Ilio DiPaolo’s Restaurant and Banquet Facility has served the Blasdell, NY community since 1965. Hall of Fame professional wrestler Ilio DiPaolo founded the restaurant, which earned recognition in the New York State Registry for Historic Preservation and gained national attention for its food, staff, and extraordinary story.
Explore the legacy below.
Our Founder
History ofIlio DiPaolo
Born in Introdacqua, Italy, in 1926, Ilio DiPaolo became one of professional wrestling’s most decorated competitors before founding this restaurant in 1965. Enshrined in three Halls of Fame and recognized by New York State as a place of historic significance, his story is one of grit, generosity, and love for Western New York.
Step inside, and you step into history. The walls of Ilio DiPaolo’s are lined with wrestling memorabilia, vintage photographs, championship belts, and mementos from over 60 years of community life in Western New York. It’s a museum and a dining room at once, a space where every detail tells a story.
Ilio DiPaolo’s has been recognized by Buffalo News Best of 716, America’s Best Restaurants, the 2023 RISE Awards, the Dick Gallagher Legacy Award, and more. Chef Carl Strack and the team have earned back-to-back recognition for Best Italian Restaurant and Best Wait Staff in Western New York.
Hallmark, Lifetime, and Great American Channel filmmakers have made Ilio’s a regular location for their productions, drawn by the restaurant’s signature murals, warm atmosphere, and authentic Italian character. Films shot here include Stage Fright, Mother Cabrini, A Royal Christmas Engagement, and several more through 2025.
Stay up to date with everything happening at Ilio DiPaolo’s, from seasonal menus and upcoming events to community news and behind-the-scenes stories. Our blog covers the food, the people, and the moments that make this restaurant unlike any other in Western New York.
