Joseph and Theresa (Tufano) DiBuono opened Tufano's Vernon Park Tap in 1931 in the heart of Little Italy's golden age, long before the University of Illinois crashed the neighborhood.  theresa, the family matriarch, used to live right next door.  she would cook the meals from her kitchen and then pass the plates through an interior window that connected to the restaurant.  that tiny opening still exists today.  Throughout the years, Tufano's has been a favorite dining spot for celebrities of Italian origin, such as Frank Sinatra (would you have guessed anyone else?), although Chicagoans of all ethnicities have enjoyed this classic red-sauce experience, including, most notably, novelist and northsider Nelson Algren, who made the joint a habit before White Sox games.

tufano's was designated one of "america's classic restaurants" by the james beard foundation in 2008.  today, it's owned and operated by joey dibuono, grandson of the founders, although many other members of the family continue to work there.  joey says he recognizes most of his customers, an added touch that undoubtedly contributes a great deal to its ambiance and success.