The Totino's family tradition started with a young couple, Jim and Rose Totino. Jim left school for work when he was 16 years old to make ends meet for his family, while Rose did the same in her family doing housework (earning $2.50 a week). They met at the Viking Dance Hall near downtown Minneapolis, and soon after they married and settled down in Northeast Minneapolis. 

Jim and Rose quickly became involved in the community, making pizzas from her mother's (Armita Cruciani's) recipe for neighborhood friends. Family and friends of Jim and Rose urged this young couple to make a business out of what they did, and eventually it would happen. 

On February 7, 1951, Jim and Rose opened the door of Totino's Italian Kitchen. Their intent was to sell everything on a take-out basis only, but because of the demand for their food, they did what they could to serve their customers by buying room in which to dine. After years of putting in 18 to 20 hour days (making as many as 400 to 500 pizzas on a weekend, and still running out), Rose sold the business to her oldest grandson, Steve, who is carrying on their tradition, alive and well.

On February 7, 2001, Totino's will celebrate its 50th year in business. With the many changes that have been made in the remodeling of the building and the new look this restaurant has taken on, one thing cannot be changed--the strong family tradition that Jim and Rose left behind. They taught us that with hard work, faith, and determination, anything is possible.