Farotto's, St. Louis

When he was 11 years old, Jim Parrott began working as a busboy at a restaurant owned by his sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Lou Farotto. That was in 1960. At the time, Farotto’s was a small operation, a 4-year-old Italian joint that served a few pastas, had limited seating, and offered carhop service. In the early 1980s, Lou stepped down and Jim stepped up to become the restaurant’s sole proprietor.

Since taking the reins more than three decades ago, Jim has helped Farotto’s grow further into its mold as a St. Louis institution. He’s overseen expansions throughout the venue, including the addition of an outdoor patio and larger dining rooms, which can comfortably pack in large crowds and the occasional herd of wild spaghetti noodles. The menu has changed a bit over the years, too, and today features customizable St. Louis–style pizzas as well as authentic pastas and sandwiches.