This is a copy of the original article posted by The Reno Gazette Journal  Dec. 27, 2017. The original article can be found HERE.

Have you savored the most experienced eateries around? Here’s a list of the seven oldest restaurants in the Reno area. Visit these gems to get a taste of history.

Casale’s Halfway Club (1937)

Casale’s Halfway Club on East Fourth Street is so named because in 1937, when it was founded by John and Elvira Casale, it was halfway between Reno and Sparks.

The Reno landmark and institution was Reno’s first pizza joint, and ravioli is a specialty.

Where: 

2501 E 4th St, Reno

Gold ‘N Silver Inn (1956)

When this iconic coffee shop opened in 1956, Eisenhower was in the White House.

Sixty years later, it still draws a cross-section of Reno for omelets, biscuits and gravy and late-night grub.

The restaurant marked its 60th birthday in 2016 with dishes at 1950s prices.

Where: 

790 W 4th St, Reno

Coney Island Bar (1945)

The Coney Island, one of the Truckee Meadows’ iconic restaurants, is function over fancy. The best part is people-watching, as you’re likely to see business, civic and political leaders sitting down for lunch.

The restaurant provides bibs for patrons, allowing them to slurp away at spaghetti with reckless abandon.

Where: 2644 Prater Way, Sparks

Louis’ Basque Corner (1967)

Louis Erreguible is gone, but Louis’ Basque Corner prevails in downtown Reno. Erreguible, who died in July, and his wife Lorraine opened Louis’ in 1967.

The restaurant helped popularize the cooking of Basque immigrants to the West while also celebrating Basque culture (and serving torrents of Picon punch).

Where:

301 E 4th St, Reno

Miguel’s (1959)

Miguel’s, perhaps Reno’s oldest Mexican restaurant, opened in 1959 on South Virginia Street at the south end of Reno’s Midtown district. Its owners opened a second location in 2017 at Summit Sierra mall.

Miguel’s opened its doors under original owner Miguel Ribera. Current owners Elmer and Addie Figueroa bought the business after Riberas died in 1998.

Where:

1415 S Virginia St, Reno

Johnny’s Ristorante Italiano (1966)

First known as Johnny’s Little Italy, the West Fourth Street spot is now known as Johnny’s Ristorante Italiano. It’s named for John Joseph Cassinari, who moved his family to Reno in 1966 and opened the restaurant. Cassinari died in 2011.

The restaurant perches on a bluff north of the city. It serves a cross-section of Italian specialties – lots of pastas and a good selection of meat, fish, veal, and poultry dishes.

Where: 

4245 W 4th St., Reno

Little Waldorf (1920s)

“The Wal” has been a UNR institution, both on North Virginia Street (where it began and where it is now) and on West Fifth Street (where it was for a while).

The place is built with giant logs, and the walls are covered in sports memorabilia. TVs are everywhere, which comes in handy on Wolf Pack game days.

Where:

 1661 N Virginia (across from Lawlor Events Center)