EST. 1965
Over 60 years of community service
BEST OF 716
Back-to-back Buffalo News recognition 2022 and 2023
NATIONAL RECOGNITION
America’s Best Restaurants 2022
25+ AWARDS
Spanning food, film, community, and scholarship
Our Recognition
A record built over six decades
Since opening in Blasdell, NY in 1965, Ilio DiPaolo’s Restaurant and Banquet Facility has earned recognition at every level. The awards listed below reflect a commitment to food quality, exceptional service, community involvement, and a standard of hospitality that Ilio DiPaolo himself set from the very first day.
Our Awards
Awards received
1998
Telly Award
The Telly Awards, founded in 1979, honor excellence in local, regional, and cable television commercials, as well as non-broadcast video and television programming.
2001
Section VI Wrestling Award
Presented to the DiPaolo Family in appreciation of their ongoing support of Section VI High School Wrestling in Western New York.
2002
Make-A-Wish Foundation Community Star Award
The Community Star Award recognizes an individual or business that contributes to making Make-A-Wish dreams come true for children across Western New York.
2016
Buffalo Niagara Film Commission Award
In appreciation of contributions to the film and television industry of Western New York.
2016
Restaurant of the Year
In 2016, Ilio DiPaolo’s was named Restaurant of the Year, honoring its Italian food, hospitality, and Western New York legacy.
2021
Buffalo Business First Family Business Award
Recognizing outstanding family-owned businesses in the Western New York region.
2022
America’s Best Restaurants
Recognizing outstanding family-owned businesses in the Western New York region.
2022 and 2023
Buffalo News Best of 716: Best Italian Restaurant, and Best Wait Staff
Voted by Buffalonians in two consecutive years as the Best Italian Restaurant and the restaurant with the Best Wait Staff in Western New York.
2022 and 2023
Meatball Street Brawl: Best Freestyle Meatball
Two-year winner in the Best Freestyle Meatball category at the Meatball Street Brawl competition.
2023
RISE Awards: Best Front of House Team
Recognized for excellence in front-of-house operations. Dennis DiPaolo was also awarded the Hospitality Career Achievement Award for his dedication to the hospitality industry in Buffalo and his contribution to the Western New York community.
2023
Dick Gallagher Legacy Award
The Ilio DiPaolo Scholarship Fund received the 2023 Dick Gallagher Award for continued support and improvement of the student high school sport experience, community service, and the willingness to go above and beyond for Western New York.
Community Recognitions
Recognized by our community
In addition to formal awards, Ilio DiPaolo’s and the DiPaolo family have been recognized by dozens of community organizations throughout Western New York for their service, generosity, and lasting contributions to the region.
American Legion of Blasdell
Recognition Award to the DiPaolo Family
Lake Erie Italian Club
Special Tribute to Ilio DiPaolo
Knights of Columbus
Special Tribute to Ilio DiPaolo
Connolly Cup Committee
For 50 Years of Outstanding Service and Support to the Community
Queen of Angels Parish
In Grateful Appreciation for Outstanding Support of our Communities and Society
Bigs Timer’s Club
Certificate of Appreciation
GMR of WNY
Special Tribute to Ilio DiPaolo
Sorrento Hardworking Heroes Hall of Fame
Inducted for community contribution and dedication
Special Forces Ranger Airborne
Certificate of Appreciation
Experience the difference for yourself
An award is only as good as the experience behind it. Come see why Western New York has been recognizing Ilio DiPaolo’s for over 25 years.
