click on a logo to experience our unique brands!
Follow us on Instagram
|
Follow us on Instagram |
Specialty Coffee Roaster
Specialty Frozen Dessert & Food Manufacturer
Food Service Operator & Consulting
Made by hand & heart
food service with a passion since 1968
Our Story
Growing up in Italy, a young boy named Giuseppe learned the value of a hard day’s work. At twelve he began working for a local coffee roaster and quickly learned the art of small batch artisan espresso coffee roasting.
In 1968, Giuseppe opened his own shop in Chicago and served the first ever cup of espresso on American soil. The business prospered as people fell in love with the smooth taste of these aromatic Italian coffees. To help create an authentic traditional Italian café experience, he called in a master gelato maker from Rimini, Italy to train him in the fine art of crafting genuine Italian gelato.
Today, Giuseppe’s son Angelo has incorporated his own passion for sharing his Italian heritage. His premium coffees and espressos are still fresh roasted locally in small batches to ensure a consistently full-flavored, well-rounded taste. His gelati are made daily, using traditional Italian techniques, and each heavenly flavor is made from all natural imported fruits, berries and nuts for an intensely flavored, silky smooth indulgence.
For over 50 years, the Lollino family has been dishing up authentic Italian foods, blending and roasting the finest coffees, and creating specialty frozen desserts in Chicagoland. In the 1990s, husband and wife Angelo and Giovanna Lollino expanded the family business opening a flagship Italian café in Elmwood Park, Illinois. Over the next two decades, The Lollino's would partner with influential chefs and food distributors to bring award-winning gelato, premium roasted coffee and espresso, authentic Sicilian pizza and more to consumers around the globe.
We always provide unmatched customer service, are passionate about our products, and highly-skilled at what we do.
our team
Angelo Lollino
CEO / Owner
Angelo Lollino was born and raised to make amazing coffee, award-winning gelato and great Italian food. He grew up in Chicago in an Italian family that owned and operated Ristorante Italia for nearly 30 years. Angelo’s father was also a master coffee roaster, and one of the first to introduce espresso coffee in the U.S. through his wholesale coffee company and cafes that also served house-made artisan gelato and Sorbetto.
Giovanna Lollino
VP of Restaurant Operations
Giovanna Lollino plans, directs and coordinates all internal operations. This includes day-to-day responsibilities of improving performance, productivity, efficiency and profitability at Gringo & Blondie Taqueria and at Massa Cafe Italiano. She has over 20 years of implementing effective methods and strategies like book-keeping and scheduling, examining financial data/statements, contributing to day-to-day success of operations, and recruiting, training and supervising human resources department.
Joey Lollino
Production Manager - Gelato
A graduate of Kendall College, Joey earned his degree in 2016 for Hospitality Management. He was recruited by Aramark and managed concessions and hospitality at popular Chicagoland venues, including First Midwest Amphitheater, Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island and the Allstate Arena. Joey enjoys working in the food-service industry as well as cooking at home.
Giana Lollino
Sales & Marketing Associate
Giana has spent her life working for and helping develop the family business. What first started as a summer job at the family restaurant, Massa, at the age of 16, has turned into a career path where she can use her passion for food, sales, and marketing to assist in the many growing facets of Alamode. Giana has a Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Wisconsin –Madison and worked as a medical assistant post-graduation. Giana decided to join the Alamode team full-time to help build the Lollino legacy and utilize her skills for a business she really believes in.
Rich Cleary
Sales & Marketing Associate
Rich was born and raised in Elmwood park. He believes the best memories are made with good food and family gathered around the table. For the past 10 years, Rich has used his passion for cuisine to cultivate a fulfilling profession in the food service, sales and manufacturing industry. He attended Illinois State University, majoring in Business Communications. In his personal time, Rich enjoys experiencing new restaurants, listening to Sinatra, and actively ignoring recommended portion sizes.
Cruz Ramirez
Warehouse Manager
After working as a welder for 15 years, Cruz joined Alamode Foods. He is ISO/OSHA trained on Shipping, Receiving and Forklift operations. Cruz loves working with others and learning new things. Cruz ensures our warehouse is kept up to the highest standards with his skills in organization and strategic planning. Cruz has a 17 year old daughter and has been together with his wife for 12 years, who is his best friend and the reason he is the person he is today. Cruz’s favorite gelato flavor is pistachio.
Stephanie Leipart
Director of Operations
After graduating from Marquette University, Stephanie went on to build a 15-year career in the coffee industry centered in retail area leadership, store oversight, customer service, and team building. She brings a vast knowledge of field operations, team development, and merchandising to the leadership team and is a valuable asset to the daily operations at Alamode Foods.
Omar Mondragon
Lead Coffee Roaster
Omar got his start in the food industry over 24 years ago. He originally set out to become a chef but found he loved working with coffee much more. He has worked at Alamode Foods since we began operations, and he is currently our lead coffee roaster. As the lead coffee roaster, he dedicates his time to mixing and experimenting with new blends. Omar’s favorite part of working with us is that each day is unique and there are always new projects to work on. Omar loves soccer and still plays today.
Vicente Villafuerte
Operations Manager - Coffee
Vicente has forged his path in the food industry through hard work and determination. He began his career over 15 years ago working in food delivery. He joined the Alamode Foods team 5 years ago, and he is currently our coffee operations manager. Vicente is responsible for machine maintenance, packaging, receiving, delivering, and invoicing. His favorite parts of his work day are experimenting with new coffee flavors, learning more about the industry, and meeting new people. Outside of the office, Vicente spends his time listening to music and working on cars.
