Paterno's Pizza, the family-run Jefferson Park pizzeria that has been kneading dough and feeding neighborhood crowds for decades, has been sold, but the look, recipes, and many of the people behind the counter are staying put. Ownership of Paterno's Pizza and Sports Bar is transferring to the Patel family, and members of the Paterno family will remain on site during a staged handoff. Customers can still expect the same scratch-made pizzas, pastas, and sandwiches that have defined the spot for generations.
New owners promise to preserve the "heart and soul"
As reported by Block Club Chicago, the Paternos announced the transition on Dec. 27, 2025, and the Patel family said in a social post they would "respect everything that made Paterno’s special" while bringing "thoughtful improvements and a refreshed look." The buyers described their plan as a careful update rather than a reinvention, clearly aiming to calm the nerves of long-time regulars.
A deep neighborhood history
According to the restaurant's website, Santo and Josephine Paterno opened a small liquor store in 1954 that later grew into a deli and then a full pizza-and-sports-bar operation. The family built the corner building at Central and Milwaukee in 1972, and that location later evolved into the 5303 N. Milwaukee Ave. site neighbors know today.
Family will help during the handoff
Local coverage by Nadig Newspapers says Jojo Paterno-Schaerli and Rachale Paterno-Lacoppola plan to remain for a few weeks to train the new owners, and that most current staff members are expected to stay on. The paper also noted that longtime bartender Lynette Bybee has tended the bar for more than two decades, a stretch of continuity the family highlighted as key to preserving the restaurant's atmosphere.
Regulars react and menu commitments
Block Club's reporting captured an emotional reaction from regulars, with Jojo telling reporters she received tearful texts and calls after the announcement. Both the Paternos and the buyers have emphasized that the scratch-made pizzas, pastas, soups, and sandwiches that built the business will remain staples of the menu, even as the interior gets modest updates.
What to expect next
For now, Paterno's is open at 5303 N. Milwaukee Ave. under the same name and hours while the Patel family settles in and the Paternos help with the transition. Neighbors and staff say they expect a gradual handoff, a refreshed look rather than a full-scale overhaul, as the new owners learn the ropes and work to keep Paterno's in its long-standing role as a Jefferson Park gathering spot.
