Antica Focacceria San Francesco

Antica Focacceria San Francesco is a historic restaurant in Palermo, Italy, located in the Kalsa district within the city's historic centre. It is famous for its traditional Pani câ mèusa, a Sicilian sandwich made with spleen and ricotta. The original venue occupies the ground floor of Palazzo Cattolica, facing the Basilica di San Francesco d'Assisi in the square of the same name. It is recognised as one of Italy's historic establishments (Locali storici d'Italia). The brand has expanded beyond Palermo, with locations in Rome, Milan, Turin, and Florence. The origins of the focacceria date back to 1834, when Salvatore Alaimo, after about twenty-five years of service to a noble family, was given the deconsecrated chapel of Palazzo Cattolica. He used the space to sell food products and placed a wooden sign at the entrance engraved with the word "Focacceria". Among the first preparations was the focaccia called "schietta" (Sicilian for "unmarried"), originally made with ricotta and lard, ingredients whose white colour symbolised a bridal veil. In 1851 Alaimo introduced the "maritata" focaccia, adding an inexpensive cut of meat to the schietta, making meat accessible to less affluent customers. During the second half of the 19th century, the eatery gradually expanded its menu to include Palermo's popular cuisine specialities such as panelle, cazzilli, and sfincione. According to tradition, Giuseppe Garibaldi ate there several times during his stay in Palermo. Between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the focacceria also became a meeting place for Sicilian cultural and artistic figures, including writers Luigi Pirandello and Leonardo Sciascia and painter Renato Guttuso. Architect Ernesto Basile is credited with designing the logo, cast-iron tables, and wrought-iron chairs that shaped the venue's image. In 1902, nearly seventy years after its founding, the establishment officially adopted the name "Antica focacceria San Francesco", derived from the square where the historic venue stands. Around the same time, the menu was enriched with further Sicilian specialities, including arancine and sarde a beccafico. In 1939, management passed to the Conticello family. From the 1970s to the 1990s, the venue was frequented by political, institutional, and judicial figures, including Ugo La Malfa, Pio La Torre, and magistrates Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino (the latter two originally from Kalsa). In the 1980s, the Conticello family was also involved in reporting extortion rackets, a case that gained national attention. In 2009, the first Antica focacceria San Francesco outlet outside Palermo opened in Milan near the Duomo. In subsequent years, the business expanded to other Italian cities, including Rome (two locations), Turin, and Florence. In Palermo, besides the historic venue, another location is on Via Maqueda. From 2013 to 2020, Antica focacceria San Francesco was part of the Feltrinelli group.

The origins of Antica Focacceria San Francesco date back to 1834, when Salvatore Alaimo, after about twenty-five years of service to a noble family, received as a gift the deconsecrated chapel of Palazzo Cattolica. Alaimo used the space to sell food products and placed a wooden sign at the entrance engraved with the word "Focacceria". Among the first preparations was the focaccia called "schietta" (Sicilian for "unmarried"), originally made with ricotta and lard, ingredients whose white colour was symbolically associated with a bridal veil. In 1851 Alaimo introduced the "maritata" focaccia, made by adding an inexpensive cut of meat to the schietta, cooked according to local tradition. This new preparation allowed meat to be offered to customers with lesser economic means. During the second half of the 19th century, the establishment gradually expanded its gastronomic offerings to include specialities of Palermo's popular cuisine such as panelle, cazzilli, and sfincione. According to tradition linked to the venue's history, Giuseppe Garibaldi ate there several times during his stay in Palermo. Between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the focacceria also became a meeting place for exponents of Sicilian culture and the arts. Among the personalities associated with the venue are writers Luigi Pirandello and Leonardo Sciascia and painter Renato Guttuso. Architect Ernesto Basile played a particular role, elaborating some furnishing elements there. He is credited with the design of the logo, the cast-iron tables, and the wrought-iron chairs that characterised the venue's image. In 1902, nearly seventy years after its founding, the establishment officially adopted the name "Antica focacceria San Francesco", derived from the square on which the historic venue faces. In the same period, the menu was enriched with further Sicilian cuisine specialities, including arancine and sarde a beccafico. In 1939, management of the Antica focacceria passed to the Conticello family. From the 1970s until the 1990s, the venue was frequented by exponents of politics, institutions, and the judiciary, among whom are remembered Ugo La Malfa, Pio La Torre, and magistrates Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino (the latter two originally from Kalsa). In the 1980s, the Conticello family was also involved in reporting the extortion racket, a case that had wide national resonance. In 2009, the first Antica focacceria San Francesco outlet outside Palermo was inaugurated in Milan, near the Duomo. In subsequent years, the business expanded to other Italian cities, including Rome (two locations), Turin, and Florence. In Palermo, besides the historic venue, another location is on Via Maqueda. From 2013 to 2020, Antica focacceria San Francesco was part of the Feltrinelli group.

• 2020

  End of the period as part of the Feltrinelli group.

• 2013

  Antica focacceria San Francesco becomes part of the Feltrinelli group.

• 2009

  First outlet outside Palermo opens in Milan, near the Duomo.

• 1939

  Management passes to the Conticello family.

• 1902

  The establishment officially adopts the name "Antica focacceria San Francesco".

• 1851

  Introduction of the "maritata" focaccia, adding an inexpensive cut of meat to the "schietta".

• 1834

  Salvatore Alaimo receives the deconsecrated chapel of Palazzo Cattolica and opens a food shop with a wooden sign reading "Focacceria".

Historic Sicilian restaurant and street food brand, part of Locali storici d'Italia, known for traditional Palermo cuisine.

• Pani câ mèusa

  Traditional Palermo sandwich made with spleen and ricotta, the restaurant's signature dish.

• Focaccia schietta

  Original focaccia made with ricotta and lard, symbolically linked to a bridal veil.

• Focaccia maritata

  Focaccia schietta with an inexpensive cut of meat added, introduced in 1851.

• Panelle

  Sicilian chickpea fritters, part of the popular Palermo cuisine.

• Cazzilli

  Sicilian potato croquettes, a traditional street food.

• Sfincione

  Sicilian thick pizza with tomatoes, onions, and anchovies.

• Arancine

  Sicilian rice balls, usually stuffed with meat sauce or other fillings.

• Sarde a beccafico

  Sicilian stuffed sardines, a traditional dish.

1. 1Antica focacceria San Francesco - Wikipediait.wikipedia.org
2. 2Antica Focacceria San Francesco - Wikidatawikidata.org