It was a breezy day on Wednesday, February 22 of last year and the iconic sign that stood high above Caruso’s Italian Restaurant got its bell rung. The sigh felt the force of 50+ miles per hour winds, snapping the pole at the ground. We now refer to this Wednesday as Winds-day.
You can’t keep a good sign down, though!
Thanks to the Ignite Sign Art Museum and Cook & Co. Signmakers, the sign is once again lighting up the sidewalk at 434 N. Fourth Ave., acting as a beacon of Italian food on Fourth Avenue.
“The 75-year-old sign pole broke over a year ago,” Ignite Sign Art Museum shared online. “It was removed, then repainted, and neon reworked as needed.”
In Businesses Since the ’30s
No matter what storm the restaurant faces, it’s a staple not only on Fourth Avenue but in the city of Tucson.
Nicasio “Caruso” Zagona first opened the restaurant it has remained in the family ever since. The restaurant’s interior design, lovely patio, and most of its food preparation methods were developed by Nicasio. Nicasio’s son, Salvatore Zagona Sr. took over in the early 1950s and then he passed away in 2021, passing on the legacy to his son, Salvatore Zagonan, and great niece Ande Motzkin.
Read our March 2024 article “A Story of Family and Flavors.”
Caruso’s Italian Restaurant is located at 434 N. Fourth Ave. For more information, visit carusositalian.com.
For a full guide about all there is to eat and drink on Fourth Avenue, read our article “30+ Restaurants & Bars to visit while taking a stroll down Fourth Avenue.”
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Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
