'A lot of hugs and kisses': Clients turned friends make Campanale's Restaurant a success
BRAINTREE − Pointing to photographs that hang in the lounge at Campanale's Restaurant, Joe Campanale said the area around the Pearl Street restaurant has changed drastically said he and his wife, Judy, bought it from her father 46 years ago.
But Campanale's Restaurant has been a constant in both South Braintree Square and the family for decades. Judy Campanale's father, Lee Purpora, opened the pizza restaurant, then called Melwood's, in 1964, before the couple took it over in 1978.
"We dressed it up and made it a nice restaurant," Joe Campanale said.
At first, the couple said there was a learning curve. Judy joked that her husband "didn't know how to make a peanut butter and jelly."
"I came from a double Italian family, and everyone knows you don't touch your mother's stove," Joe said with a chuckle.
They quickly adapted to the business and turned the restaurant into a local favorite for northern Italian cuisine.
The couple said predictability is part of their success. Patrons know the food will be consistent, tasty and affordable and they'll likely see some friendly faces during their visit. Some patrons eat at the restaurant the same day every week, Judy said, often sitting at the same table and eating the same meal.
"We've had an incredible client base over the years that has been dedicated to us," Judy said, adding that much of their staff has worked there for 20 years. "We've watched generations come in here. We do all their family functions, and they've become friends. There are a lot of hugs and kisses."
"It becomes part of you," Joe said.
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The restaurant has two areas: a lounge with a bar and a few high-top tables and a traditional dining room area with white tablecloths and old family photos on the walls.
Judy said they wanted a "grandmother's dining room" feeling that is warm and familiar. The restaurant is open on Sundays for private events only, such as baby and wedding showers, birthday parties and bereavements.
The couple's daughter, Deana Ferrini, has been at the helm for about five years. She said favorite dishes include fried calamari and shrimp scampi bruschetta for starters, and chicken parmigiana, seafood fra diavolo and chicken franchaise.
"People love it because they know what they're going to get," she said. "We're a townie local place, not a chain, and they've been coming for generations."
As for cocktails, Ferrini said they probably serve 100 martinis a night, including espresso martinis, pistachio martinis and seasonal specials that she comes up with.
Campanale's Restaurant & Lounge
Location: 88 Pearl St., Braintree
Hours: Noon to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday; noon to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Open Sunday for private functions only
Contact: 781-843-6966 or campanales.net
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Campanale's is a local favorite for northern Italian cuisine
