After 56 years of serving homemade Italian pizza, Sorrento’s Pizzeria in Lincoln has closed its doors for the final time. Lisa Drew, the owner of the beloved establishment, hopes the community will remember more than just the food. “I want them to remember the whole story,” she said, reflecting on the history and legacy of the family-run restaurant.
Founded in 1969, Sorrento’s Pizzeria was established by Drew’s family, who immigrated from Sicily. Tony Curcuru, Drew’s son and a longtime associate at the pizzeria, explained, “My father, grandparents, and aunts all immigrated from Sicily as a family. They found a town that seemed to need a pizza shop, and that was Lincoln.”
At the time, pizza was still becoming popular across the United States. With the Curcuru family’s authentic Sicilian recipe, Sorrento’s quickly became a local favorite in Central Illinois.
Throughout the years, the pizzeria became more than just a place to eat—it became a family tradition. “I would wait tables, make pizzas, answer the phones, and host,” said Angioletta Curcuru, Drew’s daughter, who grew up in the restaurant.
As the family served customers, their pizzeria became a central part of the community. In addition to their signature pizzas, the restaurant offered homemade salads and cinnamon sticks that became just as beloved by locals.
For Drew, it is difficult to imagine life without the pizzeria. “It’s hard to imagine not having this as a part of my life, because I haven’t known anything else,” she shared. Drew met her husband and began working at the pizzeria when she was just 19 years old, and has worked there ever since.
Now, Drew has made the difficult decision to close the family business and focus on her personal life. The closure marks a new chapter as Drew plans to care for her husband’s health and spend more time with her grandchildren. “It wasn’t until we announced that we were closing that we realized, this is not just about our family… This is about everybody’s family that supports and enjoys Sorrento’s,” she reflected.
While the decision to close was not easy, Drew and her family are filled with gratitude for the years of support. “My mom wouldn’t be here with us in this pizza shop if it wasn’t for my family coming here from another country!” said Curcuru.
Though Sorrento’s Pizzeria has served its last slice, the memories of the restaurant will live on in the hearts of the many families who have cherished it over the decades. “Thank you for being a part of our family,” Drew said. “It will always be a part of Lincoln.”
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