I love family-owned restaurants, especially when they’ve been standing for generations. There’s just something about the ambiance curated in places like this that can’t be beat. Unfortunately, time often makes long-standing family-owned businesses close their doors, so coveted, long-standing restaurants can be hard to find. Here in Cleveland, we know where to look, though. About 30 minutes east of town, locals love visiting Silvestro’s Depot Cafe in Painesville, Ohio. It has served diners since 1936, and every dish on its menu has a story to tell.

You simply can't beat the charm of authentic cuisine served up in family-owned restaurants, and there's something especially memorable about Silvestro's Depot Cafe.

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Since 1936, this family-owned eatery has served up Grandma Jen's authentic Italian recipes. When this building was purchased by Jenny Silvestro and Nick Carlucci, it was an inn. Up until the 1960s, that inn operated upstairs while the kitchen downstairs churned out pizza, pasta, and sandwiches.

The old inn is located on a brick-lined road known as Railroad Street, and an old depot sits right across the street.

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As the name suggests, the railroad is intertwined with the history of Silvestro's. The historic inn primarily served railroad workers and travelers in its heyday, and the addition of a pool table and cards room (all strictly for entertainment purposes, of course) made it a place where you could truly unwind.

To this day, the restaurant is known for authentic Italian dishes like fettucine alfredo, lasagna, and veal parmesan.

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There's something on the Silvestro's menu for everyone, especially if you're a fan of classic Italian dining. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday through Friday — promising speedy service that will get you back to work with time to spare — and dinner is served from 4 p.m. to close every Tuesday through Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m. on Sundays.

If you're a fan of surf and turf, you'll love their steaks and seafood, which are served up with a side of history.

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Originally, Jenny Silvestro and co-owner Nick Carlucci served a limited menu. When Carlucci sold his share of the business to her husband, Grandpa Lucian Silvestro, their kids got involved and quickly expanded the menu. (Purportedly, this expansion distressed Grandpa Lucian a bit. But it all worked out!)

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This menu change occurred in the mid-1960s, and it became a permanent milestone in the Silvestro's Depot Cafe story.

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Today, steak and seafood are still a fan favorite attraction at Silvestro's. The price is always reasonable, though many of the dishes feel upscale. In addition to delicious flavors, the family-operated business keeps patrons coming back with unbeatable and friendly service.

While you dine, just know that Grandma Jen and Grandpa Lucian are still watching over their cherished restaurant nearly a century later.

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Though much has changed over the years throughout Painesville, this cozy little restaurant feels just as welcoming as ever. And Grandma Jen and Grandpa Lucian's photo on the wall keeps it feeling familiar... it's somehow reminiscent of a family dining space, though the atmosphere is undeniably commercial.

You can connect with Silvestro's Depot Cafe on Facebook to keep their specials and events on your radar.

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There's nothing quite like getting photos of their delicious meals served directly to your newsfeed. Their fettucine alfredo is to die for, but there's so much to love about this quaint family-owned business near Cleveland that you truly never know what will catch your eye.

And while you dine, the history of this former inn and the depot across the street truly comes to life.

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While the menu has expanded since 1936, the classics haven't changed, and they still utilize Grandma Jen's recipes. You can taste the love baked into every dish, and there's also a hint of history in there, too.

Next time you're in Painesville, Ohio, work up an appetite and plan to head to Silvestro's Depot Cafe.

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You'll find it at 470 Railroad St, Painesville, OH 44077.

You simply can’t beat the classics at Silvestro’s Depot Cafe in Painesville, Ohio. From pasta to veal parmesan, from surf to turf, there’s something on the menu for everyone.

While you’re in the area, budget a bit of time to visit Paine Falls. It’s about 15 minutes away, but it’s a beautiful waterfall that’s well worth the trip.

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Silvestro's Depot Cafe Inc, 470 Railroad St, Painesville, OH 44077, USA