, visit VillaTronco.com or follow the restaurant on Facebook. Reservations can be made by calling (803) 256-7677.

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