MONTICELLO  — Around late August or early September, Colosseo Family Restaurant & Pizzeria in Monticello will be featured on America’s Best Restaurants (ABR), a national roadshow that spotlights standout local eateries across the country. Filming for the upcoming episode took place Wednesday morning.

Colosseo caught ABR’s attention about a year ago after a recommendation from Shanon Taylor. As a family-owned establishment operating since 1997, it proved an ideal candidate for the show’s mission of highlighting beloved, independent restaurants.

Founded in 2021 in Florence, Kentucky, America’s Best Restaurants travels the U.S. documenting local favorites and sharing their stories online via YouTube and Facebook.

Since November 2024, show host Ashley Dawn has been touring the East Coast, interviewing restaurant owners and showcasing their food and history. “You can’t really call this work,” she said. “We get to meet different people, hear their stories…and hopefully drive more business to the restaurant once the episode airs.”

Colosseo’s roots trace back to 1990, when Rosario and Rosalia Cracchiolo opened Roma Pizza on Broadway in Monticello with the help of their parents. In 1997, they moved to a larger location to offer dine-in service and expanded their menu to include full Italian fare—rebranding as Colosseo Family Restaurant & Pizzeria.

Today, their daughter, Caterina Vandermark, owns and operates the restaurant alongside her husband, Lance, though she says her mother is still the boss. Caterina fondly recalled growing up in the family business. 

“I was six, sleeping on pizza boxes in the back room,” she said with a smile. 

Members of the family still make up much of the staff, with Sofia Vendermark signifying the third generation to work at Colosseo. Caterina’s brother, Giovanni, can often be found working the pizza counter. Caterina’s brother, Angelo Cracchiolo, worked for the family business for many years before starting his own business in Florida. 

After all these years, Caterina says they haven’t touched the family sauce recipe. “We’ve been using the same cheese and same sauce recipe for over 30 years,” she said.

Colosseo Family Restaurant & Pizzeria is open Monday-Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.